First of All, I’m Drinking - Chapter 55

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 55

 

“Understood.”

 

Merry went into the cathedral and came out with two things.

 

One was my pre-written admission application, and the other was a warp shuttle… no, Kise, who would serve as my guardian for today.

 

It was still early morning.

 

Having just woken up, Kise’s red hair was disheveled and sticking out in all directions.

 

“Your Highness, are we leaving right now?”

 

Kise scratched his belly and yawned.

 

“I was planning to, but seeing your state, that won’t do.”

 

Since this was somewhat of an official visit, shouldn’t we maintain at least basic courtesy?

 

“Go wash up first.”

 

Kise slipped inside and came back out after about 5 minutes.

 

I thought he’d washed too hastily, but surprisingly, his appearance had become quite neat.

 

It seemed he’d quickly washed using Clean magic.

 

His clothes weren’t his usual shabby robes either, but semi-formal attire that showed he’d put some thought into it.

 

“Is this good?”

 

Kise spread his arms lightly and smiled brightly.

 

I nodded.

 

“Let’s go.”

 

We walked to Harten’s warp point and instantly warped to Millennium.

 

The familiar scent of the forest.

 

Green, lush woodland appeared before our eyes.

 

Sunlight slanted through the leaves that covered our heads like a roof.

 

“First, I need to disguise myself.”

 

I put on purple circle lenses.

 

Originally, I’d planned to disguise myself with the Trickster’s pendant, but Deront’s fierce opposition had ruined that plan.

 

Well, I understood since that guy couldn’t function in daily life without his holy relic.

 

It wasn’t like borrowing it for just a few days like last time – I’d need to wear it for possibly several years.

 

Kise looked at my appearance and said,

 

“Hmm, the combination of black hair and purple eyes does suit you. But if you’re only changing your eye color, is there any point to the disguise?”

 

“There’s plenty of point. It hides the distinctive blue eyes of the Imperial House.”

 

“But blue eyes are quite common, aren’t they?”

 

“But deep blue like the Argent Imperial Family’s is rare.”

 

“Now that I think about it, that does seem right.”

 

My 17-year-old face had changed beyond recognition from when I left the Imperial Capital four years ago.

 

Even Seria, Max, or Carno, who’d been close to me, wouldn’t recognize me if they saw me right in front of them.

 

But there’s a saying about “one in ten thousand chances,” isn’t there?

 

Just changing my eye color was enough to completely eliminate even the slightest risk of having my identity discovered.

 

No one would be able to associate Cael with my current appearance.

 

‘Since they don’t strain my eyes, I should keep wearing them.’

 

These lenses, which had undergone a special magical refinement process, caused no strain to the eyes even when worn for long periods.

 

It would be possible to live with them on without ever taking them off until death.

 

“It would be better to take a carriage, right?”

 

The Millennium Empire was extremely vast.

 

This forest where we were located was in the central area near the Imperial Capital.

 

Meanwhile, Millennium Academy was at the outskirts on the city’s edge.

 

It was a distance that would take a good two hours by carriage.

 

“There’s a coach station I know nearby. Let’s go there.”

 

Suddenly, memories from the practical training came to mind.

 

That scoundrel coachman who’d demanded a whopping 2 gold for the fare.

 

In the end, I’d revealed that I was a prince and traveled to Gerpelt Forest for free.

 

A chuckle escaped me.

 

‘I wonder what that old man is doing with his life now.’

 

* * *

 

“Millennium Academy? I’ll take you there for just 50 silver!”

 

This must be what they call fate.

 

Clatter! Clatter!

 

We traveled through the streets at tremendous speed.

 

Pulling the carriage was a monster called Hisan, which had a light green body resembling a horse.

 

They don’t harm people, so they’re often used as mounts.

 

“This is my first time riding a carriage pulled by a Hisan, and it’s really comfortable.”

 

Kise seemed genuinely amazed, continuously exclaiming in wonder.

 

“Hahaha! Of course! They’re much faster than ordinary horses and shake much less! I’ll get you to your destination safely.”

