[Raul PoV]
Day 20 of this month, I was in the Student Council meeting room, discussing preparations for the survival exam scheduled for early next month.
"There will be four instructors and five Master wizards leading the survival exam. Our job as the Student Council is to ensure everything runs smoothly," the Chair explained the agenda for today's meeting.
The exam will take place in three different locations. The first is an uninhabited island, the second in a desert located in the western region of the Empire, and the last in the Monster Forest in the northern region of the Empire.
This entire event will last about a month. Afterward, the students will take their final exams and then participate in an end-of-year tournament, which will mark the conclusion of all classes for the year.
"Senior Ian, how are the transportation preparations for the students to each location?" Elena asked a third-year student.
"I've already contacted the horse-drawn carriage service, Pres." Senior Ian replied while reading a piece of paper. "They will transport the students to Murcia City, where they will board a caravel from the dock to sail to Mikonos Island."
Satisfied with Senior Ian's response, Elena nodded and then turned her attention to me.
"Raul, how are the security preparations for this trip? Didn't a few of your members leave recently?"
"I've already recruited replacements for those who left. There shouldn't be any issues with security," I answered confidently.
"I doubt that, Pres." Senior Ian said, eyeing me sharply. "Most of the members you recruited are troublemakers, some of whom are even facing the threat of expulsion."
Upon hearing Senior Ian's objections, the Pres looked back at me as if to say, 'How do you respond to that?'
"That won't be a problem," I said, meeting Senior Ian's gaze. "A herd of sheep led by a lion is far more dangerous than a pride of lions led by a sheep."
Senior Ian frowned, clearly offended by my statement. My analogy seemed to criticize the leadership of the previous disciplinary committee.
"Very well, I'll entrust this matter to you, Raul." Elena said, concluding the discussion.
---
After wrapping up the meeting about the upcoming exam, I hurried to the student package reception building.
My father—Duke Alvaro's response letter should have arrived today. I needed to meet with him to discuss the candidacy support for Chair Elena.
When I arrived, I approached the receptionist at the desk.
"Is there a package for Raul de Garcia?" I asked, handing the receptionist my student card.
"I'll check for you. Please wait here."
There's a special rune on the Academy's student card to prevent it from being forged by others.
A rune is a magical symbol used to create a magic formula that can be stored in an object. This allows the object to possess magical abilities according to the formula stored within it.
An item containing a magical formula is called an artifact. The more complex the magic formula within the artifact, the rarer it becomes.
The Masquerade Mask I used to rescue Ariel was an S-class artifact.
The receptionist returned with an envelope. "You received a letter yesterday evening," the receptionist said, handing me the letter and my student card.
On the letter was the seal of a snake coiled around a sword— the emblem of House Garcia, indicating that the letter was from my father.
I opened the letter and read the contents.
I'll be in the capital tomorrow. Come to the family mansion on the west side of the capital.
So, he's already here? I need to hurry.
I immediately left the Academy grounds and hailed a passing horse-drawn carriage outside the main gate.
The driver opened the door, allowing me to step inside.
"How may I assist you, Youngman?" the driver asked.
"The Duke Alvaro Mansion in the Noble District."
After I informed the driver of my destination, he whipped the horses, and the carriage began to move forward.
Some nobles, like Dukes, typically own residences in the Imperial Capital. This isn't because the Empire doesn't provide accommodations for them in the palace, but rather because they prefer to stay in their own places unless summoned by the Emperor.
After about 20 minutes of travel, the carriage arrived at the main gate of the Garcia family mansion in the capital.
I disembarked from the carriage, handed the driver a gold coin, and told him to keep the change.
Next, I walked up to the gatekeeper.
"Young Master? It's rare for you to visit here. Is there something you need?" the gatekeeper asked, recognizing me.
"Is my father here?"
"Yes, Young Master, Duke Alvaro arrived just last night," the gatekeeper replied. "He will be leaving for the Emperor's Palace shortly."
Hearing this, I ordered the gate to be opened and entered the mansion grounds.
There, I was greeted by an elderly man in a butler's uniform.
If I recall correctly, his name is Alfred, Duke Alvaro's trusted servant.
"Young Master, would you like to see the Master?" Alfred asked, bowing to welcome me.
"You're right. Where is my father now?"
"Please follow me, Young Master."
Alfred began walking toward the grand staircase, and I followed behind.
This mansion was a gift from Emperor Philip to Duke Alvaro as a congratulatory gesture for marrying my mother—Milenia von Wihelbach, a noble princess from the Kingdom of Weimar.
Their marriage was part of the agreement between the Empire and the Kingdom to end the war between the two nations 20 years ago.
We arrived at a room.
Knock, knock, knock.
"Master, the Young Master wishes to see you," Alfred said, requesting permission to enter.
"Come in."
A calm voice answered from inside the room.
Alfred opened the door and motioned for me to enter.
Inside, a middle-aged man sat at his desk. His hair, black as the midnight sky, and his piercing dark eyes exuded an aura of danger, like a snake ready to strike. His elegant presence clearly indicated his status as a high-ranking noble.
This man was Duke Alvaro de Garcia—my father. In this world, he was known as the Abyss Serpent.
In the game, he is the main antagonist of Chapter 5. Duke Alvaro collaborates with the Demon Race to open a large portal between the two worlds.
"Raul, what do you wish to discuss with me?" Duke Alvaro asked in a calm voice.
"This is about the succession for the Emperor's election, Father."
Upon hearing my words, Duke Alvaro's eyebrows furrowed slightly. He looked at Alfred, signaling for him to leave the room.
Alfred bowed and left, closing the door behind him.
"I read your letter. Why do you want to support Elena, who is the weakest candidate compared to the other Imperial candidates?" Duke Alvaro asked, looking directly into my eyes.
He seemed genuinely curious about my reasoning. But I couldn't reveal that I knew the future storyline, could I?
The Garcia family plans to support Prince Felix as the next Emperor's candidate. His faction is the largest among the other Imperial candidates.
However, later in Chapter 4, Prince Felix will be killed by a character named Judas. His death will cause chaos among the nobles in his faction, and Prince Ramon will take advantage of this to destroy Felix's supporters who refuse to shift their allegiance to him.
"I believe in her," I said simply.
Hearing this, Duke Alvaro's expression changed. He looked at me as if I were an idiot.
"That's it? Just because you believe in her? You know that once we pledge support to one candidate, the nobles from the other factions will try to bring us down and isolate our power," Duke Alvaro explained. He then stood up from his seat. "Those nobles will cut off economic cooperation with us and block any efforts we make to expand our influence in the Empire."
Duke Alvaro now stood directly in front of me. A black mana aura radiated from his body, making it hard for me to breathe, and fear crept through my entire being.
"But even knowing all those risks, you respond to me with such a foolish sentiment." Duke Alvaro's tone became colder.
"All those concerns are irrelevant, Father…" I struggled to speak under the immense pressure.
"I will destroy anyone who stands in my way… Be it nobles, the Emperor, or even the creator god of this world!"
I looked directly into his eyes as I said that.
Yes… I am the god who created this world. Everything in this life should move according to my will. If anyone dares to oppose me, I will crush them.
Even you, Duke Alvaro!
Upon hearing my words, Duke Alvaro's expression shifted. He smiled, then took a step closer to me.
"Who are you, imposter…? You are not Raul, the son born to my late wife, Milenia."
His words shocked me to the core. My heart raced faster than ever.
Could it be… that Duke Alvaro knows who truly I am?