Chapter 27

On that day, the Luminary Duke's mansion in the capital was bustling with a large number of nobles. The grand party, organized by the powerful duke's family, had attracted many important figures from across the kingdom, and the grand mansion was filled with the brilliance of a city that never sleeps.

A handsome young man was walking through the crowded mansion.

As soon as the noble guests saw him, their faces lit up with surprise. The young man greeted each of them politely.

"Thank you so much for coming today. I, Arranzia Luminary, will never forget this day."

He smiled and shook hands with the guests.

Arranzia Luminary—25 years old.

With his soft brown hair and a charming smile, he wore the finest attire befitting a high-ranking noble. Every movement he made was refined. Although there was no specific reason given for today's party, everyone knew what it was about.

This was an unveiling.

To announce that Arranzia Luminary would be the next head of the Luminary family.

Of course, Arranzia knew this too.

That's why he was buzzing around like a bee, tirelessly promoting his face and name.

To bring glory to his family—

Or, more accurately, to enhance his own value.

"Hahaha! No, no, Arranzia, you've grown into a fine young man. Graduating at the top of your class, your father must be so proud!"

A ruddy-faced middle-aged nobleman said cheerfully, patting Arranzia's arm. Arranzia made a slightly embarrassed expression.

"Top of the class was just a matter of luck. But if my father is proud, that makes me happy. It's a way to show filial piety."

"What a fine son the Luminary family has!"

At that moment, the middle-aged nobleman seemed to remember something.

"Oh, right. My child attends the Royal Magic Academy."

"Your child is very talented."

"No, no! It's just a coincidence! He's not very good at all!"

After laughing in a way that suggested he wasn't entirely convinced, the middle-aged nobleman continued.

"Recently, a new student was honored at the academy."

"Really?"

Arranzia listened to the story with a smile, but he was bored. He had no interest in magic and wondered why this topic was being brought up to him. Besides, there were still many important people he needed to network with, and he couldn't afford to waste time here.

Just as he was about to cut the conversation short—

"The student's name is Albert."

If Arranzia hadn't consciously controlled his facial muscles, his beautiful face would have twisted in disgust.

Albert.

That name was taboo to Arranzia.

A brother who was incompetent, foolish, and disgraced the family name. The mere fact of their blood relation was horrifying.

"Really?"

Hiding all the emotions swelling inside him, Arranzia continued to smile and responded.

The middle-aged nobleman, in high spirits, continued his story.

"I seem to recall a son named Albert in this family. Could it be...?"

This middle-aged nobleman probably had a vague memory of the Luminary family's lineage, remembering that Arranzia had a brother named 'Albert.'

—I am 25 years old. Albert is my older brother. It's impossible for him to be a new student at the magic academy.

He could have said that, but Arranzia chose a different response.

"There is no one named Albert in the Luminary family. It must be a mistake in your memory."

"Oh, I see, I see. That was rude of me! Getting old is no good!"

With that, the middle-aged nobleman bowed and disappeared somewhere.

Arranzia wasn't lying.

Albert had been expelled from the family. His father had told him not to use the Luminary name.

The Luminary family did not acknowledge the existence of Albert.

Of course—

Even if his father had acknowledged Albert as a member of the Luminary family, Arranzia's words would not have changed.

In Arranzia's mind, Albert was already dead.

Just a stain on the family.

Nothing more than an unacceptable blemish on his otherwise perfect record.

A hopelessly incompetent and talentless man who was inferior to Arranzia in every way.

(Well, there was one thing...)

Albert could use magic without any training.

This fact had irritated young Arranzia. Magic was a special field.

Anyone could learn languages, mathematics, or swordsmanship, but magic had an absolute barrier of talent.

Albert had talent—

And Arranzia did not.

This was an unpleasant fact for Arranzia.

However, it wasn't something to worry about too much.

Because the only magic Albert could use was the basic Magic Arrow.

"Kukukuku..."

Remembering this, Arranzia quickly covered his mouth to hide his laughter.

Even with his talent, Albert could only use the basic Magic Arrow.

He was a truly hopeless and pitiful brother.

In fact, it might have been better for him to have no talent at all.

In the end, he couldn't learn any other magic and fled the academy in disgrace, which led to his father's wrath and his expulsion.

But it was fortunate for Arranzia.

Until that incident, his father seemed to be struggling with the choice of a successor. Despite Arranzia's obvious excellence, his father was fixated on the eldest son, considering the possibility of Albert as the lord and Arranzia as the administrator.

However, the incident at the academy changed everything.

Furiously, his father disowned Albert and officially named Arranzia as the successor.

With his hand still covering his mouth, Arranzia whispered softly.

"Thank you, brother. You were hopelessly incompetent. Thanks to you, I can inherit the ducal family."

That was all.

With those words, Arranzia pushed the memory of Albert from his mind.

Today was his stage to promote his name.

There was no time or thought to spare for a brother like trash.

With the same cheerful smile, Arranzia returned to greeting the guests.

Wearing a mask-like smile, he said,

"Thank you so much for coming today. I, Arranzia Luminary, will never forget this day."