The sound of the wheel catching on rock echoed.

Inside a carriage, I sat alone.

Through the window, I could see Thomas riding beside the carriage on his horse.

"Hmm..."

I stroked my chin, lost in thought.

The reason Ian had called for me.

There seemed to be only one answer when I thought about it.

That I had disrupted Ian's plans.

That I had constantly drawn Ian's attention.

That my potential power was being evaluated very highly.

And...

"..."

On further thought, it wasn't just one reason.

There were a considerable number of them.

I scratched my cheek in thought.

Nevertheless, I felt wronged.

The only time I truly caught Ian's attention was recently.

Prior incidents had other individuals in the limelight, not me.

While I suffered because of those incidents, I wasn't the one who reaped the credit for resolving them.

However, this time was different. All the credit had come to me.

I assumed both Robert and Astina had testified in my favor.

Their words carried weight within the academy, and they had been witnesses to the entire incident.

Because of their testimonies, all the credit came to me.

To be honest, I felt I hadn't done much.

Had Robert not appeared, all my efforts would have been in vain.

So, to be honest, I felt a bit uneasy about it.

A few months ago, I might have been flustered by receiving such credit.

But now, it was different.

Handing everything over to Evan felt like a gamble.

There's a saying about not putting all your eggs in one basket.

If I continued to channel all credit towards Evan and he didn't turn out as I envisioned, it would all be for naught.

In that situation, I would have no choice but to calmly accept my fate.

So, I prepared even for unforeseen circumstances.

I brainstormed ways to survive.

To do that, I needed achievements, power, or even involve myself in the politics around me.

Then, a voice came from outside.

"Young Master Rudy, we are almost at the mansion."

I looked outside upon hearing Thomas's words.

A grand mansion came into view.

Unlike our family home filled with lilies, this mansion exuded elegance and tidiness.

I stepped out of the carriage and stared at the mansion.

"..."

Something felt off.

There wasnt a single person around.

Despite the carriage's arrival, nobody came out to greet us.

I spoke quietly.

"There's no one around."

"Ah, they might be inside, preparing for a meal."

Thomas spoke as if it were nothing.

However, his words didn't sit right with me.

A meal? Just an ordinary meal?

"Ah... Well..."

Thomas hesitated as I questioned him.

If it was an ordinary meal, there would be no reason for all the servants to be there.

And if it was a meal with the family, many carriages should have been parked in front of the mansion.

But neither was the case.

I had wondered about it ever since Thomas came to the academy, but I was already sure of what they intended to do.

I was fearful, at first.

But now I was merely curious.

For starters, Ian couldn't kill me.

He sent me here in front of many people.

If he suddenly killed me, even Ian wouldn't be able to get away with it.

So, what was he planning?

I glanced at Thomas and began to walk.

I had taken precautions. It was time to see how these guys would act.

I walked toward the mansion, and Thomas followed.

Upon opening the mansion door, I was met with the sight of a typical mansion interior stairs and a carpet stretched out below.

I stepped inside.

However, I stopped immediately.

Something felt off.

Clearly, inside the mansion, I should have felt the soft texture of the carpet underfoot, but what I felt was the rough texture of stone.

"...What is this?"

Perplexed by the disparity between what I saw and felt, I looked at Thomas.

Suddenly, I saw Thomass hand lunging towards me.

"Ugh!"

Thomas forcefully pushed me.

I was shoved further into the mansion.

No, to be precise, it wasn't inside a mansion at all.

"What is this?"

Pushed down by Thomas, I scanned my surroundings.

Before me were iron bars.

Bars that looked like they belonged in a prison.

The floor was bumpy and cold stone.

"What's going on?"

The once-present Thomas had vanished.

I tried to stand up, hoping to get a clearer view outside the bars.

That's when I heard a familiar male voice.

Have you arrived, Rudy?

I looked in the direction of the voice.

There stood Ian Astria, my brother.

What is the meaning of this?

