Another World Story

Day Forty-Seven: Civil Academy (2)

  A whole month passed and today's the day of my enrollment on the servant course.

Mr. James is currently accompanying me right now towards the Civil Academy. He's the one that would represent the Count in this enrollment. Though I say enrollment, it's more like just meeting with the one managing the academy and showing my skills and manners. Mr. James already briefed me on the upcoming events and all I got to do was to show my qualification. Of course, a test would also be given, to test my knowledge.

This past week I've been doing my all to fulfill the 2nd requirement. After fulfilling the 2nd requirement, I was also taught how to make tea, different kinds of them. Mr. James was knowledgeable on that one. He also taught me how to know if something is poisoned or not. Of course, I got to do it first hand, which was quite the horrible experience... I want resistance to that kind of things... So, I asked Mr. James for advice. Mr. James said that if I continue doing such things, I would learn the skill. I want to learn the skill, but I'm no masochist so, I just buried what he said on the back of my head.

Drinking poison is something I regret doing... Even with the antidote beside me, I almost died. I'm wondering if the Count and Mr. James hate me or something. They just look at me dying as I reached for the antidote. Quite the sadistic people.

Anyways. Due to that, I was able to learn the smell and taste of different kind of poisons. The count told me that there are poisons that does not have a taste nor smell, and those are difficult to notice. So, he told me that before every meal, I should take a sample of the food my future master would take to ensure their safety. Of course, I would be bringing antidote on me every day. The strong one at that.

During the whole month, the last week was the easiest.

I was taught how to cook and prepare meals, which I could already do. But the ingredients were quite the new one, so I used my 'Enhanced Discerning Eyes' and made assorted dishes every day. My 'Cooking' skill went from 4 to 10 real-quick. It's the highest leveled skill I currently got. And it shows great difference. It can now synergize with my 'Enhanced Discerning Eyes' whenever I'm cooking. It would tell me how much water or seasoning a stew need. How high or low the fire it needs, and when to take them out of the magic-stove. Quite the handy one for a servant if I should say so myself.

I was wondering why my cooking skill went up that much level, so I researched on how it happened. And the result says that because of the ingredients and the difficulty of the dish. I gained a lot of proficiency.

I think the same goes for my other production skills, or any skills requiring proficiency. Or rather. I think all skills goes the same way. They level up when used.

Anyways, the important thing is they level up.

"Are you nervous" Mr. James called out to me. I was spacing out inside the carriage so he might've interpreted it as me being nervous.

"I am" I replied.

Well, I am nervous, but not that nervous enough to fail the test.

"It seems I'm worried for nothing" Mr. James chuckled "You're calmer than I expected"

"Well, if you've been subjected to that kind of barbaric training, as a servant I think you'd be calm enough for the upcoming enrollment" I joke.

"I only did as the count told me so"

"Mr. James. Does the count hate me or something?"

"Haha, it's quite the opposite. He's so fond of you, you know?"

"You're being sarcastic right now, aren't you? Please tell me you are... I don't want to be subjected to that kind of treatment anymore"

"Well, drinking that many poison till nothing left is something even I haven't done"

"...Then why?"

"Because the count told me so" I swear the count still harbor a grudge against me.

*Knock* *Knock*

"We've arrived, Sir James, Sir Kaiser" the coachman said from the front.

"Shall we?" Mr. James said. Mr. James went down the carriage and I followed after. Inner-ring's Academy grounds. We've arrived at the district where I met Leo. But this time, I'm in front of the Civil Academy instead of the Magic Academy.

"Let's go" Mr. James said. I followed once again as he entered the academy. The civil academy's outer appearance is quite simple-looking to say the least. It does not have much decorations or light colors unlike the magic academy. There aren't any students roaming about either.

"All the students are inside their rooms, learning" Mr. James said. He must've seen me looking around.

"Did you also go here?" I asked Mr. James. He shook his head and spoke

"No. I was taught by the former butler of the Count when I retired from being a soldier" he replied.

"So, you didn't attend the academy? I thought all servants need to attend here..."

Is my thought too shallow? Are there cases where they didn't need to attend because they're too talented?

"They do" Mr. James said.

So... Why didn't he?

"...Then why- ah!" Before I could ask the question, the answer came immediately.

"You figured it out?"

"The count hired you so you wouldn't need to attend, you've already graduated without even attending the academy"

"Haha, I thought you wouldn't realize that" Mr. James chuckled.

"You're right. Because I was hired, I don't need to attend. As I said before, the requirement to graduate the servant course is to be hired. Though, there are some who left early, dropouts" he added.

Then if that's possible, why do I still need to attend the academy?

"You might be wondering why you're still attending" Mr. James said.

He can read me that easily...? Is my skill not activated? Are my emotions showing up? But they aren't though... "Well, the answer to that is because of your assigned master" he said.

"Are Royalty an exception to that?"

"They aren't. There are records of the current King hiring his personal butler from the street when he was young. Even up to now he's still his servant"

"Then why?"

"You'll know when you meet your assigned master"

"And... When is that exactly?"

"After you finish the few months of your study"

"..." Welp, can't do a sh*t 'bout that. I stayed silent until we arrived at the Academy Head's office.

*Knock* *Knock*

"Sir Frill" Mr. James called out as he knocks on the door.

"Come in" a voice that I didn't expect came. The voice that came is quite young contrary to my expectations. We went in as told. A man, maybe on his mid-twenties greeted us.

