DPAA 35

chapter 35

Seeing the classroom fall silent, I felt a strange sense of satisfaction.

“Not bad at all.”

Me… am I the type who likes to show off?

Even looking at Professor Vernua and Bella, who seemed resigned now, had its small pleasures.

I spotted Aspodel diligently taking notes and winked at him, only to be avoided.

It made me feel a peculiar sense of conquest.

Now I understand why male leads in romance novels rush at the heroine like hunting dogs as soon as she mentions divorce.

The more they try to escape, the more you want them.

“May I take my seat now, Professor?”

“Very well.”

Vernua still didn’t seem particularly fond of me, but he didn’t cause any trouble either.

“That’s all for today’s class.”

After that, things continued to be rather turbulent.

Other professors, perhaps wanting to test the changed me, asked questions relentlessly.

Third period: Imperial History

“Student Canis, what treaty was signed between the Aleph Duchy and the Empire during the First Continental War?”

“The Treaty of Benisus, signed in July 1651 AD. It is notable because the Empire recognized the independence of the Aleph Duchy, while Aleph was granted free passage through the Pega Canal.”

“Good. Next question…”

Fourth period: Astronomy

“Escliff, what is the 15th brightest star in the night sky?”

“The irregular variable star Antares, with apparent magnitude varying between +0.6 and +1.6.”

“Do you know its nickname?”

“The Heart of the Scorpion.”

“Then, what is the radial velocity of Antares…”

Since both Imperial History and Astronomy were elective courses, over half the students were from other departments, so once again I attracted a lot of attention.

Students from other departments were different from the magic students.

Unlike the magicians, who had long dismissed Canis out of magical elitism, the other students only considered her a “notorious troublemaker.” Just a few displays were enough to make their attitudes toward me change.

“Ughh.”

I was stretching after fourth period when it happened.

“Coo coo.”

A well-trained white dove flew and perched on my shoulder. A thin piece of paper was tied to its ankle.

[From the House of Duke Escliff]

‘Could it be the Duke?’

I opened the paper with a suspicious look, then broke into a wide grin.

‘Interesting news.’

Fortunately, the sender wasn’t the Duke but the adorable Larisa.

The Duke has moved up the regular meeting by a day.
Rumors about the Princess have been spreading quietly among nobles with children at the Academy.
It seems likely the Duke will take action soon.

P.S. The Duke is taking special care to ensure Helena does not hear this news.
It should be interesting to see her reaction later.

“Ahaha!”

I burst out laughing at the added note.

She’s got a mischievous streak too.

‘So, my news definitely had an impact.’

If the Duke isn’t foolish, he would have realized that I’ve manifested as a magician.

He must be thinking of ways to delay matters as much as possible.

‘The reason the Duke dislikes Canis…’

…is because I’m a spitting image of the previous Duchess, whom he detested.

The only reason he even bothered with me was because, unlike the previous Duchess, I might have magical talent.

Now that I’ve awakened, what are the chances he suddenly finds me charming?

Zero. Absolutely none. It’s even more disgusting that I act this way.

He will be anxious.

If it were someone like Claude with moderate talent, maybe he wouldn’t care. But now his daughter has become an exceptional existence, beyond the norm.

Recalling his own past conduct, he would be constantly on edge, fearing when a strike might come. He might even consider taking preemptive action to eliminate me.

At that point, he’s already foolish, but humans tend to act irrationally under fear.

‘I hope he becomes even more uneasy.’

The more anxious he is, the more openings he’ll leave.

At the first glimpse of a gap, I intend to slip in and slowly devour his flesh and bones.

“……”

Claude stared with cold eyes at the report card hung on the main building’s central staircase.

<Advanced Magic Spell Note Test Results (4th Year)>

1st. Canis Escliff (100)
2nd. Daen Grace (42)
3rd. Bella (27)
…
6th. Aspodel Luxellrode (19)
…
100th. Marco Crav (0)

Advanced Magic Spell is a required subject. Therefore, results were measured across the entire grade.

Ranks and scores from 1st to 100th were posted where everyone could see.

It gave top students the desire to maintain their positions, while motivating weaker students through shame.

This was the Academy’s grading system, and Claude found it highly satisfying.

Not just because he himself was a prodigy—2nd year top, and overall second in the grade—but because of his perpetually displeasing sister, Canis Escliff.

She was the perfect contrast: a completely inferior student, making the moment of checking grades extremely enjoyable for him.

Although small tests were conducted per grade, midterms and finals determined rank across all years.

A fourth-year daughter, last across all years.

A second-year illegitimate child of the Escliff family, ranking second overall, destined to become first once the genius Crown Prince graduated.

When grades were revealed, students whispered among themselves:

“Is it right for a dumb Canis Escliff to inherit just because she’s the legitimate eldest daughter?”

It was a ridiculous question in principle.

Legitimacy and eldest-child inheritance were very important values in the Empire.

If there were multiple legitimate heirs, or if the eldest was incompetent or disabled, the title might be passed to a younger sibling—but only among legitimate children.

Claude, born an illegitimate child while the previous Duchess was still alive, fell into a gray area.

The Duke later married Claude’s mother and officially adopted Claude as his son.

Thus, Claude, though biological, was legally adopted, and despite being illegitimate, his mother’s status gave him a peculiar position.

As a child, Claude believed that if he worked hard, he would be recognized.

He studied diligently in every field. Nothing was done carelessly.

Adults were impressed:

“Look how he improves each time! Such magical talent!”
“If he continues like this, catching up to the current Duke won’t be impossible.”
“He understood all the higher concepts that even his sister couldn’t touch.”

The Duke himself was delighted by Claude’s talent.

So young Claude thought he just needed to work a little harder.

“Your achievements are remarkable. Not only do you have talent, but you also have effort. You will become one of the top three magicians in this country.”

His most respected teacher patted his head and said:

“When that happens, dedicate yourself to your family for your sister. That will be your most valuable contribution.”

…Until that point.

The teacher smiled, unaware of the implication.

The teacher’s attitude was a sharper thorn in Claude’s heart than any whisper or criticism.

‘I was never even considered…’

Legitimate eldest vs. illegitimate child.

His sister was acknowledged as the rightful heir just by existing, while no matter how hard he tried, he remained illegitimate.

All he did was be born, yet his path was different.

It wasn’t just a matter of being behind at the starting line.

It wasn’t a difference between paved road and thorny path.

His path was a treadmill.

No matter how hard he ran, there was no road. It was invisible. He couldn’t move forward. Simply being born earned him social condemnation.

By the time Claude realized this cruel, cold truth, he began to hate Canis.

‘If only my sister didn’t exist…’

The heirship would have been mine.

‘If that woman dies…’

Then the heirship would belong to me.