Chapter 118: An Unexpected Guest (3)
Fz1R8rnSince becoming a disciple of the melody pianist Merhen, her skills had improved by leaps and bounds.asq5
H10u4lHer sensitivity had sharpened to the extent of detecting even the slightest changes in air pressure through Schema, and her fingers were leaping over the piano keys at a speed invisible to the eye.4jekyY
GRVz9Reina’s performance, even acclaimed by the royals, was magnificent.Eb0K97
tfVzBut it was nothing but murderous noise to Rian, who had often lost sleep to those sounds since childhood.H2uF8hU
tKyz“Damn it, the witch has gotten stronger. But that wont kill a human.”JhH
H5xReina seemed oblivious to everything but the sound of her performance.j8qEy
8CJThe pout of her lower lip was a clear sign of her intense concentration.bUhf7
iNyunCJHer hair was disheveled, possibly from staying up all night, and her eyes were bleary.hZOS
rFem2Wearing only panties, her thighs were fully exposed.3CHa
CTekdC9In fact, she had been playing the piano for 17 hours straight.bv8Us
K18htnkShe was struggling with a famously difficult requiem from the continent, having hit a recent snag.cBZAsf
PwOFor an artist, a barrier is both a curse and a blessing, as it often appears right before a significant improvement in skill.dBuay7
mAPkyIn such cases, Reina often stayed up all night for days, overcoming these barriers.AiJDczU
HuIBYsQRian glimpsed a new hope.TmCANRv
O3GGnIf he could sneak into the room undetected and gather his things, he could escape through the window or break down the wall if necessary.kAxn
59N6hDL“Okay, stay calm. I’m going back home.”23V
CYZRian slowly moved along the blind spot of the grand piano.n9n
JE6oZaThe plan would be a resounding success if he could just make it to the stairs.ZRd0R2u
6kBOf course, Reina was perched right on top of his head.Y4wH
oacNEThe moment Rian’s eyes lit up with hope, Reina abruptly stopped playing, as always.5Cp
CJVQQ“Ah, damn it.”LUkS
6d8SWithout even shifting her gaze, Reina spoke.SHHa8q
M3P76v“You, what have you been doing since a while ago? Do they teach you how to be a clown at the swordsmanship academy these days?”7ZBqDc
YpJ0“Tch, if you saw, you should at least pretend you knew. And what’s with that look? A grown maiden playing the piano in her panties? Don’t insult art.”b3ATdF1
USd“Youre provoking me again, huh? You really haven’t had enough yet.”SPXJ
vw3IbDespite her threatening words, Reina started by picking up her skirt.EmHL
VNFoKbOnly her family knew that the more stressed she got during practice, the more clothes she took off.mjf
Og5wHA“Kekeke, even in front of your brother, you feel embarrassed, huh? Ouch!”C2o9u
7vdThe moment Rian burst into laughter, Reina’s foot struck his face.jzs
88fDespite his diligent training, Rian was still unable to react in time.bxGks
i4GdPTn“Damn. What the hell are you doing? Ptooey!”gBS6
INsEQBpAs Rian spat out, Reina extended her hand.6MloRh
IdCage6“Give it here, your report card.”WnRDJ
wpxRian’s face stiffened.TvfGx
Cqf2SWhat he feared had finally come.dv0sodl
Vl6fR5r“Why the heck are you so obsessed with my report card? I’m grown up now. Ouch!”Fd7I
kVlReina yanked his ear as she shouted.bBD
i8v5If“Youre not giving it? Want to die today?”zOux
fCIbCxl“Alright, alright! Here, here!”XKVE5
sYcHQgbRian pulled the report card from his pocket and threw it on the floor.aaUkWY
Vkd4Then he ran off to his room without looking back.QQ7
01S1“Ugh! That kid really hasn’t had enough. When will he ever grow up.”C3fp
72nReina picked up the report card and unfolded it.yAfA
wh6zHScores for training subjects were listed in order, with the total number of students and his overall ranking at the end.GyllRU
q7ZzYReina’s hands trembled as she saw the ranking.7VgtP
Sqn9Last place!6eNAjVl
z7ZEZMhNot just second to last, but actually dead last.OMwkWTX
gY37cTR‘Impossible. He tries hard even if he’s pathetic.’N6qCI
rIoqReina turned the report card over to check the comments from the dedicated teacher.Roki
EK10cXDHer eyes widened in shock as she read.bTCMTH
Col“We regret to inform you that your child has finished the semester with the lowest grades.uMG9
ANVYsFrCurrently, Rian believes he has opened his Schema, but the teachers have concluded it’s merely a placebo effect from increased physical strength.66FopzF
HiLJZ0This phenomenon, known as ‘Imaginary Schema’, is extremely rare but can occur. Your warm attention as a family is needed at this time.”sWF2ru
sw2F“Oh, really! I can’t live like this!”zLdCKP
