It had been three months since I opened the Kitchen Essentials Store, which I'd chosen to call the grocery store.
Due to merchandise flying off the shelves, I found myself contemplating business expansion and the recruitment of additional staff—a contemplation linked closely to my boredom. Skilled labor was virtually nonexistent here.
It was all about skill. For instance, if I wanted Riese to pick up merchant skills, I'd have to train her until those skills surfaced. There were peculiar things about skills here—if you learned them, there was no fear of forgetting.
Once acquired, skills in this world could never be forgotten. Still, they took time to learn. Riese now had a merchant skill at level one, and it took her three months to reach that level. From my viewpoint, Riese was so talented that I couldn't gauge how long it might take an untalented ordinary person to obtain such a skill. Or perhaps merchant skills were so rare that, while anyone could sell goods, not everyone was cut out to be a merchant.
I was also unsure about the type of store to open next. As I mulled it over, Riese approached me.
"What's on your mind, Uncle?"
"Ah, Riese... As you see, our store has become quite successful and bustling. We've been pulling in three platinum coins each month. I want to open another store, but I'm unsure about the recruitment process. Plus, I'm torn between opening another grocery or something different. As you see, not everyone can scale their business; most merchants stick to small stands.
Initially, I thought it could be a resource issue, but look—even after selling all this, there's only been minimal growth. They just sell the menus I demonstrated."
"Doesn't that just mean you're amazing, Uncle?"
"Well, that's not really the point..."
As I pondered, a significant event unfolded. Some individuals who appeared to be knights, donned in uniform, rode their horses while dispersing information for all citizens to gather at the Plaza. Special knights also rode swiftly, seemingly heading towards the Baron's territory. There must be something momentous happening today.
Oh, there's a piece of information I had forgotten to share. Marquis is a wise man. He would never disquiet the merchants or civilians without a clear reason.
Once the announcement was made, all the citizens flocked towards the Plaza myself included, accompanied by Riese, Alice, Rain, Aira, and Ariel.
After waiting around 15 minutes, a middle-aged man, around 60 and still quite robust, stepped onto the stage to address us.
"GOOD MORNING, MY PEOPLE. I AM USING WIND MAGIC SO YOU CAN ALL HEAR ME."
Wow, wind magic is so handy. It reminded me of a loudspeaker.
"JUST NOW, TWO MONTHS AGO, THE CROWN PRINCE ASCENDED TO THE THRONE AS THE NEW KING. HE IS HIS MAJESTY KING PHILIP MORRIS XII."
"HE HAS ENACTED A NEW SET OF POLICIES FOR ALL HIS SUBJECTS. HE HOPES THE PEOPLE WILL REJOICE AT THIS NEW LEGISLATION."
"FIRST, HE COMMANDS THE SELECTION OF 150 OF THE BEST INDIVIDUALS FROM AMONGST THE COMMONERS IN EACH REGION TO BE FURTHER SCREENED INTO 300 OF THE NATION'S FINEST TO ENTER THE ROYAL ACADEMY. THESE WILL BE DIVIDED INTO 50 FOR AGES 5 TO 8, ANOTHER 50 FOR THOSE 9 TO 13, AND THE LAST 50 FOR AGES 14 TO 19."
"SECOND, HE ORDERS THE CONSTRUCTION OF SCHOOLS IN EACH REGION TO ACCOMMODATE STUDENTS NOT ADMITTED IN EACH MARQUIS'S TERRITORY. THEY WILL ACT AS A RESERVE RESOURCE."
"WITH THIS, HE AIMS TO NURTURE MANY PROMISING SEEDS FOR THE KINGDOM. AS FOR THE EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES, HE DESIRES THAT THOSE WHO CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY, UPON GRADUATING, CAN WORK FOR THE STATE EARNING HALF WAGES UNTIL THEIR EDUCATIONAL COSTS ARE REPAID IN FULL. THOSE WHO CAN AFFORD IT MUST PAY FULLY. HE DOESN'T CARE FROM WHICH RACE YOU HAIL; EVERYONE MUST PARTICIPATE IN THE SELECTION. THE EXAMINATION WILL TAKE PLACE ONE MONTH FROM NOW. THAT IS ALL."
