4
Chapter 4
Belliard Academy is located in the northern outskirts of the Capital, Kashant.
Since it is in the exact opposite direction of the Magic Tower in the southern part of the Capital, the sun was already setting by the time I arrived at the Academy.
As I approached the entrance, a Guard wearing a sword approached me.
"How may I help you?"
"I am Bio, the new Instructor for the Ranger Class starting next semester. I was told to report in by today..."
"Yes. Could you please hand over your Identification Plaque first for verification?"
When I handed over my Identification Plaque, he checked it against a roster. Looking at the procedures, the height of the surrounding walls, and what seemed to be Magic cast over them, the security was much stricter than I expected.
Well, considering most of the students are Nobles and even some members of the Imperial Family attend, it was only natural for them to be strict about security.
"You have been verified. The staff housing is located behind the main building straight ahead. Taking the path to the right will be faster."
"Thank you. Keep up the good work."
I received my Identification Card back and entered the grounds.
The first thing that caught my eye was a training field covered in green grass.
Straight ahead stood a large, seven-story building, which seemed to be the main building.
There were also smaller buildings on either side, about four to five stories high. Perhaps because it was one of only two academies in the Capital, the scale was quite impressive.
Maybe because the semester hadn't started yet, the school was completely empty.
I walked along the right path as the Guard had directed.
Passing the main building and walking a bit further, I found two six-story buildings facing each other on a hill.
Is one of them the Trainee Dormitory?
Fortunately, there were signboards, so I was able to arrive at the dormitory without getting lost.
Belliard Academy has a mandatory dormitory system for all students.
The rule was that all Trainees, whether Nobles or even members of the Imperial Family, must live in the dormitories during the semester, but Instructors were an exception and could commute.
Most of them commuted, but since I didn't have a house in the Capital anyway, I decided to stay in the dormitory.
With the money from selling the Artifact, finding a place wouldn't be too difficult, but since I'd be leaving soon anyway, there was no need to waste money.
I went to the small guard post next to the dormitory building and verified my identity just like I did at the entrance, and they handed me a key.
Room 505, so that means the fifth floor?
It might be a bit annoying to move around, but since it's the top floor, there probably wouldn't be any noise from upstairs.
I climbed the stairs and arrived at my quarters.
I opened the door and walked in, only to be slightly surprised.
Perhaps because most of the Instructors were Nobles, the facilities were quite nice.
There was a moderately sized living room separated from the bedroom, a restroom and Bathroom, and even a small study equipped with a desk and a chair.
There was no place to cook, but since the Academy Dining Hall provided meals, it wasn't necessary.
I opened my Subspace, unpacked my things, and looked around a bit more carefully, only to find some dust piled up in the corners of the window frame.
I heard they cleaned it in advance when I received the key earlier, but it seemed they did a sloppy job.
As soon as I finished cleaning, my stomach sent me a signal.
Come to think of it, I hadn't eaten anything since breakfast this morning.
Thinking it was about time to go get some dinner, I left the room.
The food would probably be better than at most restaurants, right?
Since most of the Trainees were Nobles, and even members of the Imperial Family attended.
I headed to the Dining Hall with high expectations, but huh?
The Dining Hall was closed.
What was going on? The guide clearly stated that dinner time was from six to eight.
Were they not serving meals because it was the break?
They said the Dining Hall would be running because there were quite a few Trainees staying at the Academy during the break.
"What are you doing there?"
I turned around at the voice and saw two female students wearing Uniforms standing there.
I was just thinking I should grab someone and ask, so this worked out perfectly.
"Is dinner time already over?"
"Huh? Cafeteria 1 doesn't open during the break."
"I see. Then where should I go to eat?"
"Should I go?"
"Is something wrong?"
"Saying 'Should I go' is speaking informally."
Informal speech?
I thought I heard that inside the Academy, people treat each other based on the relationship between Instructor and Trainee, rather than their outside status. Was I wrong?
