Having to be stuck between that couple was deeply concerning for the future.

From behind came the sound of Clara stomping her foot in disappointment.

“I should have been in Team F…!”

I sincerely wanted to switch, but that wouldn’t be possible.

After saying goodbye to the twins, Liria exited the Magic Hall entrance.

Direct descendants and heirs with their own palaces could simply move within Roberg Castle through the entrance, while branch family members who traveled from other regions seemed to use the gates installed in the Magic Hall.

Liria spotted her private carriage waiting. Yuphi had come to pick her up and was waiting.

“Young lady, you’ve worked hard. How was your first heir training?”

“Hmm? Nothing special today. But I did make two friends.”

“Oh my, really? Well done! Of course, everyone would want to be friends with our adorable young lady.”

In reality, it felt like I had made more than ten times that number of enemies…

Liria couldn’t bring herself to say that in front of Yuphi.

Clop, clop.

While riding in the carriage driven by Uncle Ralph, Liria suddenly said.

“It was the first day of class today, but Eugene wasn’t there. I’m a bit worried, so could we stop by his place?”

“Oh, how kind of you. Come to think of it, I haven’t seen Young Master Eugene in any of the carriages coming and going from the South Wing for several days.”

“Oh, really? I wonder if something happened…”

“I’ll take you there right away, young lady.”

“Yes, please do.”

Uncle Ralph responded obligingly and took her to the South Wing where Eugene’s quarters were located.

It housed accommodations for Eugene, Clara, and several branch family children who had difficulty commuting.

Compared to the shabby East Wing, it was like a hotel.

Reaching the door with Eugene’s nameplate, Liria knocked softly.

“Let me do it, young lady.”

Knock, knock, knock.

Yuphi knocked on the door more firmly, but there was no sound from inside.

“It seems there’s no one inside.”

“Is that so? Eugene! It’s me, Liria!”

Liria called out while knocking on the door.

Then, a rustling sound came from inside.

Liria bent down and gently pushed the small door at the bottom of the main door.

It was a pet door for animals to pass through.

She could see inside, but only the legs of a table were visible.

Liria turned her bag to the front, opened it, and woke up Kiki who was inside.

The creature was sleeping soundly, moving its soft fur.

“This is no time for a nap. Kiki, wake up!”

“Peep peep!”

Kiki stretched, shook its head, fluffed its fur, and then slipped through the pet door as if understanding what Liria wanted.

“That’s our Kiki! You know exactly what to do without being told! Go check it out.”

Once inside, Kiki jumped up and easily turned the doorknob.

Click.

“…Oh, I didn’t know you could open doors too… Kiki, have you done this kind of thing a lot?”

Undeterred by Liria’s question, Kiki sniffed around, exploring Eugene’s room.

Liria and Yuphi carefully entered the room as well.

However, inside the room was not Eugene, but only a small Maltese dog that he kept.

Whether it had a gentle temperament or was exhausted, it lay flat on the floor.

“…Mong! Huff huff!”

“…The dog is left alone, but where has Eugene gone? Shouldn’t there at least be a servant watching over it when the master is away?”

“Indeed. That’s strange.”

The study, bathroom, and terrace were all neatly arranged, but only the bedroom was disheveled.

‘Did the servant forget to clean up?’

The dog’s food and water bowls were empty.

Liria tilted her head. When she touched the inside of the bowls, they were completely dry.

After petting the Maltese, Liria requested Yuphi:

“Yuphi, could you first take care of the dog’s water and food? After that, I need to go look for Eugene. Somehow, I feel he might be at Uncle Benjamin’s palace.”

***

“…Ugh, aah! My body feels strange! It keeps… keeps…!”

Bang bang bang!

“Father, Mother! Please let me out! …What?”

The lady’s fingertips trembled slightly as she put down her teacup at the screams coming from the room.

“…D-d-dear. Was what I saw really true? O-our Eugene…”

“Shh. Wife. It would be best to watch what you say for now. Eugene must have a power beyond magic. That’s why such signals are appearing in his body.”

“A power that surpasses magic?”

“Yes. It’s called Eternal, a power that can even change the world.”

“…But the child is suffering so much.”

“Think about it. A power as strong as Eternal doesn’t come easily. Perhaps it’s because the power is too strong for Eugene’s body to accept.”

“Such… such power, dear. I don’t want it. It’s making our child suffer and putting him in danger.”

When Lady Dana shook her head, Benjamin’s gaze toward her turned cold.

“How frustrating. What do you think will happen if Eugene awakens to Eternal? He could become the head of the Roberg family someday. Or would you prefer him to continue spinning trivial pinwheels, overshadowed by Conrad or that girl Liria?”

“…W-well, not that.”

“You know nothing, so keep quiet. This is all for you and our son. Once Eugene awakens his abilities, I can rise to the position of family head and pave the way for my son in the future. My only wish is for our family to find happiness.”

Benjamin patted the shoulder of his weak-hearted wife Dana, his eyes gleaming maliciously.

The nourishing tea he had been feeding Eugene weekly contained a catalyst that accelerated mana circulation and herbs that stimulated emotions.

The results were quite rapid.

Normally, signs of awakening would begin to appear around puberty.

Eugene was already experiencing parts of his body becoming slightly transparent, and one day, he had instantly moved from his bedroom to the floor.

It seemed to be accelerated, perhaps due to the consistent consumption of the specially prepared tea.

The spiral-shaped mark on Eugene’s ankle.

Benjamin discovered that this was the awakening mark that appears on Eternal ability users when the child is seven years old.

From that day until now, Benjamin had devoted all his efforts to Eugene.

Though he was a direct descendant of Roberg, he knew that his own prospects were rather dim.

His father, the Duke of Roberg, hadn’t given him many opportunities.

His elder brother Osdel was openly favored for being the firstborn, and Belita was cherished for being a daughter.

Classid, being the youngest and naturally talented, stood out without even trying. Though he was now half-dead, the future remained uncertain.

Moreover, their children were firmly established as successors.

Eugene, who had only manifested the wind attribute in the heir competition, had already fallen behind in the race that had begun.

That’s why Benjamin thought that Eugene’s Eternal ability was the only path that could give both himself and his son a chance to breathe.

Thud!

The sound of Eugene collapsing came from inside the room.

It seemed the ability manifestation phenomenon had subsided.

If this much power was stirring before complete awakening, how magnificent would it be after full blooming! But it was too early to expect much. Awakening wouldn’t be easy, and it still seemed woefully insufficient.

Benjamin immediately opened the door with his wife.

There lay Eugene, limp and covered in cold sweat.

“Eugene!”

“Oh no, he’s sweating too much.”

Dana rushed to her son and sobbed.

“Dear, please call the doctor immediately.”

“…Have you forgotten what I said? Only our family should know about this. Leave Eugene to me and go outside to calm yourself.”

Benjamin said this, then pulled a cord to summon a maid.

“You called, master.”

“Escort the madam to her bedroom.”

After the maid took her away, Benjamin forcibly lifted the limp Eugene.

“How pathetic to collapse from just this much.”

“…F-Father. But I managed to become transparent for 20 seconds.”

Eugene spoke, expecting praise, but Benjamin only responded with cold eyes.

“That alone is still not enough. Focus more on gathering emotions and concentrating mana. Do you understand?”

Benjamin slammed the door shut again.