Survival 97

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[Hello, Sir Luke Daimon of the Daimon Ducal Family.]

[To a member of the Ducal Family, our tea party might seem somewhat lacking.]

[However, the meaningful conversations we will share here will surely be to your liking.]

Elegant handwriting races across the soft paper.

Truly, should one say a noble of political science?

As a servant to high nobility, I have seen many correspondences, but this one is a step above those I’ve encountered.

The letters, aligned like soldiers in rows of five and ten, maintain perfect spacing.

A style that humbles oneself while elevating the other, yet subtly reveals its cunning by embedding a proposal within flowery language.

I almost admired the beautiful script unwittingly.

If only the content was not aimed at targeting us.

Cutting through the nobly verbose flourishes, the message was simple: Check and isolate the top-ranking academy students from northern families and commoners.

[…]

[Since you, Sir Daimon, are also among the top ranks, you might be interested in the position of student council president. Please consider it positively and attend.]

-Flutter…

Luciana’s hand, holding the purple-dyed letter, trembled with anger.

“So, this is the evidence.”

“It’s directly from Luke Daimon. The dove emblem of the Caspera Count’s family is surely on the wax seal of the letter.”

“I never dreamed that such cowardly schemes were being played behind the scenes.”

If Riu had heard, she would have laughed in highest praise.

‘Admit it, it was cleverly done.’

Ignoring the obvious targeting, the strategy itself was highly strategic.

Student Council President.

A position allowed only to the student who ranks first in academic performance for the year, the student council president’s role, as a mark of honor, will long be remembered among peers even after graduation.

And it’s not just a ceremonial title.

At the academy, beyond merely teaching, the president influences student welfare, budget allocations, choice of assignments, and disciplinary procedures.

A position of absolute power within the academy.

It was none other than the position of the student council president.

‘Using it as bait to attract nobles from other regions.’

She carefully reviewed the contents of the letter again.

[Of course, I believe that Sir Daimon is more suited for the position than the current leader.]

[If a noble like you were to take on the role of student council president, it would be most favorable for us.]

[I trust that a descendant of the Golden Blood would not consider conceding the position of student council president to her, a member of the Emperor’s faction.]

The phrases, skillfully scratching at the other’s desires and pride, made the dream of becoming the student council president flicker before the reader’s eyes.

Likely, similar contents were written in the letters sent to other nobles as well.

Student Council President.

A glory that only one student per cohort can hold.

Knowing it was a trap yet still engaging.

Indeed, worthy of a scion who had climbed to a count’s position in the central political region.

‘However, indiscriminately scattering invitations to the tea party without regard for the audience. They should have been prepared to be caught.’

Especially since it was the Daimon Ducal Family.

After all, would Riu know?

Luke only poked his head in when the win was certain, and otherwise, he just looked out for his own benefits.

Even if he was a noble, he wouldn’t join a plan with high risks of antagonizing an entire region.

Then.

“Caspera lady. It must be the younger sister. I wonder if she could still come forth like this even with a sword at her neck?”

In her hand, now gripping her beloved sword, Luciana had thrown the letter to the floor.

The deeply furrowed brow between her eyes seemed intent on settling this through a duel, as in the original work.

“Please, calm your anger for a moment.”

“How can you ask me to endure this behavior that mocks our family and the North?”

“The grounds for demanding a duel are too weak.”

-You’re just a barbarian chieftain posing as a duke, boasting with the Speda family name, truly.

“…Are you done talking? Lady Caspera has thoroughly trampled respect and honor into the ground.”

In the original story, it was permissible.

Lauera had crossed the line first with her disrespect, providing more than enough grounds for action.

Especially since they were the antagonists tormenting the player character.

It had been easy to involve Riu and smoothly send them off with expulsion procedures.

(Planned mid-boss) Luciana leading the charge against the leader of the nobles, and the player either watching or intervening to gain the favor of other nobles was how the episode was supposed to go.

But, the situation was slightly different now.

“They’ve made their word choices carefully to leave an escape route.”

“…A loophole?”

“Yes. By not specifying any particular family but only mentioning the North and the student council president.”

What if she burst in here angrily?

It was predictable.

-The letter was written in a way that could be misunderstood. As just a student at the academy, I was merely focused on my studies and aiming for an honorable position through fair competition. I offer my sincere regrets, Lady Speda.

Might she slip away like an eel in this manner?

