Chapter 88….
“Finally…”
Dante turned his gaze toward the boy standing beside him, who was staring at the Rittergut.
The boy’s expression and trembling voice were filled with such emotion that he looked like he might burst into tears any second.
What’s this about?
Being admitted into the Rittergut was, of course, an obligation for nobles.
It was undoubtedly an honorable matter, since it was proof that one truly belonged to a noble house.
But Dante had never seen a cadet moved to tears by it.
A face I don’t recognize.
Since the boy was entering the Rittergut this year, he must have been Dante’s peer in his previous life as well.
Yet Dante couldn’t recall his face at all.
Even though, thanks to the Aquites name, he had maintained fairly good relations with nearly all the other cadets.
Well, though that only lasted for a short while.
Since Dante had failed to awaken his Stigma, he had gradually drifted away from the others.
One by one, then two, then three.
Until in the end he had been branded with the nickname “the Impotent of the Empire,” and no one had stayed by his side.
Just then, the cadet beside him spoke up.
“Ah, so you’re entering today too?”
Speaking so casually from the first meeting…
By age, it wasn’t strange—they were all fifteen.
But this was the Empire’s aristocratic society.
He should have at least considered the possibility that the other belonged to a higher-ranking house.
Even if the Rittergut claimed all were equal inside…
Now I see why I didn’t notice him before.
Judging by his appearance, he wasn’t the son of any high-ranking noble.
At best a baron, maybe the child of a viscount family fallen on hard times.
And for someone like that to talk so informally to strangers…
Plenty of others would have taken offense.
Of course.
Dante had no room to lecture others about status, but nobles were always hypersensitive about rank.
If a baron’s son spoke so familiarly to the child of a count, what would happen?
The rules might prevent overt punishment, but covert bullying was easy enough.
Most likely, this boy had ended up forgotten by everyone that way.
“Hm? No? Did you just come to watch?”
The boy tilted his head, still showing interest.
Hmph.
Dante hesitated.
Honestly, it wasn’t his concern.
He didn’t know the boy, and he had no wish to get tangled in trouble.
His plan was to stay quiet, as if invisible, and return to the marquisate a year later.
But…
He felt a pang of sympathy.
Maybe because the boy reminded him of his past self.
Recalling those memories, Dante let out a sigh and spoke.
“What’s your name?”
“Oh, so you are a new cadet this year!”
The boy beamed and reached out his hand.
He looked pure and kind-hearted… but instead of taking his hand, Dante deliberately kept his expression cold.
“I asked for your name.”
“Ah.”
The boy withdrew his hand awkwardly.
“I’m Elliot. Nice to meet you?”
Elliot.
The name sounded a little unusual.
Most likely from some small noble house far from the capital.
“Your family name?”
“Oh, that’s what you wanted?”
Elliot chuckled sheepishly.
“Elliot Ardein. From a small baron house in the Empire’s northwest. Not wealthy, but our land is known for its wine.”
Ardein…
The name tickled Dante’s memory, though he couldn’t quite place it.
“I see. Elliot Ardein.”
This time Dante extended his hand.
Elliot grinned broadly and clasped it.
But Dante had no intention of being gentle.
He tightened his grip and spoke deliberately.
“Just one piece of advice. Don’t speak informally to strangers again. Make that mistake, and your life in the Rittergut will turn into hell.”
Elliot flinched and tried to pull back.
But Dante’s grip was too strong.
“If you were at least the child of a count or higher, I wouldn’t bother saying this. But since you’re not, you’d better be careful with your words and actions.”
“O-okay.”
“I said don’t speak casually.”
This was for the boy’s sake.
Dante didn’t want him marked from day one, bullied until he was driven back to his hometown in disgrace.
Perhaps the seriousness of his tone got through.
Elliot’s face stiffened as he nodded.
“…Understood.”
“Good.”
That should be enough.
Dante released his hand and brushed off his shoulders.
“As long as you don’t forget my words, you’ll have a decent cadet life.”
“Th-thank you.”
