Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 887

888. First Day of School

“Young master, wake up.”

Haena gently stroked Ian’s forehead to rouse him. He’d been trailing after Barsabe all week, and now he was in a deep, almost unconscious sleep.

Ian whined a little in his sleep, but soon threw off the blanket and sat up, muttering blankly.

“…Is today the day?”

“Yes, it is. Your first day of school.”

At that, Ian jumped out of bed and dashed to the washroom. Haena chuckled and followed him, while the sounds of servants preparing breakfast echoed from downstairs.

Squeak.

“Good morning, Count Jacques.”

“Oh ho.”

Jacques, who had arrived in the dining hall first, set aside his newspaper and greeted Ian. Beside him, Barsabe was already attacking a piece of meat for breakfast.

“It’s quite something to see you in the same uniform as Barsabe. Come sit here. It’s going to be a long day, so you need to eat well.”

“Thank you.”

A servant placed a thick steak in front of Ian. It was a bit much for breakfast, but Ian glanced at Barsabe and picked up his cutlery. Seeing her eat so aggressively, he figured there must be a reason.

“I heard you’re looking for a residence.”

“Yes, I’m still getting recommendations from real estate agents, but it seems difficult to find the perfect place.”

“Those who are quick and skilled have already taken the prime spots in the center, so it won’t be easy.”

The Count hummed and nodded.

Ian felt a little self-conscious and rolled his eyes. No matter how wealthy the Jacques family was, it was like having a guest who had no prior connection to them.

“But rushing into things is a recipe for disaster when it comes to settling down. Take your time and look around thoroughly.”

“Thank you for your advice.”

“Barsabe, please look after Ian at the academy.”

“I don’t know if we’ll have any classes together.”

Unlike Ian, who had just taken a bite, Barsabe had already devoured half of her meat. What was the academy’s teaching method like? If he was the first magician, there wouldn’t be any magic classes, so it was strange that he was even admitted.

“And Ian.”

The Count took something from his inner pocket and handed it to Ian.

“Congratulations on your admission. Use this to buy something delicious with your friends, or anything you need.”

“Ah.”

Ian paused, recognizing it. It was the gem he had given to the Count through the butler.

Since he was staying at the mansion for a long time, he had offered it as a token of his gratitude for the accommodation and living expenses. He had been told that giving money would be impolite, so he had found a decent gem…

“I appreciate the thought. This is my way of showing my appreciation, so I hope you’ll accept it.”

“Thank you.”

Ian received the pouch. The sensation under the cloth wasn’t that of a gem. It seemed he had been given gold coins equivalent to the gem’s value instead.

A warm atmosphere settled between Count Jacques and Ian, and Barsabe pouted.

“What are you doing? Aren’t you going to eat?”

“Ah. I’m eating!”

“If you make me late, you’ll see.”

“Don’t worry about that!”

Ian checked his pocket watch and quickly cut his meat. Barsabe also began to empty her plate as if she wouldn’t be outdone, and Count Jacques picked up his newspaper again.

It was truly a peaceful morning.

* * *

Hee-ing!

Barsabe kept rummaging through her bag, checking if she had forgotten anything. He expected to see books or writing utensils, but instead, it was full of training tools, such as daggers, bandages, and splints.

Ian looked out the carriage window and asked.

“Do you usually take a carriage to school?”

“Yeah.”

‘It must be because she’s a noble,’ he thought.

“Well, the school is on a mountainside, so it’s hard to walk, and everyone uses their own preferred mode of transportation. Those who can fly, fly.”

“……?”

Was that possible? He was doubtful, but Ian soon accepted it. He remembered the magician he had seen as soon as he arrived in the center. They flew just fine. Yeah.

“Huh?”

As soon as they entered a secluded forest path, Ian reacted, sensing something. Barsabe raised an eyebrow as if to say, ‘Not bad.’

“That’s right. The magic barrier is activated from here.”

“What is it protecting?”

The students? Or the people outside?

Barsabe had never thought about it, so she pondered for a while, then shrugged, unable to come up with an answer.

“It’s good if everything is safe.”

Poof!

At the same time, a faint explosion was heard from somewhere. Ian looked around in surprise, but only saw birds flying above the trees.

Ian quietly gripped his bag tightly and looked ahead. Carriages for school were gathering one by one. Then, Barsabe tapped on the window.

“There.”

In the distance, a huge and beautiful ancient castle stood proudly. From the outside, it looked more like a neat monastery in the forest than a special school.

