Chapter 1

I'm never attending school, ever again. From now on, I'll live life for myself!

...Yi-Han, a Korean graduate student, thus swore after obtaining his Master's degree with much effort.

He was never going near a place of study ever again.

However, as the saying goes, things never go as planned.

Yi-Han died in an unfortunate accident, only to be born in another world as a child of the Wardanaz Family, a household known for its magic.

And in the blink of an eye, 15 years had passed.

Today was the day he would enroll in Einroguard, the Empire's greatest magic academy.

***

When Yi-Han was reborn as a Wardanaz, he was at first puzzled, then fascinated, before finally accepting the situation he was in.

Fortunately for him, the Wardanaz was a family with much authority in the Empire, renowned for nurturing powerful mages.

Yi-Han's father, who was the head of the Wardanazs, was a powerful figure who had a close relationship with the emperor, and their mansion was the very definition of luxury.

At this point, Yi-Han arrived at a certain hypothesis.

-This must be my reward for attending graduate school in my previous life!

He could now live comfortably for the rest of his life, without any worries...or so he thought.

The Wardanaz Family wasn't such a lax place.

-Yi-Han Wardanaz.

-Yes, Patriarch.

-What do you wish to achieve in life?

-....

'Should I be honest and tell him I wish to play around and live comfortably?'Yi-Han thought to himself.

It didn't seem like a very good answer.

-Never mind, you don't need to reply. After all, we both know the answer to that question.

Hm?

-You yourself should be aware of your hidden talent.

Pardon?

-As you may already know, our household has a rule that dictates that the first-born child will inherit everything.

Dafuq???

This came as a shock to him.

Everything? As in everything?

Not even a penny for the others?

-Patriarch, does that mean I won't inherit anything?

-That's where you're wrong, Yi-Han Wardanaz.

'Phew.'

-Our household will give you all the opportunities you need. If you wish to become a knight, we'll find the best knight to train you. If you wish to become a government official, you'll have the chance to learn under a minister. If you wish to become a merchant, you'll be able to work under the Empire's most successful merchant group.

'...Or you could just give me an equivalent amount of money.'

He'd no doubt rake in a fortune if he sold those opportunities to someone else.

To begin with, their household rule was ridiculous.

'Damn it, I should've been born just a few years earlier.'

He lamented his laziness for being born as the third child.

The first child would receive everything while the rest would have to struggle and find a way to feed themselves somehow.

When he learned of this, Yi-Han thought long and hard about what he should do in the future.

Government official, merchant, knight, or adventurer...

The good thing was, though he wouldn't receive any money, the household would provide as much support as they could.

In other words, he had the chance to learn and achieve whatever he desired.

After much consideration, he decided on becoming a mage.

-I knew you would say that.

His father, the patriarch, seemed satisfied with his answer.

-I assume you knew you were talented in this field?

-...??

'I just thought it would be the most stable job to have?'

He wasn't wrong about that.

Mages were respected throughout the Empire, and it was an occupation that even members of the nobility would be proud to have.

With enough skill, they would be welcomed anywhere.

Be it the knights' order, the adventurers' guild, or the imperial palace, mages were considered valuable everywhere.

-Go attend Einroguard. You'll meet many aspiring mages such as yourself, and you will surely grow by experiencing what it's like to be there.

Einroguard was the best of the best even within the Empire when it came to magic academies. It boasted the longest history, tradition, and prestige. Just by graduating there, one was guaranteed a certain amount of fame.

Of course, that wasn't all.

They could accomplish great things, catch the attention of a professor and receive their recommendation letter, or form connections with other students that may prove useful later on in their lives...

Not only was Einroguard the best magic academy in the Empire, but it was also the ideal place to build connections.

Though he had sworn off schools in his previous life, Yi-Han had no choice but to obediently enroll in the academy.

-Understood. I will enroll in the academy.

'I'll endure it for now until I graduate... just think of this as investing for the future.'

***

Arlong, an elderly knight, gave Yi-Han a salute.

"Young Master Yi-Han."

"I thank Sir Knight for escorting me here."

"It wasn't anything worthy of praise."

Arlong was a knight that served the Wardanaz Family.