 

Coincidentally, the coachman was the same fellow I’d met four years ago.

 

Fortunately, this time he’d quoted a reasonable price, so there was no conflict.

 

Though he was a balding, unremarkable old man, seeing him again after so long felt pleasant.

 

The coachman spoke to me.

 

“Are you a student at Millennium Academy?”

 

“No. I’m on my way to apply for the transfer exam.”

 

“Oh my, the transfer exam at Millennium Academy is much more competitive than the entrance exam… I hope you get good results.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

Buildings flashed by outside the window.

 

It seemed we’d arrive about an hour earlier than initially expected.

 

“Are you perhaps a noble? Looking at your appearance and clothing, you seem to exude nobility. Hehe.”

 

“Thank you for saying so, but I’m a commoner.”

 

“Oh my, how rude of me. I never would have guessed you were a commoner.”

 

“It’s fine.”

 

The coachman continued in a worried tone.

 

“I’m just saying this out of concern, but… if you’re a commoner, it might be quite difficult even after you enroll.”

 

“Why? I heard Millennium Academy advocates equality among students.”

 

In learning, there are no commoners, nobles, or royalty.

 

According to the wishes of the first Emperor Hereis de Argent, who established Millennium Academy, the school’s principle was that students of the same grade should speak casually to each other regardless of class.

 

Formal speech between students was only allowed when addressing upperclassmen.

 

“That’s how it appears on the surface.”

 

The coachman clicked his tongue.

 

“But if you look inside, it’s not quite like that. There are factions among students, and there’s subtle but severe discrimination based on class. I hear even the professors subtly encourage that kind of atmosphere.”

 

“Even the professors encourage it…”

 

“They all have to make a living too, don’t they? It can’t be helped. Of course, there are many upright professors as well. Anyway, you’d better steel yourself before going.”

 

The coachman’s words were likely true.

 

He would have heard many stories while carrying passengers back and forth.

 

‘Well, it probably doesn’t matter.’

 

I wouldn’t be the only commoner at the school.

 

As long as I didn’t stand out too much, there would be no disruption to my plans.

 

“Kukuku.”

 

Kise kept giggling as if something was amusing him.

 

“Why are you laughing?”

 

“I’m laughing imagining students treating the Emp… no, Asel like a commoner and giving him a hard time.”

 

Kise was officially in the position of being my guardian.

 

I’d instructed him beforehand to speak informally when others were watching.

 

As for why Kise was playing the guardian role instead of Merry or Diago…

 

‘Magic is convenient, after all.’

 

Especially since Kise was one of the few mages who could use warp magic.

 

While we conversed, the carriage raced forward at high speed.

 

How long had we been traveling?

 

At the edge of my vision, magnificent and massive structures appeared.

 

Towers rising here and there, and rooftops stretching high.

 

The exterior resembled a castle, but it seemed more appropriate to call it a fortress rather than a castle.

 

There were more than ten such buildings.

 

High and solid walls like those of the Imperial Capital surrounded the buildings protectively.

 

The coachman spoke up.

 

“Well, we’re almost there now.”

 

I couldn’t take my eyes off the buildings before me.

 

‘That’s exactly…’

 

Millennium Academy.

 

Called one of the world’s three great academies, it was the Empire’s finest educational institution.

 

Clatter, clatter.

 

The closer we got to the academy, the more carriages appeared around us.

 

Most of them bore the crests of noble houses.

 

By the time we entered the straight road leading to the main gate, we could barely move forward due to traffic congestion from carriages packed tightly on the road.

 

Kise looked around and gaped.

 

“Wow, surely all these people aren’t here to apply for the transfer exam?”

 

“They probably are.”

 

“Isn’t today the first day of application submissions? There’s still a whole week left, but they’re already crowding like this?”

 

“Now that I see it firsthand, I understand why they say the competition is so fierce. It’s probably because everyone who failed the entrance exam is applying too.”

 

There were no transfer exams from the second year onward.

