In the fourth week of July 2024, the class returned to normal, but everything changed for most students after the Prelim Battle Royale. Despite having a week to recover, many students, including those who were merely pretending to be friends with the Second Princess, continued to congregate around her. They seemed to think associating with royalty would bring them recognition or status. However, the Princess now chose to spend her time with her true friends—those who genuinely cared for her, rather than those who sought power and influence.
William Ebonhart, the arrogant and annoying blond-haired student, was notorious for his troublesome behavior. He would attempt to bully others into engaging in charged attacks with their summoned characters. Using his status as the "Duke's Son," he would threaten those who resisted him. However, after a particularly unfortunate incident, he was arrested. His father chose not to bail him out, making him reflect on his actions as a punishment.
No one knows who reported his wrongdoings, but they certainly did a commendable job in ensuring his arrest. Everglow Academy is a place meant for learning and equality, not for abusing power or manipulating others to get what one wants. While Rowan was in class, his level was continually rising. This happened because he summoned and placed most of his summoned characters, except for Knight Commander Selene, at the Eternal Ascent. Though this method might seem unfair and his pull rewards would only give him 50% less of the usual amount, it was the most effective strategy he could come up with.
The newly summoned characters that he acquired a few days ago can gain experience and levels to improve their core stats, abilities, and proficiency in both combat and other skills that can be beneficial. These Epic tiers summoned characters to possess a basic level of human intelligence. Rowan has instructed them to guide all the summoned characters, ranging from Common to Rare tier when confronting enemies inside the Eternal Ascent. However, there is a limitation regarding the Eternal Ascent: while Rowan's summoned characters can advance to the next floor, the player cannot.
The player must collaborate with their summoned characters to advance to the next floor level. This limitation imposed by the Eternal Ascent serves as a countermeasure against players who rely too heavily on their summoned allies. The creator of the Eternal Ascent intended for individuals with abilities, superpowers, or supernatural powers to learn through experience and face challenges independently, without depending on their summoned characters.
Thinking about this, Rowan aspires to become like his father, a nobleman. Despite being the designated successor to head the Ashbourne Family, he desires his power and influence, free from the concerns and involvement of family members. To achieve this, he plans to pass the title of the next head of the Ashbourne Family to his second younger brother, Darien Ashbourne.
There are two ways to become a noble. The first is by gaining recognition and performing good deeds in the territories one wishes to hold influence over. The second option involves purchasing a noble status, either from a large noble organization or by using the merit points that Rowan has earned. While the second option is a shortcut and the fastest way to nobility, Rowan prefers to take the first route. He believes in earning recognition and doing good deeds to help the people in his chosen territory. Like his father, who faced challenges and chose the hard path to nobility, Rowan is committed to proving himself through his efforts.
Rowan plans to share his thoughts with Elira, but he has a gut feeling that doing so may prevent him from becoming a nobleman like their fathers, the current heads of the Ashbourne and Valenwood families. He understands that gaining power and influence comes with a dangerous path and the potential for many enemies, especially since he isn't fully aware of the consequences his actions might bring. Therefore, Rowan has decided to keep this a secret, even if it means betraying Elira's trust and lying to her. However, he knows that the truth will likely reach Elira through her extensive information network, especially if he chooses to pursue the path of a nobleman involved in politics and territorial management soon.
Rowan is willing to accept any punishment, even though Elira, who previously stated that she doesn't want to get pregnant during her studies, demands a child. Despite this, he is reluctant to be separated from her. On Wednesday morning in the fourth week of July 2024, he set out for Everglow Academy without Elira knowing his purpose, although she learned of his departure through her spies who were closely monitoring him. Rowan was heading to one of the branches of "The Imperium of the Crown," an assembly of noble families united by shared traditions and honor, responsible for governing their lands and upholding the customs and privileges of the nobility.
As the magical carriage arrived in the Territories of Valenwood, he concealed his face and moved toward one of the small branches under the control of the "Imperium of the Crown." One of the representatives working there, the "Crown's Provincial Governors," is tasked with governing distant territories and managing local affairs. They ensure royal laws and policies are upheld in regions far from the capital.
The individuals employed there hold the noble title of "Knight Lord," which is categorized into three levels: Knight Lord (Lower), Knight Lord, and Knight Lord (Upper). The Imperium of the Crown uses this classification because Lower and Upper Knight Lords share similar core duties and authority, but differ in prestige, experience, and possibly some privileges. The distinction between these levels is subtle, with Upper Knight Lords recognized for their higher merit or longer service.
Becoming a nobleman grants a person the ability to hold both authority and military power. A nobleman can either create their military force or hire forces outside, depending on their preference. Authority primarily involves management responsibilities, such as establishing laws within the designated territory they oversee. They may also pursue other important objectives, as long as they adhere to the laws and regulations set forth by the Imperium of the Crown.
Rowan entered the small branch and noticed many people applying to become noblemen. Although he was already a nobleman and the next in line for the title, he planned to pass it on to his younger brother. He approached the counter and met a female receptionist to ask for information on how to register and become part of the Imperium of the Crown. From what he learned, registration was free, but he needed to complete a required task to officially obtain his noble status.
The female receptionist said, "Your task is to gain the trust of the people in the small hamlet, which has a population of between 10 and 50. Once you accomplish this, the chief of the hamlet will give you a scroll of recognition, confirming that you have successfully earned their trust."
Rowan replied, "What happens if I complete the task, Miss Receptionist?"
The female receptionist responded, "Upon completion, you will earn the noble status of 'Populace with a Lower Rank Status,' and you will be assigned to take care of that designated small hamlet."
Rowan understood the task he needed to complete. After accepting the assignment and waiting for news about his placement, he left the small branch of the Imperium of the Crown and returned to Everglow Academy before sunset. However, upon his arrival at the Everheart Dormitory that evening, Elira pinched Rowan's ear and dragged him to their dorm for a serious conversation. Rowan was confused about what was happening, and he soon learned that Elira's serious talk was about him becoming a nobleman. He was puzzled about how she had found out, considering it had only been a few hours since he went out, went to the Imperium of the Crown, and accepted the task...
(End of Chapter 15)