Published at 5th of December 2025 7:28 am

Chapter 83

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I instinctively drew in a deep breath.

The professor, seemingly noticing my flustered reaction, smiled and spoke.

Haha, the practical subjects seem to have pulled down your average scores in the past. But last time, didnt you achieve perfect scores in most of your subjects? And now, six subjectsall perfect marks.

Perfect scores?

I had scored perfect marks in seven out of ten subjects previously, so perhaps this result wasnt too shocking to the professor.

...Luck really plays a big role in the final push.

I had focused on studying for those six subjects, but I couldve made a mistake at any time. The fact that I didnt can only be attributed to luck.

What the... So, does that mean?

I could hear some hushed whispers.

It was likely the voices of classmates who usually vied for the top spots in the class, now bewildered that I had been called to the first position.

Next, Leonard Wittelsbach. Second in the department.

Huh?

There were surprised murmurs from the students.

Leon, however, simply nodded without much expression.

And finally, Julia Zahringen and Narce Farnese tied for fifth in the department.

Narce feigned a look of surprise.

After spending months observing him, I could now distinguish between his genuine expressions and his fake ones. This time, he had likely expected the tie.

Unfortunately, since the potion-making competition is a five-member team exam, one person will need to step down.

Ill withdraw, professor, Narce responded with a calm smile.

Hmm, are you sure? You can discuss it with Julia until tomorrow morning if needed.

Im not planning to pursue potion studies, and I believe giving the opportunity to a friend from the Imperial Second Academy is the right thing to do.

At that, Julia raised her hand awkwardly, her face troubled.

Professor, Im not strong in the potion-making subject either. Its not a field I plan to pursue, so Ill step down instead.

Hmm, then you two can discuss and finalize your decision by tomorrow. That works. Now, Ill announce the special class roster after the finals.

With the practical exam scores tallied, Leon ended up as the top of the department.

So thats where his earlier confidence came from.

All right, participants, you will depart for Bavaria tomorrow morning. Youll warp with me first, and then Ill return to accompany Lucas by train.

...Train?

Oh no

Several students turned toward me with astonished faces.

Elias had a grin that screamed *good luck with this*, and it was understandable.

Its an eight-hour train ride to Bavaria, after all

While I could warp, I couldnt admit that openly.

I simply smiled back at the students staring at me.

*

That evening, we quickly changed into formal attire and left the building to attend the banquet scheduled for 7 PM.

With only an hour and a half left after the grades were announced, we barely had time to prepare.

Since it would have been suspicious for Nicolaus to leave the school building, we relocated to the nearest inn to get ready.

Do we really need to rush out like this? Couldnt we just warp there?

Ah, everyone thinks thats convenient, but its not possible, Elias replied with a laugh as he briskly approached the front of the school.

Just then, a student who seemed to be from the Third Academy hesitantly approached, holding a letter.

Excuse me!

Ah, thank you~

Elias snatched the letter and kissed the envelope.

This wasnt an unusual sight since both Elias and I received countless letters regularly, but his attitude felt oddly theatrical today.

Even while nearly running, Elias noticed my raised eyebrows and cast a soundproofing spell, chuckling to himself.

If I dont handle it quickly, Ill get cornered. No time for chit-chat, so gestures have to suffice. Best to ignore a friends survival strategies, dont you think~?

Find me someone who manages socializing like that

As we approached the Hohenzollern familys carriage, the coachman bowed and opened the door.

I tipped my hat slightly in greeting before sitting opposite Elias.

Once the door closed, Elias drew the curtains and cast another soundproofing spell.

Theres probably no family in the nation that uses carriages as frequently as the Hohenzollerns.

So warping isnt allowed, and its mandatory to take a carriage to royal banquets?

I vaguely recalled reading about this tradition in the novel.

Yes, they insist you absolutely *must* arrive by carriage. Warp magic is strictly forbidden.

Elias sneered, shrugging his shoulders.

They say it looks undignified. This obsession with formalities never seems to die.

Why was he being so serious all of a sudden?

Dressed neatly in royal ceremonial attire with his unruly hair slicked back, Elias exuded a rare gravitas.

With that money, Id rather buy five more wild boars to roast, I muttered.

Fair enough

I finally understood why Leon always criticized Eliass manner of speaking.

So, how does it feel to ditch the crutches?

Oh, its indescribably liberating. But I still need to be cautious for a week. One wrong move, and it might never heal properly.

