The twentieth day of the month had arrived. I was in the Student Council meeting room, discussing preparations for the survival examination that would be held at the beginning of next month.
"There will be four Instructors and five Master Mages leading the survival examination. Our responsibility as the Student Council is to prepare everything necessary to ensure the event runs smoothly," the President explained, outlining the matters we would be discussing today.
The examination would take place in three different locations.
The first was an uninhabited island. The second was a desert located in the western region of the Empire. And the final location was the Monster Forest in the northern region of the Empire.
The entire event would last approximately one month. Afterward, the students would take their final examinations before participating in an end-of-year tournament that would serve as the conclusion to all their classes and activities for the year.
"Senior Ian, how are the arrangements for transporting the students to each location?" President Elena asked a third-year student.
"I've already contacted a horse-drawn carriage transportation service, President," Senior Ian replied while reading from a sheet of paper. "They will take the students to Murcia City, where they will board a Caravel from the harbor and sail toward Mykonos Island."
Hearing Senior Ian's answer, the President nodded in satisfaction. She then turned her attention toward me.
"Raul, how are the security preparations for the journey? Didn't several of your members leave the committee previously?"
"I've recruited replacements for those who left. I don't think security will be a problem," I answered confidently.
"I have my doubts about that, President," Senior Ian said, staring sharply at me. "Most of the members you've recruited are problematic students. Some of them are even facing expulsion."
Hearing Senior Ian's objection, the President looked at me as if asking, How are you going to answer that?
"That won't be a problem," I said, meeting Senior Ian's gaze. "A flock of sheep led by a lion is far more dangerous than a pride of lions led by a sheep."
Hearing my words, Senior Ian furrowed his brow, clearly offended.
My analogy had practically criticized the leadership of the previous Discipline Committee.
"All right. I'll entrust this matter to you, Raul," the President said, bringing the discussion to an end.
.
.
.
After we finished discussing the upcoming examination, I hurried toward the Academy's student package reception building.
My father's reply should have arrived today. I wanted to meet him to discuss the matter of which candidate our family would support in the Imperial succession.
When I arrived, I entered the building and approached the clerk stationed at the reception desk.
"Is there a package or letter addressed to Raul de Garcia?" I asked while handing the clerk my student card.
"I'll check. Please wait here."
There was a special Rune embedded in every Academy student card to prevent it from being forged by someone else.
A Rune was a magical letter used to create a magical formula that could be stored within an object. This allowed the object to possess magical abilities according to the formula embedded within it.
Objects containing magical formulas were called artifacts. The more complicated the magical formula within an artifact, the rarer its classification would be.
The Masquerade Mask I had previously used when rescuing Ariel was an S-Class Artifact.
The clerk soon returned carrying an envelope.
"You received a letter that arrived yesterday afternoon," the clerk said as he handed me the letter and my student card.
The letter bore a seal depicting a snake coiled around a sword. It was the emblem of House Garcia, indicating that my father had sent the letter.
I opened it and read its contents.
I will be in the capital tomorrow. Come to the family mansion on the western side of the capital.
He's already here?
In that case, I need to hurry.
I immediately left the Academy grounds and stopped one of the horse-drawn carriages passing in front of the main gate.
The carriage driver opened the door and allowed me inside.
"How may I assist you, Young Master?" the driver asked.
"To House Garcia's mansion in the Noble District."
After telling him my destination, the driver cracked his whip, and the carriage began moving forward.
Many nobles, particularly Dukes, owned residences in the Imperial Capital. This was not because the Imperial Family refused to provide them with accommodations in the palace. Rather, they preferred to stay in their own residences unless they were summoned directly by the Emperor.
After approximately twenty minutes of travel, the carriage finally arrived at the main gate of the Garcia family mansion in the capital.
I stepped down from the carriage, handed the driver a gold coin, and told him to keep the change.
I then approached the gatekeeper.
"Young Master? It's unusual for you to visit. Is there something you need?" the guard asked upon recognizing Raul.
"Is my father here?"
