episode_0001

“Can you please repeat that once more?”

Before I could think rationally, my body reacted instinctively.

Surprised glances were thrown my way from those around me. Do I not have the right to speak?

I swallowed nervously.

There were two women and two men sitting on either side of me.

Although they were dressed differently, they all had crosses hanging around their necks.

“A cross here too…”

I lowered my head and checked my neck. There was no cross hanging there.

“Why am I not wearing one?”

For some reason, I felt uneasy.

Why am I even alive in the first place?

Just as I was about to delve into deep thoughts, I heard the voice of an old man in my ear.

“Alright, Logs, let me say it again. The one to succeed our Avantche family will be the second son, Roberts.”

From the old man’s tone and expression, it seemed like I should be the first son…

Normally, I should have been angry and protested against this unreasonable decision.

But why?

That one word from him stirred up emotions in me as if it was unlocking chains.

But still, I shouldn’t be happy that the first son couldn’t succeed the family.

“What nonsense is this!”

As I slammed the table and shouted, the old man responded as if he was used to my outbursts.

“Our Avantche family has been serving as priests of the Lucalic Church for a long time. But think about your actions. Do you really seem like a suitable person to succeed our family?”

“Ah…”

I began to understand now.

The reactions I received when I spoke.

The fact that I was the only one without a cross.

Even the conversation I had with the old man just now.

Although I had my doubts, the moment I realized I was the first son, everything fell into place.

“Of course, born to be a failure…”

With that realization, I could understand all their actions. And the more I understood, the more certain I became.

I slammed the table once again and stood up from my seat.

“A family of priests like that…!”

Thud!

“Stop it, hyung, even the youngest is here.”

It was just an act for show, but right in front of my eyes, I saw a blade. Am I going crazy?

I almost died just now.

“We have all waited and endured. But such reckless behavior at the position of the successor… I don’t think it’s right.”

I scanned the room.

Some were fearful of my actions, some looked bored, and some were angry.

But there was no one on my side.

Whether it was fortunate or not, this treatment was familiar to me, internally or externally.

“A heretic who betrayed his own father.”

I moved the blade aside and looked at the man who was pointing a sword at me.

His pupils were trembling a bit. Ha…

In my opinion.

“I’m sorry. I won’t show myself in front of you all again.”

Even in this life.

A normal family life seems out of reach.

I turned around and rushed out.

***

“Why is this place so big…”

The mansion was so huge that it took ages just to walk through the corridors.

“You couldn’t hold back this time either.”

“Yeah.”

The old man, who was casually chatting with me, introduced himself as his butler, Steven.

At first, I was surprised by his sudden appearance.

– The young master doesn’t like loud noises, that’s why. If you were startled, I apologize.

I couldn’t say anything in response to his words.

But is this person not scary to me? Or did I treat the butler well?

“You’ve arrived, young master.”

“Thank you.”

After thanking the butler who opened the door, I entered the room.

“So, this is the life of nobility.”

Inside, all sorts of luxurious items caught my eye.

I ran straight to the bed in front of me and lay down.

“This… is a noble’s bed!?”

On the bed, I felt a softness that I had never experienced before.

Due to the size of the room, I was initially shocked, but the bed provided me with a different kind of shock.

Thanks to this softness, the accumulated fatigue in me seemed to disappear.

My eyes closed involuntarily, and I felt the desire to just sleep without any thoughts.

Honestly, I’ve been living too hard.

Swordsmanship training, worship, studying.

I’ve lived my whole life in this cycle.

“I’ll just indulge in luxury until I die…!”

[That’s not something I’ll allow]

The voice of a man filled with noise echoed in my brain, causing pain throughout my body beyond a headache.

“Ugh…what is this.”

Confused, I got up from the bed and looked around, but there was no creature worthy of speaking to me anywhere.

As I pondered with a puzzled head,

I saw a strange message in front of me.

“What is this again.”

[Main) Pass the entrance exam for the prestigious Tuaros Academy]

[Success: Unlock new abilities]

[Failure: Death]

“What is this again…d-death?”

I couldn’t believe what was happening in front of my eyes.

No, it’s unbelievable that I’m even alive right now.

But now that I’m trying to live comfortably, are they trying to kill me again?

This bastard has no sense of morality.

For a few minutes, I cursed at the system in front of me.

As time passed and my mind calmed down, a bit of rationality returned.

“Tuaros Academy…”

Would a fool like me, who couldn’t even get into a regular academy, be able to do it?

“Well…I can’t die now.”

First, I needed to know the level of this prestigious academy.

And if it seems impossible, I’ll just give up and have fun until I die.

You can’t die twice.

Smart.

“May I come in, my lord?”

