"I will never go to graduate school again.
From now on, I'll live for myself!
…That's what Lee Han, a Korean, vowed to himself as he graduated from the grueling graduate school.
He swore he'd never even set foot near anything with the word 'school' in it.
But the ways of the world didn't flow as he wished.
After dying in an unfortunate accident, Lee Han was reborn into the Wodanaz family, a magical lineage in another world, of all places.
And then, 15 years passed.
Today was the day Lee Han enrolled in Einroguard, the empire's most prestigious magic academy.
* * *
Lee Han, reborn into the Wodanaz family.
At first, he was bewildered, then amazed, and finally, he accepted it.
Fortunately, the Wodanaz family was a highly influential magical lineage, even within the empire.
Lee Han's father, the head of the family, was a remarkable figure, close enough to the emperor to call him a friend, and the family estate screamed wealth to anyone who laid eyes on it.
At this point, Lee Han couldn't help but think:
- Did I get rewarded for enduring graduate school in my past life?
A life where he could live comfortably and idly without any hardship.
…Of course, that was a delusion.
The Wodanaz family turned out to be far less lenient than he'd imagined.
- Lee Han Wodanaz.
- Yes, Patriarch.
- What is your goal?
- …
'Can I just say I want to live idly forever?'
Lee Han hesitated for a moment.
It didn't seem like a particularly good answer.
- Was that a pointless question? Well, the answer's already decided, isn't it?
- Huh?
- You must feel your own talent, too.
- Huh?
- You know the rules of the Wodanaz family, don't you? The firstborn inherits everything.
- Huh?????
That last part was a bit of a shock.
Inherits everything?
Does that mean the second-born and below get nothing at all??
- Patriarch, does that mean I won't get anything?
- No, Lee Han Wodanaz.
'Phew, that's a relief.'
- The family will give you every opportunity. If you want to become a knight, we'll hire the best knight for you. If you want to be a bureaucrat, we'll arrange for you to study under the empire's chancellor. If you want to be a merchant, we'll give you a chance to work under the empire's greatest trade guild leader. As long as you're within the family, we'll provide every opportunity you desire!
'…Couldn't you just give me that in cash instead?'
Even converting what he just said into money would amount to an astronomical sum…
The family rules were utterly unreasonable.
'Damn it. If I'd been born earlier, I could've lived an easy life.'
Lee Han regretted his laziness for being born the third child of the family.
The firstborn inherits everything.
The rest have to fend for themselves to survive.
Thanks to that, Lee Han had to deeply contemplate from a young age how to live well and prosper.
A bureaucrat, a merchant, a knight, an adventurer…
The silver lining was that while the family wouldn't pass down wealth, they'd support everything else.
The patriarch's children could learn and seize any opportunity they desired.
In the end, Lee Han chose the path of a mage.
- I knew you would.
Lee Han's father, the patriarch, was extremely pleased.
- You must have felt your talent, too, right?
- …??
'I picked it because it's the most stable option…?'
In truth, being a mage was indeed a secure profession.
In the empire, mages were universally respected, a career that even nobles could take pride in.
And with enough skill, there wasn't a single place that wouldn't call for a mage.
Knight orders needed mages, adventurer guilds needed mages, even the emperor's bureaucrats needed mages…
- Go to Einroguard. Clash with the countless seeds of mages there and grow. That experience will complete you.
Einroguard was the pinnacle of magical academies in the empire.
As the most traditional and powerful magic school, its name carried immense weight.
Just entering Einroguard and graduating guaranteed a baseline of prestige.
Of course, no one was satisfied with just that.
Achieving great feats at the school, earning a professor's recommendation, or building connections with other students…
As the empire's top magic academy, Einroguard was also the empire's premier networking hub.
Even Lee Han, who had sworn off anything resembling graduate school, had no choice but to obediently enroll.
- Yes. I'll do that.
'Fine. If I just endure and graduate… I'll think of it as an investment for my future.'
* * *
An elderly knight, Alarlong, saluted Lee Han respectfully.
"Lee Han Wodanaz-nim."
"You worked hard escorting me all the way here."
"It was nothing."
Alarlong was a knight of the Wodanaz family.