Wow, isn't this revolutionary? This could signal a turning point for the country. Education is a vital foundation of a nation. And thus concluded the grand announcement from Marquis Bezos.
Returning from the Plaza, we immediately held a discussion and decided to close the store.
"Everyone, you're all within the age groups requested. I hope you can give it your best."
"But, Uncle... I don't want to leave you," Alice said, beginning to weep.
"Alice, don't cry~"
Alice's tear-streaked face revealed she was apprehensive about the academy.
"Uncle, Ariel doesn't want to leave you either."
"....."
Ariel's words were soft, whereas Aira remained silent, tears also streaming down her face.
It seemed Riese and Rain were more accepting, or so I thought... until I noticed they too were crying. Seeing them this way, I too felt hesitant, for they had become like family to me. But education is important.
"Hmm, I promise that I will move to the capital with you all."
"Really, Uncle?"
"Of course."
After all, I could leave the store here and establish a branch in the capital. However, I'd likely need to find a capable manager. I could ask for help from the merchants guild for an accountant and receptionist. I simply had to cover guild taxes and employee wages to ensure store smoothness—yes, I could do that.
"Alright, I need to get everything ready. You must also study hard what I've taught you; you should easily pass."
But honestly, I had no idea what the examination would involve. Well, let things happen as they may.
"Uncle, can you promise us something if we pass?"
"What is it you want, Aira?"
Aira hesitated before speaking.
"Fine, I will give you all a reward when you pass."
The promise seemed to firm up their resolve.
With renewed spirits, we looked forward to the beginnings of a new adventure.
-Examination Day-
"Next," called the knight.
"Not passed."
It appeared they were using a novel status-checking technology; by merely touching a sphere similar to the inspection ball used upon entering the city, one's status could be forced out, even for a five-year-old whose status should remain unknown until the age of seven.
"Next."
Ah, now it was Riese's turn. Let's observe.
"Passed."
(Eh~ just like that?)
"I passed, Uncle!!!"
"Well done, Riese, I knew you couldn't fail."
As I conversed with Riese, a voice suddenly shouted out.
"RIEESEEE"
Was it a friend? The child seemed Riese's age.
"Ah,.... ANNAAAAA!!!"
Anna rushed over and hugged Riese, tears streaming down her face.
"I'm so glad you're okay!!!"
"You too, Anna. I've missed you so much."
They cried together, perhaps old village mates?
"Who's she, Alice?"
"That's Anna, Riese's close friend. We separated when fleeing a kobold attack."
I see, thankfully, she was well.
"I didn't expect you to survive the forest of death, Riese. I often wondered why we didn't run together back then."
"I told you, Anna, if we stayed together, we'd just attract the kobolds. But, I'm grateful I chose to flee into the forest of death. It's where I met Uncle Martin and settled in this town."
"Uncle Martin?"
"Ah, that's him over there with Alice."
Riese waved, and instinctively, I waved back.
"ALICEEE, UNCLE!!"
She greeted us enthusiastically; clearly, she was a friendly child.
"Eeh~ why are you blushing, Riese? Could it be...."
"W-What are you thinking, Anna...."
"Hahaha, I'm just teasing you; I'm thinking nothing."
Anna taunted Riese playfully. They were indeed good friends, which was apparent even at a glance. Let's leave them to their reunion and catching up.
"Did you pass the exam, Riese?"
"Yes, just now. I can hardly believe it."
"Don't say that. I'm sure you're incredible."
"What about you, Anna?"
"Of course, I passed," she boasted sarcastically, hands on her hips.
"Will we be together at school? I'm looking forward to it, Anna!!"
"Well, it seems we still have to wait for the final evaluations in the capital, Hahahaha..."
"Let's strive together, Anna. We'll certainly make it!"
Anna had passed as well, and it seemed I did not have to worry about how Riese would fare at school. Surely, you understand the complexities of adolescent friendships.
With the teenage assessment session concluding and Rain likely passing the 9-13 age group postulate, it was time for the 5-8 age group evaluation. My family trio passed as well. It looked like I truly needed to prepare for a move to the capital.
Everyone!!! The time for a new adventure had begun!!!
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