Chapter 85
Chapter 85
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 85
Chapter Title: How to Survive as the Second Son of a Magical Noble Family
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I moved to Adelbert's room and had been nodding along to his excited chatter for a full hour now.
'...I could just go by Melvin 2.'
It occurred to me now that he might have thrown this celebration tantrum himself.
Just like how Melvin had the idea to invite Nikolaus as an instructor just to meet him.
Still, Melvin was at least a friend, whereas to me, Adelbert was nothing more than a staunch supporter who constantly obstructed Elias—a villain in my eyes.
He was exceptionally capable, more handsome and sociable than the crown prince, and had plenty of supporters.
'Who would've thought I'd meet a guy like that in this pint-sized state...'
"I don't think I could've acted like you, my lord. Do you have a favorite book you keep close by? I want to share your values."
"You'll develop your own through reading a variety."
When you're about to die in some far-off land in someone else's body, books be damned—you just do what you gotta do.
It was true, but I couldn't say that.
Maybe my explanation fell short, because the prince was still gazing at me with sparkling eyes.
"...You don't have to read the books I recommend to become like me. If Your Highness truly believes in certain values, you'll find them in any book. And in that process, you might discover others too. It's not time to fixate on just one book yet."
"I see...!"
'Don't get enlightened by something like this...'
I suppressed the urge to look away and nodded.
'While I'm at it, might as well check my status window.'
Adelbert Hohenzollern
Favorability: +10
Title: —
Stamina: +5
Mental Strength: +1
Mana: +8
Skill: +2
Impression: +7
Luck: +8
Trait: Charm (Lv. 1)
Favorability? For real?
It was the same with Pie, though. Kids tended to warm up to me easily.
The prince glanced at me, then pulled an expensive-looking wine from the display case.
"Lord Ernst, care for a glass? The crown prince gave it to me to drink alone... but I thought you'd like it too."
"Thanks, but I'll pass. I had plenty earlier."
Truth be told, I'd only sipped once, but I had no desire to drink with a 15-year-old eager for career advice.
The prince slunk back to his seat, crestfallen.
"...Lord Ernst."
"Yes?"
"Would you be my sparring instructor?"
"......"
Is that why he offered the wine—the one the crown prince said to drink alone?
'Whoever said I'd be teaching anyone.'
My skill score had only just hit the mid-4s.
Of course, for something like senior-junior mentoring spars, I could handle it.
Adelbert's skill score was 2.
A 2-point gap wasn't impossible to teach across.
But that's not what this guy wanted.
"If it were Your Highness's wish, I'd love to, but I don't have much time to spare."
"I see."
Adelbert couldn't hide his disappointment, shoulders slumping.
He definitely wasn't this clingy when he ended up in prison a decade later. The mismatch with the image I knew kept throwing me off.
"If time allows, we could arrange something with Duke Elias. My injury's healed, so training should resume soon."
His face darkened slightly.
"Right. It healed clean. But the duke..."
"He's guaranteed skill. I'm better at specialized magic than combat magic, so he'd be far more suitable to teach Your Highness."
Adelbert clamped his mouth shut, staring into space with a conflicted expression.
"Do you dislike Duke Elias?"
"......"
He seemed to know how to phrase things diplomatically, but failing here meant he really did hate him.
No surprise—he'd opposed Elias to the bitter end, even when the latter had the upper hand.
A stubborn type who stayed loyal to the crown prince despite knowing defeat was inevitable.
"I don't like him."
"Why?"
"He has no manners. He's openly rude, arrogant, relying solely on his mana."
Elias hadn't trained much due to his leg, but truth be told, Elias wasn't exactly humble in skill either.
'But if anyone's relying just on mana, it's this side.'
Mana +8, skill barely +2?
That meant brute-forcing attacks and defenses without effort.
He frowned, continuing.
"And the duke is... too frivolous. Bearing the imperial name, he indulges in debauchery."
"Debauchery...? Duke Elias did everything with me. Are you saying all that was debauchery too?"
"That's..."
He shook his head.
"I misspoke. I didn't mean to disparage you."
Still no apology for Elias.
I nodded and stood.
"It's fine, Your Highness. It's late—I should head back."
He didn't seem in the mood to talk more and escorted me to the door.
"Yes. It was a pleasure talking today, Lord Ernst. I'd love another chance."
* * *
"You're popular, huh, my lord."
Back at the lodging, Elias was sprawled on my bed like it was his.
I cast a soundproofing spell around us.
"You pulled that at the detention center too. Impressive."
"What? Never heard that before. The booze talking? Haha!"
Elias rolled aside magnanimously and patted the bottom of the bed.
"Not drunk. Move it, Eli."
