What's The Catch

[Lynett POV]

Ah~! What a nice weather we are having today! The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and not a single cloud in the sky. A perfect summer day.

Motherfucking asshole! I'm going to murder you! I'm jealous of the people who had the chance not to meet you! Your existence itself is a joke, a proof that the Creator had a good sense of humor! Why don't you shut your mouth for once?! It's not like you were going to say something smart one day! I don't know what makes you so stupid, but it really works!"

"Aww! It's cute when you try to be intimidating! I don't know which language you're talking in, but all I hear is bullshit! Beauty is skin deep, but ugly is to the bone! I used to think you were pretty, but then you opened your mouth. Look at you, stupid fox! I can't even beat you up, it would be considered animal abuse!"

That is right. A very beautiful day. I am currently sitting in an armchair placed by to the side of the courtyard, admiring the scenery in front of me while drinking some tea. I wonder what mother is doing right now? I should have asked her to keep me company, she likes tea after all.

"LYNETT! Aren't you going to do something about him/her?!"

I sighed. "Shut up already, and leave."

Seriously… Those two are really annoying.

It has been two weeks since Yoko and Harri first visited the mansion. Surprisingly, nothing much happened after that, so my daily life returned to normal. Except for one thing… Ever since, those two have been visiting EVERY-SINGLE-DAY. I first thought that it was because they were bored, and they would eventually stop coming, but I was wrong.

I was naive. By claiming this territory and imposing the No-fights rule, I thought the conflicts between Harri and Yoko would subside and that things would eventually calm down. Haha… I was sooooo wrong. Since they were not allowed to solve their disputes by dueling, each time they had a disagreement, those two just came here instead, asking me to be the judge. The worst thing in this story is that their disputes were always over something trivial. Seriously… How old are they? They are supposed to have lived for thousands of years, yet I feel like watching children.

Yoko and Harri's daily visit first surprised everyone in the house, especially my uncle and my aunt. I am pretty sure Uncle Jack really regrets telling them to 'come visit whenever they felt like it' now. To be honest, I do not really hate it since they keep me company, but… Do they really have to come every single day just to complain? So far, their daily disputes pass as lover quarrels, but at this rate, their cover will fall apart.

Ever since I discovered the weird state of my aunt's mana core, I couldn't find out any more about it. I had absolutely no lead. If there was someone targeting the family, then the suspects were way too numerous. As nobles, they had a lot of enemies. Besides, it's not like I could have Yoko going around kissing people randomly, just to inspect their mana core. Especially not my uncle, he is married - I think. I never met them, but I heard that he had a family. They weren't living here though... which is kind of weird if you think about it. As the Marquis, shouldn't his family live with him in the main residence?

That's suspicious…

"Ugh… This is annoying. I'm getting a headache…" Yoko complained, massaging her temples.

No kidding. You've been shouting non-stop for who-knows-how-long.

"Young mistress!" A voice suddenly called out.

Turning my gaze in the direction of the voice, I noticed Ivy running to my side.

"What's the matter?" I asked.

"The lord wants to see you," she said hastily, catching her breath.

Uncle Jack wants to see me? How unusual. Did I do something? Or is it about Yoko and Harri? I would understand if he got tired of seeing those two wandering around every day… Oh well, in all cases, I don't think I am in trouble. I turned to the two Mid Gods who were staring at me.

"I'm leaving for a bit. Be good and don't fight while I'm not watching."

They both replied with a forced smile, without saying anything. I know they don't like to be treated like children, especially since they are the older ones, but since they are behaving like children, I will treat them as such. Leaving the silly "couple" behind, I followed Ivy as she led me to my uncle's office room. Why does she seem so nervous, though?

She stopped. She looked at me. She gave a weak smile. She took a deep breath. She knocked.

It's just a door, Ivy. What's such a big deal? Did uncle threaten you, or anything?

"My lord, the young mistress has arrived." She said with a clear and loud voice, making sure my uncle would hear her from inside the room. Hearing his voice asking us to enter, she gathered her courage to open the door.

Entering his office room, I saw my uncle sitting in his chair with his usual serious expression, as my aunt was standing at his side, looking away. Clearly, she did not want to be here.

It has been a while since I last came here. And when I say a while, I mean at least a decade. Thinking about it, I don't think that I came here again since I first visited the mansion. I don't remember much, but I think it didn't change a lot since then. That room was my uncle's working place. As a child, I had no reasons to be here and thus, was not allowed to come here. Whenever he had something to tell me, my uncle would be the one to come to me, so today is the first time he summoned me.

