章 7: Heading to Brienne-le-Château
The coachman announced their arrival, "This is our stop," as he skillfully brought the carriage to a halt. With a chivalrous gesture, he stepped down from his seat and opened the door for the passengers to disembark.
Napoleon and his fellow travelers stepped out of the carriage onto the cobblestone streets of Paris.
"Thank you, sir," Napoleon acknowledged the coachman's assistance with a respectful nod of his head. As he took in the sights around him, he couldn't help but notice the absence of the iconic Eiffel Tower that would later come to define the city. However, the ornate chateaus and other historic buildings that surrounded him were no less impressive.
Despite the limitations of the era, Paris still emanated an air of sophistication and elegance that left Napoleon in awe. As he breathed in the fresh Parisian air, he couldn't help but feel excited for the adventures that lay ahead.
He pulled out his notebook and checked his notes. "Okay, first off, I need to get to this school. Brienne-le-Château…I don't know if I'm pronouncing this right. Damn, why does French have to be so complicated?"
Brienne-le-Château is the military school that he is going to attend in the capital. According to his father, the Brienne-le-Château was a military school for boys established in the late 17th century by King Louis XIV. It was a prestigious school but not an elite one. This school was also said to primarily catered to the sons of minor nobility and the bourgeoisie, and admission was based on merit and talent rather than social status or wealth. However, the curriculum was rigorous and aimed at producing skilled military officers, so the students who attended Brienne-le-Château were generally highly educated and well-trained.
"This is interesting," Napoleon muttered under his breath. "Now, where do I find this school? Is it walking distance or do I have to hail another carriage?"
As he was talking to himself, a horse-drawn carriage passed by.
"Hey, kid! Are you heading somewhere specific? I can take you there," the driver called out to Napoleon from his carriage.
Napoleon hesitated for a moment, unsure whether to trust a stranger, but ultimately decided he needed to get to the school quickly and couldn't waste any time. He made his way over to the carriage and climbed in, taking a seat next to the driver.
"Brienne-le-Château, please," Napoleon said, hoping that the driver knew where the military school was located.
"Ah, that place. That would be twelve sous," the coachman replied, holding out his hand for payment.
Napoleon fished around in his pockets and handed twelve sous to the coachman. As he just handed his fare, he asked.
"Is Brienne-le-Château near here?"
The coachman nodded and flicked his reins, urging the horses into motion. "It's a bit of a ride, but we'll get you there in no time," he replied, the sound of hooves clopping against the cobblestones echoing through the streets.
As they made their way through the city, Napoleon marveled at the sights around him. He saw the towering spires of Notre Dame Cathedral in the distance, and the bustling markets of the Latin Quarter filled with merchants hawking their wares. The coachman deftly navigated through the crowded streets, expertly dodging pedestrians and other carriages.
"So primitive," Napoleon observed. Well, what can he expect in the era when the industrial revolution is in its infancy. Good thing, in the near future, he would be the center of development once he started introducing modern technology in this era.
After all, why does the Goddess of Fate bless him with encyclopedic knowledge in all things scientific if not to use?
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the coachman slowed the horses to a stop in front of a large, ornate building. "Here we are, Brienne-le-Château," he announced, gesturing towards the entrance.
Napoleon hopped out of the carriage and looked up at the imposing building that stood before him. The Brienne-le-Château was a grand structure that exuded a sense of authority and discipline. It had a classic French architectural style, with tall windows that let in the natural light and ornate carvings that adorned the walls. The façade was made of beige stone, and the roof was adorned with chimneys and dormers that gave the building a regal appearance.
As he walked closer to the entrance, Napoleon could see that the doors were made of solid wood and were intricately carved with intricate designs. Above the doors was a stone arch that featured a coat of arms, which Napoleon assumed belonged to the school or the monarchy. He noticed the French flag, fluttering in the breeze on top of the building.
"So this is where I will spend my six years huh?" Napoleon muttered.
He cleared his throat and straightened his jacket, and entered the chateau. Inside, he was greeted by a bustling foyer filled with students and staff members. The walls were lined with paintings and tapestries that depicted historical events and figures, and the floors were made of polished marble that gleamed under the warm glow of the chandeliers.
Napoleon approached the reception desk, where a stern-looking woman in a black dress was busy writing in a ledger. She looked up as he approached, her expression softening slightly when she saw his face.
"Hello, sir. How can I help you?" She asked in a polite but formal tone.
"Ah, yes. I am Napoleon, I am here to take the entrance examination," Napoleon replied, trying his best to sound confident and composed.
"Of course, monsieur. May I see your papers, please?" the woman asked, holding out her hand expectantly.
Napoleon fished around in his bag and handed her the necessary documents. She perused them quickly before nodding in approval.
"Very well, monsieur Napoleon. Please follow me, I will show you to the examination room," the woman said, leading Napoleon down a hallway lined with classrooms and lecture halls.
As they made their way to the classroom, Napoleon couldn't help but feel a pang of nervousness. This feeling is akin to him taking the entrance examination at the University of the Philippines, the one that he aced easily. But this one is different, not only he was in another world in a country similar to France, but in another time period.
Finally, they arrived at a small room at the end of the hallway. The woman opened the door and gestured for Napoleon to enter.
"Good luck, monsieur. The examiner will be with you shortly," she said before closing the door behind him.
Napoleon breathed deeply. "Okay, here we go."
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