The Crown Prince Loses His Heir-Producing Ability
The purposes of the annulment and the throne intersect, yet, specific and clear measures are taken. Until I left the third prince’s room, I thought there was no more ingenious and certain method than this, but…
Tsk.
I got too excited. I recklessly blurted things out, caught up in the atmosphere.
Now that I think about it, it was an absurd plan. The opponent is the Crown Prince of the Empire. As valuable as he is, even attempting a threat equivalent to assassination was a grave crime. If discovered, everyone involved, including my family, could be accused of treason. Even Luciana, my lord, couldn’t be an exception to that extent.
The accusation of trying to harm her fiancé through a servant. If discovered, it would be more than a stain on her honor; it could be a fatal blow. In the worst-case scenario, it could even lead to execution for inciting assassination.
‘How is that any different from falling in a trial by combat?’
But that’s only if this ‘Hans Byron’ carried out the act. In other words, it wouldn’t matter as long as it wasn’t discovered. If the risk could be perfectly mitigated with guaranteed secrecy, it was entirely possible. However,
‘I should have kept my mouth shut.’
Since those two already knew I was interested in the Crown Prince’s ability in that regard, it was impossible for me to act as ‘Frost Mane’ or ‘Calamity of Many Faces.’ If a mysterious villain reappeared and broke the Crown Prince’s precious asset, it would be tantamount to admitting it was Hans Byron.
Besides, it’s easier said than done. The Crown Prince is surrounded by numerous bodyguards, and he himself is a knight of rainbow-colored aura. It wouldn’t be easy to deal any significant damage with a common attack.
The uniqueness of the coming-of-age ceremony being held outside, where there were fewer guards. The chaos stirred up by the fanatics. The Crown Prince’s yet undeveloped skills. The kick from last time was merely the result of all those coincidences coming together.
Indeed, ‘I should have kicked him more properly then.’ No matter how much I think about it, it’s regrettable. If I had finished it properly in one go, I wouldn’t be having these worries now.
‘We must exercise extreme caution. But don’t completely rule it out.’ Of course, the plan to eliminate the Crown Prince’s ability to produce heirs is not entirely scrapped. Just as there isn’t only one path to the goal, it’s not necessary to resort to such extreme measures. We need to explore other methods as well.
‘The more means, the better.’
Luciana’s downfall is expected in the latter half of the second year, so there’s about two years of time to devise a method. There’s ample time to find a way.
Of course, if things escalate to the worst, I will have no choice but to carry out the plan I secretly discussed with the third prince.
***
The first class I attended after returning from the dispatch class was, to put it bluntly, a mess.
“Quiet. Everyone, please be quiet. Focus on the class….”
The relatively young professor, who was in charge of the Empire’s history, made a pitiful plea. However, the students were too busy chattering to pay any attention to the professor’s signals.
‘That person is having a hard time too.’
As an educator, calming down unruly students is an incredibly challenging task. Especially when the students are not naive children but mature enough to know better. Moreover, most of them were high-ranking nobles, at least of the count level or higher.
Probably, unless it was Professor Marks, known for his strict discipline, no one could calm this commotion. The increasingly loud disturbance completely drowned out the professor’s voice.
‘I feel kind of guilty.’
I clicked my tongue out of a nagging sense of guilt. In fact, I was not entirely blameless for the current chaos in the classroom. The topic of conversation was none other than us.
“Look at that. They’ve already returned from the dispatch class.”
“Can you believe it? I heard from a senior that it takes at least two months.”
“Well, it’s the top student. I heard they’re a Sword Expert, so it’s probably a given.”
Most reactions were of surprise. Although most of the dispatch class participants were imperialists, there were also nobles, so the nobles’ faction didn’t view it so unfavorably.
“Isn’t the dispatch class actually easy?”
“The top student might have used their family’s influence. They went to the north, so it’s a reasonable suspicion, isn’t it?”
Of course, not everyone felt that way. A small minority spread rumors mixed with jealousy and envy.
-Fools exist everywhere.
-I agree. They are idiots who can’t accept the obvious truth.
After identifying the faces in that group, I couldn’t help but sneer.
‘One is with Laura. The other is a close aide of the Crown Prince.’
The latter might be difficult, but the former could be dealt with quickly. I eyed someone who could handle her leash. Someone under my control.
-Twitch.
The girl with the violet hair flinched and then grabbed the shoulder of the still-gossiping sister.
“L-Laura…. Let’s stop. If we keep talking like this, it will only highlight their achievements.”
“Hmph. I guess you’re right.”
Indeed, it’s exactly what I’d expect from Riu.
