Chapter 13
Class Begins
“Do you know how the Cromwell family handles inheritance?”
“Yeah, roughly. Instead of the usual primogeniture, they select the head of the family through evaluations among all adult children. It’s their family tradition.”
“Right, you know it well. Sid’s older brother, who graduated from here, ranked first in his class for three consecutive years at Sienia. So from Sid’s perspective, he’s probably feeling anxious. Rumor has it the two brothers don’t get along at all.”
“Ah…”
Nigel replied absentmindedly.
Even if a rude person had their own circumstances, they were still just a rude person with circumstances.
After finishing their meal, Nigel and Allen decided to take a walk in the courtyard before class started.
However, the warm and lively atmosphere turned cold the moment Nigel appeared.
“Wow~ Allen, I must be quite famous. Everywhere I go, people are staring at me like I’m Sid Cromwell.”
There were many students glaring at him from all around. Most of them wore emblems on their chests engraved with a snake and quill—the symbol of wisdom.
“Uh… the Department of Politics takes a lot of pride in their grades. And most of them are nobles, too.”
Allen cautiously spoke while watching Nigel’s reaction.
“I see.”
Is it because they’re young? They’re wasting energy on something so pointless.
Nigel, who had never actually been an adult, replied without changing his expression.
“Don’t worry, Nigel. Once they realize you’re a good person, they’ll stop soon!”
Allen patted Nigel on the back reassuringly.
“Yeah, you’re right. I should show them just how good of a person I am.”
“Right! That’s a great idea!”
Allen smiled brightly, unaware that his definition of a “good person” and Nigel’s were worlds apart.
“Oh, right. Allen, do you know Teller and Ollend?”
“Huh?? How do you know our masters’ names?”
“No, I just guessed.”
As expected. No matter how much honor or power someone had, they couldn’t beat someone with money.
Nigel smiled faintly and walked lightly toward the classroom.
“Nigel, wait for me!”
The first class at Sienia was a common freshman course: History of Arenium.
Classes at Sienia were divided into two main types: common courses and department (or elective) courses.
Aside from common classes shared by all students of the same year, students had to fill the rest of their schedule with courses from departments of their choosing.
To emphasize Sienia’s core value—cooperation—common classes were designed not just to provide necessary knowledge, but also to encourage interaction and diverse learning experiences with students from other departments.
Since first-year students were given a one-time opportunity to change departments during their first semester, all classes in the first semester were common courses.
Of course, regardless of that intention, students naturally divided themselves into three groups by department and sat accordingly.
The innermost seats were for the Magic Department, the middle for Politics, and the outermost for Swordsmanship.
“Oh, Noah, you’re here?”
“Yes.”
At that moment, Noah Besselion—famous within the Swordsmanship Department—walked past his own department and sat in the Magic Department section, causing several swordsmanship students to darken in expression.
“How was your special meeting with the dean?”
“It was ordinary. He seemed like a good person.”
“He congratulated you on your admission and told you to study hard?”
“Ah, he also asked why I chose to attend the academy.”
“And what did you say?”
At Nigel’s question, their gazes met briefly in midair. Noah’s eyes wavered slightly.
“Well…”
Ding. Ding.
At that moment, the bell signaling the hour began to ring.
Creak.
Just before the final chime, the classroom door opened, and a strict-looking man wearing glasses appeared.
It was Kledian, the professor in charge of first-year Politics students.
“Jong-il…”
A whisper came from the Politics section.
“Jong-il?”
“Yeah, they call him that because he always enters when there’s exactly one bell left. My older sister graduated from here, and she said he’s never once broken that rule.”
The students chuckled quietly.
“And… unless something extraordinary happens, he never ends class early or gives breaks—he teaches all day. That’s why they call him Jong-il.”
“…Even on the first day?”
“Yeah. My sister said he’d keep teaching even if monsters attacked the academy.”
The students’ bright expressions quickly darkened.
As if to prove it, Kledian immediately opened the textbook.
“The entrance ceremony was introduction enough, so we’ll skip self-introductions. However, since it’s the first day, we won’t cover new material. Instead, we’ll have a simple discussion.”
