I Will Try to Save My Dad - Chapter 116

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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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Chapter 116

“Why—”
“Berry’s eyes looked awfully suspicious just now.”
“Oh, come on, that can’t be it.”
I grasped Father’s hand as it rested on my eyelid and pulled it away.
“Want to hear about it?”
When I sent him another bright, eager gaze, Father chuckled softly.
“Yes. Well then, who is this person you’re recommending?”
“It was in today’s newspaper!”
“The newspaper? Which publication?”
“Daily Sunrise!”
At my words, Father picked up the newspaper from the table beside the sofa. Ever since arriving at the Trabel Estate a few days ago, he’d been reading the newspaper daily. However, since he only focused on topics of interest and articles that seemed relevant, he likely hadn’t paid attention to the section I was mentioning.
“It’s in the advertisement section on page eight!”
I waited for Father to flip through the pages, my mind already racing ahead.
Theon had discovered that he was the Emperor’s son. This meant I could secure Theon’s active cooperation in fostering his growth.
‘Basic knowledge won’t suffice. Theon needs to build knowledge at a much higher level than that.’
The tutor Father was seeking would certainly be above the ordinary standard, but even that wouldn’t break through to the next tier. But this person is different!
With a racing heart, I looked up at Father as he turned the pages. After checking the advertisement section, Father spoke with a reluctant expression.
“…There’s only one advertisement here for someone seeking a teaching position.”
“Yes! That’s the person!”
“I’m not so sure about that.”
Father’s skepticism was understandable. It was a personal job advertisement. A simple self-introduction, a name, contact address, and work experience.
“This person didn’t graduate from the Academy.”
“Father dropped out of the Academy too—”
“—but Father doesn’t work as a teacher.”
The problem was that they’d boldly listed “Academy dropout” under their educational background.
There was no way this would pass Father’s exacting eye, the same one that had carefully selected tutors for Theon and Jeffrey all this time.
“That’s true.”
“Berry, this person is a no-go.”
“But I heard from Lucian the other day, and he said this person is incredibly talented.”
“So that’s what you two were whispering about at the clothing shop.”
“Oh no. You saw us…!”
Fortunately, Father didn’t seem to know that Uncle Lucian and I had discussed potions. But those narrowed eyes of his—if I continued this conversation right now, I’d be interrogated from start to finish about what we’d talked about.
“It’s just—”
I lifted Father’s hand that I’d been holding upward. A large palm appeared before my eyes. Victor had shown me this recently—he said the longer the line in the middle, the longer you live.
I don’t believe in such things, but it does bother me.
‘Hmm.’
I subtly covered the shallow cross-hatch marks below Father’s life line with my thumb. Looking at it now, his life line extended all the way to the crease at his wrist.
“Hehe.”
“What?”
“Father, look at this. It’s long, isn’t it?”
“That’s all superstition. Anyway? What did Lucian Alexis say?”
“Oh, right.”
I made my case to Father once more.
“This person is supposedly incredibly talented. Lucian met him at an international competition where scholars from various nations gathered! He was only a second-year student, but he defeated all the upper-year students and took first place in the entire competition. Don’t you think someone like that would be perfect for tutoring Theon?”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
I nodded.
Burdbell Ratna.
According to what I’d heard from Uncle Lucian, he was twenty-three this year and had voluntarily left the Academy during his final year due to an unfortunate incident. I didn’t know the exact details, but from what I understood, Burdbell would later become an incredibly famous figure in the Heishal Empire…!

– Burdbell Ratna discovered a new chemical formula!
– A chemical formula? Wasn’t he supposed to become a muralist? The mural he painted during his year of seclusion last year won an art award.
– These days, he’s been frequenting the Alchemists’ research laboratories. Who knows what he’ll make headlines for next time. It’s beyond imagination.

