Chapter 156

Arina finished her conversation with Ariana, and nothing much changed as the game continued its usual progression.

The entire Duke’s House boarded the carriage and headed towards the conference hall, a scene I was very familiar with.

“Ugh, Mother. Don’t worry.”

“…Still, I can’t help but worry. I can’t do anything myself.”

Isabella’s eyes were filled with worry and concern because she couldn’t use her power in this situation at the Symposium.

At this place where the Royal Family wanted to properly test the nobles’ children, the head of the family’s power cannot be used.

This applied even to Isabella, the Duchess, who led the house after her husband’s death. For whatever reason, Isabella could no longer help her three daughters in this place.

In fact, no matter what, Isabella’s intervention in this episode would be blocked.

“We’re all grown up now, Mother. Right, Flora?”

“Yeah!”

“And so is Flora, Mother.”

Seeing the three daughters answer confidently despite Isabella’s worried gaze, there was no hesitation in Ariana’s response.

Claire was confident they would pass the royal exam splendidly.

Flora smiled mischievously behind her sisters.

For the first time, they had to perform the royal exam without their mother’s help, but the three sisters seemed confident they would manage, as always.

“…”

Was it my turn next?

Isabella’s gaze turned towards me.

Though I wasn’t sure what she wanted to say, the carriage stopped at that moment.

“We have arrived, Madam.”

“Already here? Let’s go out and talk for a bit.”

“Yes, Mother.”

As the mother and daughters stepped out one by one at the sound of the coachman, when it came time for me to get out, Ariana turned around and asked:

“Carsein, I’d like you to stay here with Flora for a moment.”

Surprisingly?

There was still time until we entered the conference hall, so there was no need to leave him in the carriage.

‘…Wait a moment.’

Flora didn’t react much to being left behind. Usually, she would ask “Why?” right away.

This felt oddly off.

‘The answer is simple.’

Assuming Flora wasn’t there, the reason for the discomfort became clear.

If they started discussing outside the carriage leaving Carsein behind, it made sense.

Flora was merely a decoy to keep my attention elsewhere. They still wanted to exclude Carsein from the family discussion, or perhaps there was a good reason to include him.

I chuckled inwardly and leaned back on the carriage seat.

“Let’s wait a little.”

“…”

“…”

They seemed speechless, which was unexpected.

Of course.

They planned to discuss things separately from the beginning. It would be fine to hint to Flora beforehand.

“…It will be quick. Wait quietly.”

Ariana cleared her throat and said that before closing the carriage door.

After Ariana closed the door and left, I could feel Flora’s eyes glancing at me from inside the carriage.

-Ding!

“By performing a preliminary event, this matter has become a choice. Shall you stay in the carriage, as Ariana said?”

[1. Yes.]

[2. No.]

‘Go out?’

I folded my arms, showing an unmovable stance.

“By performing a preliminary event, an additional urgent mission has been added. This mission cannot be refused.”

‘What is this now?’

Oh, geez. What new nonsense are they trying to pull now?

I used Harnei for dancing, but there’s no need for that now. Since I have to follow the flow of events in the game, I just have to wait.

An urgent mission wouldn’t give any penalties…

“This mission is a mana usage tutorial.”

‘…What?’

My indifferent gaze was suddenly drawn to that sentence.

Mana usage tutorial?

Isn’t this too early?

Carsein is the protagonist leading this game, with many trials ahead and growth elements included. Learning to understand mana is also a key element of growth.

However, I repeat, this shouldn’t be happening now.

“Even if the timing is not ideal, this tutorial is essential.”

The mana tutorial was a valuable event that would only be explained once during gameplay.

While it provided strength, it required strict control, far more difficult than physical training or weapon practice. Mastering mana was such a significant growth factor for Carsein.

But one thing must not be overlooked.

That is, I am in reality.

“While performing the mission, you can increase your hearing by consuming mana. Mana must be controlled appropriately; using it incorrectly may result in internal injuries.”

Strong powers come with risks.

If mana is mishandled, it could directly translate into damage.

Only by feeling it with your hands, sensing it with your body, should you practice.

