I'm the third son of a viscount's family, but I have a claim to the throne. - Episode 9

Unlike the world of “my past life,” this world operates on a six-day week, with months consisting of 30 days. A year has 361 days, divided into 12 months, with an additional “Intercalary Day” separating the 12th month from the 1st.

The days of the week are named Sun, Moon, Fire, Water, Wind, and Earth, with Sun serving as a rest day. On this day, the academy and government offices are closed, though most shops and the Adventurer’s Guild remain open year-round.

While having only one day off per week makes it harder to accept multi-day commissions outside of long vacations, I don’t see the need to work myself to the bone as a child. I plan to take things slowly, focusing on day-trip assignments.

This year, I’m only attending the mandatory etiquette and combat classes, so I’ll spend my weekdays running errands within the royal capital. It’ll help me broaden my experience, learn the city’s layout, and save money.

The pay for apprentices taking on such jobs is modest, but with food and lodging covered by the dormitory, I can save nearly all my earnings.

On my first day off after starting at the academy, Jay and I visited the Adventurer’s Guild to transfer my registration. I had already registered as an apprentice at the guild in the Viscounty of Calverburg, but relocating my base of operations required updating my records to ensure continuity of achievements.

Located in the central district near the noble quarter (and the Royal Academy), the capital’s guild branch caters to nobles’ children. Its atmosphere is refined, as many aristocratic youths register here to gain combat experience before the academy’s mandatory expeditions.

Nobles, after all, are expected to lead during wars or major crises such as bandit uprisings or monster infestations. While many houses treat this as mere tradition, the academy still requires students to participate in expeditions, making guild registration akin to preparatory training.

For poorer lower-ranking nobles, guild work also doubles as a source of pocket money.

“Which assignment are you picking?” Jay asked as I stood before the board displaying available quests.

Jay wore his usual disguise: tinted glasses and specially made color contacts to obscure his distinctive royal-blue eyes. I, on the other hand, used a low-level transformation spell to alter my eye color.

The striking royal-blue hue of our eyes would draw too much attention, even at the central guild accustomed to nobles. While my heritage as the former First Prince’s son wasn’t a secret, it was better to subtly disguise myself to avoid unnecessary suspicion.

Jay’s situation, however, was far more precarious. His identity as the supposedly deceased Third Prince required meticulous concealment, hence the double-layered disguise.

“For today, I’m looking for material-gathering requests near the capital. I’ll familiarize myself with the area while you’re busy with classes.

As for jobs outside the city walls, we’ll take them together on your days off,” I explained.

Even in the relatively safe outskirts of the capital, it would be foolish for a 12-year-old noble to venture out alone. Today’s goal was reconnaissance: exploring the forests and noting where valuable materials could be gathered.

Jay’s training as a servant left him little time to act as an apprentice adventurer. From now on, we’d spend our rest days tackling outdoor assignments together, gradually building his achievement record.

During the weekdays, I planned to accept urban errands, learning the city’s geography while gaining experience and connections. I also hoped to take jobs from the craftsman and merchant guilds to understand their inner workings and expand my network.

This plan came from my mother, who offered advice when I discussed my future with her.

“As a noble, you’ll need to pay taxes to the kingdom and maintain appearances, which costs money.

If you’re poor like we were back then, squeezing taxes from the people risks famine, rebellion, or mass migration. Poor nobles have nothing but struggles.

When I was younger, I seriously considered returning my title to the crown. Your grandfather even agreed that it would be better to surrender the title if I couldn’t find a competent husband to help manage things.

So, if you ever consider stepping down as a noble, come to me for advice!”

She added practical insights on potential careers:

“Nobles with strong magic have an edge over commoners who rely solely on physical strength.

Adventuring isn’t a bad choice as long as you avoid injuries. It’s flexible, and if you maintain a good reputation with the guild, you could retire as a guild master, deputy, or even a trainer.

I didn’t have much time to raise my rank after graduating from the academy, but I still made it to Silver Rank during my student years. I even paid for my graduation party dress with monster-hunting funds! I doubt many other ladies can say the same,” she said with a laugh.

Most noble daughters made their dresses or repurposed secondhand ones, but hunting monsters to fund a new one was unheard of. Typical of Mother.

“If you want a more stable income, becoming a magical tool artisan or a traveling merchant is another option.

But remember, as a commoner, you’ll be heavily affected by your chosen city’s lord.

If you decide to settle down, ensure you have a magic bag to carry your tools and valuables. That way, you can relocate quickly if needed.

Even if a city seems ideal, a lord’s death or a regime change could make it unbearable. Some lords are incompetent or overly generous, drowning in debt and becoming puppets to powerful merchants or other nobles.”

Mother’s advice emphasized flexibility and preparation. Even as a commoner, circumstances outside one’s control could jeopardize both livelihood and life itself.

“Gathering information is critical too!

During your student years, take jobs with merchant and craftsman guilds to build connections and learn the ropes.”

Mother’s insights carried weight. As a former Silver-Ranked adventurer, she built ties across multiple guilds and earned enough to turn her life around, despite near ruin before marrying Father.

She faced more challenges as a noblewoman, constantly subject to societal constraints and unfair treatment. My brothers and I, being male and possessing strong magic, had more options and fewer barriers.

If I heeded her advice, honing my skills and building a network during my academy years, I could hope for a future where my choices weren’t dictated by my birthright alone.