The Empire had three Ducal families known as its pillars.
Roben, the wings of the Empire.
Phyler, the shield of the Empire.
And Lishite, the sword of the Empire.
Among these three families, the Lishite family, with the greatest influence, was widely known as the closest confidants of the Imperial family.
Righteous assassins who punish evil.
Swords that restore order.
Loyal knights of the Emperor and iron-blooded eagles protecting the Empire.
The Lishite family had countless epithets, but the most famous one was:
-The Executors of Blue Talent-
The descendants of the Lishite family were born with exceptional 'talent' for generations.
This didn't simply mean being born with special abilities in a certain field.
It meant that they were bestowed with a natural 'excellence' capable of leading a generation.
Some were given the talent for swords, some for spears, and some for magic.
However, there were occasional exceptions.
There were cases where they were born without the 'blue talent' that symbolized the Lishite family, or where their power was too weak.
Like Raiden, who showed no potential in martial arts.
"Sigh..."
Inside the Duke's office in the Lishite family mansion.
Steiner Lishite, the head of the family and leader of the Executors, sighed and put down the pen he was holding.
His scarred hand rubbed his furrowed brow.
The documents scattered haphazardly on his desk were complex enough to make anyone faint at a glance.
Even for the head of the Lishite family, this kind of work was too unfamiliar to him.
After all, his talent was related to magic, not using his head.
However, that wasn't the only thing causing him a headache.
His son.
Raiden Lishite.
His blood relative, who had suddenly disappeared one day, reappeared after almost six months.
It seemed one of the maids had found him wandering in front of the house.
"..."
When Steiner first heard that Raiden had returned, he inwardly sighed with relief.
He had been worried that something might have happened to him due to his disappearance, which had lasted for half a year.
He was covered in wounds and looked a mess, but...
The most important thing was that he was alive.
"..."
But now that he was back, there were many things to worry about.
Setting aside the minor issues,
Just thinking about how to deal with the academy, which he had been absent from without permission for six months, made him feel overwhelmed.
Would Raiden even want to go back to the academy?
He had heard that life there didn't suit him.
"...How did things end up like this?"
Steiner muttered weakly.
Scenes from the nostalgic past flashed through his mind.
-You are my pride, Raiden.
It was a phrase Steiner used to say to him before Raiden transformed into a delinquent.
The world saw Raiden as a fool who, despite being the eldest son of the Lishite family, wasn't born with 'talent'.
But those were just whispers from people who didn't know him well.
Because Raiden had something that transcended such trivial talent.
-Hehe, I'll work even harder! Father!
A friendly smile and thoughtful actions.
An altruistic and warm heart.
Raiden in the past was a child who made it impossible for those around him not to love him.
His witty words always made others smile.
His considerate actions touched people's hearts.
His warm heart, which melted away gloomy atmospheres, even became a driving force for some to live.
The power to make people smile.
The power to draw people in.
And the power to embrace people in his heart.
It was a realm that couldn't be achieved with mere swords or magic.
That's why Steiner was truly proud of Raiden.
Because his son was born with the true qualities of a human being that he had always envisioned.
Steiner believed that his proud son would always grow up upright.
But...
"Sigh..."
Another sigh echoed through the Duke's office.
A single bud of compassion bloomed in the cold Duke's heart.
That pitiful flower was, of course, for his son.
Steiner vividly remembered.
The pain of the day his wife, Philippa Lishite, was buried.
The sorrow of losing a loved one.
It was an unbearable pain even for the Empire's greatest pyromancer, once known as the 'Flame Emperor'.
His young son had experienced that pain.
He had even witnessed the horrific sight of his mother being brutally murdered right before his eyes.
...Yes, if only that had been all.
The problem was that it didn't end there.
"I shouldn't have done that back then..."
Overwhelmed with guilt, Steiner rubbed his face.
Raindrops of self-reproach and self-loathing fell on the fading petals of compassion.
-...I'm sorry, Philippa.
Steiner had to conceal his wife's death from the public.
It had been less than ten years since the Empire had forcibly ended the civil war.
If word got out that the Duchess of the Lishite family, the sword of the Empire and its greatest force, had been assassinated,
it would undoubtedly create unrest both within and outside the Empire.
Not only would the Lishite family's standing be damaged,
but the authority of the Imperial family they protected would also be threatened.
Steiner had no choice.
-I'm so... so sorry...
The incompetent husband apologized to his wife countless times, muttering those words.
However, contrary to his torn heart, the cover-up proceeded smoothly.
Fortunately, or unfortunately,
only his son, the head butler, and a few trusted retainers had witnessed the scene that day.
Steiner thoroughly silenced them and only informed those who needed to know.
The Emperor and the Crown Prince.
The other Dukes.
His family members, including his son and daughter.
The head butler and a few trusted retainers.
Only about ten people in the Empire knew the truth about Philippa Lishite's death.
-Oh, Duke! I heard your wife has been unwell lately. Is she alright?
