Former Nobles and Nobles?
Even on this Holy Day, our morning began with another study session in the meeting room with Teacher Doua, the Vice-Guildmaster, and the Guildmaster.
When I explained about the changes in my status from yesterday, they seemed to interpret it as meaning my late parents (well, I don’t even know if my father’s really dead) were once noble adventurers—probably a runaway couple or maybe a youngest child of a noble family who chose the adventurer’s path.
Apparently, depending on the country, nobles often have lots of children. The eldest inherits the family, the second son serves as a spare, the daughters—if pretty—are used to strengthen ties and wealth through marriage. The rest? Well, they sometimes get sent off to become adventurers to reduce the number of mouths to feed.
Of course, if they’re from a rich family, all the children go to school, become knights, and can even earn themselves a one-generation knighthood. In this Lizmoni Kingdom, though, it seems every noble child gets to attend the academy regardless of their family’s wealth.
In the neighboring Lucidania Empire, because of its connection to the Church, social rank depends not only on noble titles but also on ecclesiastical rank. But in most other large countries, it’s the usual hierarchy of duke, marquis, count, viscount, and baron.
According to my light-novel knowledge, the villainess is usually a duke’s daughter, and the heroine is often a baron’s daughter—sometimes even an illegitimate one.
So basically, the lowest-ranking noble daughter (or commoner-born baron’s kid) is picking a fight with the highest-ranking duke’s daughter.
Crazy, right? What happened to class difference?
Usually, it’s the duke’s daughter—already engaged to a prince—who gets condemned at the graduation party.
But hold up—would a prince even approach a baron’s daughter, especially one who already has a fiancée?
And then they always portray the heroine as not understanding basic common sense… but honestly, aren’t her parents the ones who should know better than to let such a clueless girl out in public?
And every time, the prince and his noble buddies all fall head over heels for the heroine.
If it’s not charm magic, then, well… she’s definitely using other “charms,” if you know what I mean.
Even we commoners speak in euphemisms when it comes to things like “the toilet,” right?
So imagine the kind of strict gentleman-and-lady education nobles go through before marriage.
If some cute girl went and did something indecent with a noble boy—who’s probably the equivalent of a high schooler—well, it’s no wonder those boys end up acting like monkeys.
Not brothers who share a meal, but… well, let’s stop there.
Wait—what was I talking about again?
Ah, right. Social status.
There are four major nations on this continent: the Lizmoni Kingdom, the neighboring Menexes Kingdom, the Lucidania Empire where I was abandoned, and the Helazio Republic.
There are also smaller countries—some the size of this border marquisate’s territory.
The Empire has an emperor, sure, but apparently, the Church’s higher-ups wield even greater power. It’s a theocracy, basically.
In the Lizmoni and Menexes Kingdoms, the hierarchy goes: royalty on top, then duke, marquis, count, viscount, baron, and finally, knight.
“I hold the rank of marquis through my achievements at the Magic Academy. Since I have no intention of marrying, it’s a lifetime title,” said Teacher Doua.
I’d already suspected he was a noble, so it wasn’t a surprise.
“I was the eldest son of a viscount family,” the Vice-Guildmaster added, “but studying magic was just too much fun. I registered as an adventurer while still a student and never went home.”
Turns out we had a runaway son sitting right here.
The Vice-Guildmaster was from a small country that used to be part of a republic, but since his homeland no longer exists, he has nowhere to return to.
“Dad, did you go to school too?”
"Hmm? Naw, darlin’, I was just a plain ol’ farmer’s boy. My pa was an adventurer, though, so he showed me the ropes, and I took right after him. Never stepped foot in no fancy school—picked up what I could on my own. Now, the Guildmaster ‘round here? He’s a proper noble, y’know!"
Wait—what? The Guildmaster’s a noble? There’s a village chief *and* a noble here?
“No, no, *former* noble,” the Guildmaster said, waving his hands in irritation. “Just a commoner now.”
Teacher Doua explained that he was the third son of a count related to the margrave of this region. His father was human, his mother a lion beastkin, and since he strongly inherited her traits, he was treated like an outcast. (Seriously though, why marry a beastkin if you’re gonna treat her and her kid that way?)
