“Wooow~ This year is amazing as well! As expected of the Hernan Imperial Academy.”

“Every year, I can’t help but be amazed. To think that such talented people exist.”

“But still, we have to sort them. We need to separate those who are even greater from the outstanding.”

The Class Assignment Exam supervisors: placements were decided fairly and professionally by their judgment.

“Then first, the imperial princess and her escorts should be assigned to S-Class, right?”

“Hey there, what’s with calling her ‘the princess’?”

“Ah! Sorry, that slipped out.”

One supervisor, smiling sheepishly, while the other supervisor spoke as he read through some documents.

“Who knows what the high nobility are thinking. Why bother hiding their identities like this?”

“Isn’t it just childish mischief? Anyway, let’s move on. Next.”

“Then, first, we should assign the one who scored first place.”

He said this and slid the paperwork forward.

“Luca Melborne Traverse. The Traverse bloodline really is special. Like his older brother, he placed first in the class assignment exam.”

“Whew~ The Empire’s ‘Fangs’ really are on another level. Both sons are this outstanding.”

“Actually, it’s just that the older brother is exceptionally remarkable. Luca Traverse’s evaluation isn’t so low either. The key will be how much he blooms at the Academy.”

As the supervisors were sharing opinions, someone naturally interjected.

“Luca Traverse should be assigned to A-Class.”

“Excuse me?”

“What are you talking about…!”

Dumbfounded by that statement, all the supervisors turned toward the source of the voice and fell silent in shock.

Despite being a man, he had long silver hair that cascaded down to his waist, a cold expression, and uniquely deep violet eyes. He wore a robe emblazoned with a peculiar symbol: a square with a dot inside.

He spoke in a blunt tone.

“If Luca Traverse is assigned to S-Class, the problems will become complicated. Assign him to A-Class.”

“Ma-marquis Kissen, sir. What do you mean by that…?”

Gardaph Kissen, marquis Kissen.

Head of House Kissen, renowned as masters of magical research, with his own magical power at the extraordinary eighth tier.

But more famous still was the Kissen Magical Research Division, whose research prowess rivaled even the Magic Tower and was regarded as a key strategic asset of the Hernan Empire.

“The Traverse family already has Wylde Traverse holding the inheritance rights. If Luca Traverse suddenly demonstrates exceptional ability and influences the family, it will only bring chaos to the inheritance of the Traverse County. It’s better for him to remain an ordinary talent.”

“B-but matters of a family’s inheritance should be solved within that family. We’re only here to make fair class assignments—nothing more, nothing less.”

True to their reputation for valuing fairness, the exam supervisors even dared argue against a marquis far above them in status.

But Gardaph Kissen was unruffled.

“If there’s chaos in the Traverse family, which greatly contributes to the Empire’s defense, then the whole national defense would be thrown into disorder. Preventing that is the duty of any imperial citizen. Don’t be obsessed over a mere class assignment.”

“That’s unacceptable. The Hernan Imperial Academy has the highest reputation on the continent as the finest academy. Its class assignments are not ‘mere’ trivialities. Fairness that matches its reputation is the only way. We could never act against that.”

While the supervisors didn’t back down, one of them noticed an odd fact they’d missed until now.

“W-wait a moment. Why is Marquis Kissen here in the first place…?”

At that, they all stiffened.

The class assignment exam is a highly secret matter—even a marquis shouldn’t know the time or place.

Gardaph Kissen answered dully.

“Next time, maybe we should have a more obedient supervisor.”

“W-what do you mean…?”

[Mental Domination]

BZZZT!

A strange, square-shaped magic circle formed above Gardaph Kissen’s head, sending currents surging into the supervisors’ heads.

The supervisors convulsed as if shocked, then slumped. Their eyes lost their light.

“Wooow~ The owner of the Kissen Research Division really is something else. Creating a spell that goes past memory manipulation to completely dominate the mind.”

A man with slitted eyes and a monocle emerged from the shadows. Gardaph Kissen replied in a disinterested tone.

“It’s only a half-complete spell unless there’s a massive difference in skill level.”

“Haha! So modest. But didn’t you say it’ll be finished soon?”

