Cernia Dormitory.
Imagine cramming all those noble children into one building—its size must be immense.
As accommodations prepared for nobles, each room in the academy is made large to ensure they are not inconvenienced.
Because of this, it was incomparable to the ordinary dormitories in terms of sheer height alone.
But there are always ranks among the nobles.
A child from a baron’s family would be ranked lower than a child from a viscount’s family, and a child from a viscount’s family lower than a child from an earl’s family.
This building wholly embodied these layers of authority.
“When I first saw it, I couldn’t help but scoff.”
Even to my untrained eye, the building seemed grotesquely shaped.
I wondered how it could bear the load, with each upper floor increasingly spacious.
By the time one reached the top floor, it spanned an area two to three times that of the first floor, resembling the cap of a mushroom.
‘Even at admission, I felt bad, but seeing it in person, it’s even worse.’
If only it had straight walls like Earth’s apartments.
While lower nobles like barons lived in the narrowest spaces on the overshadowed first floor,
The higher nobles enjoyed larger spaces and ample sunlight on the upper floors.
Me?
I am the third son of a baron’s family, not even the second.
Naturally, I should have been one of the dark and cramped first-floor residents… but I was not.
‘Because the academy strictly ranks by academic performance.’
The disparity in education provided by our families.
The quality of magic and skills passed down through generations.
Innate talent.
Usually, since from a young age prodigies are heavily supported by their families, ranking often correlates with titles, and the top floors are generally reserved for dukes or the crown prince.
‘But who am I? Third-ranked in admission.’
I too am a resident of this top floor, a deviant from a baronial family within this rigid caste system.
Serving Luciana, being on the same floor makes it quite convenient to move around, which is a significant advantage.
However,
The place I am currently standing is a corridor far from my room.
I was on my way responding to an invitation.
“Too much of something can become art,” they say.
The opulence of the golden decorations from the door hinted that he was the wealthiest man in the nation.
Even the servant waiting at the door.
“You are Hans Byron, I see. The young master is inside.”
A person, presumably another servant like me, bowed his head and greeted me respectfully.
He might even be of a higher noble origin than myself.
It was definitely a treatment befitting a guest.
However, that didn’t mean my already lowered opinion of him would rise again.
***
A luxurious letter adorned with golden decorations.
And a seal embossed with the Tree of Life.
The letter from the young master of the southern Daimon ducal family read as follows:
[To Hans Byron, the champion of the martial arts tournament and the recent star of the academy.]
[…]
[Enough with the pleasantries. I’ll get to the point.]
[I have something urgent to tell you, without Lady Speda’s knowledge. Come to my room this Saturday.]
‘Without Lady Speda’s knowledge.’
A phrase with ominous implications.
I can guess his intent.
It’s merely a facade to praise and try to win me over.
‘It’s impossible to keep secrets in this small academy.’
Presumptuously, he is trying to cause a rift or slight misunderstanding between Luciana and me.
It seems he has valued our relationship at just a few gold coins, including the cost of keeping me quiet.
“Daimon has sent you such a letter.”
Naturally, the letter went to Luciana as a token of my loyalty.
A male lead candidate?
What does that matter?
I am always on Luciana’s side.
“Hmm. He called you, but left me out?”
“Yes.”
Luciana’s face hardened slightly.
Ignoring the master and enticing the servant is clearly a disrespect.
However, contrary to the expected fury, she ended it with a gentle sigh.
“That makes sense. Luke Daimon has always been reluctant to deal with me.”
“Is that so?”
“If we speak kindly, he is clever; if we speak bluntly, he is greedy. He demands so much despite having no resources from the north to offer. Tsk.”
Luciana clicked her tongue and stared at me intently.
“He probably won’t call me. He suggested a negotiation, but his plans have often gone awry with me.”
“…Um, may I ask what exactly happened?”
“Once, my father and the Duke Daimon entrusted Luke Daimon and me with negotiation authority.”
Luciana’s eyelids fluttered as she recalled that moment.
“Of course, it was a mock negotiation. It wasn’t a matter that mere ladies and young men could decide. But he said he’d raise the prices because the northern supply routes were disrupted by bandits and monster hordes. Thinking about it now, it really was a ridiculous excuse.”
