How to Survive as the Second Son of a Mage Family - Chapter 157

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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 (157)

“Already?”

“That’s fast.”

The professor turned around and began casting magic on the spot where the broadcast screen had been displayed earlier.

I could hear the students behind us holding their breath. Leo was also tense, clenching his fists.

[Team 1: Leonard Wittelsbach / Julia Zehringen / …]

“…Ah.”

‘Ah?’

I heard a deflated sound from beside me.

Disappointed with this combination? This is one of the best combinations, just like the Leo-Elias combo from the first round!

‘He hasn’t been in his right mind since earlier….’

[… / Victoria Behrmann / Lotar Schumann / Christoph Ehrenfels / Joachim Gleichen]

‘Hmm.’

Now my thoughts have changed.

It’s not him who’s lost his mind—it’s the school.

The four names that came after Cheringen are the bottom four who made it to the third round.

In order: 24th, 23rd, 22nd, 21st place.

‘The problem isn’t simply lack of skill.’

That’s not a problem at all. Why?

Those who made it this far are in the upper ranks when considering the entire magic department.

The problem is that 6 out of 24 students must be eliminated no matter what.

Unlike before when teams worked together for bonus points, students will now desperately try to catch the professor’s attention to achieve higher rankings.

These four, whose final acceptance is uncertain let alone making Team 1, have even greater incentive to do so.

‘In other words, there’s a high possibility that teamwork will be completely ruined.’

Moreover, both Leo and Julia are accustomed to leadership roles.

Since they’re teamed with four bottom-ranked students who could destroy teamwork, the two will try not to create discord with each other, but those who have only learned to lead their entire lives won’t be easily led by one another.

Cheringen looked at Leo with a gentle smile.

“Hmm, it’s been a while since Leo and I were on the same team. Let’s do well, class president.”

“Please take care of me.”

Leo answered with his characteristic social smile.

Then, after confirming Team 1’s members, the Team 2 list began to appear.

[Team 2: Lucas Ascanien / Haike Einsiedel / Oswald Schmidt / …]

‘I’m on the same team as Einsiedel again?’

Since the day I spent all day with Einsiedel a few days ago, I haven’t made any appointments with him.

Honestly, being told someone is impossible to conquer makes me want to conquer them even more, but I need to restrain my curiosity. There must be a reason why he’s the only one showing as impossible to conquer.

So I tried to minimize contact as much as possible, but we’re on the same team again.

While thinking this and watching the flowing text, I widened my eyes at familiar letters.

[… / Narke Farnese]

I’m on the same team as Narke.

Narke, standing next to Leo, grinned.

[Team 3: Elias Hohenzollern / Ulrike Kleist / Philip Goering / ….]

‘This team has pretty good luck with members.’

Ulrike Kleist is first in Class 1, and was already on the same team as Elias in the second round.

They’re bound to work relatively well together.

Philip has a useful unique ability too.

[Team 4: Melvin Klockner / Florian Osterhagen / Josefine Ruon / Hildegard Blomberg / Gunter Bock / Auguste Rosenheim]

‘Hmm.’

This one….

There’s no standout ace, but 5 out of 6 members are from the top ranks of the magic department.

We’ll have to see how it plays out, but so far there don’t seem to be any particularly problematic teams except Team 1.

‘In other words.’

Who knows what the school will pull next.

At this rate, only Team 1 would be at a disadvantage while the rest would be in decent shape, but the school won’t give such conveniences.

[The third exam is in two weeks, and I’ll just let you know that you can train in the fields stored in Mimesis as you’ve been doing.]

The professor said while looking around at all of us.

[With this, I’ll completely conclude the second exam. Once again, congratulations to all third-round qualifiers.]

* * *

The news spread throughout the school.

Especially since first through third years had received the same field, the final field’s notoriety was already well-known.

Whether the field’s solution had been shared with other grades, several first and third-year students I encountered on the way back to the 2nd Education Center glanced at me while talking among themselves.

“That guy with earth science….”

“….”

They used to call me Pleroma, and now they’re calling me earth science?

Ding—!

Favorability +1

Of course, if they’re viewing me positively, I have no problem with it.

“But seriously, who would think of that in such a situation? Isn’t the school just terrible at difficulty adjustment?”

“That guy did.”

“He’s just one person. Out of six teams from first to third year who entered that field, only that one team got it right. How is this not a mistake?”

“That’s why the six third-year teams are going around collecting signatures.”

“Ah, they’re going to file an objection?”

I keep hearing about this topic.

It seems the Alps shock was significant for both participants and observers.

‘Anyway, the favorability is already quite profitable.’

The field is also a kind of stage, after all.

I think about a hundred pop-ups appeared today alone.

I can feel my image changing in a positive direction.

