[ May all the glory of the continent be forever with the Empire.

This is Shin Gran Darhan submitting a letter to His Majesty the Emperor.

Your Majesty established the academy to provide an opportunity for learning to all your subjects.

Your vision is noble and pure, worthy of being called an imperial feat without any lack.

Furthermore, you granted me, this unworthy individual, the weighty position of Chancellor of the Academy, bringing great honor to my family.

However, I write this with a heavy heart as an unsettling atmosphere seems to be brewing within the academy due to my own inadequacies.

Since Cadet Ari awakened her aura during the last advancement exam, and after Your Majesty personally bestowed a gift upon her, the number of noble cadets entering the academy has surged dramatically.

Not only baronial or viscountial families, but even cadets from count families have joined, resulting in a significant increase in the proportion of noble students among this year’s new entrants.

Although the academy, in strict adherence to His Majesty’s command, regards all cadets as equals without any distinction in status, ignorant cadets who fail to grasp this noble intention are increasing rapidly. Consequently, distinctions based on social status have emerged within the academy.

I have called noble cadets multiple times to warn them, holding frequent gatherings to admonish them on this matter, yet subtle discrimination continues to slip through among the cadets. This is due to my own inadequacies.

Moreover, it is not just the cadets; their families are also seeking to exert influence within the academy through various means.

For now, most of these attempts have been blocked solely by my name, but I am concerned that influence from others might seep in where my eyes cannot reach.

Lacking the wisdom to resolve this situation, I humbly seek your counsel, risking disrespect.

May Arhan’s reign be eternal.

To the rightful sovereign of the Empire.

Gran Darhan. ]

“Hmm...”

From the start, the academy wasn’t meant to be a place for nobles to attend.

Why would nobles who learn their family swordsmanship or study abroad at the magic towers even bother coming to the academy?

The academy was created to absorb talented commoners and lesser nobility with limited means into the imperial inner circle. And now, nobles have set their sights on it?

‘Is it because of the gift I sent?’

Do they believe I have taken a particular interest in the academy beyond what they expected?

Maybe they think that attending the academy is a way to align themselves with me.

Well, it’s not entirely wrong.

If a noble student shows promise at the academy, I would indeed consider them for a significant position.

But if they disrupt the academy’s atmosphere, I can’t stand by and let it happen.

As Feltz and Ari have proven, there are certainly talented individuals among the commoners.

These promising individuals, one by one, will eventually become a great asset to the Empire. I can’t allow anyone to hinder that.

‘But is there even a way to handle this?’

Open acts of slander or violence could be managed, but it’s practically impossible to monitor subtle discrimination or divisions.

Considering the average age of the academy cadets, it’s understandable that young nobles would find it difficult to accept mingling with commoners as equals.

No matter how strictly their families urge them to follow the rules, they won’t comply so easily.

‘Still, it’s one thing for the cadets, but for those daring to interfere in my academy, it’s rather impudent.’

Has it been too long since I last wielded a sword?

Or, do they think my absence is an opportunity?

“Minister Dia.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Work with Count Darhan to identify all those who attempted to interfere in the academy. Then, send agents from the Intelligence Bureau to let them know that I am greatly displeased.”

“Understood, Your Majesty.”

“If, after my warning, there are still those who refuse to change… collaborate with Sir Giel to deal with them.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Now then, what should we do about these cadets? Minister, do you have any advice?”

“Well… how about expelling all the cadets who are disrupting the academy’s atmosphere?”

“The problem lies in the ambiguity of that standard. If there were clear words or actions, it would be different, but it’s hard to set a standard based on something as subtle as atmosphere.”

“That is…”

“Well, enough. You may go now, Minister. I’ll take a short rest before dining with Duke Fael.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Please rest well.”

“Really, it’s not the first time those hot-blooded youngsters have run wild.”

“True, but we can’t just sit by and watch.”

Duke Fael, whom I hadn’t seen in a while, looked healthier than before.

Well, it’s no surprise since he spends his days without a care in the world, just enjoying himself.

“Your Majesty, such an atmosphere exists everywhere. I’ve seen it often at various banquets when I was young.”

“You have, Duke?”

