No sound came.

I looked down at the doorknob and spoke.

“Professor.”

Knock knock—

“I know you’re in there.”

[…….]

After a long pause, the door opened.

A middle-aged mage with a sharp, weary expression greeted me.

Well, “greeted” isn’t quite right. Before I could even say hello, Traut glared at me intensely.

“What’s this about? Did I schedule a meeting with a student? Showing up at my faculty residence on a weekend morning, not even my office—what’s the deal?”

“My apologies. I would’ve informed you in advance if I could, but this couldn’t wait. I desperately need your help, so I came despite knowing it’s rude.”

Only then did Traut narrow his eyes, still visibly displeased.

Can’t be helped.

There’s a limit to winning people over by running around myself.

What did the system want from me? With the “Conquerable” function updated at the semester’s start, it’s pushing me toward something I’d rather not get close to. I don’t know what kind of game I played in my life to deserve this ordeal.

So, I won’t move as the system intends.

The thought of going against its intentions already warms my heart.

“May I come in?”

“…….”

Traut scanned me up and down, then shut the door and said.

“I’ll come out.”

***

Lucas Rene Askanian

Title: Sir Nicolaus

Health: +4.0 (+0.4) [+7.0]

Mental Strength: +4.3 (+1.3)

Magic Power: ?

Skills: +5.1 (+0.3) [+8.1]

Impression: -5.8 (+1.2) [+3] [+8.126]

Luck: +5.0 (+0.8)

Traits: Dawn777, Divine Power, Charm (Lv.5), Retry (Lv.3)

The last time I checked my status was two weeks ago during the arts festival.

Sitting in Traut’s stark white office, I reviewed the status window.

‘Everything’s gone up a lot.’

My Health and Mental Strength have reached the Imperial Second Academy’s average, and my Skills have surpassed it.

‘No wonder my magic felt sharper during the exam.’

What matters now is the Impression value.

It rose 1.2 points in two weeks, bringing the national Impression to -5.8.

It’s been about a month since I escaped -9.9, but that generous number still feels fresh.

The school Impression rose 2 points to +3. Nicolaus, who hasn’t focused much on public activities, also gained 0.1.

I’ll need to keep that in mind for comparison.

Then, from across the office, Traut asked in an annoyed tone.

“Coffee?”

“No, thanks.”

Traut nodded vaguely, dragging his shoes as he slumped into his seat, holding a pitch-black coffee.

“I didn’t expect you to agree to my request.”

“I haven’t agreed to anything.”

“You came out, didn’t you?”

I replied with a mild smile.

It wasn’t a great response, so Traut looked at me like I was a headache-inducing chore.

Of course, it’s a hassle, but he didn’t tell me to leave or say he wouldn’t help.

Is it kindness, wanting to hear out a whining student’s troubles?

No.

‘It’s closer to not being able to kick me out.’

Here’s why I had to find Traut.

The day after the warp magic was cast on my room, Stefan Traut barged into an emergency meeting of the Magic Department faculty, urging them to declare my innocence.

‘Are they trying to pin all this on Askanian? No matter how flawed Lucas Askanian’s disposition is, whether he drinks blood or not, there’s no way to get that potion without approaching Pleroma. Isn’t that right?’

That’s what he said.

Why would someone so loyal to Adrian Askanian do that? Why would someone who disapproved of me so much wish for my innocence instead of my downfall?

The answer’s simple when you think it through.

From my perspective, Traut is an enemy, but focusing on that misses the point.

Why did Traut assign a watcher to me? Why did he lock the lab door during the potion contest?

To see if I was using mana.

Using mana would mean the potion my brother feeds me has worn off, meaning the core’s leash is loose.

What does it mean if my core returns to normal?

It means my disposition could manifest unknowingly, potentially draining people’s blood and mana to death.

That’s what Traut feared most.

If I killed someone, Adrian’s reputation—who tried to raise me humanely—would plummet.

For Traut, aligned with my brother, that’s the worst-case scenario.

Now it’s clear.

Traut’s goal isn’t to attack me but to monitor me to “keep Adrian Askanian’s approval rating intact.”

So, with the media frenzy branding me as Pleroma, what does that make Adrian, who’s visibly worked to socialize me?

I now know the value Traut and I share.

If we had no common ground, I’d have only considered locking him up, but he’s shown potential to be a useful tool from the start.

All that’s left is to persuade him.

Traut gulped his steaming coffee and spoke.

“The inauguration rehearsal must’ve started.”

“Yes. That’s why I don’t have much time.”

“What’s so urgent that you came to me on a Saturday morning?”

I pulled a newspaper from my file.

“You’ve seen this, I assume.”

Articles wary of Lucas Askanian were placed before him.

Thinking my tone wasn’t polite, Traut raised an eyebrow.

“Yes, I’ve seen them.”

