Chapter 44
Chapter 44: Ainz’s First Year in the Academy [Before]
Translated by Tods
Edited by Phantom0408
Special thanks to the translation supporter: Asekhan
There were many academies and private schools in Ishtalica.
Among them, which one was the best? The academy that always comes up when people talk about it was the Royal Kingsland Academy.
The examinations were said to be beyond the level of what an eight-year-old could do and were extremely hard to pass.
The number of students at the academy was so small that it was almost impossible to count from the bottom of the list. However, it was one of the largest academies in terms of land area, and it was well facilitated.
The academy was privately funded by the Royal Family of Ishtalica to maintain a high standard of education.
There were 100 students in each grade. With 25 students in the Fifth and Fourth Group, 20 students in the Third and Second Group... And then, there was the First Group, a small group with only 10 students.
Even if they were in the Fifth Group, they would be guaranteed a career after graduation. And if they could be promoted to the Third Group or higher, it wouldn’t be an unreachable dream to become a key figure of Ishtalica in the future.
And if they were good enough to get into the First Group, they would be looked upon by the government, even while you were still in the academy. Therefore, it was no exaggeration to say that many students were making life-threatening efforts to get promoted.
However, there were still those who enjoyed their school life as much as the people who were having a conversation here.
「Roland wants to work for a state-run development agency then」
「Yes yes. But eventually, I’d like to use that technology to make something big. For example... A big project like the White King」
The White King was the name of the battleship that has been inherited by the Kings of Ishtalica.
New technologies and other equipment have been sparingly deployed as its new equipment, and many of its mechanisms were considered top-secret.
「Aah, His Majesty’s ship huh...? You sure have a big dream」
「At some point, when Ainz-sama has his own ship, I’d be happy if I could be a part of it」
「Alright. Then it’s a promise. I’ll have Roland as a part of my ship in the future」
「Eh!? No, I indeed said that I’d be happy if I could be a part of it, but...」
Ainz didn’t want his classmates to treat him formally, so he asked Roland to treat him in a more relaxed manner in the academy.
However, there was no way Roland could call the Crown Prince Ainz by his name.
He could manage his tone of voice, but he still insisted on using the honorific title of “sama” to him.
「But I liked Roland’s idea of magic tools. It’s a kind of innovation, and I’m sure it’s going to be useful, so I’m really looking forward to it」
To be involved in the development of a nationally important battleship like the White King. This was a dream come true for any developer. But to Roland, and most developers and engineers, the White King was a monstrosity of development technology. It was developed with all knowledge, development capabilities, and ideas that were incomparable to their own.
「...It gives me great confidence to hear Ainz-sama say so though」
「There’s still time, you know? It’ll be a long time before I have a ship of my own, and even if I don’t get involved from the start, there’ll be plenty of time to upgrade the facilities later. So, I’m sure Roland will be able to do something for me」
Roland’s idea of a magic tool was similar to the already fading memories in Ainz’s previous life, an Idea that was similar to the technology that existed in that world.
He had been asked one question in the entrance exam.
『There are several problems with the water trains in Ishtalica right now. One of the biggest problems is the construction of the tracks. Currently, several lines are running through the continent of Ishtalica in ideal locations, but they are not enough for further cultural improvement and development. However, it is difficult to increase the number of lines easily because of the land. Propose an improvement plan to overcome this situation』
When Ainz heard that from Roland, he thought, “Isn’t this academy stupid?”.
This was not a test suited for Ainz and the other eight-year-olds. It was insane to ask them to come up with a plan to overcome it. But then, Ainz wondered, had Roland passed the test and been admitted?
He was curious, So Ainz urged Roland to continue and get his answer.
Here was what Roland had submitted at the test, he designed and proposed a magic tool that would allow us to continue digging safely under the ground. At the same time, he added a proposal to use the hole he had finished digging as a tunnel to solidify the wall.
The tunnel would then be used to develop a new route. He then passed the test with that answer.
But Roland also said that there were some major holes in that proposal. The biggest problem was the cost. He said that it was not realistic to think about developing that magic tool because it was expected to be too costly.
Still, the idea of digging a huge tunnel under the ground and using it shone brightly in the eyes of the examiners.
The Royal Kingsland Academy’s entrance exam for the liberal arts was a system where the announcement of acceptance arrived a few days later. The point was also different from the martial arts system.
In the meantime, Roland’s proposal had been sent to the national development agency for review.
Although the proposal was riddled with holes from the point of view of these talented researchers, its future and potential were highly evaluated. Roland himself never heard of it, but even now, the development agency recognized him as a promising young man.
