Chapter 16: First Step Toward a Dream (9)
x8sJOBischoff greeted them as the representative of the Ogent family.QHlW7rk
ydhoK1Nice to meet you. Im Bischoff Ogent, the family head.jFOqPl
LK0oZE9Klumph and Rai did not come, but instead, Rian and Reina accompanied him.kdIDW8
B3eRian bravely stepped forward.fR7o5
vtwU0Hello, father! I am Rian, Shirones sword. In time, I will become the best swordsman in the world. Hahaha!poq
gc5Im Reina, Rians older sister. Ive heard a lot about you.DpD
8ftbaAfter staring blankly for a while, Vincent quickly realized the situation and lowered his head.cIU
fIQSnHello! Im Shirones father. Why are such important people, such as yourselves, here?Y1PrWg
dGsAOh my, did you not hear from Shirone?hbtIqN
Tay3haYes? What do you mean?LliVZE
d9G4VCaThe only thing that came to Vincents mind was his sons nonsensical story.IYzNTL
SuKBdkSo youre saying the story is true?0jdQAfV
OIgQeXzOh, I see. We should have come sooner. Anyways, what Shirone said is true. My little brother, Rian, and Shirone are bonded together due to the knights oath. Thats why we called for you two.v1sWU
lv8iinGWhen Vincent became aware that the whole story was true, his heart skipped a beat.7f4
nzFhvqHis joy was brief as fear rushed in, quickly replacing it. How could his innocent son cause this much trouble? What was he thinking?cx9v
GgGHyFirst of all, lets eat. We can talk about the details after.zz4t
0c69wbBischoff turned around after their short conversation.NXp
EElBischoff was not particularly friendly, so Rian could only imagine how uncomfortable Shirone’s parents felt.597D
dK0Even after the rest of the Ogent family left, Vincent could not leave his spot for a while. Only when Shirone slightly pulled him by his shirt did he come back to his senses. Once that happened, he headed for the living room.CLn
iKKWIs this real? Our Shirone? Staying with the Ogent family?LaJ
lJncAEverything confused him, and Olina, still terrified of the situation, grabbed onto her husbands arm tightly. But little did Olina know that even Vincent was terrified. His legs were shaking as if they were leaves being ravaged by the wind. He couldnt even walk properly.ZbN
2v6Ae2NO!g0n7kf
sg0Vincent shook his head.nekqhkA
IjtzyABIf Shirones words were true, he could not show any weakness. For his son, he had to stay strong.jKIgM
2SU2rVarious delicacies were placed on the square dining table. Even Vincent, who was a hunter, saw foods he had never seen before. The ingredients were transported from the royal palace by Reina.QnJA62s
18PGAs for the seating arrangement, it went according to ones rank. Lord of the house, Bischoff, sat at the head of the table, on his left sat Klumph, while Reina was at his right.jxppFKB
VVASeated at the very end of the table, Vincent was finally snapped out of his stupor when he saw the delicacies in front of him. Head butler, Louis, and deputy butler, Temuran, unconsciously puffed out their chest in pride.2moG4K9
WypKfwHBut Vincent couldnt openly show his enthusiasm. He had to save face for his son. He had to finish the meal quietly, but his eyes couldnt help it. When he saw over seven different dishes around him, his eyes twinkled.IMdorFb
ez9HjMost commoners were able to eat whole boars with just a fork. However, the dishes in front of Vincent were all of different sizes. There were even foods in shapes he had never seen before.hzf8
qeRVYAlthough the Vincent family could not take their first bite, the butlers and maids made no move to help them. This was because acting rashly in this unprecedented situation will only harm them.KeEZ5A
n5eobSOf course, such a decision was also mixed with a little contempt for the Vincent family.Ktj3J
rRFBischoff placed down his tableware and spoke.68Uu
wGH3D5QEat comfortably. You do not have to follow the formalities of the nobility.eaHOB
POZGaaStillK1p6D
0UWAwJFormality is just a discipline necessary to put respect into action. Seeing as how you are having a hard time, and considering my family and I can sense enough of your respect and consideration, please eat comfortably.Rk6
7ztVincent slightly shuddered.9W09Cs
09Aq8FWhether it was true sincerity or the pride of a noble, from the familys perspective, his words showed great kindness and favor.MlAFYZ6
ZmHuzPqThen the maids faces turned pale.1VwYI
CezWpOThe Ogent familys feelings toward Shirone were genuine. They were really thinking of accepting Shirone.SGHr
