The Mercenary King Enters the Academy?
The world was called Newpan. Surprisingly, it was a dimension connected to Earth. Unfortunately, living beings could not cross the dimensional rift. That had been the established theory until now.
However, a great mage in the Aachen Kingdom had created an astonishing great magic. It was a spell that allowed even living creatures to cross dimensions. The cost, however, was enormous—enough to shake the kingdom itself. Moreover, preparing the magic took an incredibly long time.
Because of this, the Aachen King was deeply troubled. He wanted to send someone to Earth. He desired to absorb Earth's advanced culture. Yet he could not send just anyone. The kingdom only possessed enough resources to send a single person.
Therefore, it only made sense to send the most outstanding individual from the kingdom. That way, they could learn the most. The king made a decision. He would establish a new department at the Royal Academy and send the student with the highest grades to Earth.
Gender, age, status, even race—none of it mattered. Only ability counted. Whoever achieved the highest score could go to Earth. The king announced this to the entire kingdom.
The news sent shockwaves across the land. Countless people were already enamored with Earth's culture. Soon, throngs of people flocked to Trier, the city where the Royal Academy was located. Royalty, great nobles, knights, mages, merchants—the city overflowed with people from every walk of life.
But the Aachen King was not satisfied. He wanted truly exceptional individuals to enroll. So he added one more condition: the top graduate would receive a vast territory that included the city of Trier. In short, graduating at the top would instantly make one a grand lord ruling over a major city.
The reaction was explosive. Hidden talents from every field stepped forward—archmages, high-ranking knights, heroes of other races, saints, even the hero himself. The kingdom's finest gathered in one place.
The news also reached a man on the battlefield. He had been waiting for this announcement more than anyone. His name was Jace Allen, the Mercenary King. He was also the fastest-rising star in the kingdom.
Near the main gate of the Royal Academy. A massive crowd had gathered. It looked like there were at least ten thousand people.
Way too many people.
I shook my head as I surveyed the scene. I was starting to worry whether I would even get a chance to take the exam. Today was the entrance exam for the Royal Academy's new Special Class. The student with the highest score in this class would earn the honor of going to Earth—plus an enormous territory as a bonus.
Today was also the final day of the Special Class exams. Missing today's test essentially meant losing any chance of admission.
The royal family and powerful nobles already took their exams, apparently.
The academy was giving everyone a fair shot. Even commoners could take the test. But this was still a class-based society. On the first day, royalty, the hero, and the saint took the exam separately. The second day was for high nobles. The third day was for the various other races living in the kingdom. Only today, the final day, did commoners get their turn. That explained the enormous crowd.
Still, this is excessive...
I frowned as I looked ahead. The academy gates would open soon, and applicants would be allowed in one by one. But with this many people, I doubted I would even get a chance to test.
Should I just cut the line?
I was confident I would pass as long as I got to take the exam. From what I had heard, the test was extremely difficult. The pale faces of the people ahead of me confirmed that.
"The entrance exam is that hard?"
"That's what they say. Haah... I'm screwed."
"This is ridiculous! How can they put English on the test?!"
Surprisingly, the exam included English. This was not Earth, yet they were testing English. No wonder everyone looked so grim.
But I had nothing to worry about.
I did major in English literature in my past life, after all.
Unlike everyone else here, I was a reincarnated Earthling. I remembered everything from my previous life. Of course, the Earth I was born on and the current Earth were somewhat different.
The Earth over there is around 2012, huh?
They had not dropped leaflets on the Newpan continent or anything like that. Newpan itself did not exist there. It seemed to be a different dimension. Still, that was fine. The culture, language, and technology were almost identical. In short, compared to the people here, I was practically a PhD in Earth studies. No one knew more about Earth than I did.
The Royal Academy's Special Class existed to select the final candidate to send to Earth. Naturally, many of the tests were related to Earth. The English exam alone proved that.
If I can just take the test...!
I felt a twinge of anxiety. I had been stuck on the battlefield and heard the news too late.
Ahem. Can't be helped. I'll have to cut in line.
This was a medieval society. It was not like the modern world, where people queued politely. There was no need to follow those rules here.
Just as I was about to step forward, a sudden sound erupted from behind me.
Clank—!! Clank—!! Clank—!! Clank—!!
