One day, El Nesti was in the living room of his house, holding his arms and contemplating with a serious face. The reason is to spread a piece of stationery in front of him.,On it, it reads"Dreiser School Admission Introduction.。 Now that he's grown to eight and a half years old, his family has received a school brochure from Dreiser's school.

The city of Dreiser, where they live, takes its name from the highest institution in the kingdom of Verrad, the Dreiser. The educational process is roughly divided into three stages, starting from the age of nine in the primary school, from the age of twelve in the middle school, and from the age of fifteen years in the higher school, each consisting of three years of course, and most students usually only complete a total of six years of courses in the primary and secondary schools. The Higher Division, on the other hand, is similar to a university on Earth, and only students who need further professional education will go on to higher education. As an aside, the world traditionally treats fifteen as an adult. In fact, there are many people who start working at the age of 18, but depending on the nature of their occupation, there are many people who start to earn their own lives at the age of 15.

Speaking of which, even though Dreiser's name is "Riding Trainer" Academy, not everyone comes to study with the goal of being a knight or a riding trainer. On the one hand, it is also because primary and secondary education is subsidized by the state, so many children study here, regardless of their status. The education system of the Kingdom of Verrad is not the same as compulsory education, and it has evolved gradually according to the special conditions of the country.

The Kingdom of Verard is known as the "Land of Knights", a name that only sounds good on the surface, but in fact means that "wars" occur quite frequently. The large number of demonic beasts in the country, and the fact that there are many farmers who cultivate the vast agricultural land in the country, make them particularly vulnerable to attack, and the persecution has not ceased for a long time. Therefore, in order to ensure tax revenue, grain, and the protection of peasants has become an important policy of the state. The reason why the means of expelling the monster from the country are just because it can't be finished no matter how much it is fought.

Of course, knights exist to protect the people, but the land is vast, and there is always a gap in the hundred secrets. In addition, in most cases, knights are only dispatched after being notified of the discovery of magical beasts, so they are prone to be passive. As a result, the scale of the victims will only increase. Against this historical background, I don't know when the peasants began to want to have the skills of self-defense, and the state met their requirements in a short time. In order to teach them the minimum knowledge of combat techniques and magic, the relevant legislation and facilities were completed. In the end, the kingdom of Virard could not be called a country and a peaceful country after all, and even the peasants had to take up arms and fight to protect themselves.

For Wang Zheng, who was in charge of the operation of the state, there were also voices of opposition to the struggle of the peasants at the lowest level of education, but this policy was carried out resolutely in order to maintain the overall operation of the state. Judging by today's results, the policy can be said to be very successful. By promoting a certain level of education, we can arouse the people's sense of pride in being a member of the country, and it may be a fluke that the internal security will be improved.

With this context, many educational facilities gradually sprang up in various parts of the country, and the Dreiser Academy, due to its proximity to the royal capital, had students ranging from farmers to merchants, and finally even nobles. As a result, the school is subdivided into departments such as agriculture, commerce, and knights, and each department has a common combat technology course to a certain extent, but most of the other courses are based on the functional needs of the students themselves. The division of so many grades is to suit the circumstances of each family, and students only need to undergo at least three years of coursework, as well as a certain level of technical training.

Beside Al, who had carefully studied the brief, Kidd and Artie had already finished reading the brochure and began to stick the snacks on the table into their stomachs. After the two of them had almost settled the problem, even they showed a surprised expression when they saw that Al was still troubled.

"Hey, why are you so bothered? Don't you want to be a knight?

"Well, that's what I was going to do...... There's one thing that makes me a little difficult, though. 」

"Embarrassed? Like, 'What knight school, it's too easy!'

"No, it's not...... From the beginning, my ultimate goal was to become a rider. 」

The knights who were allowed to drive the Phantom Knights were collectively referred to as Riders, and not only did the family know that Al had this as their goal, but even Kidd and Artie had heard of it several times.

"The number of Phantom Knights is limited, and there are only a few elites among the knights who can become horsemen. When I think of the knight course, which is six years in total, and then I receive the riding drill course, and then wait for all the courses to be finished, after the series of processes after distribution...... It will be a long time before I actually catch the Phantom Knight. 」

It's not so easy to be a horseman, the Phantom Knight is a "weapon", something made to defend the country, so it requires a long period of training to drive.

Al thought for a moment, then turned to Mattheis.

"Father, I have a question, can I skip a grade in the knight course?"

Matthese frowned, and was asked by his son. He could also understand Al's anxiousness, and he knew how difficult it was.

