**Chapter 48: The Ebern Couple in a Frenzy III**
The results of the entrance examination for the Royal Academy had been announced. The eldest son of the Viscount Ebern House, Cedric Ebern, had failed.
“This is unacceptable! There must be some mistake!”
“My son is the greatest genius of our time! How could he possibly fail an entrance exam?!”
“……”
Upon hearing the news of his failure, Cedric’s parents, Lucas and Lisa, erupted into a frenzy, their voices piercing the air. Meanwhile, Cedric sat nearby, pale as a condemned criminal awaiting execution.
“Don’t worry, Cedric! Father and I will protest to the academy right away!”
“Indeed! How dare the mere instructors of the academy insult my son! We must take decisive action!”
With such fervor, the Ebern couple set off in their carriage towards the Royal Academy. Cedric trembled as he watched his parents depart.
“……”
“……”
The couple returned home in the evening, their shoulders slumped and spirits crushed. Observing their despondent figures, many of the servants instinctively distanced themselves, sensing the storm brewing.
“Father, Mother… how did it go?”
“You fool!”
“……!?”
As Cedric cautiously approached the entrance to inquire, Lucas struck him across the face. Cedric fell to the floor, staring up at his father in shock.
“Your written exam score was a mere 40 points!? And on top of that, you used a low-power area spell during the practical exam, defying the exam proctor and getting points deducted!? What a disgrace you have brought upon us!”
“Ah, ah…”
Cedric rubbed his bruised cheek, dazed and gasping. The shock of his father knowing everything was overwhelming, but more than that, it was the first time he had ever been struck by his father that left him reeling. Cedric had always been hailed as a genius since childhood, pampered by his parents. Even when he had once endangered the daughters of the House of Marquis Rosemary, he had never faced such punishment.
“I am disappointed in you… I believed in you, yet you produced such a shameful result…”
“Ah, dear…”
Lisa clung to her husband.
“W-What will happen to Cedric now? He’s not going to end up like that failure, is he?”
“Mother…”
“I refuse! I will not become the mother of a failure like that maid! I am to be a viscountess! Cedric was supposed to make that happen for me…!”
Lisa did not seem to care for Cedric himself. Rather, it appeared she was more concerned about her own status. Lucas, gripped by anger, tore at his hair and spat out his words.
“…The exam is not just this year. He can retake it next year.”
“W-Well then…”
“However, the standards for the second attempt will be set higher than usual. No matter how well he performs in the practical exam, if his written score is low, he will be mercilessly rejected.”
“Th-That can’t be…!”
“Even if he were to pass, he would be labeled as a ‘retake pass.’ Nobles value honor, so he would inevitably be looked down upon. He wouldn’t even be in the same year as the daughters of the House of Marquis Rosemary… My plans will be ruined!”
“It’s not my fault!? I didn’t give birth to a failure like that maid!”
Lisa shouted, pointing an accusatory finger at the stunned Cedric.
“The reason he failed is because of your poor education, dear! I bear no responsibility!”
“Fool! You were the one who said, ‘Cedric is talented, so he doesn’t need to study too hard,’ allowing him to frolic about!”
“B-But you called Cedric a genius too, didn’t you!? You, a Court Magician, said so, and that made me feel at ease! Don’t blame me!”
“Damn it! If Cedric cannot become a Court Magician, my plans for him to become a true noble will be…! Perhaps we should adopt a talented child from elsewhere…!”
“N-No… please don’t abandon me! Father, Mother!”
Cedric clung to them, but another round of angry voices erupted. The argument between parent and child continued late into the night, and the servants, wishing to avoid the storm, kept their distance.
In the end, Cedric was ordered to absolutely pass the exam next year and was locked in his room to study.
“Damn it… damn it, damn it, damn it! This is all that bastard’s fault!”
Bound to his desk, Cedric let out a cry of resentment.
“Everything was going well when he was in the mansion… Rest! The next time I see you, I swear I’ll kill you!”
The Ebern family, who were supposed to be on the path to glory, found their happiness shattered as if they had fallen into a pitfall. Perhaps their once-happy life had been sustained by the sacrifice of Rest.
A week later, a messenger from the House of Marquis Rosemary would be sent to the Ebern family.