He was an eccentric genius who achieved remarkable results across multiple fields, thanks to his diverse interests and his tendency to become completely absorbed in whatever caught his attention.
However, the problem was that once he achieved something through such deep focus, it would fade into the background when a new interest emerged, preventing him from maintaining a reputation in any single field.
‘He’s exactly what Theon needs!’
If Burdbell became Theon’s tutor, Theon would gain rich knowledge across various disciplines. The perspective and knowledge to view problems from multiple angles were essential qualities for a crown prince!
There was no one more suited to be Theon’s tutor than him.
“Father, Father. Couldn’t we at least conduct an interview?”
I pestered Father. Once he learned of Burdbell’s abilities, I was certain he wouldn’t even think about the Academy dropout.
“I’m not sure.”
“Please?”

***

Burdbell Ratna’s house stood on the outskirts of Hisport Town.
He lay sprawled on the floor, staring up at the ceiling. An old bed sat in the bedroom, but he lacked the strength to reach it.
Grrrrowwwl!
His stomach churned violently. His belly skin seemed determined to finally embrace his spine.
“I’m starving….”
The only food in his house was the rice ball the Neighbor Grandmother had left so he wouldn’t starve—thoughtfully packed with an egg for protein. Yet he’d managed to let it rot. He’d been so absorbed in sketching design blueprints that he’d forgotten to eat.
As for anything else—
“Maybe I could knead some flour and boil it.”
Then it suddenly hit him. Ah, the flour had run out even faster than the rice ball.
At this rate, he might actually starve to death. Why? Because he had no money to buy food.
No money meant starvation; starvation meant abandoning his dreams.
A few days ago, seized by this terrifying thought, he’d scraped together every last coin and placed a job advertisement in the newspaper.
They’d said they’d run the ad for a week—it was already the fifth day. Not a single inquiry had come. His acquaintances said it was because he’d been too honest about his educational background.
‘Then should I have lied about my qualifications?’
He couldn’t fathom the logic. Even if he got a job, it would all come out eventually anyway.
Knock. Knock.
Someone rapped on the door handle at his entrance. Burdbell bent his knees, then stretched his legs out. Like an overturned caterpillar, he crawled forward until he reached the front door.
“Who is it?”
“Mister Burdbell? I’ve brought your mail.”
Who would send him mail? Burdbell gripped the long door handle like a crutch and hauled himself upright, opening the door.
“Yikes! You scared me.”
The postal worker let out an involuntary cry at the sight of Burdbell’s appearance, clutching his chest.
He looked like a complete wreck. Burdbell scratched the back of his neck and extended his hand to the worker.
“W-what?”
“You said mail came for me.”
“Ah, yes. You are Mister Burdbell Ratna, correct?”
“Yes, thank you.”
Burdbell took the mail and closed the door. Leaning against the wall for support, he opened the letter and gasped in shock.
“What is this?”
He checked the outer envelope again. The emblem inside matched perfectly—an eagle crest from a noble family so renowned in this region that everyone knew it.
“Why would the Trabel Family write to me?”
Burdbell opened the letter. Life flooded back into his vacant eyes. They’d seen his job advertisement and were reaching out—the second son of the Trabel Family, no less! And the salary they’d offered far exceeded what he’d dared to imagine.
‘How much is this?!’
He couldn’t afford to miss an opportunity like this. As luck would have it, today was one of the available interview dates. The location was a temporarily closed clothing shop within Hisport Town.
‘I’m going!’
When the impulse to act struck, he had to seize it immediately. This was that moment.
He hastily washed his hair, cleaned his face, and changed clothes.
Then he rushed to the interview location. Upon arrival, he swallowed hard. The Trang Clothing Shop. Only one person connected to this place—someone from the Trabel Count Family.
“….”
His hand trembled as he reached for the door.
Burdbell Ratna only then realized the gravity of the situation. The rumors he’d heard about Reytan Quartz Trabel on the journey here were absolutely staggering.
He wiped the perspiration from his palm onto his trousers. It was then that the door to the Clothing Shop swung open.
“….”
His eyes met those of a beautiful youth with raven-black hair. In that instant, Burdbell Ratna felt his heart stolen away—quite literally. His every interest, his every concern, had shifted entirely toward this boy.

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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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