Finally, the day of the academic festival had arrived.

Barunen wondered whether he had woken up so early because age had diminished his need for sleep, or because he was excited about unveiling K01 at the festival.

As he quietly gazed out the window, he watched the morning sun rise.

When he had first been asked to serve as a judge for the festival, he had felt indifferent—but ever since accepting Tanashia as his disciple, his anticipation had grown immensely.

‘Will Tanashia fulfill my lifelong wish?’

Barunen Ad Teinando.

In truth, the surname Teinando came from his mother; his original name was Barunen Ad Cardor.

The Cardor family was renowned for magic within the Arwen Empire.

Just as the Brellof family inherited the power of water and the Crisha family inherited the power of wind, the Cardor family also possessed a unique supernatural ability.

It was the power of the earth.

Because the Cardor family could manipulate the energy of earth, they had enriched the empire in times of peace and performed heroic feats during wars against enemy nations.

Though many families inherited the power of the earth, the Cardor family stood above them all, renowned for their formidable magical strength.

Historical records were filled with events in which the Cardor family had intervened to save the Arwen Empire during its darkest hours.

Barunen’s father, Felian, took immense pride in this legacy.

Perhaps it was because the supernatural ability—which typically manifested only after several generations—had been directly passed down to both Barunen’s grandfather and his father, Felian.

Felian’s authoritative attitude toward magic extended even to his wife, Ruane.

─After years of failing to conceive, you finally give birth to Barunen, and he doesn’t inherit our family’s ability? Ridiculous!

─Darling, abilities like these usually skip generations…

─Stop making excuses! It appeared in my father, and it appeared in me—so naturally, my son should have inherited it too!

In every memory Barunen held, Felian and Ruane were fighting—or rather, Ruane was being tormented unilaterally by Felian.

─Get pregnant with a second child immediately. Your only purpose is this—how dare you neglect your duty?

─Darling, please wait. Barunen is still…

─No more talking. Follow me.

─Ah, aah!

The unbearable screams, and the bruises on Ruane’s body that never faded.

Felian, who valued bloodline above all else, enjoyed countless one-night stands with other women, and never hesitated to unleash violence on Ruane whenever she displeased him even slightly.

Despite his constant infidelity, ironically, Barunen remained the only child who carried Felian’s bloodline.

In hindsight, perhaps even Barunen’s conception itself had been a miracle.

Publicly, Felian was the respected head of the illustrious Cardor family—but within the household, he was undeniably the worst husband and father imaginable.

Barunen had loathed Felian since childhood.

─Barunen, you must try to understand your father.

─Mother, how can you even say that? Just divorce him. I’ll take your surname instead.

─You must never say such things! You’re the heir of the proud Cardor family—if your father hears you speak like that, he’ll have a fit.

─Let him hear it, then. I will never live like my father. I wish I could drain every drop of his blood from my veins.

─Don’t you dare say such vile things!

Ruane, though also of noble birth, came from a family insignificant compared to the Cardors.

She was said to possess remarkable talent in magical engineering before marriage, but abandoned her studies after marrying, and thus never received recognition.

─Darling, I think Barunen has a natural gift for magical engineering. When I teach him one thing, he understands two!

Clink!

Felian, who had been drinking, heard this and immediately hurled his glass to the floor, shattering it.

─Is that what you call talent? He should have inherited magical ability—not excelled in your trivial, worthless field of study!

Each time Felian belittled and oppressed Ruane with these habitual words, rebellion surged deep within Barunen’s heart.

Could something you’re simply born with truly be called talent?

Magic—how grand is it, really?

Even those without supernatural abilities could manipulate the fourth element using magical engineering weapons—and with further advancement, the possibilities were limitless.

─Barunen. Sadly, you did not inherit the ability—but someday, your child or grandchild may manifest it. Then, you must use that power to honor our Cardor family.

The words were nauseating. He had heard them so often since childhood that each repetition churned his stomach.