"Yes, Young Master. Duke Alvaro arrived last night," the gatekeeper replied. "He'll be leaving for the Imperial Palace shortly."
Hearing this, I ordered the gates to be opened and entered the mansion grounds.
There, I was greeted by an elderly man wearing a butler's uniform.
If I remember correctly... his name is Alfred, isn't it?
He was Duke Alvaro's trusted servant.
"Young Master, would you like to see your father?" Alfred asked, bowing respectfully to his young master.
"You're right. Where is my father now?"
"Please follow me, Young Master."
Alfred began walking toward a grand staircase. I followed behind him.
This mansion had been a gift from Emperor Philip to Duke Alvaro as congratulations for marrying Raul's mother, Milenia von Wihelbach—a noble princess from the Kingdom of Weimar.
Their marriage had been part of an agreement between the Empire and the Kingdom to end the conflict between the two nations twenty years ago.
We eventually arrived in front of a room.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
"Master, the Young Master wishes to see you," Alfred said, asking permission to enter.
"Come in."
A calm voice answered from inside the room.
Alfred opened the door and gestured for me to enter.
Inside, a middle-aged man was sitting behind his desk.
Black hair as dark as the night. Black eyes with a sharp gaze like a serpent ready to strike. An elegant aura that unmistakably reflected his status as one of the Empire's most powerful nobles.
He was Duke Alvaro de Garcia—Raul's father.
He was better known in this world by his title:
The Abyss Serpent.
In the game, he was the main antagonist of Chapter Five. Duke Alvaro would cooperate with the Demon Race to open a massive portal between the two worlds.
"What is it that you wish to discuss with me?" Duke Alvaro asked calmly.
"It's regarding the Imperial succession, Father."
Hearing my words, Duke Alvaro's eyebrows furrowed slightly. He then glanced at Alfred, signaling for him to leave the two of us alone.
Alfred bowed his head before leaving the room and closing the door behind him.
"I read your letter. Why do you wish to support Primcess Elena when she is the weakest candidate among the members of the Imperial Family?" Duke Alvaro asked, staring directly into my eyes.
He genuinely wanted to know the reason behind my decision.
But I couldn't exactly tell him that I knew the future scenario of this world, could I?
House Garcia planned to support Prince Felix as the next Emperor. His faction was the largest among all the Imperial candidates.
However, in Chapter Four, Prince Felix would be assassinated by a character named Judas. His death would cause the nobles within his faction to collapse, and Prince Ramon would take advantage of the chaos to crush the nobles supporting Prince Felix who refused to transfer their allegiance to him.
"I believe in her," I answered simply.
Hearing this, Duke Alvaro's expression changed.
He looked at me as though I were an idiot.
"That's it? Simply because you believe in her?" he asked.
"You do understand that the moment we pledge our support to one of the candidates, the nobles belonging to the other factions will attempt to weaken and isolate our power?"
Duke Alvaro then slowly rose from his chair.
"They will halt their economic cooperation with us and obstruct every attempt we make to expand our influence throughout the Empire."
Duke Alvaro was now standing directly in front of me.
A black Mana Aura emerged from his body, making it difficult for me to breathe. Fear spread throughout my entire body.
"And despite knowing all those risks, you answer me with nothing more than a foolish sentiment."
Duke Alvaro's voice became colder.
"Everything you're worried about is completely irrelevant, Father..." I struggled to speak under the immense pressure.
"I will destroy anyone who stands in my way."
"Whether they are nobles, the Emperor, or even the God that create this world!"
I stared directly into his eyes as I said those words.
Yes...
I am the God who created this world.
The path of this life should have moved according to my will.
If there is anyone who wishes to deny that and stand in my way, I will destroy them.
Including you, Alvaro de Garcia.
Hearing my words, Duke Alvaro's expression began to change.
He smiled.
Then, he took a single step closer to me.
"Who are you, intruder?"
His eyes narrowed.
"You are not Raul, my son—the child born to my late wife, Milenia."
His words left me utterly stunned.
My heart began beating faster than usual.
Could it be...
Does Duke Alvaro know who I really am?