Undoubtedly, this is very difficult. Wanting to rise from a Knight to nobility is like a fish trying to cross a wide river, with only one in ten thousand making the leap like a carp jumping over the dragon gate.
Becoming a Knight is just the beginning of a long journey, much like becoming a public servant differs from engaging in politics.
But at least there is a glimmer of hope. In this dark and despairing Empire, any bit of light and hope is incredibly precious. Across the Empire, all people from the lower classes, whether merchants, workshop owners, or farm owners, are rushing toward this path like moths to a flame. Countless families, if they desire social mobility, have no choice but to take this route.
So it's quite common for the territory's merchants to donate to the academy to have their descendants trained as Knights.
