Chapter 80: Evan’s Noble Society

Time flew by quickly, and three days had passed.

During that time, thanks to Jena’s healing magic, Evan’s body had fully recovered.

And although the church sent people occasionally, causing some annoyance, Evan had ignored them all cleanly and sent them away.

‘No matter which church it is, they’re all persistent.’

Evan clicked his tongue and stepped out of the room.

He headed straight for the study.

‘So the day to meet face-to-face would come. It’s arriving sooner than I expected.’

That morning, he had received news from Alburton.

Clyd had summoned him.

This would be the first time since arriving in this world that Evan would meet and talk to someone in person.

He had always set becoming the head of the family as his ultimate goal, but that was supposed to be something far off in the future.

Yet, it seemed that wasn’t necessarily the case.

‘This first step will probably be the most important one.’

It would be the first step to becoming the Heir.

Suddenly, Evan grew curious about what kind of person Clyd was.

He had never had a direct conversation with him before.

Everything had been conveyed through Alburton.

Evan hoped he was a wise man as he stood in front of the study door.

Knock, knock.

Slowly, he raised his hand and knocked on the door.

A calm voice responded from inside.

“Come in.”

Evan turned the doorknob and opened the door.

Clack!

Inside the study, bookshelves filled every wall, and at the far end, Clyd was working at his desk.

Evan took slow, deliberate steps toward him.

Clyd continued writing something, but when Evan came close enough, he put down his pen.

He lifted his head and looked at Evan.

“Sit down.”

There was a chair prepared separately in front of Clyd’s desk.

Evan looked at the chair and then approached and sat down.

“…Since when did your body start to change?”

As soon as Evan sat, Clyd asked in his characteristically cold voice.

It was clear he was asking about Evan’s Mana.

Evan calmly met his blue eyes and spoke.

“After I was poisoned by Heres and Hilton, Mana appeared. I don’t know the exact reason, but it seems like my body started to change while I was at death’s door.”

He gave a plausible explanation he had thought up.

But it wasn’t entirely a lie.

In truth, the real Evan had died, and after entering this body, he had formed the Mana himself.

A brief silence followed.

The atmosphere grew heavy with awkwardness.

It was Clyd’s first conversation in years.

Naturally, it was bound to be awkward, but Evan didn’t feel that way at all.

To Evan, this was just a stranger.

Clyd was the only one trying to continue the conversation in this tense atmosphere, and Evan focused on understanding him.

“Then why didn’t you mention who poisoned you?”

“To survive. It was obvious no one would believe me.”

Evan replied without the slightest hesitation.

Yet his voice was calm and leisurely.

Clyd studied Evan’s expression.

There was no trace of resentment, anger, love-hate, or any other emotion.

It was as if he was looking at a third party.

More than that, he could read nothing from Evan.

This side of Evan was completely unfamiliar to him.

He was used to the Evan who complained, grumbled, and cursed behind everyone’s back.

The son who couldn’t speak a word when facing him was gone.

The Evan in front of him looked like a completely different stranger.

Clyd asked with a bitter voice.

“You said no one would believe you. I’m curious what that means.”

To an outsider, it might have sounded dry and cold, but Evan answered without showing any emotion.

“It means nothing special. Simply put, if there’s a reckless troublemaker and a son who looks diligent and capable on the surface, everyone will believe the latter.”

No matter how much Evan shouted back then, it was only natural that no one would believe him.

In fact, they probably noticed and caused a situation where his life was threatened.

Thinking about how he endured alone for so long while his life was in danger was heartbreaking.

But more than that, Evan was amazed.

‘He calmly judged the situation and waited for the right opportunity…’

Clyd rested his chin on his hand, pondering, then finally spoke.

“What is your intention in moving now?”

Evan met Clyd’s eyes and spoke directly without beating around the bush.

“I want to inherit the family.”

Clyd seemed surprised that Evan spoke so straightforwardly but showed little change in expression.

***

After a while of silence, Clyd spoke again.

“…You want to inherit the family?”

“Yes.”

A short and clear answer.

He didn’t add any unnecessary words.

It might seem a little arrogant, but it was far better than trying to flatter.

Considering Clyd’s personality, flattery would likely backfire.

He had heard that the position of Heir did not allow emotion to interfere.

Only objective evaluation mattered.

So there was no need to beat around the bush; only whether he was capable or not mattered.

What Evan needed from him was qualification.

At least the qualification to challenge was enough.

“I don’t know what kind of illusions you have, but this position is never that kind of place.”

“I know. I want to take this chance to apologize for my previous immature behavior. And I want to say that my desire to become the Heir is sincere.”

Clyd remained silent at Evan’s words.