"Round two?"
"......"
"But man, everyone got wasted tonight. Even the kid you met."
"Looked like it."
Even for someone he admired, to hold a stranger till dawn took some impaired judgment.
"Why didn't the crown prince show?"
"Probably shitting bricks trying to grow his tiny mana tail. Like he could party?"
"Hmm."
Compared to Elias, it was tiny.
Maybe that's why Adelbert hated him. Adelbert truly revered the crown prince—his passion for Nikolaus was incomparable.
"Oh, grabbing some booze. Wait!"
With that, Elias actually warped to his mansion and returned with wine.
I barely wet my throat, but Elias was pouring it down like a maniac.
He asked about my chat with the emperor mid-drink, so I recounted it from start to finish. After the catacombs bit, he drank even faster.
"How are you not sloshed after all that?"
"Family trait. Ah, Leo should've been here."
Leo had gone back to Bayern ahead.
Needed to check for issues before the magic potion contest.
We had to leave soon too.
"It's four a.m. Time to go."
"Aren't you leaving at eight?"
"Yeah."
For the next week, we'd head to Bayern for the contest.
"Alright, I'll hit the floor below quick. Left something in the cloakroom."
"Sure."
I flipped through the magic potion book he'd brought and settled comfortably on the bed.
Twenty minutes passed, no Elias.
'Where is he.'
I slipped quietly out.
An inexplicable unease made me focus mana in my ears.
Noisy voices from the stairs below.
End-of-party lull? More people than mid-event, ascending and descending.
Couldn't pick out Elias's voice.
'Better go find him.'
As I stepped forward—
BAM—THUD—!
"Aaaagh!"
"...!"
Elias's voice.
I leaped down two flights, finding a crowd. Some just emerging from rooms, others rushing from the hall.
"Are you okay?!"
"Quick, help him up!"
Adelbert had fallen too—someone was helping him stand.
Beside him, Elias clutched his leg, curled up, stifling screams.
The spot wrapped just days ago.
"......"
Ice down my spine.
They'd said reinjuring it meant permanent loss.
"Call a doctor!"
"Your Highness, don't move!"
Elias gritted his teeth, hands trembling.
'...Gotta rewind.'
Ding—
Retry Lv. 1
― Return to the checkpoint right before 〈Chapter 5〉
― 1 use: 2.0 points
― To next level: 2.0 points
* Owned points: 8.0 points
* Luck to next point gain: 0.25 points
I nearly said rewind, then clamped my mouth.
"......"
Think.
Rewinding erases the scene.
Assess first.
"What happened!"
"That guy pushed him! Him!"
"N-no, not me! How could I push imperial family...?!"
"I saw it too!"
The clamor mashed in my ears.
'Timing's too perfect.'
Right after Elias ditched the bandages—not even a week.
Falling down stairs, injuring from knee to ankle? Common?
'...Head or back usually. Wrists and hips at most.'
Deliberate.
A plain shove shows; knee-to-ankle rare. Had to smash the leg against stair edges with body weight.
To ensure it never works again.
And there—someone who fell with him, to pin it down.
Watching the pale, gasping prince, I pressed on.
'Who did it? That's key.'
Rewind to prevent, save Elias—but can't punish the pusher.
Obvious.
No incident? Claiming "this guy pushed two royals" without proof just makes me crazy.
Fail this, they'll try again.
To stop that, rewind committed to finding the culprit.
I eyed the accused, opening the retry window.
―"Rewind to before this moment."
* * *
Yellow lamps and ornate wallpaper filled my view.
I'd been on the stairs moments ago—now back in the room, reading the magic potion book.
"...!"
I bolted to the stairs, peering down.
Drunk nobles and politicians shuffled slowly.
"Who knows when it'll happen again."
"Heh, the party's star was elsewhere."
"Still, good meeting His Excellency—discussed next year's security budget. We definitely need more mages..."
I frantically scanned the crowd for Elias.
Elias, coming up the stairs, spotted Adelbert amid them and scowled.
"Hey, why the long face? Drank too much?"
"......"
"Trying not to meddle, but ease up—you're not even past your birthday."
"Prince."
A noble spotting Adelbert bowed properly.
Another behind did the same. Adelbert nodded; they lumbered on.
Then, the noble above Adelbert lurched backward, drawn by something.
Elias's eyes widened in confusion.
"...Huh?"
"Huh?! Grab him!"
"No!"
Crack—
I shoved the drunk noble aside, seizing Adelbert's shirt collar as he toppled.
My other hand swept the wand, catching the falling Elias with mana.
"...!"
Unprecedented shock crossed Adelbert's face.
Gripping his collar, I said quietly.
"That won't do, Your Highness."