How to Survive as the Second Son of a Mage Family - Chapter 132
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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How to Survive as the Second Son of a Magic Family (132)
[Jeremy Lore]
When I unfolded the note, an unfamiliar name appeared.
Actually, I had planned to randomly pick someone from the requests that came in after the 1-1 round ended to make them my partner, but my mind changed after hearing who in our class still hadn’t found a partner.
After reading only the name of the person I had sent for and folding the paper again, Elias spoke up.
“Who are you really going to do it with? Let’s do it together~ I’ve never worked with you even once until now.”
“What about Leo.”
“He has lots of friends, so he’ll be fine. Julia’s there too!”
Seeing that even students who had already decided on partners left me notes, it seems like team members can be changed until the exam, but anyway, Leo would be most comfortable when working with Elias.
I responded with a smile instead of words and opened the suggestion window.
〈 Chapter 6. Act Righteously and Fear No One 〉
Suggestion 1: +300 favorability within deadline (63/300) (158 hours 57 minutes 15 seconds)
* Route 1 — 〈 +15.0 points 〉
* Route 2 — 〈 Suggestion 2 〉
Now is the time to think about how to secure 15 points before a week passes.
It hasn’t even been 12 hours and it’s already risen to 63 points, but considering this exam was broadcast live on the Imperial Newspaper, it’s not that high a value.
‘So… does this only apply to people within the range where I can check favorability.’
Since it’s called favorability rather than impression value, that’s entirely possible.
Then the target would be students at our school.
‘Then the answer is clear.’
If I earn points like this in the second exam, I can get up to 120 points without much effort.
The problem is the remaining 180 points.
So, first.
‘I need to create a few more opportunities to raise it on a wide scale.’
Second, I also need to individually increase favorability.
Even if not all 43 people, I do need to build connections. I should go around being kind.
Then Elias narrowed his eyes and muttered.
“But Luca, today you seem…”
“What.”
“Your expression feels softer~? But just now it went back to normal.”
“Is that so.”
I’ve never been conscious of it before, but maybe because I instinctively felt I shouldn’t drop favorability any further, I must have shown it enough for even Elias to notice.
‘…This is strangely irritating.’
That my attitude changed enough for even Elias to notice, all because of favorability. It’s laughable.
‘Well, at least it’s fortunate that it doesn’t throw me a few ridiculous choices and tell me to pick from them.’
Crash―!
Before I could even finish thinking, I slammed my head on the desk.
“Lu, Luca! Your head…!”
“Mmm.”
I almost caused a huge problem just now.
When I need to be careful even with my thoughts, what was I doing?
Remembering how the ‘conquest complete’ text disappeared yesterday when I thought I didn’t want to see it, this system is definitely reflecting my demands in real time.
So I need to always think about wanting insight abilities if it’s going to give me anything, and steel my resolve.
“…Luca, you don’t seem to be in good condition, so go rest in the dormitory now.”
“Should I.”
Actually, we had only come to pack our bags, and since the exam was already over, there was no need to stay in the classroom.
Indeed, the classroom was completely empty without a single student.
I got up from my seat and warped to the dormitory.
* * *
Beep―
The Imperial 2nd Education Institute cut off the Imperial Newspaper broadcast from when the first-year exams began.
This was to avoid showing footage if the prince made a mistake.
As someone bearing the royal family name, Adelbert Hohenzollern had always maintained top rankings, but there was no telling when problems might arise.
And…
[1 minute 33 seconds.]
[…Overall 3+. Thank you for your hard work.]
3+.
7th grade out of 18 total grades.
While it was more than half so not low, one had to consider that virtually no students received below failing grades.
Excluding failing grades, there were 11 total grades.
7th grade out of 11 grades.
‘…’
That problem occurred today.
Adelbert stared into empty space with a hardened expression. Then a deranged chuckling laugh leaked out from him.
Even though it was time to leave the room, no one told him to go out.
‘What was the problem.’
Was it because he neglected practice, or because he failed at mind control.
To say he neglected practice, his recent final exam practical grade was 1st grade.
It was probably because he was under excessive pressure.
His condition hadn’t been very good since the day he heard the order from His Majesty the Emperor that ‘Elias Hohenzollern will be in the 2nd year 1st team, so you must achieve excellent results worthy of leading the 1st year 1st team.’
‘Pathetic.’
Even he thought it was a mess.
His tension had worsened even more after hearing today that the senior who couldn’t even use magic received a 1+.
If he performed worse than someone who had never used magic, there was no way His Majesty would have kind words for him.
But the Imperial 2nd Education Institute was unnecessarily fair.
Of course it should be fair, but thinking of the future that would come from this grade was unbearable.
It felt like his insides were twisting. His insides twisted so much that even his mana seemed to surge backwards.
He didn’t know how he would face his classmates when he left this place immediately.
“…”
Adelbert, who had been standing like that for a while, snapped his fingers and warped.
Now all that remained in the exam hall was the broken royal wand.
* * *
The day passed quickly.
No, it seemed that way because I had been running around like crazy, deploying from Bavaria and drawing out divine power.
