Chapter 65
Chapter 65
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 65
Chapter Title: How to Survive as the Second Son of a Magical Noble Family
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Pleroma was sending a clear signal that they wouldn’t just sit idly by.
They were openly displaying their thirst for revenge, especially against Nikolaus Ernst, the crown prince who had backed him, and the Kingdom of Bavaria.
The insect operation had gone up in smoke entirely, and they’d lost a key figure planted in the Federal Council. From their perspective, the losses were already massive. It wasn’t surprising they’d react this way.
‘But that doesn’t mean they’re targeting only Bavaria for revenge.’
If that were the case, they would’ve committed their crimes on Bavarian soil.
Pleroma harbored resentment toward the imperial family and the imperial government as well.
However…
‘The fact that none of the victims died is worth noting.’
All the victims were mages and nobles. Killing them could escalate into all-out war between Pleroma and the Empire.
So, this was nothing more than a warning. A warning not to push any further.
‘Now I see why Narke said it wouldn’t be a big issue.’
A play was the least of our concerns right now.
In fact, they’d essentially agreed to enter a half-wartime state.
At this level, even my brother’s attention would have to split toward Pleroma’s crimes.
‘…And I need to keep a closer eye on the Papal States’ movements.’
He’d said his task could take a year or more. That left at least nine months before he returned to the Empire, but if circumstances changed, his assignment could shift too.
I finished my thoughts and looked around.
Frightened voices lacking any semblance of calm grated on my nerves from all directions. People from the hospital were carrying Oswald away on a stretcher.
An amplification spell deployed in the air once more, and a new announcement rang out.
[Notice to all students of the Imperial Second Academy. Starting from 11:10 PM, access to all buildings except the administrative office, main building, and campus hospital is restricted. Students, proceed immediately to the main building.]
* * *
“I’ll call roll.”
Even past 11 PM, we couldn’t return to the dorms. The school had locked down most buildings, and investigators from the imperial family were patrolling the grounds.
The professor called roll with a grim expression.
Excluding Oswald, who’d been taken to the hospital, all 49 remaining students were present. The professor closed the roll book and spoke.
“As you all know, mages in the capital were attacked today. External access will be restricted for the time being, but even on campus, I ask that you all remain vigilant and cautious…”
The professor deliberately avoided looking my way, but the students’ gazes briefly flicked toward me before drifting away.
Their thoughts were obvious.
Still, I wasn’t Pleroma, so I had no choice but to meet the eyes of the students looking at me. When our gazes met, they hurriedly looked away.
The professor gathered his things and headed to the door.
“Wait in the classroom. We’ll announce when the dorms reopen.”
I scanned the students.
Whether because of the play or Pleroma, glances kept darting my way.
‘The professor’s meddling is a godsend.’
In a situation where guilt by association could splash onto me as the supposed Pleroma sympathizer, whether I’d gone outside during that time was a huge issue.
Thanks to the professor assigning Leo to me, I had a solid alibi.
Just to be sure, I checked the favorability of the students whose eyes met mine. It wasn’t terribly low, so it seemed less like genuine wariness and more like idle curiosity from rumors.
‘But right now… that’s not what matters.’
I turned toward where Leo was sitting.
Leo had been staring downward with unfocused eyes the whole time.
He probably wanted to head straight to Bavaria to discuss countermeasures with the king, but the school’s lockdown made it impossible. If a royal—who was practically the kingdom’s face—went out and something happened, it would be a disaster the school couldn’t handle.
The Bavarians didn’t look too pleased either.
Melvin was among them, and from his drained expression due to the incident’s toll, he looked half-dead.
Sensing the class’s subdued mood, the vice class rep cautiously stepped forward to the lectern.
“Everyone.”
The students looked up at him. He rolled his eyes as if wondering if he’d made a mistake coming out, then finally spoke with grim resolve.
“Let’s visit Oswald in the hospital tomorrow.”
“Yeah… we should.”
“Isn’t that obvious?”
“Were you not planning to go?”
“No, no… of course I’m going!”
The vice rep let out an awkward laugh and shook his head, then raised his voice in disbelief.
Even in this situation, someone’s cracking jokes…
But thanks to it, a few students cracked faint smiles. They were more like strained chuckles than real laughs, but the tension eased a bit.
The vice rep looked around at them and spoke.
“Thanks for all your hard work at the festival today. Prepping while juggling studies and rehearsals must’ve been tough—great job. And thanks to our class rep for all his efforts too.”
Leo finally lifted his head and smiled. But it didn’t last.
“Hmm, and at the end there, we almost caused a lot of trouble again. Lucas.”
The vice rep looked at me.
The other students’ gazes followed.
“We dumped it on you with only 20 minutes left, but you pulled it off—thanks. And sorry if it threw you off. Everyone feels the same, right?”
“Yeah, thanks~!”
Elias chimed in abruptly, glaring at the others with eyes that half-threatened agreement. A few had already been nodding along before that.
‘…Whatever, this atmosphere is a bit hard to endure.’
In reality, I would’ve changed the subject immediately. But since it benefited me now, I had to tough it out.
“Thanks to you, we showed off our two weeks of prep perfectly, and we drew a big crowd. I remember you haven’t joined class events much before, so… let’s work hard together on future ones.”
“Sure.”
The vice rep paused, clearly not expecting a real reply, then continued.
“Good. Looking forward to it, Lucas. Finally, great job everyone today. When we get back to the dorms, forget about today and get some solid rest, alright?”
The students applauded in response.
Someone bringing it up broke the suffocating tension. Seemed like he was trying to fulfill the class rep’s duties in his stead.