As her sister, she spoke gently to persuade her. It seemed she hadn’t revealed anything about our deal. Well, as long as she was well-controlled, that was for the best.
‘The problem is… that one.’
“While they enjoy tea in their rooms, soldiers must have been toiling night and day. They fail to set an example as nobles.”
The lackey backed by the Crown Prince. He had no intention of keeping his mouth shut. Moreover,
‘It must be the Crown Prince’s doing.’
I turned to gauge Luciana’s reaction. She was silently looking at her textbook as usual, but she couldn’t hide the crease on her forehead.
Fortunately, the commotion among the students, including that guy, didn’t last long.
“Professor Heidi? What brings you here? This is my class time.”
“Professor Marks! It’s nothing. I’ll be leaving now!”
The noise must have drowned out the sound of the class bell. The arrival of the disciplinarian professor who didn’t hesitate to enforce order. The group that had been chattering in front of the professor instantly shut their mouths.
Was this the difference in authority?
As the history professor left, silence settled over the classroom, and he took the attendance register.
“It seems there are no absences, and it’s quiet, which is good. Before we begin the class, there is an announcement.”
His gaze fell on a few individuals: Luciana, Theodore, Camilla, and me—those who had just returned from the dispatch class.
“Hans Byron.”
“Yes!”
He nodded in satisfaction as he called my name first.
“I heard about your accomplishments in the dispatch class. They say you defeated the monster in the north.”
“Ahaha… I’m embarrassed. The credit belongs more to others than to me.”
I wasn’t just deflecting praise. Great achievements inevitably breed envy and jealousy. That was the case even now. Just a moment ago, some people were chatting away recklessly. And now the professor was calling me out first? It made me a perfect target for political maneuvering. The lackey’s eyes sparkled, as if he had found a prime target.
‘Why did he have to call on me first? Ugh.’
Professor Marks surely knew this too, so what was his motive? If we were going by ranking, Luciana should have been first, and by status, I was the lowest. Without a proper reason related to rank or status, it was clear I would be the one targeted for further ridicule.
And unlike Luciana, my lower status would invite even harsher ridicule. Sensing my unease, Professor Marks addressed the issue.
“Excessive humility can be misleading. As for the top student, there’s no change in ranking, and with the additional points from the dispatch class, Byron, you achieved the highest score among the participants, which is why you were called first.”
“…Change in ranking?”
“Yes, congratulations on becoming the second highest-ranked student.”
-Clap, clap, clap.
The dry sound of Professor Marks’s applause echoed in the classroom. It was rare for the usually reserved professor to offer praise. However, it wasn’t entirely welcome news.
“…Me?”
I couldn’t believe my ears for a moment. The top rank was Luciana’s, and the second was always the Saintess. The positions below them might change, but those two were unassailable.
‘Another variable.’
Still, I wasn’t as distressed by the deviations from the original plot as I had been before.
‘With the introduction of the DLC, there are many variables I don’t know about, so this is nothing…’
The knowledge of the original work was only a reference. This moment reaffirmed my resolve. And above all, there were clear advantages to the change in ranking.
“Yes. Since Rene has chosen to stay at the Jearne Dormitory, there’s no need to change dorm rooms, but you will need to change seats in the classroom.”
I immediately understood what that meant. The seat next to Saintess Rene—occupied by none other than my favorite, Luciana.
“Congratulations.”
Rene stood up quietly and vacated the chair. As I sat down, a gentle voice came from beside me.
“Oh, Hans, we’re closer now. We won’t need telepathy anymore.”
The crease in her brow from earlier had long vanished. Her bright blue eyes, highlighted by the light, arched beautifully as she smiled. The closer distance made her smile even more vivid, and I couldn’t help but be mesmerized.
‘At this rate, there’s no turning back.’
This was the best spot in the classroom, where I could see Luciana up close during the lessons. How could I give this up? The plan to maintain mediocre grades while supporting Luciana was abandoned. She was the top student, and I was the second. I resolved to maintain this ranking at all costs.
“Theodore Treja.”
“You called?”
“You’ve also been promoted to fourth place.”
I wasn’t the only one affected by the ranking adjustments. He had moved up two places.
Theodore had pushed aside both Ricky and the Crown Prince to secure a top position in the rankings in one fell swoop.
“Lady Circleia, what shall we do? You boasted of being the best among the western nobles, but now it seems that spot is mine.”
“…Hmph. Clinging to a position you won’t hold for long.”
Camilla was the same. The tension between her, who had fallen to fifth place, and those she had surpassed was quite a sight. While status wasn’t entirely irrelevant, this blatant meritocracy was striking. The massive shake-up caused by the dispatch class had its share of protestors.