DrCXgaReina crumpled the report card and stormed up the stairs in a huff.bOzcu
gvjILBursting into the room, she saw Rian, hunched like a bear, gathering his things.X60KEMw
O737tdU“Hey! You’re at the bottom!”1ghjq
Kg4d7RZ“Ah, I don’t know. That’s how it turned out.”GIjd69
YKqz“And what’s this about an ‘Imaginary Schema’? What does that even mean? Like some… imaginary pregnancy or something?”d7o
aV1T9“Seems like it.”60Xx
GiR1pYRian responded as if it was someone else’s problem, continuing his task.2Fx
mFooWHe had become detached from all worries the moment he revealed his report card.ll6q
sIN9GReina, boiling with anger, glared at Rian.XRAnciS
RoJhtUnable to hold back, she started hitting him mercilessly on the back.ATU
NC35A“Ugh, you, burn! Die, die!”tNTVI4
t9KPz69“Ow! It hurts!”tuEvqwQ
d2IkjP“Is it that hard? Just open the Schema!”z3CYmd
gAeqr“I don’t know! What can I do if it doesn’t work? I did my best. Anyway, I’m going, move. I might miss the carriage.”FRtcGEH
D9PuYi“Going where? Stick to the house! I’m going down with grandfather as soon as this is over, so you’re coming with us then!”RIuuiyg
hTKibCw“No! I have a promise!”CuUh
wBPCQn“A promise? What promise could you possibly have? Do you still want to play after seeing these grades?”Qhbn1
QkrOKRian nearly blurted out about Shirone in his frustration.xxwOW
NGEBut he held back at the last moment. It was something he couldn’t ever tell Reina.K9w
uWc2TqLIt was about a double date.3xZvz
2uGsnAIf Reina heard that Shirone was going with a girl, she would definitely find a way to stop him.7ejAoe5
5RxL‘This ugly witch is just full of jealousy.’Yrdl
gxTnXuInitially, he had hoped that Shirone and his sister would get along, but now he felt the opposite.Q5xYtC
g5XA calm and collected woman was far more suited for Shirone than this witch.rPdn
NG4NB“What’s the promise? Speak up quickly.”mwqd9
Scfmg2o“It’s with a girl. We agreed to hang out.”I522kw8
l5svDI“A girl? What girl could you be meeting while attending a swordsmanship academy?”bhiLE7
eVI“There are girls there too. Elzain Tess, you know the Elzain family, right? She’s their daughter.”mx8
JSeoWAVReina was familiar with the Elzain family, who had long been prominent in diplomatic circles.y9q6qQB
554KyHowever, it was hard to imagine a girl from such an elite family going on a trip with her brother, who was the lowest-ranking student at school.uMSb6T
YqlCr1“Where are you making up these stories? Tell me the truth! You have some other ulterior motive, don’t you?”Eqf
3bFnK“Leave me alone! I’m leaving now!”q368
tisUbQdIgnoring Reina’s nagging, Rian seized the opportunity and quickly got up to run away.Tncz
EiwW“Hey! Aren’t you going to stop?”J2HnPe9
OfzZkBy the time Reina stepped outside the door, Rian was already racing down the second-floor stairs toward the entrance.QOSIY
muVAlthough she could catch up to him by activating her Schema, Reina, looking annoyed, chose not to pursue Rian.kZHWfsa
GUOShe had been babysitting Rian since they were children and was confident she could handle him from even 100,000 ri* away.yUp
2umb*A ri is a unit of measure, it’s about how far a person can walk in an hour at a reasonable pace. It clocks out at roughly 3.93 kilometers.MLXy
xgn0“Hehe. Go ahead, hurry to the carriage. Lets see who gets there faster.”5E24E
fC5cReina waved the report card behind the fleeing Rian.6ru9f
xFCXAfter saying goodbye to his friends, Shirone walked towards the carriage sent by the Ogent family. Deputy Butler Temuran from the main house was there to meet him. Temuran, who had been strict with Shirone while organizing the Grand Library, still had the same stern impression even after half a year. However, his attitude was quite different now. He greeted Shirone with a polite bow and a kind smile.8fvMFV
ElFI7IL“It’s been a long time, Young Master. You’ve done excellently.”FL686o8
UBl“Its been a while, Deputy Butler.”NDA
qTFInitially, Shirone found it awkward to be addressed as “Young Master,” but it no longer bothered him after half a year. It still felt a bit embarrassing, though.jUwrwn
d99XgThe two chatted on the way to Shirone’s home, especially about how the people of the Ogent family were doing.FEHUSgc
lzZut“Wow, Rai has already passed the official examination?”hJgt2
n8Djha4Rai Ogent, Rian’s elder brother, had passed the official examination. As a 10th-grade swordsman, he couldn’t afford much leisure and was having hectic days at the forefront.3ncJF
