Connection

"I transmigrated into the body of now-dead Cleo Berdin, son of a knight from the Imperial Army and a support mage from the Magic Corps. Led by the Grand Duke to explore the newly found Lands beyond the North, my parents both died serving the Grand Duke of Terrean." He mumbled as he tried to remember where he saw the name of the Empire. 

Many speculated the news "The Lands beyond the North would usher us to new heights." released to the masses was not the truth. Even Jay now that he examined Cleo's mind, felt something was amiss.

He was compensated by the empire, basically a "hush money", but he refused the offer. He opts to study at the Millstein Academy, Geist Hurby, the Leader of his father's squad decides to sponsor him saying it is also his way of giving back to his father who saved his life. 

The original Cleo was determined to enroll in the Combat Department of the most prestigious Millstein Academy and become a part of the task force made to conquer the Lands beyond the North to know what killed his parents. 

Since he has the letter of recommendation, he was exempted in taking the entrance exams only to find out after that on the day of his coming-of-age ceremony, the gift he awakened has no compatibility with frontlines, nor backlines like mages.

The Military doesn't allow any person with talent that does not fit the criteria of "fighting-related" to participate in the Task Force. In this world, the talent you awakened will guarantee that your life will be full of flowers and butterflies or it will be hell.

People of this world awaken their gift when they turned the age of 16. As such, the Empire established academies to help nurture those young people.

However, among the educational institutions in the continent, the Millstein Academy is the most prestigious among all the learning grounds because this academy is fully funded by the nobles, even the Imperial family poured large amounts of gold annually. The name of the Emperor being tied to the Academy bolstered their reputation to the skies.

As such, after graduating, your future would be secured if you fully establish good connections with them. The catch was, if you were a commoner, with no backer it is pretty much decided that you would enroll in the "Slave Department" of the Academy. 

The Millstein Academy offers three years of education in a wide range of arrays just like other Academies. The thing that made them unique was the division of Departments. 

"Millstein Academy? I think I've seen that name before." He frowned thinking hard enough to remember where he had seen the name before. Couldn't grasp where he heard the name, he decided to continue examining his memories while going back on his room.

The Academy has 3 Main Departments namely the Combat Department which houses mostly of the Nobles who have established names in Military, Knighthood, and those who seek fame and establish themselves. This is the go-to way in order for someone to ascend to ranks as getting accomplishments is faster, but saying it is much easier said than done.

That's why Cleo not deemed having enough mana to awaken as a mage decided to dedicate his life to pursuing the path of the swords just like his father.

Not knowing that after he had his birthday last midnight, his talent is [Home-maker] a talent to stay at home. That's what the revelation is all about. 

"[Home-maker: a talent to stay at home.]" the feminine voice said slowly and gently like a mother worried for her child. It's the voice that is familiar to every person considered as an adult in this world, struck heavy revelations in Cleo's mind. 

For him, a talent not meant to be used in fighting is okay. He can still help others just like his mother, but the world is basically telling him to stay home. He is just a bum. 

It broke Cleo, it sapped every drive he has, ultimately succumbing to heartache in his sleep he died.

Jay paused for a second for Cleo, he understood where he came from. Desperation kicked in and clouded his mind, he didn't even properly hear the entirety of his talent.

Although he does not know him personally, the things they went through are almost similar, it was enough for Jay to build a connection between them. He understands him, he realizes Cleo's reason why he died.

After a few moments, he continues examining his now new memories. 

[Home-maker: a talent to stay at home and do chores better than anyone else. Serving people will elevate the efficiency of housework.]

"So basically, He is a maid. Pft," Jay couldn't help but laugh at Cleo after sympathizing with him. By going with what his gift could offer, Cleo has a bright future. Maybe he would be the world's greatest maid if he didn't die.

"Maybe it was the best that he didn't hear anything after what he heard after all." Jay lamented at the fact that the voice of the world announcing something important should do the thing much faster, not pausing for a few seconds each word.

After putting the blame on the voice, he cleared his mind of any thoughts and decided to continue as.

Next is the Magic Department, a special department where Mages from the Tower of Magic provide the teaching themselves.

Those who have talent with magic dreams of being part of either the Magic Corps or the Magic Tower, so being affiliated to either one of them would be godsent. But knowing that you can even choose in Millstein between the two? With top-of-the-line equipment and led by the number one research team in the continent. Talk about being privileged. 

How lucky it is to awaken as a mage. The awakening of a mage is based on talent alone. That's why the rate of students in Magic Department is much lower compared to those in the Combat Department. Only certain bloodlines such as the Imperial Family can awaken every member as potential Mages or Magic swordsmen. 

"Mage is just another word for God's favorites," Jay said jokingly.

Lastly, the "General Department" and the "Support Department" the largest number of students came from these Departments.

The "General Department" in the name includes those who practically pursue life skills such as cooking and management, business-related talents, and crafting, woodworking, sewing, and Blacksmithing. It is where you can find those personnel essential in making the society run and develop.

On the other hand, the "Support Department" is where those who have gifts are not considered as useful or backers to provide the tuition for them. They handle menial things that others are too "busy" to do it. 

As such, the Academy offered "Duty Hours". They would serve the nobles and alike in exchange for the tuition fee. Of course, it led to some people abusing it. That's why it was deemed as the "Slave Department".

The Academy couldn't do anything at this point since the students denied being abused, knowing that if they reported those nobles, it would end their stay there or much worse.

The academy still offers the same education pretty much to all students except for a few curriculums they deemed not necessary for commoners. Only by being an Honor Student would everything be free inside the school campus.

He finally remembered where he saw the name Millstein Academy. It was the novel called [Call of an Era] that he read when he injured his back. He can't move or do anything in the hospital bed so he decided to give the book his father gave him for his birthday last year. It was a gift from his father for his 14th birthday.

His father was an avid fan of fantasy novels, collecting every novel that fancied him. He wants to share his hobby with his son too, but alas he is not that interested. Only when he died he realized this. 

"He wants to spend time with me." Jay cried for the first time in a while back then.

It was meant to introduce Jay to the fantasy genre. The book was nothing special, full of cliches and tropes that are commonly seen in other fantasy novels. But he enjoyed every page of it. The sincerity of the gift made Jay fall in love with the book.

After reminiscing about the past he decided what he would do.

"I'll live the life you craved so much about father. I am sure this is the thing you want." Jay said. "I'll live the life I want to have. Not because someone said it, but because I want it." He is determined to live this second life to the fullest.

"From now on, I'll be Cleo Berdin."