 

In other words, the opportunities to enter Millennium Academy ended with the entrance exam and this transfer exam.

 

For those who failed the entrance exam, this was their last chance.

 

“Are you here to submit an application?”

 

A guard at the main gate asked.

 

“Yes.”

 

“Which department are you applying to?”

 

“Swordsmanship Department.”

 

“The Admissions Office is straight ahead, then turn left at the first intersection and you’ll see the building right away. Good luck.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

We passed through the main gate.

 

Just when I thought they were letting us in too easily for a place I’d heard had tight security.

 

Shiver.

 

I felt an unpleasant sensation as if something was scanning my body.

 

“Hmm, what’s that?”

 

Kise, being a high-level mage, seemed to feel the same sensation as me.

 

I activated my insight.

 

“Huh.”

 

I was amazed by the information that entered my mind.

 

The entire wall surrounding Millennium Academy was inscribed with dispel magic.

 

And it was installed directly by an archmage of at least 8th circle.

 

With this, it would be impossible to infiltrate the academy using disguise or illusion magic.

 

‘The wall itself is a giant artifact.’

 

Moreover, it wasn’t just dispel magic.

 

There was one more thing.

 

‘Long-range information transmission magic.’

 

The moment someone passed through the wall, all their information seemed to be transmitted to a control room.

 

Aerial entry was no exception.

 

‘Impressive.’

 

I wanted to meet the mage who had cast magic on the walls.

 

Of course, given the academy’s history spanning over 800 years, it might be a figure from the past who was already dead.

 

Within the grounds, students in uniforms were busily moving about.

 

We were able to travel by carriage right up to the Admissions Office building.

 

I gave the coachman an additional tip of 10 silver and entered the building with Kise.

 

Chatter, chatter.

 

The Admissions Office building was packed with people who had gathered to submit applications.

 

Bustling noise filled the entire building.

 

There were separate reception counters for each department.

 

The Swordsmanship Department was one of the most popular departments along with the Magic Department.

 

Befitting its status, it also had the longest line.

 

“We should have come in the middle instead of on the first day of applications.”

 

“You’re right.”

 

The first and last days typically see the biggest crowds.

 

I regretted coming on the very first day.

 

Still, as we waited in line, it seemed like people were gradually leaving.

 

“Huff, huff.”

 

The person behind me was breathing heavily, apparently nervous.

 

Copper-tanned skin. Yellow hair. A muscular body.

 

Combined with a fierce expression, he looked quite rough.

 

Judging by the fact that he was with an attendant, he seemed to be a noble.

 

“…”

 

Our eyes met for a moment.

 

He grinned and spoke to me in a friendly manner.

 

“Young Master doesn’t seem nervous?”

 

“What’s there to be nervous about? Today we just need to submit our applications and go back.”

 

“Huh? What do you mean? Don’t we have to take the first screening right after submitting our applications?”

 

“First screening?”

 

“My, my, you really didn’t know. Common sense would tell you that this many people can’t all take the exam at once, right? The first screening is a minimal filter to weed out unqualified people. If you fail, you can’t even take the actual exam.”

 

Come to think of it, there was something like that.

 

I had forgotten because I didn’t read the guidelines properly.

 

“Anyway, since we’ve met like this, it’s fate, so let’s introduce ourselves. I am Joseph de Folcy, second son of Viscount Folcy.”

 

“I’m Asel.”

 

“Huh? No family name?”

 

“No. I’m an orphan, so I don’t have a family name.”

 

“Then… a commoner? And an orphan at that?”

 

Joseph let out a hollow laugh as if incredulous and flew into a rage.

 

“How dare a mere commoner hold his head up high in front of me, the second son of a viscount!”

 

His attitude changed to the complete opposite in an instant.

 

“Get on your knees right now! You lowly commoner! Should I dismember you to make you listen?!”

 

“…”

 

I looked at him quietly.

 

Kise pressed his palms together, closed his eyes, and whispered.

 

“Lord, another one is about to go.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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