Chapter 27

Recently, my mother has been bedridden due to poor health.

I have been busy with the entrance exam for the Royal Magic School and setting up the guild, so I haven't seen her much. It's been a while since I've had a chance to spend time with her.

"How is the guild doing?"

"Yes, the unexpected response has kept me so busy that I haven't been able to visit you as often as I should, and I apologize for that."

"Christoph, you're not in good health, so don't overwork yourself."

There's nothing I can do but nod sincerely when my mother, who is bedridden due to poor health, says this.

"Please get better soon, Mother."

"Hehehe, I'm not sick, you know."

"Huh?"

Mother laughs softly, and the maids seem to find the scene heartwarming.

What's going on?

"Sir Christoph, your lady is pregnant."

"…pregnant?"

Huh? Pregnant…dismissal?...What!? Pregnant!

Mother must find my surprised face amusing, as she laughs out loud.

"I'm a bit embarrassed at my age, but you're going to have a younger brother or sister, Christoph."

Oh my! I'm going to have a younger brother or sister!? How wonderful! What a blessing!

"Congratulations, Mother."

"Thank you, Christoph."

"But Father didn't tell me anything. That's terrible."

"I wanted to tell you myself, so I had Ernest keep it a secret. I'm sorry."

"…I should have visited more often, but I was too busy."

But at Mother's age, this is a high-risk pregnancy, right?

I don't know much about childbirth in this world, but will she be okay?

"Don't worry, we'll take all necessary precautions, and we have a court physician."

Hanna, you're perceptive!

"Hanna, and everyone, I'm counting on you to take care of Mother."

"Understood!"

However, Father is still active, isn't he?

Mother does look like she's in her twenties.

It's good that they have a good relationship.

Wait, does that mean Mother won't be able to attend the opening ceremony?

It would be dangerous if she overexerts herself and miscarries, so it can't be helped.

So, the day of the opening ceremony arrived.

What? You think the story is moving too fast?

I don't care about that!

I had already moved into the dormitory two days ago, so I headed to the school building from the dormitory, which is essentially a house.

As the top-ranked student, I was given a house and can bring up to five attendants.

Of course, it's forbidden to walk around the school with five attendants, and they are only allowed to manage the house and take care of my daily needs.

I didn't want to bring anyone, but as expected, Father ordered me to.

Apparently, as a high-ranking noble, it would be a disgrace not to have attendants, so my personal maid, Luna, and three guards, Primera, Lars, and Ben, along with the cook, John, will live in my house.

Before the opening ceremony, I entered the classroom. I'm in Class 1-1.

Each class has 30 students, from Class 1 to Class 10, making a total of 300 first-year students.

Class 1 consists of the top 30 students from the entrance exam, most of whom are nobles, but there are also a few commoners, less than 10.

Well, those who can afford to spend money and time on education have an advantage, but apparently, the ratio of commoners in Class 1 increases in the second year.

The excellent commoners rise through the ranks, while the lazy nobles are demoted.

I need to be careful too.

By the way, Classes 2 to 10 are not ranked by academic performance.

Only Class 1 is made up of the top students.

"I'm Peron Cook. Nice to meet you."

A slender red-haired boy sitting next to me greeted me.

"I'm Christoph von Brütsels. Nice to meet you."

"Ah, a noble?"

I look like a commoner, so he didn't think I was a noble.

Noble clothes are too frilly and annoying, so I prefer to wear simple, commoner-like clothes at school.

I usually try to wear simple, non-noble clothes, but Father often scolds me.

But since my tastes don't match, I at least try to wear commoner-like clothes at school.

When I wear a robe, the clothes aren't really visible anyway.

I know it's not proper for a noble, but it's okay to be a little different, right?

"I am a noble, technically."

"I'm sorry for speaking to you."

"Don't worry about it. I despise those who act superior just because they're nobles. Feel free to be yourself. By the way, can I call you Peron? And I'd like you to call me Chris."

"Sure, you can call me Peron. But calling a noble like that…"

"Then just call me Christoph. Nice to meet you, Peron."

"Okay, nice to meet you. Christoph."

As I was deepening my friendship with my first friend in this world, the classroom became noisy.

Someone brought four attendants, which is against the rules.

I recognize him from somewhere, but I can't remember.

Am I starting to forget things at 13?

By the way, the Royal Magic School admits students from the age of 12, and nobles usually start at 12.

I've been sick since birth, so I came to the capital from the provincial city of Brünhild after recuperating, which is why I'm a year late. Initially, Father didn't even consider enrolling me in the Royal Magic School because he didn't know how long I would live.

Getting back to the topic, bringing four attendants is a violation of the school rules.

I don't plan to do anything, but it's a good opportunity to see how the teachers will handle it.

If they ignore the rule-breaking just because he's a noble, it will lower my opinion of the school. If they take a firm stance, it will raise it.