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How resentful she had been when she was a commoner, watching them from a distance.
How annoying Ayla was, living a luxurious life and receiving Kadin's love just because she was a noble.
'Without the name value of a noble, you're nothing after all.'
She was silently savoring the feeling of a victor, with her mouth shut.
It was then that a noble Young Lady, thinking this was her chance, spoke to her with a pitiful expression.
"Why, do you have no appetite? Or is it your first time drinking tea? Oh dear... we were so inconsiderate."
"Well, Rosia hasn't been a noble for very long. We've been learning etiquette for a long time, so we're used to it, but it must still be unfamiliar to Rosia."
Rosia narrowed her eyes at the sarcastic remark aimed at her, who had been quietly sitting.
Freya and her friends were outwardly friendly to Rosia, but they hadn't fully accepted her yet.
'They're mocking me. So they want to try me.'
Aristocratic society is closed off. They don't immediately welcome a stone that suddenly rolls in.
In times like these, there was no need for special words. She just had to show them with her actions.
Rosia carefully lifted the cup from the saucer, focusing all her attention on her fingertips.
The moment she brought the tea close to her lips, the Young Ladies' gazes focused on one spot.
She took a sip of the tea, and savored the taste leisurely without swallowing it right away.
Her elegant and flawless movements were so perfect that no one there could find fault with them.
Freya, who had noticed the scene, smiled slightly and praised Rosia.
"You know etiquette quite well, don't you?"
"Yes, I studied hard at my uncle's house before going to the Duke Argenta's house."
"But even your habits are quite similar to Ayla's? How fascinating."
"Is that so? I don't really know Ayla's habits."
Rosia actually felt good at Freya's words.
'I guess my efforts were visible.'
She only pretended to be clumsy at the Blanche Noble house.
She had worked thoroughly to completely take everything from Ayla. Her actions, habits, and even her etiquette.
Freya wore a satisfied expression. Rosia could tell that she had gained some recognition from them.
The Young Ladies gradually began to look at Rosia with different eyes.
The Imperial Riod Academy, as its reputation suggested, was a place where authorities in various fields were frequently invited.
But there was probably no one who attracted the students' attention as much as the person who had just appeared.
The students' gazes all turned to a middle-aged man entering the academy's main gate.
Deeply etched frown lines, ice-cold eyes, and a dignified, massive physique.
The floor rumbled heavily each time the knights in black cloaks walked behind him.
The students couldn't hide their admiration, even as they cowered under the oppressive atmosphere.
The Kistar Knights, belonging to the Argenta Dukedom, the largest territory in the Empire.
Their main task was to guard the Forest of Darkness that occupied the edge of the Dukedom.
Superior Magical Creatures regularly appeared there in large numbers.
Thanks to their skills, honed sharply by crossing the line between life and death, the Kistar Knights' reputation was on par with the Imperial royal guard.
"Oh my god, is that Duke Argenta himself?"
"To see him in person, what an honor? He doesn't even attend banquets often."
"I've heard that he occasionally visits the academy, but this is the first time I've seen him in person."
Duke Argenta didn't even glance at the academy students, heading straight for the headmaster's office.
"Welcome, Your Grace."
Duke Argenta was such an imposing figure that cold sweat ran down one's back just from facing him.
The headmaster of Riod Academy bowed deeply, but the Duke simply scanned the people's faces with cold eyes, without responding.
"……."
At his icy, sharp gaze, the headmaster and professors couldn't properly meet his eyes.
Watching this, the Duke's aide, Yetien, secretly wiped away his sweat.
'He seems to be in a bad mood today. It must be because of that day.'
Today was the day Duke Argenta's son had gone missing. That must be why he was in an even worse mood.
Yetien sighed inwardly.
'He needs to find a disciple he likes. Though it won't be easy...'
The Argenta Noble house currently had no Heir. In the first place, heirs were rare, and there were few collateral family members.
Unbeknownst to anyone, Duke Argenta visited the academy every year, looking for someone who could become his disciple.
But so far, he hadn't found anyone who met his standards.
Yetien clicked his tongue at that fact. The academy students probably had no idea how hard they had to try whenever Duke Argenta came here.
'If they caught the Duke's eye, they would not only be accepted as his disciple, but the position of Heir would fall into their hands.'
The headmaster repeatedly bowed and asked.
"Your Grace, will you be observing the Swordsmanship Department class again this time?"
"Yes, lead the way."
Soon, they arrived at the training grounds of the Swordsmanship Department students.
Duke Argenta carefully observed the students from a distance.
As expected of the Empire's top aspiring knights, the Swordsmanship Department students were all highly disciplined.
Even during break time, they were practicing swordsmanship, trying their best to catch the Duke's eye.
Yetien thought as he watched them.
'Most of them are probably commoners.'
The Kistar Knights, led by Duke Argenta, were famous for recruiting only talented knights, regardless of their status.
"Their movements are quite decent?"
Yetien was startled by the voice from beside him.
'For the Duke to say they're quite decent?'
That was an incredible compliment.
Duke Argenta was someone who didn't give compliments easily, even to knights with considerable skill.
'He has such high standards.'
Yetien's gaze naturally turned to the student the Duke was focusing on.
In the distance, he could see fine silver hair fluttering.
But before he could even assess their skills, trouble erupted.
The student got into an argument with another student, and the commotion quickly spread throughout the entire class.
"Beat him half to death!"
"Let's see who wins."
Yetien looked flustered.
"It seems the academy students are fighting. To dare to fight when His Grace is present."
He was amazed that there were knights bold enough to start a fight even knowing the Duke was coming.
The headmaster stared blankly at the scene, then belatedly gave the professors a look.
"Eek...! How are you managing the students?"
"I'll go stop them right away!"
As one of the swordsmanship instructors hurriedly tried to move, Duke Argenta stopped him with a heavy tone.
"No, it's fine."
"Yes?"
"It looks interesting, there's no need to stop them."
Duke Argenta wasn't the kind of person to stop a fight.
Soon, a subtle smile appeared on his lips.
"It's also a good opportunity to check their skills."
He headed towards the fight with his aide.
Felix gripped his sword tightly and tilted his head. The sword was surprisingly light.
'My vision feels clearer.'
His world had completely changed since he had begun to feel Mana.
Since birth, he had always suffered from deprivation.
A life without parents. A life without feeling Mana.
Felix had accepted that reality, but he had constantly tried to overcome the misfortunes that had befallen him.
He had endured, comforting himself that Mana had abandoned him just like his parents had.
But he often had this doubt.
'Isn't this too harsh?'
He could accept a life without parents. He could also endure Mana insensitivity.
But as he learned swordsmanship, the headaches that worsened due to the lack of Mana drove him to an even worse situation.
'But now everything is different.'
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