He just looked at him with eyes that said, “Continue.”

“I understand that this is not an ordinary position. I’ve traveled through the Countdom a lot and experienced many incidents, so I have some understanding of the weight the family head bears.”

Evan briefly spoke about what had happened so far.

Of course, Clyd already knew most of it from reports.

He began to think seriously.

That was why he wanted to know if Evan was truly prepared.

Clyd slowly opened his mouth.

“Evan, can you bear to abandon yourself and take responsibility for everyone in the Marquisate?”

No matter how much he had experienced, he would never fully understand.

The weight of being the head of the family.

It wasn’t something that could be explained with words easily.

He hoped Evan would understand this fact.

Evan couldn’t answer rashly this time.

The weight behind the question was too heavy.

“The head of the family must not be swayed by personal feelings. If the family head wavers, everyone dies.”

Clyd’s words pierced sharply into Evan’s heart.

When Evan fell silent, Clyd suddenly stood up.

He walked over to a bookshelf lining the study wall.

He took out a thick, worn brown book.

Then returned to his seat and placed it in front of Evan.

“Take it and read it.”

Evan picked up the book.

He saw the family crest on the cover.

It was stained with blood and faded, clearly an old book.

“If your thoughts about becoming the Heir don’t change, I won’t stop you.”

Though he didn’t say it directly, it seemed like he was giving Evan a chance.

Evan said nothing and simply stared at Clyd’s face.

Clyd picked up a coat hanging on the chair.

“I’ve also heard from the Marquess. Your engagement ceremony is set. Think it over until then. If your thoughts on the Heir change, come find me then.”

With that, he opened the study door and left.

Left alone in the study, Evan pondered Clyd’s question, looked at the book, then slowly stood up.

***

When Evan returned to his room, he saw Alburton and the maids waiting outside the door.

Their faces looked urgent.

“What’s going on? Why is everyone gathered here?”

“Young master, it seems your schedule will be busy for a while.”

“Why?”

Alburton explained the engagement ceremony schedule.

But for some reason, there was a lot to prepare.

“…Also, young master, this engagement is a more important event.”

“What do you mean? More important?”

Evan had thought the engagement would be a simple affair.

But it turned out to be completely different.

“This engagement will be your first appearance in the Noble Society and your official debut.”

Alburton signaled a maid, who brought over an elegant box.

He handed it to Evan.

“What’s this?”

“The tales of the young master’s heroism have spread widely throughout the Marquisate. As a result, several families are showing interest. And…”

Alburton began explaining the current situation in the Noble Society.

The fact that Count Clyd was personally preparing Evan’s engagement was a huge gossip topic.

Because until now, Evan had been known as a castaway son.

Evan, who never even debuted in the Noble Society, would now be introduced officially.

Moreover, the Kerthen Marquisate was a prestigious knightly family considered a pillar of the kingdom.

Naturally, everyone’s attention would be focused here.

Evan waved his hand in annoyance.

“Just dispose of it.”

Alburton broke out in a cold sweat, trying to dissuade him.

“Y-young master, we’ve filtered the guests to only nobles matching the family’s rank. You’ll need to send replies and the engagement invitations.”

“…What?”

Evan’s expression twisted momentarily.

Opening the box, he saw it was filled with letters.

“Alright, I get it.”

Evan sighed and entered the room.

But the maids and Alburton followed him inside.

Thinking about it, if it was just to deliver news, Alburton alone would have sufficed.

“Is there anything else?”

“You need to get fitted for your ceremonial uniform.”

“Uniform?”

“Yes. Young master, you might not know yet, but the Order of Knights’ uniform is our family’s pride. Since the previous generation, it has been the family tradition to wear the knightly uniform for engagements and weddings.”

“…Fine. Just finish it quickly.”

At that, the maids brightened and swarmed Evan.

They began measuring his body with tape measures and the like.

Evan was tormented like this, and only after all measurements were taken did they finally leave the room.

It was like a storm had passed, leaving him dazed.

“…I’m especially tired today.”

Evan slumped into a chair, put down the book, and opened the box of letters on his desk, letting them spill out.

“Why are there so many of these?”

The letters piled high. Evan picked one at random and read it.

‘Nonsense.’

Though the letters had various contents, they mostly expressed curiosity.

Evan’s name was famous in rumors, but few had actually confirmed it.

That was why so much attention was drawn.

‘Enough. I’ll deal with this later.’

Evan tossed the letters on the desk and reached for the book Clyd had given him.

But then, among the letters, one stood out with a golden shine.

‘What’s this?’

Evan picked up the letter and couldn’t help but be surprised.

It was from the Royal Palace, sent by a member of the royal family.