Yggdrasil Year 1639, Day 10, Month 4
It's been six years since the Lexington Family trained at the Boarer Forest. Over six years of that time, the Lexington Family has grown into an influential noble. King Eudes promote the Lexington Family to Marquis as a reward for subjugating several Leader-class Monsters in the wilderness, such as King Boar, Lord Hobgoblin, and High Trolls. Kurt resigned from Minister of Agriculture and was given property in the capital. He returns to Shills and has been staying there for over three years.
Additionally, due to the house of Arkun's effort in subjugating bandits and maintaining security on the border, King Eudes promote the House of Arkun to Duke. They would receive the authority to manage the borders surrounding Arminia. Frabela was named as the official successor of the Arkun House and nominated as Knight Commander of Arminia Kingdom.
The Lexington Family, this time, was mandated to manage land in the Southern Region. But, Kurt refused it since his duty was only to nurture the Lexington Family. Seeing the nurturing went well, Eudes appointed him as Royal Advisor on an independent branch.
Their childhood is about to end, and Klendiana will depart this year. Reynes had just finished the final exam. The result is that he had defended the Valedictorian title from the enrollment to the final exam, a perfect achievement.
A year after Klendiana's graduation, King Eudes passed away. Striden Arminia was chosen to succeed in his position as a King. The Second Prince, Eliot, did not accept the decision as he was more worthy of becoming a King. Right now, the conflict is at a minimum, and Kurt develops a training program for Shills' guard to defend the farm in anticipation of the Civil War between two successors.
"I'm back, Father, Mother."
"Welcome back, Reynes."
"Congratulations on your graduation."
"Hey! It's two months later for graduation!"
Reynes wear a navy-colored blazer suit with a green star and four green bars on both of the blazer's arms with long black pants.
A green bar and four pointed-down chevrons signify his position as a Student Council President, and Reynes revised it as a green star and four green bars after he succeeded Frabela's position as Student Council President, which Klendiana also took office before Frabela took over.
He has a golden band with a symbol of S and a five-star on his left arm. The symbol of S is a sign that he's in the S-class, a golden band signifies his identity at the top of the academics, and a five-star reveals his identity as the top student for adventurer rank. On his collar, he wears two stars, a sign of Marquis rank.
The academy uses the emblem on the collar as an identification sign for the students enrolled in Arminia Royal Academy. A commoner wouldn't wear any sign, Baronet and Knights would wear one flower, Baron two flowers, and Count or Earl three flowers. Viscount would wear one star, Marquis two stars, and Duke three stars. For the Royalty, they wear an eagle emblem on the collar.
"I wouldn't expect for you to return with a carriage, though. Usually, you can come back here through [Teleportation]."
"Father. Sometimes I want to experience returning as a Noble. So, I may as well try to enjoy some luxury before I start my journey."
"Heh. It's good to savor it while you still can, Reynes. Also, congratulations for being a "Von," the title of "Master Valedictorian," and the rank of Baronet. You're the first one to earn such a title."
"It's a pain for me to say that I've lost to you in such title, Reynes."
"Well… At least I can't match you in magic power measure, big sis."
Reynes earned Baronet's title after finishing the academy in a top spot. He was number one in every aspect, from Academics, Physical, Magical exercises, and all other classes. Striden rewards him with Baronet's title since it's the first time in Arminia history that someone finishes the academy as a Master Valedictorian.
"How's your preparation, sis?"
"Almost ready. I've finished my trial already."
As per tradition for the Lexington Family, the final trial before departure is to survive in the wilderness for a week with nothing but survival equipment. Sage Ore is also forbidden, and mining is prohibited if a mine is discovered.
Klendiana is on her way to SS Rank Adventurer, while Reynes is about to take a promotion test as S+ Rank Adventurer. They were capable of defeating Leader-class monsters alone.
"It's convenient that we've become good businessmen with this."
"Well… The problem is that I think Scharlwarltz was frustrated to see how the business is flourishing."
"Can't be helped, wasn't it? Since we invented it and became popular, we've received a lot of commissions these days."
"But, unfortunately, only a handful of them know how to operate it."
