Ch.30Chapter 30 – Meeting with the Imperial Chancellor, Bergen Staler (3)

“What do you think? Would you like to enroll and study at Glesius Academy?”

What answer should I give to Chancellor Bergen’s proposal?

Glesius Academy was the main setting where the story of Erasto Chronicle, the game I was reincarnated from, took place.

He was now suggesting that I enroll and study there.

“What exactly made you offer me this proposal?”

“‘What made me offer this?’ You know something? You’re the first person who’s ever asked me that question.”

Oh no, Chancellor Bergen’s face slightly frowned.

It was just a simple frown, but for a moment, a terrifying pressure squeezed around me before disappearing.

What’s with this person? Is he not an ordinary man but some kind of hidden master with concealed powers?

“But I like that boldness and nerve. As for reasons, there are plenty. What do you think Glesius Academy was established for?”

This time, Chancellor Bergen reversed the situation by asking me a question.

“Isn’t it to nurture talents who will be responsible for the future of the Celebrio Empire?”

“Your answer is only half correct.”

I thought I had responded well, but since he said it was only half correct, there must be some additional purpose.

Wait a minute, why did he specifically mention the certified ability user verification system earlier?

Could it be that Glesius Academy has some connection with ability users?

Come to think of it, almost all the heroines appearing in Erasto Chronicle could be described as ability users.

In other words, Glesius Academy has another purpose besides nurturing talents for the Celebrio Empire.

“Then, does it also have the purpose of educating ability users?”

“Excellent answer. That’s right. Glesius Academy is also an institution that trains ability users to master their ‘abilities’ so they can use them more quickly, safely, and efficiently.”

Chancellor Bergen pointed at me with his quill pen.

“You are also an ability user. Therefore, you must enroll at Glesius Academy and receive education. This is a process that all ability users within the Celebrio Empire must go through.”

What? Go back to school at this age?

In my previous life, I spent over 16 years in educational institutions from elementary school through university, and now I have to do it again?

Ugh, I’d rather not attend school anymore and just rest, isn’t there some way out of this?

“Do I absolutely have to go to the Academy?”

“Of course, I can’t ask you to go empty-handed. So I have a proposal for you. If you enroll at Glesius Academy and become a citizen of the Celebrio Empire, I will use my authority as Chancellor to grant you the title of Viscount.”

Huh? He’s offering me the title of Viscount? Not just upgrading my status to nobility?

“And I will cover all expenses you need while attending Glesius Academy. From tuition to textbooks, equipment purchases, and dignity maintenance costs—essentially all expenses incurred during your academy life will be paid by me.”

“Hmm.”

“And one more thing. Since you’re entering with special qualifications, you’ll receive a scholarship regardless of your grades and be automatically promoted to the next grade without taking exams. In other words, you’ll graduate just by attending the Academy.”

“In exchange, I become a citizen of the Celebrio Empire, correct?”

“That’s right.”

I needed time to consider Chancellor Bergen’s proposal.

His offer was incredibly attractive, almost too good to be true for someone in my position.

According to my conversation with Serin, ability users are elevated to nobility status the moment they graduate from Glesius Academy.

But I would go one step further and receive the title of Viscount.

If I understand correctly, a Baron’s title typically lasts only for one generation, and at minimum, one must be a Viscount for the title to be hereditary.

In other words, just by graduating from Glesius Academy, I would automatically become hereditary nobility.

Not only that, but I wouldn’t have to take exams, and all the money needed for academy life would come from Chancellor Bergen’s pocket.

While this proposal seemed sweet at first glance, looking closer, there were many aspects that seemed like potential traps.

First, all of this would only happen on the condition that I graduate from Glesius Academy and become a citizen of the Celebrio Empire.

That means if I don’t agree to become a citizen of the Celebrio Empire, graduating from the Academy would be pointless.

After all, nobility is only given to people of the Celebrio Empire—why would they give a noble title to a foreigner who isn’t even an imperial citizen?

‘But if I’m going to live somewhere anyway, wouldn’t it be better to live in a powerful country?’

