The Damn Family Is Back Again chapter 156

156 – CHAPTER 2 – Episode V (3)

After finishing my conversation with Arina, the game proceeded without any changes.

The scene where the entire ducal family boarded the carriage and headed to the conference room was one I was very familiar with.

“Ah, mom, don’t worry.”

“…But I can’t help but worry. I can’t do anything about it.”

Isabella’s eyes were filled with concern and anxiety due to the upcoming symposium test, where the power of the ducal family would be rendered useless.

In this place where the imperial family was testing the noble children, the power of the ducal family could not be exercised.

Even Isabella, the duchess, was not an exception. As the widow of the deceased duke, she was leading the ducal family, and for some reason, she could no longer help her three daughters in this situation.

In reality, no matter what means were used, this episode would be blocked by Isabella’s intervention.

“We’re all grown up, mom. Right, Flora?”

“Yes!”

“Flora says so too, Mother.”

Isabella’s worried gaze was met with confident responses from her three daughters.

Arina, who answered as if she had nothing to worry about.

Clare, who was determined to ace the imperial test.

And Flora, who smiled sweetly behind her sisters.

Although it was their first time taking the imperial test without their mother’s help, the three sisters seemed to have confidence in themselves, just like they always did.

“…”

Next was me, I suppose.

Isabella’s gaze turned towards me.

I didn’t know what she wanted to say, but the carriage stopped at a perfect timing.

“We’ve arrived, milady.”

“We’ve arrived already… Let’s get down and talk.”

“Yes, Mother.”

The mother and daughter duo got out of the carriage, one by one, accompanied by the sound of the coachman’s announcement.

When it was finally my turn to get down, Arina turned around and asked.

“Karcein, can you stay here with Flora for a bit?”

Suddenly?

There was no need to stay in the carriage until the meeting started, but…

“Not for long.”

Flora didn’t react much to the suggestion of staying with her, unlike usual when she would immediately ask “Why?”

This felt strange and uncomfortable.

‘The answer is easy to come by.’

If I assumed Flora wasn’t present, I could understand the source of this discomfort.

Imagine the ducal family starting their discussion outside, leaving only Karcein in the carriage. That would be somewhat convincing.

Flora was just a pawn to keep my attention here. The family wanted to exclude Karcein from their discussion, or maybe, they had a reason to do so.

I chuckled to myself and leaned back in my seat.

“Just wait for a bit.”

“…

“…”

It was an unexpected response, and the youngest and the eldest remained silent, not saying a word.

Well, that’s how it is.

From the start, I had intended to separate and discuss it. If I give Flora a hint beforehand, it’ll be fine.

“…It’ll be over soon. Just wait quietly.”

Ariana coughed a couple of times and said so before closing the carriage door.

As Ariana closed the carriage door and left, I felt Flora’s gaze on me from inside the carriage.

-tring!

▶The preceding event has been executed, and the main topic has changed to a selection format. Will you stay in the carriage, as Ariana said?

[1. Yes.]

[2. No.]

“Are you going to leave?”

I showed a hesitant attitude, folding my arms.

▶The preceding event has been executed, and an additional topic has changed to an urgent mission format. This mission cannot be refused.

“What is this again?”

Seriously. What’s with this ridiculous thing they’re trying to do now?

I used it when I danced with Haruni, but there’s no need for that now. In this time, where I have to follow the game’s progress, I just have to wait quietly.

Anyway, the urgent mission won’t give me a separate penalty…

▶This mission is a mana usage tutorial.

“…What?”

My gaze, which had been fixed on that one sentence, was suddenly pulled away.

A mana usage tutorial?

That’s not supposed to come out now?

As the protagonist who leads this game, Karcein has a growth element, and among them, awakening mana is a crucial growth element.

However, I’ll say it again – this isn’t supposed to come out now.

“Regardless of the timing, this tutorial is essential.”

The mana tutorial is a precious event that is only told once during gameplay.

It’s a powerful tool, but it requires extremely precise control and is incomparable to physical training or weapon training in terms of difficulty. Mana training is a growth element that amplifies Karcein’s power the most.

But there’s one thing I mustn’t overlook.

That’s the fact that I’m currently in the real world.

▶During the mission, you can increase your hearing by consuming mana in your ear. Mana must be controlled and used in moderation, and using it incorrectly will result in internal injuries.

There’s a corresponding risk to great power.

If I misuse the power of mana, it will directly lead to damage.