“Go on in.”
Dante gestured with his chin. Elliot quickly ran inside.
“…Tch.”
Maybe he’d meddled too much.
But he didn’t regret it.
Just as he had returned to the past and changed his life, he wanted Elliot to face a different future than before.
“Not like I have time to worry about others.”
After a pause, Dante finally headed toward the entrance as well.
Yes, this was the atmosphere.
It had been so long that the details were hazy, but now that he was here, memories came flooding back—
The buildings, the people, the air.
Everything felt vivid again.
Then suddenly—
A very familiar face caught his eye.
Who was that again?
The instant recognition brought a surge of distaste.
Clearly, not someone with whom he had a good history.
Well, I never had good ties with anyone here.
Every encounter in his past life had been filled with scorn and ridicule.
So naturally, his mood soured.
But that particular face was worse than most.
Tall, blond…
Something was on the tip of his tongue.
As he frowned and tried to recall, their eyes met.
It was inevitable, since Dante had been staring.
And then—
The boy’s face twisted with rage.
His entire demeanor screamed hostility.
He strode straight toward Dante, glaring.
“Who the hell are you?”
He looked ready to throw a punch.
Kids these days…
Dante had met two people already in the Rittergut, and both had spoken informally at their first meeting.
From his perspective—having lived far longer than any of them—it was almost absurd.
“No answer? You bastard, you’re dead today.”
The boy swung a fist at Dante’s face without hesitation.
“Ah.”
Dante remembered.
Jayden Redner, third son of Count Redner.
One of the most vicious tormentors from his previous Rittergut days.
Dante felt almost relieved, like a weight had lifted.
By the time his thought ended, Jayden’s punch still hadn’t reached him.
It’s a bit childish, but…
Dante subtly hooked his foot around Jayden’s ankle and tugged.
“Wha—?”
Jayden’s legs spread awkwardly, and he toppled to the ground.
He stared wide-eyed, clearly unable to process what had happened.
Of course you’re confused.
He had probably never seen, much less experienced, such an attack.
Dante looked down at him coolly.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
“You bastard…!”
Jayden tried to spring up with a curse.
But Dante pressed him back down with a foot on his shoulder.
Jayden collapsed again.
“I already gave someone else this advice earlier: don’t speak informally to strangers.”
“What the hell are you babbling about, bastard!”
“Didn’t you get taught before coming here? Or did you just ignore the lesson?”
Dante pressed harder with his foot.
Crack, crack.
“AAARGH!”
Jayden’s scream drew everyone’s eyes.
But Dante ignored the stares and continued calmly.
“You never know what family someone here might belong to. Always be polite. I’m sure you were told that.”
His voice was level, but the warning was chilling.
Not that Jayden seemed to care.
“How dare you, to me—the heir of the Redner line!”
The word count’s son made the onlookers gasp.
A great noble family.
And not just any—Count Redner’s house was one of the most powerful in the Empire.
For their son to be humiliated, pinned to the ground, by an unknown boy—
The crowd was stunned into silence.
“Jayden, sir!”
Four figures rushed over, shouting his name.
Their aura of mana suggested they were his knightly attendants.
After the admission ceremony, they would likely serve as errand-runners outside the Rittergut, tending to his needs.
They darted in like arrows, surrounding Dante.
But none drew their swords.
Even in their fury, they hadn’t forgotten where they were—inside the Rittergut.
Unlike their master, they at least had some sense.
“Remove your foot.”
The strongest of them growled at Dante, eyes promising murder.
Dante smirked—and pressed harder.
Crunch!
“AAAAAAHHHH!”
The sound of joints shifting filled the air with Jayden’s agonized cry.
“You exaggerate. It didn’t even break.”
“Impudent wretch! Do you even know who he is?!”
“I know.”
“…What?”
“Jayden Redner. Third son of Count Redner.”
The knights’ faces hardened at Dante’s calm reply.
“If you know that, and still dare—”
“Are you declaring war against House Redner?”
…That wouldn’t be so bad.