Normally, a knight like him wouldn't have to serve as Yi-Han's guard, but when he heard that Yi-Han would be leaving the capital to enroll in Einroguard, he volunteered himself for the task.

It was because they shared a close relationship.

"I didn't think Sir Knight, who taught me swordsmanship, would accompany me here..."

"It wasn't because Young Master Yi-Han had learned from me. It was to make sure others don't belittle the Waradanaz Household."

"Whatever the reason may be, I'm grateful."

Arlong continued to maintain a serious expression, but Yi-Han, who knew of his personality, smiled.

Though Arlong was strict and silent most of the time, he was a kind and thoughtful man. He had volunteered out of concern for Yi-Han's safety.

Seeing his smile, Arlong let out a dry cough.

"Well, truth be told, I may have been a little glad when Young Master Yi-Han expressed his desire to learn swordsmanship."

Wardanaz was a family of mages, and not many thought to learn how to wield a sword.

However, Yi-Han learned it for two reasons.

First, he was of the belief that anything he learned could prove useful later on. For example, he could keep himself safe if he knew how to wield a sword.

As for the second reason...

It was because he was bored out of his mind.

Though it may come as a surprise, he didn't learn even a single bit of magic at the Wardanaz's.

-It's dangerous to learn magic before the age of 15!

In this world, 15 was the age when people were considered adults.

Learning magic was the most difficult and dangerous out of all the studies, so it made sense that learning it would be prohibited before one became an adult.

Yi-Han, whose mental age was way over 15, thought it was unfair, but there wasn't anything he could do about it.

"Take a look over there. The young masters and misses of other households have also come with guards so as to not bring shame to their family."

"Isn't that a bit...excessive?"

Yi-Han was at a loss for words when he saw the carriages that filled the Empire's streets.

Bringing ten carriages and dozens of horsemen along seemed over the top.

Admittedly, the noble class was a bit fixated on their pride and liked to show off their wealth but to think they'd go this far when they're enrolling their kids into an academy... Not only that...

"I thought we weren't allowed to enter the academy with our guards, servants, nor slaves?"

"That is right."

Einroguard was a traditional magic academy, and they greatly valued equality.

It didn't matter whether someone was a member of the royal family or a slave. When they entered, they had to enter alone.

They may bring as many people as they'd like, but they would be left behind in the end.

"Most of them will probably be staying in a nearby town."

"...For real?" Yi-Han asked, sounding tired already.

15 years have passed since he reincarnated in this world, but he still couldn't get used to the thoughts of the nobility.

Once they entered this massive academy, they would probably only leave the school's premises once or twice a month. Making people stand by just for that seemed ridiculous.

"I asked around earlier on and it appears that they've bought several properties in nearby areas. Some towns around here have properties built just for that purpose."

"Sir Knight, I'm saying this now, but I don't need something like that."

"But we've already purchased a small property as well?"

"..."

Yi-Han swore in his head.

Just give me that frickin' money!

Spending money that way was considered okay, but they weren't allowed to hand the money to him directly.

It was complete bogus.

"We're far from the capital, young master. It's always better to be safe than sorry."

"Sure, why not."

Yi-Han got on his horse. Other people rode on carriages, but he decided he'd just pass through the gates by himself.

'I'd have to wait until sunset if I were to ride a carriage.'

"Well, once again, I'd like to thank Sir Knight for following me here."

"There's no need, Young Master Yi-Han. It was my honor to escort you."

Those were Arlong's sincere thoughts. Among everyone in the family, he liked Yi-Han the most as he was both grounded and modest.

"Master also seems to hold the young master in high regard."

"I doubt that's the case, but thanks anyway."

"But it's true..."

***

Einroguard was located far away from the capital and the imperial palace. According to a rumor, it was because they had to search for a location with abundant mana. The rumor seemed to be true, as the academy was surrounded by nature.

There was a vast mountain range beyond the academy, not to mention a long, deep river flowing next to it.

Closing his eyes, he could almost feel nature's mana in the air.

"This...is wrong."

"??"

A boy approached Yi-Han while saying this, so Yi-Han stared at him, wondering what was going on.

One look at what he was wearing was enough to tell his social class.