NUZ“Yes. Moreover, Lady Reina has been promoted to the leader of the 7th Music Band at the royal palace. The head of the family is still busy with public duties, and the elder will soon retire and return to his hometown.”mJWcX
4gGp6OM“Ah, I heard there’s an eldest brother in the Ogent family. What does he do?”AYYgBr7
AlcB7Xh“Um, I am not at liberty to speak on that matter. Just know he’s a 6th-grade official swordsman. It would be best not to bring up the eldest son in the main house.”hBxb
8kwX3S“Ah, I see.”qUuSiAZ
ZFyKjConsidering the Ogent family’s nature, they didn’t seem like a family that would have conflicts. Still, if it was a topic to be avoided, it might be a political matter.JbM1U9t
qvDfs“Is Rian doing well? Ill see him soon anyway.”U8sD5
GBDFJJTemuran’s response was the shortest so far.syY12DU
pPX0f“He hasnt contacted us for half a year.”sdhs
Z9DZz9“Hahaha! That’s so like Rian.”lCTCO
sogONdyDuring their pleasant conversation, the carriage entered the woods.7ia
sXmsYcQShirone opened the window to enjoy the scenery of his hometown. The colorful forest seemed to welcome his return.RRxm
owxoLyLThe carriage entered the yard of Shirone’s house, the very place where Temuran had come to fetch him before.VZ3e
RG0HqWU“Thank you for the ride. I’ll visit again soon.”805S4Y
aSaLdOg“It was merely my duty. Have a good time.”oFcOc
rh2Shirone turned with excitement in his heart. The sight of the humble but familiar log house brought fresh emotions.Yz2aJKd
39oXvl‘Thank you. Ill be filial during the vacation.’ULIs
iHPmLHqAs he approached the house, thoughts of his parents filled his mind more and more. His mother, who had endured so much, and his father, who hadn’t hesitated to kneel to send him to the magic academy.QjnuKZ
DSBShirone opened the door, shouting with emotion.ddBl
RFTFhJ“Mom! Dad!”LzTwmMh
SKHtC“Hahaha! Right, right! Beer goes best with pork!”MtWoz
jxm7v“Does Father think so, too? I find beer doesn’t go well with lamb.”6b3HpS
ALK“Exactly. Lamb has a gamey taste that ruins the flavor of the drink. Come on, let’s have another drink!”4rzqGIR
sTUt8Shirone stood dumbfounded, looking at the living room.GuBJ8o
fXTSHe was surprised by the festive atmosphere, but what really shocked him was the burly boy sharing drinks with Vincent. Rian had grown taller and cut his hair short, but his robust appearance was unmistakably Rian.hDLWMwS
u3X“Shirone! Youre here!”YQA
kadfRian jumped up. But Vincent was the fastest to rush over.5b80akH
FZjAs Vincent embraced him, the smell of alcohol was overwhelming. He must have drunk quite a lot.rgcEzU
LuhXU“My son! Are you hurt anywhere?”Xv2Vy
jaBG“Uh, you stink with alcohol. Whats going on? Why is Rian here?”N3lh3
s8cQ“Hes been staying for two days to see you. He helped with chopping wood and went hunting with me. Wasnt it fun, Rian?”FQQ
JlGjyJi“Hahaha! Of course, Father! A true man should know how to hunt!”Nd6
PugShirone was dumbfounded. The father he knew wouldn’t casually interact with a noble’s child.ZQ9cu
YrRWhat kind of camaraderie had developed over two days that led to an early drinking session between the two?SJr
NqdShirone, escaping from Vincents booze-scented embrace, shouted at Rian.KHMM
X1vz“You were out of touch, right? Did you stop by your house before coming here?”yoo
TPrvD4“No, why go to the main house? This is where my lord lives. Isnt that right, Father?”1y7jVg
XZm2K“Stop joking! What trouble have you caused now?”UAni
Di8“What trouble could I have caused?”KoNER
3RFNyXsRian pretended ignorance, but his face said it all. It wasnt that he didnt go home; he couldnt.oQt8tU
YlfXri7Shirone sighed and entered the living room.aw5h1
yhMIyq‘Ah, this is not what I expected…’W1mO
PNj3ZHis anticipated family reunion had turned into a drinking session. However, seeing his father’s thinner appearance, he felt relieved that he could at least prevent him from crying.niPTm
IdMz“Ah, Shirone, you’re here. Come here, my baby.”zJi
d8fyrOlina embraced Shirone with her warm arms.7pqrave
zYAMIndeed, the only thing reliable in the world seemed to be his mother. Finally, Shirone could share the greeting he had longed for.EcTy1
kWF“Mom, you must have had a hard time while I was away. I’m sorry.”rzvBbLv
0MRzYe“What hard time? The Ogent family helped a lot.”qCDq5
ACR8xOlina patted Shirone’s back while casting a sidelong glance at Vincent, displeased with him being drunk when his son had returned after six months.tHt8
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