The Genius and Calamity of the Villainous Noble: A Brilliant Prodigy Unaware of Their Reincarnation as the Game's Antagonist Defies the Scenario and Dominates with Talent and Hard Work - Chapter 2

The Reinhardt Ducal Family

In the center of the world lies the continent of Euphonse.

No, such a continent doesn’t exist on Earth? You might feel tempted to point that out, and honestly, so do I, but I hold my tongue.

And how can anyone determine what the “center” of the world even is? Well, I’ll hold my tongue on that one too.

The Reinhardt family is one of the Three Imperial Ducal Houses, second only to the imperial family ruling over the Magocracy of Typhon, one of the three great nations of the Euphonse continent.

Commanding unmatched prestige, wealth, and military power, the Reinhardt family stands at the pinnacle. Their estate—no, fortress—is the epitome of opulence. For someone like me, a former commoner, it’s a place where I’ll probably never feel at ease.

“Father, I’ve returned and present myself to you.”

Without bothering to knock, I push open the door to my father’s study and step inside.

“Hm, you’ve come,” he says.

Inside, my father sits, watching me.

A man with abyssal blue eyes carrying a profound darkness, paired with dull blond hair. He gazes at me as I step into the room.

Or rather, his abyss-like eyes seem to look through me, as if I’m not truly there.

“Alright then.”

I plop myself into a chair in his study, using wind magic to manipulate objects around me. A teapot rises, brewing and pouring tea into a cup, which I bring to my hand.

“So, what’s this about?”

I take a sip of the tea, glancing at my father as I wait for him to state his purpose.

“As always, you’re far too capable for someone your age.”

“…Thank you?”

Ignoring my question entirely, my father offers a compliment instead. I return his words with a polite response, waiting for him to get to the point.

“In terms of magic, you’ve already far surpassed both your older brothers. And when it comes to the glimpses of strategic insight you occasionally show, it’s clear you surpass them intellectually as well. If you had been born as the eldest son, you would undoubtedly have become the greatest head of the Reinhardt family in history.”

Hmm.

For someone as generally tiresome as my father to go this far in praising me… this doesn’t feel like it’s going anywhere good.

“You’re overestimating me. More importantly, what’s the reason you summoned me here?”

“Don’t be so impatient. That impatience is your only flaw.”

“I’m not impatient with anyone else, Father. I just want to get back to my nap.”

“Hahaha… That’s so like you. Very well, I’ll get to the point.”

“Please do.”

“I’m entrusting you with a mid-sized trading company. You’ll have full autonomy to manage it, but within three years, I expect you to grow it into one of the empire’s most prominent trading companies.”

“…Huh?”

I froze, my brain struggling to process the words that had just come out of my father’s mouth.

“Things are about to get busy for you, Ark. I’ve placed my trust in your abilities, and I intend to see them fully utilized. Don’t even think about holding back, understood?”

“Ugh…”

I let out a groan of pure despair as I stared at my father, whose lips curled into a smug, satisfied smile, clearly enjoying my discomfort.