Without entering the room, Ivy greeted my uncle and my aunt with a deep bow. Then, she gave me a quick glance full of pity before closing the door behind me. Uhm? Why am I pitiful? Am I in trouble after all? Thinking about that possibility, nervousness started to build up inside me.

"Did you ask to see me?" I spoke.

"Yes, have a seat." My uncle ordered, gesturing a chair in front of his desk.

I stepped forward, stopping at his desk's foot. I tried to think of a reason why I would be in trouble as I took a seat. I couldn't find any. Well, actually, there were a lot of reasons, but the timing didn't fit. Recently, I did nothing wrong. So maybe I'm not in trouble after all! Ivy must have misunderstood something! Unfortunately, my thought was soon refuted as I immediately heard something ridiculous.

"I need you to pack your things, you're leaving." Uncle Jack said, going straight to the point.

…

What? Excuse me? I think I misheard something. I can feel the sparks in my brain trying to connect the dots, but it just short-circuited instead. I need a loading time. Leave? Who? Me? Why? Am I being kicked out, right now? My mouth slightly opened and my forehead furrowed in confusion, I tried to study my uncle's expression. He is totally serious.

"You're leaving in three days," he added.

He really is kicking me out. It isn't like if I never planned to leave, but that is way too sudden. Before I had a chance to say something, he showed me a letter placed on his desk just in front of me, and asked me to open it, so I did.

"Do you know what it is?" He inquired.

"A letter of admittance under special circumstances to the Arcane Academy," I simply responded, reading its title.

"That's right. It's yours."

… Huh? What did he say? I need another loading time… He is sending me to school? I don't understand, it doesn't make any sense.

I'm not complaining, I mean, I have been wanting to go ever since I was reborn, but… Why? He has been reluctant to let me attend a school for so long, yet, now, he suddenly changes his mind? Besides, it's not just any school. It's the Arcane Academy. The same school brother has been sent to. It's an independent institute, unaffiliated to any country, renowned in the whole continent. Technically, everyone can attend the Arcane Academy. But since it's not situated in the kingdom, the students lived in dorms. So you either needed a lot of money or a powerful sponsor to send someone there. I can understand for brother since he's the heir, but why in the world my uncle would be willing to spend so much money on me?

"… I'm going to attend a school?" I asked, unsure.

"Not exactly." My uncle answered.

Huh…? What's with that answer? That's even more confusing. He's sending me to school, but I won't be attending. Can someone explain me the logic?

"There is no need for you to attend, that's just a formality," he started to explain, seeing the confusion on my face. "I've heard a lot from your tutors. Even if you lack basic common sense when it comes to anything sociological, it seems that you are quite a brilliant student in sciences and math, right?"

Is he complimenting me or insulting me? I'm not sure…

"With that level, there isn't much for you to learn. I guess you could use the occasion to fix that lack of skills in sociological studies, but your tutors told me you were a desperate case, so I'm not expecting anything."

… Those bastards. I'm doing my best, you know?

"All those theoretical classes are just a formality to you," Uncle Jack continued. "What's more interesting are the practical classes. It will teach you the basic battle abilities. I'm pretty sure you'll do just as fine in magic classes, though."

Huh? What does he means by that? Could he be aware?

As if answering to my unspoken thought, a grin crept onto Uncle Jack's face. "You can drop the act now. I know you can use magic."

As I thought… My cover is done for. How did that happen? When did I screw up? Who sold me off? There isn't a lot of people aware of me being able to use magic so… My gaze fell upon Aunt Nora, who had stayed silent until now, causing her to flinch. She immediately starting shivering, averting her eyes.

"Don't glare at her like that," Uncle Jack said, as he saw his sister getting nervous. "She didn't say a word until the end. It was the boy you helped for a request two weeks ago who told me about it. Quite a naïve child, I must say. He thought he was helping you."

Axis…? That uncle of mine is one hell of a bastard, manipulating a child to get the information he wants. I was right to be wary of him. He is cunning.

"Anyway, to be honest, I have absolutely no interest in you attending a school." He continued, returning to the main topic. "Like I said, it's only a formality. You'll only have to attend for six months."

Ok, now that makes even less sense. I really don't understand him. Why only six months? Is there something special happening after that? …Ah!!

"It seems that you've just understood," Uncle Jack said with a small grin. "That's right. I want you to participate in the Great Tournament."

I think I'm finally starting to understand. The Great Tournament. A traditional continental competition that takes place every five years. It was meant for schools all around the continent to display their best students in different areas. Considering the amplitude of the event, a lot of powerful households would be attending; even the royal families were invited. Basically, it was similar to the Olympic Games on Earth - except that it was only for students, and that it wasn't a sport competition.