“At Energes, students can choose the subjects they want to take. There are mandatory subjects for freshmen, but-”

She was about to add something about ‘mandatory subjects’ but just skipped it. It would be better to experience it firsthand than to talk about it.

“Anyway, to move on to the next grade, you have to earn the required credits and pass the exams. Let’s make a timetable together later.”

“Yes, sis.”

“Be sure to take and . They’re not relative evaluations, but absolute evaluations, so it’s easy to get good scores. You know what I mean?”

Barsabe had already recommended several subjects to the point of exhaustion. The only downside was that they were all part of a curriculum for students aiming to become swordsmen. Barsabe clicked her tongue and muttered.

“There are hardly any magic-related subjects, so you can just take whatever looks fun to you. I’m jealous.”

“You can take whatever you want, sis.”

“I don’t have two bodies, how can I do that while taking care of everything?”

“Is that so?”

Since Barsabe said so, he nodded, but Ian didn’t quite understand. Why couldn’t she do it while taking care of everything?

“We’re here. Get out.”

The carriage couldn’t enter Energes, so it stopped near the main gate. Barsabe thanked the coachman, and the coachman took off his hat and waved in support.

“Have a good day, miss! Good luck, young master Ian!”

“Shut up! Go away!”

“Thank you!”

Taat!

The two children got out of the carriage. Students in various uniforms glanced at them.

Ian was one thing, but Barsabe was also quite young for the academy. Most of them were between thirteen and seventeen years old. It was inevitable that the two small children holding hands and running would stand out.

“Isn’t that Barsabe?”

“Who?”

“The nine-year-old who takes , her.”

“Who’s next to her? Her younger brother?”

“Did she… have a younger brother?”

Ian was busy looking around the campus while running. The well-maintained buildings and lawns filled him with an unknown excitement.

“Sis. Everyone is looking at us.”

“Of course. There hasn’t been a kid as young as you at the academy.”

“But where are we going?”

“I’ll take you to the administration office, and then I’ll go to class.”

Barsabe pointed to a sign in front of a door. It read ‘Administration Office, Building 1’. She had taken him to the door, so that was enough, right? The child checked her watch and ran back the way she had come.

“Go in and meet the headmaster! See you at the main gate when you’re done!”

Ian waved his hand lightly and then looked up at the large door. Should he make his presence known first? While the child was pondering-

Click!

The door swung open as if they had been waiting. A well-dressed suit, stylish glasses, and a face that looked like…

‘A mole?’

“Ian Handel, is it?”

“…Hello.”

Ian barely regained his composure and greeted him formally. Was he a mole-human, or a human-mole? His body was that of an adult male, but his height was only slightly taller than Ian.

“Nice to meet you. I am Dashuailse, the headmaster of Energes Academy, and I am in charge of subjects such as , , and . There are vacancies, so if you want, you can apply anytime!”

His self-introduction, which he rattled off, felt a bit desperate. Ian cautiously took the hand he offered. The texture of his thick fur was soft.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Headmaster Dashuailse. I am Ian Handel.”

“Uh-huh. We are honored. By the way, I’m a Dera. From near Mount Laza, west of Bariel.”

He waddled and gestured for him to come in. There was no one in the administration office, and when Ian became a little nervous, Dashuailse gave him a very kind smile. Or rather, it would be more accurate to say that he was desperate to look kind.

“There’s no need to be so formal. Even if the headmaster sounds grand, I don’t have much authority, and it’s a temporary position, so it’ll change soon. Well. It definitely will.”

Energes is an academy run by the Bariel Empire. Professors receive a salary based on the number of students they take, and they have the authority to nurture their disciples.

On the other hand, what about unpopular professors? They have no choice but to take on the noble role of sacrificing themselves for everyone’s convenience, such as managing schedules and facilities.

‘Is the headmaster someone who has nothing else to do?’

Ian immediately grasped the ecosystem of Energes from Dashuailse’s muttering. That must be why he had actively introduced his subjects as soon as they met.

Dashuailse rummaged through the documents he had prepared in advance and explained the curriculum to Ian.

“Energes’ educational philosophy is ‘the best technology, the best talent.’ Since students from various backgrounds gather here, the standards of the world are not that important. What I mean is-”

“I don’t expect to be treated like a noble.”

“Oh. You’re as sharp as the rumors say? You seem like a perfect fit for .”

