Chapter 155: Weight (1)

Ancient bloodlines, slave markets, old laws—this conversation had it all, what is next? Michael thought incredulously.

He had stayed at the Winterborne manor for over three years, but not once had Melody or her parents spoke of his past, or the bloodline. It seemed to be a secret that they didn’t want to disclose to just anyone.

“Yes, I was a slave before I became a noble…” Brian replied to Rudy, sitting back in his chair. He was wearing an impassive expression, perhaps worried that the teen would begin to ask many probing questions.

However, Rudy sat down a moment later and nodded calmly. “I was also a slave for almost three years…” he admitted, his voice slightly strained. “The headmaster was the one who saved me from that.”

Brian’s eyes lit up in surprise, clearly not expecting the admission.

“It must have been hard on you…”

Rudy nodded again, this time more subdued. This led to a long silence that once again settled over the table. Taking the initiative, Vaughn began to clean up the remaining food and empty dishes with a wave of his hand.

“Would you like tea, my lord?” he asked politely.

“Mmm, and bring our guest here some of Shirley’s cheesecake.” Brian replied with a small smile.

Rudy’s expression lit up upon hearing the word. Ever since he’d been told about the cheesecake yesterday, it was all he’d ever talked about.

Michael watched the scene silently, feeling a mixture of emotions. He had been certain that Melody’s father had been scheming, using him as a scapegoat to protect his daughter—regardless of how much hardship he had to endure.

However, hearing the explanation, he felt that it made more sense that the man was just a flawed individual, whose intentions were at their heart, pure. Of course this didn’t change the suffering Michael had endured, but it made it easier to forgive.

As the atmosphere turned harmonious, his mind began to wander. With the reveal of the ancient bloodline, it suddenly made sense why the noble families were so intent on acquiring Melody.

Though it was not certain what effect awakening it would have, it should only be beneficial—at least that was the consensus.

And judging by the actions of the noble families, it didn’t seem like they would let up in their pursuits of the ancient bloodline for anything. This was evidenced by the fact they appealed to the king directly, invoking one of the old laws.

A sense of helplessness began to overcome Michael in that moment. He had no power—both socially and personally. Even if he assumed his previous identity of the son of Lord Aurelius, compared to the Bishop family, he was a nobody.

Even Brian Winterborne was powerless to stop the machinations of the noble houses, especially after the appeal. Of course he could reject engagement proposals from the other nobles, but there would be some that he would have trouble refusing.

Michael’s eyes laid upon Melody beside him who had lost some of her earlier anxiety. She still behaved in a reserved manner after her earlier outburst, but at least she seemed to be in a better state than before.

Will I be forced to watch as she’s married off to another family? Michael thought, feeling his heart ache.

Though he didn’t really hold any romantic feelings towards her despite playing the role of her fiancé, that didn’t mean he wanted to see her suffer. After all, he knew all too well what it was like being a prisoner within a noble family.

She’s my friend… I won’t let her be forced into marriage, especially to one of those damn Bishop’s… He declared in his heart, his eyes narrowing with determination.

His mind worked furiously in the background, trying to think of ways where the influence of the other families would have no effect on the king—since the law of appeal seemed to be an effective way of limiting the movements they could make.

There were two things that dictated one’s standing in the continent: Social status, and personal power—with more emphasis on the latter. Many noble families started out as mere commoners, working up through the social hierarchy and building their own legacy through their strength as a mage.

It was common for the rise and fall of families to be tied to their heirs. If one produced a failure, they could only silently lament as their family crumbled—or do their best to create alliances with other houses through marriage.

So while the political landscape of the nobles seemed convoluted, at its core it was quite simple. Only those who had power could climb up the social ladder, cementing their position in the continent.

Of course at the very top of this ladder was the royal family—a house that had been in charge since the beginning of the new age almost two-thousand years ago. They consistently produced violet mages every generation.

But it seemed even the Pritchards were unwilling to stand up to a group of ten noble families. Or perhaps, they were afraid of another civil war.

I need strength… Without it, I’ll only remain a pawn piece.

He already required strength in order to track down his mother’s killers. If he could also save a friend in the process, wouldn’t that be the icing on the cake?

However, Michael was only a first-year at the academy right now. Not only did he have almost zero backing, he was also weak in comparison to the other noble scions—not to mention the families behind them.

Technically, the only thing he had going for him was his unique soul. Even then, his soul trait had not manifested yet, meaning he was little more than a promising kid in the eyes of others.

Ideally, he would create his own noble house and become its founding member. Not only could he climb the social ladder, but he would also be able to take in Rudy and Melody…

Ah… Michael’s face reddened as he thought to that point.

If he wanted to take Melody into his family, he would need to marry her, otherwise nothing would change.

Shit… Is there another way?

However, instinctively he knew—there was not.

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