Cleanup
"So... I've been lying down for a whole week?"
"Yes... that's right, Young Master."
The few months I endured in the System's Trial had only been a week in reality.
At least it wasn't a 1:1 ratio. Small mercies.
"But... how did you know I was going to wake up?"
"This morning, before dawn, your unconsciousness began to fade, so we prepared in advance."
"...Hoo."
I'd asked out of curiosity about how they'd already set up the entire birthday party by the time I woke up, and Kania answered as if it were nothing.
Kania really is competent.
"Speaking of which, this cake..."
"It's a cake we specially ordered in advance. Do you like it?"
"...It hits the spot, really."
Seeing the cake with a silver cat and a black cat playfully chasing each other made my heart feel a little lighter.
If we could all have gathered for a birthday party like in that dream, it would've been perfect—but that's next to impossible, so I'll settle for Kania and Irina.
"Um... Young Master. Would you like to blow out the candles?"
"What's this, magic candles?"
As those thoughts crossed my mind, Kania had already inserted the candles and lit them.
Feeling the faint energy from them, they seemed like high-end ones that released a soothing aroma to calm the mind and body, warding off insomnia.
".....Fuu."
I blew out the candles and inhaled the rising subtle fragrance. It felt like lounging leisurely in a vast meadow.
"Thanks, you two."
With my eyes gently closed, I offered Kania and Irina my heartfelt gratitude.
"If it weren't for you, it really would've been tough. If you'd abandoned me too, I'd be eating this cake alone right now."
Saying that, I picked up the knife beside me and swiftly sliced the cake into perfect portions.
"...Thank you, Young Master."
"Th-thanks."
As I handed out pieces, Kania accepted hers calmly while Irina blushed and murmured her thanks.
Good thing that wasn't reality.
Looking at them, memories from the Trial unbiddenly surfaced—memories of meeting them there.
Like the moment Kania, worn down by guilt for failing to save me at every turn and tormented by the world's urge to destroy itself, burst into tears the instant she saw me.
Or Irina, so deranged she was unrecognizable even to Ariane, whose eyes suddenly cleared and welled with tears upon seeing me.
"Young Master? What's wrong?"
"Frey, you okay?"
Recalling those scenes twisted my expression involuntarily.
Kania and Irina looked at me with deep concern.
"N-no, it's nothing. Just... Trial memories resurfacing."
I forced a casual smile, but Irina's face paled again.
"F-Frey... How was the Trial? Was it really tough?"
"Not tough at all. Just..."
"...That doesn't match the sleep-talking you've been doing all week."
I tried to reassure her gently, but Kania, stone-faced beside me, cut in.
"Young Master, what happened?"
"Well... it's..."
"Of course, if you don't want to remember, you don't have to say. But..."
Kania glanced at Irina nearby, then sighed.
"Judging by Miss Irina's behavior and emotions over the week you slept, if you don't tell her, her mind might snap soon."
She pointed to Irina, who trembled with anxious, guilt-ridden eyes.
"It was nothing much..."
Seeing Irina overlap with her Trial self, I had no choice but to start talking.
"I just experienced what would've happened if I'd died in the mansion, and went around meeting everyone who felt guilty toward me. That's it. Took barely a week at most. For someone like me who's seen it all..."
"...Last time you said it'd take months."
"Anyway, it was really nothing. See? I'm fine."
I smiled, but Irina's expression was off.
"Then... why were you muttering in your sleep about wanting to leave here, or it being the worst, or begging not to do it... all that grim stuff?"
"That was..."
"The Trial... it's that painful, huh. I had no idea... I..."
As Irina mumbled and started sniffling, I pondered what to say, but Kania, who'd been quietly observing, interjected.
"Miss Irina. That's enough."
"But..."
"I understand your concern, but today is Young Master's birthday. Let's save the gloomy talk for later."
Irina nodded quietly at that, then took my hand.
"...You did well, Frey."
"Uh-huh..."
For some reason, Kania's cold glare made me trail off as I bit into a slice of the cake I'd cut earlier.
"Ah... sweet. Sweets really are the best. Serena was right..."
"Young Master. A birthday party for you is scheduled in a few days."
"Pfft!!"