“……”

“Ahem. Anyway, there are a total of ten mandatory subjects for new students. Please refer to the list, and you will have the opportunity to advance to the next grade every 40 credits. The detailed school rules are also here behind…”

Ian could understand why Dashuailse’s subjects were unpopular. There was no sincerity in his explanation. He didn’t know if it was a lack of motivation or a lack of talent, but if he continued like this, he would probably be the headmaster next time as well.

“Yes. Thank you.”

“The opening of magic-related subjects will be done soon, so I will let you know separately.”

“Magic-related subjects?”

“Why? Are you perhaps aiming to master other majors?”

“That’s not it, but I heard that there are no magic subjects at Energes. That I’m the first magic student to enroll…”

Dashuailse twitched the tip of his long nose and answered. It was half right and half wrong.

“This is Energes, which aims to nurture talent. According to the school rules, if it is determined that there are no subjects suitable for a student’s aptitude, new ones will be opened.”

“Ah.”

That was a strange school rule. Then what about the professors? Would they be newly hired?

Dashuailse, noticing Ian’s curiosity, added.

“Well, there is a suitable person, but he’s a very annoying fellow- no, no. I mean, his schedule doesn’t match, so it will take some time!”

Dashuailse quickly changed the subject. Something was suspicious, but it was a relief. Either way, he would be able to take magic classes.

Dashuailse checked his watch.

“The mandatory subject for new students currently in progress is . It’s on the second floor of the main building in Building 2. If you go now, you won’t be late.”

That’s it? Ian held the paper in his arms and looked up at Dashuailse. After a moment of silence, Dashuailse’s face brightened with a confident expression.

“Oh? You’re interested in after all-!”

“Then, goodbye. It was nice meeting you.”

Click!

Ian bowed his head and left the administration office.

The Energes campus was quite neat aesthetically, and Ian realized that it was because there were no miscellaneous signs. The students who had come in earlier had long since disappeared into their respective classrooms.

‘What should I do?’

Should he go to the building across the street first? Ian was about to move when he heard a familiar voice.

“Ian?”

It was a familiar voice. When he turned his head, Ethan, whom he had met at Joy Department Store, was approaching Ian with his friends. Judging by the fact that they were carrying school supplies, they weren’t late, but were moving to attend a class.

“Ian Handel? The magician?”

“Wow, he’s so cute.”

“He’s a total baby? Why is he alone here?”

As the students chattered in amazement at Ian, Ethan stepped forward with a small boast. And he greeted him, grabbing Ian’s hand tightly.

“You remember me, right? From the department store.”

“…Yeah.”

“Wow, you’re really my junior now?”

In fact, the relationship between seniors and juniors was not important at Energes, but Ethan laughed shamelessly. There were geniuses who graduated in a year and students who advanced a grade in ten years.

“Oh, Ethan! Do you know him?”

“Yeah, of course. I know him well.”

Ethan grabbed Ian’s shoulder tightly in front of everyone. Again. He was grabbing him so tightly that it hurt. Ian carefully lowered Ethan’s hand.

“By the way, Ethan.”

“Yeah?”

It was an action to gain the upper hand, but Ian didn’t know. He didn’t know what this behavior meant. He had never learned it, nor had he ever experienced it.

So Ian thought that Ethan just didn’t know.

“It’s rude to grab someone’s shoulder so tightly that it hurts.”

He was talking about etiquette.

“…What?”

“It wasn’t good when you grabbed my hand tightly last time either. When you meet someone for the first time, this is the right amount of strength for a handshake.”

Ian lightly grabbed Ethan’s hand and showed him an example.

“It’s okay. You might not know. But it’s basic etiquette, so it’s good to know. By the way. Is Building 2 that building over there?”

“……”

“Ethan?”

Ethan’s face turned red and he froze. Unlike Ian’s intention to teach him with a pure heart, this is how it sounded to Ethan’s ears.

‘Did you not learn because you’re a commoner? You should act politely?’

The friends glanced at the frozen Ethan, then approached Ian and spoke to him kindly.

“Building 2 is on our way, so we’ll show you.”

“Oh, thank you.”

“Are you close with Ethan?”

“I want to be. But this is only our second meeting.”

“Ah, is that so…? But you’re really cute.”

“Are you five years old?”

“Yeah.”

“Should I hug you?”

“No.”

Ethan snorted as he watched Ian and his friends walk away. Showing off just because he was a noble. And in front of his friends, what a disgrace!

‘Just you wait.’

The child kicked a stone hard and stomped away.