While living in the academy dorms, his mother passed away, and with no reason to return home, he severed ties with his family upon graduation.
“He was a serious student,” said Teacher Doua. “His magic was a bit unbalanced, but he was quite skilled. After graduation, he became an adventurer and rose to Gold Rank. The Margrave hoped he’d join the Knights Order, but well…”
When his father heard about his success, he apparently tried to contact him to bring him back—probably thinking his son’s fame would reflect well on the family.
The Margrave himself genuinely valued the Guildmaster’s abilities, but once Teacher Doua explained the family issues, he gave up.
Later, when the Guildmaster retired from adventuring, the Margrave recommended him to head this Samania Village Guild.
By the way, Teacher Ariana was also a baron’s daughter (third in line). In light novels, the heroine’s often a baron’s daughter, sure—but in real life, a baron’s third daughter’s got slim chances for marriage. Her family was thrilled when she became a teacher and could make her own way.
“So both the Vice-Guildmaster and the Guildmaster used to be nobles, huh? That’s why you went to school.”
“Well, yes,” the Vice-Guildmaster said with a wry smile. “I studied under Teacher Doua at the academy and learned a great deal as an adventurer afterward. But these past few weeks, my sense of common sense has been completely rewritten.”
“Hah, ain’t that the truth. I was never too good at magic myself, but even I can tell Vio ain’t what you’d call normal.”
“Indeed. The way she explained liquids, gases, and solids was remarkably clear. I’ve decided to teach that first when I introduce Water Creation magic from now on.
It truly is a pity that Miss Vio’s mother has passed away. Since I don’t remember her, she must not have attended the academy—students skilled in Holy magic are rare enough that I’d never forget one. I would have liked to speak with her, even beyond magic.”
The “Mom taught me” excuse is really just that—an excuse. I don’t actually know if it’s true. But I do agree—I wish I could’ve learned more from her.
That treasure chest-looking thing might hold some answers, but the girl who took it was someone who stole and maybe even killed without remorse. She probably threw the necklace away, too. I should just assume it’s gone for good.
“So, Vio, you think you’d wanna go to the academy someday?”
I’d been lost in thought when he asked. Teacher Doua looked a bit hopeful, but—nah.
“Nope. Like the Vice-Guildmaster said, even after studying at the academy, he still had to relearn things. If I can keep learning from you two here and practice it right away, I’ll get way more out of that than sitting in a classroom.”
When I turned to Dad for agreement, he smiled wryly and said, “Heh, that’s right,” giving his approval.
The others looked surprised for a moment but quickly laughed and agreed.
“Ha, ha, ha! Well then, until the academy comes calling, I’ll make sure to teach you everything I can,” Teacher Doua said with a grin.
“Hehe, I’m looking forward to it! Oh—wait!” I blurted. “You’re a really important teacher, right? Shouldn’t I be paying you or something? I don’t have much from adventurer work yet, but can I pay you back later, when I’ve made it big?”
“Pay… later?”
“Pay… back?”
“Pff—ha-ha-ha!”
“Bwah-ha-ha-ha!”
They all burst out laughing.
I mean, the public school’s free, so it just didn’t occur to me that private lessons might not be.
So when I suggested paying him back once I was older, they all lost it.
“Hahaha… Miss Vio, you don’t need to worry about that,” the Vice-Guildmaster said kindly.
“Indeed,” said Teacher Doua. “You’ve already given us much—this new Water Creation magic, and the logic behind it. That alone would be worth paying you for.
Once this magic spreads across the continent, its impact will be enormous. You chose not to claim credit for it, and that was wise—revealing it now could draw dangerous attention. So I’ll announce it as my own discovery. The fame and reward will be great, but teaching you is my way of repaying the debt I owe you. It’s little enough, but it’s something.”
“… Really?”
I looked up at Dad, and he nodded with a smile, patting my head. Seemed like it really was fine.
“Thank you, Teacher Doua,” I said honestly.
He smiled and patted my head too.
Guess this height makes it easy to reach. Not that I’m complaining.
What do you think about this chapter?
