How to Survive as the Second Son of a Mage Family - Chapter 82

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

How to Survive as the Second Son of a Magic Family (82)

Perhaps it was an unexpected statement, as Narke’s expression also stiffened for a moment.

“…Me? Who?”

“Nicolaus.”

Leo continued speaking in my place.

“He wants to hold a simple celebration party before the excitement dies down. The protagonists are you and Elias.”

Leo omitted names from the report, concerned about image consumption.

Unless he stepped forward when things got bigger, that position was too weighty to attack Pleroma first.

Elias, who had handed me the banquet invitation, spoke again with a serious face.

“There is one problem though. Are you confident you can hear it without being surprised?”

“Tell me.”

“Duke Georg of the Duchy of Anhalt has also been invited.”

“….”

Georg Ascanien.

Adrian and Luca’s father.

“Luca, you’ll have to greet him at least once. As the protagonist of the banquet, you can’t avoid it.”

“No problem. There’s no way he could recognize me.”

Naturally, father hasn’t properly seen Luca’s face since childhood.

Also, when they last met, Luca was at least 5cm shorter than now.

Only his eyes were visible, it was difficult to recognize by build, and his voice was naturally modulated, so there was no way to recognize him even if he tried.

‘The real problem is the Emperor.’

Who knows what he might do soon.

Since it’s the first time, there probably won’t be any major problems, but it wouldn’t hurt to be cautious.

“Really~?! Good, we’re going together! Thank goodness. I can’t handle that old man by myself.”

Elias shouted while lying flat on the floor.

“When we go, let’s have an after-party in my room. We’ll drink moderately at the banquet hall, and the real thing starts from dawn.”

“Elias, just try drinking more than three bottles. Don’t force him to drink either.”

“….”

For this moment at least, I agreed with Leo’s scolding.

Knowing how Elias had cracked Eric Asman’s head, I couldn’t readily agree to that.

* * *

The banquet was scheduled for this Saturday, the day final exams ended.

“Next week will already be vacation, young master.”

At the tea house that had become completely familiar after attending all semester, I drank tea with the head butler in front of me.

“Is this vacation also two weeks? It was like that when I attended, but I’m not sure if it’s still the same.”

“That’s correct.”

The winter vacation here was amazingly short.

Though it was only two weeks, since Christmas and New Year’s Day were included, everyone returned home instead of staying at school.

‘Though Luca stayed at school.’

Of course, on Christmas Day, he was inevitably dragged home.

But this time, I would skip everything.

While I drank ice water to suppress a cough, the head butler looked out the window with a nostalgic expression and said.

“I remember going ice fishing with your father during vacation. When we got competitive, I always won.”

“That must have been enjoyable.”

I nodded appropriately.

If I was just going to listen to stories like this, there was no reason to stay here.

I stood up and said.

“I’ll head back now. It’s almost time for class to start.”

“Ah, there’s time until the next period, so you don’t need to rush back.”

“What do you mean?”

“I already spoke to the professor beforehand. I told him you’d arrive a bit late because I had something to discuss with you.”

Something to discuss?

Somehow an ominous feeling crept over me.

He had never had anything to say to me before. We just drank medicine weekly and exchanged a few trivial words before parting.

I looked down at him while standing.

“You’ve decided to study at school during this vacation.”

“…Yes, since I did the same last year.”

“Of course you did.”

He took a sip of tea.

“This year’s vacation must be spent at the manor, young master.”

“….”

I silently stared into the head butler’s eyes.

They hadn’t cared whether ‘Luca’ came home or not, and now suddenly they want me to be at home?

“There’s less than a week left until vacation, and I didn’t expect you to tell me so suddenly. Whose order is this?”

“You probably won’t like it. I understand. You submitted your residence application quite some time ago. But….”

“Please tell me.”

“These are His Grace the Duke’s words. Please understand. A member of Ascanien staying at school during a vacation with holidays without any particular reason could leave room for misunderstanding among others.”

‘Without any particular reason…’

He makes excuses well.

If he was so worried, he did well leaving me at school last year.

“I was planning to focus on my studies, but expressing it that way is quite regrettable.”

“I apologize. But sometimes there are things more important than studies. Coincidentally, Young Master Adrian also wants Young Master Lucas to come home.”

“My hyung does.”

“Yes.”

Of course hyung would think that way too.

It was probably substantially hyung’s will anyway.

If it were really father’s order, he would have told me the real reason father called me instead of incomprehensible excuses.

I sat down and asked.

“Is hyung coming too?”

“Unfortunately, no. He originally had plans, but due to Pleroma, the unrest in the Papal States has grown. Young Master Adrian said he would focus on maintaining order in the Papal States before the holidays.”

So he would have come to the Empire if not for this incident.

After saying nothing all this time, now telling me to be at home a week before vacation.

‘To think he’d act in this way.’

Since hyung can’t move directly, he’s trying to move me.

Home is a place that can become hyung’s eyes and ears, perhaps even equivalent to hyung himself.

If there are 100 servants, all 100 are perfectly on hyung’s side.

Everyone there would monitor me and act according to hyung’s instructions.

