Chapter 207
Chapter 207
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 207
Chapter Title: How to Survive as the Second Son of a Magical Noble Family
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The professor smiled confidently as he gazed out at the audience.
The auditorium fell silent in an instant, as if doused with cold water. Everyone stared at him, too stunned to even close their mouths.
Beep—
The shutter sound of a mana-powered camera rang out.
Flashes began popping off again, and only then did the audience snap out of it, shouting in confusion as if time had just started moving.
“…Huh?!”
“The imperial court?”
The cries from the crowd swelled into a roar that vibrated in my ears, causing a faint sting that scrunched up my face.
Confusion flooded my mind.
‘What?’
The imperial court? They weren’t the only ones caught off guard.
Everyone was grinding through university and cramming for exams just to land a job there, and now they were reassigning our group—whose only credential was a year and a half of high school records—to the imperial court?
Of course, it was a good thing. An incredible opportunity, really.
Sure, it was something I could live without, and it came with headaches like my brother and the crown prince, but it was still the ultimate title boost.
That wasn’t the point right now, though.
“…….”
My eyes met Leo’s.
‘Something’s up.’
From Haike Ainsidel squeaking onto Team 1 despite his lacking skills to the school suddenly shoving us into the imperial court—too many red flags.
Minors entering the imperial court numbered fewer than five since the magic era began.
One was my brother, who’d entered at the youngest age of thirteen. That early entry played a huge role in his current fame and status. Everything smoothed out after he claimed that title.
It was valuable experience. Yet the school was trying to push seven high schoolers in at once.
‘I get Yulia.’
He could stand toe-to-toe with active-duty mages right now. Same for Narke, Elias, and Leo.
Ruling family kids all in the same grade was rare; maybe they wanted to gather students from every nation and raise them under imperial hands. None of the four needed to wait for graduation—they were that good.
Ulrike and Haike, though? No way.
Why would the notoriously picky imperial court bend over backward for us?
And February 10th was tomorrow.
‘No time to investigate—they’re shipping us straight there.’
No room for negotiation. Their decision was ironclad, and our opinions didn’t factor in.
“…The imperial court?”
Elias whispered, too dazed to recast his soundproofing spell.
In that moment, Leo’s mana thickened the air, choking us. Flooding the space with mana without consent wasn’t polite, but necessary now.
Even Yulia glanced at Elias before turning back to the front.
[This is an unprecedented triumph and honor for Imperial 2nd Education Academy. His Majesty Emperor Friedrich was moved by our student mages—still minors—who prioritize the empire’s safety and give their all. He was deeply impressed by their skills, rivaling those of professional mages. Our representative team, Eschet, will transfer to the imperial court starting the 10th. Accordingly, they’ll kick off their first public duties with a launch ceremony at the imperial palace on Monday the 12th. We hope this showcases our students’ exceptional talent and passion to the world.]
The professor’s assured voice wrapped up. He half-turned toward us, spreading his arms.
[Let’s give a big round of applause for Imperial 2nd Education Academy’s representative team.]
Scattered claps rose here and there, quickly swelling until the platform shook beneath my feet. Roars and applause I’d never heard in this place left my head ringing.
“…Wow.”
Ulrike’s awed mutter came from the end, like she couldn’t believe it.
“Did I hear that right…?”
“Should’ve dropped out of this damn school ages ago.”
Elias’s venomous voice cut through her awe.
Even amid the din threatening to drown everything, his words rang clear.
Now Elias’s murderous mana overpowered Leo’s. Haike at the far end clutched his mouth and staggered. The professor up front sensed it too, glancing our way in alarm.
As Leo reached for Elias, I spoke up.
“Eli.”
Elias turned slowly.
Chills ran down my spine at his face. Unlike the killing intent, his expression was utterly serene—the mismatch made it even creepier.
He had every right to react this way.
He’d spent his life trying to escape the emperor’s shadow, never even stepping foot in the Imperial Mage Association until the novel’s late stages.
“It wounds my pride to serve under the emperor”—that was Elias’s go-to excuse.
As always, it wasn’t the whole story.
Magic was the foundation of power.
The more mana subordinated under the emperor, the stronger his authority.
Top mages flocking to the court willingly—that was the emperor and imperial family’s ideal.
Elias aimed to shatter it. He wanted a society where mages thrived on merit, not imperial favor, weakening imperial rule in the process.
