"The wise once said. A true gentleman is ever noble in their heart. Thus, a nobleman has to be a gentleman." Said Sir Lodrick.

"I wonder about that, though. I mean, nobles usually behave like beasts, aren't they, sir?" I quipped sarcastically.

"..."

Sir Lodrick's expression seemed to freeze without words; slowly but surely, gone was the amiable air around him, replaced by the quiet intrigue.

He was an old man whose expertise in education was so well-known that they named him The Thousand Sage simply because of how well-versed he was in so many things.

Due to his capability and results, Sir Lodrick had reached a point where he could teach who he wanted to teach. To other nobles, having the Thousand Sage willingly teach their children was akin to prestige in itself because everyone knew that whoever he picked must be someone special.

From the outside, he looked entirely like a harmless grandpa with a receding hairline and an absolute poker face that never crumbled away. But that was an illusion. Not figuratively, but literally and illusion...Beneath the meticulously crafted spell, though, lies a middle-aged elf who would be thirsted over by the ladies if only he showed his face.

A curly, short green hair. It was vibrant, calming, and refreshing. His fair skin meshed well with the sun in his eyes. His slender and long body was further accentuated by the neat and austere suit he wore.

How do I know all this? Word Magic...Did I tell him I knew about his disguise, though? No. Why should I? It was his business, and it's not like he was plotting against my family and me. So...I just left him be.

"Pray tell, the reason for your assumption, young master?" Questioned the man.

"Because that's how they are...It's common sense. You don't know that?" I answered, feeling the bud of frustration welling up in my chest.

There was a touch of amusement and something foreign hidden in those eyes. "Hm...How riveting...To find the young master in a rebelling mood such as this. You have continued to amaze me once again."

"I am not rebelling, Sir Lodrick." I sternly replied.

"Are you not?" He playfully asked with a lighter tone.

"I am not. The informal speech was my bad, but that is all. I guess you can say I'm in a bad mood, that's why...But let's put the facts out. I'm not rebelling." I hate insufferable teenagers the most; god forbid I became one of them...

"Be as it may, I do hope that young master learns to rebel properly and do so occasionally." He nodded softly as I gazed at him bewilderedly, adding, "I do."

"..." Honestly, I was speechless. "Why?"

"There are so many things in this world that are so outlandish and shocking as it is. Wouldn't it be nice if some things stayed the same? Bland and mundane in that purpose. A measure of that logic would be a young child throwing tantrums now and then to express themselves...Like how a child should be." Explained Sir Lodrick with patience.

"I suppose so...It's only normal that way." I felt like he was taking a jab at me, but oddly enough, it didn't feel that bad.

"Take it as a rambling from an old man...There is honestly no need for young master to try and fit into a certain mold. You are what you are, and you'll be what you decide to be. Living according to others' expectations without a clear sense of your own person is a recipe for disaster...Has always been and will always be."

'Ugh. So what're you saying, you old man?' I groaned frustratingly.

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He chuckled. "Huhu. Now, back to where we were. I believe you consider the noble's way akin to that of a beast. Care to support that argument more or elaborate why you think so?"

"...I heard the stories about slaves and what the nobles do to them." Then, I finally opened my mouth about this thing that bothered me.

"Alright. Now then. Let me ask you, young master. Have you ever, say, lived in a Beastman tribe or, perchance, the slums of dwarves?" He suddenly went off on a tangent.

"...No."

Taking my response, He went on. "Do you know there are no nobles in the mountains of dwarves? Their people aren't judged by how pure their blood is but based on their intellectual capabilities and their achievements. Those who are deemed to be subpar will end up in the slum most of the time. There, they will continue their long and winding struggle before dying a slow death in the end. Of course, there are exceptions, but their numbers are far between."

Sir Lodrick kept on talking as I stayed put and listened to him.

"Now, the social paradigm is different in the lands of the wild. The strong will lead and protect the tribe, while the weak will support the tribe. It may seem all good and all. But the issue is the Beastman often sacrificed their chosen younglings to appease whatever gods they worshipped. It's a long-standing tradition that is present in most Beastman tribes."

He paused and fixed his gaze at me. "Do tell me, young master. They are cruel, are they not?"

I said nothing.

"It's not that the nobles are beasts, but because beasts are a living being, young master. And as living beings ourselves, we will always have cruelty stitched into the very fabric of our souls. The only problem is that some choose to brandish that cruelty like a prized sword instead of a shackle to protect themselves and the world."

Sir Lodrick's words hit me, and it hit me hard. '...Who am I to preach...I am no saint myself.'

"...I am also one of them..."

A brief pause lasted between us.

"...Must you wield the sword?" Sir Lodrick's melancholic tone pierced through the air.

"Yes. I must." A firm answer.

"Then I pray that you point the swords where it needs to be pointed. And for that sword to stay for as long as it could in its sheath." Returned Sir Lodrick gently.

'...Point them the right way and as sparingly as possible, huh?' I didn't answer him, lost in my thoughts.

After a while, he strode to the side and tapped the chalkboard lightly.

"We digress much. Let us get back on the lesson." Sir Lodrick circled the word noble a couple of times and began again. "As I was saying, a nobleman has to be a gentleman. Why? Because a gentleman has to be noble in heart. And as the wise once said, how we conduct ourselves is like a window to our hearts."

He picked up his chin and moved his upper body elegantly, perfectly demonstrating an aristocratic greeting. "Remember, young master. What stems from the inside will be carried on to the outside. The key to being refined is how to treat your mind and soul nobly first. Everything else will follow soon after that."

"Yes," I answered.

"Now try it yourself. The scenario this time is about how to conduct a first-time greeting to a direct heir of a Viscount."

'Let's see...The other is the direct heir to a viscount, against me, whose position in the house can be seen as vague by others, so I can't be too casual...' I recalled the necessary details from what I've learned so far.

I bowed lightly, then I kept firm eye contact and spoke clearly. It wasn't too overbearing nor too light.

'Keep a light smile if I feel like it, but not to the point where it seemed like I was trying to please them. Carry on with the conversation only as far as my knowledge allows me to. Instead of bluffing cheaply, I should be quiet and composed if I don't know about something. Don't be hasty...What I need to show is confidence, not weakness.'

"Good job, young master. You are still a bit stiff in your expression. It would be beneficial to avoid displaying a smile that lacks enthusiasm in front of the public. Let's rehearse it together to ensure it appears genuine and engaging.." Criticized the man.

'Ouch...'

"Likewise, I applaud your adventurous side in trying to challenge yourself. Such traits are always welcome in our session." And came the carrot after the stick.

'Yea, don't make a fool out of myself before you give me the go. That's what you're saying, right? Sure, I got it.' I mused cynically inside. Still, it felt like a load had been thrown off my shoulder after talking with Sir Lodrick.

"Thank you for today, Sir Lodrick...I will see you in history class tomorrow." I bowed and gave him my heartfelt gratitude.

"It's been a pleasure, young master." Replied the man, smiling amicably.