As the elders used to say, if you’re going to be a servant anyway, it’s much better to be a servant in a wealthy household than in a poor one.

So, if I have to settle down somewhere, living in the Celebrio Empire doesn’t seem like a bad choice.

I’ve already set up a repair shop in Arkenium under my name, and if I want to create connections with the heroines attending Glesius Academy, it would be better to become a citizen of the Celebrio Empire.

Most of the heroines are from the Celebrio Empire, and I recall that citizens of the Celebrio Empire are characterized as having strong pride.

Hmm. Then accepting Chancellor Bergen’s proposal doesn’t seem like a bad idea.

Above all, seeing how he’s attaching so many conditions to make me a citizen of the Celebrio Empire, it seems my ability must be quite valuable.

“Alright.”

“Oh, so you’re accepting my proposal?”

“However, I have one condition of my own.”

“What condition?”

For now, I’m regarded as someone from the Eastern Continent by the people here.

So, won’t there be people who might cause trouble because I’m from the Eastern Continent?

“As you can see, I’m from the Eastern Continent. Surely there will be people at Glesius Academy who will cause trouble over my place of origin.”

“Hahaha. I understand what you’re saying. Don’t worry. No one will discriminate against you for being from the Eastern Continent. But if there are such people, report them to Heron. Then I’ll handle it within my authority to ensure you don’t suffer any harm. And, take this with you.”

Chancellor Bergen quickly wrote something with his quill pen and handed me the paper.

I accepted the paper from Chancellor Bergen.

[Letter of Recommendation]

[I, Bergen Steyler, Chancellor of the Celebrio Empire, write this letter of recommendation having discovered talent essential to the Empire. Upon receiving this, immediately admit the person named Pathos to Glesius Academy. I will handle all related administrative procedures as Chancellor, and I ask that you do your utmost to ensure this person experiences no inconvenience in academy life. Should any complaints be received from him, I will consider it a refusal of my request and a challenge to my reputation and authority.]

[Recommender’s Name: Bergen Steyler]

[Recommended Person’s Name: Pathos]

This was a letter of recommendation.

The letter stated that I was a talent vouched for by Bergen Steyler, Chancellor of the Empire.

“And take this as well.”

I checked the next paper that Chancellor Bergen handed me.

[National Certified Ability User Verification Exam Exemption Certificate]

[The ability user ‘Pathos’ holding this certificate has had his abilities directly verified by Bergen Steyler, Chancellor of the Celebrio Empire, and is therefore granted national certified ability user qualification, bypassing unnecessary examination processes. This does not violate imperial law, and I, Bergen Steyler, guarantee that everything has been done through legal procedures.]

[Certifier’s Name: Bergen Steyler]

[Certificate Holder’s Name: Pathos]

The second paper was a certificate exempting me from the national certified ability user verification exam.

“These two are gifts for accepting my proposal. Normally, this would require complicated processes and a long time, but since you’ve accepted my offer, I can do this much with my authority.”

“Why are you doing so much for me?”

“Because you’re a talent worth coveting. I’d like to support you even more, even if it meant breaking the law, but this is all I can do for you within my legal discretion.”

“How could the Imperial Chancellor violate the law?” Chancellor Bergen laughed heartily.

I quietly looked down at the admission recommendation letter and exemption certificate in my hand.

I wondered if accepting Chancellor Bergen’s proposal was the right decision.

But to survive in this world, I definitely need status and belonging somewhere.

If that’s the case, settling in the powerful Celebrio Empire doesn’t seem bad.

Plus, they’re offering me the title of Viscount just for attending the Academy without doing anything else.

I have nothing to lose. This must mean my ability is that extraordinary.

“I understand. When should I enroll?”

“I’ll speak to the headmaster. Then the Academy will send someone to your shop. Just follow that person when they arrive.”

“Understood.”

I bid farewell to Chancellor Bergen and left his mansion.

Outside, the butler had prepared a carriage and was waiting.

Many thoughts crossed my mind as I rode the carriage back to my shop.

Time passed, and finally, the day of my enrollment at the Academy arrived.