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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Mod7
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I thought long and hard about what I would do after leaving the family.
I had 50 gold coins to my name. Half a year’s tuition at the academy was 30 gold coins, so it wasn’t a small sum. It was a considerable amount.
‘About five million won…?’
But nearly half of it would have to go towards living expenses, and buying a new house with the remaining coins was out of the question.
I needed a solution. I’d starve if I wandered the streets with no place to go.
The answer was the academy, specifically its dormitory system.
Dormitory assignments were based on social standing.
Commoner dorms were basic, comparable to ordinary homes.
Noble dorms, however, were much more expensive, but offered luxurious amenities.
Unlimited meals, high-end furnishings, and free access to academy facilities were just some of the perks.
They even assigned personal servants, though few noble students actually used them, preferring their own attendants.
‘If this were my old self, I’d choose the most luxurious option…’
But I was practically penniless, with no immediate means of earning money.
That left the commoner dorms, less comfortable perhaps, but free. Perfect for my current situation.
Besides, the noble dorms felt too extravagant for me.
That was why I’d gone to the Headmaster’s office. To request a transfer.
There was a formal procedure, but that would take days, and I couldn’t afford to waste any more money, especially with my limited funds.
And there was no reason to refuse free room and board.
“Headmaster, I’d like to transfer to the commoner dorms.”
My words shattered her carefully maintained composure, and I felt a flicker of satisfaction. It wasn’t easy to make her lose her cool.
“…Apologies, I wasn’t expecting that, so I…”
She smoothed her brow, set down her teacup, and looked at me with narrowed eyes.
“I’ll need a valid reason. You can’t just harass innocent commoner students.”
The air grew heavy with the mana emanating from her, pressing down on me.
I forced myself to speak.
I had no intention of harming the academy. I wanted to coexist peacefully. It was best to clear up any misunderstandings.
“You misunderstand, Headmaster. I’m not transferring to the commoner dorms to harass anyone.”
“And you expect me to believe that? The people you’ve tormented, using your family name as a shield, would laugh in your face.”
I had no response. She was right. I’d bullied many people, flaunting my family name every chance I got.
‘What if I tell her I’ve left the family?’
My ability to act with impunity at the academy was solely due to my family name. House Reinhardt was a formidable opponent, even for the academy. They wouldn’t want to provoke them over a mere second son.
That was why they’d tolerated my behavior.
But… what if I was no longer part of the family?
The academy could discipline me without fear of repercussions. I could use that to my advantage, promising to behave in exchange for remaining at the academy. I could agree to immediate expulsion if I caused any further trouble.
“Headmaster, did you know? I’ve left the family.”
“Pfft—”
She sputtered, spraying tea across the table, directly at me.
“M… My apologies, I was so surprised…”
I wiped the tea from my clothes and continued.
“…Left the family? What do you mean?”
“Exactly what I said. I’ve left the family. I’m a commoner now. I’m sure you understand the implications.”
This was advantageous for the Headmaster as well. She now had the power to control me, and she could eliminate one of the academy’s troublemakers without worrying about offending House Reinhardt.
She considered this for a moment, then spoke.
“…This is your last chance, Cadet Jenison. If you cause any more trouble…”
“…If I cause trouble?”
“…You will be expelled from the academy. And if any personal repercussions follow, the academy will remain silent.”
“Agreed.”
It was a good deal. I had no intention of acting like a scoundrel anymore.
I stood up and gave her a bright smile, which seemed to displease her. Her expression soured.
“…Then I’ll consider this matter settled.”
The negotiation was complete. Just before leaving, I paused and asked, without turning around,
“Headmaster, what’s the minimum attendance requirement for the academy…?”
“…? 140 days out of 190 to graduate, but…”
“Thank you.”
“…I’ll send you your new room assignment shortly.”
As I left the Headmaster’s office, I encountered a woman.
Crimson eyes, a trait exclusive to the imperial bloodline.
Fiery red hair that cascaded around her like flames.
She wore the standard academy uniform, but something about it seemed different.
Black earrings contrasted sharply with her pale skin.
“You…”
The woman everyone admired and revered. The empire’s only princess, Princess Kiana, stood before me.
“It’s been a while, Your Highness.”
“I’d rather not see your face.”
She curtly replied, glancing at the Headmaster’s office behind me.
“Did you bribe the Headmaster to avoid expulsion? How disgustingly underhanded.”
She’d jumped to a completely erroneous conclusion. I considered correcting her, then decided it wasn’t worth the effort.
‘People like her never listen anyway…’
Besides, my reputation was already ruined. There was no point.
I remained silent.
“…May I pass?”
“…Yes, go ahead. Though I doubt you’ll be here much longer.”
The princess stepped aside, and I gave her a puzzled look before averting my gaze.
Her stare was too intense, as if she wasn’t merely granting me passage, but avoiding contact with something unclean.
It was a silent battle of wills. I wouldn’t back down.
‘Well, I can yield. She’s just a child.’
I deliberately ignored her gaze and walked past. I could feel her eyes burning into my back, but I ignored it and left the academy.
I gathered my belongings from my old dorm and headed straight for the commoner dorms. My new home.
The commoner dorms were dilapidated. Far worse than I’d imagined. Probably neglected because they were rarely used. No one bothered to clean them.
‘It’s spacious… but filthy. And the only furniture is a single bed.’
The floor was wooden, the ceiling made of moss-covered stone bricks.
‘Well, it’ll be livable once I clean it…’
The size of the room meant more cleaning, but also more space for the furniture I planned to create.
Creating furniture was easy for someone who’d experienced the 21st century. I knew the structures and principles; all I needed was my creation magic. And my mana capacity was more than sufficient.
Rustle—
Time to start cleaning.
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I finished cleaning.
The sheer size of the room made it a grueling task, but I’d managed.
After washing off the sweat and grime, I decided to create some furniture. The room was far too bare.
The process was simple. With my knowledge and creation magic, I could create anything.
‘So, what now?’
I hadn’t talked about it much, but I already had a plan.
‘No matter what you do… I hope you reach the zenith.’
To reach the zenith, to succeed spectacularly. It was a daunting goal for someone with nothing, but I had 50 days.
Enough time to rebuild my body and mind. I might not be fully grown, not as strong as I once was, but I could still surpass my peers.
‘I might as well make the most of these lousy talents.’
Alchemy was a viable option. Most of the knowledge was readily available in books, and with my creation magic, I had an unlimited supply of materials. It was the perfect profession for me.
I wasn’t the person I used to be.
“Every alchemist dreams of creating the Philosopher’s Stone, or creating sentient life… especially humans…”
And so, I shut myself away in that small room.
For 50 days.
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I dont understand why he would even stay in the acadmey instead of leaving and doing something else.
Remember what his current goal is? To be the best, reach the Zenith, in honor of his mom. And I would think the academy’s one of the best places to achieve that. He also mentioned earlier on that he had nowhere else to go and would take advantage of the academy’s commoner boarding.