Anyone could try their luck disregarding the rank, the race, the gender. For students from unknown families, it was the occasion to outstand and make a name for themselves, while students from renowned families would receive even more fame. The only condition to enter was to belong to one of the schools participating in the tournament.

So this is why my uncle suddenly decided to enroll me in the Arcane Academy. He discovered that I had potential in magic and now wants me to participate in the Great Tournament to bring fame to the family. Humf! Not happening.

I was about to reject his offer, but he didn't let me have the chance. He probably read the expression on my face, as he spoke first.

"Lynett, do you want your freedom back?"

…

Huh…?

"Do you want your freedom back?" He repeated. "Because I can give it back to you. Not just yours, but also your mother's."

My eyes and my mouth widened in shock, I just blankly stared at him, frozen, unable to comprehend what he just said. A wicked smile played on my uncle's lips as he continued.

"Lynett, you are not a child anymore, and I believe that you are smarter than you let the others think, so I'll just treat you as a proper adult. You've stayed long enough in this house to understand: it is time for you to make yourself useful. So I'm proposing a deal."

"A deal…?" I repeated, mistrustful.

"That's right, a deal. A give/give situation. I want you to participate in the Great Tournament. Aoban will be participating too. I don't need you to win it, you just have to make it past the playoffs. You can drop out after that, I don't really care. In exchange, I'll return yours and your mother's freedom. You will be free to leave, we will no longer be chasing or threatening you. I'll even give you some money to travel, buy a house, or anything you want."

"What about my brother?" I asked.

"Aoban is the heir of the family. Even if I wanted to, I can't really let him go. However, he is already eighteen years old. In only two years, he will be considered a proper adult. At that time, if he wants to leave, I won't stop him."

That's not right. Something is off. That is way too convenient for me. I've always thought about leaving this place one day or another. Although they never really took any hostile action against us, I never really liked the idea of staying here, especially considering my mother's past. However, truth be told, I never really found a way to escape this family without too many consequences. Using force? Sure, that's easy. But what about after that? Brother and I would be labeled as runaways, and mother, as the adult, would be accused of kidnapping us. Killing my uncle and my aunt? Although a bit radical, it could have been an option if they weren't one of the most notable families in this kingdom. Yep. Killing the Marquis and his sister is the best way to be labeled as criminals. In the worst cases, I'll end up with the whole kingdom as my enemy. If it was only me, I could've handled it, but I definitely don't want such a life for mother and brother...

But now, what? Regaining my family's freedom without having to be chased by the authorities? That sure sounds tempting. Considering my abilities, reaching the playoffs of the tournament shouldn't be impossible. Besides, if I drop out right after that, I won't be attracting the attention of some influential figure. Returning to a normal life without any restriction with my family… That sounds just too perfect. Why? Uncle Jack has nothing to win in this.

I squinted my eyes, looking at him unconvinced. "What's the catch?"

"There isn't any." Uncle Jack responded with a smile. "I told you, it's a give/give situation."

"I don't believe you…" I said. "You have nothing to win in this. You went into so many troubles to find mother and brother, then you accommodated us for years. You even gave brother a first-class education. Clearly, you had something in mind. Yet, now, you're telling me you're willing to give up on all of this? Only so that I would participate in some stupid tournament without even having to win it?"

Hearing this, Uncle Jack chuckled a little. "I think I'll have to reprimand some of your tutors. It seems that you're not that stupid when it comes to human behaviors, after all. Well, believe it or not, Lynett, this situation is beneficial for me too. You are right. I did have something in mind, but I'm a business man. I will always take the best opportunity when it comes to me."

"And that's me?"

"That's right. However, it is only an offer in the end. Feel free to refuse it." He shrugged. "We can always go back to the original plan, but I don't think you'll like it."

Narrowing my eyes, I tilted my head to the side. "What's the original plan?"

"I was planning to marry you off to the Duke Rutherder. He already has two wives, but he was willing to take you as his third concubine. He is a simple man, you know? Once he heard you were a pretty young maiden with golden eyes, he immediately agreed to take you in, disregarding your race." Uncle Jack muttered casually.

…

HE WAS GOING TO DO WHAT?! The heck?! I mean, I guess I could have expected being engaged to someone as a noblewoman, especially at my age, but… Two wives?! A third concubine?! What kind of macho man is he? I'm sure that Duke is one of those round, ugly and greedy nobles you see in novels.

"Uncle… You're such an asshole…"

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Note from Ozen_Ice: Am back guys, Exam was good to, if everything goes smoothly I might enter college this year. Tk to Ni_ck18, Sourav_4615, Lucid_, Fuenfpfund, Carlos_742, O_Tobi for the power stones.