"It's not impossible to look at the hard work you've put in and your magical abilities...... But the knight course is hard to say. Not only do you have to be trained in swords and sorcery, but you also have to be educated in etiquette, which you haven't formally learned so far, have you?"

This is indeed a blind spot. Mattis went on to say with a sad face:

"Phantom Knight's driving training is the final course after entering the Rider Academy. It is generally believed to start at the age of fifteen...... Like you...... Well, if you don't have enough height, you won't have a suitable body. 」

Everyone's eyes turned to Al, and the scene fell silent as hell. Al was indeed petite compared to the average height of children his age, and even more so compared to the Ota siblings next to him, but no one expected this to have such an effect.

Al lowered his gaze in disappointment. Do the math, it will take at least seven years to drive the giant robot of your dreams. It's not like he can't wait, but no one blames him for thinking it's too long. That being said, everything often doesn't work out as expected. Al was about to change his mood, but suddenly he felt a shadow fall over his head, and as soon as he looked up, he saw Tina standing in front of him.

"I'm sorry, Al. It's because you're like me that you can't grow tall......

Seeing his mother touching his head apologetically, Al shook his head with wide eyes.

"Mother, it doesn't matter! I'm too young, and it's not the only way......

Suddenly, Al interrupted as if remembering something, startled at what he had said, and then slowly shut his mouth. With a flash of inspiration, a new possibility was born at an astonishing rate.

「...... Yes, it's not the only way. I'm too obsessed with driving to waste unnecessary time. You should spend your time elsewhere......

Tina tilted her head in surprise as Al looked up resolutely.

"So, I'll just do it myself. 」

"Do what?"

Kidd asked him perfunctorily about his mindless words.

"Phantom Knight. I'll just do it myself. 」

「...... Huh?"

「...... Mugwort...... Al, are you serious?"

A look of determination on Al's face that he had never seen before. His speech was so amazing that it made everyone stunned for a while, speechless.

"Wait...... Wait a minute, you say do it...... What does that mean?"

"That's what I said. My actions so far have been based on the premise of driving, but if you think about it, I won't have access to my own mech. 」

Everyone was dumbfounded, could it be that he originally planned to take the Phantom Knight for himself? Except for a part of the nobles and big merchants, no one had a private Phantom Knight. After all, manufacturing and maintenance require a huge amount of money and manpower, so the promotion from knight to horse drill is a shortcut to driving a phantom knight. However, the above is a general theory, and for the mechanical nerds who have traveled through another world, they don't take these things seriously at all.

"That's right, isn't that the case? The state-rationed body can't be modified too much! How could you not find such a basic truth? Customization is the king of machinery. Anyway, a complete transformation requires relevant knowledge...... Too careless. 」

Seeing Al's smile drift away, Kid and Artie pressed their foreheads, as if to say that this was bad. Normally, Al always behaves steadily, and even has a calm temperament, but from time to time with incredible enthusiasm, he rushes in unexpected directions. Kid and Artie felt as if they had glimpsed the true face of that fanaticism.

"Are you really playing? Al......

"Of course! I'm sure that even if we continue like this, we will only let time pass in vain, so it's not bad to aim for self-control as a pastime, and it's more practical than saving up for one from now on, right?"

Kidd thought to himself, either of the options you said was daydreaming, right? Mattheis glanced at the disinterested Chid, and said with a serious face:

"El...... I know how you're feeling, but it's not as simple as words, is it?"

"I know, father. But if possible, I also want an exclusive Phantasm Knight, so I want to do what I can. 」

"That's right...... All right. But you should also study hard for the knight course. 」

"Yes. I want to be a driver, so I'm not going to cut corners. 」

There was no trace of confusion on Al's face. Artie didn't know why she began to touch Al's head, as if she had surpassed his dumbness and reached a state of admiration for him.

"Well, you're really going to do whatever it takes to get there. 」

「...... I don't mind what you say, but I don't have any reason to give up when I know I have other options. 」

"It's amazing. Al, you look so cute, but you're actually very extreme. 」

(It's because I'm like this that ordinary means won't work for me.) ）

Al looked out the window, and from here he could see the huge facility that took up most of the city, the Dreiser's Academy.

"Well—I'm starting to look forward to the day I go to school in Dreiser. 」

Mattheis and Tina looked at each other and smiled, and they were not happy to see their lovely son continue to be depressed. Although he felt that his goal was somewhat nonsense, if it was Al, he would probably be able to move forward without hesitation.

「...... I can't admit defeat, Al is too powerful, and I can't lose either. 」

"Kid?"