「Hmm... You’re right. I’m trying to be a developer. I can’t just give up now, can I?」
「Yeah, that’s why I’ll be waiting for you」
It would be a long time before Ainz would have his own ship. So, with that in mind, Roland had a great opportunity to grow even further. Ainz was hoping that Roland, the first friend he had made at the academy, would be involved in developing it.
「Understood. Just wait for me... Umm, Ainz-sama, it seems Dill-senpai is here to pick you up」
Dill, who belonged to the First group of the sixth year, holder of the highest grade, came to pick up Ainz.
「Hi Dill. Good work today too」
「Ainz-sama, thank you for your patience. And Roland-kun, thank you for being with Ainz-sama」
「No no... I’m honored to be able to talk with Ainz-sama as well」
Ainz hadn’t told him about Roland, but Dill had been given detailed information about his classmate that Warren had investigated.
It was information that was necessary for Ainz’s safety in case something went wrong. And Dill had a good impression of Roland’s personality, which he could understand by talking to him directly.
「I’m glad to hear you say so... Shall we go then, Ainz-sama?」
「Okay. Roland, thank you for today too, see you tomorrow!」
「See you tomorrow, Your Highness」
Ainz said not to worry about it, but Roland was a little more polite in his tone when Dill was by his side as an escort.
「Ainz-sama, How was your day?」
「Thanks to the free class system, I have a lot of freedom. I can even go to the library as much as I want」
「That’s good to know then」
The First Group generally doesn’t have any classes held in a classroom. It was mostly self-study and going to the teachers when they had free time to ask questions.
But that was fine for this group. They could use the academy’s facilities at their own pace and work on experiments, research and self-study.
「By the way, do you have any problems with the regular exams that are getting close?」
「I don’t mean to sound high and mighty, but from what I’ve seen from the curriculum, I’m sure it won’t be a problem at all. It was behind from what we’ve been studying at the castle after all」
「I understand, I’m relieved to hear that」
Dill smiled kindly. And a female student walking nearby was fascinated by his smile. Unlike his father, Lloyd, Dill has a pure, beautiful face. He was also a top-class swordsman and was so popular that you could tell at a glance that he was perfectly handsome. He was so popular that even the female students at another academy knew his name.
「Speaking of which, there’s been a lot of activity in the Academy City lately. What’s going on?」
「...I agree a big event will be held in here after all」
「What kind of event is that? I haven’t heard any of this」
「The First Group and Second Group have nothing to do with it, so you’re not being informed. There is an inter-school competition in Academy City. So, it will gradually become like a festival」
Ainz was excited when he was told that it was an inter-school competition in Academy City. But what does it mean that he has nothing to do with it?
「That looks like a lot of fun! Huh? But what do you mean we’re not involved? It’s an inter-school competition, right?」
「Yes, it is as Ainz-sama says, but unfortunately... It’s because of the special measure」
「Do they have to use that special measure?」
「...Simply put, it is because of the difference in ability. The competition is not only in martial arts but also in many other fields. However, to put it bluntly, the Royal Kingsland Academy’s level was too high to participate. However, it would be a problem if we could not participate fully, so the students of the Third and lower Groups will represent us」
「Aah... I see. So, to put it bluntly, we won’t be able to participate huh?」
「I can’t say that out loud though. But you’re right」
The unified nation of Ishtalica gathered many students from all over the continent here, in the Academy City. Among them, the Royal Kingsland Academy gathered even a handful of talented people. To put it bluntly, it was too different from the other academies.
Even though they don’t allow the top students to compete, they still achieve great results every year, which was why they took special measures.
「So Dill has never participated either?」
「That’s right. But on a rare occasion, I would go to other academies as an exchange student and show my skills, but...」
「...But what?」
「...I-I have been assigned by the Royal Family to serve as Ainz-sama’s escort. And my father, Lloyd, is the current Grand Marshal. So, I have had much training at the castle since I was a child!」
「I know I know... So? Tell me how it went」
「...It was fruitless for both of us」
There was too much of a difference in their abilities for it to be meaningful. The knights who were allowed to work in the Royal Castle of Ishtalica were the elite of the elite. If you’re one of the elite knights, you’re naturally no match for someone your own age.
「Well, okay. So that’s what happens, but can we watch the competition?」
「You can if it’s what Ainz-sama wants」
「I see. I’d like to go see it then」
「Understood. I’ll let Chris-sama know about it as well」
The competition attracted a lot of people. That was why a higher level of protection was required than in the academy. So, Chris would probably be the one to go with him as an escort.
They continued this conversation until they met up with Chris.
It seemed that a guy who was a childhood friend of Dill’s was going to compete. He heard that he had entered a knight training academy and that they had been separated since then. Dill said that he had always been a strong man and that he was looking forward to seeing how much he had grown.