I had only collected newspapers but hadn’t read them yet.
So I moved to school just before going to school on Monday. And I called Leo through the personal line stored in my artifact.
“What, why are you in this state. Why did you call me?”
A little later, Leo, who had warped to my room, looked down at me lying face down on the bed and said.
His voice was tinged with bewilderment.
“Just get me one newspaper.”
There probably aren’t many people who would give such menial errands to the Crown Prince of Bavaria.
But Narke is currently training with her partner, and Elias went to the gambling house. This guy is the only one I can ask.
Leo also let out a hollow laugh as if asking whether I called him just to say that.
“What newspaper.”
“Munich Economic Journal. Get me the evening reservation edition for today.”
“You mean Floss?”
“Yeah.”
When no response came, I lifted my head slightly and saw Leo looking around at the various newspapers scattered on my desk.
He seemed to wonder why I was asking for an economic journal when I already had newspapers piled up.
Anyway, Leo nodded.
“Got it.”
“Thanks in advance.”
Just as I said that and relaxed again, something sharp poked into my shoulder blade.
“What.”
[Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.]
It must have been a wand.
It’s a healing magic incantation I’d heard before.
But….
‘Oh.’
I admired inwardly as I slowly got up from my seat.
He had definitely said he would learn magical medicine before.
Since that day, Leo had been skipping all his free time without exams to stay in Bavaria, but even so, only four days had passed until now.
Yet the magic itself was much more vibrant than the magic I had received before.
“Hasn’t it only been a few days since you learned this?”
“That’s right.”
Leo smiled as if feeling bitter.
‘He’s bitter about being called talented.’
That would make sense for him.
Since I had something to say anyway, I should change the subject.
“Leo, starting today, there will probably be students who seriously oppose my grades.”
“Opposition?”
“Students who are displeased with my 1+ grade will appear. They’ll try their best to diminish my grades and abilities somehow.”
“….”
Leo nodded.
There was no particular point in asking why I thought that. Leo would know too.
The fact that the only illegitimate admission student at the Imperial 2nd Education Institute, a student who knew he had shamefully entered and kept his head down every day, had suddenly achieved the highest grade of 1+ was enough to throw all students into panic.
And that was even more true for the Department of Magic students.
‘Of course, I welcome it.’
I could use this inferiority complex as a way to gain widespread favorability.
It’s a perfect opportunity for me.
“So I’m telling you this because I’m worried you might waste energy unnecessarily. Don’t get worked up over it.”
“I won’t get worked up.”
Leo shrugged with an indifferent tone.
And that attitude was broken six hours later.
* * *
“…You didn’t drink blood, did you?”
“He just went to the Imperial Palace and came back. At this time, they wouldn’t just let him go if he had.”
“Ah….”
A student who had arrived early in the classroom to study continued writing formulas while listening to other students’ conversations that served as background noise.
His concentration had already scattered.
The students debated whether Lucas had drunk blood or not, then got deflated by the Imperial Palace story and were now slowly bringing up the topic of receiving the highest grade through magical power.
This wasn’t a story unique to this classroom. The same story could be heard everywhere.
‘Well, if they don’t think that way, their past efforts would seem like a waste.’
After scraping together 15 years to barely stay at grades 3-4, if someone who only looked at textbooks got the highest grade on their first exam, most would probably go crazy.
Julia Zehringen stopped writing formulas and spun her pen.
Golden magical power the same color as her eyes crackled and shot out.
‘It was definitely red. I’d like to see it once more.’
Not through a blurry broadcast screen, but actually in front of my eyes.
The magic I saw then was so refreshing that the minute or so seems to keep replaying before my eyes.
Of course, if things go well, I’ll soon see it enough to get tired of it. Hadn’t I refused all requests and favors for that purpose?
My judgment was correct.
The succession rights to the Duchy of Anhalt could change.
It’s a 1% possibility, but in politics, even 1% is an enormous possibility that can’t be ignored.
Especially at a time like now when enormous benefits can be gained with just a little effort, there are overflowing reasons to invest.
The student spun her pen.
After seeing Ascanien’s, her own golden magical power that looked excessively crude shot out fiercely around her.
“Julia.”
At the voice calling her, Julia lifted her gaze from the book and looked up.
Three or four students with tense faces were standing in front of her.
“You got a 1+, right?”
“Yes.”
Was there a reason to ask that now?
Hadn’t the professor already openly said so?
“Um, I watched you take the entire exam and you did well as usual.”
“Really? Thanks.”
What were they trying to say by laying this groundwork?
Julia smiled and clasped her hands together. Then one of those standing in front of her asked in a voice trying to act nonchalant.
“But, what do you think about Lucas getting the highest score?”
At those words, Julia smiled gently.
It seemed they wanted agreement from a fellow top scorer because they weren’t confident in their own judgment. They probably also wanted to determine whether their politicking would work or not.
“I think he received it according to his abilities.”
“…Really? He got a 1+ with just magical power, is that okay?”
“That’s also an ability.”
“….”
The students in front exchanged glances among themselves.
Then they smiled awkwardly and nodded.
“…Ah, that’s true. Thanks for the answer.”