“Fine,” Luciana sighed shallowly, her anger coldly subsiding.

“However, my patience is not that great. Rather than enduring humiliation due to such petty squabbles, it is better to confront them boldly and prove my honor.”

…The honor of the North and the family are both Luciana’s symbols and her shackles.

This was clearly evident even now.

Such skirmishes are common among nobility.

“So, before my patience runs out, present an alternative.”

“…What?”

“Do not make me repeat myself. I am already holding back.”

Her gaze was sharp with displeasure, yet firm.

She had grown.

‘She has clearly realized since the last social gathering and her education.’

She should not be too patient just because the opponent is a crown prince.

Nor should she be too hasty just because the opponent is of lower nobility.

Sometimes, she must boldly express her feelings.

And sometimes, she must wait and take advantage of the situation.

Luciana’s first steps in politics were indeed a source of pride.

“By alternative, do you mean how else to deal with them besides a duel?”

“Exactly. I am not well-versed in this area, so I seek your wisdom.”

Luciana’s trusting eyes were filled with faith.

How could I let down her expectations?

I nodded and replied immediately.

“There are low, middle, and best strategies. Which would you like to hear first?”

“Just to clarify, does a duel also include your solutions?”

“Of course.”

Seeing my nod, Luciana smirked with a slight smile.

“Let’s start with the lowest strategy. I think I know what it might be, but go ahead.”

“The lowest strategy is to do nothing and wait.”

Perhaps because it was not the answer she expected, Luciana’s head tilted slightly.

“Unexpectedly, are you saying a duel is not the lowest strategy?”

“Yes. In fact, a duel could be considered the best strategy.”

Suppressing a grin, I casually continued to Luciana, who was eagerly waiting for my response.

“In fact, it could be considered the best strategy.”

I slowly reviewed the current situation.

Luciana, originating from the North, holds the first rank, while the second rank is occupied by a commoner saint.

In third place is essentially an ally from the North—myself.

The power structure that Riu is trying to create seems to be gathering those ambitious for the student council president position to counter us.

Taking control from that center, while consolidating power and even attempting to restore the fallen stature of herself and her family.

However, she overlooked one fact.

“The position of student council president is granted to only one person. As long as that is the goal, just sitting still will eventually lead to their own downfall as they turn on each other.”

And above all, who could possibly take Luciana’s leading position, shining brightly with her talent?

Eventually, they would realize the impossibility and fall apart—a sequence set in stone.

What happens after becoming the student council president?

Then, she could simply judge them with that absolute power.

“Hmm. I see. Then why should we act at all? According to you, sitting back and being patient is the right course.”

“How could a servant leave their master’s troubled heart unattended?”

Luciana blinked in bewilderment at my response.

She retorted with a tone of disbelief.

“Enough with the jokes. I am seeking your advice to improve the situation, am I not? You can disregard my feelings.”

“Really? And that’s not all. Interference in group lessons, the stigma of having thrown honor to the dirt, the perception of other nobles about the North… If we just sit patiently, we stand to lose a lot.”

Even if their downfall is inevitable.

If we just silently endure their mockery disguised as challenges, immediate losses would be unavoidable.

That’s why swift follow-up actions were necessary.

Pointing this out, a fierce aura spread quickly around Luciana.

“That is welcome news to hear.”

She looked ready to burst out and storm down to the Caspera sisters’ room on the floor below.

I quickly blocked the door with my body.

“However, a duel is too extreme. It should only go as far as questioning them about the letter. After all, that’s all that has happened so far.”

That was the middle strategy.

Verbally reprimanding them in public to weaken their power and minimize our damage.

A soft tsk of disapproval could be heard.

“Just a moment ago, you said there wasn’t enough justification for a duel. Calling it extreme and blocking my way. And now you say a duel is the best strategy? What exactly are you trying to say?”

“Lady Luciana. Justification can be created if needed.”

“…What?”

To Luciana, still pursuing a style of pure struggle.

I whispered the dirty tactics of the nobility.

Her blue eyes fluttered, then filled resolutely with determination.

I, too, lifted the corners of my mouth, facing her.

Riu Caspera.

You’ve tangled with the wrong person.

‘Do you think I haven’t done this kind of thing before?’

Already often challenged by nobles because she was of commoner origin, the saint.

In this game, where a single choice can sway your reputation, I’ve seen the ending.

Daring to play a game using Luciana’s position as the top student!

‘I’ll just use that petty trick against them.’