“Don’t be absurd. Anyway, why do I have to bother with such a pain all because of one Luca Traverse?”

At Gardaph Kissen’s words, the man with the monocle shrugged.

“Who knows? How could I know what the high-ups are thinking? There’s talk it’s about his bloodline, but I don’t know the details.”

“If it’s bloodline, wylde Traverse should have inherited more.”

“No, it’s not the Traverse side. It’s the ‘Melborne’ side.”

At the monocled man’s words, Gardaph Kissen glanced at Luca’s profile on the table.

He then turned and headed out of the secret chamber.

“I’ll leave the rest to you.”

“Yessir, take care!”

After Gardaph Kissen left, the man with the monocle grinned at the piles of documents on the table.

“Now~ let’s have a look at our adorable students’ faces.”

Into the Hernan Imperial Academy, the finest academy on the continent, darkness seeped in.

* * *

‘Now everything’s finally falling into place.’

Since his possession, Luca had been haunted by questions.

Why didn’t Luca Traverse appear in the original story?

He was talented, handsome, from a remarkable family.

His older brother, wylde Traverse, was even an important supporting character.

So why was Luca Traverse never once shown in the original?

It was because Luca Traverse was a background character.

‘Wylde Traverse became an enemy of Demons, and Luca Traverse was the narrative device for that.’

For Wylde Traverse—called the ‘Return of the Fangs’—to turn against his family and nation to become the protagonist’s ally, it was essential for the Traverse Family to fall.

‘To leave no possibility for return, Luca Traverse was written to die.’

The fact that Luca Traverse’s hardships were predetermined before the protagonist even arrived said it all.

‘I wasn’t shocked since I knew the backstory, but the real Luca Traverse must have been…’

He could tell, just from the sensation of something boiling up inside his chest.

Had he really been Luca Traverse, he’d have exploded in anger and turned the place upside down.

“Young master…”

“Hey! Something’s definitely wrong! Check again!”

“I-I’m sorry. But here, the A-Class list definitely has the name Luca Traverse…”

“Give it here!”

“N-no, you can’t!”

Ottbo’s face showed confusion as he wrested the class list from the receptionist.

“T-this is…”

“… It’s fine.”

“Luca! I saw you take the exam! You outperformed me in every way. And yet, I’m S-Class and you’re A-Class? This makes no sense!”

Ottbo shouted in agitation, but Luca quietly shook his head.

“The Hernan Academy’s supervisors are famed for their impartiality. Unless even a royal displays true skill, they’ll coldly assign a low class. I’m no exception.”

“B-but…”

“The only explanation is that they saw something we could not. If not, then you, a mere count’s second son, are questioning the weight of the name ‘Hernan Academy?'”

Continent’s best.

No one could deny that phrase attached to Hernan Academy.

It was the pride of the Hernan Empire, the core of its future competitiveness, and the pride of all nobles who graduated from there. Who could possibly deny that?

A count’s second son, with no inheritance, surely could not deny it.

“……”

Ottbo, knowing this, could only fall silent.

Luca’s words were harsh and cold, but true.

If Ottbo pushed any further, people would dismiss it as the childish behavior of a kid, but no more.

“I should get going now. Bella, get ready.”

“… Yes, young master.”

“Luca…”

Ottbo called Luca’s name pitifully, and Luca paused for a moment, sighed softly, then strode up to the receptionist.

She flinched, but Luca paid her no mind.

“Paper and pen.”

“… Excuse me?”

“Paper and pen.”

Repeating himself in exactly the same tone, Luca waited. The receptionist, stunned, handed over a pen and paper.

Luca scribbled something down, handed back the pen, and brought only the paper to Ottbo.

“Code.”

“Huh?”

Ottbo took the paper with a blank look, glanced at what was written, and tilted his head.

“Code?”

“Communication code. Contact me once you arrive at your estate.”

“… Ah, okay!”

Realizing what Luca had given him, Ottbo beamed.

Luca, expressionless, headed out of the exam hall, Bella laughing quietly beside him.

“You gave the communication code to the count’s son, but not even to the princess.”

“I couldn’t help it.”

Luca glanced back with a wry smile.

“To shut up that noisy, troublesome kid, that’s the least I could do.”

