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 2.3

“Alright. This should take care of everything for now, I suppose…?”

Several years had passed since I became the head of House Reinhardt.

With no formal transition or education from my father, I had to manage the domain entirely on my own. But thanks to my innate genius, I had little difficulty handling everything.

“Ugh… going to the academy is such a hassle. What’s the point of studying now when I’m already successfully running a ducal estate?”

In this kingdom, every noble child is required to attend the academy upon turning twelve.

Even someone like me, who wields immense power within the kingdom, is not exempt from this absolute rule.

The time for my enrollment was fast approaching.

I would soon have to leave the Reinhardt Duchy and spend several years in the royal capital, where the academy is located.

I understood the many purposes behind the academy system:

Strengthening national power, eliminating spoiled and incompetent noble heirs, enforcing a hostage system akin to the Tokugawa shogunate’s sankin-kōtai, educating noble children on royal authority, and ensuring that no child is modified through forbidden magic to gain overwhelming strength that could threaten the throne.

But regardless of its purpose, from my perspective as someone being forced to attend, it was nothing more than a massive inconvenience.

“I’m here, Ark.”

The door to my office swung open, and a beautiful woman stepped inside.

“Ah, I’ve been waiting for you, Sue. I’m really glad you answered my call.”

“…Don’t get the wrong idea. I’m not doing this for you. I’m here for the domain and the family—so don’t misinterpret my intentions.”

Susia von Reinhardt.

The second daughter of House Reinhardt, who had been married off to another noble family.

Since I couldn’t leave the duchy without a ruling head while attending the academy, I summoned her back to serve as my proxy.

Her former husband’s family had been involved in corruption and illegal magical research. When the kingdom’s leadership discovered their crimes, the house—lacking any real power—was swiftly dismantled.

Naturally, a Reinhardt noblewoman couldn’t remain married to the heir of a disgraced and defunct noble house, so she divorced him.

With no obligations tying her down, she found herself without a role in a foreign land.

That was when I called her back to House Reinhardt—to ensure the estate was properly managed in my absence while I was away at the academy.

“Yeah, yeah, I get it.”

I nodded at Sue’s openly hostile tone.

“Then, while I’m at the academy, I’ll be leaving the estate in your hands.”

“Of course. Leave it to me… I will see this through, no matter what.”

“You don’t have to be that determined, you know. There’s not much work to do anyway.”

Seeing Sue so fired up, I let out a small chuckle and reassured her.