In the end, I reluctantly decided to change the topic of conversation as a mediator.

“Um, Your Grace. More importantly, Mother says she has something to discuss about the magic stone mine development.”

“Ah, yes. About that… Even so, proceeding with the development without a word to the Count is…”

“Is there a problem?”

Ilion asked back in a rather aggressive tone. The smile the Countess had been barely maintaining cracked.

“Well, since that land now belongs to the Count’s family, naturally we should discuss it with the Count…”

My goodness. Watching her speak so shamelessly, I almost wanted to applaud.

Hearing her words, Ilion let out a scornful laugh and asked back.

“Wasn’t it the Count who said Ravenne is now part of the Duke’s household? And I don’t understand why we need the Count’s opinion when we’re officially developing the land with its owner’s consent.”

“My, Your Grace. Even so, Ravenne is still a member of the Rischefeld family until now. You’re not married yet, are you?”

“If I remember correctly, it was the Count who demanded money first in exchange for sending Ravenne to the Celestine family, wasn’t it?”

“Your words are quite harsh, Your Grace. Are you implying that I sold my daughter for money?”

Her sharp voice seemed to have forgotten that the person in front of her was a Duke.

“Please calm down. Both Mother and Your Grace. How about discussing this matter with Father later?”

Once again, prompted by Theo’s kick, I stepped in to calm both of them down.

If I had known it would be like this, I wouldn’t have brought him along.

We were finally able to escape that prickly carriage ride when we arrived at the Academy.

The Countess and Theo led the way to the Academy, while Ilion and I followed behind.

When I glanced at Ilion, I saw that his expression was worse than ever, making me nervous as if I might get stabbed if I touched him. This is why I told him not to come along.

“Your Grace? You remember what I asked of you earlier, right?”

“……”

I asked with a forced smile, but Ilion glanced at me without answering.

“You remember, right?”

I asked again, gently urging for an answer.

“…Did you cover it with makeup?”

“Pardon?”

“It still seems a bit swollen. When we get home, a priest should have arrived, so make sure to get treatment.”

No, that’s not the answer I wanted.

But Ilion moved ahead as if he had said all he needed to say.

He’s really doing as he pleases.

In the end, I gave up trying to figure out why Ilion was angry and followed him into the building.

The atmosphere in the headmaster’s office was calm. The scent of books mingled with the fragrant aroma of tea, making it feel like we had entered a pleasant library.

“Welcome.”

The Academy’s headmaster, Lucia, was an elderly woman with gray hair. She greeted the sudden visitors without any sign of displeasure, wearing a gentle expression.

“I’m pleased to meet Miss Ravenne and her family.”

Since we had already sent a letter hinting at the reason for our visit, Lucia must have known that this wasn’t exactly a pleasant meeting.

However, her experience couldn’t be ignored. She maintained a composed face, as if she was used to such situations.

“The reason we’ve come today is to discuss my younger brother’s admission.”

Lucia took a sip of tea, put it down, and answered in a calm tone.

“As requested, I’ve rechecked the test scores of your younger brother, Theo.”

“Was there an error?”

“No. Our grading results were accurate.”

Saying this, she showed us the test score sheet.

The faces of the Countess and Theo, who hadn’t expected the scores to be shown so openly, began to harden.

And for good reason, as the scores were too embarrassing to be shown anywhere.

It wasn’t even close to the passing line, and it seemed unreasonable to push for admission based on connections, regional ties, or blood relations.

But if we were going to give up so easily, we wouldn’t have come here.

“My goodness, Headmaster. How could you evaluate my brother based on mere test scores?”

“This test is conducted more fairly than any other. Raising objections to the scores is…”

“Headmaster? Do you remember the contents of the telegram I sent?”

“That…”

She nodded.

“Then you should understand what I’m saying. Please grant my brother admission.”

“Well…”

The headmaster looked back and forth between me and Ilion, then continued with a troubled expression.

“That’s difficult. The Academy strictly selects students based on merit. Even if it’s a request from the Duke… we can’t change the scores.”

“My, isn’t that exactly what power is for?”

