Setting Out

"Remember to always carry yourself with the dignity expected of a member of House Notos. Reputation, status, and honor are three of the most critical factors to being a Noble. Others will seek to borrow yours in the hope of increasing their own. Never lower your guard, no matter how friendly others may appear. The only true bonds among Nobles are forged through contracts and marriage. A person's word only has value if they-"

"Dear...if you keep this up, Paul is going to be late for his departure..."

After interrupting her husband's monologue, Valentine gave Paul one last hug, whispering, "Try not to break too many hearts, okay?"

Smiling wryly in response to his mother's words, Paul said, "You need not concern yourselves with such matters, Mother. While I do intend to marry in the future, I have no intention of pursuing intimate relationships during my time at the Academy."

Offering a wry smile of her own, Valentine caressed Paul's face, her tone as soft and gentle as beams of moonlight as she said, "My precious little star...I fear you underestimate the...enthusiasm of Noble ladies..."

Though he might have agreed with his mother a few weeks prior, Paul's experiences during his debut had taught him a lot about what he could expect from members of the fairer sex. They wouldn't force the matter due to his status as the First Son of House Notos, but there were bound to be countless young Nobles eyeing him with lascivious gazes over the next five years. It didn't help that he was also quite handsome, a solid ten in the eyes of most.

"Enough. Cease your coddling, woman. He'll need to make mistakes if he is to learn how to address them."

Hearing her husband's remark, Valentine exhaled a faint sigh through her nose before rising to her feet and replying, "You're right, of course. Please forgive me, Darling. I simply can't help worrying..."

"Mmm..."

Nodding his head, Amarant allowed Valentine's words to linger as he set his leafy-green gaze on his son and said, "Go, my son. Show those other Nobles the prestige of the House Notos. I expect great things from you."

Placing his hand over his heart, Paul offered a proper bow as he replied, "Yes, Father. Leave it to me."

Catching Paul by surprise, Amarant suddenly pulled him into a hug, his usually stern tone softening as he whispered, "If anything happens, send a letter with our family crest upside down. I've informed the servants to bring such messages directly to me. You don't have to worry about your Mother hearing about your exploits during your studies..."

Smiling wryly, Paul returned his father's embrace before the latter, just as quickly, broke it. The relationship between a father and son, at least as far as the Asura Aristocracy was concerned, was a relationship of respect. It was the duty of the women to coddle and fret over their children. Amarant just didn't want to see his son off with something as inane as a handshake or simple genuflection.

Seeing the awkwardness in his father's usually gruff countenance, Paul's practiced smile relaxed into a far more genuine expression. He and his father weren't particularly close, but they had a certain sense of mutual respect between them. Paul understood well how truly fortunate he was to be a member of House Notos, so, in response to his father's words and actions, he vowed, "Worry not, Father. Even if something happens, I will do everything in my power to ensure it does not tarnish the reputation of the House."

"Mmm...very good. Now, off you go. It's a day's journey to the Academy, and it would not do to dawdle."

Nodding his head in affirmation, Paul resisted his conditioned urge to bow and instead replied, "Farewell, Father, Mother. I will make you proud."

Returning smiles of their own, Valentine whispered, "You already have." while his father, Amarant, simply nodded...

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With the Milbots Academy for Nobles being located nearly 130km to the West of the Notos Estate, reaching it via horse-drawn stagecoach took an average of three and a half days. In the process, Paul had to pass through seven different towns, each functioning as lesser brewery towns.

Though the Milbots Region bordered the Red Dragon Mountain Range, a chain of mountains spanning more than 3000km in length, it was one of the safest regions in the Central Continent. The Kingdom sent its Knights regularly through the region to deter bandits and clear away monsters, so Paul's journey went unobstructed. The large group of soldiers and skilled Adventurers escorting him made sure of that.

In total, Paul's escort took just under five days to reach Milbots Academy. Larger convoys generally moved slow, but thanks to Paul not caring about exploring the towns they crossed through, they reached their destination two days ahead of schedule. The trip was initially planned to take around seven days but ended up concluding the evening of the fifth.

