Chapter : 93
“See… you really don’t get the point…”
“Seriously! I’ve never even seen their face, but do you think they could ever be more lovely and prettier than our Kalmia?! Absolutely not!”
“Exactly…”
I desperately tried to stop the two of them, who were already rising to a frenzy.
“If someone outside hears you, they’ll curse… it’s embarrassing, so both of you, stop it.”
“Anyone with eyes would agree, though.”
“Yeah… Mia’s problem is that she’s way too modest…”
This is infuriating.
Of course, I objectively thought that my appearance was lovely and cute.
If I had been born in a divine faction, I might have conquered the world.
But in reality, appearances that are cool and sharp, like a villainess, get more attention in this country than someone like me, who seems like they’d make a “shalala” sound as a background character.
I was being realistic.
“I read the newspaper too, and that Nem… they said she’s pretty in an Ice Princess style, right? My looks are a bit niche. She could easily become a socialite fairy or something.”
“It’s probably exaggerated!”
“If I’m considered niche… then the world is just wrong…”
“……”
Better to just stop talking.
Having read the original story, I knew that Nem Deldomosans was actually a cold beauty tailor-made for the Kadol Empire.
But contrary to her appearance, her personality was a bit airheaded and naive (like her dad’s softened way of saying “innocently dumb”), and that gap was what made her an appealing character.
“Doesn’t seem like she was very popular among readers…”
Even as a supporting character, she didn’t have that much significance.
She was a minor householder from one of the Four Great Families, so she helped cooperate in fights with the temple and didn’t create any major problems.
Sometimes she could be frustrating because of her personality, but that was about it.
Since I didn’t care much about her as a character, I had no intention of putting Nem down.
“Unless she becomes an obstacle in my long-term path as head of the house, she’s not at that level yet.”
As my father said, Deldomosans had no ill intentions; she wouldn’t act like that to check me.
After finally regaining a granddaughter she had lost for so long, she was just explosively proud like a foolish knight.
And honestly, I felt a little pity for Nem.
“Her luck is bad too—she has to face the Night of Walpurgis with Ruska and Emil. She won’t win or even place second, so it’s hard for her to get attention.”
Anyway, there was no reason for me to pay much attention to a character like her, who wouldn’t interfere like Kaizen or cause problems.
I thought I should focus on executing the Dungeon Burst Justice plan well and idly tried to calm the two of them.
Emil had finished a pleasant meal with the Kalmia mother and daughter and returned to his quarters.
As soon as he entered the study, where there was no one around, the cheerful expression that had been on his face disappeared, leaving only heavy concern.
Sitting at his desk, staring at the ceiling, he muttered to himself.
“This is tough…”
In front of Kalmia, he had pretended to have a lead and put on a confident front, but in reality, his research was still in a deadlock.
It felt like he was just a small step away from progress, but that one step was missing, leaving him stuck in place.
It seemed the only breakthrough in this maze was to reach Dark Core Level 5.
That reality made Emil feel even more discouraged.
If, like his mother Audrey Duren, he only reached Dark Core Level 5 after turning thirty, would he even be able to see the next stage of his research then?
‘No… what if I don’t even have that level of talent?’
If the natural talent given to Emil Halloren only allowed him to reach Dark Core Level 4…
Negative thoughts would crush him, making him feel suffocated.
He had once confided these feelings to his black magic teacher, who laughed and reassured him that everyone goes through such experiences.
Being the rare bloodline of the Hallorens and a prodigy, the path to Level 5 would open eventually, and there was no need to worry.
But Emil knew realistically that there were many Hallorens who spent their entire lives stuck at Dark Core Level 4.
That didn’t mean anything bad—the superiority of black magic didn’t define a person’s worth.
But for Emil Halloren, there was no room for such comforting arguments.
‘Nyx…’
He habitually clasped his hands and muttered the name of his twin, who was no longer alive.
“Emil… you know, after I leave…”
“…Don’t say that. It’ll be fine.”
“Haha. But I know myself… I don’t think I can endure much longer.”
“I said don’t…”
“After I’m gone… Emil, you have to live on for both of us. You’re my other half.”
“……”
“Come on, don’t cry. Stop!”
He carried those words in his heart and tried to live diligently as Nyx’s other half.
Originally, Emil had been sensitive and delicate, avoiding contact with others.
But he had taken on the personality of his curious and cheerful younger brother, even if he was physically weak.
Although he could never match Nyx, he reduced his sleep to improve his black magic skills however he could.
No matter how much he struggled, the brilliance of a genius was unreachable, and every moment brought frustration.
If that brilliance was “genuine,” Emil Halloren’s imitation was merely a “fake,” a trick of the eye.
‘So, rather…’
He shook his head to clear the dark thoughts.
When he began calculating formulas again, a notification came from outside.
“Young Master Emil, the Lord requests your presence.”
“…Really? I’ll be right there.”
Normally, Audrey wouldn’t disturb Emil when he was in the study, but calling him now suggested something serious.
So far, serious matters never meant anything good, which made Emil uneasy.
He took a deep breath and stepped out of the study.
As expected, Audrey’s expression in the sitting room didn’t look pleasant.
No smile, just a frosty coldness.
“…Mother, you called for me.”
“Yes. Sit down.”
Emil nodded slowly and habitually observed the situation.
Seeing an envelope on the table in front of her, he realized it must be correspondence from outside.
Had this letter greatly upset her?
Deciding it was better not to try to lighten the mood with jokes, Emil quietly clasped his hands and waited for her to speak.
Audrey, resting her chin on her hand with a displeased expression, called out her son’s name.
“Emil.”
“Yes, Mother.”
“Do you think you can defeat Ruska at the Night of Walpurgis?”
It was a difficult question to start with.
Emil calmly replied without showing the rising sigh.
“Yes. I can win.”
“You always make such bold claims. Even so, you’ve beaten Ruska less than half the time!”
Maintaining a win rate over 30% against Ruska Halloren, considered unmatched in their generation, was impressive enough.
But Emil knew it meant nothing.
Unless he could overwhelm Ruska, becoming head of the house was impossible.
He was always aware of this fact, more vividly than anyone, and it haunted him.
He wanted to yell, but instead he responded maturely, as usual.
“In the end, it only matters that I win at crucial moments. Both Ruska and I are currently blocked by the Dark Core Level 5 wall. I think the odds are equal.”
“……”
“I understand your concern, Mother. I will work harder…”
“A letter came from Deldomosans.”
Interrupting her son, Audrey spat out the words as if tasting something foul.
Emil tilted his head at the name of the family that had come up in today’s discussion.
“Deldomosans? Did they request something because of the Night of Walpurgis?”
“No.”
She picked up the envelope with her fingertips like touching something dirty and tossed it toward Emil.
“They’ve proposed an engagement.”
“……Excuse me?”
“With someone named Nem from that family… and you.”
“……!”
