“Yes, that’s right.”
“Hmm… Just like the rumors said.”
‘What rumors…?’
The noble ladies stood confidently before him. Dien could tell they weren’t from administrative families, as he was already familiar with most of those faces.
“I’m Ramie Gale from the Gale family. I’m a fifth-year at the Academy. You must have heard of me.”
“…Ah, yes…”
Contrary to his words, Dien had never heard her name. He scratched his head awkwardly. However, since he knew of the Gale family itself, he pretended to recognize her to avoid an uncomfortable situation.
“It is an honor to meet the lady of the magic family that represents Delos.”
“Indeed!”
Earl Gale’s family held a large territory in the southeast of the Kingdom of Delos. The domain was famous for its active development of magic tools, creating a unique culture within the earldom. Furthermore, as a founding house of Delos, they held significant influence even among other noble families, making them a prestigious lineage that all students envied.
“I’ve heard the gist of your story. You won first place in the thesis competition?”
“Yes, I was lucky.”
“I became a 3-circle mage 1 month ago. I’m the only one in the Noble Academy!”
“Oh… Congratulations…”
Dien was startled by her words. His surprise didn’t stem from the fact that she was a 3-circle mage, but rather from her attitude of demanding congratulations for something he hadn’t even asked about.
‘What am I supposed to say…?’
Dien rubbed the back of his neck, completely unable to fathom why she had come to tell him this.
“I just stopped by to say hello today! You look quite cute!”
With that, the ladies left the classroom.
Why did those magic students stop by just to greet him? Dien felt as if a tidal wave had swept through the classroom in the span of a few minutes.
“You’re quite popular today as well, Young Lord Dien.”
Baran sat down next to him, wearing a sly smile.
“Haha, Baran… Why is the Academy atmosphere like this today? And why was the lady from the Gale family acting like that toward me?”
“You’re asking because you don’t know?”
Dien tilted his head instead of answering.
“You’re the first person in the history of the Noble Academy to win first place in the thesis competition and the youngest winner ever. You’re a famous street musician in the capital, and even Court Musician Pablo acknowledged you! You know musicians are popular among nobles, right? Rumors about you are even leaking out of the royal castle. It’s no wonder the ladies are interested!”
“Is that so?”
Dien was still dazed. This was the first time in his life he had received so much attention from so many people.
“Dien! I heard you had a private audience with His Majesty! Is it true?”
Just then, Young Master Zalz rushed over and shouted in surprise.
“Yes, Young Lord. He called for me to congratulate me on winning the competition.”
“What?! Dien! Is that really true?”
“Yeah.”
“Whoa!”
The students near Dien gasped in admiration. It seemed the fact that he had a private audience with King Lonas wasn’t common knowledge yet.
“Dien. If there’s something else that’s going to shock us, could you please tell us in advance?”
Baran looked at Dien with a blank expression, unable to believe his friend’s unparalleled achievements.
“It’s incredible, really… To enroll at a late age and become the most talked-about person in the Academy. I knew you weren’t ordinary from the moment I first saw you.”
Zalz sent an envious gaze toward Dien.
“Young Lord Zalz, look at the classroom window. Ladies are lining up just to see Dien’s face today too.”
“I’m even more jealous of that.”
Baran pointed at the window, and seeing the crowd, Zalz’s envious gaze intensified.
“Young Lord Dien has already become the most popular man in the Academy.”
“I’m embarrassed, Young Lord…”
Zalz, like Baran, gave Dien a sly smile.
Many Academy students were showing interest in Dien. Beyond just the rumors, the children of administrative officials who already knew him felt particularly fond of his calm and intellectual appearance.
“They came all the way to the classroom to see you. Shouldn’t you at least greet them?”
“You should.”
“Of course!”
Baran nudged Dien’s head toward the window. Reluctantly, Dien gave the ladies an awkward smile, causing the commotion outside to grow even louder.
‘This will probably be temporary…’
Dien knew well that the interest in him would eventually fade.
“By the way, Dien! When are you going to attend a soirée?”
“A soirée? Hmm…”
It was a social gathering for students. Baran had stopped asking after being rejected two times, but now he was pressing the issue again.
“I’ll attend today.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yeah.”
Dien nodded after confirming that the social gathering was scheduled after his swordsmanship training.
“I should spread the word! The most talked-about person in the Noble Academy is attending the soirée!”
“You’re not the only one going, right?”
“Hahaha, no way! The entire Academy might show up!”
“Stop exaggerating…”
The surrounding students looked pleased at Dien’s words. This would be the first time he met other students outside of the Academy grounds. Dien planned to experience the culture of an Academy student today.
“Don’t go back on your word later!”
“Only if you promise to come pick me up at the House of Portran!”
“Hey! The Portran family home and my house are in completely opposite directions!”
“Hahaha, I’m joking.”
