Reborn as the Head of the Stolen Mage Family

Chapter 13

The top and second-place scorers in the entrance exam could have a private meeting with the dean.

This academy tradition, combined with the fact that Leodimir was the dean, was the most empowering news for me at this moment.

‘If Leo is this prominent, he might still be in contact with the other Palamedes members.’

A single piece of news about my prized disciple brought back memories of familiar faces.

But I quickly pushed those emotions aside and formulated a plan.

‘The path is clear now.’

Enter the academy, secure second place, and meet Leo.

Then, prove my identity through Clode and rally our forces.

With a clearer plan, joy spread across my face.

As I smiled mysteriously to myself, Shane snapped his fingers in front of my eyes.

“Are you listening?”

“Yes, of course. You said the top or second-place scorer gets a private meeting with the dean.”

“I also said it’s irrelevant to you. The top or second place is for Young Master Marcel to worry about, so focus on mastering these materials.”

I nodded vigorously at Shane.

“Yes, Teacher.”

***

Though I nodded enthusiastically…

“Ugh—”

My neck, bent over the documents for hours, soon grew stiff.

Crack.

“Studying for exams at this age. What am I doing with my life?”

A 14-year-old lamenting in a clear voice.

But my posture, turning and massaging my neck, was unmistakably that of an old man.

“Haa…”

I rubbed my tired eyes and sighed.

Studying for an exam after nearly 80 years.

It was the first mountain blocking my path.

Until now, I hadn’t bothered with good grades, halfheartedly handling studies and assignments since I didn’t need to excel to get into the academy.

But not anymore.

With about two weeks left until the entrance exam, I had to prepare thoroughly.

‘So Marcel can take first place, and I can follow as second.’

I aimed for second place, not first, due to the strict unspoken rule for Tails:

A Tail must never surpass the family’s heir.

Be it grades, friendships, or anything else.

No matter how skilled, a Tail must never stand above or equal to the heir—it was their duty.

Thus, for me to meet Dean Leodimir, Marcel had to take first place.

A Tail who outscored the family’s heir in the entrance exam would be immediately dismissed.

‘Well, in my case, since I’m Marcel’s Well, I wouldn’t be dismissed, but my enrollment would be canceled.’

Either way, that couldn’t happen if I was to meet the dean.

Fortunately, Marcel’s first-place finish didn’t seem too difficult.

Marcel was the epitome of a model student.

His methodical, textbook-perfect study habits ensured consistent perfect scores.

He was likely well-prepared for the interview with the family’s high-quality materials.

Moreover, the practical exam’s outcome was practically in my hands.

So, what remained was—

‘My own studying, damn it.’

Realizing reality, I sighed again.

By the way…

“Really, living twice is something else.”

Reflecting on my situation, I gazed blankly out the window with a hollow look.

Myself, trying to become an academy freshman again, and Leodimir, now the academy’s dean.

‘That guy who hated attention and treated power like a pebble…’

The 30 years I’d been gone had changed more than I thought.

And to put it another way—

‘If a core member is the academy’s dean and there’s still no word about Palamedes, their situation must be dire.’

I let out a deep sigh and closed my eyes.

Then, after a moment, I steeled myself and resumed reading the materials.

‘Focus on what’s in front of you for now.’

***

Time flew, and soon it was the day before the academy entrance exam.

For the past two weeks, I had studied day and night.

To master concepts and knowledge introduced in the last 30 years, I had to sacrifice sleep and even meal times.

As a result, the day before the exam, I scored passing marks in both the mock exam and mock interview alongside Marcel.

“Your grades have improved quickly. Seems you’re not entirely hopeless at studying,” Marcel said, looking at my test paper with a 98.

“Haha… It’s all effort. Gotta keep up with you, Young Master, to get good grades,” I replied, forcing a smile while recalling the past two weeks’ grind. Then I glanced at Marcel’s perfect 100-point test paper.

As if perfect scores were routine, Marcel didn’t seem to care.

In the mock interview, he answered every question flawlessly, like a textbook example.

‘As expected. If I control the mana well in the practical, making him first place won’t be an issue.’

With that, the entrance exam preparations were complete.

The two tutors instructed us to rest in our rooms and manage our condition.

But that applied only to me.

Marcel was to take a drug and tea developed by the Pasquier Institute to boost vitality, along with a massage to enhance cognitive function.

The family was meticulously managing the Young Master’s condition for the big exam tomorrow.

In contrast, all I received was a cup of tea sent by Sylvia.

Of course, the tea was meant to amplify the mind manipulation effect to facilitate mana absorption tomorrow.

But since I hadn’t been manipulated in the first place, it was useless.

Step, step.

I carried the steaming teacup and stepped onto the balcony.

The cool evening breeze and rich tea aroma soothed my restless mood.

But seeing the servants bustling below, my mood sank again.

‘Come to think of it, they’ve been busy all day.’

They had inspected the family’s transport ship that would take Marcel and me to the academy tomorrow, and the escort knights set to accompany us had trained.