It sounded like hundreds of pieces of metal moving. Everyone turned around. Then they saw it.
"Huk...!"
"W-what is that?!"
People's eyes widened. Over a hundred armed mercenaries were marching toward the gate. They were no ordinary mercenaries. They wore full armor, and their weapons were stained with blood. It looked as though they had come straight from the battlefield. Yet even in that state, they maintained perfect formation like elite soldiers. Their presence was overwhelming.
Clank—!! Clank—!! Clank—!! Clank—!!
The sound of their approach echoed throughout the academy grounds. Fear spread across every face. My own expression hardened as I watched them approach—not out of fear, but irritation.
Haah. When did they even get here...?
Their voices rang out.
"Captain—!!"
"Why are you walking so fast?!"
"Are you trying to embarrass us?!"
I quickly looked away and pretended not to notice.
Just keep walking past me...
But they stopped right in front of me.
Thud—!!
Then they saluted in unison.
"Salute to the Mercenary King!"
"Loyalty—!!"
Their voices were thunderous. Everyone heard them.
"Did he just say Mercenary King...?"
"The Mercenary King... that Magic Swordsman, Jace Allen?"
"He's here?!"
"Huk...! It's really him?!"
Everyone stared at me in shock.
"Haah..."
I reluctantly turned and accepted their salute.
"Loyalty."
"Form a protective escort immediately! Move!"
"Yes, sir—!"
The mercenaries sprang into action, surrounding me in a tight formation. Before I knew it, nearly a hundred mercenaries had boxed me in. That was not the end of it.
"Forward march!"
The mercenary unit began advancing straight toward the gate, pushing through the crowd. I had no choice but to move with them. Chaos erupted instantly.
"Hey!"
"Don't push!"
"They're pushing from behind!"
"Everyone move! The mercenaries are coming through!"
In moments, the area in front of the academy gate turned into a battlefield. A hundred mercenaries were forcing their way through the crowd.
"Clear the path! The Mercenary King is passing through!"
"See the blood on these blades? Step aside if you don't want one in your gut!"
I covered my face. It was burning with embarrassment.
This is exactly why I wanted to come alone...
I had wanted to take the exam quietly. How had things turned out like this? I enjoyed attention, but there was a limit. This was beyond excessive.
Still, we kept pushing forward. As I mentioned earlier, today was the final day of exams. Only commoners remained. Naturally, no one here could stop me. Everyone reluctantly cleared a path, looking like they were swallowing bitter medicine.
Before long, we reached the front. I stood directly before the academy gates. Thanks to the mercenaries, there was no one ahead of me. They all looked at me with proud expressions, clearly hoping for praise.
"Ugh... You did well. Very well."
"Hehe, thank you!!"
"We're honored that you recognize our loyalty!"
"......Right."
Dealing with these blockheaded mercenaries was exhausting.
"Now go back. All of you."
I wanted them gone as quickly as possible.
"Huh...? But we need to escort you, Captain..."
"Do I look like someone who needs protecting? Get lost!"
"Y-yes, sir!"
At my sharp command, the mercenaries began to disperse—only to immediately reform their ranks and start singing a marching song.
Clank—!! Clank—!! Clank—!! Clank—!!
We are the men of steel—!!
We will never kneel to anyone—!!
I shook my head. They were clearly trying to humiliate me to death. The crowd, however, reacted differently.
"Whoa... So that's the Steel Mercenary Group?"
"Yeah, the legendary unit that's never failed a single mission...!!"
"Look at that formation. They're in a league of their own."
Everyone watched in admiration. Such disciplined soldiers were rare in this medieval world.
Just as I was shaking my head in exasperation, the academy gates creaked open.
Creaaak!
Guards stepped out. Normally, they would have shouted and pushed people back—after all, everyone left was a commoner. But I was different. Even if my noble status was ruined, I was still a noble. I also had the reputation of the Mercenary King. And there were still mercenaries singing their marching song behind me.
"Ahem. Please enter in order, starting from the front."
They spoke with surprising politeness, stealing glances at me the whole time. I must have been quite the curiosity.
Well, it is pretty unusual for the Mercenary King to be enrolling in the academy.
Receiving their stares, I stepped through the gates. It felt strange. Entering an academy at the age of twenty-nine was bound to feel odd.
It's all for the sake of getting to Earth. I'll endure it.