New chapter of Control Engineer is out! (1/2 chapters)

 

 

Second Examination (3): The Dreaded Interview

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I indulged myself at the student cafeteria known as the Academic Dining Hall. Dia-san, who dined alongside me, remarked that the portion was abundant, yet for me, it was precisely adequate, and the price was reasonably low.

Dia-san mentioned that she was the daughter of a baronet household. She had decided to attend the university to avoid being coerced into a politically arranged marriage. As her aunt was a practitioner of the magic arts, she had been instructed in magic by that relative.

Afterward, we parted ways with the understanding that we would meet again should we both be accepted. At precisely two o’clock in the afternoon, it was time for the interview.

“Examinee number 11-23. Leon.” (Leon)

“Please, take a seat.” (Examiner)

A sense of déjà vu washed over me. It was likely a memory lingering from Reo. A single chair was set before a table, beyond which sat three interviewers. Two of them appeared elderly, and the third was the one who had rebuked the military examinee earlier. Though he appeared youthful, he must be a person of considerable authority.

“Then, we shall begin the interview.” (Examiner)

“Yes.” (Leon)

“First, please explain your reason for aspiring to attend Salomea University.” (Examiner)

“Yes. I am the child of a merchant, and being the third son, I must establish my own path in life. In pursuit of the most engaging magic art that I might study to elevate myself, I learned of Salomea University as an institution where such studies could be pursued, and therefore, I chose to apply.” (Leon)

“I understand.” (Examiner)

“Leon-san, your results from the primary examination placed you seventh among 2,472 candidates overall, and second among applicants to the Department of Way of Magic.” (Examiner)

Oh! That is far better than I had anticipated.

“However, there are notable discrepancies among your individual subjects.” (Examiner)

“Yes, indeed. Although you achieved perfect scores in arithmetic and physics, I cannot claim the same for the national language, and particularly, the historical studies left much to be desired. How do you personally perceive these results?” (Examiner)

Ah, that is indeed concerning.

“Yes. I find that I can delve deeply into subjects that capture my interest, but…” (Leon)

“Which is to say, historical studies do not inspire your curiosity?” (Examiner)

Ugh.

“Compared to arithmetic and physics…” (Leon)

“Well, that is inconsequential. Salomea University does not seek students who merely achieve a uniform passing grade across all subjects, particularly not within our Department of Way of Magic.” (Examiner)

Oh.

“However, Dean–,,,” (Examiner)

Dean!? So, that is who he is. Though he appeared young, he must be extraordinarily esteemed. I am surprised.

“Yes, I am aware. But more importantly, Leon-san, why have you chosen the Department of Science and Engineering?” (Dean)

“Eh?” (Leon)

Hmmm. That’s because I wish to modify and control the magic arts. It is simple enough to state, yet according to Morgan-sensei, even among researchers in our nation of Cecelia, few have reached such a level. I must obscure my statement just enough to remain truthful.

“I have read in a certain book that magic is operated through activation symbols and the practitioner’s senses, yet it is possible to exercise more detailed control even at the level of the spell’s formulation. In other words, I perceive potential in magical tools and magical apparatus. That is the reason I aspire to this department.” (Leon)

“Your reasoning is not unsound. However, according to your results from the practical examination, the records of your magic activation speed plainly reveal that you have undergone considerable magical training, have you not?” (Dean)

What exactly is he implying?

“Yes. That is correct.” (Leon)

“Then, would not the Department of Skills be more suitable?” (Dean)

Eh? That direction?

“As I previously stated, it is a matter of interest. My fascination lies more in the magic arts themselves rather than their practical application. For that reason, I aspire to the Department of Science and Engineering.” (Leon)

The Department of Skills would focus solely on the application of magic arts, leading straight toward the path of a practitioner.

“However–…” (Dean)

“Dean, please wait. It is strictly forbidden to exert pressure on examinees to change their intended course of study.” (Examiner/Secretary)

Ah, a lifeline.

“I understand, Secretary.” (Dean)

Is this person the office manager?

 

“Of course, I did not intend to coerce a change of department. I merely wished to understand the reasoning behind your choice.” (Dean)

“Dean, that is most uncharacteristic of you.” (Secretary)

“Hmmm. If even that is forbidden, then I have nothing further to say.” (Dean)

Eh… he turned his face away.

“Very well. I understand. We shall now inform you of the results of the secondary examination as well as the interview. Dean, is that acceptable?” (Secretary)

“Indeed.” (Dean)

“Leon-san, there were no issues with your aptitude test in the secondary examination. Including the interview results, your performance has reached a sufficient standard. Accordingly, admission to the Salomea University Department of Way of Magic, Science and Engineering Division, is hereby granted.” (Secretary)

Oh!

“We shall provide the certificate of acceptance, the primary examination results certificate, the enrollment consent form, and the enrollment guidelines at the first-floor window of the administrative building immediately. The details are documented in the enrollment guidelines, so I shall only summarize them here. First, enrollment procedures are required. Sign the consent form and submit it by the end of August; postal submission is permissible. Leon-san, though a minor, is not required to obtain parental consent as the form is not a legal contract.” (Secretary)

“Yes.” (Leon)

“Should you wish to reside in the student dormitory, the submission deadline for the application is concurrent. Additionally, though unrelated directly to the university, applications for the Royal Scholarship are available at the window. Requests to the territorial government should be directed to the respective offices. This concludes the summary of essential points. Are there any questions?” (Secretary)

“No questions.” (Leon)

“Very well. Congratulations.” (Secretary)

“Thank you very much.” (Leon)

 

—

 

“The consent form has been received. Do you require anything further?” (Administrator)

I moved to the first-floor window of the administrative building and received the necessary documents. The consent form served to indicate my intention to attend Salomea University exclusively and to remain enrolled through graduation. There was no issue. I had already secured prior approval from Tou-sama and Kaa-sama.

I signed the form and submitted it.

“May I also receive the Royal Scholarship application and the carriage railway route map available over there?” (Leon)

“Certainly.” (Administrator)

“Thank you very much.” (Leon)

Regarding the scholarship, I would still need to consult Tou-sama and Kaa-sama, so the application might ultimately be unnecessary. If so, I can simply discard it.

I also took hold of the route map. In the royal capital, there existed a transportation system known as the carriage railway. It consisted of carriages with iron wheels traveling upon iron rails. Although confined to predetermined routes, the carriages could carry approximately twenty passengers at once, with fares lower than those of ordinary cab carriages.

I had been informed of the carriage railway by Conan-niichan, yet I had never known its precise routes. In truth, I was not familiar with the location of various districts within the capital. However, I had already encountered it several times en route to this place via cab carriage, and now that I was to reside in the capital, it was prudent to acquire this knowledge.

I marveled at the number of lines. Several traversed across districts, circumventing the central district, while the eastern, southern, and western districts had circular routes operating within each district.

“Ah!” (Leon)

I felt a tap on my back.

Turning, I saw Dia-san.

“Leon, seeing you here must mean you passed!” (Claudia)

“Yes. Congratulations to you as well.” (Leon)

Her face beamed with joy. There was no need to ask whether she had been accepted.

“Hehe, thank you. We shall be classmates starting in October, then.” (Claudia)

“Yes.” (Leon)

“I am looking forward to it. Well, until we meet again.” (Claudia)

I now had a fellow classmate I knew, though she was in the Department of Skills.

Even so, it was surprising to learn that one could pass the practical examination even if it required 30 minutes to complete.

 

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