Another notable place Meiris passed on her way was a famous inn. The place was so great, even the less renowned nobles visited it frequently.

Meiris did as well, once, before she got scolded for doing so. "It's unbecoming of a Marquis' daughter to dine with commoners" - is what her father said. She's been to high-profile commoner restaurants twice before without any issues though. He was aware each time.

Maybe he waited a bit to see if she would stop, but that wouldn't be like him. Meiris' father did make her figure some things out on her own, but not if they were important. And when they were, he had a very distinct air about him. Which is why she knew that it was important.

She couldn't understand what was so special about that inn. In terms of quality she couldn't find a single flaw.

The food was better than what the head chef at their family's mansion could prepare, while the interior was grand. An inexperienced noble might have criticized it for being made of wood, but the wood was so finely crafted it dwarfed plastered walls and marble floors. In general Meiris also found the design more appealing than of any noble dining room she's ever been in. Maybe save for the one at Aleeria's personal residence. After receiving the building she renovated the top floor with ceilings made of glass and several other alterations to the common style.

Stuffed monster heads present in the inn were perhaps a rather unique choice, but that shouldn't have been the reason either.

Then one day Meiris had a realization. There was something that set this inn apart from the other restaurants. Namely it was owned by adventurers and served a lot of adventurers.

That fell in line with her recurring interest in the topic. It was nothing official, but if one paid a bit of attention- The nobles acted slightly odd when adventurers were involved. She only had suspicions on the matter, nothing solid. Since her family were nobles it should have been easy to ask them, but she decided to ask another person first. Her favorite professor at the academy, whom she met during her second year there.

----------------------------------------

It was after the Thursday class, the last one of the day for the both of them. At least on that Thursday.

The sixth year students would be graduating next week, so Thery could finally head home on time. The 16 year old fourth-years, such as Meiris then, still had a few months before their finals.

The lecture hall emptied quickly with the exception of two people. Meiris approached the platform, heading towards the desk, while Thery was busy packing his materials. He noticed, but didn't take his eyes off the task. That could've been interpreted as disrespect, though it was quite the opposite. They were familiar enough to feel somewhat comfortable. A teacher and a student, but not strangers.

"Professor, I've been thinking... Why is it that a commoner can be imprisoned after arguing with a noble, but an adventurer can often walk away after clashing blades with them?"

She referred to two recent events that took place during a festival.

The question took him by surprise. He lifted his gaze off the papers and looked at Meiris with mild, but playful confusion on his face. His black hair grew so long it threatened to cover his glasses.

"Miss Meiris, I trust you are aware I teach mathematics?"

There was no need to ask the question, they were alone. But each exchange was like a little game they played.

Thery liked how Meiris felt different from the rest of the students. A few were active here and there, but she always appeared a step above the rest in a special way.

Including a passion for learning new things. Though her mediocre scores on math exams meant he had to give her supplementary lessons each year.

"I am, but professor... has a way with words. And I would really appreciate it to hear about the outside world from professor~"

Meiris didn't doubt he knew the reason. Thery once told her about his past. He has seen a big chunk of the world and taught many people a whole variety of things. His travels ultimately ended with this academy, which he entered at a relatively young age of 29, five years ago.

"If you want me to satiate your curiosity that much, I suppose I have no choice. But keep in mind it's outside of my expertise, so I hope you won't imprison me if I make a mistake somewhere."

He was about to say something influential nobles don't like, in a country ruled by said nobles, to a likely future influential noble. His title of a novice sage was valuable, but offered no explicit protection in this case.

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"Yes, I will consider it."

Slight smiles curved their lips.

"Then... There are only four categories of titles mentioned in the Modevan law. Royal, noble, knightly and honorary. I predict the list will soon be extended with religious titles, as it was before the revolution. Though I don't think the old religion will be allowed again.

"Anyway. Titles come with various privileges, but as you know, becoming an adventurer doesn't grant you any. So why does it seem like that's not the case? What did you think?"

Just like Meiris set expectations for Thery, he did for her, anticipating the conclusions she came to herself.

"Well, typical commoners are weak, while adventurers tend to train from a young age, but that doesn't make sense. If they threatened the knights it would be all the more reason to get them imprisoned."