The only reason Barunen gritted his teeth and endured, resisting the urge to flee immediately, was because if he left, Ruane would be left alone in the Cardor mansion.

‘For Mother’s sake, I’ll endure a little longer. The moment I’m old enough to be independent, I’ll take her and leave without looking back.’

He made this vow countless times, devising hundreds of escape plans.

But Ruane did not wait that long. Her already weakened body grew frailer by the day.

─Barunen… is your father… still not here?

─I sent the steward to inform him you’re in critical condition—he’ll come soon. Just hold on a little longer, Mother.

─Yes… before I die… I must at least see your father’s face…

So Ruane waited for Felian all night—but Felian never returned to the mansion.

Her forced smiles as she waited endlessly… that was the last Barunen ever saw of her.

Only the next day, when Ruane’s body had grown cold and lifeless, did Felian return to the mansion—drunk.

The stench of alcohol and women’s perfume was so strong he didn’t even need to ask how Felian had spent the night.

Whatever lingering affection Barunen had left vanished completely.

That day, Barunen swore:

─I will never marry or have children, even if it kills me. The Cardor bloodline, which Father held so dear, will end with me.

─What… what did you say?

Only then did Felian seem to grasp the gravity of the situation—but it was far too late.

─I will prove, through the very field of magical engineering you despised, just how magnificent the discipline my mother studied truly was—and how narrow-minded and prejudiced you were.

─Barunen!

Felian tried desperately to stop Barunen as he walked out of the mansion, but Barunen didn’t even glance back.

With Ruane gone, he had no reason to remain in the Cardor mansion.

Feeling that taking anything from the mansion would be akin to admitting defeat, Barunen left with nothing but the clothes on his back.

Thus, Barunen abandoned the name Cardor and became Barunen Ad Teinando.

Stepping outside, he quickly realized reality was far harsher than he had anticipated. Having grown up without financial worry, he now faced the prospect of struggling to afford his next meal.

Magical engineering was an expensive field due to its reliance on magic stones, and without wartime demand, finding patrons was difficult.

During those days, when he possessed nothing but intelligence, the only family that supported his continued study of magical engineering was the Brellof family.

At that time, Orland had been like a ray of light in his darkness.

─Magical engineering… everyone knows it’s a niche field. What benefit would I gain by sponsoring you?

─I—I’ll repay your kindness someday, once I succeed.

Orland replied with a meaningful smile.

─I’m quite meticulous in my calculations. You might regret it if you change your mind later.

─Don’t worry about that. I always keep my word!

With Orland’s sponsorship, Barunen’s fortunes turned. He rose rapidly in the field of magical engineering, eventually attracting offers of support from all corners.

He hadn’t forgotten his promise to Orland that day—but he never expected Orland would actually come to collect that debt.

To Barunen, the Brellof family seemed to lack nothing; he never imagined they would need his help.

─My daughter wishes to study magical engineering. Since you’ve become a prominent scholar in that field, it’s time to repay your debt.

It was an offer he couldn’t refuse.

Honestly, he was reluctant. He had heard rumors of a girl named Noxia in the Brellof family, exceptionally gifted in manipulating water.

He assumed a family with such an ability couldn’t possibly be serious about magical engineering—surely it was just a noble lady’s passing fancy.

He followed Matela to the Brellof mansion reluctantly, already planning to beg Orland’s pardon and offer repayment in some other way upon arrival.

But then…

─Hello, I am Tanashia…

─I know. The Marquis Brellof’s daughter. If not for the debt I owe your father, I wouldn’t be dragged to a place like this. I heard from Matela you’re some kind of genius—but surely this is just a hobby before marriage. I have no intention of humoring a noble lady’s pastime…

─Wait, please! I’ve longed to ask you about this ever since I heard I’d meet you. This section here—why did you explain it this way?

Every passage Tanashia had marked in Barunen’s book was something only someone deeply versed in magical engineering would question.

And then there was the weapon design she claimed to have drawn “just for fun.”

The idea struck Barunen like a thunderbolt—so fresh and innovative.