“Professor Marks, may I ask a question?”
“Please proceed, Your Highness.”
“I am deeply concerned that such changes in ranking will cause a sense of deprivation among those who have diligently attended classes in this sacred educational institution, the academy.”
The Crown Prince, now relegated to a rank that could hardly be called top-tier, voiced this concern. He placed his hand on his chest as if speaking for everyone, but his true motive was clear: questioning why he had to lose out due to the dispatch class. He had remained silent while he was at the top, but now that he had been displaced, his complaints were all too transparent.
‘Exploding with inferiority complex, are we?’
His sidelong glances were directed at Luciana. It was bad enough trying to catch up with her, but now a bunch of newcomers stood ahead of him, which he found intolerable. It made me want to deliver a righteous kick between his legs.
“Deprivation, you say?”
However, he had picked the wrong opponent. Marks was a man who cared nothing for status or authority. Whether facing a noble lady from a count’s family or the future emperor of the empire, he wasn’t one to be intimidated.
“If you were so dissatisfied, you should have volunteered for the dispatch class.”
“…What?”
Marks didn’t hide his displeasure at the Crown Prince’s momentary loss for words.
“I informed you at the beginning that extra points would be awarded for all classes. It’s the academy’s principle that treatment varies based on performance.”
“You dare…!”
No matter how much he clenched his fists and trembled in anger, Professor Marks continued unfazed.
“Attending classes diligently, you say? That’s the funniest joke I’ve heard all year. ‘Diligently’ is not the right word; ‘quietly’ might be more accurate.”
“……”
“By contrast, these three who went out into foreign lands and proved themselves are the ones who truly deserve extra points and high grades.”
‘Wow.’
Sharp words like frost sliced through and tore into the Crown Prince. He couldn’t muster a single rebuttal and sat back down in his seat. His followers, instead of helping, paled and desperately avoided the professor’s gaze.
“Don’t worry. There will be plenty of opportunities to change your ranking,” Marks said, his words carrying a deeper meaning. They weren’t just directed at the protesting Crown Prince but at the entire A-Class.
‘No wonder he’s known as the mastermind behind the academy’s rebellion.’
Except for a few individuals like the Saintess and Oparn, the ones who excelled in skills and rankings were commoners. The Saintess and Oparn, being potential main characters, were practically off the radar in terms of competition. Marks had expertly intensified the conflict between commoners and nobles, bringing it to the surface and asserting his control over the academy.
His message was simple: everyone had the chance to trample those above them and aim for the student council president, regardless of their status as a duke’s child or even the Crown Prince. Rankings could always change based on performance.
In essence,
‘A commoner could potentially surpass the Crown Prince.’
“The atmosphere has changed,” I observed.
“They’ve realized that everyone is a competitor,” Luciana replied.
“Hans, are you thinking the same?”
Was I aiming for the top rank? She whispered the question with a smirk. It wasn’t hard to detect the mix of sincerity in her jest.
Was I a loyal servant or a worthy competitor aiming for growth alongside her? Luciana was giving me that choice.
‘With Luciana, the answer is obvious.’
She was a knight overflowing with a competitive spirit. I already knew the perfect answer.
“It seems you’ve forgotten the disrespect I showed at the martial arts tournament.”
“…Bold. Quite arrogant for a mere servant.”
Despite her words, her smile only deepened. She pointed to her desk with a slender finger.
“Go ahead and try. I’ll gladly accept your challenge.”
“It would be an honor.”
Of course, my answer was crafted to suit her tastes. My ultimate goal remained unchanged: to make Luciana the student council president.
So, there’s no need to aim for her top spot. However…
‘I must not lose this prime seat.’
Having sat next to Luciana once, I realized the importance. Her silver hair flowing like silk, her alabaster skin matching that color, the sapphire eyes, and ruby lips completing the picture perfectly. I couldn’t let anyone else take this second-place seat, which allowed me to behold such a sight.
As such,
“Professor, I have a question as well.”
“Go ahead, Byron.”
“When you mentioned ‘opportunities’ earlier, what exactly did you mean?”
I immediately grasped at the clue for more information. One could assume that performing well in class was part of it, but changes significant enough to alter rankings weren’t achieved by merely attending classes diligently. There were two key events in the game that one must not miss. One was the dispatch class that provided a generous amount of extra points. And the other…
“Good question. I heard that the principal has found a suitable location for the exam.”
Midterms. Another crucial hurdle and opportunity, following the entrance ceremony, that would face all students.
Cliche Novel 