“Sure.”
Julia smiled and closed her book.
Those students, not having found the answer they wanted, looked toward Leo, but when the professor entered, they clicked their tongues and sat down.
* * *
“Leo. Are you okay?”
“About what?”
“Lucas got a 1+ today.”
Today Lucas had come to school, but his mother urgently convened a strategy meeting, so he went back to Bavaria.
‘Just as Lucas said….’
Today the school was still buzzing with Prince Adelbert and Lucas’s exam results.
One side because it was too low compared to expectations, the other side because it was too high compared to expectations.
Honestly, the low side wasn’t my concern, and the high side….
As Lucas predicted, students began appearing who tried to diminish his abilities.
Leo held back a hollow laugh and closed his book.
“What does that have to do with me.”
“Well, you’re the same grade as him. Everything was fine but… don’t you think 1+ is a bit much?”
“I wonder.”
Leo answered roughly and shrugged as if he didn’t want to care.
“I mean, it’s not that he’s bad or anything, and I think he did well too, but isn’t being the same level as Julia and you a bit much? I think the professors might be showing favoritism. He’s Adrian Ascanien’s younger brother.”
At those words, Leo paused.
When was he called Pleroma, and now he gets the title of Adrian Ascanien’s younger brother?
One thing was certain.
‘They must be anxious.’
More than anything else, they probably can’t accept that someone who was dead last in the entire school until just now has risen above them.
They must have been looking down on Lucas since first year, so they’re probably shocked beyond belief.
Now that I look at it, all the guys in front of me are Grade 2 students.
That “I think you did well, but you’re not on the same level as us, are you?” is probably jealousy, but they’re also genuinely confused and think that way because they really don’t understand.
When Leo just tilted his head expressionlessly, someone took that as dissatisfaction with Lucas and tried to provoke Leo.
“We need to practice for the 1st-2nd year matches anyway, so Leo. Don’t you want to spar with him once?”
“Why would I?”
“You hate him, don’t you.”
“….”
Leo pressed his lips tightly together.
Then he sneered with an annoyed expression.
“So you’re trying to start a fight to see who wins?”
“No, it’s not that, but if we’re going to file a complaint with the school, wouldn’t it be good to leave evidence by sparring?”
“I won’t do it.”
“…Honestly, don’t you find it suspicious in terms of fairness that you and he got the same grade? It’s kind of unfair. It’s natural for the time to be short when you push with magic power, but giving a 1+ for that….”
They’re attributing all of this to magic power right now?
Honestly, I’ve been hearing this statement all day, but every time I hear it, it’s ridiculous.
‘Right, they can’t accept that such skill came from theory alone.’
Well, that’s because I’ve been grinding and polishing like crazy for four months.
Of course, achieving 1+ in just four months is entirely thanks to Lucas’s ability.
There are plenty of guys who can’t even absorb what they’re taught, so these guys saying such things would have trouble getting even a 6+, let alone a 1+, after learning for four months.
Anyway, if there’s something I felt after carefully watching Lucas’s exam performance this time….
It’s that all of Lucas’s movements have already become similar to mine.
In such a situation, hearing things like “the grading fairness is questionable” just makes me laugh. If that’s the case, they should say the same thing to me.
“How about you guys try it.”
“…Us?”
Leo smiled gently and encouraged them.
“Try asking him. Lucas doesn’t seem to have any friends to train with right now, so he might accept more easily than you think. If he doesn’t have the skill to receive a 1+, wouldn’t he lose to you guys?”
“….”
The students’ eyes wavered.
Their hearts were definitely wavering along with them.
* * *
It wasn’t until dinner time that I could return to the dormitory.
I listened to the conversation through the artifact Leo had connected while flipping through the newspaper.
[Try asking him. Lucas doesn’t seem to have any friends to train with right now, so he might accept more easily than you think. If he doesn’t have the skill to receive a 1+, wouldn’t he lose to you guys?]
[Euhahahak!]
Elias’s laughter came through the artifact.
Since all three of us were connected, it probably reached Leo too.
[He just seems to want you to step on him once? Leo isn’t the type to say things like that. Living long enough, I get to hear Leo say things that incite fights too~!]
“Haha….”
Hasn’t he lived for 18 years?
Anyway, I had told him in advance, but that apparently didn’t protect Leo’s pride.
Certainly, the students’ mental state is immature.
The characteristic of not being able to distinguish between what they can and cannot change—or perhaps knowing but trying anyway—shows through in all their words and actions. If this were channeled healthily, it would become reform and growth, but in this case it’s no different from just sticking out their lips and throwing a tantrum. They couldn’t hide their jealousy, confusion, or inferiority complex at all.
‘Just pathetic.’
Leo seems genuinely angry, but I don’t really think much of it.
Those who can’t control their inferiority complex like that are bound to self-destruct when continuously shown reality.
Anyway, I’ll continue taking exams with this same skill level, and each time they’ll realize what they can’t change.
And….
Separately from that, it’s better to correct bad manners sooner rather than later.
I happened to need an opportunity to gain widespread favorability.
The timing couldn’t be better.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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