I Became the Teacher of the Imperial Family’s Bastard

007. Revenge (1)

It has already been four days since the Crown Prince visited.

I said a few words to the fool who was out of his mind, and since he seemed to understand them well enough, I didn’t bother with the Crown Prince any further.

I just lived my life faithfully, so to speak.

‘The best.’

Undoubtedly the best.

Was there ever a day in my life that was this peaceful?

Life in the prison is beyond words.

It can’t even be compared to the wartime when I had some semblance of freedom.

When I open my eyes in the morning, the sunlight greets me.

Even if I lie still, the attendants tidy up the bedding and prepare breakfast for me.

After that, it’s entirely my time.

‘Ah, just for a few days…’

Let’s live like this for just a few days.

After all the hardships of twenty years, isn’t this small amount of leisure allowed?

Of course, that doesn’t mean I did absolutely nothing.

“Good morning.”

“G-Good morning, Young Master!”

—-

Ten soldiers of the family were running on the training ground since morning, so I joined their ranks.

They were all stunned to see me exercising from the morning.

“Wh-why is the young master doing that…?”

“Isn’t it like someone else has entered his body?”

They whispered.

‘I can hear everything, you guys.’

But I couldn’t refute them.

Since the self called ‘future me’ has settled into the present me, it’s strange to call it the same person.

Even without considering that, their words make me reflect on my past life as a scoundrel.

So, I must show them that I am different from before.

Moreover, exercise is a routine that must not be skipped from now on.

‘How can this body be so pathetic…’

Although my mana control has already reached the expert level, my body is nothing but a pathetic trash that knows no training.

Some might say that it’s enough to use mana well, but that’s a naive statement.

A knight’s combat power is fundamentally the product of physical ability and mana control.

A knight is someone who uses a well-honed mana sword with an excellent body.

If it were enough to just use mana well, that would be a mage, not a knight.

Anyway, in that aspect, I am currently a half-baked knight.

If the refinement of the body is not completed, combat power is out of the question, and if I continue to gather enlightenment like this, my body, unable to withstand the mana, will go ‘bang!’ and explode.

The mere thought gives me goosebumps.

I struggled to compose myself and said,

“This is it for me. Good job, everyone.”

Running had chased away all traces of sleepiness.

I felt much more refreshed.

When I returned to my room, Emma had prepared things for washing and a change of clothes.

Ah, truly the best. The life of a noble…!

“Thank you.”

Just as I was about to go wash,

“Ah, ah! Young master!”

“Huh?”

“This! A letter from the royal family!”

“A letter?”

“Yes, from the Crown Prince!”

The Crown Prince, huh. The moment I heard that name, my refreshed feeling turned to crap.

I thought I wouldn’t have to deal with that person anymore.

As I took the letter, Emma’s eyes sparkled strangely.

I started to feel a bit uneasy.

“…Do you know what’s in it?”

“Yes, roughly…! The royal messenger spoke in such a solemn tone…”

“In a tone?”

Ahem, ahem!

Emma cleared her throat and then made a face like an old-fashioned uncle.

And in a deep voice, she said,

“It has been nearly 300 years since the royal family sought the teachings of Pharos! We expect wise handling in this exchange!”

Emma’s stern gaze turned towards me.

I asked indifferently,

“Did they say it like that?”

“Yes!!!”

“Alright.”

With a flick, I tossed the letter aside and went to wash up.

Emma, startled, shouted from behind,

“Y-Young Master! What about the letter?!”

“Just leave it there. Or deal with it yourself.”

Talking like some royal tutor.

Did that person take some medicine?

‘Why bother with such a thing?’

I’m already busy enough with my own work, I have no intention of babysitting an undergrown prince.

What if he says, “Do it!”?

Well,

‘He can go to hell.’

It is allowed.

What kind of family are we?

We are the great house of Pharos, the only one that can request ‘reconsideration and rejection’ of the imperial command.

I shall not be involved in such troublesome matters.

With that thought in mind, I washed myself.

Later, I realized belatedly that there was something I had not accounted for.

That is, during the lunch with my sister.

“Young master, I heard the news. You have been invited to be the prince’s tutor? This sister is truly moved.”

Before I could even lift my spoon, my sister spoke first.

Her expression was truly marvelous.

