“…The kid’s getting bulkier by the day.”
Aol said, watching Hersel pass by from a distance, laying down his sword. Coulot scratched his head with the handle of his wooden sword and replied.
“Indeed. His arms seem almost twice as big now.”
“No, I didn’t. But his physique is something else.”
Upon closer inspection, Aol couldn’t help but be impressed.
Hersel’s muscles had grown in balanced proportions, perfectly fitting his body. It was clear that this wasn’t the result of mindless bulk-up training but a strategic enhancement for both agility and strength.
‘Without a skilled mentor, such development would be impossible…’
“He’s been going out a lot lately. It seems he’s been training under someone else. How does that make you feel, Duke?”
Despite the disappointment of his son seeking training elsewhere instead of learning from a father renowned as one of the greatest swordsmen, Aol’s lips curved into a faint smile.
“He’s always been uncomfortable around me. It doesn’t make me sad.”
“You’re taking it lightly.”
Coulot shook his head and scratched his chin. After all, it was admirable that Hersel had been secretly training his body instead of engaging in useless activities outside.
“The young master I knew was a man who never finished anything he started. This is quite unexpected.”
“He must be taking his admission seriously.”
Although still skeptical, Coulot nodded in agreement as there was no other plausible explanation.
“Hmm, I look forward to seeing what kind of knight he’ll become after graduation.”
“I won’t have to worry about passing my position to him.”
I had avoided the scrutinizing gaze of the two monstrous swordsmen and arrived in front of the mistress’s office. Seeing the door already open, I raised an eyebrow. The maid, noticing my arrival, tactfully withdrew, leaving me alone with the mistress.
“Did you know I was coming?”
“I happened to see you entering through the main gate while looking out the window.”
It wasn’t a pleasant feeling, knowing she expected my visit out of all the possibilities in the large mansion.
“I could have come to see the twins.”
“That doesn’t seem likely given the circumstances.”
“What circumstances?”
I asked, caught off guard, and the mistress replied in her usual composed tone.
“The timing of the arrival of the admission letter, the fact that you’ve been secretly learning magic, and the timing of your entry while the Duke is away.”
My trips to meet Carmelo had been long, genuinely passing through red-light districts and gambling dens to throw off any potential pursuit. Donatan had even been watching my back. How did she figure it out?
“How did you know I was learning magic?”
The mistress, avoiding answering, picked up her seal and changed the subject.
“Is that important right now? Your business must be about the guardian consent form.”
I needed her seal, so I decided not to press further. It wasn’t wise to irritate her unnecessarily.
“Hersel learning magic… There will be much prejudice, I imagine.”
As she skimmed through the documents, I realized I needed to explain the benefits of the situation to her, but it seemed unnecessary.
Without any hesitation, she stamped the papers.
“You probably would have said that entering the magic department would keep you out of your father’s sight and away from the family head position.”
…Was there some kind of telepathy involved here?
“Were you planning on entering with a donation or using a proxy for the exam? Either way, you’re quite an expensive son.”
“Why do you think like that?”
“Even though you’ve shown unexpected sides before, it’s hard to believe you could learn magic in just six months…”
The mistress trailed off, her eyes widening in realization. When she calmed down, I used my index finger to summon a small flame from the elemental magic category, which I had no talent for.
It was a small flame, about the size of a matchstick. The mistress chuckled.
“How did you manage that? You’re quite a curious person.”
With my business concluded, I wanted to leave, so I picked up the documents. Despite the many close calls, the most nerve-wracking moments had always been facing this woman. It was no different now.
“Then I’ll be going.”
As I was about to leave the office, a sudden question stopped me.
“Come to think of it, I never asked.”
Since the festival had ended, the only way to get answers was to ask her directly. All the previous assassination attempts had been carried out by servants, not the mistress herself, and the conflict with the Schweike family had erased any chance for confirmation.
“How did you plan to kill me?”
Watching her lips closely, I faintly ignited the ‘Embers of Noble Blood’ within me, wanting to hide my trembling nerves. The method she had conceived was one that even ‘1-second invincibility’ couldn’t counter.
“…Drowning. It’s not as imaginative as others, but for some reason, it felt like the right answer.”
Even though we were now neutral, my dislike for her would likely never change.
Deisel handed Erucel a pen with a serious look in his eyes.
“You’re the only one I can ask for this favor, Erucel.”
Erucel, sweating in his predicament, glanced at the admission form for Frost Heart Academy. While knowing little about it, he was aware that it wasn’t a prestigious path to success, making him hesitant.
“I planned to enter next year, but this isn’t the place I wanted, and it’s a bit early.”
“I understand it’s a lot to ask. But you’re the only one I can trust.”
“The eldest brother, that man, gave up his position as family head, didn’t he? Is this really necessary? I’m sure mother agreed.”
Deisel narrowed his eyes.
“Do you trust his words? Have you forgotten what kind of person he is?”
Erucel fell silent. Looking back, the eldest brother had never kept a promise since childhood. He would promise to stop bullying in exchange for something but later call Erucel an idiot for believing him.
Erucel understood Deisel’s intention. Graduating from the academy was essential for becoming the family head. Preventing admission or ensuring expulsion would solidify his success.
“But to enroll just to keep an eye on him…”
Just as he was about to refuse, Deisel whispered sweetly.
“Erucel, trust me. I am not like that trash. I promise to secure your position as soon as I become the family head.”
“You don’t need to stay long. Just make sure he fails the entrance exam and you can come back immediately.”