Sounds like it was a serious fracture.

Exactly. By the way, that new mask of yoursdo you like it?

By now, everyone seemed accustomed to the idea of me attending events wearing a mask, so no one objected when I informed them about it.

This time, I wore a different type of mask since I needed to eat during the banquet.

Though it felt unfamiliar, I had cast a divine power-based cognitive interference spell on it, ensuring that no one could recognize me.

As we arrived at the palace annex serving as the banquet hall, escorts joined us.

I let Elias take a half-step lead as we entered the annex.

Are you ready, sir?

Ready for what, exactly?

To be overwhelmed at your first royal banquet

I get it.

I cut off Elias mid-sentence as the guard and servant at the door pretended not to hear our exchange and opened the doors.

Presenting His Grace Elias Hohenzollern and His Excellency Nicolaus Ernst!

All eyes in the grand hall turned to us.

The reception before the banquet had beguna time to familiarize oneself with the attendees.

Welcome. Please follow me.

A servant led us to seats of honor.

The moment I picked up a champagne flute, an elderly man of short stature but solid build approached me.

Its a pleasure to meet you, Lord Ernst.

You must be Duke Heinrich. Its an honor to meet you at such an occasion.

The empires chancellor.

He was also the one who had predicted his own success months ago and invited us to a Federation meeting.

A staunch pro-emperor supporter, he likely didnt hold a favorable opinion of us due to past events.

The chancellor offered a benevolent smile.

I was impressed by your courage during this recent perid. Having proactive individuals like you gives me great reassurance as a chancellor of this empire.

......

Of course

Had Elias received that remark, it might have sounded like praise. But coming from the pro-emperor chancellor, it couldnt possibly be sincere.

He had called it courage.

At first glance, it sounded complimentary, but it was deliberately downplaying my achievements.

His next words made his intent even more apparent, leaving no room for doubt.

I feel the same. Ive learned much from your exemplary governance. Please continue to guide the empire with your wisdom.

Indeed. Ill take my leave so as not to monopolize your time. Until the banquet.

Ill see you then.

The chancellor maintained his soft smile as he departed.

While greeting other attendees, I noticed a familiar face in the crowd.

Pleasure to see you again.

The words You! rose to the tip of my tongue but stopped short.

Leon extended his hand with a smile.

"What are you?"

I assumed youd recognize me. Im here on behalf of His Majesty, the King of Bavaria. Congratulations.

Next to me, Elias mockingly rubbed his arms as if he had goosebumps, chuckling.

Leon, seeming to have decided to simply ignore Eliass antics, maintained his serene smile.

Lets meet during the banquet. Well be seated at the same table.

He was undeniably a politician through and through.

His response to Eliass pranks here was markedly different from his usual attitude at school.

About twenty minutes later, the sound of a latecomer entering the hall echoed.

Presenting His Grace, Duke Georg Askanian!

.

Elias cast a sideways glance at me.

For a moment, I thought I might not recognize the man since I had never seen him in person. But the thought was short-lived.

At a distance, someone bearing a striking resemblance to my brother but with much sharper features was surveying the room with cold eyes.

Once his gaze settled on the head table where Elias and I were seated, he began to approach.

.

He glanced at me briefly before greeting Elias, the royal, first.

After finishing his pleasantries with Elias, he turned toward me.

Your Excellency, Nicolaus Ernst.

It was a voice engraved vividly in Lucas memories.

I had to consciously stop my shoulders from instinctively tensing.

Ive heard much about you. Its an honor to meet you.

His tone was utterly mechanical, his movements equally so.

The smile on his face was formal and businesslike.

It wasnt a particularly human expression, but even that much was absent from Lucas memories.

Suppressing the instinctive wave of repulsion rising within me, I clasped his hand.

Then, I discreetly opened the status window.

It wasnt as though I needed the information urgently, but opportunities like this were rare.

Georg Askanian

- Favorability: -2

- Title: Lord of Anhalt

- Health: +9

- Mental Strength: +1.

- Magic Power: +7.

- Skill: +10

- Impression: +5

- Luck: -7

- Traits: Deafened (Lv.10)(!), Tenacity (Lv.10)(!)

Interesting.

Normally, someone with high health, skill, and magic power would have balanced stats across the board, but his mental strength and luck stood out in an unusual way.

And that peculiar trait.

As he raised his eyebrows slightly, as if to ask if there was an issue, I returned the greeting.

