Going Back

Eugene sat on the left side chair beside Kaizer.

Grand Duke Kasrten: "How are you feeling?"

Eugene smiled and said, "I'm fine Duke, I can go back to the academy soon."

Grand Duke Kasrten nodded, "Good, I'll order a knight to escort both of you. The day after tomorrow is the official start of the selection, and many people from nobles to commoners would come and watch the event. You two should do your best to pass and become a respectable knights in the future."

Kaizer looks at his father disgustingly, "I won't be a knight staying in the palace, I want to be a war knight!"

Eugene unconsciously look at Kaizer and couldn't help but tighten his grip on his spoon.

The war is also near, he needs to do something so he can replace his brother.

In order to prove his ability he must pass the selection.

"No need to be a war knight, your grandpa's side can take the place of protecting the empire outside the borders."

Grandpa?

Eugene frown, the old grand duke is already dead, whose grandpa is the grand duke talking about now?

Kaizer pouted, "No, I want to be a war knight!"

Grand Duke Kasrten sighed, it's probably his fault because he's been bringing Kaizer to war since five years old because he's scared that the people in the castle won't be able to protect his precious son, now his son who grew up in warzone desire such an occupation.

What to do? Hays.

Eugene saw the grand duke's worried expression and couldn't help but feel envious, unconsciously uttering, "I-I... I also want to be a war knight." making everyone's attention fall to him [Eugene].

The spoon the Duke Viltaria held fell as he look at Eugene in surprise.

Grand Duke Kasrten frown.

"No, it's too dangerous."

Duke Viltaria trembled and said, "T-That's right it's dangerous, you can be a palace knight, I-It's safer for you."

Eugene observed their worried expression and couldn't help but feel happy.

Is this the feeling of having someone worried about you?

What to do? He's so happy.

Eugene smiles and his eyes bend crescent in happiness, "Really, I want to be a war knight."

Grand Duke Karsten paused when he saw happiness in those pair of empty eyes and couldn't help but feel shaken.

Such a child, only the word war can make him happy?

Duke Viltaria suddenly feels like dreaming, how can Eugene choose that? With so many types of knights, why is it a war knight who is bound to die for the sake of the empire's peace?

"Y-You can't do---"

Grand Duke Karsten saw his friend's mental state is not right so he immediately grab his friend's hand, intending to wake him up and not say unnecessary things that would stress out the child.

Duke Viltaria bit his lips.

Grand Duke Karsten: "It's good but are you sure you really want to be a war knight? You should know what kind of job is that and how dangerous is it without knowing if you'll be dead or alive."

Eugene nodded, "I know but that's what my heart wants."

After all, one of his goals is to protect the empire.

Grand Duke Karsten glances at his friend who is frowning and fakes a cough, "The food is getting cold, we should eat first and talk about the upcoming selection."

——The atmosphere at the dinner didn't change and in order to make the child not notice his friend's condition, Grand Duke Karsten talk a lot to get Eugene's all attention.

The upcoming selection is necessary for the career path of every student of Eustoma Academy. Every Meza Eusto must choose their specialization before graduation so that when they become a Neva Eusto, all they need to learn is all about their chosen profession in the future.

"It's getting late, kids should head back to their rooms."

Lancelotte call the waiting in-line servants and ordered them to send the young masters to their respective rooms to rest.

The only people remaining in the dining hall are Duke Del Viltaria, Grand Duke Karsten, and Lancelotte who is waiting for his master's orders.

"You are losing your control again Arkiton."

Duke Del Viltaria shook his head, "I don't know anymore."

"I think you should head back. Staying in the dukedom will create rumors."

"No, Eugene will leave tomorrow, I'll stay and watch him."

Grand Duke Karsten's mood drops.

"I don't know your plan but if you are longing too much, why did you exchange your own son? Is it to have your revenge or to make Shradinza who betrayed you suffer? Do you think you are winning in your game when all we know is you are more advantageous as a duke against a marquis? No..." Grand Duke Karsten laugh, "From what I see, you are losing too much."

"I didn't do it! I didn't exchange my son! I would never do that!"

"Then think about whether you exchange it or not. Did you imagine what will become your son's life? I heard many rumors and I don't believe them, but how do you think those words affect him?"

"No..."

Grand Duke Karsten cut off his friend.

"Remember, you remove their memories, not only that, you altered them."

Duke Viltaria clenches his fist, refusing to believe that his son is suffering.

Grand Duke Karsten shrug and raise his hand towards Lancelotte who immediately put a number of papers in his hands. Those papers contain information on Eugene since birth and how the outside view the child's existence as the Marquis's son.

Grand Duke Karsten threw it on the table in anger.

"Stop being a hypocrite when your selfishness destroyed your own blood."

"I'm not being a goody two shoes here and I know I am also like you, but I would never do something to hurt my own blood just for my own satisfaction. This is why I never expand my scoop to find that person because I'm also afraid that he will reject our son and that Kaizer would end up being heartbroken."

Duke Viltaria grabbed the papers with his trembling hands and read the content inside.

This is based on the nobles' hearsay that the said infamous second son of the Marquis, Eugene Aimer Shradinza is arrogant and selfish and is believed to be a black sheep of the Marquis Household. Eugene Shradinza bullied his twin brother and almost kill him which is a known rumor currently circulating in the upper circle...

Duke Viltaria's eyes redden while reading the information.

...Finally, Eugene Shradinza is rumored to be abandoned sooner or later because the Marquis and the Marchioness couldn't handle the evilness of ...

