◆ A Glimpse of the Kingdom’s Authority
Today was the day of the Second Coming-of-Age Ceremony.
Donning the formal attire prepared for me, I was struck by how perfectly it fit my frame.
At sixteen years old, my physique was still far from fully developed, which meant that this ceremonial attire would only ever be worn once.
The sheer cost of such a suit—meant to be worn for but a single day—was a testament to the extravagance of a marquess’s son.
I could only offer a wry smile in response.
Usually, I made do with the slightly oversized uniforms issued by the Magic Academy, garments meant to account for physical growth.
As I examined my reflection in the dormitory’s mirror, a proverb from my previous life came to mind:
“Even a simple stable boy may appear noble in fine clothes.”
Here I was, a rough-hewn youth from the frontier, yet with the right attire, I almost looked… presentable.
Yesterday, I had taken the time to trim my hair at the dorm’s facilities.
My face, though ordinary, now carried a sharper, more determined look.
With the fine fabrics of this formal wear draping me, and a sword at my hip, I could almost pass for a proper knight.
Naturally, there were no badges or insignias upon my collar, no medals upon my chest.
The simplicity of my attire was reminiscent of the National Military’s Reserve Staff Officers.
That must have been his intention all along.
Sliding my feet into my well-worn but meticulously polished shoes, I stepped out of my dormitory.
The weight of the formal attire seemed to straighten my spine, compelling me to move with an air of dignity.
Recalling the etiquette lessons drilled into us at the Magic Academy, I resolved to act with the same grace and composure as the attire I wore demanded.
Walking through the dormitory, I could sense the curious gazes of my classmates and the subtle warmth of attention from their fiancées.
Emerging onto the front drive, I was greeted by the sight of utter chaos.
Many students were boarding carriages arranged by their families, each noble and lady making their way to the ceremony based on their rank and status.
Today’s Coming-of-Age Ceremony would usually be held at the Grand Auditorium of the Magic Academy.
However, with a member of the royal family reaching adulthood this year, the ceremony had been moved to the Great Hall of the Royal Castle.
It was something of a tradition.
I, of course, had neither the opportunity nor the funds to arrange for a carriage.
Thus, I would be walking to the ceremony.
The distance between the Magic Academy and the Royal Castle was not far.
With the strength and stamina I had built in the Knight Division’s physical training, I would arrive in less than a quarter of an hour.
Passing through the noble district, I couldn’t help but marvel at the magnificent residences lining the streets.
In comparison, my family’s frontier estate was little more than a barn.
As I gazed upon these grand and beautiful buildings, thoughts of home welled up within me.
Home—a place near the Monster Forest, a land constantly under the threat of magical beasts.
Our lives had always been under siege, our household perpetually on alert.
Living in the royal capital, where there was no threat to one’s life, felt like an entirely different world.
Yet this sense of safety bred a different kind of barrier between people, one I had never felt in the frontier.
In the frontier, danger was an ever-present shadow, and people formed strong bonds, speaking openly, watching out for one another, and working together for mutual survival.
Here in the royal capital, there was no such unity.
A faint, self-deprecating smile curled upon my lips.
At the Magic Academy, I had never truly formed a close friendship.
There were acquaintances, certainly, but they were all driven by some ulterior motive.
Conversely, the faculty had always treated me kindly, providing me with guidance and support.
But I knew my place—I was not meant to thrive in the capital.
My life belonged to the frontier, and I was content with that.
It was still early in the day, and the sun’s rays were gentle as I arrived at the White Castle, the seat of our kingdom’s power.
This castle was more than just the political heart of the nation—it was home to the King, the Queen Consort, and the royal family.
It exuded an aura of authority and dignity that made it clear why this place was beyond the reach of someone like me, the third son of a minor noble.
I offered a silent prayer of gratitude for the chance to step foot in such a place.
At the castle gates, I presented my identification as a student of the Magic Academy.
The guards’ surprise was palpable.
Perhaps they had not expected anyone to arrive on foot—much less without an attendant.
They requested proof of my status.
The Academy’s Certificate of Enrollment was a document impossible to replicate, and anyone caught forging it would lose their life.
Once the guards recognized me as an attendee of the Coming-of-Age Ceremony, their demeanor shifted, and they treated me with the appropriate respect.
I held no grudge against them.
In fact, I was moved by their dedication to duty.
As a mark of respect, I offered them a proper knight’s salute.
For someone raised in the frontier, where honor and pride were the lifeblood of our way of life, showing respect to those who performed their duties with integrity came as second nature.
The guards seemed genuinely surprised by my gesture.
Perhaps it was unusual for a low-ranking noble to salute the castle guards so formally.
Inside the Great Hall, I found myself marveling at its grandeur.
Even with all the Magic Academy students present, the hall seemed almost sparse.
It was only when the students’ families were admitted that it began to feel like the Academy’s training grounds—just barely.
Standing against the wall, I observed the hall’s exquisite décor, taking note of the paintings depicting the achievements of past kings.
Each piece was a masterwork, capturing pivotal moments in our kingdom’s history.
Battles fought, victories won, desperate retreats—each painting honored the deeds of those who led from the frontlines.
The royal family’s legacy of blood and valor was immortalized on these walls, a testament to their enduring dedication to our kingdom’s peace.
I could not help but be moved.
The royal family had shed noble blood upon the farthest frontiers, their honor forged and lost in battle.
Their unwavering desire for peace resonated deeply with me.
As a son of the frontier, I knew that I must carry on that legacy, bringing safety and tranquility to my homeland.
This was my duty, my pride as a son of a knight’s house.
With renewed resolve, I focused my gaze upon a painting depicting the current King’s campaign as Crown Prince—a scene of valor that encapsulated his spirit.
In that moment, a clear, light voice reached my ears.