And now that chance was yanked away unexpectedly.
In a moment everyone else celebrated, he couldn’t join in.
Staring into those blazing blue eyes, I said firmly,
“Let’s make it work.”
It was done. Might as well see it through.
His eyes flickered once.
He got my meaning. The shift in his gaze held no usual smile or prior rage—just intense obsession and conviction that raised goosebumps.
Good.
He had that knack for turning uncertainty into certainty.
Even if things didn’t play out like last time, he’d win again. That baseless confidence hit me, and I faced forward.
Elias now stared blankly ahead like Leo and Yulia.
No issues after that.
We stayed onstage as the schedule shifted: the acting principal’s award presentation, speech, and closing remarks. Finally, we stepped down.
“Move along.”
A staffer beckoned us toward the backstage lounge.
The brief closing wrapped up, and the emcee professor returned to the stage.
I glanced at him and shut the lounge door.
[And with that, we conclude the final presentation of Imperial 2nd Education Academy’s Student Cadet Corps. Thank you all for attending.]
The professor’s voice boomed.
The grueling month-long selection was over.
* * *
“Is this real life?”
Ulrike muttered.
The 55 Student Cadet Corps selectees stood before their new dorms, guided by school staff just before the 11 a.m. roll call.
‘It’s… 10 now.’
A quick look and we could head back.
Ulrike gawked up at the pristine white building.
“The new dorm’s huge. But it’s way in the back?”
“It wasn’t built for us.”
Leo replied.
Right.
No cadet system before, so they repurposed an unused building into new quarters. Location-wise, past the barrier led to 1st Academy’s cadet dorms—handy.
“Haha, a bit far, but the air’s fresh and nice~”
Narke grinned at the river and woods beyond the building and barrier.
He turned.
“Lucas still lives off-campus, right?”
“Probably.”
“Lucky~ We’re stuck with two-to-a-room.”
“Beats four.”
“True.”
Narke nodded with a chuckle.
As students started heading up under staff guidance, I slipped away to the lounge.
The door had barely clicked shut when something thudded against it.
‘Hm?’
“Luca…”
“What.”
Elias stood pressed right behind me. He’d collided with the door but followed without complaint.
Obvious why.
I flopped onto the lounge sofa.
“You okay?”
“…….”
Thud—
Elias, slumping into a seat with a blank face, face-planted onto the table.
“Ughhh…”
“What.”
Instead of answering, Elias just rotated his head ninety degrees on the table. The eerie sight made me shake my head.
‘Maybe check survival odds.’
“Listen.”
A low voice rose from below as other thoughts intruded.
“I’ve been fighting to avoid living under Friedrich Hohenzollern’s name.”
“Yeah.”
“I’m not Great-Uncle’s vassal, student, or puppet mage.”
“Obviously.”
I knew why he’d trailed me here.
Our shared status made him more open with me on this stuff.
If he saw me as easy to vent to, fine by me.
Propping my chin, I looked down at him.
“So, what you said earlier still stands?”
“No way.”
Instant reply.
“No quitting now.”
Elias rose slowly.
He pressed his palms together, interlacing fingers lightly, then mused.
“Dodging isn’t my style. But turning crisis into opportunity? That I can do.”
“Sounds good.”
Elias paused long, then shot me a grin, playfulness creeping back.
“Let’s tunnel out from the inside.”
I smiled back.
Damn right.
Who knows what the school and court are plotting? They might pin something new on us under the affiliation to punish legally.
Or maybe just grabbing four ruling bloodlines and one divine mage in one swoop. Still shady.
“Hey~ Might as well milk the funding dry before bailing. Raid the Hohenzollern vaults and treasury to prop up Bavaria.”
“Bavaria?”
“Empire’s biggest rival to Prussia, right~?”
Elias raked back his white hair, smirking.
“Imperial affiliation aside, it’s honestly a blast. Get to work with you now, Leo, Yulia—and bond more with Narke.”
“Ulrike and Haike.”
“…Eh~ We’ll bond. Plus, legal skips for morning assembly? Hell yeah~ Lame team name aside, worth a shot, right?”
Elias beamed.
“Totally back to normal, huh?”
“Yeah. Even you think it’s lame?”
“ABCDE-level name? How could it not be~? Wait.”
“What?”
“Bet the next team’s ABCDE.”
“…….”
