A week later, I received word from Vizer that I’d passed the application phase. The next step was the written exam. It’d be held in a month’s time at the royal capital. Since I was going anyway, Mother suggested we take a family trip there, but Claire and Maris declined, claiming they wanted to spend the time studying to become a viscount.
Father, likely not keen on leaving the young couple behind, decided to stay, too, and so Mother and I decided to head to the capital, just the two of us. The application phase took three months per step. Applications opened at the end of autumn, and the written exam was at the beginning of winter, as we welcomed the new year. When spring approached, the practical exam would take place, and in the summer, an interview. Only those who passed them all would receive notice of entrance in the autumn. It was such a meticulous process that I wondered if it was some kind of test to enter a major company.
Other magic schools usually had only one entrance exam to decide whether an applicant would be accepted, but my mind was set on Vizer and nowhere else for now. It was my dream school.
I studied all day in preparation for the written exam. Luckily, House Ritual had been a family of wizards and witches since ancient times, and there were plenty of books on magic. There were even reference books that my uncle once used to get in. I didn’t need to purchase any studying supplies.
✦ ✦ ✦
AUTUMN went by in the blink of an eye, and our region welcomed the harsh winter. The sun rose late and set early. That meant that I required oil for my lamp and wood for the fireplace if I wished to study, and that was by no means cheap. Father encouraged me and said I could try as many times as it took, but I pushed myself into thinking that I only had one shot, which helped me work twice as hard.
For the next month, I studied hard, and time ticked by. Ten days before the exams, I set off for the royal capital. One might say that was a bit too soon, but there could easily be accidents or delays on the road ahead. I made sure to leave plenty of extra time so I wouldn’t be late. Father, Claire, and Maris came out to send me off.
“Misha, show them what you’ve got,” Father said, gently stroking my head.
“I will, Father,” I replied.
“Good luck, Sister!” Claire cheered me on.
“Stay safe on the road,” Maris added.
“I will. Thank you, guys.”
I’ll pass! I’ll do it! I was determined as I set off. It took five days by carriage to get to the royal capital from Lawlife. I knew that the bumpy roads would hurt my bottom, and I made sure to have a fluffy cushion with me as I boarded the carriage.
Even during the ride, I studied hard. I didn’t get motion sickness or anything—I was pretty tough on that end—but the bouncing carriage exhausted me, and I fought against my drowsiness as I struggled to stay awake.