Lucas Rene Ascanien

Title: Count Nicolaus

Stamina: +3.6 (+0.4) [+6.6]

Mental Power: +3.0 (+0.9)

Magic Power: ?

Skill: +4.8 (+0.3) [+7.8]

Image: -7.0 (+2.8) [-1] [+8.095]

Luck: +4.2 (+0.6)

Traits: Dawn777, Divine Power, Charm (Lv.5), Retry (Lv.1)

‘Now it’s properly rounded Nicolaus’s image score.’

More than that, the image value is now -7.0?

That slot is the nationwide image score, isn’t it?

The school image score is also surprising.

Thanks to raising my traits, it suddenly jumped from -6 to -1.

The three-digit favorability I collected today must have had an impact too.

There’s not much left until it reaches positive numbers.

I entered the 2nd Education Center campus with the six team members.

Cheringen stopped walking in front of the 2nd Education Center building where he had first appeared.

“Lucas has to go to the drama club, right?”

“Yeah. I have to go now.”

“It’s in 3 hours, right? I’ll look forward to it.”

“Sure….”

I gave up and answered with a faint smile.

‘Why are all these kids so interested in theater?’

Actually, everyone was probably always interested, and I was the only one who wasn’t until now.

Just as I was about to tell them to go ahead and leave, Philip hesitated and opened his mouth.

“…Lucas. Thank you.”

Everyone’s eyes widened.

Even to them, hearing this ill-natured guy say thank you seemed awkward.

The story about him crying after accepting my duel request had spread throughout the school, but hearing rumors and actually seeing change are different things.

“For what.”

“Just, everything. I basically passed thanks to you. If you hadn’t asked me to duel that day, I definitely would have failed today too. And the strategy you showed today as well….”

I nodded.

“Don’t mention it. You passed because we worked well together. I’m the one who solved things easily thanks to your abilities.”

Then, Melvin suddenly butted in.

“Me too, Lucas…! Thank you. It must have been hard preparing for the play while studying for exams, so I’ll bring lots of audience members…!”

That much?

I want the opposite of that.

But since Melvin had a determined look on his face, I expressed it as gently as possible.

“No, you don’t need to come. Actually, I’d rather you all stay in the dormitory since you worked so hard earlier.”

Philip shook his head at those words.

“No way. We have to go. You’re the protagonist, right? Adults said we should go celebrate things like this.”

“What adults. When have you ever listened to adults? Just live like you always have.”

“…?”

Philip’s eyes shook wildly as if he couldn’t understand.

I patted the guy’s shoulder and said to my friends.

“I’m going now. See you later.”

“Alright.”

Cheringen waved with a bright smile.

I watched their retreating figures, then looked at the Student Union Building right next to us.

I had to go to the Drama Club room.

‘Time to go farm some favorability.’

The moment I turned around, I almost threw a punch.

“Oh, Lucas!”

Narke stepped back with a flustered smile.

“You startled me. Why are you here.”

“Why? Come on, let’s go in.”

Narke said as he entered the Student Union Building.

“I was hoping to be on the same team as you for this third round, and I’m really happy it actually happened.”

“Right. But, Narke. I have to do club rehearsal now?”

“Oh, of course you have to rehearse. But since we have to put on the play right after it ends, don’t we need to prepare the setup now?”

“Right, we need to prepare. But why….”

Why are you following me all the way to the club room?

As I thought that, I suddenly reached a conclusion.

Did he come to grow my hair?

“….”

“Haha~ You catch on quick. Let’s go in!”

As I was half-pushed into the club room, a senior who had arrived first saw me and stood up from his seat.

“Oh, I was worried you might not come, but you’re here.”

“What choice do I have. But what’s this friend for?”

“Ah, he’s going to handle makeup today. We happened to need someone who uses divine power, and he volunteered, so I brought him right away!”

He even volunteered?

When I looked at him demanding an explanation, Narke dutifully began explaining as I intended.

“Ah, I was curious. I don’t really understand the reason, but you seemed to dislike the role? You’re always so indifferent~ It’s not often you get to see something like this.”

“It’s not that I dislike it, more like why does it have to be me?”

“Same difference. Now, sit down!”

Narke tapped the chair in front of the mirror.

“If we grow this out, when will I ever get a haircut? The protagonist’s hair gets shorter in the middle, are you going to cut that too?”

The senior behind me answered my question.

“We hired a hairstylist! Don’t worry.”

“Yes…. How thorough.”

Unnecessarily so….

I said that and sat down.

At that moment, Elias warped into the club room.

‘Everyone’s really coming.’

Elias flinched when he saw my expression, then smiled mischievously again.

“I came to watch Luca get made up as Rose! Is it okay if I’m here?”

“Sure, whatever.”

“Why are you coming to watch someone else’s hair being grown? You’ll see it later anyway.”