As much as she was aware of some exceptions, most of the knights were a force to be reckoned with. Thus she continued-

"I thought it might be a compromise we make to have more active adventurers, so that there will be less need to dispatch the knights for monster hunting, but... The numbers couldn't possibly add up. Not to mention that it undermines the ruling class.

"I suppose this could lure some commoners to become adventurers, thinking they get a thing akin to a title, but would they?"

Meiris was aware that she was missing a key detail, and Thery already knew which one.

"Few. But they would, which is all the less reason why. You've heard of the guilds, yes?"

"Yes."

She nodded, having a vague idea about the guilds from the history or administration classes and other sources, like the novels she read.

Merchants had their guilds, blacksmiths, informants, adventurers... For a lot of nobles, the organizations were their main source of influence. However, not all guilds were under a noble's ownership...

"Then you probably know how adventurers have theirs as well. And these care for their members no less than the rest.

"The key difference between their guilds and almost all of the other ones is that they are independent. Especially the large ones."

He barely finished his sentence, before she replied-

"How come?"

What Thery said took Meiris by surprise. She believed all guilds belonged either to the nobles or the royals themselves. If not directly, then surely by the region they operated in?

"Think about it. Why would an organization focused on uniting powerful individuals need protection? They are akin to armies that don't answer to the king. In that sense our government would have liked to forbid their existence, but it's too late now. For multiple reasons.

"One- Their position is too strong.

"It's not necessarily a threat. The adventurers in general have no interest in becoming lords or rebelling, however, they have the strength to do so. They might run away when intimidated, but that is a bold risk to take. Especially with the international guilds.

"In terms of negotiations they also hold a lot of leverage, this includes their high opinion among the commoners. At the very least the guilds pay taxes. Low, but they do.

"Two- Just like you mentioned, they are useful.

"Vaunthon has long accepted adventurers, because they are very convenient at keeping the land safe and helping out the ordinary citizens. In result the army cost lowers, while the commoners are happier, even if they spend more money combined. Though the knights are still required to make sure the adventurers behave.

"Here you mentioned how our country is quite lenient with them- In the empire the adventurer ranks are analogical to the titles knights receive. Their law is actually much different, because the highest adventurer ranks and knight titles come with noble privileges.

"I think that's exactly what...

----------------------------------------

Meiris was fully immersed in the explanation.

Midway through she started asking some questions, which Thery answered in detail.

They talked for over three hours, with Thery drawing several maps to illustrate the scale and influence of some notable guilds. He also recommended her a few books on the matter. She would borrow them from the library tomorrow.

As their conversation progressed, it lost the last sense of formality.

"It's amazing."

"What is?"

Thery asked. He was currently cleaning the blackboard.

It was getting late. The amber light of the setting sun illuminated the lecture hall.

"Your knowledge, of course."

chuckle

"Just my knowledge? Well, I will still take that as a compliment from my lady."

Thery was used to having his emotions show. Not here, but after work. For Meiris, however, it was a rare experience.

She only just noticed she has been smiling for a while now. Not like her smile was always fake, but it wouldn't appear uninvited.

It wavered when the awareness hit her. Just for a moment. Thery was still busy with the large four-part blackboard, so he didn't notice.

"You said you were a travelling teach, but how do you know so much about this? Did you learn about it from the people you met?"

Their conversation went far beyond the initial question. Some of the side-effects were that Meiris could now list multiple high ranking adventurers, knew about guild specializations and how to find the tavern with the best booze.

"Partially so. But I borrowed most of the knowledge from my brother. The whole reason I travelled was because he was an adventurer and we didn't want to part ways. Well, we did visit home once in a while, but that's how it was. He would go there and risk his life, while I taught the locals."

Thery mentioned before that he went to an academy himself, before setting out into the world. It wasn't a grand academy for nobles, but it was definitely above average in commoner standards.

His family could afford only a single term, so he did all he could to earn the scholarship. Actually, they would buy him two, but he knew that would be all the money they had.

"I see..."

Meiris looked outside of the window, but at nothing in particular.

"Thank you for this unscheduled lecture. I didn't think to bring money with me, so I will pay you tomorrow."

But he shook his head.

"No need. Just try to work on your equation transformation. And if you ever have questions related to our classes, I will gladly answer those too."

Thery smiled at her.

"Thank you. Then I will excuse myself."

"Till Monday, miss Meiris."

He would stay in the class a little longer. There were even more documents on his desk to take care of than earlier.