CAUTION: The text below contains spoilers for Episode 1 of Black Butler: Public School Arc, 'His Butler, at School', available for streaming on Crunchyroll.
In the first episode of season 4, 'His Butler, at School,' Ciel Phantomhive, the Queen's watchdog and young Earl of the Phantomhive estate, reemerges after years of silence, accompanied by his faithful demon butler, Sebastian Michaelis. This new arc of Black Butler thrusts Ciel into an unfamiliar environment as he enrolls as a student at Weston College, one of England's most prestigious schools.
The episode unveils a range of fresh characters, a new setting, and unique challenges for Ciel to navigate. As he immerses himself in student life, he must confront the academic demands, social hierarchies, and hidden secrets within the school's confines.
Exploring Life at Weston College
In 'His Butler, at School,' Ciel encounters stringent regulations and initiation rituals at Weston College while probing the vanishing of students, aiming to approach Clayton, a student with valuable insights.
Encountering the Prefect 4
In Episode 1 of Season 4, Ciel arrives tardily at Weston College, rushing to class and unknowingly trespassing on the grass, a severe violation. Surrounded by astonished classmates, he learns from a McMillan housemate that only prefects are allowed on the grass. Subsequently, he is approached by the Prefects, each overseeing a different house: Edgar Redmond of The Scarlet Fox House, Prefect Lawrence Bluewer of Sapphire Owl House, Prefect Herman Greenhill of Green Lion, and Prefect Gregory Violet of Violet Wolf.
While reproached by Bluewer, the Prefect of his own house, Ciel faces harassment from the boys of Sapphire Owl House, led by Clayton, under Bluewer's orders. Each Prefect assigns a student such tasks. Sebastian Michaelis, Ciel's demon butler now serving as the housemaster of Sapphire Owl, intervenes before Ciel suffers severe harm.
Continuing as the Queen’s Watchdog
Ciel's mission unfolds—several students, including the queen's nephew and Derrick Arden, the son of the queen's cousin, Duke Clemens, have gone missing. Despite Weston College's autonomy, Ciel is resolute in his investigation. He chooses to infiltrate Weston openly while sending Sebastian to find an alternate route in.
Engaging with other students, Ciel witnesses Weston's austere atmosphere, lacking in camaraderie. Seeking Arden in the Violet Wolf house, he encounters hostility and physical aggression. Following a discussion with Vice Headmaster Johann Agares and the Prefects, Ciel expresses a desire to meet the headmaster for further details, only to discover that the headmaster exclusively meets with prefects.
Upcoming Strategies
Tasked with cleaning the dining hall by Clayton, Ciel delegates the duty to Sebastian, impressing Clayton with his dedication. Realizing the necessity of ingratiating himself with the Prefects for information, Ciel determines that establishing a closer connection with Clayton is his next move. 'His Butler, at School' presents a captivating reintroduction to the duo of Ciel and Sebastian. Ciel, renowned for his assertiveness and leadership, finds himself navigating a new terrain at a public school, where unfamiliar rules and customs abound.
The Public School Arc heralds a return to the realm of Black Butler, with Ciel encountering a plethora of fresh trials and enigmas. While wit and irony persist, the narrative adopts a more ominous tone as the veiled truths surrounding the students and Weston College unravel. Weston College emerges as a cryptic entity, characterized by its intricate regulations and power dynamics that Ciel is only beginning to comprehend. The significance of the Prefect 4, each with a distinct persona, adds a layer of intrigue to the tale, hinting at their escalating importance as the storyline progresses. Although Sebastian assumes a subdued role in this episode, his presence foreshadows deeper involvement as the mystery deepens. Overall, this episode marks a promising commencement to a new chapter in the saga of a demon butler and his master.