Chapter 4
Chapter 4
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: Became the Greatest Genius in History
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The Tristy family had six stars.
They were the children born to Family Head Porto from his first wife, Ustina, and his second wife, Fria.
The eldest daughter, Ouriel, excelled in martial prowess.
The second daughter, Haniel, was deeply versed in magic.
Tristy's beautiful daughters wore expressions of tension just like their brothers.
Porto was a true egalitarian of this era.
He was the ultimate man's man, sending even his daughters to the military if they lacked ability.
This must be what they call a genius daughter, or something like that.
Even Ouriel, my eldest sister who always wore a friendly smile, had a rigid expression.
"……."
Today was the day the heir test results were announced.
The heir wouldn't be decided on just this one problem, but scoring high was crucial to prepare for the many trials ahead.
Flunk this test, and it was straight to the army.
That was why my brothers' faces were so grave.
Like our eldest sister, our eldest brother Kenneth—known for his exceptional martial skill—had been swallowing dryly since earlier.
Our second brother Jefer, adept at social maneuvering and calculations, endlessly rubbed his knees.
Our third brother Felix alternated glances between me and Porto—yeah, it was a pretty burdensome look.
Life happens; sometimes you get smacked by your little brother. No idea why he's being so petty about it.
He's been beating me for the past fifteen years straight— if he's this upset, what does that make me, the one who's been bullied all along?
"……."
Anyway, I had no thoughts at all.
Now that I'd come this far, the only thing left was to pray to the heavens.
I'd done my military service in my previous life. Please spare me this time.
"Ouriel."
Porto called our eldest sister.
"Yes, Father."
"You lack magical aptitude."
"That's correct."
"Then, what efforts did you make over the past fortnight to tackle this problem?"
Ouriel blinked.
"As you just said, I have no magical aptitude. I first recognized that the problem on the test was beyond my ability to solve."
Sister gradually relaxed as she spoke candidly.
"So I asked the mages. They called it a Millennium problem."
What? Was this problem that big a deal?
"Even the wise tower lords couldn't solve it. I know the difference between arrogance and courage. So I chose the next best option."
Ouriel smiled.
"I borrowed the power of magical criminals imprisoned in the penitentiary."
"In what way?"
"If they didn't help, I'd make their families' lives and prison stays miserable. Like that."
Wow, she was bold.
Magical criminals around here were all vicious offenders, probably packing rare to legacy-grade skills.
"Weren't you afraid?"
"If I'm to lead the Tristy family, I'll face scarier things than this. Should I cower before mere criminals?"
Porto nodded.
"Ouriel, they say your solution progressed about 30%."
"Is that so?"
"No need to torment their families or prison lives."
"That's a relief."
Ouriel looked satisfied.
"Haniel."
"Yes…."
"You're at 20%. I know you have exceptional magical aptitude and talent, but the family head isn't a mage. You must know how to command people when needed."
"I'll keep that in mind…."
Our frail second sister nodded while coughing.
Her health probably kept her from fully using the fortnight like the rest of us.
Even so.
"Kenneth."
"Yes……."
"I'm truly disappointed in you."
Porto held out two test papers.
One was Haniel's test paper, the other Kenneth's.
The answers on both were identical.
Probably one had copied the other.
And with high probability, the copier was.
"Was stealing your little sister's answer truly your best effort?"
"……."
"Emulate Ouriel's boldness. You have more than enough ability."
"I'll keep that in mind…."
Porto sighed.
Then he turned to our second brother.
"Jefer."
"Yes."
"You produced an equally splendid answer like Ouriel. What method did you use?"
"I know some mages from the Flame School. I got it from them."
"It must not have been easy, given the secrecy."
Jefer smiled leisurely.
"I believe there's no problem in this world that money and power can't solve. If there is, it's simply a lack of those."
Porto nodded.
Truly innovative answers.
The tension grew more unpleasant the closer the turns came.
It felt like being picked for an unwanted relay race in elementary school, standing on the field....
"Ester."
Porto suddenly called me.
It was Felix's turn—why call me all of a sudden?
Cold sweat trickled down my back.
"Yes."
"Honestly, I never had expectations for you until now."
