Reborn As Noble

Javier closed the thick rule book with a grin, leaning back in his chair. ”Hmmm... according to this, titles and ranks have no use here.” His eyes gleamed with mischief as he smirked. ”Interesting... very interesting.”

The staff, noticing his grin, added with a calm tone, ”Yes, that is correct. In this academy, we abide strictly by the rules set forth. Titles and ranks hold no weight here, ensuring no one can take advantage of their social status.”

Javier’s grin widened, his fingers drumming lightly on the arm of his chair. ”Ohoho... so this place really is a meritocracy, huh? That’s good to hear! Ehehehe...”

The staff raised an eyebrow at his amusement, but their professionalism remained intact. ”Indeed. However, we do expect all students to treat one another with respect, regardless of their backgrounds.”

Javier waved his hand lazily, still grinning. ”Yes, yes, I’ll be on my best behavior. You have my word... for now.”

Liana, standing beside him, let out a soft sigh, placing a hand on her hip. ”Young master, I hope you truly mean that. This isn’t a place to cause trouble.”

Javier leaned forward slightly, resting his chin on his hand as he looked up at her with a playful smirk. ”Liana, you wound me. I’m the picture of a well-behaved noble heir, aren’t I?”

The staff, unable to suppress a small chuckle at their banter, interjected gently. ”I’m sure your young master will adjust well to our academy environment.”

Javier shot a quick glance at the rule book before standing up and stretching. ”Adjust? Oh, I plan to do more than that. This is going to be fun.”

Liana could only shake her head, though her soft smile betrayed her amusement. ”Let’s hope you don’t overdo it, young master.”

As Javier and Liana stepped out of the office, Liana turned back briefly, bowing politely. ”Thank you for your assistance.”

The staff gave a courteous nod. ”It was our pleasure. We wish your young master a successful time at the academy.”

Outside, Buddy and Pikko were standing proudly in the courtyard, their feathers ruffled as if they had been playing, while several guards leaned against walls or slumped over benches, panting and utterly exhausted. One guard was even sitting on the ground, wiping sweat from his brow.

Javier raised an eyebrow, his lips twitching into a smirk. ”What happened here?”

One of the guards glanced up, still catching his breath. ”These... birds of yours... they don’t stop moving! We tried to guide them to the stable, but they kept running around the courtyard!”

Buddy let out a happy squawk, flapping his wings triumphantly, while Pikko tilted her head innocently as if she had done nothing wrong.

Liana sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. ”I apologize for the trouble they’ve caused. They can be... energetic.”

Javier, unable to hide his amusement, walked over to Buddy and Pikko, giving each of them a firm pat. ”You two really gave them a workout, huh? Good job.”

Liana shot him a look. ”Young master, please don’t encourage them.”

Javier chuckled, his grin widening. ”Come on, Liana, they’re just having fun.”

The guards groaned in unison, clearly not sharing Javier’s sense of humor. Explore more stories with freewebnovel

”Let’s just get going,” Liana said, shaking her head with a resigned smile. She climbed onto Pikko gracefully, while Javier hopped onto Buddy with ease.

As they rode off, the guards watched them leave, muttering to each other. ”Energetic is an understatement...”

A sudden knock came on the headmaster’s door, interrupting his quiet moment.

”Come in,” the headmaster said, his voice calm but firm.

A staff member entered, holding a letter sealed with an emblem. ”Headmaster, this arrived for you. It bears the Armand Household crest. The maid who delivered it mentioned that her lord, Lord Garius, insisted you receive it personally.”

The headmaster raised an eyebrow, curiosity sparking in his eyes. ”The Armand Household? That’s unexpected. Bring it here.”

The staff member handed the letter to him. The headmaster carefully removed the seal using a small, delicate tool, treating the letter as if it were a priceless artifact. Once the seal was broken, he unfolded the paper and began to read.

His eyes scanned the contents, and he immediately pinched the bridge of his nose, letting out a long sigh. ”Haaa... Really, Garius? Now, of all times?”

The staff member tilted their head. ”What does it say, Headmaster?”

At first, the headmaster chuckled softly, but his amusement quickly grew. Soon, his laughter filled the room, becoming louder and more unrestrained until it bordered on manic.

Between fits of laughter, he slammed the letter down on his desk. ”That damn brat Garius sent me this!”

The staff member hesitated but eventually leaned over to read the letter:

”To my old friend and rival,

Greetings from Garius De Armand, the one who always bested you in every duel and left you in the dust during our academy days. It brings me great joy to inform you that my youngest son, Javier, will be attending your esteemed academy. While I understand your school has rules against special treatment, I trust you’ll keep an eye on him for me. After all, as someone who’s always been two steps behind me, I know you’ll take this request seriously.

P.S. Javier is... unique. Let’s just say, don’t underestimate him. You’ll thank me later.

Warm regards,

Lord Garius De Armand, Forever your eternal superior.”

The headmaster’s laughter finally subsided, though a wide grin remained on his face. He folded the letter carefully, leaning back in his chair. ”Ah, Garius... always the same smug bastard. It’s been years, and he’s still rubbing his victories in my face.”

The staff member’s eyes widened. ”Armand… Armand... Isn’t the best mage in the kingdom Marcellus De Armand? And the strongest paladin in the kingdom Cedric De Armand? And that boy with the elf maid is their sibling?”

The headmaster nodded with a faint smirk. ”Yes, those two prodigies are his elder brothers. And now, their youngest sibling, Javier, is here to stir up trouble.”

The staff member blinked in surprise. ”Trouble? But if he’s anything like his brothers—”

The headmaster waved a hand dismissively. ”That’s exactly why he’ll be a handful. If Garius himself is warning me, then this boy must be something special. He’ll likely turn this academy upside down in no time.”

The staff shifted nervously. ”Should we... make special arrangements for him?”

The headmaster snorted, shaking his head. ”No. As much as I’d love to annoy Garius by doing the exact opposite of what he asks, the academy’s rules are clear. No special treatment for nobles or their kin. Javier will be treated like any other student.”

The staff nodded, but their expression remained uncertain. ”Understood, headmaster. But... do you think the boy will be a problem?”

The headmaster chuckled again, a glint of amusement in his eyes. ”Oh, without a doubt. But I can’t wait to see what kind of problem he’ll be.”

He stood, walking to the window that overlooked the academy grounds. In the distance, he could see Javier and Liana riding off on their Pekko birds, the two creatures playfully darting around each other.

The headmaster let out a deep sigh, rubbing his temples as he stared at the letter again. ”Heh, Garius... really? When your other children attended this academy, you never sent a letter like this. And now, for your youngest son, you go out of your way to send this? What are you scheming?”

He turned back to his desk, picking up the seal-stamped letter and tucking it into a drawer. ”Still, Garius doesn’t write letters like this without a reason. That boy is either a genius, a headache, or—most likely—a bit of both.”

The headmaster leaned back in his chair, a grin spreading across his face. ”Well then, Javier De Armand. Let’s see if you’re as ’unique’ as your father claims.”

( End of Chapter )