The High class nobles usually occupy the middlemost table or the third table as a sign of hierarchy. And depending on their own ranking within their class, they can sit on the foremost to the hindmost of the third table. To show their special privilege, the table was made out of gold and its table cloth was red with intricate golden linings. Their food was also multiple times better, and their silverware were more beautiful and expensive. Their seats were colored royal red with golden carvings and it was the most comfortable seat in the whole room. That was because they had cushions all around it. In fact, they all had a headrest, a backrest, an armrest, and a feathered silk pillow as well.
The middle class nobles follow these high rank nobles so they usually occupy the middle tables surrounding that third table which are the second and the fourth. And also, depending on their own ranking within their class, they can sit on the foremost to the hindmost of the third table. Their table was made to be a bit less extravagant and showy like the high class nobles yet still presents their privilege. Their tables were silver in color and it had a tablecloth that was pure white mixed with silver patterns. Their food was similar to the high class nobles but a bit fewer in variety and their silverware looked expensive yet not as much as the higher class. Their seats were pure white and it looked very comfortable. The only difference it had with the high class was the absence of the armrest and the pillow.
Now, the place were Inna, Raghnall, and the rest of the commoners were sitting was at the side tables, or the first and fifth tables. There, they can sit anywhere they like since there's no ranking between commoners. Their tables and chairs were very simple. They were all made of sturdy wood and their table cloth was just plain beige. Their food was minimal but still very satisfying. Their chairs were designed like common chairs with no cushions nor armrests but it's still comfortable to sit on albeit a bit hard.
Seeing the obvious difference in treatment, Inna couldn't help but roll her eyes. She could already see the divisions without even having anyone to tell her about it.
"The social hierarchy here is so clear."
Raghnall looked over and saw that she was staring at the other tables. Since there were not much commoners that were able to enter this academy, there were not much people in their tables. This made the inner hierarchy look even more prominent.
"Don't mind them. It's their privilege from being born in a noble family. The whole country has this sort of division so it's not that surprising that it's here as well. Though in my opinion, they shouldn't belittle those that are below them. Seriously, even the Royal Family frowns upon their conduct."
"Royal Family? You mean, the King and Queen? They don't like the social hierarchy?"
That's ironic. They are in the top of that hierarchy.
Inna looked at him in confusion.
Raghnall widened his eyes slightly when he noticed his slip of tongue.
"Ah.... y-yes. I think you meant the Emperor and his First Lady Empress. The Royal Family is known to have good relations with commoners. But they can't rebuke the noble families from their arrogant behaviors because these families are vital foundations of the country."
"Wealthy merchants are needed for the country's economy while the government and military officials are needed for the stability and protection of the country. Also, prominent figure heads in those families, like the Veteran ranked or Sage ranked, are needed for the country's fame and prestige. They can't afford to offend any one of them. If they do, it might lead the family to betray the country or may even leave it."
"And with these troubles, then add the burdens in running the country, they're unable to find the right chance to change the country's widespread social discrimination."
Inna looked at Raghnall with suspicion in her eyes.
"You sure know quite a lot about this despite being a commoner, huh?"
Raghnall averted his eyes and tried to make it seem like he's looking at the food on the table.
There was a slight tremble in his voice as he tried to focus on the food.
"W-well, I'm a fan of reading and you know, there are lots of records of the Royal family in the local libraries and uh, I also heard from the whispers of the common people as well. I just put two and two together and arrived in that conclusion."
Inna squinted her eyes as she stared at him in suspicion.
Actually, Inna didn't believe jack shit about him being a 'commoner' yada yada. She may not know the difference between a commoner and a noble, but she knows that he acts way too proper and he's way too knowledgeable about lots of things. And the way he acts and talks about those things is how a well-educated person would.
And this is coming from the fact that in this world, she learned from Solomon that only the wealthy can have proper education in their childhood.
The commoners attend a local school which only teaches them the necessities like agriculture and fishing. The rest are taught personally by parents and experiences. They can enter the local library but the books there are lacking and they have a small selection of topics so most don't even bother going. Instead, they train in their spare time. And if they are talented enough when they are of age, they can enter Eldora Academy, the only prestigious academy that accepts commoners.
So, after having been talking to him, she's doubtful whether he really is one or not.