Chapter 50: A Fitting Comeuppance for My Parents
Rest was led by his father, Lucas Evern, into the reception room of the Evern Honorary Viscount House.
As they walked down the corridor of the mansion, the lady of the house, realizing Rest’s true identity a moment too late, let out a shrill scream, only to be restrained by the butler. Ignoring the commotion, Rest continued on his way.
He took a seat on the sofa in the reception room, facing the man he once called father.
“…It’s been a while, Honorary Viscount Evern. Or should I call you ‘Father’ instead?”
“…”
Rest’s mocking tone caused Lucas to furrow his brow deeply. In the past, he would have either been shouted at, scolded, or even struck. However, today, Rest was the envoy from the Rosemary Marquis House. If Lucas dared to lay a hand on him, he would risk losing his head.
“Who would have thought… that you would be the envoy of Marquis Rosemary. It seems you’ve been climbing the ranks quite well…”
“It appears you haven’t changed much either… Oh, wait. I don’t see Cedric around. Where is he today?”
“Th-that is…”
“I’d like to see him again. Is he not home?”
“…”
Lucas fell silent. Rest chuckled softly, realizing his question might have been a bit cruel. He had heard from Marquis Rosemary that Cedric had failed the entrance exam for the Royal Academy. It was likely that he was confined to his room, studying for next year’s exam.
“Well, never mind that. I actually came to report something to you today, Honorary Viscount Evern.”
“…I’m listening.”
“First, a light report. I recently passed the entrance exam for the Royal Academy. I will be enrolling as a new student next year.”
“Ha!? No way!”
“Lies!”
Lucas’s voice cracked, and Liza, who had been held back in the corner by the butler, let out a shrill cry that sounded like glass being scratched.
“Impossible… No, I haven’t heard anything about you taking the exam…!”
He had inadvertently referred to Rest as “you,” but Rest chose to overlook it and continued.
“Since I’m enrolling through the Commoner Slot, it’s not necessary to report to you. My guardianship has been transferred to Marquis Rosemary, after all.”
“Ugh… that may be true, but as a parent, I should be informed…”
“As a parent?”
Rest narrowed his eyes slightly, twisting his lips into a sardonic smile.
“As a parent? Did a parent-child relationship ever exist between you and me?”
After his mother passed away, he had been taken in by the Evern Honorary Viscount House, but any semblance of a parent-child bond had ended there. He had lived in the stable, subjected to the humiliation of eating like a dog. Did they really think that any feelings of familial affection could still exist between them now?
“Ugh…”
“That’s impossible… After all, Cedric failed, didn’t he? And yet, a worthless child born from a lowly maid passes? How can this be…?”
“Silence! Liza! If you’re going to make a scene, then go outside!”
Lucas shouted at his wife, fearing that her presence would lead to further indiscretions. He ordered the butler to take her outside.
“By the way, I’ll be studying in the Magic Department.”
However, Rest dropped another bombshell, causing the Evern couple to explode once more.
“The Magic Department, you say…!”
“Impossible!”
Liza, who was being dragged outside, immediately raised her voice.
“Why!? How could a filthy child like you pass the exam for the Magic Department, the same one that Cedric failed!? This can’t be right; it shouldn’t be happening!”
“Didn’t I tell you to be quiet!? This is the envoy of Marquis Rosemary! Cease your rudeness!”
Lucas hurriedly admonished his wife, but he was also guilty of referring to Rest as “this.” It seemed that Rest’s revelation had struck a nerve. The couple was so pitifully flustered that Rest felt a surge of curiosity about just how far they would unravel.
(This is getting fun… I didn’t realize I could be this cruel…)
“It’s the truth. You can see for yourself, can’t you?”
Rest raised his index finger. Above his head, four spheres of red, blue, yellow, and green floated in the air.
“A Quartet!? How could you possibly master such advanced techniques…!”
The simultaneous casting of the four elemental magics—fire, water, wind, and earth—was a feat even a court magician would find difficult. Lucas stared in despair, his eyes wide with disbelief.
“You… you were supposed to have No Magical Power…?”
“You measured my magical power when I was just a baby, didn’t you? Surely you know that magical power increases as one grows.”
“B-but… to increase so dramatically… and to be able to use four magics simultaneously… what incredible talent…”
Lucas muttered in shock, but soon took a deep breath and faced Rest again.
“Rest… no, I shall call you Rest for now.”
“What is it, ‘Father’?”
“…Come back home. Become the heir of the Honorary Viscount House.”
“…”
“You!? ”
Before Rest could respond, Liza screamed. It seemed she was still resisting being taken outside.
(Why doesn’t she just leave already…? Or is she trying to be considerate?)
The butler holding Liza back was someone Rest recognized. While they hadn’t spoken much during his time in the mansion, he was one of the few who occasionally shared food with him.
“…”
When their eyes met, the butler winked at Rest. It seemed this man had a decent character after all.
“What do you mean, ‘Father’? This house already has an exceptionally talented heir.”
“…Cedric failed the entrance exam for the academy. Even if he passes next year, there’s no guarantee he will become a court magician. But… you could certainly become one.”
“…Well, I think I could.”
“Become the heir of the Honorary Viscount House. Become a court magician, and elevate this house to a viscountcy. Fulfill my long-held ambition.”
“…”
What a selfish claim. After treating him poorly for so long, now that they realized his potential, they wanted to flip the script. It was infuriatingly refreshing.
(But… this is Lucas Evern for you.)
For this man, who had risen through the ranks as a magician, magical talent was everything. If one had magical talent, even a commoner born as a bastard would be treated accordingly, while a failure, even if his own son, would be discarded. In a way, he was a man of consistent beliefs.
(But… I can’t accept that.)
At the very least, he didn’t want this family. The moment he abandoned his mother, Lucas had ceased to be a father in Rest’s eyes.
“It’s a generous invitation, but… I must decline. ‘Honorary Viscount Evern.’”
Rest reverted to the formal address, a cold smile on his lips.
“Why? This isn’t a bad deal for you either. You could inherit as a viscount!”
“That’s impossible. Because… I already have a family to inherit.”
“What? What do you mean by that…?”
“I’m going to marry into the Rosemary Marquis House. Therefore, I will not inherit this house.”
Rest declared firmly, a cheerful smile gracing his face.
“And that’s my second piece of news. I’m set to become the next marquis, so I have no interest in a viscountcy.”