New chapter of Control Engineer is out! (2/2 chapter)

 

 

Volunteer

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

The creation of the magic stone that Kaa-sama requested took me two whole days to carefully complete.

Given that degree of luminosity, it would likely be used as illumination for a considerably large room. If so, then the customer must have been a noble. It was finished, but if I handed it over to Kaa-sama immediately, suspicion might have arisen, so it still remained in my room.

Today was an accounting day, but once it ended, the application materials for prospective students at the Royal Salomea University, which I had requested, were handed to me by Manager Begart. After I expressed my gratitude, he firmly reminded me that I should first consult with Tou-sama, the head, and Kaa-sama, the vice-head, before proceeding with my application.

I drew the contents from the envelope. An application form and requirements for admission to the Royal Salomea University, dated Annum 489. I turned the cover page.

Hmm. The Royal Salomea University was founded in Annum 283 by the eighth monarch, King Roal, who granted land and estate within the royal capital. Thus, it has over 200 years of history. Ten faculties, with last year’s enrollment recorded as 1,765 undergraduates and 875 graduate students.

What are these ten faculties?

Theology, Philosophy, Medicine & Pharmacology, Literature, Law, Arts, Agriculture, Engineering, Economics & Commerce, and the Faculty of Magic. The ones worthy of consideration would be Engineering, Commerce, and Magic, I thought, as I read the detailed descriptions of the departments within each faculty.

At that stage, I excluded Engineering.

Its constituent departments including Mathematics, Astronomy, Physics, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering. All seemed respectable, but their education and research bore no apparent relation to matters of control. If there had been Electronics or Information Engineering, it might have been different, yet such departments do not exist.

I had not expected much, but to be frank, I found it disappointing.

That leaves Commerce and Magic. I hold little interest in Commerce, but if I consult Tou-sama and Kaa-sama, I sense they would recommend it. To counter that possibility, gathering information is essential. I should read the relevant explanations when I have time.

The Faculty of Magic consists only of two departments, Magic Art Skills and Way of Magic Science & Technology. Fewer departments than the others.

Ah, I see. Though the university itself has a long history, the Faculty of Magic was founded only 25 years ago. That explains it. For this year’s enrolment, 85 in Magic Art Skills, 46 in Science & Technology.

The Magic Art Skills Department pursues magic arts and trains magicians and magical therapists. That much is expected. The Science & Technology Department pursues magic technology and the crafting of magical tools and apparatuses. I see.

Whoa.

What is this, the career path of graduates?

In Magic Arts, 40 percent to the national army, 20 percent to local armies. Even in Science & Technology, 30 percent go to the national army. Nearly half become soldiers. I have no particular dislike for soldiers, but as a path, I do not wish to choose it. Yet, the entrance exam is taken by faculty.

 

—

 

“It’s me, Leon.” (Leon)

I knocked, then opened the door slightly and announced myself.

“Do come in.” (Mother)

Hearing Kaa-sama’s voice, I entered. This was her room in the main residence.

As always, it was neatly arranged and refined. I had never noticed before, but perhaps it was incense. There was a faint, pleasant fragrance. Kaa-sama rose from her desk and gestured to the sofa. I obeyed the implied command to sit. She then poured tea from the pot set upon the small table, into two cups.

“It is rare for Leon to seek consultation. Please, speak.” (Mother)

She set one cup before me and then seated herself.

Yes. I had indeed come to seek Kaa-sama’s counsel.

“It concerns my future.” (Leon)

“Hmm. Have you decided upon your aspiration?” (Mother)

“Yes. This.” (Leon)

I handed Kaa-sama the envelope containing the university application forms.

“What is this?” (Mother)

She knit her brows with suspicion.

“The application forms for the entrance exam of the Royal Salomea University.” (Leon)

“Hmm. The university.” (Mother)

“Yes.” (Leon)

She drew forth the contents from the envelope and began reading.

“The exam in Emilia is on July 15th, with applications due by May 15th. That is one month away.” (Mother)

“Yes.” (Leon)

Her expression softened.

“What is it you ask of me?” (Mother)

“I wish to know whether I may sit for the exam.” (Leon)

“As I have told you before, Leon, you are the third son. You may do as you wish.” (Mother)

“I understand.” (Leon)

As I had expected, I rose to leave.

