Inspector?
“Hah, I did think I’d have to meet you at some point... but I never imagined it’d be like this, Tiny.”
Tiny bowed his head deeply at the words of the impeccably dressed gentleman who had introduced himself as Jenas. This was his first time face-to-face with the genius whom the duke had praised so highly, but the situation didn’t allow him to savor the young man’s realm or presence.
“I just thought it was suspicious... I’m sorry.”
“Well, I can understand that. His Excellency said he’d graciously forgive it, so we’ll let it slide this time. ...But!”
The silver-haired youth raised a warning finger, yet offered a gentle smile.
“Just keep one thing in mind. Valentia is never a pushover. Anyone wandering around here disguised with magic has already been granted permission. Got it?”
There have to be exceptions... Tiny wanted to retort, but now wasn’t the time.
“...Yes, sir. Understood.”
“And please act with a bit more discretion from now on. You can manage that, right?”
“...I’ll try.”
“Good. I have high expectations for you, Tiny. If you can just be a little more serious, I truly believe you could become a great man. His Excellency said the same.”
Yeah, right, like that old man would say that. The thought bubbled up to the back of his throat again, but he swallowed it down.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
There was an oppressive weight to Jenas’s soft, courteous tone that even Tiny’s prickly nature couldn’t easily defy.
It’s not just his inaction that’s exceptional.
Maybe it was the overly refined attire, but the man himself exuded an air of dignity. At the very least, he seemed far more cultured than the duke, who insisted that hurling people off iron tower roofs was “training.”
“Alright, then. I’m busy, so I’ll be off.”
“Um... I have one question.”
“Yes?”
“What’s the deal with that Rendley guy? Who the hell is he?”
Jenas’s perpetually relaxed expression stiffened slightly at the question.
“Ah... haha, that’s classified for now. I can’t tell you. I hope you understand.”
“Someone from the imperial family?”
Jenas flinched. The guess had hit home, cracking the man’s dignified facade for the first time. But he quickly caught himself, letting out a small sigh as he smoothed his face.
“That was my mistake.”
No one even pointed it out... Was he the type who was especially strict with himself?
“Well, seeing that knight of his doesn’t leave many possibilities. But it’s still a secret externally. You absolutely can’t mention it anywhere else. Understand, Tiny?”
Tiny nodded obediently, revising his assessment of Jenas inwardly.
“Yes, of course.”
It had just been a hunch to confirm anyway.
Especially since I already know he’s getting married to the crown prince...
Besides, separate from any foreknowledge of his past life, it wasn’t hard to guess the identity of a man who traveled with a Challenger-grade knight as his escort. The crown prince himself, whose schedule was planned down to the minute, wouldn’t have come in person.
Probably an imperial inspector.
Given the high-level escort, he was likely one of the higher-ranking ones.
Cloi’s coming-of-age ceremony is also the crown prince’s fiancée announcement.
It wasn’t strange for those bloodline-worshipping perverts to snoop around covertly. The only thing nagging at him slightly was how unlike the infamous imperial inspectors, the man had let Tiny’s blunder slide so generously.
Suddenly, the memory resurfaced: the moment a threatening red mana blade had surged toward him, pulsing with menace.
It had been ages since his spine had chilled like that.
- Stop, Exilan! It’s my fault!!
An inspector with ego wrapped in steel forgave me? Because of Valentia? I even told him directly I had no ties to the duke’s house.
Well, even dens of madmen had the occasional normal person. He’d just been lucky.
Even if not...
Whether it was truly because of the Valentia house or just personal embarrassment, the man wouldn’t pick a fight for the same reason again. At least not until after the ceremony.
Right after, I head straight to Carun...
Had he zoned out too long?
“...so, hm? Tiny?”
Catching Jenas’s puzzled gaze, Tiny realized his slip and bowed his head again.
“Ah, sorry. I was lost in thought for a second. What did you say...?”
“Hm... He said he thinks well of you too. He asked me to tell you he found your concern for the lady rather admirable.”
“Ah... yes, sir.”
“His injury was severe, so he’ll seek you out again once treatment’s done. Be polite and proper then. Got it?”
“Yes, of course.”
Guess I need to bail earlier than planned. Tiny forced an awkward smile, steeling himself inwardly.
After the meeting with Jenas, as Tiny headed back to his quarters, he faced yet another commotion.
“What happened, Tiny!? Why’d Wolrang vanish like that? Was it dangerous? And why’d Brother Jenas want to see you?!”
Calming Cloi, who had come looking for him due to Wolrang’s sudden disappearance, exhausted him completely. The day’s events soon faded from his mind—until he met that man again on the day of the ceremony.
A week later, the day of Cloi von Valentia’s coming-of-age ceremony dawned.
The area in front of the inner castle’s lord’s hall buzzed with crowds. It resembled a commoners’ market, but these were all imperial nobles and their escorts, a testament to the Valentia family’s staggering prestige.
Of course, that wasn’t the only place Valentia’s grandeur shone.
“Is it really true? His fiancée is...”
“That’s why every noble’s flocked here. Just look at Rohiter...”
“Huh? I don’t see Rohiter.”
“Haven’t you heard? He got beaten by that kid...”
