Chapter 10 - Character Evaluation
◆ What I Gained Through My Pursuit
In this world, the coming-of-age ceremony is held when one turns sixteen. It is the age when one can choose their own path—whether to continue honing their skills at the Magic Academy or return to their hometown to dedicate themselves to the nation. I believed that if I stayed at the academy for another two years, I could reach even greater heights and perhaps earn a position in the national military.
The faculty seemed to share this view. They appeared willing to recommend me for a position as a strategist, considering my consistent performance in military studies, even if they turned a blind eye to my so-called hobby of research in the Alchemy Tower. However, in the end, I was merely the third son of a frontier knightly house—and a fool who couldn’t even manage his own fiancée.
When the Grand Duke’s daughter straightforwardly told me I didn’t need to be involved anymore, I obediently withdrew. From that day, I ceased all interaction with my fiancée. For this, I was branded unfit as a noble. In noble society, no one entrusts important duties to someone who cannot properly handle even one woman. Even if the matter had been decided in the privy council, to the majority of noble families who weren’t present at such meetings, both my fiancée and I were equally regarded as fools.
Moreover, I was also perceived as a goof-off. While enrolled in the knight department, I neglected socializing with my classmates and instead spent my time loitering in the Alchemy Tower, the stronghold of the alchemy department. To those around me, I seemed unfit to understand anything about the military. No matter how good my academic performance was, I gained no recognition from the children of military-aligned noble families, leaving me completely isolated.
Well, that was fine by me. After all, there was no rule that one’s companions had to come from the knight department. I had built some connections among the people in the Alchemy Tower and even among the townsfolk. Most importantly, I often consulted with the faculty about my abilities and had their support. Even if I were ignored by the noble children of my age, especially those in the knight department, there were still plenty of ways to gather information.
However, given my poor reputation in the knight department, staying in the royal capital to bring profits to the frontier was not a viable option. It would be utterly meaningless. After all, I was just the third son of a family that was barely considered noble in the countryside. In fact, my excellent academic performance at the Magic Academy could even become a liability.
Therefore, seeking a position in the capital was nothing but harm with no benefit.
While my skills and knowledge in military studies might go unnoticed in the capital, they could become valuable assets if I returned to the frontier. They would contribute to the peace of the common folk and bring relief to my knightly family. No, I would make them so. For this reason, I resolved to return to the frontier after my coming-of-age ceremony. To my surprise, the faculty spoke one after another, urging me to stay.
"Given your family’s rank, the capital might seem a challenging place for you, but your intellect is truly valuable to the national military. The proposal you submitted for revising the military training guidelines caught the attention of the Minister of War, who nodded in approval after reviewing it. High-ranking officers in logistics also acknowledge your insights. I believe enrolling in the Military Academy would be appropriate. Won’t you consider it?"
"Even so, I am merely the third son of a knightly family. With the academy filled with individuals as brilliant as shining stars, my family’s humble status makes it unthinkable. Regardless of the fact that my internal mana is at count-level, I am still treated as the son of a knightly house held by my father. Our family has no noble rank to pass down to its sons. As someone no different from commoners, I am unsuited for the Military Academy.”
"The military prides itself on 'meritocracy,' doesn’t it?"
"Then all the more, I am unfit. While my internal mana may match that of a count’s, my manifestable magic is far too specialized. In practice, I’ve only mastered enough martial skills to fight alongside foot soldiers. My offensive magic is limited to basic spells, and large-scale annihilation magic is but a distant dream—even my instructors in the magic department have told me as much. Continuing my studies won’t be enough for me to become a shield of the king—a magic knight. Graduates of the Military Academy are all inducted into the Magic Knight Order. For me, in just two years... it’s impossible. Therefore, I wish to return to the frontier, where I can put the knowledge and skills I’ve gained to use against monsters and magic beasts, and become a shield of the kingdom.
"...I see. So you’ve chosen a path you must follow—a noble pride, is it?"
"The pride of a frontier knightly house, passed down from my parents. My brave and talented elder brothers must already be weary of the daily struggles in that land. If I can support the family that has cherished and loved me, there is no greater happiness.”
"...Your eyes show resolve. So, this is the kind of man who resides in the frontier. Oh, the people of the frontier will be protected by someone with true noble pride like you, I see. I understand now. I will not push further. May light shine upon the path you walk."
"Thank you for everything. To all of you who have held up a guiding light for those walking in darkness, I wish nothing but success in your future endeavors. May light always shine upon your path.”
After graduating from the Magic Academy, I chose my own path. It was clear that seeking a position in the glittering royal capital would lead to nothing good. Even if I gained my father’s permission and changed my lord to a military house, I would be of little use. The only future I could envision was being overworked with menial tasks as someone without true talent.
Thus, I believed that returning to the place where I truly belonged would be the best course for both my family and the kingdom. This decision wasn’t born out of self-deprecation or low self-worth. It was simply the way things were.
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