Chapter 20

Chapter 20

As the coachman had said, this Academy Street built around the five major colleges was lined with various shops catering to students. The same went for ready-to-wear clothing stores of all kinds. While nobles and the wealthy had their own personal tailors, for the middle class and commoners, buying ready-made clothes was more convenient and cheaper. Although Evan's clothes were of good quality, they bore the style of Sheffield, such as the ocean-themed patterns on them. Anyone could tell at a glance he was from out of town. To quickly integrate into this new environment, changing into local attire was essential.

Soon, Evan found a suitable ready-to-wear clothing store. The shop's display window showcased various fashionable garments, attracting the attention of passersby.

"I need shirts and suspender trousers that fit me, as well as a set of formal suit attire suitable for school ceremonies or gatherings. A bow tie and a small formal hat are also needed, but the material should be of better quality." As soon as Evan entered the store, he glanced around, confirmed that the quality of the clothing here was acceptable, and, to avoid wasting time, immediately told the saleswoman what he needed.

The saleswoman working at the ready-to-wear store could instantly gauge a customer's measurements, showing her expertise. Quickly, she brought Evan suitable clothes. Evan hesitated briefly over the patterns before finally selecting the styles he preferred. After paying, Evan borrowed the store's fitting room to change into a shirt and suspender trousers good for moving around in, then put on the beret strongly recommended by the shopkeeper. Looking at himself in the mirror, Evan nodded with satisfaction. Now, he looked like a common sight in Backlund: a well-off fifteen-year-old boy.

Pleased with his new look, Evan soon headed to his second destination of the day—the Imperial Knight Academy.

The top five higher education institutions in the empire were, in order: the Imperial Knight Academy, the Imperial Comprehensive Academy, the Imperial Theological Academy, the Imperial Art Academy, and the Imperial Medical Academy. These academies were all established over the past century. Despite various twists and turns, they had all grown and prospered, successfully cultivating diverse talents for the empire.

The original purpose of the Imperial Knight Academy was to train high-end combatants and command personnel for the imperial army. However, after imperial marshals and generals became graduates of this academy, many of whom came from commoner backgrounds, the Imperial Military Academy became the primary choice for those seeking a career in the military after reaching adulthood. Therefore, even though it was still several days early, a long queue had already formed at the admissions examination registration office. Young people filled with dreams and aspirations longed to enter this prestigious academy and embark on their glorious life journeys.

"Please sign this informed consent form. Arrive at the location specified on the notice before 8 a.m. on July 1st. Any lateness will be considered an automatic forfeiture of the entrance examination qualification." After carefully registering Evan's identity information, the staff member in charge of registration solemnly handed over two sheets of paper, simultaneously gesturing for Evan to step aside to review the information carefully and sign the informed notice. Evan took the papers, his eyes quickly scanning the contents, where clauses like 'responsible for one's own life and death' stood out. However, without the slightest hesitation, he decisively picked up a pen and signed his name. After completing the signature, Evan submitted the notice and then turned to leave, carrying the notice bearing crucial information.

The Imperial Knight Academy truly lived up to its reputation as a school for selecting military talents; its selection method was completely different from other academies. There was no traditional written examination here at all; it proceeded directly to practical combat assessments. Besides clearly marking the examination location, this notice also included a list of permitted weapons. The content of this list was very concise, even somewhat rudimentary.

To better understand the specific situation of the examination location, Evan specifically sought out a local to inquire. At the cost of 5 Copper Huote, he finally got a description of the examination site. In the West District of Backlund, there was an area of abandoned factories. Twenty years ago, the factory owner was unfortunately caught in fierce struggles between powerful figures, ultimately leading to the destruction of his family. Since then, these factories had become temporary shelters or safe houses for vagrants and lawless elements. Unlike the slum street on the edge of the West District, these factories were located in the central area of the West District, gathering various illegal organizations and people without papers. The danger level was so high that even private carriages avoided the West District, especially the area with the slum street.

It was no exaggeration to say that the West District was like a shadow of Backlund, and that factory area was the filthy ground within that shadow. As for why the examination location was set there and what schemes the powerful figures of Backlund had in mind, these were not issues that a minor figure like Evan should delve into deeply. What Evan needed to consider now was how to safely pass through the territories of various gangs in the West District before 8 a.m. on July 1st, ensuring he could reach the examination site safely and on time. Because this was the first hurdle of this examination.

In the selection process of the Imperial Knight Academy, one could rely on powerful family influence, exceptionally clever intellect, or formidable strength. The Imperial Knight Academy did not care about these avenues; what they wanted to select were truly promising seedlings, not mediocre individuals. Evan looked down at his new clothes, feeling a twinge of annoyance. He really should change his outfit; after all, the poor in the West District couldn't afford such clean and intact clothing.

Evan checked the money in his wallet and then decided to withdraw some more from the bank. Subsequently, he began frequently visiting weapon shops and general stores on Academy Street. After spending ten Silver Keren, Evan acquired two second-hand daggers, thirty small iron needles, a packet of lime powder, and also obtained a simple map of the West District. This map was the result of Evan spending three consecutive days in the bars of the slum street, using cheap beer to get information out of the small-time hoodlums trying to make a living there. Then, after a whole day of careful consideration at the inn, he finally marked a route on the map. Although this route was winding, the gangs occupying the areas it passed through were either weak in strength or had relatively peaceful operational styles.

Evan spent another 10 Copper Huote to exchange with the innkeeper for some odorless dry bread and jerky, and filled a leather pouch with cold boiled water. Then, he changed into clothes with obvious mending marks, took a carriage to the edge of the West District, and stepped into the slum street. In the slum street, Evan used 10 Copper Huote to rent a small single room. He observed there for another afternoon. At sunrise on June 28th, Evan resolutely left the slum street and walked deeper into the West District.

Author's Note:

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