Chapter - 32 : Nuisance Continued…

(Continuation…)

(Rosalind's POV)

–Muurrmmrr~

The growing murmurs in the crowd caught my attention, and I turned my head in that direction to see what was going on.

From a single glance I understood what was happening as my cousin, Brooklion Davonte Arjivon, was engaged in a conversation with Rai.

If I didn't know Rai as well as I did, I might have rushed over, well aware of my cousin's knack for getting into situations.

Nonetheless, I instead stayed at my same place and shot occasional glances at them while keeping the crowd around me engaged.

I trusted Rai to handle whatever was going on.

–MUuRRmMrR~

However, after a minute or so, the murmurs grew louder, prompting me to glance over again, this time to see another figure talking with my cousin.

Thanks to my recent interests, I had pretty much mugged up every important Nobel Houses, making me help recognize the newcomer without any trouble–

Glazer Darrow-Fifth Ranked Student and Fellow Future House Leader.

My attention was now fully on them.

I also knew about his family and their reputation.

Among the Nobles, the Glazer Family was nicknamed "Fox."

They were clever and cunning, traits that had helped them become one of the strongest Dukes.

But I wasn't completely against their methods.

In fact, people like Darrow were easier to control once you figured out their intentions. Show them your power, and they will follow you blindly.

These were the types of people that survived until the end – the ones who made deals and formed alliances that would benefit them.

That was why, despite the Glazer family not holding much influence two decades ago, they had become one of the strongest Dukes under the Leadership of Duke Romes, Darrow's father.

It was impressive how they had built up their family's standing.

However, whether Darrow had inherited his Father Dukes Rome's skill or not is the question.

If he did, I think he would be foolish enough to challenge Rai openly.

.

Within a few minutes of Darrow's presence between Rai and Arjivon, Rai turned and began walking away.

A sigh of relief almost escaped me, thinking that things had wrapped up without incident.

But then Rai suddenly stopped after a couple of steps.

As he turned in a different direction, I quickly adjusted my position to stay within his line of sight.

Our eyes met, and he gave me a smile, not the usual one.

I nodded at his question while still composing myself to gauge his annoyance beneath his expressionless face.

That smile wasn't reassuring at all.

The expression on Rai's face was something new to me.

It was a mix of intensity and something I couldn't quite put my finger on.

But just now, he looked really-

...handsome?

With a touch of mischievousness, perhaps…

I really don't know. I just hope Rai doesn't overdo it.

My mind raced with many thoughts, finding myself interested in Rai's new side I hadn't seen.

…Or Rai's had not shown, just like mine.

.

(Rai's POV)

.

She had an expression of understanding.

That seemed to say, "Don't go too far."

I shot her a smile, one that hinted at my next move.

So, how should I handle this guy?

Maybe I should play along with him for a little while.

"Student Darrow, I appreciate your sentiment.

I began, my voice steady and controlled.

"It's a Noble quality to acknowledge one's presence."

I added, making a deliberate emphasis on the word 'noble'.

As I spoke, I moved back towards Arjivon and Darrow, creating a bit of a theatrical effect.

"Hm? Noble..?"

Darrow mumbled, his tone showing his surprise as he looked at my attire, seemingly piecing something together.

The fact that he doesn't recognize me is almost amusing.

Should I call him an idiot or what?

I thought, seeing Darrow's reaction as I stopped right in front of him.

Well, not like I am gonna stop what I was abou–

"Prince Silverthorne Rai Karnal.

"I think there is some kind of misunderstanding here."(Arjivon)

But then, Arjivon's voice cut through, breaking my chain of thought and addressing me by my full name, complete with my Prince title.

Darrow's response was exactly what I had hoped for – a mixture of shock and disbelief.

"...!!P-prince of S-silvert-t-horne..!?"(Darrow)

Darrow once again muttered, his surprise evident as he looked into my eyes, undoubtedly gaining insight from Arjivon's words.

Not only did this seem to catch Darrow's complete attention, but I could sense the ripple of reaction this caused among the students around us.

In fact, I believe that Arjivon had intended this all along, making the situation more public.

Whispers grew louder, and my irritation intensified.

What's that cunning bastard planning to do?

I wondered, my annoyance apparent on my face.

"Student Arjivon, so you do know how to pronounce my full name, Huh!?"(Rai)

Turning towards Arjivon, I retorted, my words dripping with fake surprise and amusement, evidently completely contrary to my irritation in my mood.

Nevertheless, internally, I was truly surprised by Arjivon's interruption from whatever I was doing for Darrow.

I was sure Arjivon was also annoyed by Darrow's clear booklicking and thought he wouldn't mind getting rid of him.

However, I realized that I had miscalculated Arjivon's cunning decision to not abandon the useful piece without exploiting its total potential.