Unlike other Noble children who had spent the first five years of their life practically trapped within their Estate, Paul didn't care much for the world outside. At the very least, not yet. He would have plenty of time to explore during his time as an Adventurer, so, as novel as the idea of checking out a medieval brewery was, Paul had already gotten his fill exploring the six around the Estate...

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As his carriage passed through the massive stone walls surrounding the city-sized Academy, a yawn escaped Paul's mouth despite his growing excitement. At several points in his previous life, he imagined himself as a Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry student. Milbots Academy lacked the same gravitas as the Medival Gothic Castle popularized in the Harry Potter series. However, it was still a place where Magic, or, more accurately, Mana pulsed through the very foundations.

Though Paul intended to focus on his swordsmanship and mastering his Vision, he was determined to learn Magic. Even if he simply learned the basics of Healing and Detoxification, he could qualitatively improve his Mana Reserves. He might not reach the monstrous level of Rudeus, but even a minor increase in his aggregate Mana Reserves would drastically increase his capabilities as a Swordsman.

Feeling the carriage slowing after an additional twenty minutes, Paul fixed his appearance and waited for one of his attendants to open the door and inform him of their arrival. When they did, the three remaining carriages of the seventeen-stage convoy had stopped outside of an extravagant, five-story residential building.

"We have arrived, Master Paul. Please, watch your step."

Nodding his head, Paul carefully dismounted the carriage before looking around the lavishly decorated property and asking, "Is this where I'll be staying?"

Lowering his head as a sign of respect, the middle-aged Butler answered, "That is correct, Master Paul. This is the dormitory reserved for members of the Upper Nobility, colloquially known as the Dragon's Den. As the First Son of House Notos, you have been allotted one of the penthouses on the uppermost floor."

Though he couldn't help feeling his treatment was a little excessive, Paul replied, "I understand. Please show me the way."

Believing Paul was in a hurry to rest, the Butler barked a few orders at the servants unloading the luggage before escorting Paul to his room on the fifth floor. There was a Dwarven-constructed mechanical elevator near the back of the lobby reserved for residents of the fifth floor, so it was a relatively straightforward journey.

Before entering his personal penthouse, Paul's curiosity compelled him to eye the rather ornate set of double doors leading to the much large suite occupying nearly 70% of the fifth floor. A golden emblem with two gem-embossed unicorns flanking a holy sword surrounded by ivy and set with a kingly crown was embossed into the surface, clearly denoting the room as property of the Royal Family.

Since it was better to know than be surprised later, Paul remarked, "I was not aware that the Milbots Academy played host to members of the Royal Family..."

Alleviating Paul's concerns, the Butler dutifully explained, "To my meager knowledge, it hasn't been used in the last eighty-three years. It is simply better to have a residence prepared than to not."

Understanding what the Butler was trying to say, Paul adopted a knowing smile before making his way into his room. It was much smaller than what he presumed the Royal Penthouse to be, but it could still give some of the most expensive suites from his previous world a run for their money.

With a living room large enough to accommodate sword training, a dining table that could seat twelve people, a fully stocked kitchen, seven guest rooms, a servant's quarters, an open terrace, and a master bedroom, Paul felt the penthouse was more or a mansion than a dormitory.

"So this is where I'll be spending the next five years..."

Thinking Paul might be disappointed with his accommodations, the Butler proposed, "If it pleases the Young Master, we can send an official request to the Royal Family. House Notos has dutifully served the Royal House of Anemoi for the past seven thousand years. With the First Prince attending the Royal Academy, I do not see them refusing such a request."

While he was a little curious about the interior and layout of the Royal Penthouse, Paul didn't hesitate to shake his head, stating, "No, this will more than suffice. If not for my status as the First Son of House Notos, I would have preferred to live amongst my peers. Since I do not intend to employ many servants or attendants, this is plenty."

With a visibly strained expression on his face, the Butler couldn't help asking, "Are you sure about your decision to live alone, Young Master? I understand your desire to exhibit your independence, but I must advise you to reconsider. Even the Lesser Noble Families send their children to school with an attendant and two bodyguards. Forgoing both...pardon my words, Master Paul, but it doesn't seem particularly wise."