-Thank you for your concern, Marquis. Philippa's health has been quite poor... She hasn't been able to attend any social gatherings.
-Oh my... We'll send someone from our family to visit her when she's feeling better.
-Ah, there's no need for that. Her physician advised her to avoid contact with outsiders as much as possible."
-I see, I hope she recovers soon... I'll let the others know in advance.
-Yes, please do. Everyone will be wondering why she's absent from social gatherings.
Steiner fabricated false rumors to delay the announcement of his wife's death.
Thus, the story of the Duchess of the Lishite family being assassinated was concealed,
and only rumors of her being critically ill circulated within the Empire.
-Are you... sure you have to go this far...?
-You know, Your Majesty. If we announce Philippa's death without any preparation, we won't be able to avoid the suspicions of those damn Seekers.
-...I understand. With the Imperial authority still unstable, it would be much safer to announce it after shaping public opinion to some extent. It would also be better if the cause of death was illness rather than assassination.
-Indeed.
-Sigh... But this isn't right, is it? I hear your son is out of his mind these days.
-I apologize.
-It's alright... Just take care of your son. That kind child wouldn't be acting like a delinquent if it weren't for something serious.
However, despite the Emperor's advice, Steiner couldn't focus on Raiden.
While the father was busy eliminating Seeker branches and covering up his wife's death,
his son transformed into a delinquent with even more sinister rumors surrounding him.
Time passed.
On the day Philippa Lishite's fabricated death was announced to the world,
Steiner finally saw it.
-...
His son's eyes, staring blankly at his mother's grave,
as if he had lost something precious.
Only then did Steiner realize.
He should have put aside everything, the Empire and all,
and embraced his wounded child.
He had believed that his son, who had always done well, would overcome this too.
-...Raiden.
-Don't worry about me, Father.
But regret couldn't change anything.
The boy was already broken.
His cheerful smile had turned into a mocking one.
His words, which used to bring joy to everyone, now brought tears and anger.
His once warm heart was now submerged beneath the surface, cold and distant.
Steiner tried to reach out to his son countless times, but
Raiden pushed him away each time.
As if he was deliberately isolating himself.
So Steiner decided to wait.
For his wounded child to return whenever he was ready.
He knew he had done something unforgivable, but
he was still willing to be there for his son, if the boy still considered him his father.
However...
One month.
Three months.
Six months.
One year.
Even after a year, Raiden showed no signs of returning to his former self.
Steiner realized.
That Raiden was broken beyond repair.
The father, learning of his son's condition, tried to restrain him by any means necessary.
He didn't want his child to be hated by others anymore.
But despite his efforts, Raiden didn't change.
No, he became even more malicious.
The distance between father and son grew wider.
-What...? Raiden's gone?
And then, a year and a half after Raiden became a delinquent,
he suddenly disappeared.
At first, Steiner wasn't worried.
Similar things had happened before.
He thought his son had simply gone somewhere to clear his head.
A week passed.
Two weeks passed.
A month passed.
Raiden still hadn't appeared.
Only then did Steiner realize that something was wrong and began searching for him.
He searched the restaurants and shops Raiden frequented.
The places he loved as a child.
The places he might have gone to at the academy.
But he couldn't find him.
Another month passed.
Two months passed.
Three months passed.
Even after four months since Raiden's disappearance, no one had seen him.
As anxiety gnawed at him,
almost six months after his disappearance, Raiden reappeared.
Covered in wounds and looking a mess.
Step, step...
I glanced out the window as I walked down the hallway leading to the Duke's office.
The hot summer sun beat down on the well-maintained garden.
The shimmering sunlight and blue sky created a cheerful atmosphere, serving as a gentle backdrop.
Summer... It's actually quite beautiful when you look at it like this.
It was my least favorite season in my previous life, though.
As I was lost in thought, reminiscing about old memories, I heard footsteps following me from behind.
"W-Wait a minute, Young Master...!!"
A girl with brown pigtails was chasing after me.
"You have to go together...!"
"Father called for me, right? There's no need for you to come along."
Rachel frowned at my words.
"I told you! I'm your personal maid now! I'll follow you wherever you go!"
"Personal maid... I don't really need one."
As I muttered those words, Rachel puffed out her cheeks as if she was sulking.
"I don't care! Even if I'm not your personal maid, I'll still follow you!"
I stared at her puffed-out cheeks for a moment, then reached out and pinched them.
"Mmph..."
The soft, squishy feeling gave me a strange sensation.
I chuckled at her dumbfounded expression.
"Huh...?"
Rachel's eyes widened at my smile.
As if she had witnessed something unbelievable.
Ah, maybe smiling like this is a bit awkward.
The delinquent Raiden wouldn't have smiled like this.
"Young Master... You just smiled..."
"Don't say anything unnecessary and let's go."
I turned my head to avoid further conversation and continued walking.
After tilting her head in confusion for a moment, the girl followed suit.
Rachel remained silent with a complicated expression, then finally spoke again.