"No, nothing. Okay, let's become knights!"

"Hmm!"

Kid and Artie also decided to enter the Department of Knighthood. The three of them unanimously decided on their goals in the Dreiser's school.,And then they began to imagine for a while.、Looking forward to the school career that will start in the near future.。

- 1274 in the Western calendar.

The four seasons flow.,The season comes to spring.,It's also the time when the Dreiser School Park ushers in the enrollment of new students.。

The students of the Dreiser School come not only from neighboring cities such as Lesiara School City and the royal capital of Kankunin, but also from all over the country. Considering the traffic situation of possible encounters such as monsters on the road, most students will leave early for Gakuen City, and new faces can be seen every day near the student dormitory.

On the morning of the opening ceremony, Al Nesty, Archid and Adelc, and now Baftson and four others are about to arrive at the school. Since the dormitories are almost full of students from afar, most of the local students go to school from home.

The city of Lesiara School was originally surrounded by a huge wall, but the Dreiser School also had a wall. Although it was mainly used to divide the school grounds, it became known as a famous landmark because of its large area and continuous walls that stretched down to the street.

"Speaking of which, I'm used to seeing this wall, but I haven't been in it yet—"

"In the future, you can get in as much as you like. 」

"That's right. 」

The group walked along the wall, and soon came across the tall school gate. That's the main entrance to the school park.。 Since the Rider Department of the School Park manipulates the Phantom Knights, the height of the door is also designed to be the right size for their access. Of course, on the occasion of the opening ceremony, the door is wide open.

The four of them were about to enter with a little nervousness, but Al suddenly stopped. Kid, Artie, and Baftson looked back in surprise, and when they saw something next to the door, it dawned on them. On the left and right sides of the open main entrance stood Phantom Knights, as if welcoming visitors. They dragged Al, who began to worship on the spot, and the group finally entered the school gate of Lesiala.

The most important part of today's scheduled itinerary was the entrance ceremony. Speaking of ceremonies, most of the time I just listened to the speeches of the teachers. After lunch, each department will take the students away and start a brief explanation of the course content in the afternoon. Although it is divided into different departments, during the elementary school, the basic courses are still the main course, and most of them are subjects common to all departments, so the distinction becomes very blurred, and the curriculum content is not formally differentiated until the middle school.

The entrance ceremony was held in the lecture hall. While many people were lost in the vast campus proportional to the size of the school, Al, who had come to see his father's work, made his way to the lecture hall, and the three people behind could only chase him desperately, lest they lose the petite back.

"It's nice not to have someone else lead the way, but El is really easy to lose. Small do not order one. 」

"yes, it's easy to find if it's a little higher, but that's okay, that's what makes him cute!"

"My height hasn't changed much. 」

Hearing the loud noise behind him, Al couldn't stand it.

"I'll leave Chid and Artie here. 」

"Ah, yes, there's a good way! Holding Al won't you lose him, right?"

"No matter what, I'm sorry for the insensitive. 」

When everyone arrived at the lecture hall jokingly, it was already crowded with students. Everyone here is a freshman, and the biggest name in the country doesn't seem to be fake. I thought that there might not even be a place to stand in the lecture hall, but I didn't expect that there would be vacancies, and I thought that there would be such a grand occasion when I came to the school.

In the large lecture hall, which was shrouded in a sense of youthful tension, the opening ceremony began quietly.

Beginning with El Nesti's maternal grandfather, Laurie Etcheberia, the head of the school, the school's top management gave speeches one after another, and the four children who had straightened their backs at the beginning and listened attentively gradually became bored. Although they showed extraordinary patience beyond that of children, by the end of the day, almost all of them had bored expressions on their faces that were about to die. Thankfully, the ordeal ended before noon. With the completion of the speech, the opening ceremony officially came to an end, and the new students came out of the lecture hall.

It's lunchtime at the moment.,They poured into the school cafeteria.。 Some people eat directly in the cafeteria、Some people open their own lunch boxes to eat.,There are also senior students who are already familiar with the environment to eat in the restaurant outside the school park.。 Everyone had their own way of making their lunch, but the cafeteria was still crowded. In the midst of such a mix, there is a particularly striking group sitting in a corner of the cafeteria.

One of them has medium-long hair with purple in silver, and is a petite beautiful girl (?).

The other two have unkempt black hair and shoulder-length slightly curly black hair, and they are a pair of teenagers and girls with similar temperaments.

As for the rest of the boy, it was a reddish-brown haired dwarven boy.

From the sidelines, the combination of these four people is completely different. I don't know if it's a delusion, even though the people around them are curious, but no one has the courage to come forward and talk.

