Chapter 47: Ojousama Academy
A majestic building complex, even larger than national universities back on Earth, stood before the two country girls. The Royal Academy of Althemer boasted the best and the most well-funded university in the country.
The Royal Academy was more than a school — it was also a research institute. Funded by the crown, it trained the children of nobles and a few chosen commoners and mages. Three medieval castles towered over each other as if they were in an arms race: the Black Tower of Nobility, the Golden Tower of Scholars, and the White Tower of Mages. Wide courtyards and manicured gardens stretched between the three castles they called the academic grounds, where banners of the royal crest and the three dukes’ flags fluttered in the wind.
“Ah, how wonderful for Lady Elidranthia to be accepted into Althemer Royal Academy on scholarship! You are definitely the pride of Shadowstep to be accepted into the best academy in the world,” Elana said, her eyes glimmering at the fabled academy she had only heard about as a child.
“Is it truly the best?” Elidranthia asked. “I don’t recall any other academy or school besides this Royal Academy in this country.”
“That’s why it is the best, Milady. Since there are no other schools, this school will always be number one no matter how bad it is,” Alicia sneered. This academy was number one because there were no other academies. She and Elidranthia both chuckled at the fact.
“Alicia, you should be honored to get a scholarship to this academy, albeit only in the mages’ building. The tuition here costs up to ten gold per year!” Elana pouted. Some people simply did not value education. Elana dreamed of attending this school. To her, attending this school was a prestige beyond compare; she felt she had become a princess just by entering it.
“Well, we shall see about that. Since I have heard no bad reputation about it, this school should have some semblance of standards.” Elidranthia nodded.
“The receptionist lies in the nobility district, Milady,” a knight and his partner said as they saluted the carriage. Despite being from the capital, the knight’s attitude was polite. Their armor was polished like a mirror, proof that the crown actually took care of the academy’s appearance. “Are you here for the mage academy, or are you here for the nobles’ academy?”
“I will be attending the nobles’ academy and the mages’ academy. My name is Lady Elidranthia, daughter of Count Shadowstep. This is Alicia, my maid. She will be attending the mage academy.” Elidranthia gave him the letter, but the knights refused.
“We have been waiting for your arrival, Lady Elidranthia and Miss Alicia. Please come this way; I shall guide you to our receptionist,” the knight said.
“Oh, they are not so pretentious after all,” Eli said when she saw the receptionist.
Of course they won’t. Not even the nobility were foolish enough to act pretentiously toward mages.
Elana kept the thought to herself.
“Greetings. I go by the name Daphne. I shall be your receptionist and also your dorm supervisor. Miss Alicia, I see that you have yet to wear our uniform. Have you received our uniform, perchance?” the receptionist asked Alicia.
“Yes. But since I was merely a commoner, I thought I should wear Shadowstep’s maid outfit to prove my allegiance, Miss Daphne.” Alicia curtsied.
“I see. You shall do no such thing here. You shall wear your academy uniform on school grounds. Mages are free from politics,” the receptionist said.
“Understood. Ah, are pets allowed?” Alicia bowed.
“Yes. Pets and even horses are allowed on the academy grounds, but they must wear a bracelet and you must take responsibility if the pet attacks other students. Please visit our stables to register your pet. Is there any problem, Lady Elidranthia?” the receptionist asked.
“Of course not, Miss Daphne. I share your sentiment that academics should be separated from politics,” Eli answered, wondering how she should reply to the receptionist.
“Wonderful. I am honored to have met a noble who values skill and knowledge instead of status. Let me take you to your dorm. Fortunately, all the dormitories are joined. Saline, could you please take over?” Daphne smiled as she took Elidranthia across the courtyard to the largest building behind the castles — the dormitories. Her gesture made Elidranthia tilt her head.
“Erm… can you say that? Criticizing the nobles? You are a commoner, right?” Eli asked.
“Ah, I am not a commoner. Not yet. I am the fourth daughter of Viscount Saine. So, I will be a commoner when I graduate, so please call me Daphne. I am trying to get used to it. As for what I said, it’s fine, Lady Elidranthia. My words are backed by the crown. Just a few months ago, the king said the academy should strive to give education to its students befitting that of nobles, and the nobles should strive to prove that they are better than their subjects,” Daphne said. Being the fourth daughter, she couldn’t remain a noble for long, so she had to work hard in her studies.
“I see.” Eli nodded her head.
That was as subtle as a brick to the face. I wonder what changed them.
