Chapter 3

The next day, a test to determine whether I should be expelled was to be held. This test was to verify whether I was worthy of staying with the Estarc family.

To put it simply, if I had magical power, I would be allowed to stay and continue being supported. If I lacked magical power, I would be given money and sent away.

This method, it seems, was a tradition that had been passed down through the Estarc family for generations.

Despite being a prestigious family, the Estarcs occasionally produced underachieving children, and each time, they would hold such an event to decide on expulsion.

Apparently, about five people have been expelled in the past through this test. I wondered if I would be the sixth as I headed to the training ground in Estarc Castle, where familiar faces had gathered.

There was my eldest brother, Frodo, who still had that cold look in his eyes, his face as if carved from ice.

My second brother, Marcus, was as foolish as ever, sitting in the VIP seats with a sense of entitlement.

My stepmother, Minerva, still looked at me as if I were a bug. Incidentally, my father was absent; he had been summoned by the king and was staying in the capital.

This was my beautiful family, but there were also other distinguished guests from the Estarc family and its nobles. They were obligated to attend due to the traditional nature of the event, and they were also curious.

They seemed very interested in how the incompetent Rihito would be expelled.

While it was frustrating to meet their expectations, "expulsion" was actually what I wanted, so I decided to get it over with quickly.

I approached the center of the training ground and asked the magician there what I needed to do. He pointed to the target in the center and ordered me to cast the "Fireball" spell.

"Fireball, huh..."

It was the most basic of spells. Even a child in the Estarc family could use it.

However, I was the incompetent Rihito and couldn't produce flames. When I explained this, the magician, looking troubled, approached the target and said that even a "Ignite" spell would be acceptable.

"Ignite" was a simple spell that produced a small flame, like a spark. It was a very basic spell, and even a common farmer might learn it for lighting a fire.

I moved close enough to touch the target and cast the "Ignite" spell. A weak flame barely reached the target.

Of course, this level of fire wasn't enough to ignite the target, but it seemed that the magic power could still be measured.

The target, connected to an ancient magical artifact, displayed my magic power value.

"Rihito Estarc: Magic Power Value: 11"

As soon as this number was announced, laughter broke out. The number 11 was quite low, to the point where some said, "Even the stable boy is better."

Well, I couldn't help it. I was about to turn and leave, but someone stopped me.

"Hey, wait. Are you just going to run away without a word? What about your bark? The audience is expecting something."

I recognized that nasty voice. It was my second brother, Marcus.

"…Brother Marcus, it's been a while."

"I don't remember being your brother. Call me Lord Marcus."

"…Lord Marcus, is there something you need?"

"Just thought I should point out that you don't seem ashamed of that ridiculous number, 11."

"Is 11 really that low?"

"Too low. You're a disgrace to the Estarc name."

"I'm sorry."

Perhaps because I didn't seem very apologetic, Marcus seemed irritated.

"I'll show you an example!" Marcus stood next to me and began chanting a spell.

"Flames of crimson, defy the laws of nature!"

A large fireball appeared at the tip of Marcus's right hand and shot straight at the target. The target burst into flames, and the measurement device's counter spun wildly, displaying a number.

Marcus's magic power value was:

"332"

The audience cheered.

"Wow! Amazing! As expected of someone from the Estarc family."

Indeed, 332 was an impressive number.

An average magician would be considered good with a magic power value of 200, so Marcus could be considered an excellent magician. But that didn't matter to me.

My goal was to be expelled as quickly as possible. I didn't want to flatter or beg my second brother, or any of the family. I just wanted to leave quietly.

I ignored Marcus's boastful remarks, thinking he found it boring without a reaction. He released me and said,

"Hmph, boring. Go wherever you like, bastard."

I was about to turn and leave when someone stopped me.

"Wait!"

A graceful and elegant voice echoed through the training ground.

My sister's voice was noteworthy. It would carry well on a battlefield. It was a shame she was born a girl. I turned to look at my sister, Elen, who was holding an old book.

She opened it and said,

"Ladies and gentlemen, please wait a moment before expelling my brother Rihito."

"What, Elen, are you defending this incompetent again?"

Marcus said, exasperated.

"Lord Marcus, while it's true that Lord Rihito's magic power value is low, he is an unparalleled swordsman. It would be unfair not to consider his skills as a swordsman."

"What? An unparalleled swordsman?"

He looked at me in disbelief.

"Yes, Lord Marcus. Lord Rihito's swordsmanship is divine. He can be a great asset to the Estarc family as a swordsman, even without magic. —His martial prowess far surpasses yours."

Elen deliberately added the last part.

She calculated that the proud Marcus would react strongly. As expected, his face turned red as he shouted,

"Elen! Are you mocking me!"

"I would never mock you. I'm just stating the facts."

"Are you still going to say that? You brat! I'll tell Father when he returns."

"Well, that's scary. But what do you think Father will say when he learns that Lord Rihito was expelled without a proper trial?"

"A proper trial?"

Got him! Elen thought as she opened the old book.

"Estarc Family Code, Article 22, Amendment 3, written in the Holy Year 681. The expulsion trial of the Estarc family is conducted by measuring magic power, but if the person to be expelled wishes, they can choose a 'duel.' In that case, the witness has the right to select the duelist."

Marcus snatched the ancient document from his sister, muttered "damn," and threw the book to the ground. Minerva asked, "Is that true, Marcus?" and Marcus replied, "It's true, Mother." Minerva frowned, but Marcus, to reassure his mother, declared,

"Well, it's fine. We are nobles who respect tradition. We will follow the teachings of our ancestors. The point is, if I defeat this insolent bastard in a duel, the expulsion will be justified."

Marcus glared at me.

I didn't want to duel and just wanted to be expelled, but Elen stopped me. She came to my side and declared,

"Lord Rihito says, 'If you're not afraid, accept the duel! If you do, I'll spare your life out of respect for your courage.'"

"What, what did you say, you—!"

Marcus, with zero resistance to provocation and the intelligence of a pig, flew into a rage.

I was about to complain to Elen, but she said softly with a sad expression,

"…If I were separated from Lord Rihito, I would die of loneliness."

With that expression and those words, I couldn't argue as a brother. Besides, the atmosphere in the venue was already set for a duel. It seemed there was no avoiding it.

"…Fine, I have no choice."

I reluctantly accepted the duel, and Marcus, bristling, accepted it.

Thus, the duel between me and my second brother, Marcus, was set. It was to take place in the afternoon, after lunch.

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