**Chapter 78: Prince Rodel’s Frenzy I**
The life of Rodel Aiwood, the third prince of the Aiwood Kingdom, began adorned with blessings. His father was the king of the Aiwood Kingdom, and his mother, though a royal consort, was a princess from the friendly Geisel Empire. Born of a chosen lineage, Rodel was a thoroughbred, a bridge between the two nations, and had lived without a care, favored by the reigning power, the Queen Dowager. He was overflowing with magical talent, to the point where he believed it a shame that he was merely the third prince.
“Damn it… me, under house arrest? How dare a mere teacher from the academy treat me like this…!”
Yet, Rodel now found himself under house arrest in the detached palace. The incident that led to this punishment was his attempt to make advances on a certain female student.
This girl was the fiancée of one of his classmates. During lunch break, she had come to the classroom of the Magic Department Year 1 Class D to meet her fiancé, only to catch Rodel’s eye. While she was not particularly flashy, she possessed a simple, delicate charm. Though she was not worthy of being Rodel’s bride, she was just the right kind of plaything for him to toy with.
Thus, he called out to her. He ordered her to spend her lunch break with him, to entertain him as he pleased.
However, for some reason, the classmate, her fiancé, became furious. He tried to stop Rodel’s actions and even grabbed him by the arm. Rodel did not know the boy’s name, but he remembered that he was the son of a low-ranking noble. Even though he was a noble, it was unacceptable for such a lowly person to lay hands on him. He had to be punished. So, Rodel burned him with fire magic. The fact that he spared the boy’s life was a mercy on his part.
(And yet… why must I be the one to face punishment?! I am Rodel Aiwood, favored by the great Queen Dowager!?)
“Damn it!”
Rodel slammed his fist on the table. A maid standing in the corner of the room flinched, but he paid her no mind.
It was utterly humiliating to be punished by a mere academy teacher. To make matters worse, he had been sternly reprimanded not only by his father, the king, but also by his elder brother. This only served to further irritate Rodel.
(I can understand my father’s reaction; he is the king. But I cannot tolerate being looked down upon by my elder brother, who is merely the firstborn…!)
Rodel had two older brothers, but he had never considered them superior. Their mother was a duchess, while his own mother was a princess from a neighboring country. In terms of bloodline, Rodel was superior. He was meant to be the next king, not his brothers, who had no talent whatsoever.
(After all, they are just the sons of a duchess. Neither possesses any significant magical talent. They may be somewhat competent in governance and martial arts, but… such things are the work of vassals! They are not the talents required of a ruler!)
Rodel clenched his fists and slammed the table once more.
He reminded himself within his heart that he would eventually turn the tables… He would push aside his elder brother, who falsely claimed the title of crown prince, and reclaim his rightful position. He was the one truly deserving of being the next king. Surely, those around him thought the same.
“Your Highness Rodel, Marquis Eiger has arrived.”
A familiar butler knocked on the door and entered. Rodel did not remember the names of his servants, but he recognized the butler as a capable man who also served the Queen Dowager.
“Forgive my intrusion… Your Highness, it has been a while.”
The man who appeared was one of Rodel’s supporters, a long-serving minister of the kingdom… Marquis Eiger. The elderly man, already over sixty, entered the room leaning on a cane.
“You’ve come, Eiger.”
“Yes… I heard that you were placed under house arrest by the academy, and I could not sit idly by. How foolish of the academy’s teachers to disregard Your Highness, the heir to the great Queen Dowager…!”
Eiger shook his head in lament, and Rodel nodded in agreement.
“The academy is utterly incompetent! They seem to have no idea who should rule this country… Once I assume my rightful position, I will implement reforms!”
“I shall support you until that time… I will speak to the academy and urge them to lift your punishment as soon as possible.”
“Ah, I appreciate it.”
Eiger was not only a marquis but also one of the directors involved in the academy’s administration. While the teachers had basic discretion, he was an influential figure who could not be ignored.
“Also… investigate the person who restrained me.”
“Restrained you, Your Highness…? Was it one of the teachers?”
“No… there was a cowardly individual who ambushed me using Smoke Screen. I could not see his face, but he was strong enough to knock me unconscious. He must be a high-ranking noble.”
Rodel was furious not only about the punishment he received but also about being knocked unconscious by someone. The person who had used the cowardly tactic of Smoke Screen had dared to bring him to his knees and render him unconscious with magic.
(This is an affront against the one with the most noble blood in the kingdom… It is utterly unforgivable! I will find him and have him executed along with his family…!)
“Understood. I will look into it.”
“Count on you.”
Rodel seethed with intense hatred in his heart and issued his command with a scowl.
No matter how many punishments he received, Rodel would never reflect on his actions. This was because he believed himself to be the most noble and righteous being of all.
However, Rodel was unaware that the Marquis Eiger, who bowed respectfully before him, was loyal not to him but to the Queen Dowager. Not just Eiger, but most of those who pledged loyalty to Rodel were looking at the Queen Dowager standing behind him, not at Rodel himself.
It would be some time before Rodel realized that he was merely a fox borrowing the tiger’s authority.
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