Elias cast a sound-blocking spell around the three of us and began speaking.

“Actually, that’s not the only reason I came.”

“What is it?”

“No, let’s grow it out first and then start.”

“Okay~”

Narke cast the divine power spell without hesitation.

Just like when Leo had grown my hair when approaching Eric Asman before, my hair grew long and covered my face.

‘Isn’t this like a ghost.’

Thinking that, the moment I parted my hair and swept it back, I doubted my eyes.

“….”

I looked like Georg Ascanien.

More precisely, this was what his portrait from his youth felt like.

Narke smiled brightly and said.

“Wow, you look better with long hair~”

“People from Luca’s family all look like they were made from the same mold….”

Elias chuckled from behind, even though he’d never seen the portrait from his youth.

So I give off a Georg Ascanien vibe? Of course I would, since Adrian and Luca both resemble that person anyway.

But the fact that the feeling comes across more strongly with long hair is definitely a problem.

‘This really isn’t right.’

Is this okay like this? Of course, there’s no law saying Rosalind can’t look like this, but it doesn’t match that standard image the public wants at all.

From what I could tell, in the domestic video market, diversity in character personalities was considered a work’s distinctive feature, while there wasn’t much tolerance when it came to actors’ visuals. Regardless of my personal values.

Naturally, this visual falls completely into the intolerant category.

When I ask if it’s okay, it’s a matter of demand. Who wants to see me as Rosalind and who will come to watch?

“Whoa, what? Lucas, your thoughts are so fast right now I can’t read anything….”

“Not reading them is normal….”

I answered like that and held my forehead.

“This won’t work. I’ll get a headache if I keep using my ability. Lucas doesn’t seem to be adapting to long hair~”

“Why? Luca, why are you so worried? You look totally cool.”

“Do you think it’s okay to put this Rosalind on stage?”

“It’s fine! Everyone said they’d come watch!”

“….”

That’s also quite….

I took my hand off my forehead and swept back the ghostly hair.

“This is all done now, right? I’ll put on the costume later.”

“That’s right for now~ So, what did Elias come here to say?”

“Luca has to go into rehearsal now, right? I’ll say it quickly and go.”

Elias cast a sound-blocking spell once more and spoke.

“The air in my room was contaminated today. Luca, it was exactly as you told me.”

“…”

I nodded.

I expected them to target Philip, but Philip wasn’t attacked even though his crying that day had spread throughout the school.

At the time, I thought the culprit had thrown away the chance to solidify me as a suspect.

But not long after, Elias also had a problem.

Although Elias used it as an opportunity to seize the initiative, the culprit had committed crimes even after Adelbert’s condition improved, so his response wasn’t something to consider.

Since there was one more person who had been shaken by negative emotions, even briefly, I thought they might use Elias.

‘To think that would become reality.’

It’s quite suspicious that both Hohenzollerns became targets.

“I think they might have started this business from Primrose Pass.”

“Primrose Pass?”

“Yeah. I received a letter from there 3 days ago, right? They must have figured out my identity before that.”

“Before that, you mean exactly when.”

“The day they attacked Adelbert, or maybe a bit before that.”

“…”

I understand what hypothesis Elias has formed.

“I’m sufficiently seen as someone who could commit crimes against my uncle’s child, so I think they might have tried to frame me for murder by attacking my cousin. To obstruct my investigation activities.”

Narke’s face, who had been listening quietly, became serious.

Elias continued with a calm expression.

“And now that things have gone irreversibly wrong, they’re trying to kill me outright.”

“…”

It’s not unreasonable, but there are flaws.

If Primrose Pass’s establishment is backed by someone with power, they could attack Elias.

But for that, it would need to be considerable power.

No matter how much Elias is seen as a thorn in the Emperor’s side, he has the amount of power he should have thanks to causing countless disturbances to avoid being trampled to death like Luca.

“Be careful, Luca, and Narke. I came to say this. The students at this school know that I’m reasonably close with you two.”

“Got it.”

“Well, I’m just telling you to be careful~ Those bastards are too busy chasing me to actively harass other friends, but they could send threatening letters or be annoying like that.”

“Right. Thanks for looking out for us.”

“Don’t mention it! Then let’s meet after the play!”

At least he’s not saying something like ‘I should have told you not to dig deeper if I knew retaliation would come.’

If he had been properly poisoned by that air, he could have died.

‘The protagonist isn’t that kind of person.’

Of course, as for whether I think the culprit of this incident is Primrose Pass, personally I don’t think so.

But it’s hard to dismiss Elias’s words as complete nonsense.

‘I’ll need to investigate separately in detail.’

There wasn’t time to think longer. A senior clapped their hands from behind.

“Alright, let’s prepare to enter the stage!”

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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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