A faint smile with drooping eyes, a lively blush on her cheeks.

And the speed of her speech, about half a beat faster than usual.

Did I mention, my sister was a person who never expressed emotions in her life.

Even the emotional expressions she did make were so subtle that it was hard to distinguish them unless you looked closely.

Such a person was openly pleased.

No, she was excited and thrilled.

…Yes, I overlooked it.

Everything that happens in this family reaches my sister’s ears because of those chattering underlings.

And my sister, Cecilia Pharos, is the person who becomes one with the family, the reason the family’s prestige is alive.

Such a person heard this news.

And I, who heard this news, am the person who must fulfill all of my sister’s wishes.

“Uh… that…”

“Young Master, I am so proud of you.”

…Hmm.

* * *

The imperial capital.

The reception room of the Dawn Palace was noisy.

It wasn’t that there were many people gathered, it was just that Erilda, who was squawking there, was noisy.

Kallios’s ears hurt.

“Really? Are you really doing it? No, it’s not a joke, you’re really taking Pharos as your master? That scoundrel Pharos?”

“Scoundrel? He’s the heir of a great family. Watch your words…”

“Watch my words? He’s a scoundrel, isn’t he!”

The fact that he couldn’t deny it was Kallios’s only sorrow.

After all, what was the public perception of Yuren Pharos?

The center of the capital’s entertainment.

A notorious figure who was said to be unmatched in drinking and gambling, and who even snatched snacks from children on the street.

‘At this point, I’m the only one who knows that he’s not a scoundrel but a wise noble.’

So it was within Kallios’s understanding that the palace was noisy because of this choice.

Kallios also knew the rumors that were spreading.

That he had gone mad over women, and now he would join forces with a scoundrel to indulge in entertainment.

It was troublesome indeed.

Just as he was about to regain his composure and properly perform his duties as the crown prince, if that incident pushed his awareness further down, it would greatly hinder his future steps.

A sigh escaped.

‘…It must be karma.’

Looking back with a clear mind now, he was certainly irrational when he clung to Rebecca.

He acted like she was the whole world, rampaging like a wild horse without considering the consequences, causing much worry to those around him.

That was all that influenced the current situation.

If he hadn’t been obsessed with Rebecca, he wouldn’t have known Yuren’s true nature, but now was not the time for such comforting thoughts.

“Erylda.”

“What!”

“I didn’t call you to nag. And use honorifics with your brother.”

“Do I look like I will! Yo!”

“I’m asking you to help find a solution.”

Kallios narrowed his eyes and glared at Erylda.

Erylda, with bloodshot eyes, glared back at Kallios, trembling as if she was about to explode with anger.

Then, realizing that Kallios would never bend his will, she slumped her shoulders and let out a deep sigh.

Despite everything, Erylda was a soft-hearted person who would eventually grant the request.

“…What solution could there be? We just have to convince others of the reason we have to bring that person in.”

“I know that. I want to discuss what that method is.”

“What do you mean…”

A look of concern appeared on Erylda’s face.

Kallios was the same.

The reason why the greatest scoundrel of the system had to become a teacher.

What on earth could that be!

Kallios suddenly felt resentful towards Yuren.

It was such a moment.

“…Isn’t it enough to show others that Pharos has points better than you, things to learn from?”

“There are things to learn, certainly.”

“No, I mean, shouldn’t we show that to others?”

Kallios blinked.

“Show it? That Pharos is better than me?”

“Right, the problem is that there isn’t any.”

Is there really none?

Even as he thought about it, he understood Erilda’s concern.

Kallios was not someone who lacked self-awareness.

On the contrary, he was quite adept at accurately assessing his abilities, following the teachings of the wise.

Nevertheless, Kallios was superior in every aspect as an individual.

Innate all-around talent.

It was not of an ordinary level.

As Kallios fell into contemplation, Erilda subtly asked.

“There really isn’t any, right? Then let’s give up here…”

“…No.”

“…Huh?”

“If you don’t know, you just have to find out.”

“Huh??”

Kallios stood up.

Then, he smiled brightly at Erilda and said,

“Why don’t you just ask directly?”

That was the whole story.

* * *

“So that’s why you’re here.”

The mansion’s reception room.

