Chapter 185 — The Story of the Uninvited

1

Harrison.

The family of mages who could freeze anything.

If Labeth was regarded as the continent’s greatest mage, the Harrison family was known as the continent’s finest ice sorcerers.

It was a matter of versatility versus specialization, one might say.

Though they were called a great family, they rarely engaged in public affairs.

They weren’t conquerors, nor did they expand their business ventures.

Their sole focus was protecting what they had and safeguarding those who had sworn loyalty to them.

“You must be Manus. I’m Rachel Harrison.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“It’s the first time… is it? Yes, I suppose it is.”

Manus felt a sense of dissonance in Rachel’s words.

Yes, there was definitely something off.

Surely, such intelligent people wouldn’t forget a meeting so easily.

‘Things are getting complicated.’

For now, it was more important to build relationships than to overthink this.

The person in front of him was a high-ranking noble.

Not just any noble, but Rachel Harrison, an Archmage.

“What’s important is that I’ve always received help from Alano.”

“Oh my, really? Hehe, I didn’t expect that. You’re different from what I’ve heard.”

“Mother.”

Alano, standing next to her, gave her a sharp glance.

Rachel, pretending to yield to her daughter’s scolding, apologized to Manus.

“Sorry about that. I’m just rambling. It’s a good thing my husband didn’t come. He would’ve gotten all fired up.”

“I’ll be sure to greet him properly sometime.”

“No need to feel any pressure. But really, seeing you all gathered like this, it feels like looking at an elite squad.”

“That’s just how things turned out.”

Was that really the case?

Rachel’s eyes glinted with a subtle, chilling light.

Every noble family had its own information network.

It was no secret that the current atmosphere was unusual.

Three student council presidents.

And Manus, too.

“The fact that you’re all part of the student council will help you forge lasting friendships. You’ll be able to support each other even after graduation.”

“Thank you for your advice.”

“Well, I should go. I need to greet His Majesty as well.”

With that, Rachel Harrison departed.

There were still many other nobles they needed to meet, including those from the Flois family, the Harry family, and the Primary family.

And someone was watching them.

---

2

“As expected, no one’s coming over to us, huh?”

“Don’t let it bother you.”

“How can I not be bothered? Doesn’t it irritate you?”

“…”

They were a group made up of commoners.

Among them, Castro quietly sipped his drink, waiting for the right moment.

He had performed flawlessly during the trials.

He targeted the golem’s joints, disabling its mobility and piercing its core.

In the duels, he took down both mages and warriors, showing the best performance of all.

He survived without a single scratch and was the second fastest among the first-years to clear the dungeon.

Yet now, he was just another figure crouching in the corner.

“A bodyguard? Does it even make sense for someone as skilled as you to be offered a job as a bodyguard?”

“Be quiet.”

One noble had approached him.

The noble had expressed interest in employing Castro as a personal guard after graduation.

Castro had politely declined, but the whole situation had left a strange taste in his mouth.

‘It feels like there’s some magic involved.’

People were strangely avoiding him, as though he were invisible.

It was puzzling. Why didn’t his companions find it odd? They just kept grumbling instead.

At that moment, a woman in a brown dress approached them from a distance.

She wasn’t a noble.

She was someone who had lived in the forests.

“Elena, Senior.”

“What are you doing here?”

“It just didn’t feel like we fit in.”

“Really? I heard you did well on your exams.”

“That… doesn’t seem to matter much.”

Castro let out a sigh as he spoke.

Really?

Elena tilted her head in confusion.

She had just come from speaking with many nobles.

There were even some barons and viscounts willing to grant her a title.

Her association with Manus and her own outstanding abilities had made her quite popular.

“Something feels off. So, you’re just going to sit here?”

“For now, yes.”

“Well, don’t stay cooped up here. You never know what might happen.”

“I just don’t feel like walking around, trying to impress people. If I have to do that, it means I’m still not good enough.”

That’s strange.

Elena scratched her cheek.

If he wanted to sit there, who was she to argue?

Shrugging her shoulders, she turned to leave.

“Well, take it easy. At least eat some good food.”

“Thank you.”

As Elena disappeared from view, Castro frowned at the sound of his friend’s grumbling beside him.

His friend, Lemont, who always stuck by his side, didn’t seem to have any ambition left.

Maybe his limits were starting to show since he had barely managed to stay in Class A.

“For real. Shouldn’t seniors like her help us out a little more? Are you really just going to sit here?”

“If you’re that unhappy, go hang out on your own.”

“What? Wait, where are you going?!”

“Go hang out with the others or go wag your tail at the nobles.”

“You’re such a—!”

Ignoring Lemont’s outburst, Castro walked away.

Lemont might have been right.

Elena probably wasn’t wrong, either.

But… Castro didn’t want to do that.

[One day, someone will recognize your worth, Castro.]

[Opportunities come to those who are prepared. As long as you continue to work diligently, those opportunities will find you.]

[Refine yourself. As a first-year, you have plenty of time before your moment in the spotlight comes.]

