But I was soon disappointed.
“But it’s a secret. I want to surprise you later.”
He really was a strange junior.
Still, I couldn’t help but grow more curious about him.
“If this was Aquila’s intention…”
It worked.
I glanced back up at the section I had skimmed over earlier with blurry eyes.
Come to think of it, my own life hasn’t exactly been smooth sailing either.
That’s why your words about life being a series of storms resonated more deeply with me than you might think.
“He’s younger than me anyway… ‘Storms,’ seriously?”
Thinking about this mysterious junior trying to act mature made me chuckle.
“Well… if it’s Lennox, who lost his whole family at a young age… fair enough.”
That’s not a storm — that’s world-ending.
Just thinking about him again after all this time made my mouth feel dry.
Even if he wasn’t directly related to me, recalling the original story made me aware of him.
“I wonder if Lennox is doing well.”
I heard he’s never failed to rank top in the Swordsmanship Department.
“Wait — Aquila is in the Swordsmanship Department too.”
Then maybe Lennox and Aquila know each other? They could even be friends.
I thought about it while reading through the letter again.
As you said, the academy was more than sufficient to lay the foundation.
Aquila’s letter ended with more praise, and now it made me smile.
“I really want to see what he looks like.”
But I folded the letter and stood up.
Today, on my coming-of-age day, I had an important appointment in the afternoon.
“Let’s go to the Imperial Palace.”
It was finally the day I would receive the title that originally belonged to me.
* * *
“At this time, the succession cannot proceed.”
I couldn’t believe what I just heard.
“Excuse me?”
“It’s not possible.”
The imperial official replied curtly, frowning as if annoyed.
That’s when I realized I hadn’t misheard.
“Why? What’s the reason?”
“Because an objection has been filed regarding your Esplan Academy graduation exam.”
An objection now?
“Who filed it?”
“That information is confidential due to anonymity.”
Damn anonymity.
Who the hell would file such a false claim?
One thing’s clear, though.
Someone is very unhappy about my succession.
“Do they have any evidence to support this objection?”
“Sigh…”
The official let out a dramatic sigh, clearly annoyed.
I get it. You hate your job. Been there. But I’m not leaving until I get my answer.
I stared him down with a bold face.
“The professor who oversaw your exam, Lady Jacqueline, is currently imprisoned in the Imperial Prison.”
What?
“She was imprisoned over this?”
“It’s imperial defamation.”
Despite the severity of what he just said, the official remained unbothered.
He glanced at me like he’d finished his job, then buried himself back in paperwork.
Now I understood the situation clearly.
Esplan Academy.
A prestigious institution established by the founding emperor to identify talented individuals.
Any misconduct there was considered an insult to the empire.
So they’re suspecting that I bribed someone and rigged the results…
I didn’t point out the insult but continued calmly. Making a scene over something minor wouldn’t help now.
“If every current academy professor confirms my test results, then my innocence will be proven, right?”
“Well… I suppose so.”
With that, I left the palace.
I could have had Mion read that official’s memory and easily learned who the accuser was.
But the Duke of Penelope might be in the palace.
A man with decades of experience controlling divine beasts would definitely notice Mion.
So who has the motive to block my succession?
The people I’d earned grudges from were Artur, Istasha Rowen, and Lizette — but none had the power to influence a title succession.
As I pondered this on the way to my carriage, my maid Lisa delivered some news.
“My lady, the Duke is asking for you.”
Duke Dinero? At a time like this?
The timing seemed too coincidental. I hurried into the carriage.
Upon arriving at the duchy, Duke Dinero was sipping tea in front of the drawing room fireplace as usual.
“You called for me?”
“So you’ve heard the news.”
Despite his age, the Duke remained sharp and lively.
He placed his teacup down and said:
“Will you let this old man help?”
“No need.”
I smiled slightly and shook my head. It was unlike him to offer help first.
He must be feeling guilty.
He probably blamed himself for not arranging the succession earlier.
But I saw things differently.
If he had granted the title sooner, they would’ve just found a different way to sabotage it.
I was deeply curious about the one who had interfered with a succession I’d waited years for.
I wanted to find them — and crush them — myself.
“Do you still resent this poor old man for delaying your succession?”
“I wouldn’t say you’re poor… and no, that’s not it.”
I grinned wickedly.
“I’ve got a plan.”
“Oh? What plan?”
The Duke looked intrigued.
“Are you going to prove yourself in a grand way?”
His eager expression made me feel slightly embarrassed.
I smirked and replied:
“I’m not going to do anything.”
He looked stunned.
“What?”
He stared, silently asking if I was joking. I shrugged.
“I really don’t plan to do anything.”
“Are you saying you’re giving up?”
“I’m waiting.”
When a foolish rat hides in a pot, you boil the pot. The heat will drive it out.
“…”
Finally, Duke Dinero understood what I meant and fell silent.
“If you eat fruit before it’s ripe, it’s bitter. But when it’s ready, it’s sweet and nutritious.”
He grinned wickedly, just like me.
“Hehehe…”
“Kukuku…”
We chuckled ominously as we sipped tea together.
“But Clemence.”
“Yes?”
“Will you be alright?”
“With what?”
What wasn’t I going to be alright with?
His next words froze me — because I remembered something I had completely forgotten.
“It seems like there are quite a few people waiting to pounce on you — like Harina Delarno and the others.”
The professors at the academy, especially those from the Elder Council.
Hyenas just waiting to drag me into their labs as a slave!
I totally forgot!
The Duke clicked his tongue when he saw my expression.
“So your real problem was something else entirely.”
“…Please help me.”
“Didn’t you say you didn’t need my help?”
“But professors like them are too much for a gentle lamb like me.”
He gave me a long look, as if incredulous.
Right, no one’s going to believe I’m a gentle lamb…
“Okay, I’ll correct myself. Not a lamb… Let’s go with ‘Prospective Lab Slave #1.’”
“Ahem… I suppose I could drop a hint to keep you out of the labs.”
“Thank you! I’ll consider you a lifelong benefactor.”
“Said the one who called me a damn old man behind my back?”
Yikes. He heard that?
“Well, there’s that old saying — enemies at first make the strongest allies.”
“I’ve never heard that in my 74 years.”
“Well, now you have.”
He burst out laughing at my shameless response.
* * *
Under the warm sunlight—
A boy with clear green eyes and tousled blond hair walked across the academy’s central plaza.
His expression was indifferent, but his striking beauty and poised demeanor made the surrounding students whisper in admiration.
“Hey, Ren! Where are you going? Trying that graduation exam again — the one you always fail?”
A smug voice rang out behind him.
“Hey! Don’t ignore me!”
When the boy showed no reaction, the angry student blocked his path.
Much bulkier than Lennox, he was Louis Bentley — the youngest son of Count Bentley and Lennox’s classmate in the Swordsmanship Department.
“What do you want?”
Lennox said coldly.
“Speak. I’ll give you one minute.”
