Derek quietly entered the Main Building and walked towards the dining area for yet another mandatory family breakfast.
It only happened once a week, but it felt suffocating nonetheless.
Unlike before, when he simply ignored the guards and servants, he made sure to observe them with the highest level of scrutiny.
He didn’t want to be caught unawares like last time.
Once he entered the dining hall, he noticed his older sister Melanie seated at the table with another book in front of her.
As usual, he offered her his greetings, and she acknowledged it with a nod.
Then, he sat.
Just like every other mandatory breakfast, they quietly waited for the servants to bring in the food and drinks.
’This is awkward...’ Derek felt a little stranger than usual.
Perhaps it was because of the previous incident, but he reckoned it was likely due to his sister staring at him while they were waiting for their meal.
’She never pays any attention to me. Why is today different?’
Derek’s heart jumped slightly as he quietly wondered what plot she had in store this time around.
He also had another concern.
’Did she notice my Magia Circuit? It’s still incomplete, but maybe she can detect it since she is a Magus?’ His question was bound to be unanswered, as Melanie didn’t say anything throughout.
Only after the servants left the room and it was time to eat did she speak.
"The food isn’t poisoned this time around, so you shouldn’t worry..." Her disconcerted tone felt chilly, but it seemed sincere enough.
Derek didn’t know whether to believe her words or not.
He only nodded slightly and had a bite.
[No toxic substance detected.]
’Whew!’ He sighed in relief and continued eating.
Of course, he had blessed the food in the name of the Goddess before he even took his first bite.
"I apprehended the one who poisoned the food last time and executed her. She seemed to hold a grudge against you in particular, obsessing over the glory of the Lewis Family."
Derek nearly choked on his food, but he managed to escape his predicament by taking in huge gulps of water.
"Duly noted..."
"I have continued my investigation, but no further clues exist. It also seems she was working alone, or whoever sent her is well-hidden and not in this Estate."
"I see."
Derek felt the awkwardness rise in the room as soon as he responded.
The source of this feeling was due to how talkative his sister had become.
He could count the number of times she had spoken to him throughout his life in the Lewis Estate, and this was the first time she was saying so many things at once.
He didn’t know how to react.
’I can’t let myself be fooled, though. It’s possible that she’s doing all of this to cover her tracks.’
He slowly nodded to himself and promptly finished his meal.
It would appear that the rare conversation among siblings was over.
Until—
"Klein and Emma will be returning later this week. I will send servants to inform you on the day of their arrival, so you had better be prepared to warmly welcome them."
’Shit!’ Derek nearly choked again. ’I was so engrossed in developing my Magia Circuits that I completely forgot about those two!’
Due to how quickly the days went, he wrongly assumed that he still had more time.
His two most problematic siblings arriving not only meant his life would be in greater danger, but his plans for the future could easily be disrupted.
’In that case, there’s no need to delay it any longer!’
"I wish to say something, Melanie..."
"What is it?" Her tone was cold and disconcerted, almost like she didn’t welcome any further conversation.
Derek felt a surge of intimidation from her, causing a deeply rooted fear to rise in his chest.
Still, he fought through the terror.
Slowly parting his trembling lips, Derek revealed his thoughts.
"I wish to retake the Confirmation Ritual."
"...."
Melanie said nothing at first.
She simply paused her action of cutting the juicy meat on her plate and stared emptily at the utensils she used before looking at Derek with a narrowed gaze.
This look pierced through his heart, almost forcing him to take back his words.
But he fought against the urge.
He maintained eye contact with his sister, refusing to be overwhelmed by her unmistakable authority.
After a few seconds of this exchange, the older of the two sighed.
"Do as you please," she nonchalantly shrugged and continued her meal.
"T-thank you—"
"There’s no need," Her cold words cut through his stuttering voice. "An Inept’s result won’t change simply due to another Confirmation Ritual. In the rare chance that it does, the results will be even worse than an E Grade talent."
"..." Derek opened his mouth to say something, but ultimately decided against it.
He took his last gulp of water and rose to his feet. After bidding his sister farewell, he excused himself.
Throughout all of this, Melanie didn’t even look at him once.
Her interest had completely died.
’This is good news!’ Derek ignored the pain permeating his chest and focused on the good news. ’Now that I have her permission, the greatest hurdle has been crossed!’
He could now undergo the Confirmation Ritual that would detect his Magia Circuits and Central Path.
By doing so, he would be able to escape his status as Inept.
’I have to do it before those two return to the Estate. Once they arrive, they could get in my way and even sabotage it.’
If all three of his siblings were the culprits, having them in the Estate at the same time tripled his risk of dying at their hands.
Thus, the smartest move was to gain some additional security before that happened.
Passing the Confirmation Ritual would do just that.
[According to what I understand from your memories, those that pass the Confirmation Ritual are viewed as the future of the Magus Household and will be given priority in terms of protection and authority. Your decision to take the Ritual should aid you in securing your life and also gaining access to Magia-related information.]
"Exactly!"
[But your Magia Circuits are still incomplete. Only the channels in your hands and head have fully formed, and they still require time to mature.]
"I know..." Derek sighed, though he didn’t seem worried about the outcome.
"We just have to spend the next few days consistently forming the Circuits until they reach the bare minimum that can be recognized by the Ritual."
[If you wish for that outcome, you will have to stay awake nonstop and concentrate without any rest. Can you handle such a process?]
"By using the [Invigorate] Spell, I can strengthen my weakened body. In addition, you can assist with regeneration in case my body deteriorates."
[I see. As for your mind, I can isolate it in the simulated dream realm, so it doesn’t wear out and cause permanent damage. While this is happening, I could take control of your body and complete the process.]
"Ah... I didn’t even think of that. Thanks for pointing it out."
[It is no problem. I will always seek out the most effective solution to any problem you pose to me, so long as it falls within my area of specialization.]
"I’ll leave it to you, then!"
Derek quietly nodded before walking towards the Internal Affairs Hall to register for his Confirmation Ritual.
.....
"Haa, we’re finally going home after a stressful year."
A brash female voice filled the vast and luxurious interior of a rapidly moving carriage.
It belonged to a short but elegant girl whose innocent face, lustrous white hair, and gem-like ruby eyes didn’t match the broad smile that distorted her countenance.
Beside her was a boy with gray hair and similarly colored eyes.
He chuckled and didn’t say much.
"Coachman, can you hurry it up? I want to surprise everyone by getting home early." The girl shouted while her eyes gleamed with anticipation.
"Why are you so impatient?" Her brother sighed in response. "You’re too excited."
"Aren’t you?"
She whistled loudly before giving a mischievous wink.
"I just know something good is waiting for me when I return."
"Oh? Like what, Emma?"
The young lady, Emma, looked at her older brother and giggled. Her smile grew even broader as she whispered a few terrifying words.
"Who knows? Maybe that annoying brother of ours has finally kicked the bucket."
Klein chuckled in response.
He didn’t chastise his sister for speaking that way about family.
Instead, he leaned back on his chair and closed his eyes as though daydreaming about the most pleasant thing.
"Wouldn’t that be a great sight...?"