It’s something I have to learn through sensation and practice, as if it’s grasped in my hand, as if it’s embedded in my body.

▶The achievement rate will be measured by how well you eavesdrop on your family’s conversation by increasing your hearing. The clearer the sound, the higher the achievement rate. However, be careful. If Ariana or Claire notices, this mission will fail immediately.

“Ha. So, the tutorial is also about amplifying hearing with mana?”

I’ve stumbled upon the most difficult tutorial among the difficult ones.

In the process…

“Uh… Karcein, I don’t understand this problem…”

Flora’s problem had to be solved, and it seemed that there was an additional condition to draw attention.

But what’s the point?

At this point, I had to get used to the power of mana, or else the future would be dark.

Before long, a UI appeared along with a timer at the top left of the action gauge bar, and the mission began.

***

“Arina? Why did you leave Karsein and Flora behind?”

Isabella, who had been waiting for her children to get off the carriage, asked in wonder.

“Not yet, we’re still close.”

Perhaps the sound could reach inside the carriage, so they needed to keep a bit more distance.

Arina lowered her voice and whispered to her mother, Isabella.

“Mother, I have something to tell you now that Karsein is not here.”

“What is it?”

“It’s about the symposium you’re worried about. You were worried about how Karsein would do on this test, weren’t you?”

Isabella’s lips trembled at those words.

Just as the first one said. She had been worried about Karsein the most on the carriage ride, but they had reached their destination and the conversation was cut off.

“There’s a plan that doesn’t require you to worry. But we can’t let Karsein hear it here.”

“…A plan?”

“Yes.”

Arina pointed to a pillar behind her, as if she had been waiting for this moment.

“Mother, this is something Karsein shouldn’t hear. Everyone knows except Karsein.”

“…”

Isabella glanced at the carriage for a short time, then followed Arina’s gesture, as if unable to resist Claire’s signal.

Once they were at a safe distance from the carriage, Arina signaled to Claire, and Claire immediately took out the main item.

“Don’t worry, Mom! Karsein and I will take the test together.”

“Claire…? What are you talking about? That would result in a penalty, wouldn’t it?”

In the symposium, noble families usually took the test alone to prove their abilities, but those who were too inexperienced or lacked knowledge, like young lords and ladies, might receive help from other families.

However, since there were those who would exploit this and cheat to get a higher score, the imperial family had implemented a penalty clause for collaborative efforts.

That was the age-based cutoff.

“Flora is still young, so it’s okay, but… if you claim to collaborate with Karsein, the penalty would be significant.”

“Yeah, we might get a lower score, but the goal is to pass anyway. And since we’re from the Bagrande family, my sister will handle it well.”

“I agree with that part. It’s better for me to take the lead, but Claire insisted on doing it herself.”

“What… I think I should do it, and I also have a lot to apologize to Karsein for.”

“That’s…”

Even after Claire had expressed her opinion, Isabella’s expression still seemed worried, so Arina added her own thoughts.

“If there’s a problem, I’ll help Claire too. We can accept the penalty.”

“Oh, there’s no need for you to do that, sister…”

“No, this time we can’t just rely on Mother’s knowledge, but also her experience. We don’t know what variables might arise.”

“…”

“I think that’s enough to alleviate your worries, Mother. If necessary, the three sisters of Bagrande will make up for Karsein’s shortcomings.”

“Oh, really… Let’s make sure that doesn’t happen. And… is this a secret from Karsein too, Mom? Can’t tell him?”

So it was.

Her two daughters were thinking of her only son like that.

There was no need to worry from the start.

Isabella’s worries, which had been weighing on her face, suddenly disappeared, replaced by a faint smile. Isabella, who had warmly embraced her two daughters, spoke in a low tone.

“Don’t get too caught up in your grades. And, thank you.”

Ariana chuckled and responded briefly to her words, but… Claire’s pupils trembled.

It was absolutely not something that deserved such praise.

From noble mtl dot com

Soon, she was smiling wistfully and leaning into her mother’s embrace.

“It’s about time we brought Carsein and Flora over.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Isabella wiped away the tears that had welled up in her eyes and headed back to the carriage.

Her face was no longer clouded with worries.

But.

“Hmph.”

“Ca, Carsein?”

“Ah, sorry. I was just laughing too hard.”

Carsein was laughing inside the carriage.

No, it would be more accurate to say she was sneering.

“I’ll stop here.”

“What? Uh, yeah…”

-Dreak!

The carriage door opened.

“Looks like the story is over?”

Carsein asked with a careless smile.