Deadline Is Raining in the Status Window - Chapter 281

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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#There might be a German word for that peculiar ache one feels upon remembering a relative who is still retaking exams.

Midterms had concluded, and the mountains around us blazed with autumn foliage. Having made good use of the genealogical records I’d procured, I was planning an outing to view the changing leaves with the village lads—those who howled like dragons—when the postman called my name at the village entrance.
We had telegrams and servants to exchange letters instantly, yet someone had taken the sentimental route with pretty stamps. The sender turned out to be my younger brother. Rael Neftis inquired after the family’s wellbeing before cutting straight to the point: when was Dekarucha scheduled to return?
Was this fool still chasing after Dekarucha? Wasn’t he supposed to be studying for exams? Come to think of it, had he even enrolled at the Academy? I was nearly finished with my third year, and I’d never heard news of his admission.
“Village Chief! Is there a telegraph station here?”
“Tsk tsk tsk! The Magic Department left one when they came to replace equipment recently!”
The Village Chief laughed like some male-oriented pulp villain. I gratefully used the village telegraph to inquire about Rael’s current situation at Father’s Study. The reply that came back shortly stated that Rael was currently retaking his exams for the third time.
“This won’t do!”
“Heh heh, why the concern?”
“My younger brother is going to fail his fourth attempt chasing after Dekarucha!”
I was serious, but the Village Chief seemed unbothered.
“I flunked out of school for ten years—a bit of wandering at a young age is hardly unusual.”
“If he fails, I can’t sell him to Cecilia for a high price!”
“You really are garbage, aren’t you?”
Every year of youth mattered enormously on the marriage market! And House Neftis already had a reputation for producing dimwits because of me and Duchess Neftis. If my brother failed his retake and couldn’t get into the Academy, the Imperial Palace marriage officials would absolutely fleece me when arranging his marriage to Cecilia. They might refuse to give him proper husband status, claiming we couldn’t pass inferior genes to the Imperial line.
Even if my younger brother married the Emperor, he had to be properly registered in the household registry—I’d never allow him to remain a mere consort!
“Where is Seian? Where is Seian right now?”
This was precisely when I needed a brilliant husband. I asked the village’s Information Chief about Seian’s whereabouts, and word came back that my human escort was at Sera’s Residence, caring for an egg while studying.
These people are incredibly capable. If I’d known this, I should have just transferred to this village in my first year.
“For the autumn outing, I’ll bring makgeolli!”
Makgeolli seemed like the perfect choice for my first drink as an adult. I’d already asked Gerth to prepare it. At the autumn outing, I’d gather ginkgo nuts and chestnuts, roast meat over charcoal, and enjoy the makgeolli.
I swallowed eagerly at the thought of truly enjoying Academy life and set out to find Seian. When I suggested we go out together, he brought over a baby carriage and gently placed the egg inside. Where on earth had he found such a thing?
“No flying! The egg might get startled!”
But it’s just an egg—wouldn’t it be unaware whether it flew or rolled? And given the timing, wouldn’t cells already be developing inside the shell? I had a valid point, but Seian dismissed my logic as nonsense and suggested we simply walk since he wasn’t particularly busy.
True enough, there was nothing urgent. I had no deadline hanging over me now, no pressing matters demanding immediate attention. Looking back, I’d lived these past few years in relentless busyness.
“Understood. Let’s walk.”
Seian, the egg, and I made a harmonious little family as we strolled toward the Neftis Townhouse. Upon arriving at the mansion and asking Titi where Rael was, she reported that the exam-taker wasn’t studying as he should—instead, he was in his room writing some novel.

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“Nooooo! Sister should have married the Heart of Flames instead!”
Don’t you dare mess with my real sister, you lunatic. I forced Rael to his knees and borrowed Seian’s hand to smack my younger sibling’s head. If I did it myself, he’d end up in the hospital.
“Hey, now that I’ve hit him, your younger sibling’s got quite the thick skull too, huh?”
“Can’t be helped. It’s genetic.”
“What are you talking about? Duke Neftis graduated top of the Scholarship Department and even has his name on the Academy memorial, doesn’t he? Didn’t you see it when you went to school?”
“Never bothered to look. The problem is Duchess Neftis.”
“Why the Duchess?”
“She’s someone who can’t understand why 100 units of thermal energy can’t produce 100 units of kinetic energy.”
“Is she trying to build a perpetual motion machine?”
What a magnificent dragon she is—probably about to cause a sensation in the field of thermodynamics. Even the Mother Goddess calls her the Mother Demon.
Regardless of how sensible Father was, now that Iyongi’s blood runs through the family, House Neftis is doomed to produce blockheads for generations to come. This bloodline doesn’t seem like it’ll dilute anytime soon.
“I’ve already reached an agreement with Seian on the way here. Rael, starting today you’ll live at the Crown Prince’s Residence and receive tutoring from Seian.”
“Huh?! Why me!”
“Why? Are you going to slack off?!”
“School isn’t everything in life!”
“What else can you do besides studying?”
“Ugh!”
“At your age, I was out catching tuna.”
I froze the sea and threw harpoons while earning my tuition. That was already three years ago, wasn’t it? I was getting lost in nostalgia when Seian jabbed me in the ribs and delivered a stinging remark.
“Man, you sound like a fossil.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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