[Translator - Kiteretsu]

    [Proofreader - Kyros]

    Chapter 78

    Deep within the royal palace of the Bormian Kingdom was the residence of the First Prince, Diether Hart.

    Despite having a separate villa, Diether Hart insisted on living exclusively within the palace. He rarely made public appearances, leading people to call him the "Reclusive Prince."

    Had he been more active publicly, the power struggle within the Bormian Kingdom would not have arisen.

    The First Prince’s claim to the throne was unshakable.

    He was the kingdom’s eldest son, backed by the powerful Lebrin Ducal family from his maternal side.

    In addition, his younger sister, who supported him, was the owner of an S-rank mana suit.

    However...

    “Violet, you’ve come?”

    “Yes, Brother.”

    Princess Violet entered Diether Hart’s room.

    His room, filled to the brim with books, resembled a library.

    The only difference was that, unlike a library, books were scattered chaotically even across the floor.

    The First Prince, Diether Hart, lay among the scattered books.

    “At today’s luncheon, I met the Saintess.”

    “Did you? How did she seem?”

    “Just as the legends say. She has forgotten aging and lives eternally... She maintains the body of a 15-year-old girl.”

    “I see.”

    “I wish you had attended, Brother.”

    “I had work to do.”

    Violet picked up one of the books from the floor.

    She couldn’t read its content, but she recognized the script.

    ‘...The language of the Demonic Realm.’

    Was he still reading books related to the Demonic Realm?

    Even now, while the Saintess was present, he remained buried in his books, engrossed in research...

    Violet felt a sense of frustration.

    ‘He needs to participate in public affairs. Remaining secluded like this only fuels strange rumors.’

    Because of the First Prince’s extreme reclusiveness, various rumors circulated among idle gossipers.

    The prince is actually a fool.

    Princess Violet manipulates him like a puppet.

    The First Prince is already dead.

    The Second Prince’s faction subtly spread and amplified such rumors, reaping indirect benefits.

    Even Kaylen, whom they had recently tried to recruit, had hinted at hearing such stories.

    ‘Brother, a fool? How absurd...’

    Diether Hart might have a thin frame and a pale complexion, but his eyes shone with sharp intelligence.

    For someone capable of studying books written in the language of the Demonic Realm, calling him a fool was preposterous.

    “Did the Saintess say anything in particular?”

    “She said that soon, a monster wave will occur in the northeastern border region.”

    “I see...”

    A monster wave—when an army of over 100,000 monsters invades at once.

    “The Saintess also mentioned that after the monster wave, a demonic army commander and mana eaters will launch an invasion. However, she and the Holy Legion will handle that.”

    “That is reassuring.”

    The existence of Mana Eaters was a secret known to very few. However, the Bormian royal family, armed with an extensive information network, possessed intelligence that only the royal bloodline was privy to. Mana Eaters were among those classified secrets.

    “They said the Holy Legion''s deployment hinges on us perfectly repelling the monster wave. The Sanctuary cannot handle the wave itself,” Violet explained.

    “Of course. They are coldly pragmatic—they only save nations they deem worthy of saving.”

    “Yes, and fortunately, our kingdom still holds some ‘worthy’ value.”

    The Bormian Kingdom, though situated in an era where the human territories of the continent were rapidly shrinking, had managed to maintain a stable power.

    Even amidst dwindling human realms, the kingdom''s strength ranked among the top five.

    “So, I’ll be discussing the formation of the subjugation force with the Second Prince’s faction.”

    Though Kaylen had admitted his transformed body was more convenient, he would occasionally mutter things like,

    “Maybe I should just go back to how I was.”

    If not for those around him vehemently protesting, he might have actually done it.

    Giving up this extraordinary appearance to return to his rugged former self?

    As an elf who valued appearance more than most, Irene couldn’t fathom such a decision.

    His long lashes and serene golden eyes were enough to leave anyone mesmerized.

    Kaylen’s original form had also been handsome, with the same golden eyes and sharp features, but this was on an entirely different level.

    His current face combined sharp majesty with breathtaking beauty.

    Irene couldn’t help but think of her sister-in-law, Melvria, who had once been like an older sister to her.

    ‘He really does look like her. That face is proof of the Ernstine lineage.’

    Kaylen had once mentioned that his changed appearance resembled that of the legendary Emperor Ernstine.

    A long time ago, when Irene had complimented Melvria’s beauty, she would often reply with a playful laugh:

    “Oh, I just inherited my dad’s good looks. Our father was extremely handsome.”

    Back then, Irene had dismissed it as mere flattery for her father-in-law, whom Melvria deeply admired.

    ‘But it turns out she was telling the truth.’

    Though Irene tried to glance at him only briefly, it was obvious to Kaylen.

    “Even you, Lady Irene?” he asked, his tone teasing.

    “Oh! I’m so sorry!” Irene stammered, flustered.

    Kaylen let out a long, inward sigh.

    ‘I’ll have to get used to these stares.’

    Now that his Sacred Sword was complete and he was beginning his path as a Swordmaster, attention would only grow once he established his Sword Clan.

    Kaylen decided it was time to fully embrace his new appearance.

    Meanwhile, in the distance, Charles was returning with someone who appeared to be the captain of the guards.

    “Professor Irene has vouched for him, so couldn’t you have let it go?” the captain muttered.

    “But, Captain! You’ll change your mind once you see for yourself!” Charles insisted.

    “People don’t change that much, no matter what... Wha—?!”

    The captain, who had been responding dismissively, froze the moment he laid eyes on Kaylen. Then, with a loud thud, he stumbled and sat down on the spot.

    “This... this can’t be real! Are you telling me that man is Kaylen?!”

    “Yes, he is,” Irene confirmed with a calm smile.

    The captain, still clearly in disbelief, gawked at Kaylen like he was enchanted. Even after hearing Irene''s explanation, he staggered to his feet and stammered,

    “I-I’ll escalate this to the higher-ups.”

    And just like Charles earlier, the captain ran off to make a report.

    But the reporting didn’t stop there. The chain of verification kept climbing up the academy hierarchy.

    “What? You’re saying he is Kaylen? That’s almost impossible to believe.”

    “I trust Professor Irene. He must truly be Kaylen.”

    Eventually, this farcical situation escalated all the way to the academy’s headmaster, drawing widespread attention.

    “I understand your circumstances,” the headmaster said, his tone serious. “But many people are struggling to accept this transformation.”

    “...I understand,” Kaylen replied quietly.

    “To think a failed magical experiment could make someone so handsome... Honestly, it sounds implausible, doesn’t it?”

    Kaylen could only nod silently.

    They had all agreed on the cover story: the transformation was the result of a secretive experiment at the Fairy Tower, which had yielded unexpected results.

    But who would believe a magical failure could make someone stunningly attractive?

    ‘If I were an ordinary student, they might have let it slide.’

    However, as a Superior Mage and a rare talent who had achieved the Sixth Circle, Kaylen’s identity warranted thorough verification.

    “That’s why we’ve prepared this,” the headmaster said.

    In the academy’s vast auditorium, a Meister Aptitude Evaluator was brought in—a device used to measure one’s magical aptitude.

    “Kaylen, proving your capabilities seems to be the only way to dispel all doubt.”

    Kaylen glanced at the complex magical instrument. Its intricate designs hummed faintly with latent power, awaiting his input.

    He took a deep breath, steeling himself. If this was what it took to silence the doubters, then so be it.

    [Translator - Kiteretsu]

    [Proofreader - Kyros]