Sword, Magic and Academic Society

Following my first failure, I was currently going through an even more rigorous trial in an attempt to harness my inner mana outside of my body.

But, every path has its puddle, no? In my case, it just happened to be that the Old Man's classes lasted from 8 in the morning to 7 in the evening. The only time I had for myself was before breakfast and after dinner, before going to bed.

If what I heard was to be believed, a day in a noble offspring's life preparing for admission into senior high school like the Royal Academy typically consisted of training in sword art or magic in the morning, and lectures in the afternoon which meant they only studied diligently for four hours.

In my case, since I was prepared enough to score passing marks in the practical test, Schord proposed a very auspicious <Absolute Success Project> to the head (my father) to get my theoretical knowledge back on track and that was how all the time of my day was practically converted to grinding through theory subjects.

But——

Sweat.....

I mean, I knew I wasn't rather blessed in the brain department in my previous life so I had devoted 18 hours of my day every day to gritty study sessions during my dropout years and managed to gain admission to the famous private school through sheer determination.

So seeing this timetable posted in my study room really made me wonder if they were serious about ensuring my success.

A mere 6-hour study session a day felt more suitable for middle schoolers. No wait, considering I was 12, maybe they really came up with the best plan......

But then again, it was too sweet for me so the following day after waking up, I requested a revision of my schedule.

As a former studious student, I would have preferred the schedule of 6 in the morning to midnight, but there were also things like testing out not only my abilities but also other aspects so with a heavy heart, I had to compromise with this.

I was confident enough to triumph just by self-studying as long as I had free time.

"But Young Master, simply extending the hours won't suffice. Merely waiting for time to pass won't lead to improved performance. I doubt that this schedule will lead to the successful results you are imagining."

Such were Schord's words. He was just implying in a roundabout way that 'I appreciate your enthusiasm, but this is where youngsters often fumbled'.

He was right. If it had been the previous me, this hazardous schedule instead would have netted me the opposite result.

But I couldn't afford to cut down on study time any further. I didn't know how success or failure in this exam would impact my life.

As 'Allen', I had always thought that even if I failed this exam, I would still have the option to attend the Aristocratic Academy. Then, I would just do my best next time during the employment exam.

But precisely because of that, those who didn't act at an opportunity would never be able to get another chance.

I didn't have any ambition and was completely a blank slate in regards to how the society here worked or was composed of.

I got the reincarnated life I always dreamed of, but only to find myself in a critical juncture of my life, sandwiched between the choices that would hound me for the rest of my days. If there was something I wanted, then it was to never again fall into the pit of being a corporate slave.

"What's with the 'take it easy' advice...... It's not an exaggeration to say that these three months would determine the fate of my life! Have you forgotten that my shoulders are carrying the 700-year-old hope of the Rovenne Viscount family? Can't you have more sense of urgency!?"

Schord was dumbfounded for a moment, apparently, my words didn't immediately register in his mind, but eventually, a shade of red crept on his face as his entire being shivered.

"This Schord admits he was impressed with your attitude for learning yesterday, but had never thought I would hear something like this from the Young Master...... So you really are prepared!"

"So my resolution finally got through to you, huh, old man?"

"Understood! This Schord will make sure to respond to the Young Master's determination. I will immediately send a letter to the Master in the royal capital and propose a revision to the plan! The breaks between lectures from here on out would only be for 10 minutes. Lunch time is necessary but I'll cut time on nap completely. There's no room for regrets now!"

I was instead amazed at how much he had been underestimating the exam......

"Listen here, old man, why do we need a whole hour for lunch? Do you really think the current me has all the time in the world to take my sweet time to move to the dining area and savor a warm soup lovingly prepared by the staff? Whether it's a sandwich or a bento, if we can finish it up in this room, 15 minutes should be plenty."

"Huh? No, No, this kind of cold meal isn't in the line to be served to a noble's son—"

"So many excuses! I might be a noble but if I join a knight order, won't there be a time when I will be tasked to handle subjugation requests? Do you think I would have the leisure to eat warm food when the danger of a monster attack hovers over me all the time?"

Even after my heated statement, the old man just kept listening to me while pondering on how to stop me.

I continued my onslaught while keeping an eye on his facial expression.

"Listen here, old man, Our pressing situation requires us to throw any naive thoughts! This is a battlefield where we have been cornered by our opponent's forces! Isolated and outnumbered. Our opponent in the form of an entrance exam is formidable, and we have little hope. The only way for us to get out of here alive is to defeat it. Our time is running out. Life requires some flexibility. For what purpose? It's all but to push our limits when we find ourselves surrounded by nothing but despair. When will that be? When can't I afford to compromise? There couldn’t be a better moment than now!

I've made up my mind! Starting tomorrow, my lunch will consist of portable emergency rations! I'll eat them while reviewing my notes in the afternoon. There shouldn't be any complaints now!"

At last, my raging onslaught managed to spark the fighting spirit in the eyes of the bewildered Schord.

Kukuku. I knew you were the type to prefer militant-like words.

"From 8 in the morning till 7 at night, no breaks, and only 15 minutes for lunch... That should be fine...... right? Just what has gotten into you though? Before yesterday, you used to interrupt lectures at any given chance saying you need to go to the washroom to do this or that. Has your chronic urinary problem now been resolved?"

The old man's lips broke into a smile as he spoke, though his eyes were telling a different story; a glint could be seen in them.

"Enough! You are the exclusive private tutor of this Viscount Rovenne family. Have some self-awareness," I said, irked by him pointing out my past self's childish actions.

The instant these words escaped from my mouth, all expression vanished from his eyes.

Crap, I stepped on a sleeping lion's tail.

The old man wasn't only proud of raising the kids of this house into splendid adults ever since the time of my father, but he also hoped that I would pass the exam more fervently than anyone else after determining I had an aptitude for magic. Yet, I, of all people, dared to ridicule him.

It was the line I shouldn't have crossed.

◆◆◆

In this way, I safely managed to change my schedule into something I wanted. However, there was some blunder in the process because I let my mouth run loose.

"Say, old man, I don't even think you need to eat the portable emergency ration as well. Wait, I will tell the cook to bring you some sandwiches."

"I am perfectly fine. Besides, this is a battlefield. Do you really have time to show mercy on another person?"

His eyes stared intently at me.

"Old man, you must be getting on in years. I'll keep working on the assignments, so take a restroom break if you need one."

"Please don't mind me, Young Master. I am wearing diapers, so I would be fine in any unexpected situation."

He now scares me......

Editor's note- That schedule is crazy. Guess not only is the MC a crazy M but so is his tutor 😂

T/N - Indeed, old habits dies hard. I think a spartan world would have been more suitable for our dear MC.