Chapter 82
Chapter 82
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 82
Chapter Title: Banquet Invitation and the Potion Contest
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It was an unexpected remark, and even Narke's expression stiffened for a moment.
"...The country, who?"
"Nikolaus."
Leo picked up the conversation in his place.
"He says to hold a simple celebration banquet before the excitement dies down. The stars of the show are Elias and you."
Leo had omitted their names from the press out of concern for image consumption.
If they stepped forward when things escalated further, that might be one thing, but initiating an attack on Pleroma from that position was far too heavy a burden.
Elias handed me the banquet invitation and spoke again with a serious face.
"There's one problem, though. Think you can hear it without freaking out?"
"Go ahead."
"Duke Georg of Anhalt Principality has been invited too."
"......"
Georg Ascanien.
Adrian and Luca's father.
"You'll probably have to exchange greetings with Luca at least once. Can't avoid it as one of the banquet's protagonists."
"No issue. No way to recognize him."
Naturally, his father hadn't properly seen Luca's face since he was a child.
The last time they'd met, Luca had been at least five centimeters shorter than now.
With only the eyes visible, a physique hard to identify, and a naturally modulated voice, there was no way to recognize him even if one tried.
'The real problem is the Emperor.'
No telling what he might pull soon.
Since it was the first time, nothing major would likely happen, but it never hurt to stay vigilant.
"Really~?! Awesome, we're going together! Thank goodness. I can't handle that old man alone."
Elias flopped onto the floor and shouted.
"Afterward, let's do an afterparty in my room. Just sip lightly at the banquet hall—real fun starts at dawn."
"Elias, you try drinking more than three bottles. And don't force any on him either."
"......"
For this moment, at least, I agreed with Leo's scolding.
Knowing how Elias had cracked open Eric Asman's skull, I couldn't readily say yes.
* * *
The banquet was scheduled for this Saturday, the day finals ended.
"Next week means vacation already, young master."
In the teahouse I'd grown fully accustomed to after a full semester, I sipped tea with the steward seated before me.
"Is this break two weeks too? It was that way back when I attended—wonder if it's still the same."
"Yes."
The winter break here was ridiculously short.
Just two weeks, but with Christmas and New Year's Day included, everyone headed home instead of staying at school.
'Luca stayed at school, though.'
Of course, he'd been dragged home inevitably on Christmas.
This time, though, he'd skip it entirely.
As I sipped ice water to stifle a cough, the steward gazed out the window with a nostalgic look.
"I remember going ice fishing with your father during breaks. Whenever we competed, I always won."
"Sounds enjoyable."
I nodded moderately.
No reason to stick around just to hear stories like this.
I stood and said,
"I'll head back now. Class starts soon."
"Oh, there's time until the next period, so no need to rush."
"What do you mean?"
"I've already spoken to your professor. Told him you'd arrive a bit late because I had something to discuss with you."
Something to discuss?
An ominous feeling washed over me.
He'd never had anything to say to me before. We'd just drink our weekly medicine and exchange idle chit-chat before parting.
I looked down at him, still standing.
"You planned to stay at school for self-study during this break."
"...Yes, like last year."
"Indeed."
He took a sip of tea.
"This year's break, you'll spend it at the estate, young master."
"......"
I stared silently into the steward's eyes.
He'd paid no mind whether 'Luca' returned home or not, and now this—stay home?
"With less than a week until break, I didn't expect such short notice. Whose orders?"
"I understand it's unwelcome. You've already submitted your residency application long ago. However..."
"Just say it."
"It's His Excellency the Duke's command. Please understand. For a member of House Ascanien to remain at school during a holiday with festivals without good reason could give others the wrong impression."
'Without good reason...'
What a convenient excuse.
He'd let me stay at school just fine last year despite such 'concerns.'
"I planned to focus on studies, but phrasing it that way makes it sound quite regrettable."
"My apologies. But sometimes there are things more important than academics. Incidentally, Master Adrian hopes for young master Lucas to come home too."
"My brother does."
"Yes."
Of course he would.
It was practically his intention anyway.
If it were truly Father's order, he'd have stated the real reason Father summoned me instead of this flimsy excuse.
I sat back down and asked,
"Is brother coming too?"