“What?”
Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
“Form a line! All seats are assigned—check your crests and take your places!”
“Slowly, slowly! Maintain your dignity!”
Under the knights’ guidance, the nobles—behaving far from nobly as they jostled—entered the hall one by one, only to gasp in unison.
“Oh!”
“Heavens!”
“As expected of Valentia...!”
From the entrance adorned with vibrant flowers, the path was carpeted not with rugs but with soft layers of multicolored petals. Pillars throughout the grand hall were wrapped in glowing floral vines, enhancing the beauty. Sculptures and paintings peeked between the flower paths, so exquisitely arranged that even the art-illiterate saw it as one grand masterpiece.
Flanking the central Roseway—where today’s star would walk—were tables laden with exotic delicacies, tantalizing sight and smell alike. Sunlight poured through upper windows, making the hall’s heart feel like a heavenly garden.
“Ha...”
“Food, flowers, artwork... everything harmonizes perfectly.”
“Each piece stands out, yet they blend seamlessly.”
“...How much did this cost?”
“Tch, so vulgar...”
Jenas, overseeing the hall, smiled quietly amid the exclamations. Months of toil had paid off. Pride swelling, he scanned the room, Cloi’s image—the tiny, adorable baby born around his own coming-of-age—flashing through his mind as she grew into a lady.
Lady Cloi... no, my little sister. I’ll make today the most radiant, beautiful day of your life.
Social status barred him from calling her sister despite her “big brother” nickname, but he didn’t mind. Their familial bond was mutual, making today joyful for him too, blood-related or not.
As he indulged in sentiment...
Crunch crunch.
Slurp slurp.
Chomp chomp.
“Wow, this is good! Sir Jenas, what’s this dish called?”
A black-haired brat kept shattering his blissful mood.
“Haha, easy now...”
...Stuff your face!
He nearly spat the curse. Breathing deep...
Calm down, Jenas... Everything’s perfect. It’s going smoothly.
But then...
“Kya, this is killer! What’d you say? ...Uh, over here! One more... no, three plates of this!”
Watching the kid monopolize a corner table, stacking plates into a tower, Jenas’s hands began to tremble again.
No... no.
One glutton can’t ruin the flow.
Preparations were ample.
“Ahem... Ah, Tiny. You can eat slower. There’s plenty of food.”
Forcing composure, projecting adult poise...
“There’th tho much... gulp... good thtuff?”
Seeing the boy cram meat into both cheeks ignited fresh fury.
Grind.
Startled at his own teeth-gnashing, then again at the tiny frame devouring mountains of food...
Finally...
“...Haha, before I smash your jaw, stop stuffing your face.”
Unable to hold back, rage pierced reason in a curse. At least his voice stayed low, reason not fully severed.
The boy’s reaction was minimal.
“...Pardon?”
Watching him blink innocently twisted Jenas’s conscience.
...Yeah, he’s at that age where kids eat a ton.
Cursing a child for eating? Though... extremely—no, absurdly—immoderate amounts.
I still lack discipline.
Jenas reflected once more.
“Ah, no. I’ve been tired lately... Tiny, eat more later—help tidy up a bit?”
“Didn’t you just tell me to stay put?”
That’s because...
Right. Vivian’s surprise event request for the lady’s knight. He’d forgotten the star was this runt.
“...Go somewhere else?”
“No, no. Feast starts soon—stay here.”
“Got it!”
Munch munch, slurp slurp.
Ugh.
The kid resumed devouring with relish, reigniting quelled ire. As Jenas turned away, hands shaking...
“Haha. Little knight, don’t trouble busy Sir Jenas—chat with me instead.”
A voice—unfamiliar yet vaguely familiar—pierced Tiny’s ears amid his feast.
...Huh?
Gluttony amplified by rare delicacies he’d never tasted in his past life. Plus, eating boosted mana growth—no need to hold back. Jenas might’ve cursed, but probably a mishearing amid noise. The man was a gentleman’s gentleman; low vulgarity didn’t suit him.
Nothing to do now—might as well eat.
Frankly, the opulent scene paled against anticipation for the artifact Stamp post-tuning tomorrow.
Thus, the intruder’s voice soured his mood naturally. Plus a mystery.
Do inspectors attend parties?
His head tilted instinctively, but...
- Be polite and proper then. Got it?
Recalling Jenas’s advice, Tiny smiled and greeted Rendley.
“Sorry for the rudeness last time. And thank you for your leniency.”
A greeting laced with: If you haven’t forgiven me, snapping now makes you petty.
Rendley exchanged glances with Jenas, then nodded warmly at Tiny.
“I was the one making undue demands on a stranger—of course. I was impressed by your decisive action, little friend. If I’m rude again, hit me like before. No one does that to me; it was refreshing.”
...What? Did this guy change personalities? Masochist?
The response sparked bizarre imaginings, killing his appetite.
“Ah... yes. Haha, I see. Haha, tastes respected.”
“Tastes? No idea what you mean, but if we’re on the same page, good. I’d like us closer. A talent like you in this world...”
Tiny tuned out the rest. The head-pat sent chills down his spine unwittingly.
Ew, I’m not into that...
As Tiny shuddered and edged away...