Chapter 83
“There are so many people.”
The area in front of the tournament hall was literally a sea of people. It was impossible to tell how many attendants each contestant had brought along.
I looked around at all the children participating in today’s competition.
Each and every one of them had their chin raised arrogantly.
Then, I spotted a group of children wearing matching uniforms.
“They must be students from the Imperial Academy.”
“The Imperial Academy?”
Leonard, noticing where I was looking, nodded and explained.
“It’s a prestigious academy that only the children of the Empire’s highest-ranking nobles—the central aristocracy—can attend. His Highness Prince Seid is also currently enrolled there. Imperial Academy students are taught by the most outstanding professors in the Empire. As a side note, I used to be a professor there myself.”
“Wow, really? That’s amazing.”
When I clapped my hands in admiration, Leonard cleared his throat with a proud expression.
“In any case, those Imperial Academy students will be Jack’s strongest rivals in this tournament. They may pretend otherwise, but I’m sure they’re all wary of him.”
“Is there a reason they’d be wary of Jack?”
“The Kreiman Ducal House and the central nobles generally don’t get along. Most likely because His Grace the Duke often irritates His Majesty the Emperor. Even setting that aside, if those students lose to a commoner like Jack, it would be quite a humiliation for them.”
“I see. I’m a bit worried about Jack. I hope he doesn’t feel too much pressure.”
As I murmured that, Leonard smiled faintly.
“Didn’t I tell you? I used to be a professor at the Imperial Academy. I know the level of their students better than anyone.”
Leonard lifted his chin and looked across the hall at Jack, who was standing a bit apart.
“Jack is the most talented student I’ve ever taught.”
“Only participants should remain. All attendants, please step outside.”
Just then, a servant entered and announced. It looked like the competition was about to begin.
I walked over to Jack for one last word.
“Jack, Mr. Leonard and I will be waiting outside.”
Jack nodded.
“Yes.”
I hesitated for a moment, then gently patted his hair. Jack looked up at me.
Leonard had told me not to worry, but I couldn’t help it. I just wanted Jack to score well enough to be satisfied with himself. I didn’t want him to feel crushed by the tension between noble houses.
“Don’t think about anything else. Just do what feels right to you. I’m not cheering for you as the representative of the Ducal House—I’m cheering for you, Jack.”
Jack looked at me with a strange expression, then his eyes softened as he replied,
“Yes, Director. I’ll do that.”
“Good. See you later.”
After our final farewell, I left the hall with Leonard.
When I looked back one last time, Jack stood still, neither nervous nor overly eager, just calmly watching me go.
That steady, unshaken look put my mind at ease.
Bang.
The door closed.
“Let’s wait in the antechamber,” Leonard said.
I looked at the firmly closed door, then nodded and followed him.
After Ciela and Leonard left, a group of students approached Jack.
They wore pure white uniforms—the students of the Imperial Academy.
As soon as they appeared, the other contestants stepped aside, clearing a path. Jack stood in the middle.
“So you’re the commoner representing the Kreiman Duchy.”
The boy who seemed to be their leader looked Jack up and down.
Jack glanced at him briefly, then turned his attention back to the notebook Leonard had made for him.
Being ignored like that in front of the others made the leader’s face flush red with anger.
“How dare a mere commoner ignore a noble’s words!”
He shouted and shoved Jack’s shoulder.
Thud.
The notebook fell to the ground. One of the academy students picked it up and burst out laughing.
“‘The Invisible Influence of Taymerson’? Did you think pretending to read something like this would make you look smart? Can a commoner even read?”
“Haha! Good one. Maybe he’ll be able to read the exam questions at least!”
“The Kreiman Duchy must really be desperate! Even without an heir, sending some commoner to an important competition like this?”
Laughter spread among the academy students, and soon even the onlookers began to snicker.
“A commoner shouldn’t even be allowed inside the Imperial Palace.”
“Actually, is he even a real commoner? I heard he was abandoned by his parents and lives with others like him.”
