Chapter 21
Furas slowly picked up his teacup and looked at me, Eddie.
I revealed a measured amount of tension and slowly raised my head.
“You took second place in the entrance exam,” he said.
“Yes, my Lord. Thanks to the generous support of the family,” I replied.
“No need for such humility. I already knew you had exceptional talent.”
“Thank you.”
“And with that talent, you even saved lives, achieving more than just second place.”
Furas' low voice grew heavier.
A silence settled over the office.
I met Furas' piercing gaze directly.
His eyes, usually veiled in a foggy emptiness that hid his intentions, revealed a sharp glint when he sought to see through someone.
Confirming that glint, I quickly lowered my head and scratched the back of my neck.
“Ah… it turned out well, but honestly, I don’t clearly remember what happened. My body just reacted to the thought that someone might die…”
“…”
“But regardless, I’ll make sure to avoid getting involved in such incidents again.”
“…”
I finished my response in a slightly softer voice.
Furas, listening, silently tilted his teacup and took a sip.
It meant he was pleased with my quick-witted reply.
“How are you getting along with Marcel? I told him to keep you close.”
“I always strive to fulfill my role as his assistant by his side. He’s not one to let others in easily, so it’s still quite challenging.”
“Hm. He has grown to be rather aloof compared to his peers.”
“Still, following him has taught me something very important.”
“…‘Something important.’ What did you learn?”
“That maintaining dignity is as crucial as building skill.”
“…”
At my unexpected words, Furas narrowed his brow, his eyebrow twitching.
I was certain my gamble would pay off, seeing his reaction.
The trust I could gain as a Tail hinged on my next words.
I widened my eyes, instantly crafting an innocent expression.
Soon, I recounted an incident from the academy’s central plaza.
“The young master of House Dickens had another boy take a commoner’s bread…”
Moments later—
“…Ha.”
Not a scornful scoff but a deep, hearty laugh broke the office’s silence.
The tea in Furas' cup rippled faintly with his low chuckle.
I widened my eyes further, feigning confusion at his laugh.
Of course, my eyes closely observed the smile on his lips.
And I was certain.
That laugh was genuine.
‘His son subdued the disgraceful Dickens heir with a few words—how could he not laugh?’
With Furas' laughter, the office’s atmosphere softened instantly.
I continued my act, awkwardly mimicking his smile, and Furas, in a gentler tone, gave me instructions.
“Continue to do your best as Marcel’s assistant. At the academy, stay by his side even more diligently.”
“Yes, my Lord.”
“Even if Marcel doesn’t let you in easily, he’ll seek you out when needed, so don’t worry. He’s the kind of boy who chooses only what benefits him, even in the books he reads.”
“…Yes, understood.”
I forced a naive smile, hiding the flicker of unease.
No matter how much I steeled myself, being treated as a mere tool by my enemy’s son was something I couldn’t get used to.
“Oh, and—”
As I maintained my innocent expression, Furas pulled a letter from his drawer.
Handing it to me, he said in a voice stripped of humor,
“When you meet the dean privately after the entrance ceremony, deliver this letter to him.”
“…”
“Understood?”
“Yes, understood.”
I answered cleanly without prying, as expected.
Satisfied with my demeanor, Furas nodded and dismissed me.
***
Back in my room, I lay on my bed and closed my eyes.
“Hoo…”
I took slow, deep breaths to release the tension.
Meeting Furas alone was a rare event.
The last time was when a young, not-yet-adult Furas played chess with me in Shainborough’s study.
Even then, as a high-year academy student, his presence was formidable despite his youth.
‘Even back then, he had that polished look in his eyes.’
Furas, unafraid even before Edmund, his father’s rival, spoke confidently.
I had seen an extraordinary ambition in his piercing gaze.
And decades later—
We faced each other again, as the head of Kirhausen and a family Tail.
Snicker.
I opened my eyes slowly and let out a small laugh.
The complete reversal of our positions from 40 years ago felt absurd once more.
‘Now I’m the one who was like Furas back then. Even bringing up the foolish Dickens heir to gain favor.’
Recalling my earlier self, I gave a bitter smile.
After a long moment of reflection to calm my complex emotions, I fell asleep.
***
About a month after the admission letters arrived—
Time flew, and the entrance ceremony was now a day away.
Tomorrow, Marcel and I would leave Shainborough to live in the academy dorms.
For the next six years, we’d only return to Shainborough during breaks or holidays.
Thus, the Shainborough servants bustled all day packing Marcel’s belongings.
