That afternoon.
Lassek came to the empty classroom where the children had left.
This was after Madam Freya had reported on Berry’s first class performance to Lassek.
Although she had spoken in a roundabout way, the outcome was clear: this year’s educational ranking for the training center was already determined to be at the bottom.
“I’m not sure if I should say this, but I must. It was terrible.”
After the class, Berry had stayed behind to complete an assignment, then returned to the annex with a disciple of Reytan, who had come to fetch her.
Madam Freya handed the assignment to Lassek along with her report.
“If you hadn’t said it was supposed to be letters, I would’ve thought it was a worm crawling across the page. It was truly dreadful. Don’t you agree, Callet?”
“…It seems Miss Berry isn’t used to writing. She will improve soon.”
“That terrible handwriting? I doubt it.”
Lassek let out a sarcastic laugh.
But was that child an ordinary child? The discerning eye she had when picking out expensive items in the Grand Master’s office was not something that could be learned.
Innate talent is something that cannot be gained through effort.
The world is inherently unfair.
Lassek’s sharp gaze swept over Berry’s desk. Since it was her first day, both the desk and the bookshelf were clean.
There was nothing noteworthy to see.
Lassek moved to the back row, pulling books from the twins’ bookshelf to check their learning progress.
“The twins are still studying the continent’s history, I see.”
“They’ve expressed great interest in the history of maritime trade. They were quite eager about visiting a port.”
The twins were proactive and driven, so they scored highly in more active subjects.
“Well then, they should go. Experience is valuable. Prepare for the other kids to go as well.”
“Yes.”
Lassek moved to the back row. By the window was Calypso’s desk, and next to it was Ciel’s desk.
Lassek stopped in front of Ciel’s desk.
“Ciel has already finished two additional economics books.”
Ciel was clever. She had a knack for calculating gains and losses quickly, and she knew how to behave without drawing attention.
That kind of slyness was dangerous in the battles between direct heirs.
She could make others lower their guard by claiming to be on their side and then achieve her own goals.
Lassek didn’t necessarily see that as a bad trait.
Many family heads throughout history have fostered the growth of their households with such qualities.
“Calypso seems to have left in the middle of solving math problems.”
Lassek moved over to Calypso’s desk and picked up the thick math book. Calypso’s name was written on it. The first few pages showed signs of diligent effort, but…
“The latter half is clean. I saw this book last month too. Is Calypso actually studying?”
“Young Master Calypso has clear preferences. I hear he has a natural talent for horse riding.”
“If he has such clear preferences, he should put in more effort on the things he dislikes.”
Tsk tsk. Lassek clicked his tongue in disapproval at his immature grandchild’s short-sightedness and turned the pages of the book.
Unlike the easy first sections, the problems became significantly harder as the book progressed. No wonder Calypso had run away.
“I should choose something that suits my level… Hmm?”
Flutter.
As he turned the last page, a sheet of paper fell from between the pages.
Lassek bent down to pick up the fallen paper.
His sharp, golden eyes glinted as he examined its contents.
“Callet, wasn’t there a question using the Edward Equation in your academy’s graduation exam?”
At Lassek’s words, Callet flinched.
The notorious question number 28, which he had forgotten, came to mind.
“That’s right, my lord. Many cadets repeated their courses for several years because of that question.”
“It’s been about 20 years now. Do you think today’s academy cadets could easily solve questions involving the Edward Equation?”
“I don’t think so. The question was removed due to strong complaints from the cadets who failed, so even graduates would struggle with it.”
“So, did you solve it for them?”
“Pardon?”
Callet took the paper that Lassek handed to him and read it.
Though he had been confused at first, his expression quickly changed as he read on.
It was a problem-solving process using the Edward Equation, including a proof of the equation. While the final answer needed to be calculated, the solution process and proof were flawless.
Lassek spoke again.
“Obviously, Calypso didn’t write this. Whose handwriting is it?”
“I’m not sure… I know the handwriting of all the teachers and the direct descendants who are responsible for the classes, but…”
For once, Callet’s voice trailed off.
It meant that there was someone highly educated, free enough to roam around the premises of the Travel estate, even entering classrooms without being noticed.
“Not Reytan either?”
“That’s not, my lord. It’s not Young Master Reytan’s handwriting either.”
Lassek stroked his chin.