I said, my gaze fixed on him.

"I didn't want it to come to this."

Ian replied, shrugging.

I dont understand why you're doing this.

I stated flatly.

Ian's eyebrows furrowed in annoyance.

"I truly despise those who act irritatingly before me."

Ian continued.

Thats why I really liked it when you were being a fool. Thanks to your antics, I always seemed the better one."

Ian said, seemingly annoyed as he gripped the bars and glared at me.

But why did you suddenly change your behavior? If you've always acted the fool, why not continue? Did you think someone at the academy would protect you?

While Ian spoke, I discreetly observed my surroundings.

Honestly, I wasn't particularly interested in such talk.

It wasn't like there was any useful information from it.

First, I decided to focus on the problem in front of me.

How did I end up in a prison?

Illusion magic?

But then, I should have realized as soon as I stepped out of the carriage.

I only realized when I set foot inside.

So, it wasn't as if I was brought here from the start.

I tried to continue the conversation to gather any information while looking around.

"Why are you doing this? Even if I'm an inconvenience, if others find out, they won't just let it slide."

"Well, I don't intend to keep you here forever. I have no intention of hurting you either."

At Ian's words, I frowned.

Ian slid a piece of paper through the bars.

"Sign this document."

I looked at the paper.

It was a withdrawal form from the academy.

"Leave the academy and live quietly in the family's estate. I promise no harm will come to you if you do so.

Withdrawal?

My eyes widened at that.

Then I thought.

Isn't this... not a bad option?

The 'annihilation ending' in the end involves the massacre of students, professors, and others within the academy.

While there might be consequences for those outside the academy, the impact wouldn't be as bad.

I wasn't sure what would follow after that event, but at least I could save my life.

I chuckled at such a thought.

Why was I thinking like this?

Of course, I want to save my own life, but I've already formed deep friendships with the people at the academy.

Could I bear it if they all died? I might go mad in such a situation.

Even if I survived, I would regret that choice.

And there was no guarantee of survival anyway.

Ian of the Astria family was almost like the final boss.

And with Ian's actions, the entire Astria family would be held accountable.

Because of the power Ian possesses, people...

Ah.

I realized what happened.

Ian's power.

No, more precisely, the Astria family's space magic.

The reason the Astria family was recognized and respected in the empire.

It was because of the magic passed down through generations in the Astria family.

And the events that would happen later were largely due to this power.

I asked Ian,

"Did you transport me here using spatial magic?

Spatial magic.

A ridiculously overpowered magic that can create, tear apart, and destroy space.

The only ones who can wield this formidable magic are the Astria family.

Ian didn't respond to my words.

"I will provide you with a meal once a day. If you decide to listen to me, let the one who brings the meal know."

He simply stated his terms and began to walk out.

I stared intently at Ian's retreating figure.

"Sigh..."

A sigh escaped me, but deep down, I felt slightly relieved.

Just the fact that Ian wasn't guarding this place meant there was a chance I could escape.

However, there was a problem.

"Where on earth am I?"

I did ask Luna to come and save me, but there was no way to tell her about this location.

The person bringing the food is obviously one of Ian's men.

So, I couldn't ask them for any help.

"But can they just leave me like this?"

Upon thinking, the only barrier in front of me was a set of iron bars.

In this situation, I could easily escape using magic.

And yet they just leave me like this?

I clenched my fist.

There's probably some sort of mechanism in place given how confidently he left me.

I looked at the iron bars.

And began to gather mana in my fist.

I don't know what mechanism they've set up, but there's a difference between trying and not trying.

"Phew..."

Gathering mana in my fist...

I swung.

My fist made direct contact with the bars.

And then...

-CLANG

"Ah... AAAAAAAAAAHH!"

It hurt.

The sound from my fist was like bones breaking.

"Ugh...Hic..."

Holding the hand that struck the bars, I wiped away the tears that trickled down.

It hurt so much.

So much...

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