"You're a funny guy. You don't seem to be in our grade. What department are you from? Even if it's the break, you should be wearing your Uniform when walking around campus... Ah! Wait, Ranger Class?"
Grade? Wait, are they mistaking me for a Trainee?
"I am in the Ranger Class, but I'm not a Trainee..."
"Even if you're a New Student and it's not the semester, you still have to wear your Uniform when roaming the campus."
As I thought, they're definitely misunderstanding.
"Raining, doesn't his face look a bit too old for a Trainee?"
No, what's wrong with my face?
I've hardly ever walked around with a bare face, but the Old Man and everyone else who saw my face all said they were jealous of my youthful looks.
"Maybe he took the wrong medicine when he was young."
"Ah! Right. They said the Ranger Class accepts students up to twenty years old. Still, he looks a bit old for his age."
...They were openly calling me old-faced, but since I'm actually twenty-eight, I wasn't sure if I should be happy or angry about it.
"Raining, he's scowling."
"Relax your face. I didn't say you're ugly."
"Yeah, even if you look a bit aged, your face isn't ugly... Looking mature has its perks."
"That's right. They say guys like you who look old when they're young don't age much later on."
This wasn't exactly giving with one hand and taking with the other, but I was dumbfounded by how much they were teasing me.
"Um, why do you keep speaking informally to me..."
"You got a problem? Even if you're twenty, you're a New Student, right? Grade takes precedence at the Academy."
"No..."
"I said grade takes precedence. Or are you from a Marquis or Duke's family?"
She cuts me off before I can even finish my sentence.
"We're actually on our way to eat too. Do you want to come with us?"
"Misha? Are you going to eat with him? I heard there are Commoners in the Ranger Class."
"He spoke informally earlier, so I don't think he's a Commoner. Are you a Commoner?"
"I'm not a Commoner, but..."
When I retired as a Black Agent, I was bestowed the title of Baronet in recognition of my past contributions.
Actually, a Baronet is a Noble in name only; there's not much difference from a Commoner.
It can't be inherited and there's no territory; they are the absolute weakest among the Nobility.
Some people don't even consider them Nobles, but anyway, I'm not a Commoner.
"Then it's fine. Follow me."
At first, I thought they were typical arrogant Nobles, but they showed me the way and didn't seem like bad kids.
They don't listen to people finish their sentences and only say what they want to say, which is a bit annoying, but since it's come to this, should I play along a little?
It's not like I intentionally deceived them.
It seemed like it would be pretty fun to see their reactions when they found out later.
"Oh right, we didn't even ask for your name. What's your name?"
"It's Bio."
"Your last name?"
"It's Rain."
"Rain? I've never heard of that name. Where is your territory?"
"No territory?"
"A Baronet, huh..."
"So you're from a Baronet family. What's wrong with that? Say it proudly. You're still a Noble, after all."
"Yeah, if you graduate and accomplish a lot, you could even become a Baron. Just work hard."
They were really taking it easy.
If I hadn't retired, I would have been the top candidate to lead the Intelligence Agency.
Of course, titles weren't strictly awarded based on position, but considering my contributions, I would have easily been granted the title of Count without any issues.
Because the Old Man's current title was Marquis.
"Haha... Yes. I'll do my best."
"Aren't you curious about us?"
"Ah, I thought it would be rude to ask..."
"Rude? When someone answers your question, it's only polite to ask back."
Wasn't it common courtesy to introduce yourself before asking for someone else's identity?
"I'm Misha Levance. This is Raining Epert. We're both third-years in the Knight Department."
Levance and Epert. I recognized the names the moment I heard them.
Marquis Epert was the head of the Capital Defense Force and one of the top three most powerful figures in the Military Department.
Count Levance, despite his Count title, was the closest aide to Duke Martis, the Eastern Army Commander, and a highly capable general known as the Iron Wall of Levance.
"So you're both from prestigious families."