“I understand that you’re not in a good mood because your plans have been disrupted. But I also cannot go against His Grace the Duke’s will. I’ve already received approval from your homeroom professor, so if you could change your mind….”

“That’s enough.”

“…Excuse me?”

“I should go. What choice do I have when it’s father’s order.”

When I answered readily, the head butler looked at me with a surprised expression.

“…Weren’t you uncomfortable staying at home?”

“They’re all like family anyway. I’ll be able to see father after a long time too.”

“Ah, you’ve really changed a lot.”

When I stared at him and raised an eyebrow, he smiled and shook his head.

“His Grace the Duke will be truly delighted to hear what you’ve said.”

“I see.”

I answered with a smile.

Be very delighted.

Whatever happens, I won’t set foot in Anhalt.

* * *

I can’t just do whatever hyung wants me to do.

I drank an elixir and entered the classroom, opening the booklet I had received from Leo yesterday.

When I previously talked about overturning Lucas Ascanien’s incompetent and powerless image, His Majesty the King said he would help.

This is exactly that help.

[Royal Bavarian Institute of Medical Sciences]

[151st National Magical Potion Experiment Competition – High School Division]

[Eligibility: National high school 2nd~3rd year students]

▶’Bavarian Citizens’ section 5-point bonus abolished

▶’Students enrolled in magical potion-related schools/departments’ section 5-point bonus abolished

▶’Top 50 in Bavarian Academy-hosted high school academic competition’ section 2-point bonus newly established

The Bavarian Magical Potion Experiment Competition.

It’s a perfect opportunity to overturn Luca’s image.

‘I don’t need to worry about generating buzz.’

The magical potion competition hosted by the Kingdom of Bavaria has great influence.

The fact that tickets for the competition venue that seats ten thousand people always sell out early says it all.

Moreover….

[‘First time in 10 years’ Bavarian Magical Pharmaceutical Exhibition to be held]

This is a newspaper article reported a month ago.

The exhibition will begin in an area not far from the test site, timed to coincide with the week of the exam.

‘…The level of help is extraordinary. It’s really thorough.’

Under the previous qualifications, I wouldn’t have been able to participate in this competition.

It was because of the bonus points.

Since it’s a 5-person team competition, combining the bonus points of all team members adds up to a total of 50 points.

‘If you’re not eligible for bonus points, you can’t even attempt it.’

Starting this year, they’ve essentially relaxed the participation requirements to allow me to compete.

Of course, it’s not just a good opportunity for changing Luca’s image.

[12/18~12/24: Magical Potion Experiment Competition Week]

[12/26~12/31: Top 8 Teams Training Week]

Since they need to bring students from all over the country, the exam is held during the week when winter break begins.

Just by participating in the exam, I can spend a week in Bavaria.

The following week depends on the competition results.

‘So, let me first think about participating in this.’

It’s not a competition where everyone who wants to participate can do so. Since it’s a team exam, the school will select and send students based on their grades.

This is a moment when I’m grateful for the kindness of arranging a banquet after final exams.

Of course, unlike such kindness, Elias blatantly skipped class today.

He seemed to have anticipated that students would swarm him.

‘It was a wise choice.’

And I, who couldn’t make that choice, had to focus on other things as much as possible.

“I want to meet him sometime…! I have so many questions, do you think I can meet him later?”

“Hey, when and how would you even meet him?”

“Should I ask the school to invite him?! Wouldn’t it work if I said I’d pay the lecture fee?”

“That’s good! I’ll split it with you!”

“Hey, this guy’s head is totally brilliant.”

‘…They really like brilliant ideas…. I’m absolutely not going.’

Right in front of me, Melvin was excitedly having a heated conversation with his group friends. The content was about wanting to meet Nicolaus.

“What would you do if you met him?”

At one friend’s question, Melvin took a deep breath.

“First… first, what should I ask? I want to ask how one can become like that, but would I be able to speak without trembling…?”

“….”

It seems like he’s already become almost a role model?

‘…Should I step out for a bit?’

When I looked up, I made eye contact with Leo, who was talking with friends in the distance.

He immediately looked away, but it was clearly a face trying to hold back laughter.

“….”

Fine….

I would do the same if I were him.

Just then, break time ended and the professor entered.

He posted a poster on the blackboard and raised his voice.

“Everyone, I have an announcement. At the end of December, there will be the Bavarian Magical Potion Experiment Competition hosted by the Kingdom of Bavaria.”

When the competition was mentioned, the noisy classroom gradually became quiet.

Some seemed puzzled and whispered among themselves.

“Weren’t we unable to participate in that?”

“That’s right.”

One student raised their hand and asked.

“What about the qualifications, Professor? Weren’t we ineligible because of the bonus points?”

“Starting this year, that bonus point system has been abolished. Instead, 2 bonus points will be awarded to the top 50 participants in academic competitions hosted by the same institution.”

The professor tapped the blackboard.

“We take exams in ten subjects total, right? The competition only covers the six subjects listed here. Since we should send students who can receive bonus points if possible, we’ll send the top five students from each grade based on the combined scores of these target subjects from this final exam.”

