When he received the letter, he looked at the front and back and checked the sender and sealing wax on the letter. The sealing wax was gold.
　The sender was from the royal palace.

'Father, do you mean that this is from the head of state? Speaking of the head of this country, Master Sisernia...'
The Senate, to be precise.
Why would they come to my house? It's too late for that.
'It's probably because he was a nobleman in Rusarka. I've heard that the Alphas have been tightening the screws on the nobility lately. Either way, you can't call yourself a noble unless the state recognizes you. But the fact that it's too late is certainly worrisome. I don't even have a transmitter who knows about it, though.
Does that mean an inquest?
A little different.
If they have a bad reputation, they could be stripped of their title. I hope they haven't already decided to talk about it.

　Since knighthoods are conferred among nations by their heads of state, they are not effective in the case of naturalization. However, even so, it was not uncommon for them to be bought off by influential nobles and others, and there were not a few families that gave up on their own country.
　Therefore, if there is no problem, the status of nobility is basically transferred. Although it was more on paper.
　The Wencord family had already moved to Alpha, but if they were to call themselves nobles, it was a different story. No matter how much they settle down, they can't call themselves nobles without permission from the head of state.

　In the past, the transfer of the nobility rank should have gone smoothly, with a few exceptions, based on the paperwork review. But now that the letter has arrived like this, I can't overlook it.

　As it is, there is no traitor who would pass on information to a house that might be an interloper from another country, even if it's a nobleman. It's not something they would even want to come in contact with in the first place. If the country suspects them, the aristocracy will not be able to survive.
　We must show sincerity, show pride and dignity as an example to the people, and restore the aristocracy as it should be. Whether true or false, the common phrase is a mask for the aristocracy to wear on the outside.

　Although it must be so, an ideal is still an ideal. It is no longer possible for the aristocracy to be maintained by justice alone.

"No nobleman has access to a house that the head of state doesn't approve of.

　Usually when a nobleman moves to another country, it is almost always in exile. Therefore, they are often prepared to be stripped of their titles and run away while hiding their status.
　However, the Wencord family is different from that. It's a move to revive a house that is on the verge of collapse.

''We knew that we would have to ask the head of the family to come to us eventually.
Father, what does this mean?

　Thomsen responded to Schulte's mysterious face with a pensive look.

''I wanted to have the three great noblemen to intercede before this came. It's no different than asking for a guarantee of identity if you already belong to somewhere else.

　Three noble families in an alpha country is equivalent to a guarantee of status by itself. The existence of three powerful houses is the main reason behind the formation of an aristocratic society in this country.

　Indeed, nowadays, one of the three major aristocracies is rapidly losing its power. The story of the Umluina family was also talked about in the neighboring country of Rusalka. It was certainly a great opportunity for a newcomer to rise to prominence, if not a banner, but it was also a great opportunity for a newcomer to emerge. Nowadays, though, I've given up such illusions.

　The problem lies in the fact that we took too much time. If a nobleman from another country is settled within Alpha and doesn't take the necessary steps, then suspicion of espionage is to be expected.
　Besides, it was also true that the Wencord family had been involved in Rusalka's unlawful research in previous generations. Speaking of Rusalka's is a misnomer. That was put away as the outburst of some nobles.

''How about the academy, Schulte?''

　Although the question was abrupt and to the point, Schulte did not misread his intentions.
　It's not that they've never said anything about life at the academy before, but they certainly can't do that when their home is in this kind of situation.

''Senior Tesfia Fevel, the Fevel family's daughter, has been very good to me. Unfortunately, I can only say hello to senior Felinella of the Socarento family.... But senior Tesfia would have.
''Well, you've found a clue that leads to the lady Flose-Fevel. That's the last person I would have wanted to avoid if I could.

　As a favor, he had already sent several letters to the nobles under the Favell family. Not a single colourful reply was currently available.
　Information about the nobles of other countries was hard to gather, and from what Thomsen had heard, they were all negative. Among them, the Favell family is the first of the unpopularity. The story was that the way they did it before they rose to their current position was quite forceful.
　He has an unusual background as a commander of a battalion size. His stern personality had been passed down to Rusalka that he would use any means possible to get a competent other family under his control.

　The three families that controlled the aristocracy - currently two families - if there were two choices, the Sokalent family was preferable.
　Of course, he could choose the means of not belonging to any of them, but at worst it was better to be intimate with them.

'I guess I no longer have a choice of means. That, and Shults, for Ars Regin, the number one single mage in Alpha.
..........

　Schulte is at a loss for words.
　As a nobleman, conniving numbers are a common phrase. You can't talk about a nobleman without subterfuge. Although he is a slender transmitter, Shults also had no qualms about asking Tesfya Fevel to interfere.
　There wasn't, but as soon as Ars's name surfaced, Shult's back strengthened.

''Father, Ars-sama is not a nobleman. Besides, if he gets angry about being involved in a nobleman's affairs, the seniors will get angry.......''
'That's right. No, that's not what I meant by that question. I know you admire him. I just thought that's why we could meet.
Yes!