The North, a barren land and yet, the front line against the demons.
Thus, it often received supplies at cheap prices from external regions.
Especially in terms of food resources.
“It’s outright robbery. So, how did you handle it?”
“If there’s a problem, just remove the cause. I immediately led the troops and cleared that area completely. You should have seen Daimon’s face then.”
That was a rather radical but ingenious solution typical of Luciana.
While scattering the remnants of thieves and monsters across the vast area would be ineffective, with overwhelming military force, it wasn’t impossible.
“Flipping an obviously disadvantageous situation and creating a structure favorable to oneself is also a tactic. You handled it well.”
“Ha ha, I got scolded by my father later, but your way of packaging your lord is exceptional.”
Luciana, after a burst of laughter, handed the letter back to me.
“One cannot repeat the same mistake twice. Go and see for yourself.”
“Are you saying I should respond to this summons?”
“Daimon wouldn’t call you without reason.”
I agreed with that.
The South, a region of commerce.
The heir of the dukedom representing it, Daimon, always translated everything into transactions.
Even in a game, facing a saintly character, if he gave something, he expected something in return to increase affection—a truly severe individual.
‘But in the latter half, he was a real honey pot.’
The wealth that he would pull out artifacts with just a word.
A character that perfectly melded a modern conglomerate heir with a capable division head…
“With your eloquence, you should be able to gain something from the conversation. Let’s repay the rudeness he has done to me gradually, and find out what he is hiding.”
“I understand.”
I was curious too.
Why this young master suddenly called me out.
“I will bring back something that will satisfy Lady Luciana.”
“Do not forget that the honor of the Speda family rests on you.”
With her declaration entrusting me with full negotiation authority, I nodded.
***
“How is it? Working under Luciana, your tea skills must have improved. I hope it’s to your taste.”
“A balance of nuttiness and freshness. These are leaves from the East. Excellent tea.”
While my tea brewing skills hadn’t improved under Luciana,
At least my ability to distinguish their flavors had certainly grown.
“This taste, it’s like my whole salary went into this one cup of tea.”
– Rene, do you know what carpet you’re standing on? It’s woven from the silk of jungle spiders from the south.
– Oh, I don’t know much about it, but it sounds incredibly precious, doesn’t it?
– Haha, it’s just a tool to enhance your beauty. Come, let’s enjoy the banquet and concert I’ve prepared.
Indeed, under the chandelier, a perennial top 3 candidate for the male lead.
Luke Daimon was known for his extraordinary wealth, effortless flirting, and his delicate personality which charmed many female players.
However, I’m not one to be overjoyed just because I drank expensive tea or received some gold coins.
Leave such things to women.
Of course, excluding Luciana, I’d rather it went to the saint.
“Thank you for this lavish hospitality. However, there must be a reason you’ve allowed me such expensive tea.”
Clever yet greedy.
I posed my question to the young master, who likely harbored a snake coiling in his belly.
Although outwardly hesitant,
He would understand.
No need for trivial talk, what’s the purpose of calling me?
“I’ve always felt, even at that social gathering, that you could represent Lady Speda well.”
Luke tossed his blond hair back, tilting his head.
His eyes, the same gold as his hair, scanned me sharply.
“Cut the small talk. I’ve come into some useful information and I’m thinking of selling it to you for the right price.”
“Information, you say?”
I barely suppressed a sneer.
Knowledge that pierced through the original game information.
And cross-verified through information coming from the chief of the thieves’ guild, Wolbaek.
I didn’t expect him to have information more valuable than what I already knew.
“I’m sorry, but that seems to be the least valuable thing to me. If that’s the main point, our conversation seems pointless.”
The previous attempts to sow discord between Luciana and me with money,
Had already established him firmly as an annoyance, and I responded curtly.
Rude?
I too had assumed full authority of the Speda family from Luciana.
While I must maintain courtesy, I should not lose dignity.
“Ah, don’t be so hasty. Alright, I’ll share the information first. You listen and then assess its value.”
However, his next words left me taken aback.
‘Not the reaction I expected.’
Not being angered or annoyed by my actions is one thing.
But paying later?
Luke, notorious for being a money-crazed demon?
There was only one instance in the game where this happened.
Specifically, when he was ‘investing.’
To him, money is not only the most important value but also a tool for generating more wealth.
It might become sincere later, but the initial onslaught of gifts towards the protagonist of the original game, Saint Rene, and even this tea I was drinking.
To him, these were merely ‘investments.’
“May I ask one question before you continue?”
“Of course, ask anything.”
“There are no gifts without a price. What are you expecting from me in exchange for this information?”
However, Luke’s investments were privileges only afforded to those showing potential for growth.
I was curious why I was being treated on par with the saint.
“Would you believe me if I said it’s just a simple interest?”
“……”
“But that is the truth. A baron’s son with third-place admission scores, a martial arts tournament champion, and most of all, your adept control of Luciana Speda at the social gathering. You’ve caught my attention.”
He pulled a letter from his pocket and tossed it.
The fluttering letter eventually landed in my hand.
“What is this?”
“It’s an invitation to a tea party from Countess Caspera.”
True to his word, the letter was sealed with the wax emblem of a dove, symbolizing the Caspera family.
“I hear she’s boldly plotting something against the Speda family and the North. You’ll find the details inside.”
“…Huh. I’m not adept at interacting with nobles from other regions. I had no idea such conversations were happening under the radar.”
It felt like being hit on the back of the head with a hammer.
‘Such a shameless sister.’
After being publicly humiliated by Professor Marks, I thought she would lay low for a while.
I never expected her to quickly rally her forces and retaliate so soon.
Even considering that Elizabeth, well-connected and also from the North, was excluded from this invitation…
Perhaps, without this interaction, I wouldn’t have noticed until much later.
“Thank you. I might have been entangled in their schemes unwittingly.”
“I’m glad it was helpful.”
But this transaction is unlikely to end here.
Luke is of the most prestigious merchant lineage in the empire, a member of the Daimon ducal family.
“So, what do you think? The value of my information?”
As such.
I nodded without hesitation.
“The value was indeed significant, immeasurable.”
“Then later, might you accommodate a ‘small favor’ for me?”
Instead of answering, I simply smiled.
‘Small favor? He’ll likely make unreasonable demands later.’
I absolutely should not get involved. Knowing how his elite troops are formed, I never wanted to start that.
Everything received from him ‘has its price’.
Otherwise, a small request could lead to larger demands, and even further to promises of great rewards or threats based on previous demands. Having seen this typical tactic of Luke’s in the game, my face instinctively scrunched up.
“No, since you provided valuable information, I should reciprocate with information.”
“Information, hmm. I’m not sure if it will be valuable to me, but let’s hear it.”
His tone clearly underestimated me, as if doubting that I, a mere baron’s son, could possess more significant information than he.
Of course, the information I received was invaluable at this early stage of establishing my footing.
“Just as before, you should judge the value of my information, Lord Daimon.”
“Alright. You speak so confidently, I’m intrigued. Go on.”
He spoke nonchalantly, clearly not expecting much.
But…
‘Is this guy possessed?’
“Surely, the emblem representing the Daimon ducal family was the conquered World Tree.”
The World Tree, a sacred site for elves, beastkin, and dwarves.
The Daimon ducal family had long ago allied with the dwarves to conquer it and turn it into a tourist spot.
“You’re well-informed. So, what about it?”
“Within a few years, a disaster will strike the World Tree.”
The disaster isn’t lurking in the North alone. The South, too, will soon face a significant crisis, as I predicted.
“What kind of nonsense are you spouting?”
“Have the leaves of the World Tree not recently begun to wither, and its roots to bruise?”
“How do you know that?”
I watched his surprised face and slightly twisted the corner of my mouth.
Still, Daimon did not point out my impoliteness. Rather, he couldn’t.
‘It’s natural since I’ve touched on a secret known only to a few in his family.’
While savoring the aroma of the tea, I whispered softly,
“You shouldn’t be meeting with the likes of me; rather, go meet the saint. She will be a great help in combating the disaster.”
I did not forget to introduce the saint to the male lead candidate, speechless from my remarks.
Eradicating a debt and tying the prince not to the saint but the male lead, thereby averting Luciana’s downfall.
Isn’t this killing two birds with one stone?
Cliche Novel 