Dien smiled at Baran’s remark. Soon, class began, and Dien focused on the lecture as usual. However, he couldn’t help but feel a lingering sense of unease.
‘Too much attention isn’t a good thing.’
When popularity grows, jealousy and envy are bound to follow. While Dien felt the favorable gazes of the ladies, he also felt the cold stares of the young lords who looked at him with disdain.
‘I hope things quiet down soon.’
Since he wasn’t someone who enjoyed excessive attention, Dien hoped the interest surrounding him would vanish quickly.
***
After the Academy and his swordsmanship training ended, Dien stood before the mansion Baran had mentioned.
“This must be the place…”
The sound of string instruments drifted out of the mansion, confirming it was the venue. After his identity was verified by the guards, Dien entered the grounds and marveled at the sight.
‘How luxurious…’
He was met with magnificent landscaping from the very entrance. The guards mentioned that the mansion was built specifically for noble soirées. Perhaps because of that, the area was adorned with beautiful gardens and the brilliant, ethereal glow of magic tools.
For the first time today, Dien felt like he was living the life of a lavish noble rather than a busy secretary.
Guided by the guards, Dien moved toward the interior. He saw several ornate carriages parked along the way. It seemed he was the only one who had walked here.
“The interior is even more impressive,” Dien remarked to the guard leading him.
“Yes, this mansion was built by the Kerisman Merchant Guild using only the finest materials. It is a favorite spot for noble ladies and is fully booked all year round. Now, this way…”
‘It’s impossible not to feel vain here.’
Just as the guard said, every single item in the mansion looked high-end. Perhaps the reason no Sword Master had emerged in Delos was due to this noble social culture. Students obsessed with this incredibly flashy party culture couldn’t possibly be diligent in their studies.
Upon entering the interior where the party was being held, Dien saw his peers dressed in clothes so flashy he almost didn’t recognize them.
Baran rushed over as if he had been waiting for Dien’s arrival.
“Dien! What took you so long?”
“Were you waiting?”
“Of course!”
Dien was only slightly late, but for Baran, who had been waiting anxiously, it felt like an eternity.
“I have so many people to introduce to you!”
“Is that so?”
As Dien followed Baran down the stairs, the murmuring among the students grew louder.
“He’s the one who won first place in the thesis competition…”
“That’s the kid who had a private audience with His Majesty!”
“I heard he’s also the street musician from the Central Plaza.”
“For someone from an administrative family, he has a pretty solid build, doesn’t he?”
Many students had attended the soirée just to see Dien. It had been a long time since the mansion was this crowded.
“Welcome, Dien!”
The administrative nobles greeted him warmly. Dien looked at the accessories they wore—jewels befitting their status sparkled extravagantly.
“Are you guys really the same people I know? I almost didn’t recognize you.”
“Is that a compliment?”
“Of course!”
Fine feathers make fine birds. Dien greeted everyone while scanning his surroundings. Although many nobles were gathered, there seemed to be invisible walls between the groups.
‘Hmm… Over there are the knight families… and over there must be the magic families.’
The knights, administrative officials, and mages were each gathered in their own groups, separated enough to be distinguished at a glance.
‘I suppose that’s expected since they don’t cross paths often.’
Dien naturally blended in with the children of administrative families. Even within the same faction, there were many he hadn’t met because they took different lectures. Baran excitedly introduced Dien to his friends, and they all welcomed him warmly.
“I’ve heard a lot about you, Dien!”
“Yes, I look forward to getting to know you.”
“My maid really wants to see you. She told me to ask if you’re going to perform on the streets again.”
“Tell her I probably won’t be able to for the time being.”
“Man, our family’s maids are going to be so disappointed.”
Fortunately, Dien was enjoying himself talking to the new students without any awkwardness. Just then, several noble ladies who had been waiting for their chance scurried toward him.
“Nice to meet you, Dien Portran.”
“Hello!”
Before long, Dien was surrounded by ladies, each glancing at the others while trying to find an opening to speak.
***
“Do you know who that is?”
Arnold spoke to the peer standing beside him.
“That’s Dien Portran, the one who won first place in the thesis competition this time.”
“Ah… That street musician?”
Arnold glanced at Dien and scowled.
“What’s so great about a guy who just pushes a pen?”
“Exactly. He’s just going to end up as a secretary anyway.”
Arnold and the other knight students glared at Dien with irritation. They were displeased because Dien was monopolizing all the attention from the noble ladies.
“Ugh… I don’t like him. Let’s teach that desk-jockey a lesson today.”
“How?”
“I have a way.”
Arnold let out a crooked smile. Usually, the ladies’ interest belonged to them. Arnold could not tolerate the attention shifting to a child of an administrative family, and he began to devise a way to crush his dignity.
“Everyone, get over here.”
With that, the knight students began to gather around Arnold.
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