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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Mod7
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After speaking with the Duke, I immediately sought out my mother.
I planned to tell her everything, even though I’d now have to play the part of a scoundrel.
I couldn’t bear the thought of her blaming herself for my supposed failings.
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As expected, Mother was furious. So much so that I wondered if this was the same gentle, kind woman I knew.
But her anger was justified.
Her child, a bastard son treated differently from his legitimate siblings, had just been told by his own father to sacrifice himself for the family’s reputation, simply because he lacked the “right” talents.
How could she not be angry?
She wanted to storm into the Duke’s office that very instant.
Of course, I had to stop her. If she did something like that, I’d be the one worrying about her safety.
“Jenison… this is wrong. Even if you are a bastard, you don’t deserve to be treated like this…”
“I’m really alright, Mother.”
“Jenison… please…”
It pained me to see her cry. She already carried the burden of being a commoner; I couldn’t bear the thought of her blaming herself for this as well.
“Jenison, won’t you reconsider?”
“…”
“Jenisooooon…!!”
After hearing my story, Mother nearly fainted several times. Even after I calmed her down, she continued to look at me with worry in her eyes.
She knew the dangers of public perception. She herself had been the subject of gossip because of her commoner background.
I knew this order was unjust, but what could I do? He was the Duke of one of the most powerful families in the empire.
If I were my older self, I might have put up a fight, but this young, weak body wasn’t capable of it.
I’d neglected physical training, assuming a comfortable life awaited me simply because I was born into the Duke’s household.
It was my own carelessness, so I had no one to blame but myself.
‘Well, I can start training now.’
The question was, how would I play the part of a scoundrel?
“Young Master!!”
“…?”
Startled by the shout, I turned to see Ella running towards me. She looked… angry?
“Young Master! I heard everything from Madam!”
“…Ah.”
“This is outrageous! You do have talent! You have two symbols!”
If I let her continue, she might actually confront the Duke. I had to calm her down somehow.
It took two sets of pastries before she finally settled down a bit.
“I’m really fine, so don’t worry, Ella.”
“…I don’t care. I’m going back inside.”
She turned away with a huff, clearly still upset.
But I was grateful. Grateful that she cared.
‘If I’m grateful, I should protect her.’
Yes, protect her. Like Mother, she was someone I desperately wanted to protect.
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The following year, when I turned eleven, I entered the academy.
With the Duke’s secret order to act like a scoundrel.
‘This is easy?’
Playing the part was simpler than I’d anticipated.
All I had to do was gather a group of followers from among the third-rate nobles who flocked to me, hoping to benefit from my family name.
I chose only those with poor character and questionable behavior.
“Master Jenison!!”
“Hee hee, Master Jenison, over here…”
It was ridiculously easy. Most of them were snot-nosed brats who acted entitled because of their backgrounds. And mine was the most powerful of them all. It was only natural that they’d follow my lead.
However, there was one thing I couldn’t bring myself to do, bully others.
I’d killed without remorse, I’d witnessed and inflicted agonizing torture.
But deliberately harming children, children younger than myself, was something I couldn’t stomach.
Especially since these weren’t strangers, these were people I’d be seeing every day.
I had to find a way to avoid bullying anyone, and after a few minutes of thought, a solution came to mind.
‘I’ll hire them.’
I’d create fake “jobs.”
The academy charged tuition by semester. As the empire’s most prestigious educational institution, its curriculum was unparalleled, but the cost was exorbitant. Almost impossible for commoners to afford.
Yet, countless commoners applied every year, hoping to elevate their families. An academy diploma was a ticket to any job they desired.
But there had to be students struggling with the high tuition fees. I just had to find them and make an offer.
‘I’ll pay your tuition if you let me “bully” you.’
It sounded insane, but if you thought about it, it wasn’t a bad deal.
As I said, even nobles balked at the academy’s tuition fees. The burden on commoners must have been unimaginable.
And that burden would fall squarely on the shoulders of commoner students.