In contrast, my belongings fit into a single large bag.
I personally carried it to the transport ship’s cargo hold.
There was no need to borrow a servant’s help.
The servant who came to assist thanked me before hurrying to pack Marcel’s things.
But I was the one who should be grateful.
The servants’ busyness gave me free time to do other tasks.
During this time, I leisurely visited the Pantheon.
I organized the information I’d gathered and the progress of my plans, and retrieved the most important secret artifact.
Gazing at the bustling servants beyond the balcony, I touched the cord around my neck.
Hidden under my clothes was a blue mana gem pendant.
Clode, the Oath Gem, a secret artifact from my past life symbolizing Palamedes.
Only six such treasures existed in the world, and their power could only be wielded by their rightful owners.
Thus, there was no better proof to convince Leodimir of my reincarnation.
‘The mana from my past life within it will help prove it.’
I nodded, picturing Clode’s faint blue glow beneath my clothes.
***
Before departing for the academy, I took one last walk around Shainborough’s grounds.
Normally, I’d be called to the study for evening lessons, but Shane’s consideration for the upcoming enrollment gave me free time.
‘I won’t be back for a while. I hope nothing happens to Shainborough in the meantime.’
I took in the now-familiar, though much-changed, Shainborough of the current Kirhausen Family.
“…”
My eyes, gazing at the mansion’s exterior, soon filled with complex emotions.
Meeting Leo could change everything.
I couldn’t be certain I’d return to Shainborough.
Thus, I walked on, taking in every detail of the mansion with greater care.
My steps led me to one place.
“…”
The garden fountain, bearing traces of Noah.
I silently stared at the broken edge of the fountain’s statue.
A flood of overwhelming emotions surged within me.
“Haa…”
To steady myself, I closed my eyes tightly.
I vividly recalled my grandson’s youthful face.
‘Tomorrow, I’ll learn a lot and change a lot. And maybe… I’ll find out about you, Noah.’
My brow furrowed slightly between my closed eyes.
A faint tremor touched my lips.
I couldn’t even imagine what Noah looked like now.
Not only had he missed the academy, but he’d likely endured 30 years of hardship.
Thinking of my grandson, my chest sank heavily, making it hard to breathe.
In another life, I would have personally overseen Noah’s and even my great-grandchild’s enrollment.
But now, I was preparing to enter the academy myself—not to enroll my descendants, but as a Tail serving the heir of those who crushed my family.
‘As a Tail to the descendant of the one who trampled my children.’
In my slowly opening eyes, sadness gave way to a deep, simmering rage.
There was one reason I threw myself into this absurd situation.
‘It’s the surest way to take back everything that was stolen.’
No matter how much rage, sorrow, or guilt I felt—
I had to enter the academy as a Kirhausen Tail.
…
Passing the central garden’s fountain, I headed to the knight training ground within the estate.
Thwack—! Tap—Crack—!
The training ground echoed with the disciplined shouts and fierce sounds of the knights’ training.
‘Hm… Dwayne isn’t here.’
Lingering at the entrance, I scanned the area with a hint of disappointment.
Dwayne Simon, the Third Knight Commander, was the only one I’d built a slight rapport with here.
I’d hoped to say goodbye before leaving, but he was nowhere to be seen.
Instead, my eyes caught someone else.
First Knight Commander Tares Clifford.
He was engaged in a 5:1 practical training session with his knights.
His flawless movements belied his mid-40s age.
Even against knights young enough to be his sons, Tares showed no openings, overwhelming them.
“Hm.”
The perfect movements of a seasoned knight were always a sight to behold.
I stood there, watching Tares' training.
But then—
“…!”
Sensing my gaze, Tares stopped and turned around.
Our eyes met as I stood at the training ground’s entrance.
“What a sense…”
I muttered in quiet admiration, meeting Tares' direct stare from afar.
To sense a gaze from 50 meters away, mid-intense movement, and turn precisely—his awareness was almost supernatural.
“Oh.”
I stopped my admiration and belatedly bowed to show respect to the First Knight Commander.
But—
Step, step.
Tares, still looking at me, halted his training and approached the entrance.
I blinked up at him as he reached me.
‘What’s this? Why suddenly…’
Puzzled by the unexpected situation, I wore a questioning expression, but Tares looked down at me silently.
His towering presence cast a shadow that engulfed me entirely.
I felt like I was standing beneath a majestic tree.
As we gazed at each other for a moment—
Tares' low, resonant voice broke the silence.
“I heard you and Marcel are entering the academy tomorrow.”