"It's an exaggeration to see the cafeteria crowded like this. 」

"But it's nice to have a seat right away. 」

"Just give us the seat...... Why is that?"

Al and Baftson chatted as they took a bite into the pancake with the pie crust on the outside. It was a small pancake that was easy to carry, but it looked just right when he held it in his petite hand. Artie on the side saw him eating pancakes quietly, and he secretly laughed in his heart.

"There's a speech in the afternoon, isn't it? 」

"It's okay, you're not listening to Chid anyway. Aren't you asleep?"

"Let's eat first. There are so many people, it's better to give up your seat to someone else as soon as possible. 」

There are still seats at their tables. Al was embarrassed, perhaps because no one sat down. At this time, a female student turned a blind eye to the situation and walked straight towards them.

Her honey-blonde hair fluttered, and her swaggering gesture caused a slight commotion among the students around her, as it was quite rare for her to be here. As if she had been okay with them, she naturally sat down in the empty seat next to the four.

She was noticeably older than Al and the others, and was a senior student. There is no prescribed uniform at the Dreiser Academy, and her clothes look low-key, but they are well-made, and she wears accessories that don't interfere with her movements. Al absentmindedly guessed that she was from a good background, perhaps the son of a merchant, or maybe a nobleman.

Everyone's reaction to the visitor was divided into two categories: Al and Baftson looked at the stranger suspiciously, and Chid and Artie stared at her with bated breath. It was by no means a passionate gaze looking at a beautiful woman, but a very awkward look. Al was puzzled, but it was certain that there was a connection between her and the twins.

Seeing the twins' nervous looks, the uninvited beauty smiled softly at them, then turned to Al and Baftson. Her smile became softer and she began to introduce herself.

"Fortunately, my lovely friend. My name is Stefania Serrati. Are you?"

Al was a little overwhelmed for a moment, but he immediately put down the half-bitten pancake, sat up straight, and said:

"I'm El Nesti Etcheberia, this is Baftson Temonen, and the two over there......

"Indecent, I know them. It's been a long time since I've seen Archid and Adelchu, and I'm glad to see you all right. 」

Stefania smiled softly throughout, but Kid straightened up his sleepy-eyed face and said differently than usual:

"Long time no see, Sister Stefania. 」

Hearing such a stiff tone, it is impossible to believe that it came from Kid's mouth. Stefania's face fell for a moment, but she quickly returned to her smile.

「...... You're old enough to go to the Dreiser. If you are destined to go to the same school, why don't you come and talk to me?"

"Sister Stefania is in the third year of the elementary school, right? By the way, Brother Potsal's brother is here, too?"

"Yes, he's a sophomore in the junior department of the Knight Academy, so you'll have a chance to meet soon. 」

Compared to Stefania's intimate attitude, the other two seemed a little strange. Kid's tone stiffened, and Artie fell uncharacteristically silent. It sounded like the two families were in contact, but it felt unnatural, and in such an eerie atmosphere, Baftson took turns looking at their faces in confusion. Everyone's hands stopped eating. At this moment, Al suddenly opened his mouth to bite the remaining pancakes, and devoured them with an aura beyond his petite stature, and ate all the pancakes at once. He wiped his mouth and smiled slightly, ignoring the surprised expressions of everyone around him.

"Alright, I'm done eating. I see that the cafeteria is so crowded, I can't always occupy a place, how about changing places?"

「...... Also...... That's right, too. You two are also students of the Knight Academy, right? 」

Stefania looked a little regretful, and finally touched Al's head lightly for some reason before leaving, leaving four children in confusion. Baftson looked like he wanted to ask now, but Al suggested that the lunch break was almost over and it was time to go to the classroom, and then he left his seat and walked to the classroom rather forcefully. Although Baftson still couldn't let go, he went to the Forge Department alone, while the other three went to the Knight Department in an indescribably awkward atmosphere.

The orientation held by each department in the afternoon did not mention anything, but only briefly explained the content of the courses scheduled for the future and starting tomorrow. After the explanation, everyone disbanded on the spot, and the students prepared to leave.

Even then, Chid and Artie still had a dull aura on them. The two also didn't joke like usual, creating an awkward atmosphere of absent-mindedness. On the way home, Al took the lead and said to them:

"I don't know what's going on, but it's better not to be too upset. And the class will start tomorrow, so I don't think I'll take special training today, so let's relax. 」

Kidd and Artie stopped. "Huh, Al. Kid stopped him, a determination in his calm tone.

"What's the matter?"