"Regrettably, no. He had plans, but Pleroma's unrest has heightened tensions in the Papal States. Master Adrian will focus on security there before the holidays."
So he'd have come to the Empire otherwise if not for this.
Silent all along, then ordering me home a week before break.
'To think he'd act this way.'
Unable to move himself, he's maneuvering me instead.
Home was a place that could serve as his eyes and ears—perhaps even as his very self.
With a hundred servants, all were perfectly loyal to him.
Everyone there would watch me and act on his instructions.
"I understand your plans being disrupted leaves you displeased. But I can't defy His Excellency. I've already gotten approval from your homeroom professor, so if you could just..."
"Enough."
"...Pardon?"
"I'll go. Father's orders leave no choice."
He looked surprised at my ready agreement.
"...Didn't you find staying home uncomfortable before?"
"They're all like family anyway. And it'll be nice to see Father after so long."
"Ah, you've changed so much."
When I raised an eyebrow at him, he chuckled and shook his head.
"His Excellency will be overjoyed to hear this."
"I see."
I smiled in response.
Rejoice all you want.
No matter what, I wouldn't set foot in Anhalt.
* * *
I couldn't just let brother have his way.
I downed an elixir and entered the classroom, opening the booklet Leo had given me yesterday.
When I'd spoken before about overturning Lucas Ascanien's image of incompetence and lethargy, His Majesty the King had offered help.
This was that help.
[Royal Bavarian Medical Academy]
[151st National Magic Potion Experiment Competition - High School Division]
[Eligibility: Nationwide high school sophomores to juniors]
▶Abolished 5-point bonus for 'Bavarian Citizens'
▶Abolished 5-point bonus for 'Magic Potion-related School/Department Students'
▶New 2-point bonus for top 50 in 'Bavarian Academy High School Division Academic Contest'
The Bavarian Magic Potion Experiment Competition.
The perfect opportunity to shatter Luca's image.
'No worries about publicity.'
A magic potion contest hosted by the Kingdom of Bavaria carried massive impact.
Venue tickets for ten thousand seats always sold out instantly.
And moreover...
['First in 10 Years' Bavarian Magical Medicine Expo to be Held]
A newspaper article from a month ago.
An expo starting in the same area as the exam site, timed perfectly for the competition week.
'...Their help is no small thing. Definitely solid.'
Under prior rules, I couldn't have entered.
It was due to the bonuses.
A five-person team event, so combining team member bonuses added up to 50 points total.
'Without those bonuses, you couldn't even dream of competing.'
This year, they'd relaxed eligibility just to let me in.
Of course, it wasn't solely for revamping Luca's image.
[12/18~12/24: Magic Potion Experiment Competition Week]
[12/26~12/31: Quarterfinalist Team Training Week]
With students coming from across the nation, the event aligned with break start.
Participating in the exam alone secured a week in Bavaria.
The following week depended on results.
'So, first things first—figure out how to enter.'
Not just anyone could join. Team-based, so schools would select by grades.
Grateful now for scheduling the banquet post-finals.
Unlike that courtesy, Elias had openly skipped class today.
Anticipating crowds of students, no doubt.
'Wise move.'
Unable to do the same, I had to focus on other things as much as possible.
"I wanna meet him sometime...! Got so many questions—think we can later?"
"Hey, how and when do you even know to meet?"
"Should I ask to invite him to school?! I'll cover the speaking fee!"
"That's great! Split him between our classes!"
"Whoa, your brain's on fire."
'...Loves fire, huh... No way in hell.'
Right in front of me, Melvin excitedly chatted with his group about wanting to meet Nikolaus.
"What would you even do if you met him?"
At his friend's question, Melvin inhaled sharply.
"First... first off, what to ask? How'd he do it? Wonder if I could even speak without shaking...?"
"......"
Already practically his role model?
'...Maybe step out for a bit.'
Looking up, my eyes met Leo's, who was talking with friends in the distance.
He quickly looked away, but clearly stifling a laugh.
"......"
Whatever...
I'd do the same in his shoes.
Break ended just then, and the professor entered.
He pinned a poster to the blackboard and raised his voice.
"Everyone, an announcement. Late December, the Kingdom of Bavaria hosts the Bavarian Magic Potion Experiment Competition."
The classroom, abuzz at the mention, gradually quieted.
Some whispered in confusion.