Whether it was Lee Myunghyun’s feelings, Luca Traverse’s, or both, he didn’t know.

But he was secretly grateful that someone else got angry on his behalf in this unreasonable situation.

Bella, perhaps sensing his feelings, said nothing and simply finished preparing for their departure.

“Are you sure you don’t want to stay and have some fun, young master?”

“Ha, with my being assigned to A-Class, do you think I have time for fun? I should train as much as possible at home.”

“… I’m sure there was some mistake. Please don’t be too troubled.”

Apparently, Bella thought Luca was forcing himself to act indifferent.

Even though Luca genuinely felt fine, he saw no need to clarify, and simply kept silent.

Bella, on the way to the territory in the auto carriage, kept trying to comfort him.

“The lord and lady will surely notice something’s wrong and try to get to the bottom of it!”

“If they do, stop them. I don’t want things getting complicated.”

“But young master! You lost a place you rightfully deserved without reason—how can you just accept that?”

Watching her get angry as if it were her own business, Luca replied flatly.

“I just have to get results next time that no one can dispute.”

“……”

“I’ll train in the estate, and at the first-semester exam, I’ll prove I’m the best.”

Luca knew.

With Luca Traverse’s true skills, S-Class—no, even the top of the grade—would not be difficult.

And now he even had the power of ‘Celestial Wing’.

No matter who showed up—even the protagonist of the original novel, if they were still a first-year—he was certain he could win.

Watching how utterly undaunted he was, Bella gave him a warm smile.

“A child’s growth is always astonishing. To think you’ve grown so mature already… Bella is truly proud.”

“What are you talking about, there’s barely any age difference between us.”

“Hehe, you’re right. That was a slip of the tongue.”

Watching her smile meaningfully, Luca pouted and turned to gaze out the quiet window, his face sinking into deep thought about approaching dangers.

* * *

Several months passed.

At last, the day came.

September 1, the Entrance Ceremony of Hernan Imperial Academy.

With exactly 200 students in each year, six years in all, a total of 1,200 students participated—making it a huge event.

Just the students numbered 1,200, but with faculty, parents, nobles and their families present for the celebrations, it truly was a grand event with several thousand attendees.

“It’s noisy.”

“Well, there are this many people.”

The main auditorium where the ceremony was held was a vast building, rivaling a colosseum in size.

As Luca and Bella entered, searching for their seats, they heard Ottbo’s voice from somewhere.

“Ah, Luca! Over here!”

“Tsk, noisy already.”

“You’re such a tease, young master. You’re obviously happy.”

Ottbo, who waited where the first-years gathered, wore an excited face. Luca frowned, and Bella laughed.

“Well then, I’ll head to my seat. The lord and lady are coming today, so look forward to it!”

“Yeah.”

Marlox Traverse, current head of House Traverse, and Lady Merian Traverse.

Although this would actually be Luca’s first meeting with them, he didn’t let it show.

‘Still, I can’t help being a bit nervous.’

Even if they were parents who barely showed their faces, they were still Luca’s parents, so they might notice any changes.

Such stories were not uncommon in fiction.

‘Well, that’s a problem for when it happens.’

That was a minor issue.

The real concern was his upcoming school life.

‘How many years has it been since I hung out with students like this?’

Thinking like an old man, Luca shivered and walked over to Ottbo, still waving with a bright smile.

“Did you wave for too long? Your shoulder hurt?”

“If your shoulder hurts from that, you should exercise more.”

“I’m a mage! I’m not supposed to exercise!”

“Nonsense.”

“It’s true. If I exercise, I’ll lose my magic!”

Exchanging silly banter, the two stood side by side.

But there was a line between them.

Ottbo stood with the S-Class group, while Luca stood with the A-Class.

“… Let’s be in the same class next year.”

“I’m not worried, but who knows about you?”

“Hey!”

Though the words were curt, both couldn’t hide their smiles.

But not everyone viewed Luca favorably.

“What’s this? He’s the Traverse count’s son but he couldn’t even make it into S-Class—a half-wit!”

Cutting through the noisy auditorium, a clearly mocking voice rang out.

————-= Clacky’s Corner ————-=

Hmmm?

【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep