I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 175

Chapter 175: Diverging Paths (7)

A temporary lord, a noble undergoing a test, stood on the stage.

In the center, a magic inscription stone glowed, displaying the chosen territory.

Every week, the assembled nobles would take turns ascending the stage, explaining how they had governed their assigned territories, what changes they had implemented, and how the lives of their citizens had improved.

It was a typical scene during the symposium period.

-Tap, tap.

The last participant ascended the stage.

“Hehehe.”

“Heehee.”

Snickers rippled through the audience. The nobles, unable to contain their amusement, were mocking the presenter. Second Prince Florence, one of the judges, frowned and struck the gavel.

Silence returned, but the reason for their mockery was clear.

Damp, dark hair, still slightly wet.

Pale blue eyes, their gaze downcast.

A frail, lanky frame, his clothes too big for his body.

They had heard the rumors, the whispers of Carsein’s downfall, the Bagrand’s adopted son, the disgrace of the nobility.

He had been given Shatrain, a territory once known for its abundance, its fertile lands producing strawberries and grapes.

And yet…

Carsein swallowed nervously and activated the magic device, displaying the territory map.

His report was brief.

There wasn’t much to report.

“Is that all?”

“…Yes, Your Highness.”

Carsein finished his report, his voice flat, his expression unchanged. Second Prince Florence, his face a mask of pity, closed his eyes.

‘…This is troublesome.’

He fiddled with the three chess pieces on the podium, each one representing a privilege he had already used. He sighed inwardly and opened his eyes.

Why had he refused?

The question lingered, a persistent echo in his mind.

So much time had passed. The first week was long gone, the midterm evaluations were over, and the symposium was nearing its end.

And yet, Carsein had achieved nothing of significance. No, it wasn’t even stagnation, it was a decline.

The rumors, the whispers of Shatrain’s worsening crop failure, had reached his ears. And the reports, the data… there had been no improvement since that incident.

That incident had happened so suddenly, the news spreading like wildfire. Even Florence hadn’t anticipated such a disaster.

What would happen now?

Even if Florence tried to be lenient, the nobles, during the Defense Time, would undoubtedly lower Carsein’s score.

And to make matters worse, this was the final week of the symposium. Next week, there wouldn't be any reports, only the final evaluation. Which meant the Defense Time had to be conducted today, before the final assessment.

He could have used it.

He had even offered it to Carsein, subtly hinting at its potential benefits.

But Carsein, during their private meeting, had refused.

“Your Highness, I cannot accept that privilege.”

He had been adamant, his resolve unwavering.

Florence, sensing his sincerity, had granted his request, but… the result, as he could see, was disastrous.

““HAHAHAHAHA!!””

As the last presenter finished his report, the nobles erupted in laughter, their mockery echoing through the hall. Florence, forced to maintain his neutrality as a judge, struck the gavel, silencing them.

The Defense Time was brutal.

Some nobles openly mocked the presenter, their laughter echoing through the hall. Others dissected his report, pointing out every flaw, every inconsistency, their words laced with sarcasm and disdain. And some simply hurled insults, their goal to lower his score, to destroy his reputation.

Carsein endured it all, his expression unchanged, his silence a shield against their attacks.

He even refused the help of his family members, who had tried to intervene, to defend him.

“That concludes the Defense Time.”

Florence, unable to bear it any longer, shortened the session, hoping to minimize the damage, both to Carsein’s score and his mental state.

Carsein finally descended the stage, having survived the ordeal.

But…

Another trial awaited him.

“You idiot.”

“Pfft. Bleeeh.”

Claire clicked her tongue, shaking her head, while Flora stuck her tongue out at him, mocking his failure.

He would have preferred their indifference, their silent disapproval.

But…

-Click, click.

The rapid clicking of heels against the marble floor signaled the arrival of someone else.

He turned, and a wave of dread washed over him.

Arina, her red ponytail swaying, her blue eyes blazing with fury, was approaching.

“Come with me.”

Her command, her voice cold and sharp, left no room for argument.

Carsein followed her, his steps heavy, his heart sinking.

-Slap!

A sharp sting, a sudden burst of pain, as her hand connected with his cheek.

The force of the blow, amplified by mana, ruptured the delicate skin inside his mouth, drawing blood. Even his lip was split open, a thin trickle of crimson staining his chin.

Arina, her blue eyes blazing, hissed,

“I never imagined you would cause such a disaster! To ruin Shatrain in just a few weeks… I can’t believe it! You lack the skills, the knowledge? Fine, I can understand that. But what was that about refusing the privilege?!”

“…”

“Speak, Carsein. Now.”

Her voice, low and menacing, demanded an answer.

Carsein, despite the pain, despite the fear that threatened to consume him, met her gaze, his eyes filled with a defiant spark.

“I had to refuse.”

“What?!”

“If I had accepted that privilege, Shatrain would have been truly ruined.”

“Ha! You dare blame the Bagrand Duchy for your incompetence?! If you knew you lacked the skills, you should have accepted our help! You should have relied on our influence!”

“That would have been the true path to ruin. For Shatrain, and for the Duchy.”

Arina took a deep breath, her hand trembling as she reached out to touch his cheek, tracing the outline of the wound.

And then…

She slapped him again, the force of the blow even stronger than before.

-Crack!

This time, it wasn’t just a sting, it was a searing pain, a brutal assault.

“I told you to know your place, Carsein.”

“…That’s…!”

“I asked Florence for a favor and obtained copies of your report and your plan. They were pathetic. You haven’t done anything! You’ve just been reading books and documents! And you call that a plan to revitalize Shatrain?! Who would believe such nonsense?!”

No one would believe him.

Carsein knew that.

It was absurd, illogical.

“You’re not saving Shatrain, you’re destroying it! Your knowledge, your skills… they’re not enough! You should be learning from us, from Claire, from me! Observing, listening, absorbing! Why can’t you accept that?!”

Perhaps she was right.

But Carsein, wiping the blood from his lip, refused to back down.

‘If I give up now, Shatrain will be truly lost!’

Even if he had to endure this humiliation, this pain…

This was the answer he had found.

Arina, oblivious to his resolve, his determination, tossed a document onto his lap.

-Thud!

“I’ve revised your pathetic plan. Implement these changes, and we’ll handle the rest. The Duchy will take responsibility.”

And then, her voice dropping to a menacing whisper, she delivered a chilling threat.

“If you dare tarnish the Bagrand Duchy’s reputation again, I won’t hesitate to expel you, no matter what Mother says.”

“…!”

He wasn’t a fool.

He had learned.

He understood the rules of noble society.

He knew how precarious his position was, a commoner, a nobody, adopted into the Bagrand family.

And if he was expelled…

The consequences would be unimaginable.

It was terrifying.

He wanted to scream, to protest, to ask if she even considered him family.

But…

-Click, click.

Carsein, clutching the plan he hadn't even bothered to read, shouted,

“I’m not wrong!”

[ Use the Bagrand Duchy’s privilege, obtained from Arina, to minimize the damage to ─── ]

-Rip. Rip.

He tore Arina’s plan to shreds, tossing it into the trash can.

“This… This can’t be allowed to happen.”

***

▶ The Torn Plan Memorial has ended. ◀

▶ You can now move and choose an option after the 10-second timer. ◀

“…Damn it.”

I had expected a helpful choice, a way to mitigate the situation.

But after witnessing that Memorial, all I could do was curse.

Yes. I had been there.

I had forgotten, somehow, but that Memorial had brought it all back.

-If you increase the volume, the solubility changes! You have to adjust the concentration!

The memory of being ridiculed, mocked, condemned for making the right decision, for using unconventional methods.

And back then, my eldest sister had confronted me.

-Min-hyeok, I told you to stop acting so presumptuous, didn’t I?

Presumptuous?

Know your place, learn from your elders?

Acknowledge your limitations?

“She’s no different from that bitch.”

A cold rage, a familiar icy fury, surged through me.

The coldness spread, sharpening my mind, chasing away the lingering drowsiness.

-Ding!

▶ Timer ended! ◀

▶ Choose an option. ◀

▶ Arina suggests returning to the Bagrand Duchy. How will you respond?

Return home?

Don’t make me laugh.

[ 3. I don’t deserve to be a part of the Bagrand Duchy. ] ☑

“I don’t deserve to be a part of the Bagrand Duchy.”

“Ha! What nonsense are you spouting now?”

“You said you would expel me if I caused any more trouble. Just consider me expelled.”

Her blue eyes, unlike before, weren't filled with rage.

“What are you talking about, Carsein?”

Right. That’s who you are.

Someone who can’t even remember their own words.

A bitter laugh escaped my lips.

“I don’t understand why Her Highness would want someone like me to be a part of the Bagrand Duchy.”

And then, Arina’s eyes widened, the confusion replaced by a familiar fury.

Next Chapter

Index

Previous Chapter