Reborn As Noble

Javier slouched at the back of the class, resting his chin on one hand and twirling a quill with the other. The instructor at the front lectured about the importance of chanting in magic casting, but to Javier, it felt painfully dull.

Beside him, Liana took notes in elegant script, her expression calm. She occasionally glanced at Javier, noticing his growing boredom.

The instructor explained, "Proper chanting aligns the mind and spirit, ensuring the spell's power reaches its full potential. The incantation acts as a guide, channeling mana and—"

Javier sighed loudly, attracting a few side glances from other students.

Liana leaned in, whispering, "Young Master, please pay attention. You might learn something useful."

He rolled his eyes and slumped further. "Ugh… It's boring. Seriously? Chanting makes the spell stronger? That's just basic nonsense."

"Hmm?" she murmured, pausing mid-stroke.

"Chanting doesn't 'collect' mana or boost a spell's power," Javier muttered, frustration creeping into his voice. "It's just a way to focus your mind. Mana control and chanting are two different things. If you can control mana, chanting is pointless."

Liana's lips twitched, a small smile threatening to appear. "Is that so? Maybe you should share your wisdom with the instructor, Young Master."

Javier smirked, leaning closer. "I would, but I doubt he'd appreciate a lecture from an eleven-year-old."

"Such confidence," Liana whispered back.

Javier leaned back again, folding his arms. He glanced around at the other students, who were busy copying notes or practicing quiet chants. He stifled a groan.

"These kids will waste years memorizing chants when they could be learning to feel mana. What a waste…" he grumbled.

Liana nudged him lightly. "Young Master, it's important to follow the curriculum. Not everyone has your... unique abilities."

"Yeah, yeah." Javier waved a hand dismissively but teased her. "But you agree, right? Chanting spells is unnecessary if you're skilled enough."

Liana shot him a sidelong glance, her eyes sparkling. "That may be true, but it wouldn't hurt to pretend to pay attention. Or would you rather the instructor call on you?"

"Let him try," Javier said with a sly grin. "I'll just 'accidentally' cast something to make him rethink his life choices."

Liana sighed, shaking her head as she returned to her notes. "Young Master, you're incorrigible."

Javier leaned closer, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Seriously, Liana, why take notes? You already mastered chantless spells thanks to me… eheheh." He tapped his chest smugly.

Liana didn't look up. "Yes, Young Master, but what if there's homework later? You'll need notes to review."

He gave her a look of mock disbelief. "Homework? You answer questions based on knowledge, not notes! Honestly, Liana.."

Unfazed, she kept writing, her voice calm. "I'm taking notes whether you like it or not, Young Master."@@novelbin@@

Javier threw his hands up in defeat, reclining dramatically. "Yeah, yeah… suit yourself." He sighed and gestured toward the front of the class. "Just look at Marcellus and Cedric. They don't chant, and they're the strongest mages and paladins in the kingdom. Chanting is overrated."

Liana paused, her pen hovering. "Your brothers are strong because they honed their skills through discipline. I'm sure they paid attention in class when they were your age."

"Pfft. Yeah, right," Javier muttered, leaning his cheek on his hand. "Marcellus probably slept through lectures like I do. And Cedric? He'd charm the instructor into giving him extra credit." He grinned, amused by his own words.

Liana shot him a sideways glance, a mix of exasperation and amusement on her face. "Oh, Young Master. Your confidence is truly unmatched."

"Thank you!" Javier replied, acting as if it were a genuine compliment.

His attention drifted out the window, making the lecture fade into background noise. In the courtyard below, Buddy and Pikko lounged in the sun. Buddy, with his glowing orange feathers, stretched and squawked contentedly, while Pikko dozed nearby, her silver-and-orange plumage shimmering.

Javier chuckled softly. "Even the guards have given up trying to get those two into the stable."

"They're becoming spoiled," Liana remarked without looking up, though a hint of fondness was in her tone.

"Who can blame them?" Javier shrugged. "Life's better outside. Fresh air and sunshine are way more exciting than this." He gestured toward the instructor, who enthusiastically discussed intonation in chants.