“Hans, your expression is somewhat mischievous.”

“Well, isn’t it pitiful? They don’t even know what’s coming and are causing such a fuss.”

“Seeing how confident you are, I guess I can look forward to it.”

For once, our hearts agreed, and we, master and servant, shared a laugh without either starting.

***

“Riu, are you sure you’re okay? Aren’t you pushing yourself too hard…?”

“It’s fine. Don’t worry too much, Laura. It was something that had to be done anyway.”

A head complaining of fatigue. Pressing the temples barely managed to calm it down.

Internally, it was thought that the barbarians from the North were lucky to have reached the top position due to talent. That the commoners managed to secure their place in Class A was seen as the result of a fluke, aided by forming teams with some competent lower nobility.

‘It was all my misconception.’

Why hadn’t she noticed?

She had heard repeatedly from those around her that the academy was strictly merit-based.

Riu’s gaze still rested on her throbbing wrist.

-Academy’s first principle: There is no distinction of status here.

A voice of terror echoing harshly in her ears.

It wasn’t just the oppression by force that was causing anxiety.

… Titles like count or whatever mean nothing.

The name of the count’s family, which had always made her special, was crumbling, and now being threatened by a mere third son of a baronial family terrified her.

Being dragged down was not even difficult.

Barons, viscounts.

Even commoners could be stepping over them at any moment.

Not even once.

A humiliating future she had never imagined.

“Argh! To underestimate me!”

-Bang!

Her frustration became a fist that slammed down on the desk.

‘No, maybe it’s not frustration…?’

Perhaps it was a defense mechanism to avoid showing her anxiety.

Grinding her teeth, the girl lifted her head.

“Riu!”

“I’m fine. More importantly, how has the recruitment of the ducal family’s offspring gone?”

Naturally excluding Luciana Speda from the North, and also Camilla Roberk, who Hans Byron had mentioned.

It was crucial whether the Daimon from the South and Treha from the East had responded to her letters.

“Neither has replied.”

“…Tsk. I thought they’d support us, being nobility and also coveting the position of student council president.”

It couldn’t be helped.

Building power and then accepting their joining later was something to consider.

For now, checking the power of the North and the commoners was the priority.

“Riu, your gaze is frightening. You’re not thinking of anything strange, are you?”

“Laura, stop nagging and focus on your training. You’ve seen it yourself. Even if a young scion of a baronial family steps out without knowing his place, there’s nothing we can do about it.”

Her constant whining only made it harder to tolerate her physically strong but mentally slow sister, and she snapped at her.

Even as she saw her sister’s eyes widen in shock, her anger didn’t subside.

Power.

That which is represented by grades was still the absolute standard in this academy.

“Why would you talk like that?! You have no manners towards your sister!”

Angered by her own sharp words, Laura was not just going to stand there either.

However.

Watching her, Riu was able to calm her mind quickly.

It was a conversation her opponent couldn’t even understand to begin with.

She felt a pang of pity watching her still not grasping the situation, raising her voice frantically.

Right.

Now was not the time.

Moving to control the situation was already overdue.

Moreover, ‘I can’t tell Laura about the next step, nor can I entrust it to her.’

Her hot-tempered nature and loose lips were sure to cause trouble.

To expedite action, the best course now was to appease and send her away.

“Fine. I’m sorry. Please, leave me to focus on my work.”

“Hmph! Do whatever you want!”

After sending the disruptor out of the room, she slowly revisited her objectives.

“I can’t openly sabotage Speda yet.”

Even rotten, still a ducal family.

Without proper preparation, confronting her directly would mean facing all the northern nobles who follow her.

Right. Even among the northern forces, there’s someone manageable, isn’t there?

A sharp murderous intent glinted in Riu’s eyes.

His background was merely that of a baronial family, which meant no complications,

A student influencing both the commoners and the north.

And the thug who had grabbed her wrist, confronting her with the cold reality.

“Hans Byron…!”

The loyal dog of Speda.

Even his influence contested the top ranks within the golden cohort.

To weaken the opposing forces, he had to be eliminated at all costs.

If necessary, by employing drastic measures.

Then.

A document scattered on the desk caught her eye.

[Riki Circleia]

[Offspring of the Circleia Count family and heir to the Mage Tower]

The document, carelessly thrown by Laura, listed those who had responded to her letters and was now in Riu’s hands.

“Perfect timing. Just the reinforcements I need.”

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