“It seems the public wrongly fears I’ll harm society.”

Traut narrowed his eyes, staring at me.

He must think it’s out of the blue.

Of course. Are we close enough for this? We’ve barely exchanged greetings—practically strangers.

I continued without smiling.

“My brother traveled the country for over a decade, seeking a cure for my disposition that neither religion nor magical medicine could heal. Thanks to his efforts, I live with a healthy core. But the public underestimates his work.”

“What, you came to talk about this on a Saturday morning…?”

I cut off Traut’s puzzled protest.

“As someone indebted to my brother my whole life, I can’t stand by while these articles belittle his efforts.”

Traut shook his head, looking confused.

“…Fine. It’s certainly disrespectful to His Excellency Adrian Askanian. And to you. But what’s this about? Why tell me this?”

“Don’t you know what I’m asking?”

Traut narrowed his eyes, leaning closer as I did.

“You have wide connections, Professor. I believe you can clear the false accusations against our family.”

“…….”

Traut’s face twisted.

Realizing my intent, he glared daggers and stood.

“Go back. Even if I’m sponsored by Askanian, I’m not obligated to fulfill unreasonable demands.”

I expected this.

Someone tied to my brother wouldn’t be friendly to me.

But it’s too early to give up.

“You should hear me out. I was surprised to learn you’d curse someone’s arteries.”

“…?”

Traut’s expression changed as he stood. He stared down at me, eyes wide, as if asking what I’d just said.

“Just to avoid being a suspect. You know who locked me in the lab during the potion contest, don’t you?”

“…….”

“No matter how I think about it, I couldn’t understand why Jürgen Beck framed me, so I requested a more detailed investigation record. The Bureau said your name came up in Beck’s statement.”

I leaned back in the chair, hands clasped.

His face was now pale, composure gone. I continued impassively.

“A mage who gained a professorship through Askanian’s sponsorship obstructing Askanian? My brother would be shocked.”

“It was for Askanian’s safety…”

“Safety? My brother didn’t order you to lock his brother in a lab.”

It’s true.

I thought it back then.

Adrian Askanian isn’t the type to take such risky actions. He might send a letter implying fear of my disposition resurfacing, like he did initially, but he wouldn’t openly command more.

With his paranoia and perfectionism, delegating tasks to others is impossible.

“I know you’re aligned with my brother. But do you think my brother, who sees me as a father figure, would worry about losing his dukedom over a high school potion contest? Or that he’d see his seven-years-younger brother as a threat? Haha, I wonder how he’d react if he knew…”

Of course, I know that’s not why he locked me in.

But from his limited perspective of me, it’s plausible, and Traut has no convincing excuse.

Traut stepped back unconsciously.

His legs seemed to give out under the unexpected situation.

I watched and continued.

“It’s insulting. To me and my brother.”

“…That’s not what I meant…”

“Not trusting me is one thing, but at least trust the lord you serve. Oh, no. Maybe that’s too much for someone who doesn’t even trust the potion my brother gives me.”

No response came.

I stood and approached him.

“Now you’re ready to talk.”

“…….”

“As you know, I don’t want my issues to tarnish my brother’s name. He’s my benefactor, guiding me this far despite my flaws. It’s time I repay his care. You respect him too, don’t you? Then you know how threatening these articles are to Askanian and how they insult his love.”

Traut didn’t answer. Didn’t nod.

It showed how prideful he was.

But his eyes were wavering.

Saying he was ready to talk wasn’t a lie. He was prepared to follow my words.

Only if I didn’t wound his pride—or crushed it entirely.

Time to pull back the whip.

“I trust you, Professor. When I entered this school with no friends, living like a ghost, knowing a hometown elder was here was such a comfort.”

Traut’s shoulders twitched.

‘Oh.’

This is the point?

The first meaningful reaction.

Suppressing a smile, I continued.

“Hearing the investigation results from the contest day, I felt betrayed by someone I trusted. Still do.”

I locked eyes with him.

He’s someone who lives and dies by trust. When I mentioned betrayal, his eyes began to wander slightly, searching for a place to settle.

“I understand your concerns. I deeply respect my brother and swear in Christ’s name I’d never harm him. So, Professor, give me and my brother your confidence again.”

“…….”

After a long silence, Traut nodded.

Still prideful, he stared at me.

“Fine. Sit.”

I smiled, pulling the file from the desk with magic.

I opened it to the right page and handed it to him.

I’d told Jürgen Beck to list people who helped gather information, besides Traut.

This was that list. People in my brother’s sphere, sharing Traut’s goals.

I’d said I’d investigate everyone and not to lie, but I assumed he wouldn’t comply, so I background-checked them all. They were all like Traut, with active connections.

“Turns out there’s quite a network between Jürgen Beck and you. Two each in the Imperial Newspaper’s political and social sections. Plus the Berlin Daily’s editor-in-chief, and… even Dasrothe’s Berlin branch.”

