Chapter 100Before returning to the Estate, there is one thing that must be done first.


    The activation of a system that could not be more important to Inner Lunatic: the crafting and enhancement of items.


    This would require one condition: the sessful publication of Lars’ thesis.


    ‘For that to happen, one of the main characters would have to fulfill the role of his apprentice again…’…. I’m afraid that’s not going to be me…….’


    Annoying, but not unavoidable.


    For the record, I’m currently using magic while wearing a bracelet made of strange, unknown machinery and demonic horns.


    Magic, at its most basic, is [utterance].


    For the record, I’d like to exin the devices a bit more.


    The former is a device that forcibly suppresses the user’s magic power.


    It can be said that it forcibly makes me closer to a normal person who can barely handle magic.


    The second is an artifact made from the horns of a Hornbear that Professor Lars recently killed near the Academy. It’s a bracelet that increases the user’s ability to channel magic.


    To summarize, I’m ying the role of an ordinary person who can’t use magic, and I’m testing them to see if they can use magic after wearing the artifact.


    ‘So much hassle.’


    I let out an inaudible sigh.


    Lars doesn’t seem to mind if I take a big break from researching anyway.


    The bracelet didn’t turn out too badly for a first attempt.


    It doesn’t have a lot of stat modifiers, but I’m just getting started with my research. The value of this thesis will shine through when it eventually reaches the ears of a skilled cksmith.


    There’s no shortage of better things toe.


    It’s just a matter of waiting.


    “Oooh… good, ‘my chief apprentice, Nox-kun’. At this rate, it shouldn’t be too much of a stretch for us to unveil our thesis at the assembly tomorrow.”


    I’m a little offended by this, as it feels like he’s giving power to ‘my chief disciple’, but I manage to put up with it. I don’t want to go into battle without artifacts like I did in thest battle with Paimon.


    Besides, I’ve gotten something out of helping with this paper.


    My name is listed as a co-author on the paper.


    In other words, I’m sitting on the money if I file a patent request. The original Lars never filed a patent request in the first ce, and before he met me, he probably wouldn’t have in this world, but…….


    -I will ask for a patent. It would be criminal not to reward you for helping to make such a great discovery, don’t you think, my chief apprentice, Nox-kun?


    -……I see.


    I see no reason to refuse your offer of money.


    It gives me an additional source of ie.


    Even if I didn’t, once the paper is published, I’ll be able to profit immensely from my control of the Chasers, plus the patent fees from the paper?


    This was unbearable.


    “By the way, are you sure you don’t want toe with me to the conference? I’m sure there are professors all over the continent who will sing your praises…….”


    “It’s okay, I’m not even used to being there, so go.”


    Lars looked disappointed that I wouldn’t be able to attend the conference, but then he relented. Hagiya, wasn’t I originally a nerd?


    He probably didn’t think I’d feelfortable in front of others.


    Lars was being considerate.


    Finally, he nods in understanding.


    “I see. I’ll go and present the paper, then. Don’t worry.”


    “Please.”


    I take off my gadgets and bracelets and set them down carefully, and give Professor Lars the faintest of smiles as he finally finishes his paper.


    From an angle he wouldn’t see.


    ‘You’ve been putting in the effort.’


    Thest hour. It hadn’t been long, but Lars had stayed up all night, working on his paper, but he’d also taken care of his students and taught the ss with enthusiasm and sincerity.


    What a man.


    He was a character in the game, but after something like this, I have a newfound respect for him.


    Professor Lars’ enthusiasm was indescribable.


    Even I, who have two talents named [Genius], am envious.


    Anyway, I quietly closed the door and returned to the dormitory.


    In front of me, Zitri was already waiting with a couple of thick bags. She put her hand on her chest with a slightly trembling expression.


    “You’re finally returning to your family.”


    “Yes. I don’t expect a warm reception, but I can’t help it.”


    We have to bump into each other at least once.


    Zitri and I are ready to go. We wrap our coats around our robes and hide our Academy uniforms underneath.


    Now, it’s time to return to the family home and meet with Theo alone.


    I hope you’re safe and uneventful.


    …… May my life span not be shortened.


    I said the prayer twice, then muttered an incantation to myself.


    ‘I’m f*cked’


    (x-bal)


    I felt more at peace.


    * * *


    “It’s been a long time. Young Master Knox, have you been doing well?”


    I arrived by carriage at the mansion on Reinhafer estate.


    Rodwell was the first to greet me.


    ‘What’s this guy…?’


    In truth, Rodwell wasn’t always this friendly.


    Apparently, he had decided to treat me differently because he thought I would grow up to be a useful member of the family in the future.


    ‘Though it’s more likely to be the other way around.’


    I swallowed hard and said nonchntly.


    “I see. I would like to see my lord, where is he?”


    “He’s in his study. I’ll take you to him.”


    “Of course.”


    We chatted for a while, and as we entered the manor, I saw a number of people. They greet me warmly, but I know it’s not really for me.


    Rodwell is probably more popr than I am at this point.


    Not that I mind, as I don’t want undue attention either.


    The estate is quiterge, so I start walking, taking a moment to reflect on the events of the day.


    Thanks to the recent Paimon resurgence, the academy had taken a break. It was still early in the school year, but apparently an incident had urred.


    Demons. And now that the Archduke has awakened and wreaked havoc, there’s no doubt that people have been traumatized, and many faculty members have been injured.


    Although the game already had a scenario like this, I had already predicted it. Every time I encounter a new situation like this, I am strongly aware that this world is paradoxically real.


    Whether I want it to be or not.


    I’m forced to contemte a side of myself that I didn’t see in the game, and ovee it.


    In many ways, I feel a bit sorry for myself.


    I’m the only one who knows the future, and I’m the only one who has to deal with it, and sometimes that makes me feel lonely.


    Especially when people bother me.


    For example…….


    “Husband~!! You’re finally here, <em>heup</em>!”


    (Seobang-nim) (<em>hup</em>)


    “Ah… Hahaha! You’re here! Nox-nim!? That Elena has been drinking a lot this morning and is a little crazy, so just ignore her and walk on by!”


    “More than that, Carl, where’s Carl!?!”


    In that order, Elena, Mei, and Rona start annoying me.


    I like Mei because she’s at least trying to help me, but the others seem more interested in other things than me.


    Especially Rona.


    For some reason, Rona is a unit that even Rodwell doesn’t mess with. I don’t know why, but Zitri doesn’t touch her much either.


    It’s killing me.


    “Ignore them.”


    “As you wish.”


    Rodwell led the way to the parlor.


    Around him, I could hear the murmur of maids and butlers.


    All of them seemed quite surprised by my recent rise to the head of the Academy.


    Hagiya, I’m the stupid Nox, the disgrace of the family.


    The fact that I’m a trashy piece of shit with nothing but my looks, and that I’m showing signs of oveing them, is enough for them to burn me like kindling.


    Still, their conclusion boils down to one thing.


    -What kind of payment did you recieve? Could it be that Young Master Nox had that level of skill?


    -Allen, there was a story that the victory over Young Master Hartz was due tock of equipment.


    The negative rumors are proof of that… there’s no way Nox could have done that.


    But I don’t care.


    I’m just pretending that I don’t use it… but it doesn’t make much difference since the oue is simr. Perhaps Nox has done enough to disrespect them that he deserves this kind of treatment.


    The question is, why should I, who didn’t do anything wrong, have to suffer the consequences….


    I’m not going to talk about this anymore.


    I’m just going to make myself sick.


    <em>Creak.</em>


    <em>(kkiig.)</em>


    “Come on in.”


    Rodwell led the way, and I sheathed my sword and pushed myself into the chamber with Zitri. There, seated high on a throne, was the figure of Patriarch Theo.


    A single drop of sweat trickled down my back.


    Somehow, the magic in the air is stronger than in any other ce, and it envelops my entire body until I can barely breathe.


    My heart is pounding hard.


    Of course, in contrast to him, my outward appearance waspletely nonchnt.


    I couldn’t help but think of one thing when I saw Theo again. What I didn’t know before, I know now.


    ‘……That man is a monster. I don’t know how I ever stood upright in front of him.’


    Theo von Reinhaber was an outrageous monster.


    “Nox von Reinhafer.”


    His voice, the voice of the man I now call father, falls calmly on me.


    He pats his chair.


    “I see you’ve made some progress in your training. You can stand on your own two feet, feeling my energy, so the reports weren’t entirely inurate.”


    ‘…Perhaps this heavy magic was ced there by Theo to test me.’


    What a way for a father to test his son.


    If it had been anybody except Theo, I might have punched him in the face.


    But contrary to my expectations, the words that came out of my mouth were calm.


    “I’m sure you could have figured that out even if you hadn’t put me through all this trouble. As I’ve said before, I have no intention of doing anything to harm the family name, and my past misdeeds as a scoundrel are enough.”


    “I see. So you were aware of it.”


    “Yes.”


    I need to tone down my assholery, at least in front of Theo.


    He’s one of the three swordsmen.


    It’s obvious that I could get into trouble here.


    There’s a moment of silence, a murderous silence that belies the father-son rtionship.


    Theo’s eyes suddenly widened, and he spoke.


    “It wasn’t enough that you were chosen as the candidate for the princess’s consort, I know that it was you who killed Paimon, the archduke who crossed swords with me in the past.”


    <em>Flinch.</em>


    <em>(umjjil.)</em>


    [Talent ‘Master of Acting’ wavers].


    I nearly jump out of my seat. Shouldn’t he be horrified, too?


    How does he know about these details?


    Did Noah tell him?