Until now, I was the lowest rung in Tristy.
Even the least capable among my siblings, Felix, felt like a wall compared to my pitiful talent.
Porto's gaze had always been cold, and I still remember it even after awakening to my past life.
"You were weak. I always thought you were my child yet utterly unfit for the Tristy family."
"……."
"When you submitted your answer in just two days, it was the worst. I thought you'd lost even your diligence to feelings of inferiority."
But.
Porto's current feelings toward me were starkly different.
The father who had always kept conversations with me curt and cold was now.
"My son, what trick did you pull?"
He looked at me with eyes mixed with expectation, admiration, and joy.
"Millennium problems are riddles even genius tower lords couldn't solve. You've yet to master even basic spells."
Ester Tristy was incompetent.
He hadn't inherited magical aptitude like eldest sister Ouriel.
"You were weak. Even after years with a sword, you couldn't properly beat a single novice."
Ester Tristy was frail.
He'd inherited a weak body like second sister Haniel.
He wasn't shrewd like second brother Jefer.
Nor did he have third brother Felix's brazen personality.
"You were trash."
Among all the Tristy blood here, I was the most unfit.
However.
"My incompetent son, 100% correct."
Silence hung for a moment.
"Your answer was perfect."
The family head's chamber stirred.
Amid the wave-like turbulence, Porto's eyes fixed straight on me.
My siblings stared at me in disbelief.
The youngest son—farthest from the family head seat—had pulled off the unthinkable, leaving everyone stunned.
"A bearer of the Tristy name solved one of magic's seven riddles, which saw no progress for centuries."
It was the first time I'd heard Porto's gentle voice.
"Explain the miracle you wrought."
"What the hell does that mean, Father!!"
Felix shouted loudly.
"Ester Tristy! The most unfit and feeble star among us! For that guy to solve a problem even eldest sister Ouriel and brother Kenneth couldn't!!"
Was he unable to contain his emotions, or couldn't believe being surpassed by the little brother he'd always looked down on?
He barked on pathetically.
"He must've cheated somehow!! I can't accept…."
What came from Porto's mouth wasn't human speech.
"Felix."
It was like a predator's growl at prey.
Felix shut his mouth.
Hm.
Porto taking my side was truly grateful.
Honestly, it didn't feel bad—I felt acknowledged, joyful.
Praise makes even whales dance; my shoulders lifted involuntarily.
But, big trouble.
'I never imagined he'd ask for a detailed explanation!?'
I hadn't even known this was such a huge problem.
I'd just copied the answer from Nob AI!!
As expected, there's only one being I can rely on.
Nob AI, help me!!
『Artificial Intelligence Service. Nob AI.』
『What can I help with?』
Give me the detailed solution process too!!
***
Porto Tristy gazed at his son.
His youngest, always outside his interest.
He was the last child of his late second wife, but Porto couldn't be the kind of parent who loved his children without reason.
In a noble house, familial love was poison.
Siblings were mere potential rivals, parents mere walls to someday surpass.
Considering Porto's life—stained with blood from the family head succession and ceaseless efforts to eliminate threats around Tristy—it was a natural way to live.
Emotions dull through understanding and reason.
His own siblings, who hadn't hesitated to kill family for succession, proved it.
Porto found it utterly abhorrent.
Thus, he worked to clearly establish his children's hierarchy.
To avoid more needless bloodshed.
By sending all but the legitimate heir out of the estate through the succession test, no fight would erupt.
Ester Tristy was weak.
He'd thought he'd be the first eliminated.
But.
-I want to meet Young Master Ester.
-How could such talent go unnoticed until now... Could you bring him to our Crimson Tower? He's a genius who'll change the kingdom's magical history.
A miracle occurred.
'What change came over Ester?'
Defective product, failed young master, trash.
All siblings except Haniel had nicknames like that for Ester.
His only talent was sitting in a chair longer than others.
'No.'
Porto recalled Ester reading books dense with complex knowledge in the study.
'Ester hid his talent.'
He didn't know the exact reason.
Genius freaks often concealed their sharp weapons.
Waiting for Ester—who'd gifted the greatest reversal here—to open his mouth.
Porto held a small orb in his hand and slowly rolled it.