The Villainous Noble Son Wants to Capture His Stepsister! - Chapter 43

The Royal Academy of Magic—the most prestigious institution in the Kingdom of Blumenkranz—accepted students from both within and beyond the kingdom’s borders.

It also had a special scholarship program, offering tuition waivers and financial aid to outstanding students, which meant that many commoners attended as well.

However, for nobles of Blumenkranz, enrollment at fifteen was mandatory.

Why?

Because nobles were forced to pay exorbitant tuition fees, which in turn funded the scholarship program for deserving students.

The royal family sure knew how to balance the books.

But because of this system, the academy also attracted a fair share of arrogant nobles—the kind who loved to flaunt their status.

Nobles like… the old Kraut.

In a way, the academy was a miniature version of the kingdom’s aristocracy.

“And that’s basically how it works.”

“I see.”

Right now, I was explaining the Royal Academy of Magic to Primelia.

I would be attending this year, and she would be enrolling next year.

“Two and a Half Years as Duke”

I had turned fifteen.

It had been two and a half years since I inherited the Dukedom of Wertheim.

A lot had happened.

If I tried to recount everything, even a two-season anime wouldn’t be enough.

Might as well prepare for Season 2.

Without Heliotrope, Sebastian, Schefflera, and the others, I never would have made it this far.

Not to mention…

The soothing presence of Primelia.

And the healing effect of my ultimate favorite character.

And the adorable comfort of my precious little sister.

As for me—

I had grown taller.

I hadn’t measured myself, but I was probably close to 180 cm by now.

I had already surpassed my past life’s height.

My face had also matured, shedding its youthful roundness.

I had become a handsome young man—though, if I had been overweight, I probably would have ended up looking like the original Kraut from the game.

Ah, yes.

The game.

The Royal Academy of Magic was the setting of the romance game Swords, Magic, and Flower Crowns.

The story began when the protagonist enrolled.

Which meant…

The game’s events were about to start unfolding.

At this point, many things had changed from the original story.

But I couldn’t let my guard down.

Because when I did…

I paid the price.

“A Sudden Realization”

“Onii-sama? Is something wrong?”

“Hm? No, it’s nothing.”

I must have been lost in thought.

Primelia looked at me worriedly, so I quickly reassured her.

At fourteen, Primelia had blossomed into an even more breathtaking beauty.

Even without my biased favoritism, she was undoubtedly a peerless beauty.

With her delicate features and petite frame, she had an almost ethereal charm that made people instinctively want to protect her.

Recently, even the older boys at the orphanage had started eyeing her suspiciously.

…Wait.

If the game’s story was about to begin—

Then that meant Primelia was about to meet the protagonist.

Which meant—

Her romance with the protagonist was about to begin!?

No, no, no, no, NO!

There was no way the protagonist wouldn’t fall in love with Primelia!

She was elegant, stunning, and adorable!

…Oh no.

I was about to cry.

“Onii-sama!? Why are you crying!?”

“Ah, no, it’s just—”

I swear, I had become so much more emotional in this life.

Was this what fathers felt when sending their daughters off to be married?

…Way too early for that.

“Sniff… Sorry. It’s nothing, really.”

“If something is troubling you, Onii-sama, please tell me.”

“No, seriously, it’s nothing. I just… imagined the day you might get married…”

Her expression went completely blank.

“Onii-sama.”

“…Yes?”

“You haven’t… secretly arranged a marriage for me, have you?”

Oh, crap.

She was misunderstanding in the worst way possible.

No! I would never set myself up for a self-inflicted death sentence!

“No, no! I have no intention of forcing you into a political marriage!”

“In fact, I don’t even want you to get married!”

Her face instantly brightened.

I wasn’t sure why, but she seemed very pleased with that answer.

“Rest assured, Onii-sama. I have no plans to marry outside this household.”

“Uh… should I be relieved?”

On one hand, I was glad.

But on the other, I wanted her to be happy—even if it meant marrying someone she loved.

As long as Primelia was happy, that was all that mattered.

Of course, I’d cry my eyes out for an entire day, but that was beside the point.

“The Night Before the Entrance Exam”

“Master, your preparations for tomorrow are complete.”

“Thanks, Heliotrope.”

The night before the Royal Academy of Magic’s entrance exam, Heliotrope had carefully prepared everything I needed.

Not that the exam mattered for nobles.

It was mandatory, but all nobles automatically passed.

The exam only determined class placement.

After enrolling, students were placed into classes entirely based on merit.

It didn’t matter if you were royalty or common-born.

That’s why many lower-ranking nobles worked desperately to rank high—because their class standing would impact their future.

“You seem calm, Master.”

“Panicking the night before won’t change anything.”

Thanks to my personal tutor, Sebastian, my academics were solid.

My practical magic skills, however… were a different story.

In short—

I had already done everything I could and left the rest to fate.

“Well, it’ll work out somehow. All that’s left to do is—”

Before I could finish, my door suddenly swung open with a loud bang!

And standing there—

“Kraut-sama, before you leave for the capital, please sign these documents.”

“SHEFFLERA, GIVE ME A BREAK!!”

There she was.

The workaholic deputy of the Wertheim Duchy.

With yet another stack of paperwork.

Why did she always barge into my room like this…?