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I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 156
🕑 Added 2024-10-23 10:08:04 +0000 UTCChapter 156: CHAPTER 2 - EPISODE V (3)
After my conversation with Arina, the game’s script resumed, unfolding as expected.
The entire Bagrand family boarded the carriage and headed towards the conference hall, a scene I was all too familiar with.
“Don’t worry, Mother.”
“…But I can’t help but worry. I can’t do anything to help you this time.”
Isabella’s concern was evident, her gaze filled with a mixture of apprehension and helplessness.
This year’s symposium was different. The Duchess’s influence wouldn’t reach them.
The Imperial Family, determined to assess the abilities of the young nobles, had forbidden any interference from family heads.
And this rule applied even to Isabella, the acting head of the Duchy. She couldn’t help her daughters, not this time.
No matter what I did, this episode always ended with Isabella’s intervention being blocked.
“We’re not children anymore, Mother. Right, Flora?”
“Yes!”
“Flora agrees, Mother.”
The three sisters, sensing their mother’s anxiety, reassured her with confident smiles.
Arina, the eldest, exuded an air of unwavering determination.
Claire, the second eldest, was confident she would ace the Imperial tests.
And Flora, the youngest, beamed at them from behind her sisters, her innocence a stark contrast to their calculated ambition.
“…”
And then, Isabella’s gaze shifted, landing on me.
I wasn’t sure what she wanted to say, but before she could speak, the carriage came to a halt.
“We have arrived, My Lady.”
“We’re here already? Let’s continue this conversation later.”
“Yes, Mother.”
They exited the carriage, one after another.
As I was about to follow, Arina turned towards me, her expression serious.
“Carsein, I need you to stay here with Flora.”
Suddenly?
We had some time before the conference began. There was no need to stay in the carriage.
‘…Wait a minute.’
Flora hadn't reacted to Arina’s request.
She would have usually asked “Why?”, but she was silent, her gaze fixed on her lap.
Something wasn't right.
‘The answer is quite simple…’
I realized why she had insisted on me staying in the carriage with Flora.
Imagine them discussing their strategy outside, while Carsein was left alone inside.
It made sense.
Flora was just a pawn, a distraction to keep me occupied while they discussed their plans, plans that excluded me. Or perhaps, it was a conversation they didn’t want me to hear.
I chuckled, leaning back against the carriage seat.
“I’ll wait.”
“…”
“…”
My response, unexpected, silenced them.
They had intended to exclude me, to leave me out of their discussion. They would have easily manipulated Flora into agreeing.
“…We’ll be back soon. Just wait here.”
Arina cleared her throat and closed the carriage door, leaving me alone with Flora.
I could feel her gaze on me, curious, apprehensive.
-Ding!
▶ Due to a previous event, this situation has been transformed into a choice. Will you stay in the carriage, as Arina instructed?
[ 1. Yes. ]
[ 2. No. ]
‘Are you asking if I want to leave?’
I crossed my arms, my defiance clear.
▶ Due to a previous event, an additional task has been added in the form of an Emergency Mission. This mission cannot be refused.
‘What now?’
Seriously? What was this game trying to pull?
I had used the Emergency Mission system to my advantage during the dance with Harnie, but there was no need for that now. I had to follow the script, to endure whatever they had planned.
Emergency Missions didn’t have penalties…
▶ This mission is a tutorial on mana manipulation.
‘…What?’
That sentence, that single phrase, made me sit up, my interest piqued.
A mana manipulation tutorial?
That wasn’t supposed to happen now.
Carsein, the protagonist of this game, faced countless challenges, and therefore, he had access to various methods for improving his abilities.
And awakening his mana was a crucial part of his character development.
But…
This was too early.
‘Well, it’s a mandatory tutorial.’
The Mana Tutorial was a valuable event that only appeared once in the entire game.
It granted him power, but it was also incredibly difficult to master, requiring precise control and a level of focus far beyond physical or combat training. Mana manipulation was a powerful tool, capable of significantly enhancing his abilities.
But I had to remember…
…I wasn’t in the game anymore. This was reality.
▶ During this mission, you can increase your hearing by channeling mana into your ears. Mana must be controlled carefully. Incorrect usage can cause internal injuries.
Greater power came with greater risk.
Mishandling mana could result in serious injury.