The question was soon answered by Daphne as they arrived at the dormitory. “It was Prince Ludwin who said it. Isn’t he wonderful?” Daphne said, her eyes glimmering as she recalled his words at the royal tea party two weeks ago.
“He seems like a great guy!” Eli said.
“Well, he still has the pride and arrogance expected of royals, but at least he can back his words. Ah, here is a room for all three of you. Please study hard, okay? You are a noble girl, right? You must not embarrass yourself before Prince Ludwin.”
“Of course. I shall strive to do my best.” Elidranthia bowed. The room was simple: three beds lined side by side, two wardrobes, and a window. It was just right for her.
“You arrived a bit early. Please consider joining us for tea parties tomorrow. I would love to introduce you to my friends. May we meet again, Lady Elidranthia.” Daphne then returned to the receptionist desk, leaving Eli to her own devices.
“Yes. Thank you, Miss Daphne. I would love to join your tea party tomorrow.”
“That was awkward.” Alicia plopped on one of the beds.
“Well, I guess even children talk about politics here. Is that normal?” Eli asked.
“I am not sure, Milady,” Elana answered. She frowned further when she saw how the beds here ignored all the noble customs she had learned before: the same bed size for all of them, a small room—smaller than Elidranthia’s room back in the manor—and, most of all, how Daphne was a bit casual with Elidranthia even though she was a baron’s daughter.
“Well, I guess even children need to know about politics here. It’s such a bother though.” Alicia recalled that this was certainly common in Althemer. Heracles and Claire openly talked about democracy at his sister’s tea party in the web novel. “Do you want to go to the cafeteria?”
“No. We need to register Pioyi and Qwerty first, Alicia. The sun has almost set,” Eli said.
After registering Pioyi and Qwerty at the stable, they went to the cafeteria. There, they met a school staff member and dined together.
The staff member, who went by the name Bernard, explained that while there were three buildings, the academy had only one headmaster and one system governing them all. That’s why they had only one dormitory. However, despite having one system backed by the crown, the students were divided into three factions: the mages, the nobles, and the scholars.
Eli then asked what to watch out for on school grounds. The staff member pondered for a moment before recommending that she pick a faction to support.
“Pick a faction?” Eli asked while Alicia was munching on her honey pancakes, oblivious to any of the politics the school had. It was none of her business. Alicia was a mage; Goddess Sistielle also promised her she would also give her a sword skill. She could just kick any prick in the butt who dared to harass her.
“Yes. You should pick a faction. You see, each course has its own faction. If you join a faction, that faction will protect you from bullying by others,” the staff member said.
“What factions are there in each course?” Eli asked, finally realizing why Daphne was so aggressive. She had chosen a faction and was trying to rope Eli into it.
“If you pick a nobles’ course, you should support either one of the dukes or the crown. If you pick a mage course, you should support one of the elements. If you pick a scholar course, you should support either military tactics, agriculture, construction, or crafting.”
“Can I join any faction I wish? I am from Shadowstep, and my father is Duke Bron’s vassal.”
“Technically, yes. Your parents do not control what friends you make here,” the staff member said. “But if you choose a different faction from your parents, you will have a hard time after you graduate.”
“I see.” Eli rolled her eyes. “That means I should reject Daphne’s offer…”
Where was Leina when you needed her? Eli thought. Wasn’t Leina supposed to help her navigate this school? She was the capital-born socialite—she was supposed to help a rural girl like Eli get used to academy politics!
But Eli’s silent curse reached no one. Leina was scheduled to arrive yesterday. She should have arrived earlier than Elidranthia, but her carriage had broken down in the middle of the journey—even though it was brand new. A certain two women chuckled from the heavens as their machinations against the city girl took effect.
“Thank you for telling me this, Sir Bernard. I owe you one.” Elidranthia curtsied.
“No worries. Ah, so you are Lady Elidranthia, huh. Your reputation precedes you. I suppose you’ll be attending both the nobility and mage courses? May I interest you in the scholar course?”
“That’s the plan. I don’t think I would be able to attend all three courses, Sir Bernard. Please excuse me for declining your offer.”
“That’s fine. I never expected you to attend the scholar course—most mages don’t. But please consider me and my students in the future, alright? We in the scholar course are always in dire need of competent mages. After all, without mages, our knowledge are nothing.” Bernard smiled.
“Of course. I shall rely on your expertise in the future, Sir Bernard.”
“Please call me Professor Bernard in the future, Lady Elidranthia.”
And so they returned to their dorm. Now Eli had to prepare for what awaited her at the tea party tomorrow.