A craftsman from the workshop had visited Shainborough to tune Marcel’s wand, and all sorts of nourishing foods were prepared for meals.

The entire family had revolved around Marcel all day.

Some might call it excessive for a mere entrance exam.

But considering Marcel’s status and the prestige of Lieferden Academy, it was only natural.

The problem was—

‘While Ivan’s grandson enjoys all this, I don’t even know where my kids are.’

I gazed quietly at Shainborough’s darkening evening sky.

Today, more than ever, I craved the cigars I used to enjoy in my past life.

‘If Noah had a child, they’d be about Marcel’s age now.’

Thinking of my grandson, I exhaled a deep sigh instead of cigar smoke.

Watching Marcel receive the family’s full attention all day made my heart sink unavoidably.

I, Edmund, never saw Noah’s academy entrance.

Noah lost his life in an explosion the year he turned 10.

Not only that, but his parents died soon after, leaving him alone in the world at 10.

Forget entering the academy—he must have been desperate just to survive.

No one knew where Noah was now or what hardships he was enduring.

“Haa…”

My heart felt heavy, as if sinking.

I closed my eyes tightly.

With a moment to rest, the emotions I had suppressed while regaining my strength finally surfaced.

Regret.

I considered regret the most useless waste of energy.

What good was thinking, ‘If only I had done this differently,’ after everything had already happened?

But since my reincarnation, one regret had always lingered in my mind.

‘If I hadn’t died so futilely, none of this would have happened.’

If I hadn’t, Damian would have become the head, and Noah would have entered the academy.

Like his grandfather, he would have proudly claimed first place with outstanding magical talent.

And I would have joyfully helped him prepare, down to the smallest detail, like choosing his writing tools.

In the end… it was a future that never came.

…

Soon, the sun set, and the servants bustling in the garden were no longer visible.

‘They must have cleared the mansion early to ensure Marcel’s rest.’

I looked at the quiet garden, then picked up the teacup I had placed on the railing.

Without hesitation, I poured the tea over the balcony.

Splatter—

The cold tea soaked the garden grass.

I slowly rolled the empty teacup in my hand.

“Noah, tomorrow your grandfather plans to make Ivan’s grandson the top scorer in the academy entrance exam. And for a while, I’ll attend the academy serving him as Young Master.”

My low voice was calm, like the golden sunset fading into the darkened sky.

But my eyes, gazing at the dark night sky, burned with a fierce golden light.

I finished my words to Noah.

“But… don’t worry. I won’t waste a single day of those humiliating times. I’ll do everything to set things right, so until then…”

Please, stay alive.

The desperate plea I couldn’t voice was swallowed silently.

***

“Father, it’s Marcel.”

“Come in.”

The door to the head’s private study in Shainborough opened, and Marcel stepped inside.

Even as his son approached, Furas didn’t lift his eyes from his documents.

“…”

Marcel waited tensely for his father’s words.

After a long pause, Furas, having signed a document, finally looked at Marcel.

“I hear Dalton is likely to become the academy’s student council president this year.”

“…”

At the mention of his cousin Dalton Kirhausen, Marcel subtly bit his lip.

A sixth-year student and last year’s vice president, Dalton was a renowned model student at the academy.

And Marcel knew well why his father brought up Dalton.

It was a warning not to fall behind Dalton in the entrance exam scores.

As a celebrated model student, Dalton had also scored in the top ranks during his entrance exam.

As the heir of the Kirhausen Family, Marcel, whose every move would be compared to Dalton’s, had to enter with even better scores.

“If Brother becomes the student council president, I’ll sincerely congratulate him. As the heir, it’ll be a joy to honor a branch family member who elevates our family’s prestige.”

Marcel faced his father, hiding his tension.

Furas’s eyebrow twitched momentarily, as if irritated by the response, but—

“And I’ll tell him, ‘Just as you’ve devoted yourself to the academy, I trust you’ll continue to be a loyal servant of the Kirhausen Family.’”

At Marcel’s follow-up, Furas’s expression soon calmed.

Clink.

Furas lifted his teacup without a word.

Noticing his father’s satisfaction, Marcel finally relaxed.

But—

“How are you getting along with the assistant boy?”

The unexpected question left Marcel at a loss for words.

“Uh… aside from personal study time, we’ve been together for nearly every schedule. Honestly, it’s still a bit uncomfortable…”

“Keep him close and look after him well.”

“…Pardon?”

“Was my instruction unclear?”

“N-no, Father. I’ll… keep it in mind.”

“Good. You may leave.”

With a somewhat bewildered expression, Marcel left Furas’s study.

As he headed to his room, he mulled over his father’s words.

‘Does Father… actually like Eddie?’

Jealousy. Longing. Desire. Confusion.

With each step and heavy sigh, Marcel carried his tangled emotions to his bedroom.

In the end, he tossed and turned, unable to sleep, until dawn broke over Shainborough and the day of the academy entrance exam arrived.