“Oh, I heard that too! What was it called again? The Ciela Orphanage? They say the headmistress there is quite the beauty.”
“Ah, now it makes sense how he got the Kreiman Duchy’s sponsorship. The director must have—”
The boy couldn’t finish.
In an instant, Jack had grabbed him by the collar and raised his fist.
The taunting students and onlookers froze.
The boy struggled, but Jack—who had grown taller and stronger lately—was far too powerful for him.
He called out for help, but Jack’s intimidating aura made no one dare to step forward.
Finally, he shouted in panic,
“Let go! How dare a commoner lay hands on a noble—!”
“You insulted the Duke. Under noble law, when a lower noble publicly defames a higher noble, that house’s representative has the right to punish them on the spot. Unless, of course, your family outranks House Kreiman.”
The student’s face went pale. He hadn’t expected Jack to know noble law.
“S-So you’re saying you belong to the Kreiman Duchy? You, a commoner?!”
“I’m representing the Kreiman Duchy here. That makes me their affiliate.”
“Don’t be ridiculous—!”
“Whether it’s ridiculous or not…”
“We can find out right now.”
Jack’s fist looked ready to fall at any moment. Yet no one moved to stop him.
As Jack said, he was officially attending under the Kreiman name. Anyone who interfered might share the punishment.
Just as Jack’s hand began to drop—
“Stop, Jack.”
A hand blocked his arm.
“If you cause a scene, it’ll only hurt you.”
“Y-Your Highness the Prince! You’ve come at the perfect time! This insolent commoner—!”
“Silence! You’re the one who started it, weren’t you?”
“T-That’s…”
The boy’s eyes widened in shock. He had expected the prince to take his side, not to scold him.
Prince Seid glared coldly at the academy students before turning to Jack.
“Jack, are you all right? Did you get hurt—”
“Mind your own business.”
When Seid reached out to check on him, Jack slapped his hand away and stepped back.
“Jack…”
The difference between how Jack had acted at the orphanage and now left Seid visibly shaken.
Jack turned and walked out of the hall.
As he disappeared, Seid’s face hardened. He turned his sharp gaze on the academy students.
They broke out in cold sweat.
With the Emperor’s power tightly controlling the central government, it would be dangerous to fall out of the prince’s favor.
“Causing a disturbance in the sacred hall of the Imperial Palace—you’ll pay dearly for this after the tournament.”
“Y-Your Highness!”
But Seid ignored their pleas and hurried after Jack.
Jack must be hurt… I need to be with him…
“Your Highness.”
As he was about to leave, someone grabbed his arm. Seid turned angrily—only to see it wasn’t a student, but the chief attendant.
His expression brightened.
“Perfect timing, Chief. I need to find someone. Come with me—”
“Your Highness, please return to the hall.”
“…Chief? What are you talking about? Didn’t I just say I need to find someone?”
Seid raised his voice, but the attendant didn’t waver.
“It’s His Majesty’s order. His expectations for you in this tournament are high—”
“Chief! Can’t you look the other way just once? I’ll be quick!”
“Your Highness.”
The chief’s tone softened slightly, and Seid looked at him hopefully.
He cares about me. He’ll understand…
“Return to the hall.”
The hope shattered instantly. Seid stared at the chief in despair, but the man’s face remained cold and impassive.
So… he doesn’t care about me after all.
It hit him all at once—there wasn’t a single person in this palace who truly cared for him.
A bitter laugh escaped his lips.
“Your Highness, I’ll find that person myself. Please return to the hall. The Emperor is watching.”
The attendant urged him again. Seid, head bowed, slowly looked up.
“…Fine.”
He met the attendant’s gaze with an unreadable expression.
The man assumed Seid would obey—he never disobeyed imperial orders.
That’s why he let his guard down for an instant.
“If this tournament’s so important, you go in instead!”
“W–Wait, Your Highness!”
Before the attendant could stop him, Seid shook off his hand and sprinted away at full speed.
He heard the man shouting behind him, but Seid didn’t look back.
He just kept running forward.