If it’s ABCD… I’m out.
Seemed plausible, though—no retort.
As I brooded with dead eyes, the door creaked open.
Narke peeked in, eyes sparkling, scanning the lounge.
“Guys~”
“Early.”
“Yeah, other teams headed out. We’re lingering—staff wants a word with Leo, so he’s tied up.”
“Perfect timing, Narke. What’s the school’s game?! Read ‘em!”
“That first? Haha, glad you’re calmer now~”
Narke plopped beside me, chatting idly with Elias.
As they bantered, I sank into my chair and closed my eyes.
Then a sudden thought made me open them.
‘Check survival odds like I planned.’
I’d avoided checking often to watch point spikes at a glance, but time to scratch the itch.
Last check early January: 30.3%.
A month later, post-cadet selection and Abraham—lots happened.
Six and a half months till brother’s full return.
How’s it looking?
Tension prickled as I summoned the Dawn status.
Dawn777
— Final Ending ‘Chapter X. Death’ in 605 days, 13 hours, 57 minutes, 13 seconds
— Change Probability: 45.9% (+15.6%p)
45.9%.
I stared silently, stifling a laugh into a smile.
‘Nice.’
15%p in a month. Took four for the prior 30—massive jump.
Slow to ignite, but once lit, fire explodes.
‘Personally thought higher.’
Nikolaus prepped well, me too.
Identity-wise, should’ve hit 50%, hell, 80% humanly.
But Chapter X ‘Death’ has multiple causes.
Ainsidel, Abraham, Pleioma factions everywhere chipping it to 45%.
Still, sharp uptick now—focus on the trend.
Outmatched foes, outnumbered, yet upward graph means…
‘We’ve got a shot.’
Path so far is right. Keep it, secure the win.
‘…Like tightrope walking.’
Confirmed threats pulsing nearby sped my heart. Rising tension curved my lips.
Retry for boost?
‘Nah, points at ten-ish—too risky.’
Save till they pile up.
Elias waved a hand in my face.
“Luca’s grinning alone~ What’s up?”
“No shared dorm room. Bliss.”
“Ah… Was gonna tease, but yeah, jealous.”
I checked my watch, smiling.
“10:50. Let’s head back.”
Outside, teammates waved us over.
Narke nodded to them, grabbed my arm, and warped us to the classroom.
“…Huh.”
Class 1-B kids, chatting among themselves, went quiet at our arrival.
As silence grew awkward, Oswald leaned back and clapped.
“Hey, Class 1-B’s Team 1 is here~”
Sensing post-presentation awkwardness, Leo—shockingly—smiled at the hype.
Tension eased; students laughed and approached him.
“Five from 1-B? Unreal.”
“1-A’s gotta be hurting.”
They teased with faces that’d piss off 1-A kids.
No sour grapes over our rankings—expected it.
‘No reason for bad vibes.’
If anyone, 1-A: two selectees, one mysteriously so.
Pulling out a chair with a chuckle, a long-missed chime popped up a window.
Ding—!
[Chapter 6. Act Right and Fear No One]
[Proposal 2: +10,000 Favorability within deadline (0/10,000) (167 hours, 59 minutes, 59 seconds)]
* Route 1 — [+30.0 Points]
* Route 2 — [Proposal 3]
Huh?
“…….”
“Luca, what’s up~?”
Trailing Narke nudged my shoulder and sat.
I forgot what I was doing.
Couldn’t believe what I saw, either.
‘Overdid it on exams?’
Rubbed eyes, looked again.
[ Proposal 2: +10,000 Favorability within deadline (0/10,000) (167 hours, 59 minutes, 52 seconds) ]
‘Yeah, hallucinating.’
Post-exam, bury in healing mana bath at home.
Felt oddly refreshed closing the window and sitting.
It popped up again.
“Hey.”
Head down, clutching skull, I called to Philip next to me.
Weirdo sat far again; he replied in a crawl.
“What?”
“How many zeros in ten thousand?”
“Ten thousand? You know—four.”
“Nope.”
Silence blanketed just us amid classroom din.
Philip eyed me seriously—different reason.
“…Wh-why…?”
“…….”
Reality denial failed in ten seconds.
Silly laugh escaped.
‘…We got this.’
Yeah, 10,000 in a week? Easy.
What can’t I do?
Slowly, I lifted my head from my hands.