Volume 1 Chapter 3 (1/2)

Entrance Exam

Two hours later.

I was able to run us all the way here, I arrived at the imperial capital with Luluna.

As we pa.s.s through a ma.s.sive gate, we can see the streets of the imperial capital spreading out before us.

”Fuu~~”

Luluna lets out a big sigh.

Th-that was pretty tiring.

Even though I was using magic to boost myself, I still had to keep running for two hours.

”W-we really made it…..”

”….Right? Didn't I tell you I could do it?”

I try to stabilize my breathing to hide the fact that I'm so exhausted.

I don't want Luluna to know how tired I am. If she knew I'm guessing she'd feel bad for using me to get here.

I look toward Luluna, from what I can tell she hasn't noticed.

I think she's amazed by how much faster I am than an imperial carriage.

“…Who are you?”

Luluna asks me this.

”I'm Lute. Luluna-san's friend, Lute.”

”Right….Yes, you're right.”

Luluna nodded several times.

After a little while, she suddenly looked up.

The sun reflected brightly in her eyes.

”Luluna is fine.”

”……Eh?

After I gave her a confused look, Luluna started fidgeting with a shy expression on her face.

”Since we are friends…..shouldn't you just call me Luluna?”

”O-okay……Luluna.”

This is really embarra.s.sing.

I can feel my face turning red. I don't know what to do.

Luluna is also embarra.s.sed, her face is bright red and it looks like there's steam coming off of her head.

”Yes. I'm…Luluna.”

“Ah, yes thank you.”

”No problem…….haha~”

Luluna suddenly burst out laughing.

”Haha, the atmosphere became so strange.”

”But, it does feel like we're a lot closer if I don't use an honorific.”

Yeah, having friends is nice.

I close my eyes and place my hand on my chest.

I can feel the joy of friends.h.i.+p flowing throughout my body.

This is….friends.h.i.+p.

”It feels a bit shameless hearing you call my name without an honorific….But, it should be fine, right?”

”It does feel a bit shameless. Calling a girl by her first name feels quite exciting.”

The only women I've ever talked with were Grandma and an older woman from the village.

”Ah, I see.”

Luluna's face turns even more red.

I wonder if she's nervous about the exam.

I guess I'll have to take the lead.

Though, I know nothing about the city or where the academy is, so I begin to get anxious as well.

“Alright, let’s go.”

”Ri-right! Let's go, Lute!”

I lead Luluna through the gate and we enter the city.

***

I looked around the imperial capital restlessly.

The capital is gigantic. There is no other city in the kingdom that can match its size.

There are merchants selling magical items I've never seen before.

Well, looking at them the quality doesn't seem that great.

I feel like the magic tools Grandma made as her hobby were of much greater quality. No, these are terrible in comparison.

……Ah, I see the price for them is rather cheap. I guess these are meant for the common people.

After walking for a while, we reached the Adventurer's Academy.

”This is the Adventurer's Academy.”

”Aa~, this is it?”

Gathered around the building there were several people around Luluna and my age.

Incredible. This is the first time I've seen so many people.

“If you can display your ability to an examiner you will be allowed to join the Academy. Every year more than 10,000 people apply and only 100 are accepted. Out of that 100 the most exceptional are admitted to the special advanced cla.s.s, that would maybe be five people each year…..Hey, are you listening?”

”Ah, yes….I heard you Luluna.”

I'm overwhelmed by the sheer number of people, so I return a vague answer to Luluna.

I think she mistook my amazement with apprehension, Luluna grabbed my hand.

The feeling of a girl's soft hand stimulates my brain.

”Are you nervous? Don't worry, you'll definitely get accepted. I guarantee it, you will definitely pa.s.s.”