Academic Looms

The walk back home felt calm, the orange glow of the setting sun stretching across the endless prairie. Fren and Roseline seemed relaxed, their conversation lighthearted, though I couldn’t shake the feeling they had something else to spring on me after the excitement of the town and the guild.

True to form, Roseline couldn’t hold her excitement for long. The moment we entered the house, she clapped her hands dramatically, her silver eyes glinting with mischief.

“Raizen! We need to talk about your future!”

“Why does my future sound exhausting already?” I grumbled, plopping into a chair.

Roseline ignored my protest entirely. “You’ll be attending the academy when you turn twelve!” she announced, twirling her staff like she was casting a spell for maximum flair.

I froze, staring at her like she’d just suggested I live with wyverns. “The what?”

“The academy,” Fren said, his tone calm and reassuring as ever. “It’s a school for young nobles, where they learn about the world—its history, politics, economics—as well as combat training and self-defense.”

“You want me to go to school?” I said, disbelief dripping from every word.

“It’s more than a school,” Roseline corrected dramatically. “It’s an opportunity to grow, to learn, to—”

“Is it necessary in order to be an adventurer?” I muttered under my breath.

“Not even the slightest,” Roseline admitted, her expression turning slightly nervous. “But we have no say in the matter.”

So it was like the way governments make children go to school as law. I thought I didn’t have to worry because this world seemed so lenient. If school exists, then religion does too—and frankly, I hope that’s not mandatory either. Chances are that it is a “she.” If that’s the case, then I have every reason to worry.

Fren crouched down, his expression gentle as he continued. “The academy is only for nobles. But thanks to Roseline, you’ll be allowed to attend.”

I tilted my head, narrowing my eyes. “How’d you pull that off?”

Roseline waved her hand dismissively, grinning smugly. “I have connections.”

It wasn’t the most convincing answer, but Fren’s warm tone reassured me—for now. Plus, if they had that much in funds, anything was possible. “Roseline wanted to give you a chance,” he explained.

Chance? Opportunity? That was all well and good, but in my mind, school was synonymous with monotony. From what I remembered of my previous life, school was a never-ending cycle of sitting, listening, and pretending to care about subjects I barely understood.

I could already picture it: rows of desks, teachers droning on about things I’d forget five minutes later, and classmates who either wanted to copy my answers or show off their superiority. And now it was worse—this wasn’t just school. This was noble school.

Did noble children whisper behind each other’s backs? Did they sabotage each other’s chances to win favor? Would I have to sit through endless lectures about obscure laws and customs I didn’t care about?

Sure, combat training sounded mildly interesting, but did it outweigh the burden of mingling with snobby kids who probably judged me for not being one of them? I doubted it.

Roseline’s cheerful voice snapped me out of my mental tirade. “You’re going to love it, Raizen. Trust me.”

I stared at her, unimpressed. I don’t think “love” is the word she’s looking for.

Fren chuckled softly, placing a hand on my shoulder. “You’ll learn a lot, even if it doesn’t seem exciting now.”

Roseline grinned mischievously. “Besides, it’s not optional, kiddo. So start looking forward to it!”

I sighed heavily, sinking into the chair as I plotted my escape from whatever horrors noble school had in store.