Chapter 5: Shadows of Envy, Sparks of Ambition

Albrecht sat at one end of the lavish dining table in the grand mansion.

The feast was prepared, and the chandelier hanging from the high ceiling cast a soft glow.

Beyond the window, a vast garden stretched out.

The Wallenstein family, a wealthy ducal house, owned an impressive mansion on the outskirts of the capital.

At that moment, Duke Ferdinand von Wallenstein, the commander of the capital’s knights and known as the empire’s greatest swordsman, was visiting the mansion.

Yet, a shadow hung over Duke Ferdinand’s face.

His gaze was dark, like storm clouds, and his lips were tightly pressed together.

In his hand, he held a single sheet of the newspaper circulating in the capital.

“Albrecht, this friend of yours, Aren.”

The duke’s voice, though tinged with the roughness of battle cries, was deep and refined.

At the sound, Albrecht’s shoulders stiffened slightly.

He had known since childhood that his father was a formidable figure.

“Father, is there a problem with Aren?”

“A problem? A problem, you say? Don’t you know what your peer, the same age as you, has done?”

Ferdinand tapped the newspaper with his finger.

Albrecht knew what Aren had done.

He’d published some astronomy paper that was causing a stir in the capital.

He didn’t know the details, but still.

“This paper Aren published—it’s being hailed as the most remarkable astronomical work in centuries.”

“…That’s impressive.”

To be honest, Albrecht couldn’t fathom how Aren had produced such a paper.

The Aren he knew was just a mediocre guy who spouted nonsense to Lilia.

Ferdinand’s eyebrow arched.

“Impressive? Is that all you have to say?”

“That’s… the only way to describe it, isn’t it, Father?”

Albrecht’s voice was cautious.

In an instant, a spark flared in Ferdinand’s eyes.

“What have you been doing lately?”

Ferdinand slammed the table.

The soup in the bowls shook, spilling slightly onto the table.

“While your peer is revolutionizing astronomy, what has the eldest son of the prestigious Wallenstein family been doing at that academy?”

“I’ve been honing my swordsmanship. No one in my entire class can beat me. I’m also the top student.”

“And what does that matter? We’re a renowned ducal family. Some students probably let you win on purpose.”

“No, I don’t allow that.”

“Strive harder. Don’t just call your peer’s achievement impressive—think about what you can accomplish.”

Albrecht gritted his teeth.

Aren’s success stirred something ugly in the corner of his heart.

Envy. Jealousy. Inferiority.

Feelings he didn’t want to acknowledge swirled within him.

“I understand. I’ll take Aren as an example.”

“Yes, you should. He’s a peer who’s achieved such a feat.”

Ferdinand brought a spoonful of soup to his mouth and continued.

“And you should make an effort to befriend someone who’s accomplished such a thing at such a young age.”

“Befriend… him?”

“Yes. Do you have a problem with that? This Aren seems to have a promising future. It’s rare to find someone who can revolutionize an entire field at such a young age.”

Albrecht swallowed hard.

The memory of Aren pestering Lilia still lingered.

He was the last person Albrecht wanted to befriend.

“Aren… isn’t the upright person you think he is, Father.”

“What?”

“He often skips classes and acts arrogantly toward his peers. He’s just from a moderately influential count’s family, but he takes it too far. He’s even been rude to a lady…”

Ferdinand pointed at Albrecht, like a judge condemning a sinner.

“You’re feeling inferior, my son.”

“What?”

Albrecht felt his breath grow heavy.

Him, feeling inferior to someone like Aren? No way.

“I told you to take your peer as an example, and instead, you’re slandering him. To become great, you lift others up, not tear them down.”

“No, that’s not—Father, that can’t be. Aren’s really just a nobody. That paper was probably a fluke, or he had someone write it for him…”

Albrecht stopped mid-sentence.

His father’s expression was laced with bitter disappointment.

He’d known his father since childhood, and if he continued, his father’s anger would surely erupt.

Unable to handle that fiery wrath, Albrecht’s mind was in turmoil.

Yet, he also didn’t want to acknowledge Aren.

“You still have much to learn.”

Albrecht lowered his head in silence.

Ferdinand’s piercing gaze seemed to see right through him.

