The Count’s Youngest Son is a Player

Chapter 34

Raul had arrived at the auditorium where the entrance ceremony was to be held, passing through a plaza overflowing with people.

Stepping out of his carriage, Raul couldn’t help but click his tongue at the sight of the teeming crowd.

“It’s incredibly busy, isn’t it? I heard the entrance ceremony was a big deal, but I didn’t expect it to be this crowded…”

This year, about 700 students were expected to enroll.

However, only scions of nobility with at least the formal rank of baron could participate in the ceremony.

Therefore, it was expected there would be fewer than 100 participants, but at a glance, there seemed to be at least 200.

“This year is a bit special. Some who had been putting off their enrollment have decided to join in as well.”

“…???”

Dylan offered an enigmatic smile, sparing his words.

‘What’s going on?’

Raul had already checked on the academy’s information before arriving in the capital. The ycounty intake of students, entrance exam details, and the academy curriculum were widely known among the nobility, so there was no need to even consult the related forums.

He had even managed to get a list of the noble families’ scions expected to enroll this year, but it seemed there had been some unforeseen changes.

‘It doesn’t really matter anyway.’

Since Raul hadn’t placed much importance on academy life in the first place, he decided not to worry too much about it.

However, his resolve wavered the moment he stepped inside the hall.

– We sincerely congratulate Prince Gerard de Ruben on his enrollment.

– The pride of the Templeton Household! Warmest congratulations to Lord Dalton on his enrollment.

– On the enrollment of Caleb de Randal…

– Celebrating the enrollment of Young lord Jamieson…

– Congratulations to young master Raul de Ashton on his enrollment…

‘My god! What is all this!!’

The walls of the hall were filled with banners for the scions of various noble families.

And the problem was that the list included not only a prince but also descendants of the five great martial families.

“How did this happen? Sir Philip! You said there were no direct descendants from the five great martial families enrolling this year?”

“Indeed, when we departed from Mira, there was no such news…”

Raul, showing a rare glimpse of dismay, and Philip, equally taken aback by the unexpected situation, were at a loss.

Only Dylan seemed to find the situation amusing as he watched Raul with a suppressed smile.

“Brother, what’s going on? You do know something, don’t you?”

After the incident at the mansion, Raul had been preoccupied. He had to deal with the aftermath and endure the so-called ‘hell training’ under his brother Dylan.

With Bernard, who was in charge of gathering information, confined within the mansion, Raul had been in the dark about recent developments.

“You’ll find out soon enough, little brother. Do ‘moderately’ well on the exams. Congratulations on your enrollment~”

Dylan left for the specially arranged VIP seats with that enigmatic smile.

Raul, trying to calm his tumultuous feelings, gave an order.

“Sir Jake and Sir Pierce, could you go around and gather some information? Check out the atmosphere around the examination areas as well.”

“Understood, my lord!”

After the two departed, only Philip remained, standing guard behind Raul.

‘It seems like a headache is inevitable…’

Originally, this year’s academy enrollment was expected to consist mostly of nobodies.

Not just the descendants of the prestigious martial families but even those from significant noble lineages weren’t expected to be part of the intake.

Yet, at a glance, not only the descendants of the five great martial families but also those from well-known noble families seemed to have enrolled in droves.

“I really don’t want to be bickering with kids at my age…”

“Sir…?”

“Oh, no. I was just talking to myself.”

Raul hastily covered up the words that had inadvertently slipped out and steeled his resolve.

‘Sigh. Let’s not worry about it. Just blend in quietly, as was the original plan.’

However, he seemed unable to completely hide a sense of unease tucked away in a corner of his mind.

***

The entrance ceremony began.

It proceeded like any other entrance ceremony, and it came time to introduce the faculty and staff. Raul, who had already gathered information on the faculty, was losing interest and letting his mind wander.

However, the atmosphere in the entrance hall suddenly started to buzz, and Raul’s eyes widened slightly as he looked towards the podium.

‘No way, that person is…?’

“…with great effort, we have managed to invite this individual. Starting this year, he will be the Vice-Chancellor of the Academy as well as the head of both the Department of Magic and the Department of Administration, Mr. Alfredo Gray!!”

Wow!!

Amidst thunderous cheers and applause, a well-dressed elderly gentleman appeared on the podium.

“It is my pleasure to introduce myself as Gray, who has temporarily taken on the role of Vice-Chancellor. It is an honor to serve at the prestigious and historic Ruben Kingdom Academy…”

As the speech continued, none of it reached Raul’s ears.

His mind was cluttered with the shock of encountering an unexpected person in an unexpected place.

And for good reason, as Alfredo Gray was famous across the continent as one of the “Three Great Sages,” an “8th Circle Archmage”!

Especially in the fields of illusion and mirage magic, he was unrivaled and he was also a master of alchemy magic.

‘Why on earth would that man come here??’

Gray, who preferred wandering and was known as the “Nomadic Sage,” was such that even the “Gray Magic Tower” he established would occasionally hire info-guilds to locate him.

For such a figure to come to the knight Ruben Kingdom and take up the position of Academy Vice Dean?

This was a completely different turn of events from Raul’s previous life.

Normally, he would have only made an appearance years after the official service started, and after the formation of the allied forces.

“…therefore, we have included a newly developed training illusion magic circle in the Academy’s curriculum. It will be demonstrated in the placement exam later, and we ask for your keen interest.”