"We couldn't enter that before, right?"
"Yeah."
One student raised a hand.
"What about eligibility, Professor? Isn't it impossible due to bonuses?"
"Those bonus systems are abolished this year. Instead, top 50 in the same organization's academic contest get a 2-point bonus."
The professor tapped the blackboard.
"We test ten subjects total. The contest covers only these six listed. To maximize bonuses, we'll send top five per year based on summed scores in those subjects from this final exam."
Six subjects total.
Fortunately, Basic Magic Practice—the one dragging my average—was excluded.
Some students swallowed hard with complicated expressions.
Selection based on finals scores, announced just two days prior—natural reaction.
I'd only learned yesterday myself, so no different.
Likely delayed notice since eligibility expansion was recent.
'...Still, can't miss this.'
No intention of dancing to brother's tune.
Two days to first exam, but thanks to focusing on memorization in class, basics were covered.
I pulled out all lecture notes since midterms.
'Five spots for the entire second-year class.'
Midterms final rank: 10th.
Challenging, but doable.
If I slept like the dead.
* * *
'...Done...'
I set down my pen and rubbed my forehead.
The grueling finals were over.
Half-expected to die, but couldn't sleep, so I'd studied flat-out.
"Back row, stand and pass up your papers."
I chugged the coffee and elixir I'd stashed on my desk corner.
After dozing upright for ages, the noise had faded at some point.
Everyone seemed to have finished self-grading and left.
'T time to go.'
Someone tapped my shoulder then.
Leo nodded toward the door, expressionless.
"Gonna lock up. Studying here?"
"...No, leaving now."
From the back door, Leo's friends called him.
"Leo, you're in the special class, right?"
"Yeah. Gonna study more, so go ahead."
"Ooh, already aced it~ Bring souvenirs from Bavaria tomorrow!"
"Went yesterday—what're you on about."
"See ya Christmas Eve~!"
"Hey, dinner before announcement, so meet in classroom."
"Oh right. Later."
I tuned out their banter, stuffing my pen in my bag.
Confirming no one around, Leo cast a sound barrier and approached, snapping,
"Are you insane?"
"Obviously."
"What possessed you to go this hard? Join a club or something to fix your image—plenty of ways."
"Good idea. Thanks for the input."
"...Get a grip. You were there half a day real time, but that's not the damage. Four-plus days there-time."
"Yep. Appreciate the worry. But gotta qualify first."
Leo sighed.
"...Fine, whatever. Can't undo the all-nighter. So, think you made it? Got the imperial banquet tonight—no sleep anyway. At least then it's not a total loss."
"Dunno."
Leo stopped, staring in disbelief.
But I'd slept grading to save time, so even I wasn't sure.
Soon Leo changed subjects.
"See you at dorms. Got meds for you."
Warping to Leo's room after walking to dorms, he thrust an elixir at me abruptly.
"...Sorry to say this before the banquet, but know this? Week since we blew Pleroma's manpower pipeline, and no retaliation yet."
"Yeah, I know."
Locking the empty vial, I continued,
"Everyone says we crippled their forces so they can't retaliate..."
"Absence of retaliation is the bad omen. We didn't hit their current strength that hard."
"Right."
Having power yet no retaliation meant they were plotting something.
With time to kill, I scoured their news for trend analysis when the school clock tower bell rang.
Exactly five o'clock.
"Final grades out now. Check and head to classroom."
I pulled out my grade sheet from my bag.
'Why so tense over this.'
Gripping the paper, blue text smoothly appeared below midterm scores.
[2nd Year Fall Semester Finals] [6/50] [8/100]
"Huh."
Improved.
Last time: 6th in class, 10th in department.
"Leo, you?"
He didn't look up from his paper, smirking.
"Guess."
"......"
Good expression meant he crushed it.
Post-grades, assembly in classroom announced, so I warped home then went.
"Everyone here? Selected students, pack tonight—quick announcement then dinner. First, official academic contest ranks."
'Even if door's half-closed for top five.'
8th in department, but excluding practicals, should squeak in. Had to.
Hands clenched unwittingly.
Even if rejected, no plans to hole up home as brother wanted—but passing up this chance stung.
Professor scanned students and began calling.
"Magic Department 1st place, Lucas Ascanien."
"...?!"