“Even in banquets filled solely with nobles, it’s no different. The lesser nobles keep an eye on the high-ranking nobles, who in turn ignore them to boost their own pride. Do you know how to solve that kind of atmosphere?”

“I wouldn’t know.”

“It’s simple—someone of a much higher status steps in to reset the mood. In my case, it was me.”

Fael chuckled, proudly recounting how just his entrance at a banquet would make even the sons of counts freeze up and watch his every move.

Despite Fael’s obvious enthusiasm, his idea was actually quite reasonable.

Indeed, if a high-ranking noble were to attend the academy and openly socialize with commoners, it would be difficult for nobles of lesser status to ignore or look down on commoners.

“But Duke, do we have anyone suitable for such a role?”

Ideally, they should be in their late teens to early twenties, from a rank high enough to intimidate even the sons of counts, at least from a vassal family, and loyal enough to follow my wishes.

“Hmm… the vassals in the East and South are out of the question.”

Lute and Giore both led rebellions and either perished or fled, so they’re ruled out.

“Lord Fried fits perfectly, but he’s already been granted his title, so he’s not an option.”

“I can hardly ask the head of a marquis family to attend the academy as a student; that would be unfortunate.”

After all, he’d already expressed countless grievances about having to serve as regent for so long. Who knows what he’d do if I asked him to attend the academy and act like a student.

“If only Riel were in the Empire, he’d be ideal.”

“Haha, that’s true, but who knows when Riel will return. Ah, Your Majesty, a letter arrived from him while you were in the North. He mentioned he has just left the land of the beastmen.”

Oh, now that’s intriguing.

“What did he say about the land of the beastmen? I’ve been curious since there are no records about it.”

“He described it as not too different from human kingdoms but smaller and more nature-oriented. Essentially, they live in tribes but have active interactions among themselves. Additionally, every beastman, including women, is trained in basic combat. Even the weakest child there is stronger than a human soldier, and their warriors are comparable to the Empire’s knights.”

“That’s not particularly pleasant news. Anything else?”

“The leader of the Beastmen Alliance held a festival to welcome the group and hosted them warmly. He also mentioned they would soon head to the Great Forest and concluded the letter by saying he would write again once they left the forest.”

“Just how much did you harp on that at the last banquet for him to emphasize it again like this?”

“Oh, Your Majesty, as a father, I should at least be allowed to show that much disappointment, shouldn’t I?”

“Fine, let’s say so. But back to the main point—are there no other suitable candidates?”

“Hm… Your Majesty, what about Princess Rael?”

“Rael, you say?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I believe the princess has just turned twenty, making her the perfect age, wouldn’t you say? She’s also incredibly gentle, so she wouldn’t likely look down on commoners. I heard she’s been keeping to herself at home lately, so perhaps this could be an opportunity for her to make some friends and spend some time at the academy…”

“That is the issue, Duke.”

As I’ve reiterated, the academy was founded for the purpose of identifying and integrating new talent.

The academy is meant to bring in individuals with no preexisting affiliations—so is it truly appropriate to send Rael there?

If Rael herself were to attend the academy, it would undoubtedly have a profound effect on changing the atmosphere.

If a member of the royal family mingled with commoners directly, who would dare to look down on them?

But if that were to happen…

“Duke, I do not wish for the academy to become Rael’s base of influence.”

“Hm… her base of influence, you say?”

“Yes. If Rael were to attend the academy and form close relationships with the cadets, I would not be able to appoint its graduates purely on merit in the future. I would always be plagued by doubt—are these individuals loyal to me or to Rael?”

“Your Majesty, forgive my boldness, but even if Princess Rael were to attend the academy, would the cadets truly follow her over you?”

Duke Fael dismissed my concerns as excessive, but I couldn’t shake my worries.

Spending four years together in the confined environment of the academy would inevitably foster strong emotions.

Moreover, most of the academy’s cadets are currently those who stand outside the Empire’s mainstream.

Who’s to say that some of them, with little to lose, might not rally around Rael in hopes of some future opportunity?

“Hm… but if we exclude the princess, there really is no one else suited for this role… Ah, Your Majesty. What if we did this instead?”