He chooses all the time now to disclose his full name openly for everyone to hear, mainly Darrow

From Arjivon's perspective, he wouldn't gain anything from a clash between the two future heirs of Silverthorne and Glazer.

He wouldn't mind stepping down a little to avoid it.

…only a little, though, and by now it should have been over.

And I knew Arjivon wouldn't interfere again.

He already provided the crucial information Darrow lacked.

Now I was more than curious about what type of move Darrow would choose to play as now my identity was revealed.

It is a pretty interesting situation.

And by the looks of Arjivon, he seems to also be looking forward to what Darrow would choose.

Is he USING me to assess Darrow's worth?

Well, one day, I will definitely make him regret this decision.

"Of course I know how to pronounce your full name–

"Prince Silverthorne Rai Karnal.

-As I expected, Arjivon responded, once again uttering my full name with a mocking tone.

But I gotta say, it indeed felt oddly satisfying to be called like that by someone who initially refused.

"However, I wonder why you presumed that way."(Arjivon)

Arjivon added, feeling defeated and wanting to push me.

…but now I pretty much ignored him as I received what I wanted.

.

Meanwhile, Glazer Darrow's heart raced, pounding in his chest like a drum.

He cursed himself for failing to be aware of his surroundings, and his gaze once again turned to Rai's obvious Noble attire.

No matter how he wracked his brain, he couldn't conceive of a way out of this situation.

…unless he apologized.

But even after learning about Rai's Family identity, he couldn't bring himself to apologize to someone he saw as weak.

Darrow wouldn't have minded if Rai were as strong as his Family, Silverthorne, in Academics, but his inability to recognize Rai's meant he was likely ranked below Five Hundred.

A line below which most of the Houses rarely recruited any members in the Academy.

Even if someone scores a full score in Academics(:Theory), they will be Ranked above Four hundred.

Darrow immediately viewed Rai as a failure of his legacy, someone who couldn't even excel in Academics – an area for which the Silverthorne's were renowned.

"What is your Rank, Student Karnal?"(Darrow)

Darrow continued with the same arrogant tone, addressing me by my first name in an attempt to assert authority in their initial meeting.

He knew he had messed up his relationship with me.

"I didn't take the Entrance Test, Student Darrow."(Rai)

I responded honestly unmoved by his tone, as I was more than satisfied with not hearing my middle name called from Darrow's mouth. unmoved by his tone.

So, he's choosing to dig his own grave even further instead of backing down. Interesting choice.

"You didn't take the Entrance Test?"(Darrow)

Darrow repeated, his surprise evident.

"..."(Rai)

But I remained nonchalant. I had already stated it plainly and had no desire to repeat myself just to satisfy someone's curiosity.

"So you are just a talentless, Privileged One."(Darrow)

Darrow sneered, bringing up the title Rai(:I) had been given in the Novel.

His tone oozed confidence, which had now increased several folds.

See, that's the kind of guy he is. As soon as he found out I was frail, he stopped holding back.

The type who's bold around the weak but submissive in front of the strong.

In truth, Darrow had initially been puzzled about how he could have missed someone as prominent as me from the Silverthorne Family, even if my ranking was below five hundred in the Entrance Test.

He initially speculated that I might not have associated myself with other noble peers, which could explain the lack of recognition.

However, now that he knew I had entered the Elite Class without any self-promotion about such a privileged achievement-

–One reserved for only a few Families in the Empire–

Darrow was convinced that I was truly talentless.

In the end, he decided to fully mock me and establish a foothold in the Academy by publicly shaming a higher-ranking family.

"And you had the audacity to beg Lord Arjivon to allow you into his House.

"How pathetic can you be?"(Darrow)

Darrow's voice was loud and clear, ensuring his words reached the ears of those around us. Yeah, he also concluded that's what the topic was between me and Arjivon before he joined.

From Darrow's perspective, he had nothing to fear.

He believed I lacked both the talent and the connections.

So I clearly wasn't fit to have such a privilege.

He is trying to trap Rai, torn between the jealousy and hatred of Commoners and the disdain of the Noble families, despite his long service to the Empire, just like his own.

He also knew that while the Silverthorne Family might be more powerful than his own, they wouldn't escalate matters over a petty dispute among students.

In fact, Darrow was hoping that Rai would run away, acknowledging the disparity in their strengths.

However, only Rosalind(:Viviana) knew how much she was internally laughing upon hearing Darrow's words, directed at Rai.

.

(To be continued…)

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[Author's Note: To all the readers who read my previous chapter, I want to extend my sincere apologies.

[It seems I may have chosen the wrong title for the chapter, which might have been misleading.

[I had multiple ideas on how to craft a 'Face-Slapping' scene, but none seemed to align with Rai's character.

[So, I deeply apologize once more. I have now updated the title of the previous chapter.]

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