I was savoring the cake—so sweet it'd make Serena's eyes roll back—when Kania dropped a bombshell.
"Cough, cough. Urgh..."
"Young Master, are you alright?"
The cake lodged in my throat, and Kania handed me a glass of water.
"Kania, didn't you just say no more gloomy talk?"
"Eh... Haven't you always loved birthday parties, Young Master?"
Feeling better after the water, I asked, and Kania looked flustered.
"Ah... you didn't know. I hate birthday parties."
"Pardon?"
"...No one sincerely congratulates me. It's crawling with people who despise or exploit me. Who'd enjoy that?"
"Ah....."
Kania bowed her head silently.
True, in past loops, I'd always grinned like an idiot and acted depraved at birthday parties... Anyone would think I loved them.
Knock knock knock.
"I've come to clean..."
As I thought that, someone knocked.
"Oh, hi—"
"Lulu?"
"...Eek."
The maid-outfitted Lulu entered, saw me awake, paled, and began trembling.
"Come back later."
"A-ah... y-yes..."
I coldly dismissed her and sighed.
"You carried out my instructions well, I see?"
"Yes, without a hitch."
"Good, that's what I expected. Lucky."
Satisfied, I lay back on the bed to hear Kania's briefing.
"As per your plan, the servants chased out during the vacation will receive vacation pay equivalent to their wages. The commoner students being fired from temporary servant roles today will get massive compensation."
"Then all I have left is the aggrieved act."
"Yes."
As Kania said, I'd planned to lavish money on the commoners from the start.
Her background check showed half were so poor they barely ate properly.
A quarter couldn't afford treatment for sick siblings or parents.
Most couldn't buy pricey Sunrise Academy textbooks, pooling money to share copies.
Many skipped school trips for lack of funds, forcing down the academy cafeteria slop at lunch.
That's why they endured the humiliation of becoming maids and butlers on my orders during the exam.
Sunrise Academy's Class A waives tuition—a thousand-year tradition even the dean can't touch amid all the corruption.
In other words, less venerable traditions got overhauled by him.
Bottom line: Commoners desperately need financial aid.
But Sunrise Empire has no rules, systems, or institutions for it. Harsh reality.
So, I'd force them to work in my mansion to funnel them money.
"Kania, is Father's 'Servant Welfare Rules' still in effect?"
"Yes."
I smiled quietly.
Father, ever concerned for servants, created complex, ironclad rules.
I'd use the ones on servant vacations and dismissals.
"...Kania, how'd the special exam go?"
"The imperial family canceled it to minimize fallout. Class A stays as is."
I'd worried Clana might disqualify all commoners except me at the scene, but the mansion attack a week ago led to cancellation. Sensible.
The 'commander decides disqualifications' rule was likely her failsafe if she failed to kill me... and security lapses were called out.
"Good. Now to proceed with the plan."
I stood, stretched, and headed for the door.
"The commoners are still in the mansion?"
"Yes. The cancellation was announced today, so they're waiting."
"How's my alibi?"
"They think you ignored special exam rules, went overseas, and returned today."
"Well done. Gather everyone on the first floor."
As I stepped out, something popped up.
[Second Reward.......]
"...Damn it."
I dismissed the intrusive system window before important work.
Noticing "Second Reward" flash by, I sighed.
Check it later...
The system's rewards and powers help, but lately, just seeing it annoys me.
If the second reward sucks, I'll ignore it except for point investments.
"Um... c-can I come in now...?"
"You follow too."
"Eek...!"
As I left, I grabbed the arm of trembling Lulu outside and dragged her.
"Wh-where are we going...?"
"Just follow."
Dragging flustered Lulu downstairs, some commoners were already gathered, glaring with hostility.
Makes sense—they see the empire's top scoundrel, accused of sexually harassing girls, casually returning from vacation after endangering them.
"I have news."
Meeting their eyes calmly, I waited till all assembled in the lobby, then spoke flatly.
"Special exam's canceled. Our class stays the same next semester."
The commoners brightened.
For poverty-stricken them, not getting kicked from Class A was joyous.
"So... get out of my house. All of you."
But their faces chilled again.
"What? Not leaving?"
