Chapter 15

"Um, Mother...

What exactly is that thing by the classroom...?"

Mother had been looking at the bulletin board with a serious expression, but then she suddenly smiled and slowly turned to me.

"Arlen. Congratulations on your acceptance into Class A.

You have earned the right to attend this academy through your strong will.

I am proud of you."

...I'm so happy.

I had been unsure if attending the Royal Academy was really the right choice.

I had been worried that I was just going with the flow.

But hearing Mother's highest praise, which always accurately commends my efforts, made me feel that what I had done was not wrong.

That's right.

This path is the most suitable one that I have won for myself, to live freely and do what I want.

To hell with academic credentials and promotions.

If necessary, I can give up this right I have won at any time.

But for now, I will believe in the value of the three months of studying I did with Zold.

I will believe in the value of the 12 years of effort I have put in to become a strong knight, 'Arlen.'

Tears streamed down my cheeks.

Once they started, they wouldn't stop.

Mother said, "Oh, oh," and smiled, then gently hugged me.

It's warm...

Mother's heart is so big.

I know the value and the significance of this warmth.

After a moment, Mother held my face in her hands, smiled, and said in a very small voice,

"Arlen. I believe in you."

Her eyes weren't smiling at all.

The tears stopped.

Looking closely, the hands that held my cheeks were white and cold.

It's a sign that she's angry.

The warm feeling I had just a moment ago suddenly dropped.

"Um, Mother... What do you mean by that...?"

My throat suddenly felt dry, and my eyes, which had been streaming with beautiful tears, were now as dry as if I had dry eye.

"Well, I'm leaving for the viscount's territory today.

I have to tell Bell and Zold the good news about Arlen."

"Yes, but... Mother, do you know what that '!' means?"

"As a knight, if you feel like you're about to be crushed, you need the spirit to crush everything in return, or you'll be looked down upon."

Mother smiled like a young girl.

"Yes, but..."

I couldn't understand at all...

The contrast with her young girl-like smile was too stark.

"Come on, the orientation for the accepted students starts at 11.

You'll be late on the first day."

Mother pushed me from behind and turned to leave for the main gate.

Not understanding what was going on, I hurriedly said to Mother,

"Mother, thank you for the delicious meal! I'm off!"

Mother, who is well-bred, isn't very good at housework.

But for me, she went shopping for ingredients every day and, despite struggling, made nutritious, warm meals for breakfast and dinner.

Mother turned back with a bashful smile and responded.

◆

Following the directions, I entered the school building.

Apart from being made of stone, there wasn't much to note by Japanese standards.

The only things worth mentioning were the polished marble floor and the luxurious lounge on the left side of the entrance, which was closed yesterday.

Does a school with only 300 students really need such a large lounge?

Glancing sideways, I saw what seemed to be upperclassmen looking at me curiously from the lounge.

A fragrant smell, similar to coffee, wafted through the entrance.

I arrived in front of the classroom for Class A on the second floor.

◆

...Don't be nervous...

In my previous life, I dedicated my entire youth to studying.

In middle school and high school, I had been studying for exams since April of my first year.

My parents in my previous life had always said, "All the classmates around you are rivals you should knock down."

Naturally, I had no student-like memories or close friends.

'Arlen' also attended a local elementary school until he was 11, but as the son of a lord and with exceptional magical talent, he was always kept at a distance.

At this Royal Academy, I want to try to do things that I can only do now as a student.

I want to join a club, have a girlfriend, do magic research with friends, register as an explorer and earn money by slaying monsters, and wander the streets at night with bad friends.

I don't care about grades.

I want to enjoy the present.

...For that, the beginning is crucial.

Should I make a big impression at first, or should I start off smoothly?

...Well, this isn't a situation where I should take risks yet.

I don't have the social anxiety from my previous life.

I'll start off smoothly and naturally, and first try to make some ordinary friends.

I can do this.

If something irregular happens, I'll just go with the flow.

I resolved myself and opened the classroom door.

"Have you been waiting? Arlen.

I couldn't wait to see you."

In front of me, Fay was smiling brightly.

◆

Caught off guard by this sudden turn of events, I closed the door.

I was careless...

I should have considered this possibility, but I hadn't prepared for it at all...

Because Mother was acting strange, I had come here without even confirming the names of my classmates.

Before I could think of a plan, the door opened automatically.

"Ah, is it not you, Lord Fay!"

"That's enough."

Damn.

I ignored Fay and quickly scanned the classroom.

The classroom had simple but sturdy desks and chairs arranged in a school-style layout.

Several groups of students were already formed, chatting happily.

Did I arrive late?

Well, it can't be helped. It's not a significant delay.

Since there were no assigned seats, I walked towards an empty seat by the window, trying to exude a harmless aura.

"Still as aloof as ever, Arlen?

But, I was really surprised by the results of the practical exam for the Knight Course!"

Fay followed me as if it were natural, but I ignored him.

Then, a tall, muscular man with short, sky-blue hair and sharp features approached with two friends.

He looked like the type who would be on the baseball team.

"Did I just hear Arlen? Are you Arlen Lovaine?"

"Yes, but... who are you?"

Before asking about his business, I decided to get his name first.

Hehehe.

I have memorized the names of all the nobles of viscount rank and above in this kingdom, along with simple information about their territories and specialties.

I'll broaden the conversation with topics about their territories and win this important first battle!

"Sorry, I'm Aldore Engreaver. I'm in the Mage Course, specializing in magic.

Feel free to call me Al."

Hmm.

Engreaver, the same viscount family as me.

And despite looking like a baseball player, he's an admired mage.

...I want to be friends with this guy.

"Engreaver, the viscount family famous for the Anju tree, which is a material for mage staves, in the territory of the Endymion Duke, right?

Nice to meet you, Al."

Al looked a bit surprised but smiled and patted my shoulder, saying, "Impressive!"

The Anju tree is a minor material.

But this is a good start, isn't it?

"Hey, isn't something different from when I was here?"

Fay was muttering something behind me, but I ignored him.

"Let me introduce my friends, Arlen.

This is Cococniar Canardia."

He introduced the short man next to him.

"Coc, Coc, Coc, Coc, Coc..."

...Is he shy...

I can relate, so I don't want to be rude...

It's like looking at my past self.

Canardia, if I remember correctly, was originally from a prestigious earl family but is now a baron family due to some circumstances.

He has a thin, soy sauce-like face and a chubby build, which makes him unappealing to girls, but I like that about him.

And—

"Can I call you Coc?

I've read the Canardia Bestiary, written by your ancestors.

It's a truly excellent book that conveys the author's passion.

I assume you're in the Civil Servant Course?

Nice to meet you."

The Canardia Bestiary is a famous old book that details the ecology and habitats of the monsters in this kingdom.

I read it whenever I had the chance.

Coc looked up, wide-eyed, and seemed to want to say something, but finally managed to say,

"Y-Yes, call me Coc. Civil Servant Course. Nice to meet you."

Yeah, I think I can be friends with this guy too.

Two wins in a row at the start!

"Hehehe!

Why is Arlen so knowledgeable about the Bestiary, which isn't even an exam subject?

You like to surprise me, don't you?"

"Didn't I say that to you?"

Damn... I reacted because he was so annoying.

Al, who had been watching my interaction with Fay with a puzzled look, regained his composure and started introducing the last person.

"And this is Ryo Zeitsinger. I guess you know him, right?"

He had glossy black hair with a bluish tint and a tall, slender build. He was incredibly handsome.

He was truly a prince...

...Oh no, I don't know him at all.