Guidelines for the Perfect Goodbye - Chapter 146
‘The quality of a scholar depends not on ‘how they were born’ but on ‘how deeply they can explore.’
Following the intent of the first dean of Mannheim Academy, the academy held entrance exams every year. The exams, graded anonymously, determined acceptance or rejection, allowing commoners and nobles to study and discuss academics on equal footing.
It was distinct from the Royal Academy, which only royalty and nobility could enter.
Although the royal family did not view the Mannheim Academy favorably, they grudgingly respected its academic goals after realizing their achievements became national assets.
“I knew you were an academy student, but I didn’t know you were at Mannheim Academy. I naturally assumed it was the Royal Academy.”
It was a sort of admiration and praise.
“How long have you been attending?”
“A little over four years.”
“Four years…”
Did he pass the exam and enter at fifteen?
‘That’s quite something.’
The average age for admission to the academy was twenty. Due to the rigorous entrance exam, the average age for Mannheim Academy was twenty-three. Some even entered after turning thirty.
“Were you a genius?”
“I never really thought about it.”
Ulysses was indifferent. Thinking back, Guinevere also hadn’t bragged about his admission. She merely stated it as a fact.
Having a child pass an exam that even adults found challenging at fifteen would have been something to boast about for any parent.
“There were just circumstances that required me to enter the academy.”
He spoke while unpacking the luggage his servant brought. Coincidentally, his townhouse bedroom was opposite Cecilia’s, so they had no choice but to converse through the open door.
Closing the door in the face of a newly returned homeowner would have been rude.
Although Cecilia wasn’t consciously aware of it, she was also a noble. The noble etiquette she had learned over a long time was ingrained in her habits.
“Wouldn’t it have been easier to enter the Royal Academy if you had to attend one?”
“The tuition is too expensive there.”
It was a statement hard to imagine coming from the second son of a marquisate.
“Too expensive?”
From Cecilia’s perspective, raised in a count’s family, that tuition wasn’t considered expensive.
It was merely 2,000 Lis per semester. It wasn’t an amount the House of Rosencrantz, with an annual income in the tens of thousands, couldn’t afford.
‘No way.’
Cecilia asked in disbelief.
“Do you pay your own tuition yourself?”
“……”
Ulysses silently unpacked the books he had brought from the academy. The edges of the pages were worn, showing signs of repeated reading.
“My goodness, you?”
Cecilia smiled, slightly surprised. Her expression seemed both pleased and teasing.
Ulysses paused for a moment. His gaze met hers. He finally answered after watching her lively smile reveal her white teeth.
“Yes, I cover the tuition with a scholarship.”
“A full scholarship?”
Cecilia’s smirk subsided as she asked. At the same time, Ulysses looked back at his luggage.
“Full scholarships aren’t given to nobles. No matter how good your grades are, it’s only half.”
“And the rest?”
“Do you want to know?”
“Yes.”
The combination of a financially struggling Ulysses Rosencrantz was unimaginable. Cecilia nodded with an intrigued face.
Ulysses looked at Cecilia again. He spoke.
“I tutor the children of wealthy, passionate noble families.”
“You mean you’re a private tutor?”
Male tutors are generally treated better than female ones. However, it was still a commoner’s job.
Ulysses put his finger to his lips. Guinevere was still in the drawing room. She hadn’t come out even though she knew Ulysses had arrived.
They had often clashed due to differences in values, but their relationship seemed to have completely severed after the sachet incident.
He lowered his voice.
“Officially, it’s impossible. They already have tutors.”
“So the students you tutor are…”
“Outwardly, they’re friends.”
“Friends who pay you. That’s great.”
“Yes.”
Ulysses admitted freely.
He didn’t enjoy parties or social gatherings, but he received New Year’s greeting cards every year. Unaware of the situation, Guinevere often boasted about Ulysses’ connections.