I looked at them incredulously, frowning deeply.
"What, you worked expecting rewards? We fed and housed you for free—ain't that enough?"
"But... we signed contracts when we arrived..."
"What?"
A student hesitantly spoke up; I raised my voice.
"Contracts? What contracts?"
"On the first day here, we signed..."
"What about that contract!!"
As I snapped, the student sweated coldly.
"Young Master. Allow me to explain."
Kania eyed me quietly and interjected.
"I distributed the contracts on their first day."
"What?"
"Per the servant employment rules set by Abraham Raon Starlight, this mansion's owner and family head..."
"Kania, you messing with me?"
I approached, emanating menace.
"I'm the head now. My word is rule and law. Why bring up Father's rules?"
"You're temporary acting head..."
Slap!!
Kania's face whipped around.
""...........""
Silence blanketed the lobby.
"I told you not to push it."
".......My apologies."
Red handprint on her cheek, Kania bowed.
The commoners glared in contempt—obvious to me despite their attempts to hide it.
"No contracts needed. Get out now."
"But Young Master, Abraham's rules have imperial legal force and magical bindings..."
"Keep them around? My birthday party's soon."
I spoke exasperatedly to troubled Kania, ignoring cold stares.
"If exam was ongoing, fine—but it's over. I'll party in my house. With those incompetents filling it, how's my reputation?"
"But your party isn't here, it's elsewhere..."
"You know. My shadow friends. We always party separately here."
Commoners stiffened—rumors confirmed from my mouth.
(I'd emphasized for gossip spread.)
"Still, Young Master... kicking them out now... eek...!"
"Doesn't matter. Out. I'll pay compensation or penalties—take it and scram."
I kicked Kania's stomach, sending her tumbling, then glared coldly; commoners shuddered in rage.
"Kania! You okay?!"
Predictably, fuming Perloché rushed to her, divine power flaring.
"I'll heal you..."
"N-no need! Saintess!"
"Ah, aa... r-right!"
Recalling late Kania's black mage vulnerability to divine power, Perloché backed off frantically and turned to me.
"Frey! Stop this tyranny!"
"Tyranny?"
"Yes! After all our hard work! No pay and fired?! Unforgivable..."
"...Just go, Perloché."
"Y-yes?"
As Perloché unwittingly sabotaged my compensation plan, Irina whispered lowly beside her.
"Irina! But..."
"Kania has a plan. So... back off here."
"Urgh..."
Perloché pondered, glared at me, then retreated slowly.
"Then, Young Master, you're firing everyone here?"
Kania asked meaningfully.
"Yes, all fired."
"Understood. We'll process it."
She nodded calmly, addressed the kids.
"Thus... you're all fired effective immediately. See the contracts for details."
"Hurry and send them off."
"Won't you review? These rules..."
"No. Father's stuffy rules bore me."
"...Very well. I'll guide the commoners out."
As Kania led them away, I smirked, grabbed Lulu's shoulder.
"Wait... you stay."
"Hiiik! Y-yes?!"
"Your contract continues. Thought it'd be fun using you as a toy with my shadow friends."
Lulu paled; commoners looked disgusted.
"...Let's go."
Kania murmured lowly; commoners averted eyes, filed out slowly.
"Th-that means..."
"No chit-chat. Clean my room."
"H-hic..."
I sent sniffling Lulu upstairs, sank into thought.
...Damn, what now.
Grabbing Lulu today wasn't planned.
With my growing duties, I'd give the commoners huge compensation post-firing, then have Kania background-check them.
"...Sigh."
Mind-reading skill showed I couldn't just let her go.
"One more thing to worry about..."
No [Suicidal Impulse] before the incident—why now? I'll watch her closely.
"Whew..."
Surveying the slapstick lobby, I smirked thinking of the commoners' windfall...
"Frey Raon Starlight? Are you present?"
"What?"
Someone knocked at the main door calling me; frowning, I approached.
"...What is it?"
I opened it irritably...
"Imperial command."
"Pardon?"
The imperial servant's words left me agape.
"...Your birthday party will be hosted by the imperial family."
".......!"
"His Majesty's consideration, so you can spend intimate time with the Third Princess."
Some curse must be on my fate.