Normally, he wouldn't need to personally handle something like escorting Lee Han, but he had volunteered to accompany him from the capital to Einroguard.
It was because of his bond with Lee Han.
"I didn't expect you'd come all this way just because I learned swordsmanship from you…"
"It's not because you learned swordsmanship from me, but to ensure no one disrespects the Wodanaz family name."
"Sure, whatever the reason."
Alarlong spoke sternly, but Lee Han smiled. He knew Alarlong's personality well.
Strict and serious, but deep down, a caring man. He'd likely volunteered out of concern for Lee Han.
Seeing Lee Han smile, Alarlong let out an awkward cough.
"Ahem. Honestly, I was glad when you asked me to teach you swordsmanship."
The Wodanaz family was a lineage of mages.
Not many bothered to learn swordsmanship.
Yet Lee Han had two reasons for doing so.
One was the thought that learning anything could prove useful later.
Especially something like swordsmanship, which was essential for self-defense.
The second reason…
Was sheer boredom.
Shockingly, the Wodanaz family didn't teach magic at all.
- You can't learn magic before fifteen because it's too dangerous!
In this world, fifteen was roughly considered adulthood.
Magic was the most difficult and dangerous of all disciplines.
It made sense that it couldn't be handled before adulthood.
Of course, for Lee Han, who was mentally much older, it felt pretty unfair…
"Look. The other noble heirs have brought escorts befitting their family's honor."
"That… seems a bit excessive, doesn't it?"
Lee Han stared, dumbfounded, at the procession of carriages filling the empire's main road.
Even so, bringing ten carriages and dozens of cavalry was a bit much.
Sure, noble pride was all about "who can flaunt their wealth the most," so even a simple outing was extravagantly lavish, but to go that far just to drop off a kid at school?
And more importantly…
"Aren't escorts, attendants, servants, and slaves all forbidden from entering anyway?"
"Yes."
Einroguard was a magic academy steeped in ancient tradition.
One of those traditions was 'equality.'
Whether royalty or slave, anyone could enter—but they had to come in alone, with nothing but their own body.
Naturally, bringing all that entourage was pointless since they'd have to enter solo anyway.
"Some will probably wait in the nearby villages."
"…They'd go that far?"
Lee Han asked, his expression one of disbelief.
Even after 15 years of reincarnation here, he still struggled to understand the noble mindset.
Entering that massive magic academy meant maybe leaving once a month at best, yet they'd set up camp in nearby villages just to be prepared.
"I asked earlier, and it seems some have already bought buildings. Apparently, there are properties in the nearby villages specifically sold for this purpose, passed down through generations."
"I'm good without going that far, Sir."
"We've already purchased a modest estate, though…?"
"…"
Lee Han cursed inwardly.
If they had that kind of money, why not just save it and give it to him later…!
Spending it on pointless extravagance was fine, but giving Lee Han money directly wasn't?
The family rules were absurd.
"The capital is far, Lee Han-nim. For a noble, preparing for contingencies is a must."
"Right. Very reassuring."
Lee Han mounted his horse.
Some brought carriages, but he figured riding straight to the main gate would be simpler.
'If I wait for all those carriages to pass, the sun'll set.'
"Well then, Sir, thanks again for bringing me here."
"No need to thank me, Lee Han-nim. It was an honor to escort you."
Alarlong was sincere.
Among the family's bloodline, Lee Han was his favorite.
A person who understood seriousness and humility.
"The Patriarch praised your talent as well, Lee Han-nim."
"No need to make up stories to flatter me. Still, thanks."
"No, it's true…"
* * *
Einroguard, the magic academy, was located far from the capital where the imperial palace stood.
Rumor had it they'd chosen this spot because it was brimming with magical energy.
True to the rumor, the surrounding scenery exuded the essence of untamed nature.
Behind the school stretched an endless mountain range, and beside it flowed a vast, winding river…
Closing his eyes, Lee Han could feel the infinite mana of nature mingling with the air.
"T-This… This is wrong."
"??"
Lee Han turned, puzzled, as a boy next to him spoke up.
Here, status was obvious from clothing alone.
A luxurious outer robe embroidered with silk and gold thread. Hands and a face free of calluses.