“Someone who broke into the direct descendants’ classroom without permission, solved the problem, and left…”
“Shall I summon Chief Commander Rex?”
“No. Deploying the knights would cause too much commotion.”
“Then what should we do…?”
Lassek looked at Callet standing in front of him and smiled. Callet sensed something was wrong from that smile but knew there was no way out.
“You investigate it alone.”
“As you command.”
No aide could refuse the Count’s orders.
You had to do what you were told, even if it felt like chasing after clouds.
***
By the time I had finished my assignment, Theon came to the classroom.
I submitted my assignment, ran into Butler Cerberus along the way, got a cake from him, and then headed back to Stone House with Theon.
“Theon, have you been training all day? Wasn’t it boring?”
“It was fun.”
“Really? I found it boring.”
There was nothing more tedious than writing out the alphabet one hundred times. My right hand still tingled from using it so much when I wasn’t used to it.
‘Solving math problems was a bit more fun, though.’
Theon considered my words seriously for a moment, then hesitantly made a suggestion.
“…Would you like to join me in swordsmanship training?”
“Nope.”
Swordsmanship wasn’t my thing. Unless each swing of the sword earned me 100 coins, I doubted it ever would be.
“Berry doesn’t really like holding a sword.”
A large shadow fell over Theon.
When I looked up, I saw my Dad leaning against the door frame, looking down at us.
“Oh, dad!”
“You’re here, Teacher.”
Theon quickly stood up, and I waved at my Dad from where I was sitting.
“So, what exactly is going on here?”
My Dad looked at us sitting by the doorway to my room with a bewildered expression.
I was sitting inside my room, while Theon was sitting in the hallway. All to avoid losing my allowance.
“It’s past three o’clock. I wanted to talk with Theon, but I was too lazy to go downstairs to the first floor.”
“For the record, I tried to stop them.”
Sister Sherry, who had come upstairs with my Dad, declared her innocence.
“She’s right. Sister Sherry did try to stop me. It’s my fault for being stubborn.”
“…You know yourself so well that I have nothing to say.”
Hearing my words, my Dad gave up scolding me and removed his elbow from the door frame.
As the conversation paused, Theon asked my Dad,
“Did you visit the maid in the punishment room?”
“Did you go to see Anne? Because of her younger brother?”
I quickly stood up and asked as well.
Dad hesitated as if deciding whether to tell us, then shared the story of his visit to the punishment room.
“No, there’s a final interrogation scheduled for the day after tomorrow, and no one is allowed to meet her until then.”
“But there’s a charity auction the day after tomorrow.”
“There is?”
Theon responded to Dad’s words, and I exclaimed in surprise.
“Why? Berry?”
Theon asked. I quickly shook my head, trying to seem calm.
“N-no, I just thought Anne would be worried if she doesn’t hear anything about her brother until the day after tomorrow.”
“Well, that’s true.”
The charity auction is the day after tomorrow! And no meetings allowed until then?
Even as a direct descendant, Dad couldn’t meet with a mere maid. Something smelled fishy.
At the auction hosted by my Grandmother, high-ranking nobles would gather. There would also surely be senior priests from the Aubawth Crunch present.
If Aunt Marian, one of the three siblings who didn’t want Dad to return as Grand Master, was planning something through Anne at the auction…
‘Ah!’
One hypothesis fit perfectly.
I looked up at Dad.
“Do you have something you want to say?”
Despite his good looks, there were no rumors about my Dad with women.
Though he looked intimidating, he was always known in Bonwell Village as the ‘strong and dependable young man with a daughter!’
“Dad!”
“…What?”
“Aunt Marian is mean, right?”
I clenched my fist tightly.
Even though I hadn’t explained my reasoning, Theon and Sister Sherry nodded along with my frustration.
Dad lifted me up in his arms.
“I can’t say you’re wrong. I don’t know what it is yet, but calm down for now.”
“Ugh.”
“…This might take a while. Sherry, is dinner ready?”
“Yes, just a moment ago.”
“Then let’s go down. Theon, come on.”
“Yes.”
As I clung to Dad on the way to the dining room, I made up my mind.
It was time to carry out one of my ten plans for revenge on Aunt Marian.
9. Let’s begin the operation
The Next Day
“Miss Berry.”
Madam Freya sighed deeply as she called out to me.