In front of me are the prince, who is laughing so refreshingly that I want to punch him in the mouth, and the princess, who is glaring at me so sullenly that I want to flick her forehead.

Why are these b*stards acting like this in someone else’s house?

No, more importantly,

“Are you saying there’s nothing I’m better at than His Highness the Crown Prince?”

“That’s not what I meant…”

“No, isn’t that exactly what you’re saying?”

Where does this confidence come from, to come right up and ask, ‘What are you better at than me?’

Confidence is indeed a necessary virtue for a prince, but listening to this makes me inexplicably angry.

“Are you picking a fight?”

When I asked, the prince replied seriously,

“That’s not it. This is a really important issue. To smoothly accept you as a teacher, we need to sufficiently convince those around us.”

“Did you not say anything about being a master?”

“Are you not going to?”

Suddenly, my body froze.

—Sogaju, I’ve heard the news. You’ve been invited as His Highness’s master, haven’t you? This sister is truly moved.

Why does my sister’s smiling face come to mind at this moment?

“······.”

As I momentarily couldn’t respond, the crown prince beamed.

“Haha! So it’s something you wanted too! Truly, you are a friend full of shyness!”

“Jo···.”

Shut up.

“Is that good?”

“Damn···.”

Damn it.

It’s strange.

Why isn’t the inventory and rejection right coming out?

Ah, I see.

My sister’s smile is above the inventory and rejection right···!

My eyes squeezed shut.

‘Damn it.’

But, despite the annoyance, if you think about it differently, this was also a good opportunity.

Let’s put aside the disadvantage of having to deal with the Crown Prince.

Pharos is a family that has been born as the royal tutor from its very foundation.

In our family, the greatest honor is considered to be the head of the family taking on the role of the royal tutor.

But that too was last done 300 years ago.

There is such a thing as political friction.

Given the unique position of Pharos, it should not be too involved in the political arena.

Therefore, the predecessors have been cautious about this matter.

The principle is not to step forward unless it is a truly necessary moment.

Thus, the rule that emerged within the family was ‘Do not step forward unless the royal family requests it.’

In such a situation, the Crown Prince personally asked me to be his tutor.

It was an opportunity to perform the greatest honor of the family.

“Sigh…”

I let out a long breath.

My mind cleared.

The Crown Prince asked.

“So, do you have any particular field you are exceptionally confident in? Enough to beat me. Anything is fine! Ah, except for the culinary field, which I am not confident in…”

He babbled on.

I also seriously pondered.

‘A field where I am more talented than the Crown Prince?’

…Is there such a thing?

For over 20 years, I have been entangled with that man.

So, even if I didn’t want to know, I couldn’t help but know.

The Crown Prince is a man who far exceeds the total amount of talent a human can possess.

Really… if it weren’t for that commoner woman, I believe there wouldn’t be an emperor to surpass him in the next thousand years of the empire.

The only field I can be confident in is swordsmanship.

‘But even that…’

Suddenly—

My body froze.

‘…Wait a moment.’

It’s 20 years ago now.

What was the Crown Prince’s level at this point?

‘Beginner Expert? Intermediate Expert?’

Similar to me.

Realizing that, a few facts came to mind.

‘Did that b*stard revamp the imperial swordsmanship at this point?’

No, that was something the Crown Prince supplemented through meditation after he was imprisoned.

‘Is that guy wielding the Sword Intent at this point?’

Absolutely not.

The Sword Intent is a concept that only appears in the future Crown Prince’s ‘New Imperial Swordsmanship’.

Alright, let’s summarize.

Our levels are similar.

Physically, I’m inferior.

But, if we limit it to the field of swords…

‘The Imperial Swordsmanship and the New Imperial Swordsmanship are polar opposites.’

The new version is designed to dissect the Imperial Swordsmanship down to the last speck and compensate for all its weaknesses.

So, with all that knowledge ingrained in my mind…

‘Can I defeat the current Crown Prince…?’

In other words,

‘…Can I beat that b*stard?’

My heart raced.

In my past life, the desire to beat the Crown Prince to the brink of death was just a wish that never came true.

Realizing this, my mouth moved on its own.

“Your Highness.”

“Hmm?”

Ah, I shouldn’t have done that.

“···Do you happen to wield a sword?”

Why does this make me laugh?

End

ⓒ papapa.

—-