My mother, who had been drinking tea beside me, chimed in. She seemed to have somewhat recovered from the shock of the absurd score sheet.

“Besides, who would care if one or two more people are added?”

“I’m sorry, but I cannot grant that request.”

The headmaster’s stance was firm. Satisfied with her consistent attitude, I smiled and picked up the score sheet.

Looking at it again, it was truly a miserable score.

To think they tried to enter the Academy with just this level of scores. Theo, couldn’t you have studied a bit harder?

Although I had only stayed at the Rischefeld house for a few days, I remembered Theo coming home with a different perfume scent every day.

He had probably been using the money his parents provided for support to meet girls.

Now then, shall I act a bit crazier?

Rip, rip.

I tore the score sheet into pieces and scattered them in front of me. Surprised by my sudden action, not only the headmaster but also the Countess and Theo stared at me.

“Mother, please have a little more faith in Theo. Isn’t it absurd to try to measure our Theo’s abilities with such scraps of paper in the first place?”

“Ravenne?”

“M-Miss. What are you…!”

The three of them were looking at me in shock, and only Ilion was observing the situation while clearing his throat slightly.

That was fortunate. I had been worried about what to do if Ilion tried to stop me first.

“Even without relying on power, our Theo has enough talent to pass. Moreover, Theo has been studying diligently day and night for three years to enter this Academy.”

These were all words the Countess had said to me, and I was simply returning them to the headmaster.

“Isn’t it common for someone to perform poorly due to nervousness? Right, Theo? The test wasn’t that difficult, was it?”

“Y-Yes. I was just a bit nervous.”

Following my leading question, Theo also started to put on airs. It seems he couldn’t bring himself to deny it in front of his mother.

The reason I was putting on such an exaggerated act in the first place was to shatter his and the Countess’s dreams.

To make them realize that the son they had scraped money together to educate for the sake of the family had actually been using that money just to play around and hadn’t practiced magic properly.

There’s no need to be sane when dealing with insane people.

“Miss, this is troublesome.”

The headmaster tried to stop me while maintaining her composure until the end.

So, I think it’s about time to pretend to give in, calm down, and make a new proposal.

“What I want to say is, please give my brother one more chance.”

“…Pardon?”

“It’s not right to evaluate a person based on such papers. You said you evaluate based on ability, so shouldn’t you judge my brother’s magical skills? Right, Theo?”

I looked at Theo for agreement, and he forced an awkward smile with a bewildered expression.

“Y-Yes, that’s right.”

Understanding my intention, the headmaster adjusted her glasses and spoke in a slightly calmer voice.

“Of course, we do separately recruit students with special magical talents. We can’t miss out on exceptionally gifted individuals in magic.”

“That’s fortunate. Then, please take a look at our Theo’s skills as well.”

“All evaluations related to the entrance exam have already been completed. If you really want, next year…”

“Oh my, that won’t do. How precious is a year for our Theo? And it’s not just anyone, but me asking for this favor. I believe you’re well aware of the amount the Celestine family donates to this Academy every year.”

“…T-That’s…”

At my words, even her composed face began to show signs of embarrassment.

“W-Wait, Sister. Being so forceful…”

At this point, Theo started trying to stop me. If it really came down to a skills test, he would have to reveal everything in front of his mother.

“Oh, Theo. Don’t worry. This is how wealth and power are meant to be used. Leave it to your sister.”

I reassured Theo with an infinitely benevolent smile. Unfortunately, despite my efforts, he grew increasingly anxious.

The fortunate thing was that Ilion hadn’t said anything about my statements. He had just been clearing his throat repeatedly.

Did he catch a cold from me?

“Alright. Since the Duke has also made a request, I’ll make a special exception.”

Finally, permission fell from the headmaster’s lips.

“S-Sister?”

Theo grabbed my collar with a panicked expression. His face showed he hadn’t expected things to turn out this way at all.

“What’s wrong? Don’t tell me you’re not confident? Don’t worry, Theo. You’ve been dedicating yourself to magic for three years now, haven’t you?”

I smiled brightly, acting the part of a loving sister who cares for her adorable brother.