The Decision to Enroll Shirone

"Hehehe, he was talentless, so I just threw him into the swordsmanship school. Anyway, let's leave that guy to his own devices. What I want to talk about is Rian's friend."

"If he's so talented, wouldn't it be fine for him to enter officially? The fact that you've come all the way here must mean there's a problem."

"There's a huge problem. He's not a noble."

Alpheas furrowed his brows slightly.

It wasn't because he wasn't a noble. A short but vivid memory from four years ago flashed through his mind.

"Could it be… a boy with blond hair and blue eyes?"

This time, Clump was the one who looked surprised. As always, his friend knew how to toy with people.

"They say foresight develops as one masters magic."

"It's nothing like that. We had a brief connection. Well, he did leave quite an impression."

Though rare, it wasn't impossible to find someone like Shirone even in a magic school.

Moreover, if he was a commoner, then in the city of Creas, there could be no other boy like him.

"So that's what happened."

Alpheas briefly recounted his encounter with Shirone when he was twelve years old.

Then, Clump shared how Shirone later entered the Ozent family.

"Hmm, Arian Shirone."

Alpheas fell silent once more.

But this time, he was genuinely lost in deep thought.

Clump spoke up.

"Why don't you just accept him? This too might be fate."

"Fate is nothing but a play on words. A person's future is carved by their own hands. If you try to attach meaning to everything, wouldn't everything in life be considered fate?"

So, even this won't work.

Clump clicked his tongue.

It pained him. He understood why his friend couldn't make a decision despite discovering such great talent.

"Are you still… unable to forgive yourself?"

Alpheas remained silent.

"You resisted the nobles' power struggle and opened a special admissions route. It must be because of your regrets from your youth. But you've done enough. Haven't you already produced countless brilliant minds? It's time to forgive yourself."

"Hahaha, forgiving oneself is arrogance. I am someone who threw away a precious gift given by the gods. This isn't about seeking forgiveness. I just don't want anyone else to end up like me."

Clump let out a sigh.

He was a certified 4th-class magician and the headmaster of a prestigious school, yet his friend was meant for much greater things. He was a genius. If only that incident hadn't happened.

"Hehehe, well, even I found you insufferable back then. The pride of the Mirhi family, a once-in-a-century genius, now an old headmaster. Life is truly fleeting."

Perhaps aging makes one embrace pain like a child, for Alpheas found amusement even in his friend's sharp words.

"Hahaha! And yet, you were blessed. That talentless fool is now a certified 3rd-class swordsman. The future of the Tormia Kingdom worries me."

The two laughed heartily.

In the battle between talent and effort, Clump had emerged victorious. Alpheas admired and respected his friend for it.

"The older I get, the more I think that 'genius' is nothing but a human illusion. It's simply the joy of doing something a little more passionately than others. Do you think that boy can bring me comfort?"

"You'd know that better than anyone."

Alpheas smiled faintly and walked towards the window.

Is this fate coming full circle? A talent once pushed away by the barrier of status, now returning before him after a detour of four years.

He had always believed that there was no such thing as fate. That only humans could carve their own future.

But suddenly, a shiver ran down his spine.

Could it be… fate, after all?

"I will admit Shirone."

Spring had arrived.

As flowers bloomed around Vincent's cabin, Shirone waited for the entrance ceremony.

Since admission to a magic school was a great honor, Vincent had told no one.

He didn't want unnecessary rumors spreading and causing trouble for Shirone.

Shirone was grateful for his father's consideration.

Vincent had even refused the Ozent family's offer to provide a house in the city, solely because he didn't want to be a burden to his son.

Time passed swiftly, and the day of Shirone's entrance to the magic school finally arrived.

As the sub-butler, Temuran, waited in front of the carriage, Shirone bid farewell to his parents.

"Father, I'll be going now. I'll write often."

"Alright, my son! Do your best! Now, a kiss!"

"Ugh!"

Shirone cringed. No matter how young he looked, he was seventeen now. Kissing was a bit much.

"No more kisses… please."

"Oh? If you don't, I will!"

"Ugh."

As Vincent's thick lips approached, Shirone's neck shrank like a turtle's.

But instead of his lips, Vincent placed a warm kiss on Shirone's forehead and pulled him into an embrace.

"Shirone, I'm proud of you."

"Father."

Shirone hugged Vincent tightly.

With his parents as his unwavering support, he felt a little less fearful about attending a noble school.

"I'll be back."

With a farewell like any other day, Shirone left home. Temuran stepped forward and bowed.

"Please get in. I will escort you to the school."

"Yes, thank you."

Inside the carriage, neither spoke.

In just two years, their positions had reversed, making things a bit uncomfortable. However, Shirone hadn't forgotten how Temuran had supported him despite the head butler Louis's opposition.

When they arrived at the front gate of the magic school, Temuran displayed even greater courtesy as he helped Shirone out of the carriage. Since this was a school for nobles, appearances mattered.

"All fees, including the admission and textbook costs, will be handled through me. Please focus solely on your studies, young master."

Shirone bowed politely.

"Thank you, Sub-butler."

"I am simply doing my duty."

"I don't think I ever properly thanked you. Thanks to you seeing me in a good light, I was able to enter the magic school. I won't forget this kindness."

Temuran's expression remained strict.

"No matter how much a commoner struggles, they remain a commoner. They can never surpass a noble."

Shirone looked up. Temuran's sharp expression remained unchanged.

"But opportunities like this are not given to just anyone. Once inside, many nobles will look down on you. Endure it. If you can endure until the end, there will always be a way forward."

It was advice befitting a man who had risen to sub-butler despite being an orphan.

The truth was simple. If one could endure until the end, they would eventually reach it.

"Thank you. I will become a magician."

Temuran smiled. It was the first time Shirone had seen his smile in two years.

"If you are ready, follow me. You are registered as a guest of the Ozent family and have been admitted through the special admissions process. I will introduce you."

And so, Shirone took his first step into the magic school.