He didn’t come to see his son Robenhaf. It was to see Triarch, following Blake’s request.

When he heard there was a club room made by the children, he came to see, and luckily, he ran into them.

“Triarch Ludwick.”

“Yes!”

“Are you doing well?”

“Yes, I’m doing well.”

Duke Hibetsman, being close to Blake and being the leader of a prestigious family, didn’t want to create trouble by showing that he was close.

But because of that, Liche’s voice, which had exerted extra effort, sounded oddly stiff due to tension.

She thought she made a mistake. That thought lingered in Liche’s mind, but Duke Hibetsman didn’t pay much attention.

“I see.”

Now he had something to say to Blake.
Duke Hibetsman left the club room without hesitation.

The snowstorm that had been raging seemed to have disappeared. The three of them stared at the closed door.

Soon after, a short scream from Robenhaf echoed through the hallway.

Robenhaf hastily opened the club room door.

“Liche! Our father…”

He had rushed over, worried that Duke Hibetsman might have said something harsh to Liche.

Confirming Liche’s usual appearance, Robenhaf finally sighed and sat down.

“What’s up.”

After greeting Duke Hibetsman, Deon, who followed him, looked at Robenhaf and made an amused expression.

Then, looking at Liche, he smirked.

“Hey, puppy.”

“….?”

“Do you like that?”

Deon pointed to a shelf filled with puppy dolls.

Liche trembled at Deon’s actions.

Her older brother had only grown taller; he still had a long way to go.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Blake’s study.

After leaving the academy, Duke Hibetsman went straight to the Ludwick mansion, sat on the sofa, and drank tea.

“Good tea.”

In the opposite view of Duke Hibetsman enjoying the tea, there was a desk where Blake was reading a letter brought by Duke Hibetsman.

“…Would you like to confirm about Triarch Ludwick’s future?”

Crinkle.

Duke Hibetsman narrowed his eyes at the crumpled letter in Blake’s hand. Anyway, he was going to take care of it, but it seemed it would disappear from Blake’s hand on its own.

“Blake, do you know who initiated this incident?”

“I don’t know.”

“Rumbla Ismatic. The woman you saved on the battlefield fifteen years ago.”

Blake tapped the armrest of the chair with his index finger.

Duke Hibetsman continued his explanation.

“Rumbla Ismatic claimed that Triarch’s talent was dangerous. So, it seems Gerweir asked that person to confirm whether your daughter will become a threat in the future.”

Of all people, Gerweir.

If his eyes fell on Liche, it was dangerous. He would find out what his daughter was hiding.

But it wasn’t the place for Duke Hibetsman to talk about Liche’s identity.

“Of all people, Rumbla Ismatic. Blake.”

Duke Hibetsman clicked his tongue.

He wasn’t a bad person, but he strongly pushed forward with his beliefs.

In a good sense, he had a strong conviction, but in a bad sense, he was an autocrat. He believed only in his opinions and forced them on others.

Fifteen years ago, a unit was wiped out due to Blake’s abilities.

It was to protect a small village in the Locke Empire, and one of the survivors of that village was Rumbla.

“A survivor sympathizing with the enemy? That’s a funny story.”

Since then, Rumbla had been claiming for a year that the power of abilities was dangerous. Not many people paid attention to her opinions, but she was undoubtedly a troublesome person.
Even now, Duke Hibetsman looks visibly uncomfortable at the mention of Rumbla’s name.

“If it’s Duke Gerweir’s words, would Rumbla Ismatic bend her opinion? Hey, Blake, why not show your daughter to him instead?”

“No.”

Blake firmly shook his head.

“But think about it. To graduate, your daughter still needs to attend the academy with Ismatic as a teacher for another eight years. You can’t keep tolerating those disputes every time.”

Duke Hibetsman’s words made sense.

Especially since Ismatic claimed the prohibition of Liche’s magic. It would have been better to present solid evidence against Professor Rumbla and cut the matter off.

Still, Gerweir Duke was out of the question. Blake crumpled the letter completely and threw it into the trash.

“Blake?”

“There must be another way.”

Gerweir’s suggestion was not his alone.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Friday afternoon. Club room.

Liche leaned close to the table, carefully examining the wooden blocks in front of her.

“Miss, pull out that block.”

“That one?”

Following Phillip’s advice, Liche cautiously picked up a wooden stick hanging precariously at the top of the tower.

Successfully pulling the stick out to the end, however,

“Oh.”

“Ouch.”

The tower made of wooden sticks collapsed with a clatter.

“Oh, she. This time, you really could have won against the young master!”

Philip kicked his thigh in frustration.

Again, defeated by the young master. It was embarrassing as Liche’s attendant.

Soon, the young master entered with a triumphant face.

“Why so quiet?”

“…Why?”

“Well, I thought I’d hear you laughing by now since it turned out that way.”

Liche and Philip raised their heads and looked ahead.

Deon sat on the sofa with his head down, like a deflated teddy bear.

‘Frightening.’

Philip swallowed hard.

From the rough breathing, it was clear he was angry.

Why? Was the game not fun because he won so easily?

“Oppa, what’s wrong? Where does it hurt?”

Indeed, the most courageous time was when one didn’t know anything. Philip stared in horror as Liche touched Deon’s cheek.

“Oh, miss. The young master is not in a condition for you to touch him so casually…”

“Oh, no! A fever!”

“What?!”

Liche quickly put her hands on Deon’s forehead and neck.

His body felt hot like a burning rock.

“Miss, the young master is not in a good condition to be touched so carelessly…”

“Oops. A hundred degrees!”

“What?!”

In a state of shock, Liche turned to Philip, seeking his advice.

‘Really, is he sick?’

It was unbelievable. Our young master was unwell.

‘Then, did he play ZenGa with the miss just now while not feeling well?’

Liche thought the same as Philip, but for now, treating Deon’s body took precedence.

‘What should I do?’
Seeing Deon in such pain that he collapsed was the first time since the Monster Forest incident.

Liche checked Deon’s aura.

The fist-sized aura was not undulating but densely condensed, and his condition didn’t seem to be critical.

Then, using a star fragment might help improve Deon’s condition.

‘Treat.’

Liche took a star fragment from her pocket and clenched it in her hand. Then she attempted to grab Deon’s hand.

Thud.

Deon swatted away Liche’s hand.