Just then, a suitable person appeared at the right time to ask.

“Yes, come in.”

Carefully opening the door, Steven held out a letter in his hand.

“What’s this about?”

“The headmaster asked me to deliver this letter to you.”

“…Headmaster?”

The second time. I have to reduce the words I dislike again.

“Oh, I’m sorry. The master asked me to deliver it to you.”

But I had no intention of getting angry at Steven for apologizing.

Or so I thought. As I received his apology, the feeling of anger disappeared as if by magic.

“Steven.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“What is the level of Tuaros Academy?”

Steven showed a moment of surprise before speaking.

“Tuaros Academy is a place that selects people who can fight against the Demon King’s bodyguards or their minions. Anyone with the potential can enroll.”

“…”

So anyone who can catch monsters can get in?

I felt annoyed, but still, a glimmer of hope arose.

“Is there anything else you’d like to ask, my lord?”

There were many things I wanted to ask. However, for now, I decided to ask the one thing I was most curious about.

“What do you think of me?”

Steven didn’t seem to grasp the intention of the question and couldn’t easily answer.

“It’s just a straightforward question.”

“I think of you as someone who is loved by many for your intelligence and athletic ability.”

“…”

“Why do you see me that way?”

“Don’t lie, I won’t get mad, so tell me.”

“I told the truth. Of course, if there were any lies, it would be that you were loved. And one more thing, you seem to enjoy entertainment a lot.”

“…I see.”

I quietly sighed.

Steven stood still without any reaction. He really did well as a butler.

In the quiet stillness for no apparent reason, I cautiously glanced around and took the letter from his hand to read it.

The letter was not very long, so I quickly finished reading it. And the moment I read the last sentence of the letter,

I let go of the letter.

“Is this… true?”

“If the young master causes trouble again, this is the letter the master instructed to be delivered to you.”

“Start with the beginning!”

The contents of the letter were very clear and simple.

[I can’t bear it anymore. If you fail the upcoming entrance exam for the prestigious Taros Academy, I will banish you from the family.]

The two words “banish” shattered my dreams.

Is this some kind of cruel joke of fate?

How could this be so perfectly timed?

I couldn’t see any way out no matter how hard I thought.

As long as I don’t take the entrance exam, I won’t die.

But if I don’t take it this time, I’ll be banished.

That means…

I’ll die alone without a penny!!

That future is absolutely unacceptable.

This is my new life.

It’s okay to die, but I can’t accept dying without money.

Wait.

“Steven.”

“Yes.”

“Did you say anyone can get in because of this?”

“…No.”

His expression was unreadable.

“Then let me ask, do you think it’s possible?”

“I don’t know.”

Another vague answer.

“I was wrong to have expectations.”

I got up from the bed, passed by the butler, and walked to the door.

“Where are you going?”

“Outside. I can’t just die unfairly like this.”

The butler, who couldn’t read my face, seemed genuinely surprised.

“Are you going to enjoy yourself again?”

“No.”

“Alright, come with me then.”

“Are you okay? You always go out alone.”

…

What should I say to this…

After a moment of hesitation, I said to him.

“I don’t know the way because I only enjoy myself.”

“…I understand. I’ll guide you.”

The butler accepted my words obediently and opened the door for me.

Honestly, it felt strange to be accepted so readily.

But this is the karma of the former master. And now, it’s one of the things I have to bear.

While thinking about this, the butler stood silently for a while.

“Why.”

In response to my question, he regained his composure and answered with a slight smile.

“It’s nothing.”

“What do you mean nothing. You just laughed at me.”

“I would never dare to do that. I just… thought you looked the most polite among the young masters I’ve served for 16 years.”

I let out a bitter laugh at his words. Saying such things in front of a good-for-nothing. It must be difficult to read this butler’s expression for a lifetime.

Still, I thought I could read it a little bit.

“So where should I take you?”

“Let’s go to the weapon shop.”

“Maybe I misunderstood…”

“No, you heard me right. Let’s go to the weapon shop. A very good one.”

“Even though the second young master uses weapons, it’s a rare statement for a butler, but usually priests support healers or supports.”

“It’s fine, just guide me.”

“Then at least like the eldest miss, a mage…”

I raised my hand to stop the butler’s words.

I could tell without hearing that the reason he was blocking me was because he knew.

This good-for-nothing has never held a weapon in his life.

An ordinary person might not know, but I did.

So I could definitely say one thing.

For me, who doesn’t even have a year, the choice of a weapon is the most desperate choice among the things I can choose.

But that’s a statement for the current me.

“Steven.”

“Yes, young master.”

In my past life, I was a crazy person who only studied swords for 20 years.

“I’m sorry for saying this as a good-for-nothing… just trust me.”