    Aside from the earlier story of the maiden, the story of Paimon was hard to follow.


    My head was spinning.


    ‘Isn’t Noah a member of the imperial faction? It’s true that she helped me in the past from Prince Louis I, but… after all, she’s the dean of the academy now.’


    How in the world did the rumor get to Theo’s ears in less than a few days?


    There was no way to know.


    Just as I’m beginning to wonder, Theo brushes my questions aside. He spoke as if it were no big deal.


    “The head of the Lunatics… Luna sought me out.”


    “Luna… you mean her?”


    “Yes. There is no need to hide from her. That you have joined Lunatic, and that you have in the Archduke Paimon.”


    “……Yes.”


    “You have much to hide from your father.”


    Iunched into a quick defense, feeling my chest tighten.


    “I don’t know how you got the story, but it’s an exaggeration. I was nothing more than thest man standing. It’s not what you would expect.”


    “That’s not for you to judge.”


    What are you talking about?


    He’s saying I’m out of my league.


    Damn it. Theo continued to speak with a casual air.


    “Okay. I can understand that you don’t trust your abilities. But you won’t deny that as the head of the Reinhafer family, I can’t help but ask you a few questions, will you?”


    “…I am aware of that.”


    Theo leaned forward slightly in his jade seat.


    “First, how did you get into Eldain and catch Noah’s eye?”


    “…….”


    I hadn’t expected him to ask me that so bluntly.


    My mind went nk. What kind of answer am I supposed to give here?


    It’s not like I have any choice. I paused for a moment before answering.


    “Because I had a reason to stand out.”


    Theo continued.


    “I’ve heard all the stories, Lars, about how you caught the eye of that stubborn professor, about how you won Luna’s approval. As far as I’m concerned, it’s all just luck and nothing to write home about.”


    “I’ll admit it.”


    “You have grown stronger, and for whatever reason, you are trying to deceive me, which is a grave offense. There is no greater sin than deceiving the head of a family. Not only that, but breaking the family’s marriage covenant and bing a potential consort to an enemy princess hard to ignore. The family’s vassals are also of the opinion that you should be punished.”


    I’m sure the vassals would love to push me out.


    The reason is simple: they hate Nox with a passion.


    I couldn’t help but bow my head and reply.


    “If you’re asking for ountability, I’ll take it in stride.”


    “Do you know one thing?”


    “…What?”


    “The things you’ve done are certainly not positive for our family. First of all, you tried to deceive me, but I can’t deny that it could lead to a falling out with other noble families. There is only one…… way to justify everything you have done.”


    <em>Zeeeeeeeeeeee…!</em>


    Theo said as he released an overwhelming amount of magic power. His gaze suddenly sharpened and focused on me.


    Those eyes that seemed to see through everything.


    I knew all too well how dangerous that was.


    Theo continued, gripping the scepter as if it would break.


    “To be strong. To carve your name high enough that no one can look up, and then you can do anything. It’s a sad world.”


    I realized.


    Theo’s keen eyes, I realized, sometimes maximize the curiosity of their subjects, making them want to experience him for themselves, to test their own eyes.


    He continued.


    “You said you weren’t interested in this position. House Reinhafer. You have no intention of bing the head of one of the continent’s three great dark families.”


    “That’s right.”


    I answered quickly, feeling the uneasy start of a question.


    Theo chuckled dismissively.


    ‘…Wait. Heughed? The same Theo von Reinhaber?’


    I narrowed my eyes and looked up at him, momentarily forgetting to be polite. He regained his expression and spoke.


    “Come out. To the rehearsal hall.”


    “Yes?”


    I replied, my brow furrowing slightly, as Theo removed his outer robe, handed it to Rodwell, and began to walk toward me.


    Before I knew it, Theo was in front of me. I look up at him, not breaking my stance. I know that’s what he wants most.


    Theo looks at me with his eyes.


    “I’m going to show you what the position you turned down means.”


    “What’s that….”


    “The Supreme ck Sword.”


    Theo’s eyes are colder than ever.


    But these are not the pathetic eyes of his past.


    Now his eyes are filled with expectation, desire, and the intent to persuade. I barely contain myself from swallowing hard.


    Theo handed Rodwell his sword and spoke.


    “I will pass on the next form for the Supreme ck sword.”


    …… Insane.


    (michin.)


    I could only stare at Theo’s words.


    It didn’t make sense.


    Even if the direct line of the Reinhafer family were to inherit the first three forms of the Supreme ck Sword, it would make absolutely no sense.


    Unlike the first ceremony, which is passed on if you show talent with the sword, the second ceremony is not passed on until you are at least seventeen.


    The third is not passed on until you are twenty.


    That’s the cardinal tradition of House Reinhafer.


    And…….


    Theo von Reinhaber was the patriarch, and he was about to break it.


    All for the sake of his youngest son.


    My heart began to pound like crazy.