Chapter 19
The Young Lady, the Crest, and the Academy Entrance Exam
It had been a while since the Calentport Ambassador Distress Incident.
Since then, we’d completed a lot of requests and had been promoted to Iron Rank Explorers.
Between jobs, we studied for the Astoria Flight Academy entrance exams, and we’d managed to earn enough to cover the tuition ourselves.
We were still staying at Master Doran’s workshop, who continued to let us use one of his rooms out of kindness.
Of course, we couldn’t just freeload, so we helped out at the workshop from time to time.
We also made it a habit to return to Haino Village twice a week.
Once we enrolled in the academy, we wouldn’t be able to go back so often.
We’d arranged for Mile’s parents to look after our house, so we could leave it in good hands.
—And so, those days passed by in the blink of an eye.
When the new year came, we both turned seventeen.
Finally, the time had come to take the entrance exam for the Astoria Flight Academy.
We headed to the academic city of Astoria, where the academy was located.
As its nickname “the City of Learning” suggested, Astoria was a place devoted to study.
In addition to the Flight Academy, there were countless other specialized schools and training institutes.
Unlike Gearberg, the industrial city where many cultures mingled, Astoria’s heart was dominated by a towering Academy Bureau building that reached into the sky.
From it, the streets spread out in neat concentric circles.
The buildings along the stone-paved roads were painted in shades of white and pale blue, lined with lush trees and fountains here and there.
Even the air felt cleaner.
“Hey, the exam’s in a week, right?”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
“Then we should do some sightseeing in Astoria!”
“Let’s find some good food!”
(Nokti never changes…)
We decided to splurge a little and stay at a somewhat upscale hotel near the academy.
(We’ll be living in a dorm once we’re students anyway, so a little luxury for now won’t hurt.)
After dropping off our luggage, we immediately went out into the city.
“How about we check out the academy first?”
With that, we headed down the road toward the academy.
The street leading to the front gates was known as the Academy Front District.
It was lined with affordable diners, stylish cafés, old bookstores, stationery shops, and tailors that specialized in uniforms—all catering to students.
The people walking by were mostly students or applicants like us.
Just being there made the academy’s presence feel overwhelming.
After browsing some shops and snacking along the way, it finally came into view—
a grand, castle-like structure built of pale gray stone, exuding centuries of history.
Atop its high towers, the academy’s emblem flag fluttered in the wind.
In front of the gate, a number of examinees like us were gathered, chatting nervously.
“So, this is where we’ll be studying soon.”
“Can’t wait.”
“Ugh, I’m starting to get nervous now…”
“It’ll be fine. We’ve done everything we could to prepare.”
“Yeah, you’re right!”
Before coming here, we’d consulted with Master Doran about the entrance exams.
He’d gathered several former academy students to give us advice about the exam format and what to expect.
To our surprise, more than half the workshop’s employees were actually academy graduates.
We’d also gotten some tips from veteran explorers at the guild.
We’d truly done all we could. We could say that with confidence.
“Alright, let’s go explore the city now.”
“I’ve been waiting for that!”
“You’ve been eating nonstop since morning, Nokti.”
“Ha! My stomach is a boundless universe!”
(Honestly, does he even have a stomach? He turns food straight into energy…)
Just as we started walking again, a sleek black shuttle silently pulled up beside us.
A butler-looking man stepped out from the driver’s seat and opened the rear door respectfully.
Out stepped a girl about our age.
Her long, straight black hair shimmered in the sunlight, and her sharp dark eyes stared ahead with confidence.
Everything about her radiated self-assurance.
“Thank you, Crawford.”
“Must be some kind of noble,” Mile whispered beside me.
“Maybe… That crest on the car looks familiar though…”
(Forget that, let’s go eat already!)
(Sigh… this guy only ever thinks about food.)
Just then, the girl turned toward us and met my eyes.
“Oh my, are you all here for the entrance exams as well?”
“Uh, yeah. If we pass, we’ll be starting this spring.”
“And you?”
“Yes. I’ve been accepted through recommendation, so I won’t be taking the exam.”
“Ah, right—I’m Sky, and this is…”
“I’m Mile.”
“My apologies for not introducing myself sooner. I’m Ayana. A pleasure to meet you.”
“Milady, we’re running behind schedule,” the butler interjected softly.
“Sorry, I have another appointment. I hope we’ll be classmates this spring.”
“Yeah, same here.”
“We’ll definitely pass!”
Ayana smiled politely, then walked through the academy gates.
—I never did remember where I’d seen that crest before.
◇◆◇
(So good! Oh, and this one’s amazing too!)
After Nokti’s endless cries of “Feed me already!”, we ended up at a buffet-style restaurant.
Mile was busy piling food onto plates and feeding Nokti one bite after another.
The place allowed pets, but I doubted they’d ever had a “pet” with such a bottomless appetite before.
(They don’t seem to care, but I can feel everyone staring at us. Please, tone it down…)
While thinking that, a memory suddenly clicked in my head.
“Wait—I remember now!”
“What’s wrong all of a sudden?” Mile asked, tilting her head.
“That crest!”
“You mean the one on Ayana’s shuttle?”
“Yeah. It’s the Fourth Factory’s emblem.”
The moment I said it, Mile’s face stiffened.
“Wait… you mean she’s related to them?”
“Most likely, yeah.”
Mile sighed, still holding her fork.
“I see…” she murmured quietly. Her tone had a faint shadow in it.
The Fourth Factory wasn’t a place full of pleasant memories for her.
“Well, we can always ask her once we’re enrolled.”
“Yeah. For now, we should just focus on the exam!”
Mile smiled to wrap up the topic, and I nodded back.
Right now, the test came first.
Afterward, with Nokti fast asleep in my bag—stuffed to bursting—we wandered the city a bit more before returning to the hotel.
(Though honestly, the first thing he said when he woke up was “I’m hungry again.” Unbelievable.)
We spent the next six days enjoying Astoria to the fullest and even found a few favorite spots.
—And then, at last, the exam day arrived.
At the gates, waves of examinees were filing into the academy grounds.
The air was filled with tension and chatter. Everyone’s focus was sharp; no one wanted to waste a moment.
“This way for the written exam! Please line up with your admission slip ready!”
The staff guided the students toward the examination hall.
“Alright, let’s go.”
We passed through the gates and joined the line.
Looking around, I saw all kinds of faces—some stiff with nerves, some buried in notes, others chatting with friends to calm themselves.
“So, next group—please enter!”
It was our turn.
Inside, rows of desks were neatly arranged, each with a monitor displaying an exam number.
I found mine, sat down, and glanced sideways at Mile, giving a small nod.
“…Let’s do our best.”
“Yeah!”
That single word eased the tension in my chest.
With the signal to begin, the hall fell silent.
The questions ranged from basic aeronautical theory to general knowledge.
As we’d been told, nothing was overly difficult.
I worked carefully through the test, double-checked my answers—and right as I finished, the bell signaling the end rang.
“Phew… done.”
“Good work.”
And just like that, the written exam ended without a hitch.