Liana sighed and finally set down her pen. "Young Master, not everyone can cast spells effortlessly. For most people, chanting is an essential foundation."

"Most people," Javier echoed with a grin, "but not me. Chanting is like training wheels. I'm already riding the mana bike without them."

"Then perhaps," Liana said, raising an eyebrow, "you should share your 'wisdom' with the instructor. I'm sure they'd value your unique perspective."

Javier smirked, folding his arms behind his head. "Nah. I wouldn't want to embarrass them in front of the class."

"Of course not," Liana replied dryly, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

As the lecture droned on, Javier continued to gaze out the window, his mind wandering to the next opportunity for excitement—anything to break the monotony of the classroom.

The bell rang, echoing through the halls, and Javier's eyes lit up. He jumped from his seat with a wide grin, the chair creaking loudly behind him.

"Oh yeah!! Lunchtime!!" he shouted, grabbing Liana's hand and dashing toward the door.

"Young Master—wait!" Liana called after him, exasperated but resigned as if she'd been through this many times before.

"Nope! No waiting!" Javier laughed, his voice echoing down the hallway. "We're not eating in the cafeteria today! We're heading to the back of the school!" His mischievous grin made it clear he wouldn't explain further.

As they emerged into the courtyard, Buddy and Pikko—perked up at the sight of their master. Buddy hopped excitedly, while Pikko, tilted her head curiously.

"Buddy! Pikko! Let's go!" Javier waved enthusiastically, and the birds responded with loud squawks, leaping after him.

"Young Master," Liana sighed as she adjusted her pace to keep up, clearly unfazed by the chaos. "If you keep acting like this, people will start calling you the delinquent noble again."

"Let them!" Javier replied. "What's wrong with skipping boring cafeteria food? We've got our spot and our grill!"

Once they reached a secluded forest area behind the school that Javier had scouted, he immediately got to work. With a dramatic flourish, he pulled out his portable grill from his magic storage.

"Time to grill, Liana!" he declared, placing the grill on the ground. He retrieved slabs of monster meat. Experience tales at My Virtual Library Empire

"Yes, yes, Young Master," Liana replied, her tone more fond than frustrated. She had long since stopped arguing with him about these escapades and instead managed the chaos he left behind.

Buddy and Pikko hopped around the clearing, their attention fixed on the meat. The scent wafted from the grill, and the two birds squawked eagerly.

"Patience, you two," Javier teased, flipping the first piece of meat. "You'll get your share soon enough!"

Liana, watching the scene, shook her head with a small sigh. "You really have a talent for turning every lunch into an event," she remarked, taking a seat on a nearby log.

"That's because lunch should be an event!" Javier replied, puffing his chest proudly. "Good food, good company, and an escape from boring classes—what more could you want?"

"Maybe a little less chaos," Liana quipped, but her slight smile betrayed her amusement.

As the meat sizzled and the aroma filled the air, Buddy and Pikko grew more restless, hopping closer to Javier.

"Alright, alright," he laughed, finally pulling the meat off the grill. He sliced it into smaller pieces, tossing portions to the eager birds, who devoured the meal with gusto.

Liana set the table with practiced ease, laying out plates for herself and Javier. She handed him his plate, watching as he dug in with unrestrained enthusiasm.

"See? This is perfect!" Javier said between bites. "Nothing beats grilled monster meat and fresh air!"

Liana nodded, her expression softening as she began to eat. "I suppose it's not so bad," she admitted, her tone teasing.

The two Pekko mounts finished their meal and settled down near their riders, content and full. Liana glanced at them and then back at Javier, shaking her head slightly.

"You definitely know how to turn a simple lunch into an adventure," she said, her voice a mix of exasperation and fondness.

"That's the point!" Javier grinned, leaning back with his hands behind his head. "Life's too short to spend it stuck in boring classrooms. Right, Buddy? Pikko?"

The two birds squawked in agreement, making Liana chuckle.

As the group settled into a comfortable rhythm, the peaceful surroundings and sounds of nature made the moment feel almost magical—a perfect escape from the noble school's rigid routines.

(End of Chapter)