"They want it to flaunt their wealth, you see?"
Even though the Lexington Family has already prepared a guidebook on how to operate equipment related to Sage Ore, most customers insist that they would use it in their own way. As such, Sage Ore, from their point of view, is somehow equal to using standard equipment.
"But, then again, they can't blame us. Because it needs adequate magic power to operate it."
"Other than Arkun and Sylvester's house, they were using it without our manual."
Later, they have an extravagant dinner to celebrate Reynes' entitlement as a reward for finishing the academy as a Master Valedictorian.
Scharlwarltz Royal Palace
Dawn works hard as she finishes the academy in third place. She knew she had much to learn, and during her study exchange outside Scharlwarltz, she got a grasp of the situation out there.
She can't trust them, as the nobles on the ground have a lust for acquainted with her. Her power remains fragile, as the dress made of a mixture of Sage Ore and high-quality fabrics can contain a certain degree of her power.
"It's dangerous to stay there…. Then again…."
Dawn constantly receives a letter of proposal from multiple kingdoms. They're asking for her to engage with someone who strongly influences the Kingdom. Dawn burns the letters after brief reading, as the content itself is already annoying.
"The letter just keeps coming every single day."
"Is something bothering you, Princess?"
"Shina-sensei."
Shina looks at the letter as she reads them one by one. Like what Dawn did, Shina also burns the letter.
"Your Majesty may want to do something drastic if you insist on not having a fiancée."
"After what happened, I think I want to find it on my own."
"But, I think you better find someone you can trust. There were various people down there."
"But, with who?"
"That's where you have to find out."
"Then, would I be like my mother, who once sets out on a journey to find a husband?"
"Very likely. But, ever since the incident at the Indexa Kingdom, I think they would notice you."
Dawn remembers that incident. Scholars were attempting to have them learn about Dawn through force, which ended up with Dawn's dormant power going berserk. If it weren't for Randgris and her Containment Team, Indexa would be certain to receive heavy damage.
The Sage Ore augmentation inside her dress was used to contain her berserk power. Research made by Yuki and Klendiana enables Scharlwarltz to commission both to create clothes and armor that could contain the user's berserk power.
Since that incident, four countries have had an interest in Dawn and have identification of her appearance. The Draconia Empire, the Kingdom of Einhalzen, the Sacrament Empire, and the Scorert Kingdom. If she goes down there, those four Kingdoms would surely aim to please her.
"On the other side, I don't like such affection was made to secure their reign."
"Just don't be naïve, Princess. Even as a Fortune Teller like myself, I have someone I can trust. I will tell you when the time comes."
"You have a connection?"
"Why not? I have my own network for that."
"Can you introduce me to some of them?"
"Only when you're about to travel."
Dawn has two more years before departure, and Shina will introduce her to some of her connections a year before departure.
Yggdrasil Year 1639, Day 11, Month 6
"Is everything ready?"
"I'm ready, father."
Awaiting Klendiana is her party, "Magician Journey." Her party members were volunteers, as Klendiana's main requirement to enter her party was to travel around the Yggdrasil's World. Her party is rated as an S Rank Party, and she was given authority by the Guild Grandmaster to form a Legion and establish a mobile Headquarters with her as Guildmaster.
On her 17th birthday, the Lexington Family hosted a farewell party. The feast has meat from boars, sheep, goats, cows, and many more. Everyone in the town, including from the slums, was enjoying the party. For the expenses, Klendiana handles all of it. She gains a lot of profit from commissions related to Sage Ore, and she intends to study more about Sage Ore as she conducts her journey.
"I will send a letter each month. Since I have Guild Staff with me, I may not worry much about sending letters here. By chance, I may return to take some brief rest before I carry on my journey."
"Just inform us when you'll come back here to rest, Klendiana. We'll always welcome you."
"Thank you, father. I'm off now."
"Safe travel, sister!"
Klendiana departs with five party members and three Guild Staff. They would seek an audience with Crown Prince Striden before proceeding to the east, where they would visit the Kingdom of Midgard.
But, the Kingdom soon would face a new turmoil, as one news would shake the foundation of the Arminia Kingdom.
Act I ends