The duke sighed and rose from his seat, each movement carrying an air of authority.

“Become a true noble.”

Ferdinand left the dining room with heavy steps.

Albrecht sat for a while, pressing his temples with his hands.

He didn’t like that his father admired Aren.

The fact that a guy who’d acted like a fool had suddenly gained immense honor and fame grated on him.

The garden outside the window was beautiful, but Albrecht’s heart was not.

*

Lilia sat on her dormitory bed, gazing out the window.

Lately, the capital where the academy was located was abuzz with talk of a new astronomical theory.

Festivals were being held frequently to celebrate it.

The weather was nice, and she wanted to go out and join the festivities, but she had no money.

Being broke really felt like a crime.

A sigh escaped her lips.

A fallen noble’s daughter—what money could she have?

She’d have to read books and aim for a scholarship.

‘But… Aren?’

The thought struck her as soon as she opened her book.

At first, she couldn’t believe it when she saw his name in the newspaper.

That Aren?

The guy she’d only known as an arrogant noble’s son was now being treated as a great scientist.

She had to see Aren in a new light.

She’d tried to discourage him from studying astronomy, and now she felt ashamed of that.

Who would’ve thought Aren had such talent for astronomy?

And to such an extent.

If only she’d recognized his talent sooner.

Then she wouldn’t feel this embarrassment now.

On one corner of her desk lay a letter from her family in a distant province.

Lilia’s body stiffened with tension.

She hadn’t opened the letter yet, partly out of fear.

Sending a letter from their poor estate to the capital was a huge expense.

Her father was still a lord, but he’d been swindled and lost most of the estate.

Now, only a few peasant families lived there.

Her father was practically a yeoman farmer, not a noble.

Lilia swallowed hard and, with trembling hands, opened the letter.

‘To Lilia’

It was her father’s letter.

His handwriting was still elegant and neat.

Though a fallen noble, he hadn’t lost his refined penmanship.

Thankfully, the letter began with good news.

‘To my beloved daughter Lilia, I’m glad to be able to write to you. This year’s harvest was bountiful, so we could afford a courier. I’m sorry for not writing sooner. Your mother is still unwell but has improved greatly. Kilian is doing well too.’

The letter grew shorter.

It complained about the rising cost of postage with more pages.

The note at the end startled Lilia.

Her father had heard about Aren’s fame.

‘I managed to get a newspaper and read that a student named Aren is at the academy. Have you heard about the astronomical theory he published? It’s truly remarkable. It’d be good to befriend such an accomplished scholar. He’s from a count’s family, but as a dedicated scholar, perhaps you, Lilia, could learn from him and even teach him something in return.’

The letter neared its end.

‘Of course, your happiness is our top priority. We love you forever, my daughter.’

Sigh.

Lilia exhaled after finishing the letter.

Her father had sent her to the academy because he’d noticed her dream of becoming a scholar and supported it wholeheartedly.

But deep down, he hoped she’d build a future with a high-ranking noble from the academy.

That would be an easy way to restore the family.

Of course, Lilia’s beauty was exceptional, and many at the academy pursued her.

But she couldn’t love for such reasons.

Besides, she was too busy studying for a scholarship to have time for romance.

She wanted to write back, saying she was doing well, boasting about how many high-born suitors chased her, and mentioning that she was already acquainted with Aren and would try to grow closer if possible.

But she couldn’t send it right away.

She’d send it with other letters during the academy’s regular mailing service, included in the tuition, in a few days.

Truthfully, curiosity was blooming in Lilia’s heart.

‘How did Aren come up with such an incredible theory?’

Her image of Aren shifted.

From an arrogant, haughty noble’s son to a great scholar changing the world.

That was her dream too.

And so, a flutter of excitement about Aren stirred within her.

Ink dripped from her pen, trailing toward the window.

Lilia gazed outside.

The academy’s grand buildings were visible.

Was Aren in a lab or the library right now?

‘What kind of person is the Aren I didn’t know? To come up with an idea that changes an entire field.’

Curiosity surged within her.

Things were awkward because of his public confession, but as a friend, she should congratulate him.

Lilia nodded.

She’d go congratulate Aren.