**Chapter 50: A Taste of Revenge for My Parents**
Rest was led by his father, Lucas Ebern, into the reception room of the Viscount Ebern House.
As they walked down the corridor of the mansion, the lady of the house, who had belatedly realized Rest’s identity, let out a shrill scream, only to be restrained by the butler. Ignoring the commotion, Rest took a seat on the sofa, facing the man he once called father.
“…It’s been a while, Viscount Ebern. Or should I call you ‘Father’ instead?”
“…………”
Rest’s teasing tone deepened the furrows on Lucas’s brow. In the past, he would have been met with shouts, scolding, or even blows. But today, Rest was an envoy from the House of Marquis Rosemary. If Lucas were to resort to violence against Rest, who was representing the Marquis, he could very well lose his head.
“To think… you are the envoy of Marquis Rosemary. It seems you’ve been climbing the ranks quite well…”
“You seem unchanged as well… Oh, wait. I don’t see Cedric around. Where is he today?”
“That, um…”
“I’d like to see him again. Is he not home?”
“…………”
Lucas fell silent. Rest chuckled softly, realizing his question had been rather 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, that aside… I’ve come to report to you today, Viscount Ebern.”
“…Let’s hear it.”
“First, a light report. I recently passed the entrance exam for the Royal Academy. I will be enrolling as a new student next year.”
“Huh!?”
“That’s a lie!”
Lucas’s voice cracked, while Lisa, who had been restrained in the corner by the butler, let out a shrill, glass-scratching scream.
“Impossible… No, I haven’t heard that you were even taking the exam…!”
He had inadvertently referred to Rest as “you,” but Rest chose to overlook it and continued.
“Since I’m entering as a commoner, my guardianship has been transferred to Marquis Rosemary, so there’s no need for a report, is there?”
“Ugh… That may be true, but a report as parent and child…”
“Parent and child?”
Rest narrowed his eyes slightly, twisting his lips into a sardonic smile.
“Parent and child? Did a relationship as parent and child ever exist between us?”
After his mother passed away, he had been taken in by the Viscount Ebern House, but any semblance of a familial bond had ended there. He had lived in the stables and endured the humiliation of being fed like a dog. Did they really think that any feelings of kinship could exist between them now?
“Ugh…”
“That’s impossible… After all, Cedric failed, didn’t he? Yet, a worthless child born from a lowly maid passes? …This must be a mistake; such a thing shouldn’t be possible!”
“Silence! Lisa! If you’re going to make a fuss, go outside!”
Lucas shouted at his wife, who was spewing insults. If Lisa remained in the room, she might utter even more damaging words. He ordered the butler to take her outside.
“By the way, my major will be in the Magic Department.”
However, Rest dropped another bombshell, causing the Ebern couple to explode once more.
“The Magic Department, you say…!”
“That’s impossible!”
Lisa, who was being dragged out, immediately raised her voice.
“Why!? How could a filthy, worthless brat pass the exam for the Magic Department, which Cedric failed!? This is wrong; it shouldn’t be happening!”
“I said be quiet! This is the envoy of Marquis Rosemary! Show some respect!”
Lucas hurriedly admonished his wife, but he was also guilty of referring to Rest as “this.” The impact of Rest’s revelation had clearly shaken them. The urge to see just how far they would spiral into chaos was almost irresistible; they were a pitiful couple.
(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.
“A Quartet!? How could you possibly use such advanced techniques…!”
The simultaneous casting of fire, water, wind, and earth—the four elemental magics. Even a Court Magician would find it difficult to achieve, and Lucas stared in despair, his eyes wide with disbelief.
“You… You were not Magicless…?”
“You measured my magic power when I was just a baby, didn’t you? You should know that magic power increases as one grows.”
“B-but… to increase so dramatically… And to be able to use four magics simultaneously, what talent…”
Lucas muttered in shock for a moment, but then he took a deep breath and faced Rest again.
“Rest… No, I will call you Rest for now.”
“What is it, ‘Father’?”
“…Come back home. Become the heir of the Viscount Ebern House.”
“…………”
“You!?”
Before Rest could react, Lisa screamed. It seemed she was still resisting being taken outside.
(Why doesn’t she just leave…? Or is she trying to be considerate?)
The butler holding Lisa back was someone Rest recognized. Although 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 good character after all.
“What do you mean, ‘Father’? This house should have an exceptionally talented heir.”
“…Cedric failed the entrance exam for the academy. Even if he passes next year, there’s no guarantee he’ll become a Court Magician. But… you could certainly become one.”
“…Well, I think I could.”
“Take over the Viscount Ebern 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 talent, they wanted to flip the script. It was infuriatingly refreshing.
(But… this is Lucas Ebern for you.)
For this man, who had risen through the ranks as a magician, magical talent was everything. If one had magical talent, they would be treated appropriately, even if they were a commoner. Conversely, if they failed to deliver results, even a biological son would be discarded. In a sense, he could be seen as a man of unwavering conviction.
(But… I can’t accept that.)
At the very least, he didn’t want a family like this. The moment he abandoned his mother, the concept of a father had become meaningless to Rest.
“It’s a gracious invitation, but… I must decline. ‘Viscount Ebern.'”
Rest reverted to the formal address, a cold smile gracing his lips.
“Why? This is not a bad deal for you either. You could inherit the title of Viscount!”
“That’s impossible. Because… I’ve already decided which house I will inherit.”
“What? What do you mean by that…?”
“I’m going to be adopted into the House of Marquis Rosemary as a son-in-law. So, I won’t be inheriting this house.”
Rest declared firmly, a cheerful smile on his face.
“This is my second piece of news. I’m set to become the next Marquis, so I have no interest in a title like Viscount.”