Unlike my smile, Traut’s face darkened again.

As I flipped through, showing their details, he swallowed, trying to relax his expression.

‘Of course. I reminded him of his crimes.’

I didn’t directly crush his pride with harsh words, but I needed to keep him in check so he wouldn’t get cocky or plot revenge.

I closed the file and said.

“48 hours.”

“…?”

Traut’s eyes, filled with fear and discomfort, met mine.

Sensing wariness, I clasped my hands and spoke.

“By Monday morning, turn Berlin’s atmosphere completely around.”

***

I saved his skin, so I deserve this much.

Just this once?

I’ll milk him like a bone for broth.

“Let’s move to the right!”

Someone shouted from afar.

At the Imperial Court, practicing meaningless position changes dozens of times, I half-tuned out, lost in thought.

Those articles from 6 a.m.—don’t they feel familiar?

They’re the same as the reactions after the January militia exam.

[‘Pleroma’—can it be cured?]

[Anhalt Protestant Church Union: “An era of Pleroma handling Pleroma” strongly criticized]

[Lucas Askanian, the Askanian family’s only path forward]

[“We can’t entrust citizens to Pleroma” — resolute opposition to Imperial Second Academy’s decision]

These were last month’s articles post-first exam.

Back then, I thought:

‘This is natural. If the public’s negative perception flipped overnight, *that* would be stranger. It’d mean someone high up is controlling the media with intent.’

That hasn’t changed.

So, how do I gather 10,000 favorability points in this mess?

It’s actually perfect timing.

The media’s been dragging the same topic for a month, and public interest has waned. “Lucas Askanian joined the Imperial Second Academy Militia exam” remains unresolved—what more can they do?

In early January, the public wanted me expelled or my safety confirmed.

The school didn’t expel me, and I proved my core’s stability at Bavaria’s Magic Medical Center.

People quickly adapt to stimuli. They soon crave something more shocking.

The media likely thought my top ranking and Imperial entry would be that “more shocking stimulus.”

Good call.

But I can’t wait for the public’s negative perception to flip overnight to earn points. So, what to do?

The answer’s clear.

It’s time to control the media.

“That’s it!”

The Imperial protocol team leader, using amplification magic, shouted.

It was already 6 p.m.

“Ugh… so tiring.”

Elias shuffled over, draping his arms over my shoulders, slumping.

“This is so boring. Right?”

“Yeah.”

“Let’s go eat. Their food’s rotten, but my family’s cooking is top-notch. Been a while since I was home, so I’m craving it.”

My family… fair enough.

I’m not used to him casually calling the Imperial Court his home, but it’s typical.

With a wry smile, I glanced around.

Not just Elias—everyone looked drained.

No wonder.

While my friends arrived at the Imperial annex at 7 a.m., I got here at 2 p.m. I’m still fresh, but they aren’t.

Elias rambled about playing poker with Heike during breaks, then leaned close to my face, shouting.

“By the way, why’d you show up so late~? It was boring without you!”

“Had something to assign to a professor.”

“Assign?”

“Yup.”

I nodded, spotting Narce running toward me.

“Lucas!”

“Hm?”

He was holding a stack of newspapers.

Before I could tell him not to run, the papers dropped at my feet. Narce must’ve warped them first.

Elias quickly grabbed the Imperial Newspaper, skipping the First Academy militia story on the front page.

“Whoa.”

Flipping to the next page, articles filled the spread.

[Lucas Askanian, Imperial Second Academy Militia final selection top ranker]

[Imperial Mage Union: No disqualifying factors for Lucas Askanian… “Fully qualified”]

[Lucas Askanian following Adrian Askanian’s path?]

[Karl Reitzberg, Imperial First Academy honorary professor: “Lucas Askanian has the greatest potential as a mage”]

“…….”

Quite different from this morning’s 6 a.m. headlines.

My eyes met Elias’s. He cast a soundproofing spell and slapped my back.

“Hey~ Wasn’t Nicolaus in a tough spot? You even managed the media as Lucas?”

“It worked out.”

“Nice!”

Narce, who’d reached us, laughed and answered simultaneously. Though outside the soundproofing spell, he probably read it with Insight.

Elias included Narce in the spell and said.

“But that professor couldn’t snag the front page.”

True.

If he had that much pull, he’d have gotten out of detention without my help. Though, how many have the influence to free someone the Emperor locked up?

I shook my head, laughing.

“Getting my criticism off the front page is profit enough.”

With high newspaper reliance, it didn’t need to be the front page.

And…

That’s not all I prepared.

***

At the same time, in Berlin.

In a pub frequented by commoners, someone quietly listened to their group.

“I just don’t get why they’d put someone like that in first place. Even if he had the scores, how do you pass someone with those rumors?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep