4 New Life (3)

The Aptitude Test was a ceremony that determines whether you will reach the top or not. In fact, it is also one of the most important deciding factors for a peasant or an ordinary person to ascend as a noble, depending on the quality of your Magia or Qi. It is not excessive if it is said to be the turning point of someone's life. Duke, Marquess, Earl, Count, Viscount, Baron, and so on and forth, these lofty positions are possible to attain if you had the talent required for it.

It seems too ideal to exist, only if we excluded the other competitors.

Countless Heavenly Geniuses, which appear one out of thousands of years, are tirelessly competing for the top. Yes, at the Empire of Ireshia, talent decides your fate. I sighed after contemplating, and before I knew it, the current Patriarch is already staring at me.

"Is there something you wish to add? Creed."

I felt like my heart sank to my stomach when the Patriarch called me.

"N-no, I have nothing to add, father."

The Patriarch wordlessly looked at me. 'How many minutes have passed?' I asked myself as I silently bore the brunt of the pressure behind the gaze that seemed to last for eternity. Finally, the Patriarch retracted his gaze. 'It's finally gone.' I secretly let out a sigh of relief.

"Very well. With this, you're all dismissed."

My siblings and I stood and slightly bowed our heads as a sign of respect for the Patriarch. Seemingly satisfied with our behavior, the Patriarch calmly left. After seeing off the Patriarch, each of us slowly raised our heads.

"Hey, trash! What's with the sigh earlier? Did you perhaps think our father is expecting something from you? Haha!"

Looking at the heckler, I decided to ignore it and went on my way. After leaving the Dining Area, I thought I could finally return to my room and calm my nerves when I suddenly heard a cheerful voice behind me.

"Brother, you look handsome as well today."

My eyes widen from shock as I quickly turned around and wearily stared at the culprit, Yuria.

'I want to get the hell out of here right away, but things don't always go to your desires, huh.'

"T-thank you for the compliment."

"I'm just telling the truth."

'Usually, It is enough for me to smile when a beautiful girl mentioned my name, even if it's only a passing topic of a conversation. But, looking at this woman makes me reconsider my outlooks for beautiful girls.'

I inwardly grumbled and professionally let out a business smile.

"Is there something I could help you? If no, then I'll excuse myself."

I hurriedly excused myself and quickly strode in the opposite direction to my room.

[Halt]

'Please just let me be!'

I closed my eyes and inwardly grieved. I'm prepared to ignore her even if I earned her displeasure. But just one sentence filled with Qi made my resistance futile.

"With this, we can finally talk in peace."

Yuria sighed with a troubled expression and smiled elegantly.