The tempting offer made Erucel’s eyes waver. Realistically, accepting Deisel’s proposal was the right choice. Unlike Mircel, he had no notable talent for swordsmanship, and his succession rank was third. If one of his brothers became the family head, he would have to leave the family.
‘Right… It’s better to secure something than nothing.’
After much thought, Erucel grabbed the pen. But then, a question popped into his mind.
“Is it the knight department you want me to enter?”
Deisel sighed tiredly.
“…Why are you asking such unnecessary questions? Our family is known for swordsmanship.”
“Well, it’s just that I’ve often heard about father tearing up magic books he found the eldest reading. Just checking.”
“Even if he’s an idiot, he wouldn’t be foolish enough to defy father’s orders.”
Erucel nodded immediately.
He wouldn’t commit such a suicidal act. Besides, there was no way the eldest could have learned magic in such a short time.
Eventually, Erucel was convinced by Deisel’s words and filled out the knight department application.
On the day of departure, I found it hard to move my feet. Two tiny hands clung to my pants.
I gently patted Niasel, who had buried her face in my thigh.
“Someone might think you’re sending me off to die. Lift your head.”
“Leave a portrait so I can see how you’ve grown.”
As I playfully ruffled her hair, Niasel forced a smile and pulled a piece of paper from her pocket. On it were the words “Have a good trip.”
“Cute. I’ll bring you a present next time. Goodbye.”
Niasel seemed unusually attached, making it hard to leave. With Aol back, Deisel wouldn’t dare cause trouble, but…
I had the strange feeling I was trying to find excuses to avoid leaving. Steeling myself, I took a step forward.
“I’ll be back. Take care.”
As I passed the main gate of the annex, the garden still showed traces of winter. From afar, Mircel approached, crunching through the snow.
“It’s a long journey, so I have to hurry.”
Mircel pouted in disappointment.
“I’ll be bored without you.”
“I’ll write you letters. There will be plenty of interesting things to tell you from there.”
Mircel’s mood lightened, and he smiled and waved.
“Really? That sounds much better. Take care and keep in touch.”
“Goodbye for now. Stay healthy.”
Mircel muttered as he looked at the snowy ground.
“Who knows? It might be a short while, depending on the season.”
Although his reply felt slightly off, I didn’t think much of it. Perhaps he was considering the possibility of early graduation.
After waving to Mircel, I stopped again at the front gate. Aol and the mistress were there, waiting to see me off.
Aol patted my shoulder lightly.
“Frost Heart will be quite an experience.”
Oh, right. He was a graduate of that academy. With his numerous achievements, his name and portrait were displayed at the academy, which I knew well.
“That sounds promising.”
“You’ll understand once you’re there. Life in the knight department will be unforgettable.”
I felt a pang of guilt. He would find out eventually, but it didn’t have to be now. As I pondered how to respond naturally, the mistress handed me a wrapped box.
“An entrance gift. Open it on the carriage.”
Feeling suspicious but holding the gift, I bid them farewell and boarded the carriage. Selly, following behind, bowed to Aol and the mistress before climbing aboard.
As the coachman flicked the reins, the carriage started moving. Listening to the rattling sound, I wiped the foggy window with a handkerchief. The mistress kept waving until she became a dot in the distance.
Was my unease showing on my face?
Selly asked, “Young Master, are you feeling unwell?”
“No, it’s nothing. But…”
“Aren’t you curious how the mistress planned to kill me?”
Selly pursed her lips, then nodded.
“Of course. I bet it would have been different from what the servants tried.”
Recalling the conversation with the mistress, I began to speak.
-How did you plan to kill me?
-Oh, that. It was ‘drowning.’ It’s not as imaginative as others, but for some reason, it seemed like the right answer.
It was something even ‘1-second invincibility’ couldn’t counter, unlike being stabbed, poisoned, or facing the giant bird’s breath.
Unaware of the gravity of my thoughts, Selly remarked casually.
“I expected something more elaborate and meticulous… It’s rather plain.”
Her reaction wasn’t surprising. Out of all the possible methods, she chose something seemingly simple. Even though it was based on intuition, knowing it was the right answer made it chilling.
If Heinrich hadn’t declared war on Tenest…
…Well, it’s in the past. The important thing is I survived.
“Aren’t you going to open that box?”
“Hmm? Oh, I was just about to.”
Opening the thin, luxurious metal box, I found a pair of gloves inside.
[Blessed Gloves of Mana]
[Attribute: Blessing.]
[Crafted by artisan Horutu and enchanted by alchemist Haili, these gloves increase mana capacity by 10%, spell accuracy by 10%, and greatly enhance the durability of held items. They can also be engraved with spells.]
Seeing the true value of the item, I swallowed hard. The gloves not only boosted mana capacity and spell accuracy but also significantly increased durability, making it almost impossible to break a magic staff. The most crucial feature was the ability to engrave a spell, allowing for permanent spell storage.
“These must have cost a fortune.”
“Are they expensive?”
“About the price of a mansion.”
Selly seemed skeptical, unable to comprehend the value. After all, even high-end stores didn’t sell items this expensive.
“But, Young Master, there’s a paper underneath.”
Beneath the gloves was a note.
[Take care of Erucel, Hersel.]
I pointed to the trailing carriage and asked Selly.
“Why is he following us?”
“Erucel? Didn’t you know? He’s entering the knight department.”
I had a rough idea. I hadn’t paid much attention due to my magic studies, but I had a feeling.
“Clearly, Deisel ordered him to sabotage my entrance exam. So why is he entering the knight department?”
Selly mumbled, touching her cheek as if recalling a past slap.
“He does seem a bit simple-minded.”
“That explains a lot.”