"Welcome" he said "Is he the one Lord Vinceral mentioned?"

"He is" Mr. James answered. This two looks like they know each other.

"Shall we start?" Mr. Frill said. I nod my head.

"The only thing that you have to do is to serve me as if I'm your master. Treat me as you would treat your future master, after that you'll be taking a test about the Kingdom's history, policies and nobles" I already heard about this earlier. Once again, I nod my head.

"Then start" Upon the signal, I fixed my posture. I also checked my facial expression, just to be sure. Mr. Frill sat down on the sofa.

"Would like something to drink, Sire?" I asked, my tone was careful.

"A tea if you please" he said. I bowed my head slightly and went towards the kitchen. I look at the storage cabinet filled with jars.

'There it is' I thought. I took a specific jar with black leaves and put 4 pieces on a water-filled kettle.

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[Notification]

~ 'Cooking' skill have been activated; 'Enhanced Discerning Eyes' synergizes with the 'Cooking' skill.

~ Making -Black Tea-

~Recipe for -Black Tea-

....

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As I go on with the process, notifications pour out. I followed the steps and ingredients as said, not wasting a single time and moving at the right time. When it says to change the fire's heat, I change the fire's heat. When it says to add something, I add something. I follow them all. After a few minutes the tea is done.

------------------

[Notification]

-Black Tea- is made. 100% successful.

The tea is of a higher grade compared to the ingredients.

A large amount of proficiency is received.

---------------

"Sire" I said as I set the tea cup and the tea pot on the table. I've already changed the kettle where I boiled the leaves, to a tea pot suitable for the mood of Mr. Frill. A white porcelain tea pot with golden colored engravings. I then poured the tea to his cup, and to another that is meant for Mr. James. The two looked at me when I did so. They didn't realize that I brought two cups...?

"Black Tea..." Mr. Frill muttered as he inspects the tea.

"Coincidence or...?" he said as he turns to me.

"A servant must know his master's preferences" I said without a pause. After hearing my answer, he turned towards Mr. James.

"He asked what type of Tea that you prefer, and I answered" he said.

"So, you didn't tell him to do this?" Mr. Frill asked Mr. James. Mr. James shook his head.

"I only briefed him about what type of things would happen" he said as he sips on his tea

"Hmm! This is really good, Kaiser"

I didn't answer nor showed any prior emotions, but I bowed my head albeit slightly. Mr. Frill also went and sip on the black tea, delighted was he that a warm smile appeared on his young face.

"This is truly good. Just the perfect heat, sweetness and bitterness... you have quite the skill in making this"

"I'm honored" I said as I bowed slightly.

Mr. James and Mr. Frill talked while drinking tea. It's feels like they forgot about the enrollment, when you look at them. But it's actually part of it. I would be required to act only when called. I can't move from where I stand, I can't take a sit either, unless I'm told to. The two talked and talked, and when Mr. Frill asked for snacks, I made one. When he directed a question to me, I answered briefly. When the tea was gone, I boiled a new one. When it cooled, I heated it. During those times that I'm not doing anything, I would listen to their convo while I stand a few distance behind them.

After a few hours. The act was finally done, but I didn't let my guard down and still acted as a servant would. I didn't move from the spot even when Mr. Frill announced the first part of second act to be done.

"First Act, done" is all he said, so I didn't move. It just means that there's another act.

"We will begin the final act. I'll be testing your knowledge by asking you questions" he said. I nod my head.

"First question, who is the King of the Kingdom of Memphis?"

"His Majesty, King Albert Van Lunard Memphis"

"When was the Kingdom founded?"

"400 years ago, on the 3rd month of the year 1208 AC"

"Who is the current head of the Shuvan Marquisate?"

"Marquis Eric Re-al Von Shuvan"

Our question-and-answer exam began. He would ask questions after questions and I would answer. It's like I'm being examined not only for my knowledge but also for my ability to handle pressures. It's one of the things a servant MUST have characteristics, according to the count.

Fortunately, I was trained before this happened. The day before yesterday was the day the Count said those words, before barraging me with questions. They were all personal and misleading questions to boot!

Thankfully I was able to lie my way out of the questions. The Count didn't get angered but the shadows did. The Count only smiled at me after the questions.

"Hmm... That is all" Mr. Frill said as he closed his book of questions.

"That was faster than the 1st act" Mr. James said.

"He immediately answered all 100 questions"

"So, how was he?"

"All I could say is that he fulfilled all the requirements. He can start tomorrow"

"That fast?"

"I experienced it first-hand so, I could say with confidence that he could even work now. But he would lack a lot"

"Then, I'll send him tomorrow"

"That's good"

They're proceeding on their own... Not that I hate it. It's quite the opposite. I wouldn't be troubled.

"Please take care of me on the following months that you are here" Mr. Frill said to me as he offered a hand.

"Take care of me as well, Sire"

I shook his hand. After that, we say our short farewells and left the academy. A lot of time seemed to passed as students wearing maids and butler clothing are walking the hall, there are also people wearing grey suits among them. Their class for today might've finished. They send different gazes towards us, but we ignored them all. Outside the Academy, the sky is starting to dye in dark-blue color, stars are also appearing.

"Let's return" Mr. James said to the coachman as he entered the carriage. I followed behind him. I could finally put a check on my 'Another World things to see: Another World School' list.