“Wait. Do you mean to leave without drinking the tea I poured?” (Mother)

“My apologies.” (Leon)

I sat back down. The tea did not appear too hot, so I nearly drank it down in one gulp, but stopped when I saw Kaa-sama’s glare. Slowly, I sipped.

“It is delicious.” (Leon)

“I know. You may choose your path freely, but there are some things I wish to ask.” (Mother)

“Eh?” (Leon)

Ah. So, the conversation was not yet finished.

“First, what do you intend to do at university? Knowing you, Leon, is it magic?” (Mother)

“Yes. I thought the Faculty of Magic would be the best place to study magic.” (Leon)

“Hmm. And are you confident you can pass the exam?” (Mother)

“Well, since it is a science faculty, the weighting of the liberal arts subjects, which I am poor at, is low, so somehow, yes.” (Leon)

The primary subjects were arithmetic and elementary physics, with an aptitude test in late August as a secondary exam. The test consisted of mana measurement, magic activation, and an interview. I was not too confident in mana quantity, but even without relying on the system in my mind, my magic activation was not bad.

“I see. If you fail, then you can consider matters anew at that time…” (Mother)

She had to say something so unpleasant.

“If you pass, you will go to the royal capital for several years. Roughly four. Do you know how much that will cost? How do you intend to manage that?” (Mother)

“Ugh, I was planning on scholarships. If I pass, it seems one can usually receive a public scholarship.” (Leon)

“A public scholarship? How did you come to know such a thing?” (Mother)

“Well… Manager Begart told me, more or less.” (Leon)

“The manager? Wait. Come to think of it, he too was an alumnus of Salomea University. Did he recommend the university to you?” (Mother)

Hmm? The direction of this talk is–…

“No. Begart-san did not recommend it. He only gave me information about the university and the scholarships.” (Leon)

I had to avoid bringing him any trouble.

“I see. Then, tell me, who did recommend university to you? You had never once spoken of such before.” (Mother)

Eh? She said I could do as I liked, yet in truth, she disapproved of university?

“Well, that is…” (Leon)

“Who was it? Speak!” (Mother)

“Ah, yes. It was Conan-niisan.” (Leon)

It could hardly be considered a bad thing, and when pressed by Kaa-sama, resistance was impossible.

“Conan, you say?!” (Mother)

Whoa.

Kaa-sama suddenly rose, her brows sharply arched.

Truly, when angry, her beautiful face held a force unlike any other. Terrifying, in truth.

“Haaah…” (Mother)

After a long exhale, she reseated herself, raised her cup, and drank several sips. Then, closing her eyes, she leaned deeply into the sofa.

Eh… I have no understanding of why Kaa-sama was angry. Was it that I consulted her only after obtaining the application forms? No, she is not one to fuss over such details.

Was it that Conan-niisan recommended it? No, surely not. Among the siblings, she trusts him most and relies upon him heavily. Was it not she herself who told him to watch over me?

When I mentioned Begart-san, there had been a reaction too, but when I said Conan-niisan, her anger had been unmistakable.

“Leon.” (Mother)

“Ah, yes.” (Leon)

Her expression had softened somewhat.

“I see now that to reproach you would be unreasonable. This matter is concluded.” (Mother)

“Then, I shall next consult Tou-sama…” (Leon)

“That is unnecessary. I shall speak with him myself.” (Mother)

“Then… um.” (Leon)

“Before the submission deadline, the matter shall be settled.” (Mother)

Settled? What matter?

“Then, I shall take my leave.” (Leon)

I felt a foreboding that to remain here longer would lead to ill consequence. I rose and made for the door, but Kaa-sama did not call after me.

 

—

 

What transpired between Kaa-sama and Conan-niisan thereafter, I could not know. Even at dinner, they were as harmonious as ever.

About 10 days later, Kaa-sama informed me that I could apply to Salomea University, and that Tou-sama was of the same opinion. However, she added that should I be admitted, there would be a matter to discuss. Clearly, something was unusual, yet since they did not oppose me, I duly submitted my application to Salomea University.

 

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