"Young Master."
"Hmm?"
"Is it really you?"
"What else would I be?"
Rachel's expression became even more perplexed.
As if she couldn't understand.
"What's wrong?"
"...You don't seem like yourself, Young Master."
"Maybe it's because it's been a while since you've seen me?"
Rachel shook her head silently.
Then, with a look of sadness in her eyes, she muttered,
"You haven't smiled like that... since that day..."
-Halt
My footsteps stopped.
That day.
Those words were a landmine for Raiden.
The worst kind of landmine that brought back all the loss, self-loathing, and obsession.
I felt my body trembling slightly.
Rachel also seemed to realize what she had said, bowing deeply and apologizing.
"I-I'm sorry! Young Master...! Those words just slipped out unconsciously..."
"It's okay, Ray."
I forced my trembling voice to steady.
Damn it, it's not even my trauma, why am I shaking...?
It seemed Raiden's emotions were still deeply embedded in this body.
"Young Master? Aren't you going in?"
"Ah."
Lost in thought,
I had arrived at the door of the Duke's office without realizing it.
I took a few deep breaths to compose myself and carefully knocked on the door.
-Knock, knock
"Father, it's me."
-Come in.
I swallowed nervously and grabbed the doorknob.
-Click, creak...
As the hinges screamed, Rachel and I entered the room.
The first thing that caught my eye was the desk cluttered with all sorts of documents.
And sitting in front of that desk was a man with black hair and black eyes.
Steiner Lishite.
The war hero who ended the Empire's civil war ten years ago.
The first Executor of Blue Talent, considered the greatest pyromancer of the current era.
And the person young Raiden admired and aspired to be the most.
He looked rather gentle now with his tired face and simple shirt, but
I could feel it from the aura that filled the room.
How formidable a person he was.
As I bit my lip slightly, feeling a cold sweat break out from the intimidating atmosphere,
Steiner, who had put down the document he was reading, looked at me.
"You're back."
His black eyes were calm and deep.
As our gazes met, the tension that had been building up to its peak vanished like a lie.
A mixture of melancholy and relief washed over me, tickling my heart.
Hmm... It was a strange feeling.
For Raiden, Steiner was a figure of both admiration and sorrow,
while for me, the existence of a father was one of hatred and fear.
Conflicting emotions clashed, leaving a lukewarm sensation that dampened my chest.
"Yes, Father. I'm back."
To his simple question, I gave an equally simple answer.
I had to keep my lips tightly sealed, lest Raiden's face break into a beaming smile at the slightest lapse in concentration.
'...He really loved his father, huh.'
As I tried my best to keep my expression neutral to control my emotions,
Steiner, who had been staring at me blankly, finally composed himself and spoke again.
"Were you off causing trouble in some strange place again?"
No.
This guy fell off a cliff and died, and I'm just borrowing his body for a while due to certain circumstances.
...Of course, I couldn't say that, so I just nodded vaguely.
Steiner's eyes widened slightly, as if surprised by my docile response.
The original 'delinquent' Raiden would have acted arrogantly and talked back to Steiner.
He seemed quite taken aback by my unexpected behavior.
"Ahem..."
Steiner cleared his throat and regained his composure.
"So, where have you been and what have you been doing for the past six months?"
"Just... living."
No, really.
This body was dead for six months, so what could he have possibly done?
"..."
Steiner stared at me intently with a complicated expression.
Both Rachel and Steiner made this kind of expression whenever they looked at me.
Well... Raiden was a troubled kid, after all.
"...So, what about the academy?"
"The academy?"
"You are a student, are you not? I managed to cover up your absence for the past six months with excuses like illness and other things, but if you miss any more, it will be difficult to avoid expulsion."
Well, that makes sense.
What school would keep a student who has been absent for six months?
It's a wonder he hasn't been expelled already.
"So, make a choice. Whether you want to go back to the academy or not. If you do, you won't be able to live like a delinquent anymore. If you miss even a single day, you'll be expelled..."
"I'll attend."
"Yes... I thought so. Then, you'll quit the academy and start working for the family... Wait, what?"
"I said I'll attend the academy."
The delinquent Raiden would have dropped out of the academy and holed himself up in his room, drinking all day.
But I'm different.
To begin with, 'Sorrow-erasing heroes' was an academy story.
-Ding!
[Main Quest Occurred!]
Title: Time to Take the Stage
Content: Head to Reynolds Academy.
[Reward: None]
[Penalty: None]
And now that a main quest has popped up, I have to go.
I have to find happiness.
I have to keep moving forward to discover the things I didn't know in my previous life.
'I want to know.'
If even someone like me,
someone who ended their life due to obsession and mental illness,
can truly find happiness.
I wonder if I even have the right to wish for happiness, but
I want to hope, just this one last time.
"Don't worry, Father. I'll really work hard this time."
So, let's go.
To Reynolds Academy.
To the place where the answer to my long-held dream might be hidden.