"You know a thing or two, don't you?"
As we chatted while I humored them, we arrived at the Dining Hall before I knew it.
"Only Cafeteria 3 is open during the break, so come here for meals from now on."
"Thank you for showing me the way. I'll be going now."
I greeted them and tried to go inside, but the two of them blocked my path.
"Going where?"
...Were they going to ask for a guide fee?
No, they didn't seem like that kind of people.
It seemed like it was time to reveal my identity.
Even if it was for fun, getting mugged as an Instructor was a bit much.
"Actually, I'm..."
"That's cold. A Senior went out of her way to help you."
"You used us, and now you don't need us anymore. Is that it?"
She really knew how to say things that could give people the wrong idea.
"Yeah. You came all the way here just to eat alone? Let's eat together."
Huh? They didn't want money, they just wanted to eat together?
I just assumed they were only showing me the Dining Hall.
"I made a mistake. I thought you were just giving me directions."
"Come on, did we really look that heartless?"
"That's too much."
"I'm sorry."
In the end, we ended up going into the Cafeteria together.
It was quite spacious, and one side had floor-to-ceiling windows offering a great view.
As expected of Belliard Academy.
It was a buffet style, with food laid out right down the center.
"The menu isn't great today."
"I know, right? Bio, you can't leave any leftovers, so take only as much as you can eat and come sit at the far right table by the window."
They call this not great?
There were fresh salads, three types of bread, and even four kinds of cheese.
Various jams, roasted meats, fish, and even fried dishes.
At first, I wondered what special occasion it was, but I had to admit, Nobles certainly had picky palates.
"Ah, yes."
I piled my plate high with food and headed toward the window seat.
"Are you going to eat all that?"
"You said you didn't have a territory. Is your family struggling financially?"
They were looking at me with pity, which left me dumbfounded.
"I only took as much as I can eat?"
"Is it because you're a boy?"
"I just have a pretty big appetite."
I answered with an awkward smile, but playing along wasn't easy.
I decided to reveal my identity as soon as we finished eating.
"Yeah. You need to eat a lot to grow bigger."
"I think he's tall enough already, though."
Thud—
Sheesh, just as I was thinking of speaking up first, a loud noise rang out from behind.
I looked toward the source of the noise and saw a group of boys crowding around.
"They're at it again. Bio, stop staring and just eat."
"Huh?"
"If you keep looking, they'll pick a fight with you too, so just eat."
A fight? Both of them frowned in warning, but I was too curious to look away.
"Wh-Why are you doing this?"
"Are you seriously asking? You dirty strays just sat in my designated seat without permission?"
"We're New Students, so we didn't know there were designated seats. We're sorry."
"We'll move right away."
Did the Academy Dining Hall have a designated seating system?
I didn't recall hearing anything about that when I looked up the school information beforehand.
Even if there were designated seats, they could just eat somewhere else.
Why make such a big deal out of... Huh?
"Ugh!"
One of the boys from the group that was fiercely yelling grabbed a Trainee's Soup bowl and poured it straight over his head.
"If you did something wrong, you should be punished."
"Damian, they don't look like Nobles to me."
"What are you talking about? How could a Commoner get into the Academy?"
"They said Commoners started coming in this year because of the new Ranger Department. Hey, are you guys Commoners?"
"Ugh..."
"Hey, are your ears clogged? Damian is asking you a question."
He even kicked the fallen boy, but no one around them stepped in to stop it.
Not the people in the distance who looked like Instructors, nor Misha and Raining sitting right in front of me.
I grasped the situation immediately.
The fact that even these two, who were from quite prestigious Noble families, were turning a blind eye meant the guy throwing a tantrum over there held even more power.
Was he the son of a Duke?
However, going purely by his appearance, no specific Noble family came to mind.
Of course, it was very common for Nobles to pick on minor faults to harass Commoners.
But there was a line to everything.
That had crossed the line by a long shot.