yxNehrThe bewildered maids hurriedly taught the Vincent family how to use the tableware.BN1zksk
i6nIIn fact, it only looked complicated, but in reality, how could using utensils and eating be complicated? The Vincent family, who now had an inkling on how to use the utensils, finally ate comfortably.LBX315
JNU5BFAfter all that trouble, Vincent was worried about his son this time. What was this family going to do to Shirone?EvRjM0L
KxvazHe had heard an explanation of what the knights oath was, but that made no difference to what Vincent was thinking.ZlaNq7
nyYDShirone was still the son of a mountaineer, and aside from the fact he was brilliant, his future was not guaranteed.13K
OqizDid they perhaps have something else up their sleeves?zuMNkXI
FsrkVN5He didnt want to doubt the people who did his child a favor. But he did not want to risk anything in regards to his son.mXct39G
YtvKDGIm grateful that you are thinking of him in a good light, but at the same time, I cant say Im not worried. Isnt the Ogent family one of the most prestigious ones in Creas? And I still cant believe that a young master of such a family made a knights oath to Shirone.MbWk
nwBHaha! You dont have to worry. Shirone and IybMyB
GSO8YGxBischoff cut Rian off.3w33z
4Z3tIf I am to speak honestly, it is a little unpleasant.UH7S0Fv
6RWAlTThe room suddenly became quiet at Bischoffs statement, But Bischoff continued to eat with the knife in his hand.0fV5
QyE* * *LGQ
yybmj7* * *Wroz4
sAGuM7aBut its a knights oath. A knight’s oath is a sacred thing, especially in a family like ours. It binds people together for life. If I were to keep holding on to these unpleasant feelings just because the only difference between us is status, that would tarnish Rian’s pride. So dont be too uncomfortable by it as we will continue to use honorifics in the future.t6m13
vk8pGHShirone realized.R43BKl
VcgBischoff was a cold and cruel man. A man cold and cruel enough to demand the execution of a commoner But only for the sake of his family. His loyalty towards his family was beyond imagination.vzAAFXn
9FOFighting for their beliefs. That is nobility.fT5O4o
istaAJ6Now that he couldnt choose an easy path, all he had to do was fight against the world.MePNrRa
UoYFueUThere will be innumerable difficulties and criticisms But Im not afraid.EZhGD
8O9HGThis, too, was the pride of the Ogent.bRsSs
0Fw0PDKlumph spoke while chuckling.KytgcwS
0BSKKIt has been quite a bit since our family head has said something right. But wont you die of loneliness if you send your last son away just like that? Why not just spend another year before doing that?N84
oey760UBischoff was not provoked.VaD2GD
t5KuRai has unlocked Schema as well as learned the swordsmanship of Ogent. Hence why he is more than likely to win official approval. On the other hand, Rian has yet to unlock his Schema. I have no choice but to enroll him in this Kaizen Swordsmanship Academy.paG7aD
OITal2yIt sounds like youre subtly taking the black-haired approach. However, we blue-hairs have passion, and that passion never withers away. If you look down at our burning passion, you will be in for a rude awakening.0lh
NOtJWhile munching on a lamb, Rian sent a thumbs up to his grandfather.6lX18si
9HnSBischoff snorted. His fathers playfulness was nothing new.7Ce7
OeVHair color does not matter to me. As long as they have the same blood flowing in their veins, they are family. And that family is01q
un5Sitting up straight in their chairs, all the family members placed down their utensils and spoke in union.KQUp
m4jOgent.a6oQNBO
5s9* * *gyZs
yxPe0AMAfter the meal, everyone returned to the living room and sat down.Og5ate
0JuZ3OtThey began to discuss Shirone’s situation.0z3Q
EW4zo4LReina broke the news that Shirone was interested in learning magic, which everyone agreed was alright. Due to his physique and his tendencies, Shirone would eventually reach a ceiling in terms of swordsmanship.O2re
fs4JHZUnlike the friendly atmosphere Klumph had during the meal, he told Vincent with a serious expression.iQWjR
f9N66HAs you know, our family intends to support Shirone. It sounds like he wants to become a mage, so were thinking of sending him to Alpheas Magic Academy. The academy is also one of the top five prestigious academies in the Kingdom of Tormia. The Headmaster, Headmaster Alpheas, is also an old friend of mine. Its an institution appointed by the kingdom, so if one graduates from there, they will receive an unofficial license Which means they can become a mage.aAZ