While Raul was busy gathering information about Gray, his speech ended.

And then Chancellor Spencer de Templeton appeared.

“As Vice-Chancellor Gray mentioned, there will be changes to the educational curriculum from this year. Accordingly, the content of the placement test has also been modified, so I urge students to refer to the provided materials and prepare accordingly for the exam.”

Raul was not particularly disturbed by the change in the exam content.

After all, he had only planned to look at it casually, and even if the knight department’s exam changed, it would not make much difference.

However, he could not help but change his mind upon hearing the next words from the chancellor.

“This year, students who achieve excellent grades in the placement test will be awarded special rewards. We wish all students the best of luck.”

‘Special rewards?’

It was the first time he heard that rewards would be given during the Academy’s placement test.

It had always been just an exam to divide the classes.

That’s when a quest window appeared before Raul’s eyes.

[Scenario Quest: Placement Test]

Grade: ???

Objective: Secure entrance into the S class during the placement test

Additional Objective: Top the placement test

Penalty: Failure to enter S class results in a -5% skill proficiency correction during enrollment

Description: The Academy has seen an influx of promising students from the kingdom. It is an opportunity to compete with the promising youths from rival families and elevate the name of your family.

Reward: Experience points, coins, and additional rewards depending on the performance

After reviewing the contents, Raul closed the window calmly.

‘Doesn’t seem too hard.’

The Academy’s Swordsmanship Department had five classes.

S, A, B, C, D.

Among the 600 freshman swordsmanship students, ranking within the top 60 was sufficient for S class entry.

He had planned to just casually take the test, but he intended to make into the S class no matter what, so there was no issue.

‘The important question is whether to be content with just making it into S class, or to really show what I’m capable of…’

Considering the rewards were unknown, he wondered if there really was a need to aim for the top spot. At that moment, Jake brought the distributed materials.

“It’s supposed to be a special reward, but it doesn’t seem all that special, does it?”

-Privileges for the Top-Entering Student-

1. Access to all floors of the Academy’s library

2. Provision of a personal training ground with an Illusory Magic Circle installed

3. Custom equipment creation at the Academy’s workshop

However, contrary to Jake’s thoughts, Raul decided as soon as he saw the contents of the rewards.

‘Even if I can’t eat it, I must have it! This entrance exam’s top spot is mine!!’

Although others might think differently, the rewards were exactly what Raul needed.

‘The library and a training ground! Not just one, but both are being offered. I simply can’t pass this up.’

To the residents of Connect, the Academy might be an idol, but for Raul, it was a necessary evil.

While Academy classes and training could somewhat improve skill proficiency, they hardly offered experience points or rewards.

For a player like Raul, hunting monsters and exploring dungeons were far more beneficial than attending classes.

Nonetheless, Raul’s reason for enrolling in the Academy was also as an excuse to avoid being tied down to his territory and to have the chance to meet important figures of the kingdom.

But the presence of a training ground equipped with an Illusory Magic Circle changed the story.

The training Illusory Magic Circle was a superior device compared to the combat simulator that would later be introduced by the Players’ Association.

Despite battling illusion-generated enemies, the circle had the incredible property of allowing one to gain experience points.

The problem was the amount of Mana Stones needed to sustain the magic circle was no joke.

‘To be able to use it for free, what a windfall!’

Furthermore, the library was a treasure trove of hidden gems!

With the right information, one could find hidden quests and occasionally discover skill books. That was the library’s true value.

Normally, Academy libraries had access restricted by academic year.

But to have access to all floors!

‘I thought I’d have to spend three years at the Academy, but now I might be able to reduce that time.’

Of course, all this was only if he secured the top spot in the placement test.

Yet, Raul was not worried at all.

With determination, becoming number one in the placement test seemed easily within reach.

With confidence, Raul began walking towards the plaza where the exam was to unfold.

“Hey! Are you that little squirt from the Ashton family?”

Out of nowhere, a flamboyantly dressed young man approached Raul.

Glancing over, Raul noticed almost ten guards with him and among them, a familiar face.

‘Another one from the Randal household.’

Raul slowly looked the other man up and down from head to toe and said,

“Who are you? To me, you look more like the squirt here. Don’t you think?”

Next to Raul, who had grown past 180 cm, the young man looked like he wouldn’t even reach 170 cm.

Realizing this, the young man’s expression turned sour as he glared and said,

“Just as I heard, you’re an insolent one. This is why I hate dealing with Ashton brats. Ignorant country folks with no manners or sense. All of you…”

“If you have no business with me, I’ll be leaving now.”

Raul coolly dismissed the ranting young man and turned to leave the auditorium.

“Hey! Aren’t you going to stop? This insolent jerk!”

In a hurry, the young man reached out to grab Raul’s shoulder but Philip quickly stepped in to block him.

“That’s enough. I don’t care which noble family’s son you are, but it’s best if you stop now.”

“What’s this, huh? Not moving aside?”

Silently, Philip gestured with his eyes for the young man’s guards to take a look around.

Suddenly, other newcomers and their guards had gathered. Among them were individuals no less splendidly dressed than the young man.

Realizing the situation, a guard whispered to the young man, who reluctantly stepped aside.

“Always trouble when involved with Ashton folks. Insolent brat, I’ll make sure you learn your place!”

The young man glared daggers at Raul’s departing figure, but by then, Raul was already disappearing into the crowd.

(To be continued)