‘If we develop that… it might become a weapon that captures everyone’s attention.’

Many years had passed; Felian had already died. Barunen had only heard that, until his final days, Felian had fruitlessly sought another heir.

Though the person Barunen wished to prove himself to was gone, he still yearned to develop a magical engineering weapon surpassing all his past achievements—and leave it as his legacy.

He had endured decades solely for that purpose.

Afraid his resolve might weaken with time, he refused to wear fine clothes or taste delicious food.

He insisted on uncomfortable sleeping arrangements and shabby attire—all to ensure he never forgot the vow he made in his youth.

Tanashia was undoubtedly a once-in-a-lifetime genius in magical engineering. Her ideas continually astonished and moved Barunen.

When he witnessed the power of K01 firsthand, Barunen nearly shed tears.

‘Perhaps… my disciple will fulfill the wish I could not.’

Of course, Tanashia was not Barunen’s first disciple.

He had taken on several students over the years for the sake of nurturing future scholars—but all had fled, unable to endure his eccentric temperament.

None had matched Tanashia’s brilliance and passion.

As Barunen gazed out the window at the fully risen, radiant sun, he found himself smiling unconsciously with anticipation.

‘I’m so looking forward to today’s academic festival.’

Merely imagining the stunned reactions of those who witnessed K01’s power felt like relieving a decade of pent-up frustration.

At that moment—

Knock, knock. Matela entered the room.

“Uncle, Father said you must eat breakfast on a day like today—and sent food over.”

In truth, Matela was the daughter of Barunen’s one and only friend.

He knew very few people. That Tanashia, whom Matela had taught, had ultimately become his own disciple—it was undeniably fate.

Unaccustomed to Matela’s care, Barunen snorted dismissively and replied with feigned indifference.

“I don’t eat breakfast—it doesn’t sit well with me.”

“Please, at least take a spoonful.”

“Hmph.”

“Seriously, Uncle, how old are you? Stop acting like a child.”

“Enough nagging.”

It might have seemed like an ordinary morning—but for Barunen, it was the dawn of a new era for magical engineering weapons, one he had awaited for a very long time.

The academic festival was not an event that ended in a single day.

Since the schedule required staying overnight for several days, I designated Jerin and Ascan as the attendants to accompany me and handle my daily needs.

Two carriages stood before the Brellof mansion, as if by prior arrangement.

Noxia, walking ahead of me, turned back with a puzzled expression.

“Sister, are you planning to ride separately today?”

“It’s just that we have so much luggage—it’d be too cramped to fit everything in one carriage.”

I had already experienced firsthand how unpleasant it was to appear alongside Noxia at the previous imperial ball.

To avoid being constantly compared to her, I decided to take a separate carriage this time—learning from that day’s lesson.

Unaware of my reasoning, Noxia smiled faintly with a hint of regret.

“Now that you mention it, that makes sense. Then I’ll see you at the festival later.”

“Yes, travel safely. See you soon.”

After helping Noxia into her carriage and watching it depart, I boarded another carriage with Ascan and Jerin.

Glancing idly out the carriage window, I noticed the sky was brilliantly blue and the weather splendid. Without thinking, I murmured aloud,

“I wonder who will show up at the festival.”

Aside from Noxia, Rohel, and the future secondary male lead destined to fall for her, I couldn’t be certain exactly who else would attend.

Perhaps hearing me, Jerin replied cautiously,

“I heard Lady Crisha will also be attending.”

“Lady Crisha?”

It was an unexpected name. The last time I’d seen Reiana was when she assaulted Ascan at the Brellof mansion before parting ways.

The thought of seeing Reiana again after so long made my brow furrow involuntarily.

Come to think of it, Reiana also possessed the supernatural ability to manipulate wind—so her attendance at the festival was, in a way, only natural.

I glanced sideways at Ascan’s expressionless face and murmured softly,

“If she dares provoke me again this time, I won’t let it slide.”

I would show them the true dignity of the original villainess.

Indeed. Absolutely.