Likewise, Your Grace.

He offered another faint smile before disappearing into the crowd.

There wasnt even a token exchange of small talk.

It was clear he had no interest in the banquet itself, attending only because he had been summoned by the emperor.

***

After being bombarded by guests for another thirty minutes, we finally managed to escape to the cloakroom just before the banquet began.

I collapsed onto a sofa in the room designated for the guests of honor.

The room wasnt meant for lounging, but I couldnt help myself.

Phew

Pfft, hahahaha! What kind of socializing language did I just hear? Were going to have to discuss this in detail over drinks tonight!

Im not drinking with you.

Huh? Why not?!

Says the guy who likes to narrate head-busting incidents in real-time

By the way, how was it? Him?

He didnt notice anything.

I was, of course, referring to my father.

Rather than being unaware, it was more accurate to say he seemed indifferent to everything.

He didnt seem to have the slightest inclination to inquire about me or to sense any familiarity.

It wasnt just directed at me. His eyes showed no interest or emotion toward people or things in general.

Of course, someone like that wouldnt notice if his older son abused his younger brother.

How could someone like him possibly know what was happening in his own household?

Sitting up, I asked, By the way, is His Majesty not here yet?

Hes scheduled to arrive just in time for the banquet. Its incredibly rude, but youll have to understand. Hell probably boast about handling state affairs on the day of the party.

The absurdity of the statement made me chuckle despite myself.

If only everyone spoke so candidly, life would feel much less stifling.

Lets get moving, Elias said.

We couldnt linger in the storage-like room forever, so we headed to the banquet hall.

***

As we entered, a voice rang out.

Presenting His Majesty, Emperor Friedrich!

And His Highness, Prince Adalbert Hohenzollern!

.

I heard Elias click his tongue softly and murmur in a low voice, audible only to me.

Whats he doing here?

It was a fair question.

Elias wasnt on good terms with the emperors children.

Prince Adalbert, in particular, was a villain who openly disliked Elias.

The gathered nobles bowed as the emperor stood at the table, a faint smile gracing his lips.

Greetings to all. I see both new and familiar faces here today. Please, enjoy yourselves to the fullest.

The banquet proceeded smoothly.

Thanks to Lucas upbringing under his brothers oppressive gaze, my table manners were impeccable.

As the emperor raised a glass of wine before sitting down, he glanced at me briefly before addressing Elias.

Have you been well, Duke?

Elias responded with a soft smile.

Of course, Your Majesty. Thanks to your thoughtful care, Ive been enjoying a most peaceful life.

!

So he can talk like that too.

I had to stifle a laugh.

How on earth could this life be described as peaceful?

Barely a week had passed since the last chaotic incident.

And Elias and I were both right in the thick of it.

That was pure sarcasm.

Hmm.

Leon cleared his throat, signaling Elias to rein it in.

But Elias, being Elias, continued with his sual flair.

In the novel, the emperor often responded to such moments with a genial facade.

Haha, its delightful to see my nephew after such a long time.

Likewise, Your Majesty. Ill make a point to visit more often.

Thats good to hear. If you have time later, visit your father as well. And

The emperors gaze shifted to me.

Sir Ernst. Youve accomplished something remarkable recently. Several years ago, someone like you emerged in our empire.

.

Who could have guessed wed have another like Adrian Askanian, the Deputy Minister of Magic? Individuals like you are a great comfort to this empire.

It is truly an honor, Your Majesty.

The emperor nodded with a gentle smile.

What followed was light, flowing conversation.

***

...Hmm.

For now, things remained peaceful, making my earlier wariness seem unnecessary.

Of course, with someone unfamiliar joining us this time, its natural for things to proceed more cautiously than in the novel.

As the meal neared its end, the emperor sipped his wine and spoke.

Its about time to conclude. Unfortunately, I must depart after midnight due to other commitments.

I noticed Elias let out a small sigh of relief.

Though the emperor maintained a genial demeanor, Eliass reaction was understandable.

After all, the emperors true nature was anything but gentle.

And I, having read Eliass past ten years, knew that too well.

Then, the emperor turned to me with a smile.

And, Sir Ernst.

In that moment, Elias glanced at me, and Leon froze mid-sip of his wine.

Meeting the emperors gaze calmly, I replied.

Please, speak.

Before I leave, Id like to have a private conversation with you. Would that be all right?

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