And…
‘Lucky that the play distracted attention from Pleroma.’
My image, that is.
I’d just started shifting it a bit, but wariness toward Pleroma was about to get pinned on me again. At least this aired it out.
Then the professor entered and rapped on a desk.
“Everyone, first-years are heading to the dorms now. Class 1-B leaves in 10 minutes—pack your things.”
* * *
By around 4 AM, the campus investigation wrapped up, and the probes into external visitors were complete, with everyone leaving the school.
I climbed to the dorm rooftop and found Leo leaning on the railing, gazing down at the school.
—“Leo.”
Leo turned toward me.
I’d asked Elias to pass it on, so Leo knew I could speak via divine power.
This was probably his first time experiencing it directly, though.
I sat at a table a short distance away, gesturing for Leo to keep overlooking the school.
“Not in the mood right now.”
Leo cast a soundproofing spell and pulled out a chair on the side hidden from other buildings, sitting down.
—“You watched the whole thing, and now you say that.”
“You came up here because you have something to say.”
—“Yeah, to strategize and check your mentality.”
“Strategize?”
—“Not about this incident. I didn’t tell you about it.”
I briefly explained my plan to Leo.
Leo muttered while staring at the forest behind the school.
“Got it. You need the orphanage roster… so this really isn’t about the incident.”
—“Right.”
“But telling me now means you’re not canceling the plan.”
Elias and this guy…
Quick on the uptake—suits me fine.
I continued while flipping through a book.
—“Yeah. But if the kingdom tells me to hold off on activities, I won’t refuse.”
“That won’t happen. We’re not dancing to their tune.”
Leo replied firmly.
I gave him a brief look, then returned to my book.
—“Good, glad to hear it.”
No regrets after all.
This incident stemmed from Pleroma’s hostility toward the Empire, Bavaria, and Nikolaus.
He might self-blame for provoking Pleroma and endangering innocent citizens.
—“So, your take on pushing forward with this plan?”
Succeeding would mean outright ignoring Pleroma’s warning. It might even create new victims.
“Do it.”
—“Straightforward.”
“Bavaria has no intention of reining in Nikolaus. Pleroma needs to know that. If anything, I’m grateful you brought a new plan at the perfect time.”
His tone carried a chill despite the casual smile.
“…….”
He’s pissed.
Not regret—my bad. He’s not that mentally fragile.
Guilt and remorse are natural, but how long you dwell and how you channel them makes all the difference. Fortunately, he seemed to have shaken off his earlier turmoil.
Anyway, he was right.
If Nikolaus publicly smashed Pleroma again despite the warning, they’d be furious.
Unless Bavaria chose to bow to Pleroma—which it wouldn’t—Nikolaus’s actions were always welcome.
—“What if new victims emerge?”
“…….”
—“Bavaria has only two options: confront Pleroma aggressively or stay completely silent. No middle ground.”
I’d asked obliquely earlier, but this was crucial, so I needed confirmation.
Plus, I had a proposal for Bavaria.
No direct contact now, so I’d send a letter via Leo… but if he hesitated even slightly now, I’d hold off.
After a long silence, Leo spoke.
“If you’re asking the position, not the man—we accept immediate losses. Yielding to Pleroma’s warning would bring greater harm long-term.”
‘…Hmm.’
I nodded.
With resolve like that, I could share more.
Then Leo continued.
“And we have a plan too.”
* * *
Two hours later, I grabbed a copy of the 6 AM paper from the dorm lobby.
[Bavarian Royal Magic Division Establishes Extraterritorial Defense Mobile Unit… Leonard Wittelsbach, Bavarian Crown Prince, and Nikolaus Ernst First to Join]
Nikolaus had joined the capital’s Pleroma task force starting today.
I’d planned to propose it, but hadn’t expected Leo to bring the same idea.
‘End result’s the same, so no issue.’
If anything, the speed was convenient.
I headed back to my room to prepare a warp spell.
No classes today due to yesterday’s aftermath, so time was free.
The campus warp restriction had lifted, allowing free access to meeting spots and Leo’s training ground.
And that’s where I was headed now—we’d agreed on this time.
As I warped in, Leo spoke without turning.
“You’re here.”
“Yeah.”
“Heard? We’re stuck on campus for the next five days.”
Out of nowhere?
Students couldn’t leave until the weekend. Probably worried about another incident if weekend passes were allowed.
Leo set down the cloth he’d been using to polish his wand and turned.
“Perfect. No need for potions, so your condition won’t dip midway.”
“Right.”
“You know it deep down, right? Excluding special magic like divine power, your combat spells are still beginner-level.”
“…….”
Listen to this punk…
I smiled and shook my head.
“Not total bottom, Leo.”
“True, but you could do better. Honestly, I want you to submit sick notes for all five days…”
Is he seriously telling me to skip training?
But thinking about it, not bad. With Pleroma acting up, I needed to sharpen my skills anyway.
Just felt off coming from a magic maniac.
Leo picked up his wand.
“Feels right, yeah? Let’s make the most of the extra time, Lucas.”
Ding—!
[Chapter 5. Good Things Take Time (1)]
Proposal 1: Achieve ‘Technique’ score 4 (0/1) (119 hours 59 minutes 59 seconds)
* Route 1 — [Proposal 2]
* Route 2 — [Chapter 6. Don’t Praise a Day Before Evening Falls]
‘…Been a while.’
Unlike before, I’d planned to level it up anyway, so no big deal.
But proposing it despite my own intentions…
Meant things would escalate to where I’d be in trouble without Technique at 4.
“Yeah.”
Guess I’ll skip classes.