　If it had nothing to do with the mess at home, Schulte's mouth would be as light as if he'd been given a feather.

'Thank you for your advice,'
'Oh, I'm glad to hear that; you've been watching the footage of the Seven Nations Friendship Magic Convention a lot. I'm sure you've been very complimentary of Schulte's efforts.

　Shults was itching to hear his mother's exclamation that she was letting go. He is flattered, but Schulte knows that he is probably not the person his parents imagined him to be. It also strengthens his admiration, though.

'A single wizard, but a student of the same academy, I would love to have you as my professor.
Father, it's a rude thing to do. I'm a student, but I'm a special student, so I'm sure I'm exempt from credits. It's not often that you see them at the academy. It's just that.....
What?
'I heard that only senior Tesfia and her friend, senior Alice, are receiving special personal guidance.

　Thomsen rubbed his chin and wrinkled his brow at the appeal.

''You're the son of three great noblemen. I suppose I should consider you to have a lot of power.''
"--!　No, it's not that, the seniors are indeed the top of their grade... no, they're one of the five most talented people in the school through the school. Both of them have the top grades in their sophomore year.
Then shouldn't you be given a chance?
You.

　The gentle voice that appeased him had the strength to make him stop before he was about to step over.
　It was parental. Because she could understand that, this mother broke in to avoid being a pariah.

　Schulte, too, while agreeing with his mother.

'If you're talking about equality, I'd raise my hand. But that's our logic. It has nothing to do with Master Ars.'
'It was. It was a perfectly legitimate thing to say.

　I couldn't help but imagine the endless options for my talented son who should carry the Wencord family on his back. I wanted to support the path of the wizard at all costs, but I mistakenly thought that the options I could take were free.

'Right. We shouldn't have interfered. In any case, I'm pleased.

　His father nods broadly, and his mother broadens the topic.

'By the way, Shults, who are your friends at the Academy?　Are you guys getting along?　We should invite you next time.

　Schulte was really annoyed by this mother who was determined to have an answer and proceeded to talk about it in rapid succession.
　That said, I can't give the desired reply.

'There is no such thing. I didn't join the academy to get along with you. It's to improve my skills as a magician. To be honest, the level is so low that there's no one I can talk to in my grade.
I'm counting on you.

　In contrast to his proud father, his mother let out a sigh of relief.

　Schulte's brain, of course, was overwhelmed with Maine and Fiona. For a moment, of course.
　His pride didn't allow him to call those two friends.
　One was a completely ignorant countryman.
　The other was a training idiot obsessed with inefficient practice.

　Not worthy of association as a nobleman, Shults concluded.

　And in fact, the other one. When it comes to deserving of a relationship, there's Noir, a troublemaker.
　But she's too crazy to let her parents meet her. She doesn't have the personality to listen to me honestly, so she wasn't even a candidate from the beginning.

'Shults, the institute is also a place to make friends.

　If his father wasn't watching, he wanted to snicker. But he couldn't hide it, he was so perceptive.

'You child,' he said, his shoulders slumping.

　The words that were said in Rusalka's middle school were repeated.

　The mother's anguish over her stubborn son is never-ending. He is also a hard worker and has an uncanny knack for measuring the value of his friends.

When I tried to argue with her that this was not true, she beat me to it.

'Especially if you're a nobleman.
'Huh, I understand, Mother. I'll try.
Well, sociability is essential. Sincere social interaction.

　Over-decorated language was idealism, Schulte felt. The Wencord family is not in a tight spot right now, if good-naturedness can save them.
　I guess I can't be a part of the family, despite my father.

　The subject of the academy dulls Schulte's sense of aristocracy. The fact that he didn't have enough good news to tell his parents was one of them. After all, it was probably due to the fact that he himself hadn't been able to have a fulfilling academy life.

''By the way, Father, what do you intend to do?''

　Around the subject, her mother took the drink order from Shults and quietly left the room.
　Her mother has always been indifferent to the affairs of the house. It was certainly true that aristocracy had a tendency not to let women intervene.
　Is this a vestige of the old aristocratic customs?

''About that, I'm forced to go out. It's not a good time. The inauguration of the association has left the military hanging outside. Contacting the three great aristocrats will take a back seat, but it can't be helped.''
'I'm afraid so. The association's investigative mission must be part of it.
They won't survive if they don't like the idea. You can do an inspection or whatever you want. I've got nothing to be ashamed of.
I'm an Alpha now.
'Don't say that, I can understand why you're nervous about domestic disruptors.
And the palace?
I see. It's a great honor for me. And you, Shults, you'll be the next head of the family to come with us.
Okay, I understand.

　Schulte is surprised, but agrees that it will be a good experience.
　As a nobleman, his allegiance should be to the head of state. I'm sure you'll be able to get a good look at the person who will be leading the country. It's a good idea to have a look at the person who will be leading the country.