When we arrived at our destination, we found a large number of people there.
As it was a military school, soldiers wearing black military uniforms could be seen.
[They raise the heroes here, don’t they?]
[Yes. However, not all students for admission try to become brave. Or rather, they cannot.]
[What do you mean?]
[As I am sure you know, Lucifer-sama, all those who are called heroes are protected and blessed by the gods. These people are called Shinshi (divine messengers), and they can handle superhuman power and tremendous magic. I was naturally a Shinshi myself. Until I was married to Lucifer-sama.]
Come to think of it, I remember the look on Rena’s face when she looked a little sad right after we tied the knot, saying, ‘I lost the blessing from God-sama.’
I gave her power and made her a demon god instead, so she is still able to use her supernatural power without any problem. She is even stronger than she was when she fought me before.
[God gives power not only to humans, but also to beastmen, elves, dragons, and many other races. Except us, the demons.]
[Well, we are strong without such protection and blessings, aren’t we?]
[Yes, there are very few people who can become the messenger. The actuality that you can get a lot of preferential treatment in the empire, for example, being a divine messenger, you can be given treatment above that of a colonel earlier than usual when you graduate from military school, and you can qualify to participate in the Senate.]
[Hmmm……… So, the heroes are also chosen from among those messengers?]
[Yes. If you want to become a brave warrior, you must have the appropriate ability, so it is desirable to graduate from the “scholarship frame”. This is a completely merit-based system, so you cannot enter simply because you are a divine messenger. What is required to enter the special student quota is-]
[You mean the score on the entrance exam?]
[You are right. If you are accepted by the examiner in the entrance examination, you can enter the scholarship frame. After that, you have to do a lot more work, and before you know it, you are a hero.]
It’s getting a little tedious to explain, isn’t it?
Well, the structure is simple: the strongest man is chosen as the hero. That’s all.
[But, Lucifer-sama, are you sure you’re going to take the entrance exam?]
[Yeah. I don’t know what happens to the institution that trains the heroes until I get inside. At any rate, this special student quota is limited to divine messengers only, right?]
[According to the regulations of the academy, that is the case, but some people are not messengers of the gods but are very talented, so I believe that there are special cases where ordinary people with ability are accepted as an exception for such people. However, this was 500 years ago, so I am not sure if this is still the case today.]
[I understand. Well, I guess we should aim for the special student quota anyway.]
After a quick word, I quickly walk through the gates of the school and enter the grounds. There was no sign of any particular security.
I quickly found what looked like a reception desk and headed there, where I was approached by an elf woman who appeared to be a guide.
[Are you interested in enrolling?]
[Yes.]
[What subjects would you like to take?]
[What? Oh, the special student quota? I think it’s that. That’s it.]
The moment I said that the receptionist’s expression changed. She looked as if she wanted to say she couldn’t understand me, but gradually her expression became condescending.
She looked at me and said, [Excuse me but have you read the admission guidelines?”]
[I haven’t read it, but I heard that the special student quota is the most favorable, right? I’d like to apply.]
I was laughed at.
[A regular entrance examination is based on specializing in one art: magic, swordplay, or physical art.]
[That’s why I’m saying it’s a special student quota, not a regular one.]
It seems that I have put the receptionist in a very bad mood.
She let out an exaggerated sigh and then said,
[By the looks of it, you don’t have any references from nobility or military officers, do you?”]
The corner of her mouth rose sharply. This is the usual arrogance of the elves.
… as I expected, I’m getting uncomfortable. Should I kill her?
[To be considered for the special student quota, students must take all three of the aforementioned examinations: magic, swordsmanship, and body art. Only those who are approved by the examiner in all of them will be given special treatment.]
[I see. I’ll take all of them.]
I quickly replied.
[I understand. Then please be back… did you hear what I just said?]
[I’m even more motivated now that I’ve heard it. The point is, as long as I get first place in everything or something, that’s all that matters, right?]
Rena complained, [Oh? I don’t think there was such a condition.]
What is it? It sounds fun, so it’s good.
[You might regret it.]
[I won’t. Just get on with it.]
[Are you sure you want to do this?]
[I don’t want to repeat myself. I’m telling you to hurry up.]
[…hush!]
The receptionist dented into the room with his face in astonishment.
[Lucifer-sama,]
[I’m sorry. I can’t help it.]
Rena quietly rebuked me.
It was a close call. If I hadn’t sealed most of the power available in Tenebrae with a sealing technique, this woman would have burst by now. She’s just an elf who doesn’t seem to have any particular powers.
A few of the other receptionists noticed something was wrong and came up to me. I had to be careful this time.
At any rate, I’ll talk to one of them for now.
[Well, will you hurry up? I’m hoping to enroll.]
[What? Oh, oh… Then, fill out the form.]
The receptionist was worried about the elf who had suddenly passed out and treated me roughly.
The elf was completely knocked out and fell, foaming at the mouth.
Is she dead? I don’t care, as long as it’s not my fault.
I picked up the documents as I was told and raised my eyebrows at one of the items.
[Name… as expected, I can’t write my real name.]
[Wouldn’t it be nice if you wrote it down properly?]
Appropriate, huh? Come to think of it, I remember when I stayed at the inn, I also appropriately wrote my name. What was it? I think it was a common name.
Yes,..… I’m sure.
[Theodore.]
I wrote the name as it was given to me by Rena, who listed several human names and gave me an appropriate name.
With this, from today on, my name in the empire is Theodore. I don’t have a last name. I am not a nobleman.
[Yes, I wrote it down, Uncle.]
[Ah, yes yes… Eh!? You’ll take it all!?]
I felt that the same conversation would start again, so I ignored the receptionist behind me who was yelling something, and quickly moved on.