Oh…!
He seems nice?
Rumors are always exaggerated.
Students exchanged hopeful glances.
“Of course, everything discussed today will be included in the exam. Keep that in mind.”
…He really is Jong-il.
Definitely Jong-il.
Their hope completely extinguished, the students quickly took out their notebooks and writing tools.
“Let’s start with a simple question. In what year did our Empire sign a peace treaty with the Kingdom of Krena, and what was the reason?”
Simple, my foot.
We have to listen to this for two hours on the first day?!
At that moment—
“Ah, I see. Two of you… these freshmen seem promising. The one who raised their hand first may answer.”
Kledian adjusted his glasses.
The first to raise their hand—Nigel—stood up, calmly meeting Cromwell’s sharp glare.
“The year the peace treaty with the Kingdom of Krena was signed was 1622. At that time, the emperor was His Majesty Emperor Edwin, the great-great-grandfather of the current emperor.”
“No further explanation needed. Then, what was the reason?”
“The catalyst was a monster invasion. The Kingdom of Krena, with its vast fertile plains, was well-suited for agriculture but had a critical weakness in defending against monsters. Therefore, through the treaty, our Empire provided military support, while Krena granted us most-favored-nation status, which has been maintained to this day.”
A faint smile appeared on Kledian’s lips.
“Good. Your name?”
“Magic Department student Nigel As.”
“Ah, the rumored perfect scorer. My department students made quite a fuss—it seems it wasn’t without reason. Our freshmen will need to stay on their toes.”
“Thank you.”
Nigel gave a slight nod and sat down.
“Nigel, are you an encyclopedia? You sounded just like our masters earlier.”
Noah applauded him as well.
“…And the Politics students look like they’re about to burst into flames.”
Allen whispered, glancing around.
“Did something happen with the Politics Department? How could fellow freshmen—”
“No, it’s fine. Let them.”
Nigel smirked, fully enjoying the intense attention coming from the Politics section.
For the next two hours, Kledian’s questions and the scratching of pens never ceased. Among them, the one who drew the most attention was undoubtedly Nigel.
Ding. Ding.
Finally…!
The next class has to be better than this…
The bell rang like salvation.
Nigel and his group joined the stream of students exiting the classroom.
“Nigel. Could we talk for a moment?”
It was Kledian—his voice calm yet impossible to ignore.
Nigel immediately stopped and stepped out of the flow.
“Have you considered transferring to the Politics Department? It would be quite a waste to use your eloquence and knowledge solely in magic.”
Kledian smiled gently.
“I appreciate the offer, but I have no intention of transferring.”
“Don’t be so certain. Think it over during this semester. Politics is a beautiful discipline.”
“Yes.”
Nigel gave a slight bow and left the classroom.
“There he is.”
“Where? Oh, there!”
Allen and Noah waved their hands high when they spotted him.
“What did the professor say?”
“Nothing important. We’ll be late for the next class—let’s go.”
“…Oh! Right… let’s go.”
As if he hadn’t expected a real answer, Allen didn’t press further.
Instead, he walked awkwardly down the hallway, as if avoiding landmines.
“…What’s wrong with him? Is he sick?”
Nigel leaned closer to Noah and whispered.
His black hair brushed close to Noah’s face. Noah subtly leaned back as he answered.
“…He’s worried about the next class.”
“What? What do you—oh.”
The next class was Introduction to Basic Swordsmanship.
Allen’s thin limbs looked even weaker than usual as he staggered forward.
“He couldn’t sleep last night because he was so worried about swordsmanship class.”
Noah spoke quietly.
“He didn’t say anything yesterday. Why didn’t he tell me?”
“He said he wanted to make a good impression on his first friend.”
“…Hah.”
Nigel let out a small, incredulous laugh.
“Oh, and Allen asked me to keep this a secret, so I’d appreciate it if you did as well.”
Nigel nodded casually.
“Does he usually exercise…?”
“He said the only exercise he’s ever done is breathing.”
Right. Of course he hasn’t. There’s no way that body has ever exercised.
Unaware of Allen’s desperate feelings, time continued to pass mercilessly.