Dve4dSM-MageIXeM
aeKXNIVincent gulped.Ryk
aCJnvMages were symbols of intelligence, so needless to say, most were nobles. However, it was a very unique occupation as, due to the ability-based nature of it, status did not dictate how far one could reach. And once they earned their license, they were highly sought after everywhere.TPhq
Ar0WIn the world, there were country bumpkins who realized magic on their own. There were also commoners who learned magic by learning under a mage.w3Q2HK
HwaewqThose kinds of people typically became mercenaries. However, there was also the alternative of getting a job in an association and obtaining a mages license that way.BDk
1VeRmxeThough, of course, those cases were extremely rare. And so for commoners, becoming a mage was merely a fantasy.t2Q5is
2ir2But it wasnt merely a fantasy for Shirone And as such, the offer wasnt something Vincent could refuse.WTvx
6RriTpAs Olina was moved to tears, Shirone embraced his mother.1tNV0K6
CzBvWIt was a warm sight, but unexpectedly, Klumphs face was gloomy.lrYcdqf
SCU5JClearly, the fastest way to become a mage was to enter a magic academy But the problem was status.LBMBzP
Qa53Unlike other routes, a magic academy strictly allowed only nobility to enter for the most part. And despite the fact there was special admission for exceptional talents, to cut past that standard was like finding a needle in a haystack.3yh
EGO6Trying to achieve this was not easy, even for the Ogent family who was the 2nd-class noble in the kingdom.u0phX
jTvZBdIn fact, the magic academy also regularly got enrollment requests from the 1st-class family.fUlyb
n8oAs you may already know, Shirones current status does not qualify him for the magic academy. Even if we do aid him in terms of school materials, fees, and other such expenses, there will still be problems with getting him accepted.BnMIUH
7r01PAfVincent snapped out of his dream.UK7
HNot3dAh, of course I know. Yes Thats right.wwQlC
9RtgDisappointment and shame tinged Vincents voice.D1Iauh
kDopUMy son was acknowledged by a noble family But he cant enter the academy because of my statusQmA
5dg4nThere is one way. No, its actually the only way.IidNdl
DVbzKVincents head snapped up. Shirone, too, paid close attention as it was his first time hearing this.jxW9h
m2Ss8lI would like to adopt Shirone into our family.gcW
AVPSilence ruled the living room.c3qjtm
5Q3Klumphs proposal sounded wrong But in actuality, it was not a bad proposal.O234
uKHCXvXTo be the child of a mountaineer Or a child of the Ogent It was a no-brainer which one was better.2FHU
PzHNevertheless, the reason why Vincent felt reluctant to speak was none other than the problem with bloodline.QoNQw
M0otR0Vincent studied Shirone.Bc4R5
aPmHis sons expression, while a little obnoxious, was still calm.i3jv5m
53PHe couldnt figure out whether his sons expression was like that because he thought his father would obviously accept the proposal, or because he thought the proposal was too preposterous.LRNuS
FwyBischoff continued after Klumph.OaZcB
i4EJGWe discussed this between ourselves, and we concluded that this was the best option. I have a cousin who does not have any children yet. If he registers as part of my cousins family, Shirone will become a noble and will be able to enter the academy. Its merely a matter of paperwork, so nothing much will change.bjE3khQ
PsRrLeXMerely a matter of paperwork Is it really that simple? Everything in the world is a matter of paperwork.lm5D769
80tI1ccTo be honest, Vincent was not confident.ZqAITak
CLy1fAm I confident enough to say that I wont be sad if I see Shirone registered as a son of another family?Ku0K
lJQSYShirone, say something. What choice does this dad have to make? What do you really want?xKf
6qqVincent looked back miserably at his son.g2M
47MThen Shirones brows furrowed. Vincent had a hunch that it was because he was frustrated that his father had no answer.nWE1a8
rF7As this was a sensitive issue, everyone was careful with their words. It was Reina who broke the ice as she came forward and asked Shirone.9sY
MShAyvShirone, what do you think? Its just paperwork. You will get to achieve your dream and become a nobleman on top of that. Of course, your parents will still be your parents. Nothing will change.lAx
w6SHis frown deepened. And as if he could not understand all this, he said.OPZJk
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