"W-WHO?!"

Duke Viltaria couldn't make himself finish the content because his heart started to ache.

"Who created this rumor?! There's no way my love would abuse our son! that's our son!"

Grand Duke Karsten lowered his gaze.

"You should know the side effects of long-term memory manipulation..."

Gritting his teeth, Grand Duke Karsten continues, "It's the alteration of memories."

Duke Viltaria froze and slumps on the chair.

He knew but how long can he lie to himself when his friends keep slapping him on the face about the truth that he refuses to believe?

Grand Duke Karsten look at his friends, "Now, do you admit it?"

Duke Viltaria couldn't lift his head.

He hated how that person weigh more than his son and that no matter how angry he is, he couldn't hate that person and choose to be blind.

What to do? He just loves him that much.

But what about his own son?

What about it?

What should he do?

——The day ended full of heavy revelations that impact the duke a lot. This made him unable to face his son so he could only hide while staring from afar, looking at his friend [grand duke] hugging the two children and sending them inside the carriage.

Eugene waved and smile at the grand duke while saying goodbye.

The carriage moved as they start to head back to the academy.

"Casimin send me a letter, the list for Warfare selection is already been announced. We can go and take a look upon arriving since tomorrow will be the start of the selection."

Eugene nodded.

Finally, the last day of him being a Meza Eusto is coming.

But what he's looking forward to is not really the selection but the war that would happen after the selection. He hopes he can participate in the war of nacos and bring back glory to the Shradinza Household, it's not bad, at least he can make his father happy.

At least once in a while, he can be of a purpose.

Looking at the ring in his hand, he made up his mind to study magic to support his swordsmanship, so that he can have an alternative weapon if he ever got injured.

Hmmm.

He wonders how is Timber that he is gone for a few days.

Is he lonely? He hopes no one bullies Timber because he might beat them.

Did Timber pass the test?

He had mixed feelings about that. Some part of him wanted Timber to pass but the others don't want it, fearing that Timber would suffer just like in the past.

——"Clarence!"

Eullian run towards his friends while panting and asks, "H-How? Did you get news?"

Clarence patted Eullian's head.

"I got it, Eugene is going back to the academy today for tomorrow's selection."

"Really?"

"Yes."

Eullian breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thank goodness. I never had news, my brother refuse to say something and I can't ask my parents. Thank you so much, Clarence, I'm really worried about him but I'm glad he's already fine."

"It's good."

Clarence sigh and clench his fist. He is also worried when he heard the news but he was glad that there was nothing serious.

Anyways tomorrow is the selection so everyone should relax their mind and body.

"We can't watch each other's competition but I wish you good luck for tomorrow."

Eullian smiled, "Yes, good luck too, remember you must protect my brother."

Clarence rolled his eyes, "Your brother is probably stronger than me, who to protect? Besides Timber surprisingly passes the Warafre selection and is on the same team as your brother. I guess he'll be around protecting that weakling."

Eullian frown and suddenly feels uncomfortable.

"If only I could wield a sword too."

Timber is so lucky to be with his brother, he's so envious.

"How can you say that?! People have their own strengths, for me, you are the best, you don't need to compare yourself, especially to that person!"

Eullian smiled sweetly...

but disappear when his eyes landed behind Clarence.

He saw Timber beside his elder brother, laughing together.

Really, what an eyesore. Not only stealing twin brother but also his eldest brother.

How can such a person exist? Didn't he [Timber] have his own brother? Why steal his siblings?

Timber seems to sense his gaze and raised his eyes.

Seeing Eullian staring at him, he raises his chin proudly.

Hmp, what are you looking at?!

Timber rolled his eyes and continue to drag Euric towards the gate of the academy, wanting to welcome Eugene back.

His brother Euric said that he receive a letter telling him that Eugene will arrive at the Academy this morning so he's looking forward to it, however, seeing Eullian affects his mood, and decided to ignore the latter this time.

Be thankful Eugene is coming or I'll beat you ass up again!

Always trying to provoke me and play the victim! Hmp. So bad!

Clarence, seeing Eullian looking behind him, couldn't help but turn his head and saw Timber and brother Euric. This made him doubt because the Neva Eusto students shouldn't casually enter the Meza Eusto building, but remembering that Eullian's brother is the president of the student council, he ignore the two and dragged his friend away.

"Clarence---"

"Don't look, some people are not worthy of your attention."

Eullian pursed his lips.

He really dislikes Timber and hopes that Timber could just disappear.

——Eugene woke up from his nap when Kaizer shake him.

"We have arrived."

Eugene frowned and look outside from the carriage and saw the huge gate of the Eustoma Academy. This made his mood subtle and couldn't help but look forward to seeing Timber again.

Opening the door, Kaizer is the first to walk down and support Eugene who just woke up.

"Later after checking the list you should go back immediately to your dorm and take a rest. You need energy for tomorrow's selection."

Eugene ignored Kaizer and passed by him when he saw a familiar figure.

"Timber!"

Running towards the person, Eugene's lips trembled, and hug Timber who look caught off guard before lifting him with a smile.

"Eugene!"

Seeing Timber's sunny smile, Eugene suddenly felt a lot better.

"You're finally back!"

Kaizer stare at Eugene who is sticking to Timber and couldn't help but feel uncomfortable and jealous.

Though Eugene didn't ignore him that much still you can't say that they become closer because from what he's seeing right now, Eugene only had one person in his heart and that is...that person.

Timber Garien Rozans.