"Aren't you asking? uh, asking who she is or something. 」

"If you have to, I'll listen. 」

After the two exhaled, the atmosphere on their bodies eased. They looked at each other as if to confirm. It took a long time for Kidd to speak:

"Al, there's something I want to tell you in a minute. 」

"Okay, let's talk to my room. 」

So,The group that left the Dreiser's school went straight to Al's house and came to his room.。 Since this is also the place where magic classes are usually held, the two of them are already familiar with this place. The two sat down in their chairs and beds as usual, but unlike before, they did not speak. Kidd pondered for a while before he said:

"Ahh 」

He was annoyed for a long time, but the sentence he said was too direct. Al could only blink and ask:

"So you're nobles too, too? But neither of you has done anything like a nobleman, have you? 」

"yes, it's a bit complicated...... No, our mother is not an official aristocratic lady, or a so-called mistress. 」

"Hey, because mom is always leisurely. She also said that she didn't care if she was a mistress anyway. 」

"Daddy's Lady Chamber...... What should I say, that person is very jealous, but he loves face. 」

"So even if she doesn't like her mother, her self-esteem doesn't allow her to get along with a mere mistress. 」

Even Al didn't know how to react now, so he nodded.

"Mom, she's really obedient, and she goes along with each other in everything. Later, Madame, we were not allowed to live under the same roof with her under any circumstances, and it was a terrible fuss. 」

"That's why we were given a place to live, and we moved to live in the current house, and other things like food were given by my father. 」

"Well, that's the way it is...... That sister Stefania just now was Madame's daughter. 」

"Sister Tifa is fine, the problem is the other two brothers. That brother was so annoying. 」

"We love to put on a show for everything, seeing that we are illegitimate children, and we come to find trouble at every turn. Anyway, it's like a lady!"

The two of you looked at me and complained endlessly, and only after finishing speaking did you take a big breath. Especially when mentioning their brothers, their expressions are distorted, and one can't help but think of the "everything" that has happened between them so far.

"The guy you're talking about is here now, isn't he?"

"That's right. He was a year older than us, so he was a second-year student in the primary department. 」

"I see, I have a hunch that trouble is coming. 」

Kidd nodded vigorously. Not to mention the hunch, he was almost certain to be in trouble. His mind flashed back to his life in his family, and he could only hold back during that time, but he didn't spend much time immersed in memories.

"We are still very grateful to Dad, after all, he paid for us. But ......."

"If they ignore us, we won't bother ourselves. But the other party just likes to find trouble, and I heard that it is not pleasing to the eye. 」

Perhaps remembering many angry memories, Chiderby waved his hands and feet, and Artie said sullenly:

"Now that Sister Tifa knows...... I think that guy will come over sooner or later, so that you can be with us, and you will be involved......

Artie said a little depressed. I don't know where the usual momentum has gone. Because she has always given people a lively and cheerful impression, it seems that the gap is even greater.

"I roughly understand. And then?"

Al didn't know when he stood up and walked over to the two of them.

「...... You say then ...... What does that mean?"

"Is the plan to be repulsed, ignored, or raided?"

"Yes, yes, raid...... Hey!"

Kid subconsciously agreed, and then was taken aback. With the same smile on his face as ever, Al said such a dangerous thing casually, and even Kid, who had known that he had more than just a cute face, shy away.

"Why did you do this all of a sudden! I'm so glad you're my friend, it's terrible to go against you. 」

"Really want to help us? Sounds reliable, but, uh, it's still our family's problem, and I can't bother you. 」

"That's right. I don't know how far I can interfere, but I'm not going to watch my friends upset. Just say it when you need it, and I'll help. 」

「...... Okay, I got it!"

Kid and Artie nodded vigorously, smiles returning to their faces. Al looked at them and thought to himself:

(I didn't expect it to be an aristocrat, it's too unexpected.) The sister didn't seem to hate them that much, so what's the matter? Anyway, it seems that there will be an argument...... ）

Al thought about it without caring about it, silently taking it to heart. It seems,The next school life will be more chaotic than imagined.。

After the twists and turns of the opening ceremony of the Dreiser School Park.。 The next day,Their school life began.。

There were still no classes scheduled on this day, and the explanation alone took up most of the day, which was really boring for the nine-year-old who had just entered the primary school this year. Most people take the teacher's endless explanations as wind in their ears, and you can see at a glance the restless atmosphere of "why don't you hurry up?" One of the students, however, was overwhelmed by the fact that something unrelated had to do with it.

(Unexpectedly...... There is such a course...... ）