“The achievement level is measured based on how clearly you can hear the family’s conversation. The clearer the sound, the higher the achievement level. However, be careful. If Ariana or Claire notice, this mission will fail immediately.”

‘Sigh. Of course, the tutorial also involves increasing hearing with mana.’

This was the hardest tutorial among the difficult ones.

In the process,

“There, Carsein. I don’t quite understand this problem…”

It seemed there was an additional condition to attract attention by solving Flora’s problems.

But what else could I do?

At this point, I needed to get accustomed to mana, or my future would be bleak.

Soon, a timer appeared below the action power gauge, and the mission began.

***

“Arina? Why did you separate Carsein and Flora?”

After getting off the carriage first, Isabella, waiting for her son and daughters, asked curiously.

‘I’m still close enough.’

Perhaps her voice could reach inside the carriage, so she needed to be further away.

Arina whispered to her mother, Isabella.

“Mother, there is something I need to tell you while Carsein isn’t here.”

“What is it?”

“It’s about the Symposium. You were worrying about how Carsein would handle the test, weren’t you?”

Hearing this, Isabella’s lips quivered slightly.

As the eldest daughter said, she had intended to hint about Carsein’s worries in the carriage, but they were interrupted when they reached their destination.

“There’s a plan that doesn’t require worry. But it might be heard by Carsein.”

“…Plan?”

“Yes.”

Arina gestured to the pillar behind her as if she had been waiting for this moment.

“Mother, this is something Carsein shouldn’t hear. Only Carsein doesn’t know about it.”

“…”

Isabella glanced at the carriage for a brief moment before following Ariana’s gesture, prompted by Claire’s urging.

Once they were at a sufficient distance, Ariana and Claire exchanged signals. Claire then brought out the main topic.

“You don’t need to worry too much, Mother! Carsein will take the test with me.”

“Claire…? What do you mean? That would incur a penalty.”

At the Symposium, nobles usually took the tests individually, but those who were too young, inexperienced, or lacking knowledge might receive help from another house.

However, since some exploited this collaboration to score higher, the royal court applied a penalty clause for cooperation.

This was the age-based cutoff line.

“Flora is still young, so it won’t be a problem, but if Carsein and you cooperate, it could result in a hefty penalty.”

“Yeah, well, scores might be lower, but the goal is to pass anyway. Besides, the Bargrand family will have it sorted out with the sisters’ help.”

“I agree. When I suggested taking the lead, Claire insisted strongly that she should do it.”

“Well… I thought it was my duty, but I also felt bad for Carsein.”

“That’s…”

Despite Claire conveying her intentions, Isabella still looked slightly worried. Ariana added her thoughts.

“If something goes wrong, I’ll help Claire. We’ll take the penalty.”

“Hmm, you don’t need to…”

“No. This time, I can’t rely on Mother’s knowledge or experience. Anything could happen.”

“…”

“Mother, you don’t need to worry anymore. In case of emergency, the three sisters of Bargrand will cover Carsein’s shortcomings.”

“Ah, I see… I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen. And… Carsein, this is a secret between us, right? Don’t tell anyone?”

Now I understand.

My two daughters were thinking of me like this.

There was never any need to worry from the start.

The worry on Isabella’s face slowly faded, replaced by a faint smile. Isabella hugged her daughters warmly and said softly.

“Don’t be too concerned about the results. And thank you.”

Arina chuckled lightly and replied briefly, but Claire’s pupils trembled slightly.

She definitely didn’t deserve such praise.

She gave a bitter smile and leaned into her mother’s embrace.

“It’s time to bring Carsein and Flora over.”

“Yeah, right.”

Isabella wiped away the tears at the corners of her eyes and headed back to the carriage.

Her face no longer showed any worry.

But,

“Grrk.”

“Ca-Carsein?”

“Oh, sorry. The joke was just too funny.”

Carsein, who had been laughing inside the carriage, stopped.

No, it was more like he was mocking rather than laughing.

“I’ll stop the joke here.”

“Huh? Uh, uh…”

-Click!

The carriage door opened.

“Did you finish your conversation?”

Carsein asked with a seemingly casual smile.