My father had been training me regularly every morning, although our time was often cut short due to his various responsibilities as duke.
It was mostly the fundamentals, how to increase the rate at which my magic circles are built, controlling the flow of my mana, as well as my sensitivity to mana.
I had noticed that the family knights had begun viewing me slightly differently.
In my memories, although they would never physically show it, their gazes always looked at me as if I were some roadside trash.
As expected, rumors of me one-sidedly defeating my brother had spread.
My brother was in quite a sour mood whenever he saw me, but he spoke to me with slightly more respect.
I felt quite bad for beating him up... But I didn't have any good way to make it up for him right now.
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We had set off in a carriage towards the capital.
"Brother, what do you think the purpose of this ball is?"
His sourness towards me was defeated by his curiosity regarding the ball.
"...I think it's to build his own power base further, there's a reason only our generation has been invited."
My brother did not seem to understand, and continued questioning me.
"Why would he need to build his power further? He's already the first son of the emperor, there's not much further he can go."
"That's true, but he's probably worried about his sister, Iris. Haven't you heard about the tension between them?"
"....They dislike each other, don't they?"
'This kid... He hasn't put his head in politics much, has he?'
"...Is studying magic all you do? You should know that they hate each other."
My brothers cheek reddened in embarrassment
"Well, anyway, I'm pretty sure he's just trying to get people to side with him instead of his sister."
I did not reveal the fact that Retinus desired to overthrow his father.
"If that's the case, brother, what will you do then? After all you're the future lord."
I could sense a little sarcasm coming from him, and I ignored it.
"I don't see any reason to support that guy... He hasn't shown himself to be of any worth, so if push comes to shove, I'll support Iris, but right now I'd rather remain neutral."
"Hm.... But brother, I do remember when I was a small child that you were quite close with the princess... although you broke that friendship. If you were to support her, do you think she'd even want your help?"
"Sorin, you really need to improve your understanding of politics. If I decide to support her, she pretty much has to take it. It's not about being friends or not, the matter of the fact is that we are a powerful family, and as such she would have to take our support.
...But anyways, I think you're taking my hypothetical a bit far, it's not as if there's a civil war. The prince is merely trying to make a few friends."
My brother nodded in understanding, and the rest of the carriage trip passed quickly.
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The imperial palace was a place I was vaguely familiar with.
Over the years, I had visited it a few times for various events
It was very reminiscent of the United Kingdom's Buckingham Palace from my previous life.
Actually, from what I remembered, the game developers more or less copied it.
'It would be great if I could take a thing or two from the treasury...'
The empire's greatest treasures included potions that could heal any wound, elixirs that could permanently increase one's magical ability, various armors, magic staffs and more.
'Speaking of which, I eventually need to get a magic staff...'
Right now, I had been fighting without any magical conduit to focus my power through, the academy magic staffs were quite basic so I did not really see much point in using them.
But getting my hands on a high quality staff was important.
"Brother... you seem to be thinking of something strange."
Sorin looked at me with a deadpan expression, and I scratched the back of my head.
'Well.. It's not like I have to rob the treasury anyway, I can just perform some great feats to earn merits and gain access later on.'
We entered without much hassle and came into the ballroom.
The ceiling was several meters high, and dazzling chandeliers hung from them.
There were many vaguely recognizable faces, noble lords and ladies.
Some of them were recognizable to me as upperclassmen, at their second, third or fourth year at the academy.
Most of the nobles around here most likely did not have a high opinion of me, so I did not have many people to talk to.
"Ah... Lord Ares, our House of Blackrock would love to get closer to you..."
Of course, some slime faced nobles approached me in hopes of currying the favor of a duke.
"I'm feeling a little sick right now, so do me a favor and leave."
I sent them away quickly as I was not particularly interested in gaining their pathetic allegiance.
"...Brother, I'm going to go converse with some of my friends."
Sorin had his own circle of younger nobles and thus went off to be with them.
I was in a slightly awkward position...
'This kind of open air situation...'
I was not accustomed to such events.
Even though I did not like such events, it didn't mean I was happy to be alone in one either.
I noticed a large circle of nobles, one person standing out.
'Oh? It's him.'
I saw the prince, talking with a several others.
He made eye contact with me and approached me with a smile.
His wavy red hair went well with his black suit.
"It's good to see you, prince."
As was customary when faced with a royal, I greeted him first, outstretching my hand.
Taking my hand, he responded.
"I've been hearing some good things about you as of late, defeating the elf princess, even?"
Suddenly a feeling of dread bubbled within me.
'Oh shit... How the hell did I forget that?'
The prince was a human supremacist.