Chapter 2
Chapter 2
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: To Avoid Entering the Academy (1)
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"Siel, as you well know... the Academy is a place that even the children of other nobles can't attend even if they want to. You've prepared extensively because you wanted to go there too. So why are you suddenly saying you won't go?"
According to the novel's setting, the Academy held a status as high as Seoul National University's medical or law school in Korea.
Even the lowliest serf, if they graduated successfully, could enter the society's elite class with near-noble treatment.
Among nobles, when titles were equal, Academy graduates received preferential treatment. From a baron's perspective, my decision was tantamount to madness.
"If I go to the Academy, won't I only learn knightly etiquette, decorum, and swordsmanship? As the lord of a baronial domain, I believe I should learn how to govern the territory well instead of those things."
"Certainly, the skills needed for a knight differ from those required to lord over a baronial domain. But you're only fifteen years old. First, spend four years at the Academy mastering knightly abilities, then learn the knowledge and skills of a lord from me afterward. It won't be too late."
In a normal case, a son would heed his father's words and change his mind.
"I've been shortsighted. So first, I'll go to the Academy, study hard, and later learn how to govern the territory from you, Father."
But what if I knew that yielding like this meant 100% ruin?
Yielding like that would make me a fool.
Separately, the Academy was essentially a graduate school fused with the vicious social circles unique to nobles.
Far better to prove my abilities and skip the suffering and downfall there—a hundred times better.
"I believe I already possess all the abilities needed to live as a knight. Entering the Academy just to relearn knightly dignity and etiquette would be a waste of time. From now on, I'd like to learn how to govern the territory to be of help to you, Father."
Hearing that, the baron suppressed his rising anger, let out a deep breath, and spoke.
"I now understand what you're thinking. But I'm still only in my mid-forties, and my health is fine. I already have capable administrators under me, so there's no need to worry. Therefore, Siel, for now, just go to the Academy in the Imperial Capital Elysium, study diligently, meet many people, and forge good connections."
Good connections my ass. Though the novel only outlined the early plot and I didn't know the ending...
Going there would just mean disdain for being from a rural backwater barony.
And then, in outrage at the capital's injustices, I'd get a proposal from lower noble Academy students to join a rebellion.
Even if I entered and rejected all such offers, the lower noble heirs would rebel anyway without me.
What if the emperor, witnessing this, decided to purge all lower nobles at the Academy to uproot rebellion?
For nobodies like us from a baron's family, the high likelihood would be stripping our succession rights entirely.
Ah, and even before that, our liege, Count Nant Excellency, might blunder our domain out of existence.
As per the novel's setup.
So, with desperate resolve, I said to my father,
"Think about it coldly. Our Kroitel family is just a barony. Within Nant County, we're respected as Your Excellency the Baron and his family, but in the capital swarming with nobles, I'd be nothing more than a backwater baron's heir. What good connections could I possibly make there?"
The baron flared up at my words.
"That's exactly why you, Siel von Kroitel, must go to the Academy! If you gain recognition for your abilities there, our family will be re-evaluated—no longer stuck in the sticks as a barony, but one with a capable heir! Then return to the domain and assist Young Master Schwain as my successor, don't you think?"
According to the novel's setting, Schwain, the future Count Nant, was described as trash worse than human.
No way could I fix someone like that after graduating and assisting him.
It'd be far more realistic to teach a monkey and send it to university.
Objectively analyzing my situation so far... convincing the baron in front of me with words alone was no longer feasible.
With things come to this, I'd show undeniable results as the baronial heir's qualities and governing ability, then demand a promise not to send me to the Academy in return.
Steeling my resolve, I took a deep breath... then looked straight at the baron with a calm voice.
"Excluding our family, there are six other baronial houses in Nant. And I know the barons heading those families are all as capable as you, Father. So they'll assist Young Master Schwain. But in our domain, aside from you, me, the knight with land, and the administrators, the other nobles only know combat, don't they?"
Not that I could tell them to study and handle administrative work either.
Because nobles of this era often lacked practical skills outside military duties, holding only governing authority.
The baron groaned at my words, then spoke in an angry tone.
"That's true, but even so, this domain has been well-governed by me and the administrators until now. It will continue to be, so hurry to the Academy and study!"
"No, as your heir tasked with governing this domain, I can't just sit by in this situation. I want to help you as soon as possible."
My thinking went like this.
From now on, I'd assert to my father that I already possessed the ability to govern and revitalize the domain.
In that process, I'd negotiate a deal to receive a small village.
Then, using my historical knowledge, rapidly develop the granted land.
Ignorant of local conditions now, I'd tour the Kroitel barony to find immediate, eye-catching achievements.
"Siel von Kroitel, this is my final warning. Go to your room now, reflect, and depart for the Academy in two weeks!"
The baron's anger had boiled over; his face flushed red like a boiled octopus.
He trembled, fists clenched tight.
To show him my will was unshakeable, I declared boldly in my loudest voice,
"I am prepared to stake everything to prove my thoughts."
"Siel... von... Kroitel..."
With that, the baron grabbed the conductor's baton from his desk and strode toward me.
Seeing it, I dropped to one knee, head bowed.
Then the baron halted his swing and said,
"Do you know what it means for a knight to kneel on one knee and bow his head...?"
In this novel—no, anywhere in Europe—a knight or noble kneeling on one knee and bowing meant pledging loyalty to one's lord.
Thus, my words now weren't a son's casual plea to his father, but a vassal begging his lord, staking his life.
And what this action implied was...
"Yes. If I fail to take responsibility for my words, do as you wish, Father. I stake my life and honor on it."
I said this, but as the only legitimate son in this baronial house, he wouldn't kill me.
However, failing to prove my words as a noble would cost me my honor.
And a noble losing honor was like a felony record in my country—a permanent stain.
The baron, stunned by my action, stammered incoherently.
"Father, I'm serious. Give me a chance."
Even as I spoke, my mind recalled the vast knowledge I'd researched for papers and books.
Technologies, social systems, education, culture that revolutionized world history, proven by history...
Plus military reforms, training, and foundational war theories impossible without power.
Using all this, I could surely enrich this domain.
The baron pondered long, then tapped my shoulder with the baton and said,
"Very well, Siel. Then I'll give you the chance. Show me your ability as the baronial heir. Convince me."
"Yes, Father."
Now there was no turning back. By any means, I'd deliver results that shock the baron.
Thus proving my abilities to survive well in this world.