I had to learn, to practice, to hone my instincts and develop a sense for it.
▶ Your Completion Rate will be determined by the clarity of the conversation you overhear. However, be warned, if Arina or Claire notice your actions, the mission will fail immediately.
‘…Of course, the tutorial involves amplifying my hearing with mana.’
They had to choose the most difficult one, didn't they?
And to make matters worse…
“Carsein… I don’t understand this problem…”
I had to distract Flora, to keep her attention on me while I eavesdropped on their conversation.
But I had no choice.
I had to master this power, this ability to manipulate mana.
The timer reached zero, and the mission began, a new UI appearing beneath my stamina bar.
***
“Arina, why did you leave Carsein and Flora in the carriage?”
Isabella, having exited the carriage, waited for her daughters, her brow furrowed in concern.
‘We’re too close.’
Arina, lowering her voice, urged her mother to move further away. The carriage was within earshot.
“Mother, there’s something I need to tell you. It’s important.”
“What is it, Arina?”
“It’s about the symposium. You’re worried about Carsein, aren’t you? About how he’ll perform? ”
Isabella’s lips parted, a flicker of worry in her eyes.
Arina was right. She had been about to offer Carsein some words of encouragement, but they had arrived at their destination, and the conversation had been interrupted.
“I have a plan. Something that will put your mind at ease. But… we can’t discuss it here. Carsein might overhear us.”
“…A plan?”
“Yes.”
Arina pointed towards a pillar, her gaze fixed on a secluded spot behind it.
“Mom, this is a secret. Carsein doesn’t know about this. ”
“…”
Isabella hesitated, glancing back at the carriage, and then, giving in to Claire’s insistent tugging, she followed Arina.
Once they were a safe distance away, Arina and Claire exchanged glances, a silent agreement, and then Claire spoke, her voice low.
“Don’t worry, Mom, Carsein and I are going to work together during the symposium.”
“Claire…? What are you talking about? That will result in penalties!”
During the symposium, the young nobles were expected to prove their individual abilities, to demonstrate their knowledge and skills.
But for those who were too inexperienced, too young, or simply lacking in knowledge, they could seek assistance from another family.
However, to prevent abuse, to deter nobles from simply relying on others, the Imperial Family had implemented a system of penalties for collaboration.
And the most significant penalty was age-related.
“Flora is still young, so she’s exempt. But you and Carsein… You’ll be heavily penalized.”
“I know, but our goal is to pass, not to achieve a high score. And besides, Arina will use the Bagrand Duchy’s influence to ensure we’re not disadvantaged.”
“I agreed with their plan. I even offered to help Claire, to accept the penalties myself, but she insisted on doing it.”
“I… I thought it was my responsibility. And besides, I… I owe Carsein.”
“Oh, Claire…”
Isabella’s expression softened, but a hint of worry lingered in her eyes.
“If something goes wrong, I’ll help Claire. I’ll accept the penalties.”
“S-Sister, there’s no need for you to—”
“No, we can’t rely on Mother’s knowledge and experience this time. We have to be prepared for any unexpected challenges.”
“…”
“There’s no need to worry, Mother. We’ll take care of Carsein. All three of us.”
“Oh, dear… You don’t have to… And… Carsein doesn’t know about this, right? You can’t tell him.”
Her daughters… her daughters were willing to do this for him? To protect him?
The worry that had clouded Isabella’s face vanished, replaced by a warm, reassuring smile. She pulled her daughters into a warm embrace, patting their backs gently.
“Don’t worry about the scores. Just do your best. And… thank you.”
Arina chuckled, her response casual, but Claire's eyes trembled.
She didn’t deserve this praise.
She smiled sadly, burying her face in her mother’s shoulder, the guilt twisting her heart.
“We should… go get Carsein and Flora.”
“Yes, you’re right.”
Isabella, wiping away a stray tear, turned towards the carriage.
The worry was gone, her expression serene.
But…
“Heh.”
“C-Carsein?”
“Sorry, I just found the solution to this problem quite amusing.”
Carsein, inside the carriage, was laughing.
No, not laughing. Sneering.
“That’s all for today’s lesson.”
“What? O-Oh… okay…”
-Click!
The carriage door opened.
“So, is your meeting over?”
He asked, his voice casual, his smile fake.