Six subjects total.

Fortunately, the basic magic practice subject that had been dragging down my average is excluded.

Several students gulped with complicated expressions.

It’s natural since they announced the selection based on final exam grades just two days before the exam.

I’m in the same situation as them since I only found out yesterday.

It seems the announcement was late because the participation eligibility had only recently been expanded.

‘…Still, I can’t miss this opportunity.’

I have no intention of moving according to hyung’s plans.

Although there were only two days left until the first exam, fortunately I had the basics down since I’d been listening to classes with the determination to memorize everything immediately.

I pulled out all my lecture notes from after the midterm exams.

‘Five people from the entire second year.’

My final rank for midterms was 10th place.

This level is worth challenging.

If I sleep when I’m dead.

* * *

‘…It’s over….’

I put down my pen and held my forehead.

The long final exams were over.

I secretly thought I might die, but since I couldn’t sleep anyway, I studied to my heart’s content.

“Students in the back row, please stand up and collect the exam papers.”

I simultaneously drank the coffee and elixir I had pushed to one corner of my desk.

I had been sitting and sleeping for a while, and at some point the noise had disappeared.

It seemed everyone had finished grading and left the classroom.

‘I should get going soon.’

Then someone tapped my shoulder.

Leo gestured toward the door with an expressionless face.

“I’m going to lock the door. Are you going to study here?”

“…No, I’ll leave now.”

Leo’s friends called him from the back door.

“Leo, you said you’re going to the special class, right?”

“Yeah. I’m going to study a bit more before leaving, so go ahead.”

“Oh, as expected, you already got in~ Buy me a souvenir when you go to Bavaria tomorrow!”

“What are you talking about? I went yesterday too.”

“See you on Christmas Eve~!”

“Hey, there’s an announcement before dinner, so we need to gather in the classroom.”

“Ah, right. See you later.”

I shoved my pen into my bag while half-listening to the trivial conversation.

Leo confirmed there was no one around before finally casting a sound-blocking spell and approaching me closely to snap.

“Are you really in your right mind?”

“Of course.”

“Why are you rushing around like crazy? If you want to change your image, there are other ways, like joining a club or something.”

“That’s a good idea. Thanks for the suggestion.”

“…Get a grip. Just because you were there for half a day in real time doesn’t mean that’s all the damage you took. You were there for over 4 days in that place’s time.”

“That’s right. Thanks for worrying. But I have to get in first and see what happens.”

Leo sighed and said.

“…Yeah, well. Can’t help that you already pulled an all-nighter. So, do you think you’ll get in? I have to go to the imperial celebration tonight so there’s no time to sleep, so you better at least pass to make it worth it.”

“Well, I’m not sure.”

Leo seemed incredulous as he stopped walking and looked at me.

But since I had used the time I could have spent grading to catch up on sleep instead, I truly had no idea how it would turn out.

Soon Leo changed the subject.

“Let’s meet at the dormitory. I’ll give you some medicine there.”

When I walked to the dormitory and warped to Leo’s room, Leo suddenly handed me an elixir and said.

“…Sorry to bring this up before departing for the banquet, but you know what? It’s been almost a week since we destroyed Pleroma’s personnel supply network, and there’s been no retaliation from those bastards yet.”

“Yeah, I know.”

I continued speaking while capping the empty medicine bottle.

“Everyone’s saying it’s because we dealt such a big blow to Pleroma’s forces that they can’t retaliate…”

“The lack of retaliation is actually a more ominous sign. We didn’t deal a significant blow to their current forces.”

“Right.”

Having power but not retaliating at all means those bastards are also planning something.

With time to spare, I was busy scraping together all their articles and analyzing trends when the bell rang from the school clock tower.

It was the sound announcing exactly five o’clock.

“The final grades must be out now. Let’s check and head straight to the classroom.”

I pulled out the grade report I had kept in my bag.

‘Why am I so nervous about this?’

As I gripped the paper tightly and stared at it, blue text smoothly moved below my midterm grades.

[2nd Year Fall Semester Final Exam] [6/50] [8/100]

“Huh.”

It went up.

Last time I was 6th in class and 10th in the department.

“Leo, how about you.”

At those words, Leo didn’t take his eyes off the paper as he pulled up the corners of his mouth.

“Well. What do you think?”

“…”

Judging by his good expression, he must have done well.

Since there was guidance to gather in the classroom again right after the grade announcement, I warped to my room and then went to the classroom.

“Now, is everyone here? The selected students need to pack from this evening, so let’s announce quickly and go eat. First, I’ll call out the ranks officially submitted for the academic competition application.”

‘Should I think that at least the door closes among the 5 people?’

I was 8th in the department, but since practicals are excluded from that, I should be in the top 5. I have to be.

Without realizing it, strength entered both my hands.

Even if I don’t get in, I have no intention of being stuck at home as Hyung wants, but it would be a waste to miss an opportunity right in front of me.

The professor looked around at the students and began calling names.

“Department of Magic 1st place, Lucas Ascanien.”

“…?!”

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