Clearly from a noble family.
'Should I call someone?'
The boy's face was pale, trembling—something seemed off.
Maybe a magic-related issue?
"What's wrong? Are you okay?"
"I… I…"
"Yeah, what's the problem?"
"Without a servant… I can't sleep…"
"…"
Lee Han almost swung a punch but stopped himself.
'This brat…'
It was such a trivial reason that he felt bad for even worrying about the boy moments ago.
But to the boy, it seemed like a gravely serious matter.
"Not letting me bring a servant is ridiculous! A servant is like my hands and feet. Isn't this the same as telling me to cut off my hands and feet before coming in?"
"I see. That's logical."
Lee Han half-listened and let it slide.
But the boy seemed to take courage from Lee Han's offhanded remark.
"Right? I should go protest!"
"…What are you planning to protest about?"
"They need to let us bring servants! I'll stake my family's name on it—this is unfair!"
"Sure. Give it your best shot."
It didn't seem likely that a tradition upheld for thousands of years would break because of one boy, but Lee Han cheered him on.
First, because it wasn't his problem, and second, because he was curious.
How would the mages of Einroguard respond to this?
The boy scurried off and returned shortly after with a dazed expression.
"?"
"I repent, I repent, I repent…"
"…!!!"
Lee Han was stunned.
'Mental magic!'
Seeing the boy muttering like he'd lost his mind, it was clear he'd been hit with something like a charm or domination spell.
The magic itself wasn't surprising—Lee Han had heard of it before.
What was shocking was that the mages of this school would casually use it on a noble family's heir without hesitation.
'…The rumor about burying a body in the back mountains if someone dies—surely that's not true, right?'
A rumor he'd heard before coming here made Lee Han feel uneasy.
- Welcome, everyone, to Einroguard.
It wasn't a loud voice but one that seemed to shoot directly into everyone's minds.
*Boom!*
At the same time, the main gate of Einroguard swung open.
- Come in, you ironheads!
All the new students grimaced.
Not because of the voice's insults.
As people with magical talent, they could feel the overwhelming pressure of the magic enveloping Einroguard.
Was this what it felt like to stare at the sun with naked eyes?
Or to try beating a giant barehanded?
*Neigh!*
The sound of a horse whinnying echoed.
It seemed someone among those who'd brought carriages all the way here had tried to enter with one.
- I told you to come with just your body…
With the voice, the carriage suddenly vanished.
The noble girl sitting inside screamed as she fell.
Over a dozen carriages disappeared, followed by the screams of boys and girls.
- It's fine, you ironheads! Even if you don't want to follow the rules, this school will make sure you do.
"…"
A few quick-witted ones, like Lee Han, realized this school was as terrifying as the rumors suggested, their expressions hardening.
- Move your butts! Enter! Enter!! ENTER!!!!
"…"
Lee Han had always had a habit of observing. That habit only grew stronger after coming to this other world.
Everything he saw was new and fascinating, so observing became naturally enjoyable.
And right now, there were easily over a hundred boys and girls gathered here.
Royalty, nobles, knights, priests, merchants, adventurers, beggars—their attire was as varied as their backgrounds.
And those boys and girls were already starting to form small groups.
Connections were essential for the long school life ahead.
"Lee Han of the Wodanaz family?"
"That's me. Impressive that you recognized me without a family crest."
In line with the tradition of equality, wearing family crests on clothing was forbidden.
Of course, there were still ways to tell.
Even Lee Han had recognized a few royals and nobles he'd seen before.
"I'm Yoner. Yoner Maykin."
A girl with slightly curly, shoulder-length, vivid red hair and softly curved eyes stood before him.
The Maykin family.
The Maykin family was also a fairly renowned magical lineage in the empire.
The difference was that the Maykin family was more actively involved in imperial politics.
In contrast, the Wodanaz family tended to keep to themselves.
Even the patriarch often shut himself away for magical research, ignoring the emperor's requests…
"Nice to meet you, Yoner. What's up?"
"His Highness the Prince wants to see you."
Maykin pointed behind her.
Among those present, the most extravagantly dressed boy was waving at Lee Han.