There were strings of gold decorating his coat made of high-quality silk, and there wasn't a trace of roughness on his hands or face.

He was no doubt a noble.

'Should I call for someone?'

The boy was pale and shivering, indicating how unwell he was.

Had he been struck by some weird magic?

"What's wrong? Are you okay?"

"I...I..."

"Go on."

"I can't sleep...without my servants attending to me..."

"..."

Yi-Han barely managed to hold back his fists.

'This sonuvabich...'

His concern was absolutely unnecessary.

However, the boy seemed to consider it a serious issue.

"We can't bring our servants in? But they're like my arms and legs! They're practically telling me to chop off my limbs!"

"Wonderful argument," Yi-Han said dismissively.

The boy, on the other hand, found courage in his words.

"Right? I'll go and file a complaint."

"...What will you tell them?"

"Duh? I'm going to tell them they should allow my servants in! 'Else I'll consider it a challenge to our household!"

"Good luck with that."

He didn't think they'd bend their tradition which they had upheld for thousands of years just for a spoiled brat. Nevertheless, he gave the boy his blessings.

First of all, it was none of his business. Second of all, he was curious as to how the academy's mages would react.

The boy scuttled away, but he soon returned with a blank expression on his face.

"?"

"I repent. I repent. I repent. I repent..."

"...!!!"

Yi-Han was flabbergasted.

'Mind control!'

From how the boy was behaving, it was clear he had been affected by a magic that either hypnotized him or dominated his mind.

He wasn't surprised by the magic itself. He'd heard about it before. However, he was shocked that the academy's staff would cast such a thing on someone with a noble background.

'...They say no one would know if the academy buries dead bodies in the mountains. That can't be true, right?'

He was beginning to wonder whether the rumors he heard in the morning were true.

-Welcome to Einroguard.

With a booming voice, someone sent a message directly to everyone's head.

Boom!

And soon, the front doors to Einroguard opened.

-You may enter, Ironheads!

Everyone present furrowed their eyebrows, but not because of the insult thrown at them.

Rather, because of the fact that they had an aptitude for magic, they could feel the immense amount of magic surrounding the academy and were pressured by it.

Was this how it felt to stare directly at the sun? To challenge a giant with bare hands?

Hiihihihi!

The horses neighed. Someone had tried to enter with their carriage.

-I remember saying you must enter by yourself...

And with that, the carriage disappeared, and a girl riding inside fell to the ground with a shriek.

Following this, over a dozen carriages vanished, and people nearby heard the screams of the boys and girls who were inside.

-So be it. Ironheads! Know that the academy will make sure its rules are kept, even if you wish to go against them!

"..."

Yi-Han and several other students that were quick-witted realized the academy was as unforgiving as the rumors said.

-Move your lazy asses! Move it! Move it!

"..."

"..."

***

Yi-Han had a habit of observing everything. Not only was this habit carried over to this world, but it also became worse than before.

Everything felt new and refreshing, and thus, observing them was a treat.

Currently, there were hundreds of boys and girls gathered where he was. Members of the royal family, sons and daughters of nobility, knights, officials, merchants, adventurers, and beggars, there were people from all walks of life.

Soon, they began forming small groups of their own. Forming connections was important for their student life.

"Yi-Han of the Wardanaz Family?"

"Yes, I'm surprised you figured it out. I'm not carrying my family crest anywhere."

Since equality was a major part of the academy's tradition, they weren't allowed to wear anything with their family crest on it.

Even so, it wasn't that hard to tell.

Yi-Han himself recognized some members of the nobility and royal family he had met before.

"My name's Yonaire, Yonaire Maykin."

A girl with smooth eyebrows and curly red hair that stretched down to her shoulder walked up to Yi-Han.

The Maykins were another household known in the Empire for nurturing mages, but they were more involved in the Empire's politics than the Wardanaz that preferred to be left alone.

For the sake of researching magic, the patriarch often stayed cooped up in the mansion even when the Emperor summoned him.

"Nice to meet you, Yonaire. What can I do for you?"

"His Highness wishes to see you."

Maykin gestured behind her.

A boy who was dressed the most extravagantly among all the new students was waving at him.