“What?”

Jamie, who had been smiling slyly, seemed surprised by the rejection and anxiously pressed on.

“Why not? Don’t you want to become stronger?”

“I do want to become stronger.”

“Then wouldn’t it be good to manifest your aura quickly? This isn’t even against the rules. Everything can be found within the training facilities.”

“I know.”

“Then why? There’s no reason not to do it.”

In truth, Noah was wavering too. But he wanted to become stronger through his own efforts rather than relying on such things.

Isn’t that what true strength is about?

Besides, doing something like that… he would feel ashamed when talking to the Duke or Lady Calliphe.

It was an unripe belief, like a green apple.

“I just… don’t want to.”

“Come on, don’t be like that. You’re missing out on a huge advantage.”

“What are you two talking about?”

Suddenly, Ferica thrust her face between them. Her smile somehow looked menacing.

“Hey? Tell me too. Sounds like you were discussing something tempting.”

Crunch. Ferica’s hand twisted and pulled one of Jamie’s ears.

“Planning to leave me out? You’ll regret that.”

“Owww! That hurts! Who are you anyway?!”

“Me? I’m his big sister.”

Ferica smugly rested her elbow on Noah’s shoulder.

Noah immediately shrugged it off with a sullen expression.

“You’re not my sister.”

“She’s not! Mind your own business and get lost!”

“You there, quiet down!”

They ended up being reprimanded by the head maid and royal guards.

Jamie stormed off, fuming, to get his possessions inspected first.

Ferica and Noah also had their belongings checked before entering their quarters.

“Your room is next to mine? How lucky.”

“……”

This girl is really strange…

At a loss for words, Noah simply ignored her and entered his room.

But before he could close the door, Ferica’s foot shot in to block it.

“Hold it right there.”

Ferica pushed against the door with her forearm as she leaned in. The posture had such force that Noah couldn’t help but be impressed.

“…What is it?”

“What were you talking about with that kid earlier?”

“Nothing.”

“Liar.”

Ferica smiled slightly.

It felt different from the menacing smile she had shown Jamie earlier.

More like she knew everything already.

‘…How annoying.’

Noah disliked feeling overpowered by someone who wasn’t Lady Calliphe.

“Move.”

Noah pushed Ferica’s foot away and slammed the door shut.

Ferica’s voice came from outside.

“Noah. No matter how much you dislike me, I’m on your side.”

“……”

Caught off guard, Noah didn’t respond, and her footsteps faded away. Soon he heard the door of the adjacent room open and close.

Noah grumbled belatedly.

“Saying that doesn’t make me happy.”

Because the person he truly wanted on his side was someone else.

“Will you come watch the martial arts tournament?”

“Of course. I’ll definitely come watch. I promise.”

“…Okay!”

‘She didn’t come after all.’

Before being escorted to the palace, the selected children had received congratulations from their parents and guardians.

Of course, Noah had been congratulated by the Duke and other adults and friends.

Despite his own defeat, Mihail had encouraged Noah not to lose and even packed snacks for him.

Still, Noah kept looking for Calliphe. He had hoped she would come, even if late.

‘Lady Calliphe is busy, so it can’t be helped.’

Or perhaps.

‘Maybe she doesn’t want to see me lose to Dillen?’

…No! There are still more matches left.

Noah shook his head vigorously. He clenched both fists and steeled his resolve.

“It’s not over yet.”

The next matches are what really matter. She’ll definitely come to watch.

So he needed to show her something to be proud of. If he wins first place, Lady Calliphe will stay by his side.

‘Dillen uses aura. A direct confrontation will be difficult. I need to think of some strategy.’

Noah kept pondering ways to defeat Dillen. He continued strategizing even when he went to the dining hall for dinner.

Other children were in the dining hall too, already formed into small groups.

One group was watching Noah, who sat eating alone.

It was Dillen and Jamie’s group, which included the most prominent competitors in the tournament. Essentially, they were the top contenders.

“What should we do, Dillen? He said he’s not coming.”

“Did you clearly tell him it would help him manifest aura?”

“I did. But he still refused. He’s unnecessarily stubborn.”

Dillen frowned.

Actually, this plan wasn’t ordered by Viscount Gallard. It was just a secondary scheme to enhance the Viscount’s main plan.

But seeing Noah’s integrity only fueled Dillen’s determination to humiliate him.

‘Who does he think he is, acting so righteous?’

Just then, Noah finished his meal and stood up, his eyes meeting Dillen’s.

A gaze that appeared calm but was filled with competitive spirit.

Watching Noah leave the dining hall, Dillen smiled maliciously.

“…I know. A way to make him follow us on his own.”

“Huh? What is it?”

“Let him know that I’ll be taking the special potion too. Tell him all of you will be going to take it.”

“Will that work?”

“It will.”

Dillen was confident. As a swordsman pursuing higher levels of skill and victory, he could be certain.

If someone wants to defeat an opponent who’s trying to become stronger, they can’t just sit still. They’ll have to do something.

“If he truly wants to defeat me, he’ll definitely follow.”

* * *

Calliphe didn’t go to the dining hall.

She had somewhere to visit while the children were at dinner and the place was quiet.

“Phew.”

She brushed off the leaves stuck to her clothes and hair.

Calliphe returned to the quarters. Then she passed by the dining hall again.

Her final destination was the communication stone.

The bored communication stone attendant brightened up upon seeing Calliphe and greeted her warmly.

“Oh my, are you here to communicate with your parents?”

How strange to hear a middle-aged person using baby talk at her age. Calliphe nodded reluctantly.

“Yes. Is it available now?”

“……”

“…sir?”

“Of course~ Come this way.”

The attendant, who had briefly turned serious, showed her to the communication stone.

“If your parents registered the palace communication stone information we provided, you’ll connect right away. Are you calling your mommy?”

“Ah, n-no…”

“Then it must be daddy~”

Before she could correct him that it was her sponsor, the attendant efficiently completed the setup and stepped away.

“You have 5 minutes for your call~”

Swish. The privacy curtain closed.

To prevent any misconduct, the attendant outside the curtain could hear the conversation.

If anything seemed suspicious, the attendant would immediately report to his superiors.

While waiting for the connection, Calliphe pondered.

‘If I call him “Your Grace”… that attendant will definitely perk up his ears, won’t he?’

She was going to speak indirectly anyway, but there was no need to mention his status.

Beep. As soon as the communication connected, Calliphe squeezed her eyes shut like she was swallowing bitter medicine.

“D… Daddy!”

—Crash.

The sound of something breaking.

Along with a quiet curse and the sound of something being wiped. He must have dropped a cup.

Calliphe’s eyes sparkled at this.

‘…Oh? This is fun.’

She hadn’t wanted to call him daddy, but Lynen disliked it even more.

This could be entertaining.

—What is that title—

“Yes, Daddy! I arrived safely. This is the palace communication stone, and a nice person helped me use it. But I can only use it for 5 minutes.”

As she quickly continued, Lynen seemed to finally understand her intention.

The reason for calling him “daddy.”

And her teasing intent as well.

After a moment of silence, Lynen’s voice, sweet to the point of being delectable, flowed from the communication stone.

—…I see. Is your accommodation alright?

“…!”

—…my princess.

“…!!”

Aaaargh! Goosebumps!

‘You crazy person!’

Unable to grab Lynen’s collar, Calliphe gripped the communication stone instead and let out a silent scream. Her face instantly flushed red.

The silence on the other end indicated he was equally disgusted with himself.