Professor Trevor’s words echoed in his mind.

As the professor had said, there would still be opportunities.

Maybe it was the others who were strange.

It felt impossible to keep up with some of the people growing at such ridiculous rates.

But even so, he wasn’t ready to give up.

He understood now that the advice of adults wasn’t just narrow-minded.

If anything, it was a reminder that he needed to push himself even harder.

‘Maybe I should practice with my sword some more.’

Just as he was mulling over that thought, a familiar voice rang out—a voice that always gave him strength.

“What are you doing alone out here?”

“Ah, just getting some fresh air.”

“Have you spoken much with the nobles?”

“…No.”

Professor Trevor stood beside him, smiling warmly.

What words of wisdom would he offer this time?

Trevor understood the power of connections.

Even as a commoner, one could find pathways to success.

People who thought in simple terms often carried the prejudice, “Why would a commoner challenge a noble?”

But in a continent where ability dictated status, that mindset was deeply flawed.

Nobles had enemies everywhere, and recruiting talented individuals who weren’t tied to other factions was crucial.

“It’s a bit strange. Have you gone to introduce yourself to anyone?”

“I… haven’t done that yet.”

“It’s not good to isolate yourself too much.”

“I just don’t feel ready, so I’ve been staying quiet.”

Trevor sighed softly before handing Castro a fizzy drink.

Taking it silently, Castro braced himself for the professor’s next words.

“It might be a wise choice. Refining yourself is always important.”

“You’ve told me that before.”

“But looking at things from a broader perspective is important, too. Relationships help you see things more clearly.”

“That’s… difficult.”

Some people become stronger by interacting with others.

They absorb what they need, discard what they don’t, and slowly form their own concrete philosophy as they meet a wide range of people.

Trevor believed that Castro was one of those people.

People like that could refine themselves by listening to different opinions and experiences.

“Meet different people. And from them, find your own philosophy.”

“…”

Castro drank his soda quietly, knowing this was another moment of guidance.

Trevor’s next words put an exclamation point on the lesson.

“When you can let all those other voices flow past you, that’s when you’ll be able to stand above the rest.”

“Is that when I’ll push forward with my own beliefs?”

“It will show you the right path. The right direction.”

Conversation was an essential part of life.

For humans, it was impossible to separate oneself from others.

Whether through good influences or bad ones, people were inevitably bound to others.

And wasn’t it better to be the one leading those relationships?

“Keep that in mind.”

“The air is getting a bit thick. I’ll head back inside.”

“Thank you, Professor.”

After Trevor left, Castro was left deep in thought.

Heat meant nothing to someone who could manipulate mana, after all.

Relationships and the formation of personal beliefs.

‘Along the way, I’ll find people who fit with me. And someone will recognize my worth.’

And if not, couldn’t I gather such people myself?

His mind, which had felt heavy and clouded, now felt clear.

Still, he wasn’t quite ready to act on it.

For now, he just wanted to reflect on Professor Trevor’s words.

One day, the opportunity would come.

He would become even stronger.

Maybe he could even try doing things like Senior Manus did.

“That sounds like a good idea.”

He smiled.

---

3

He had spoken with countless people.

Manus realized that attending a banquet was just as exhausting as climbing the tower.

He had to stay alert at all times, constantly aware of his surroundings.

‘Ugh, I really hate this.’

Suppressing his feelings, he scanned the room.

Kael was already exhausted and had retreated to a corner.

Anais and Pearson were sticking together like a pair of partners, wandering around the hall.

Everyone else had found their own groups and were chatting happily.

‘Looks like it’s my turn to hide in a corner.’

Manus slipped away from the crowd, heading toward the terrace where a breeze was blowing.

There was someone already there, but he didn’t mind.

The other person seemed to be in a similar situation as him.

Manus was about to turn his gaze away when something caught his attention.

‘Did he use magic? No… someone played a trick.’

There was magic woven around the figure.

It was so delicate and subtle that without the Caesar’s Mindset, it would have been impossible to notice.

Who would play such a trick?

Sensing his gaze, the figure—Castro—turned his head and looked at Manus.

After a moment’s hesitation, he approached and spoke.

“Senior Manus.”

“…”

Manus responded with a questioning look instead of words.

Castro, meeting his eyes, hesitated before finally speaking.

“What do you think of advancing a grade early?”

“You’re interested?”

“Yes.”

Castro.

A commoner, and Kael’s rival.

Yet a character who was always overshadowed by the protagonist.

Since he couldn’t climb the tower, he could never defeat the protagonist.

From the protagonist’s point of view, it was only natural.

He always won, so why bother thinking about someone like Castro?

But Manus saw the seriousness in Castro’s eyes.

“If you keep working like this, you’ll get there.”

“…I see.”

“Talk to the professors. They’ll help you.”

“Thank you.”

Just by speaking a few words, fate had shifted.

[Interference has begun.]

[The direction of the worldline is changing.]

[Castro’s destiny has been altered.]

[The fate of the rival has been twisted.]

It was a monumental shift.

–TL Notes–
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