Chapter 2 - Turning Point
◆ Liberation from Being Swept Along
In this world, the lineage of the so-called Knightly Houses occupied a rank between nobility and commoners.
They were people akin to Nue (*A Japanese mythical creature), possessing bodies imbued with mana and combined with Skills. Tracing their origins, they came from commoners who, while lacking internal mana, possessed Skills useful in combat. Over time, their bloodlines intermingled with lower-ranking branches of noble families, either through marriage or by taking sons-in-law into their households, resulting in the creation of this distinct class.
If I were to borrow words from another world, they were akin to indigenous local clans. Unable to wield powerful magic, they relied on earthy, unrefined battles and martial Skills. They were blood-soaked yet proud, pouring their hearts into protecting their homeland with unwavering devotion. Looking back on the historical realities of the society to which they once belonged, they could be seen as a country samurai lineage.
At first, they relied on military strength, followed by regional economic power. They gradually assumed the role of mediators, listening to and reconciling the demands of the few who held power and the many who had none.
--- They became a tool to communicate the will of the state to the people and maintain control.
Such was the essence of the Knightly Houses. Their appointments were at the discretion of feudal lords endowed with fiefs by the king. Unlike the purely aristocratic title of baronets, it was a hereditary title. While they held no lands, they were permitted to maintain their own troops. Like merchants, they could engage in trade, with the household managing these enterprises, while recruiting and training soldiers to protect their dwellings from threats.
Such individuals, by the discretion of territorial nobles, were granted the title of Knighthood. Though they did not possess land, they commanded a group with the military strength to protect their homes. In the eyes of the kingdom, it was a title of little importance, one that ranked below even the nobility of the frontier.
In truth, even the lowest rung of nobility had the rank of baronets. Established through various entanglements, baronets were, so to speak, the byproduct of aristocratic society. Their titles lasted only a single generation, with their descendants losing noble status. Well, they existed as convenient agents for the territorial nobility.
They handled dirty jobs, served as tax collectors, and, in battles against magic beasts and monsters, often wielded swords and served as disposable shields for magic knights. They were of such low standing that most remained unmarried. A baronet... as a house, held no true standing. Their only path to advancement was to be entrusted with leading common soldiers during wartime.
In contrast, knightly houses were deeply rooted in their regions, keeping a close eye on the lives of the people and striving for their peace. Though occupying the fringes of the kingdom's noble system, they harbored genuine local pride and the dignity of warriors.
However, this was only true in the frontier regions. As a noble family at the same low rank, the difference in class created a significant disparity in perspective. Therefore, the central nobility viewed the Knightly Houses as little more than commoners.
Born as the third son of such a knightly house, I could only honestly describe myself as a commoner. Yet, from a societal standpoint, I occupied the very edge of the ruling class. While technically a commoner, the undeniable reality of being part of the lowest rung of nobility meant that I was, in part, aligned with the ruling side.
Therefore, it was inevitable that I received an education distinct from that of ordinary commoners, to establish my family’s right to rule as nobility.
If there was anything that set me apart from my older brothers, it was that, under my mother’s guidance, I was made to focus on studying arithmetic, law, and etiquette to support our family’s trade. As a member of a knightly house, I had some dissatisfaction with this, but the emphasis on commerce rather than martial training was likely seen as a more practical choice for the future.
My two elder brothers were exceptionally capable. Together with the sons of prominent town leaders—those who, like the knightly houses, were part of the semi-ruling class—they diligently learned the mindset of the ruling elite. They strove to become invaluable personnel who could faithfully implement the orders of feudal lords and nobles. Alongside mastering the art of war, they were educated to serve as commanding officers in battle.
In addition, they were entrusted with interpreting authoritarian and absolute orders, reading between the lines of the directives to convey their essence to the commoners. Even this task was part of their role. Without possessing such exceptional administrative skills, one could hardly be considered a man of a knightly house. It reaffirmed for me that the knightly houses, despite their differences from true aristocratic families, required such traits to remain hereditary. It was a product of education. I respected my brothers for fully embracing this understanding and dedicating themselves to their studies.
Meanwhile...
I, on the other hand, seemed to lack a fervent resolve about my future, perhaps because of memories from a previous life. I approached my education with a calm indifference, showing no particular passion beyond acquiring knowledge. However, I likely understood the importance of learning better than anyone else due to my past life experiences. Ignorance, after all, was a sin. Yet my lack of enthusiasm stemmed from the resignation I had carried over from that previous existence.
By the time I turned ten, my evaluation was entirely unremarkable. I possessed no outstanding physical traits, was robust but lacked exceptional talent as a warrior, and was generally deemed average. While my family loved me, as the third son, I didn’t receive much attention beyond the necessary education.
It wasn’t that I was deprived of affection. My family was simply too busy with the demands of life on the frontier. The knightly house, due to its position, constantly dealt with various miscellaneous tasks. Even with a capable father and brothers, the workload never lessened, leaving little time for me. I understood this clearly and didn’t feel lonely, accepting it as the natural order of things.
---Then came my tenth birthday. That day, everything changed.
In the kingdom, all citizens were required to have their internal mana and Skills assessed at a church upon turning ten. That morning started like any other, with the routine greetings of Good morning, without any special celebration from my busy family.
Knowing it was my birthday, I informed the butler that I would be heading to the church and left the estate. The butler, busy as usual, probably didn't think much of it, as it was common for me, the third son, to inform him of where I was going before leaving the house. He likely hadn't anticipated that I was going for the assessment at the church.
Thinking, "That’s just how it is," I went to the church alone without any escort and underwent the assessment.
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