But what if they accepted my offer?
In exchange for enduring some light harassment, I’d cover all their expenses.
I wouldn’t be truly cruel, and they’d receive a substantial sum of money for enduring a few uncomfortable moments each day.
Of course, it wouldn’t be pleasant, but it would ease their financial strain and allow them to support their families.
Someone would be tempted, right?
‘I’ll start looking…’
So I began my search for commoner students struggling with tuition.
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I was surprised when I found a suitable candidate so quickly.
Lianna, a commoner student my age, starting at the academy this year.
She had blue hair and emerald eyes. Her long, flowing hair was soft and lustrous, but the patches on her academy uniform hinted at her family’s financial struggles.
Her beauty had attracted attention at the beginning of the school year, but once her commoner status became known, most people lost interest. Now she endured the scornful glances of a few noble ladies.
She was perfect.
Her impoverished background likely burdened her with the responsibility of lifting her family out of poverty. She probably couldn’t tell her parents about the bullying she faced at the academy. She had to succeed, to graduate.
The more I observed her, the more ideal she seemed. She was exactly what I needed.
“E… Excuse me… what do you want…?”
She seemed afraid of me, but I didn’t let it bother me. I’d caused enough trouble since entering the academy that my reputation was already in tatters. It was natural for her to be scared, even if I had no ill intentions.
“I apologize for startling you. I know it was sudden.”
“Oh… it’s okay…”
“I called you here because I have a favor to ask.”
“A favor…?”
I explained everything: why I had to act like a scoundrel, and the compensation she would receive if she agreed to help.
“So, do you understand everything?”
“Y… Yes…”
“Then I’d like to hear your answer.”
She considered my offer for a long moment.
It was understandable. The terms were too good to be true.
By accepting, she could ease her family’s financial burden and reduce the pressure she felt to succeed.
She could even use the extra money to improve her living situation and focus on her studies, bringing her closer to her goals.
“H… How can I trust you…?”
Finally, words that hinted at acceptance escaped her lips, and I didn’t miss them.
“I swear on my family name. You know what a family oath means, don’t you?”
Her jaw dropped, and she stammered,
“Y… Yes?”
Her reaction was understandable.
Among nobles, a family oath carried immense weight.
For nobles who lived and died by their honor, to swear on their family name?
Even a child would understand the significance.
Everyone knew the consequences of breaking a family oath. Rumors would spread like wildfire throughout high society.
Even families of lower rank would look down on the oathbreaker as dishonorable.
And if their own family found out, they’d be disowned, stripped of their name and all support.
“Y… You’d do that for a commoner like me…?”
“Yes. Is there a problem?”
But I didn’t care.
I had no intention of breaking my oath.
If I didn’t do this, I’d be forced to target and torment innocent people. This way, everyone benefited.
“No! I… I’ll do it!!”
As expected, she gratefully accepted my offer.
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Good.
Everything was going according to plan.
The agreement was in place, and things progressed smoothly. I focused my “bullying” solely on her, ignoring everyone else. My reputation in high society plummeted.
Of course, I wasn’t truly cruel. I’d intervene if my followers went too far, apologizing to her later in private. When her uniform was stolen, I bought her a new one from a high-end shop. I even gave her a small allowance so she could enjoy herself.
Of course, no one knew about these actions, so my reputation continued to decline.
The initial looks of admiration and expectation were quickly replaced with disgust and contempt.
I wasn’t immune to their judgment, but I was used to such treatment. And the thought of endangering my mother if I failed kept me in line.
But I couldn’t shake the fear. My position within the family was precarious. I was a burden, easily discarded.
What if the Duke changed his mind and cast me aside?
I’d be defenseless.
I had no one to support me, no one to protect me.
‘So… I have to stay out of trouble as much as possible.’
Ironically, that became my primary goal during my academy years.
Not for myself, but to protect my mother.
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Time passed, and six years after I entered the academy, when I turned seventeen, my mother passed away.
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