"WHAT DO YOU MEAN, YOU WANT TO BE A NOBLE?!"
The scream nearly blew out his eardrums.
Ludven winced, covering his ears as the front desk receptionist shrieked like a kettle. Half the adventurer's hall turned to look.
"Ari, could you maybe not scream my business to the entire room?" he muttered.
She ignored him completely, leaning over the desk as if proximity would help him hear better.
"Can you really blame me for being surprised?" she said. "I've been trying to reach you for weeks to check in. And then, out of the blue, the town's favorite musician applies to become a noble? That's a huge career shift!"
Ludven sighed internally.
She's right.This kind of thing doesn't happen.
In this kingdom, nobles weren't posh wine-sipping bureaucrats—they were state-assigned fighters, magically ranked and sent to clear monsters, bandits, and worse.
It was dangerous work.
But if your magic was strong enough, you could get land, gold, or even become the next king or queen.
For those with weak magic, though?
It was a one-way ticket to an early grave… or, worse, permanent poverty. Even a minimum-wage cashier gets paid more than failed nobility.
Jumping from street musician to power-hungry monster slayer? Yeah… sounds insane.
But…
"Ludven, all I'm asking is: are you sure you want this?" Ari said in a more calm and concerned tone. "Your music is the most beautiful thing this world has ever heard. Do you really want to throw that away to become a noble? You're only 21."
"The reason I want to be a noble is because of my music!" Ludven said firmly. "I can't stay like this. I need to find her."
She frowned "… Her?"
He stepped forward.
"Ari," he said quietly. "Please. Just let me try."
Ari sighed.
"…It's not like I can stop you anyway," she muttered.
She reached under the desk, then pointed toward the massive gold-and-silver doors at the end of the marble hall.
"The exams are through that door. You're early, so you'll have to sit and wait for them to open." Then her voice dropped even lower." Just… promise me you won't let revenge consume you."
Ludven nodded once, then turned to walk.
As Ludven walked, he began to hum a soft melody. It had a warm, motherly tone.
Revenge?
Why would I want that?
The stage is different now.
But the music hasn't stopped.
____________________________________________________________
"For all who wish to take the Noble Exam, please follow me through these doors!"
A tall, slender man stood beside the massive gold-and-silver double doors. He looked pale, almost sickly—like he could faint at any moment. But something about him felt… off. Unnerving, even.
Without another word, he pulled the doors open.
Beyond them: stairs that spiraled downward into a starry void.
The examinees didn't even hesitate before stepping forward and beginning their descent.
All the other examinees began descending the steps.
This is it,
The first step on a long… and probably very annoying journey.
A voice echoed from ahead.
"All examinees, allow me to introduce myself," the speaker announced, stepping forward. "My name is Jitsu Kobayashi. As you've all been informed, the requirements for becoming a noble have been raised. These days, having magic alone isn't enough."
Jitsu paused, letting the weight of his words settle.
"This change is to prevent unfit candidates from falling into poverty—or worse. What you're about to face is the most difficult noble exam in our kingdom's recorded history."
He took a slow breath, then narrowed his eyes.
"If anyone wishes to drop out… now is your last chance."
Silence.
The group stood firm, eyes forward, filled with quiet resolve.
Jitsu gave a small, amused smile. "An interesting group we have, then."
They walked together into a stark, empty chamber. No walls. No windows. Just the doorway behind them.
"Well then," Jitsu said. "Do your best not to die."
Suddenly, the floor vanished beneath their feet—and they fell.
____________________
"THIS IS BULLSHIT!"
Ludven Is falling without control!
What do you mean the exam is 'the hardest it's ever been?'
Whenever Other nobles talked about the exam, it was always.
"It's the easiest test I've ever taken." or" they even teach you how to use magic"
No one said anything about it plummeting to their deaths.
Ludven got caught on a few branches that broke his fall before he reached the ground.
"Ow... Hopefully no one saw that."
Ludven hears a thud in the distance.
A voice could be heard in the same direction.
"Ow! Stars, I hope no one saw that."