NTR: I became a noble?

Serena seemed to notice his attention and desire to which she showed a subtle smile.

...

Terias then seated together with them at the table to have his breakfast and join their chat.

To his disappointment, he learned about the schedule of Earl Scheta which was really busy due to the arrival of the envoy from the royal family.

It would be difficult for the Earl to attend to them and his wife Serena would be the one managing the event and the meeting for him.

"The Earl had a feeling that he might not be able to attend the meeting. So he had already explained to me the topics of discussion."

Serena said to them at the table.

...

"Since there's a change in the arrangements, I am going to give you a brief of the topics you might have been interested into." She added

"We all know there is hierarchy among us nobles and there are ways to climb the ladder of hierarchy and gain titles.

But how many people do you think have enough merits to gain those titles? Is taxes and support to the royal family enough to gain those titles?" She glanced at Terias and other two

The glance at Terias lasted longer as he was the least knowledgeable and the only noble from a new family. Her glance suggested something, perhaps a secret.

...

Robert and Hexter exchanged glances with Terias and smiled, they knew the reason for Miss Serena's sentence.

Serena gave them a moment to think, and then continued with her explanation.

"Titles are associated with land and their people, the manpower and personal strength needed to control a piece of land increases from Baron to Duke.

The land is always a reason for wars and in our kingdom it is the same, to decrease the casualties associated with this, the nobles are supposed to show their strength and contest for the lands rather than die waging wars."

"The contest is usually for Earl's and above. The nobles under them in their allegiance do take part too. That brings us to the topic of discussion. The winner of those lands have the right to appoint a noble title" she paused glancing at the newest noble family's head on the table, Terias

'Is that how the previous Viscount's ancestor gained the title?' he wondered

...

"As for who would be taking part in the contest." Serena completed her explanation as she glanced at Terias and others, letting them know that they were the participants.

'is that why the Viscount was pressured into joining an Earl? He was taking up the land and the resources of a Viscount, not bothering to join any sides when he could win them lots of contested land.' Terias had a quick realisation

He felt it was quite ingenious of the Earl to think of this move.

Given the reputation of his predecessor, an image of the passionate researcher and martial artist, it made the process of getting him under an allegiance difficult.

...

"Now the contest doesn't solely consist of competition over land resources, there are disputes the nobles have among themselves which is to be settled in this contest." She said putting great emphasis on the topic.

"Is there an option to not take part in this?" Terias solemnly asked.

From what he could understand, it was a method of resource distribution among the nobles. The unclaimed land, or the land of weak nobles participating in the contest will be claimed by the winners.

It was a very important event for the Earl but to him it was unnecessary.

...

The profits and the taxes from his land would still be given to the Earl in the same amount, making it a useless endeavour for him to participate in the contest.

Unless the Earl offered some of the resources to the participants too. He had to make his interests clear that he was not here for loyalty and was seeking for profits.

As that would get him an opportunity to reluctantly participate in the contest for a particular item of his interest.

"Right, I was coming to that. There is an option to not participate. I would not recommend that as the resources you gain from winning in those contests include Earl level KI techniques." She replied calmly to him

...

"I understand " Terias replied, the reward did sound good. An Earl level technique was really a good deal. As for whether he would be able to gain it? Of course he would.

The reason why Terias was pressured into joining various nobles was because of his strength and talent. A third level KI warrior is easily able to win in Viscount level fights.

The Earls are the ones who normally reach third level before being recruited by the Marquises, if they show enough potential.

The same would be true for Earl Scheta, he must be discussing his recruitment into a Marquises or even under a Duke family.

As for the envoy from the royal family visiting him today, that could be an excuse or maybe he was a possible recruit for the royal court too.

...

The Earl reached the third level in his thirties making him the hot potato among the nobles.

'Does that mean the Earl title would go to the pretty lady in front of me?' he glanced at Serena as she was dealing with them professionally.

'So it was not a coincidence that she had to attend the meeting instead of the Earl. He allowed her to head to the meeting as she would have to continue doing that anyway.' he thought as the best possible candidate for the Earl title was Serena in front of him.

...

Though the Earl had three children, two of them were in their early teens while the youngest was seven. Only the youngest showed talent comparable to the Earl, the other two were only at peak of level one.

The level of his two older children was good for a Viscount but not for an Earl's heir. Even considering their talent, they were only young girls at the moment not experienced enough for the noble title.

The family was patriarchal for the most part, as long as the woman was not strong enough to control the family, the head would be a man.

Serena was already a level three, the same as Earl Scheta, making her an obvious candidate for the family head.

...

"Considering the importance of the information, I will let you have some time to think of your decision and possibly your requests." Serena said as she smiled at Terias.

Robert and Hexter were already under the Earl for a long time, they must have already made their requests for their participation.

Terias was strongest among them, at least that's what everyone on the table believed. The reason Serena gave special attention to him was also because of his strength.

He was the only candidate who was sure to win in the upcoming contest, if he decided to participate, which he positively would.

As for his lack of usable KI, he could only hide this news from others.

...

The physique of a martial artist is always undergoing a process of enhancement because of the ki in their body, considering his age and the time he reached level three, his physique was superior to most among the other Viscounts.

He has been a level three Ki warrior since his fifties. The Viscount must have made progress in the last two decades by reaching mid level, at the very least. The third decade was the time when he was injured.

He was unable to estimate his current amount of ki energy, that was the extent of his enormous Ki pool.

...

At the very least, his physique combined with ki reinforcement would easily help him win the contest. Though he would need to practice a lot more.

Serena left amid the meal, turning her back to them as she moved in a confident manner, jiggling her ass with every step she took.

'I wonder if that body is on the list of available resources she would be providing.' Terias thought as his mind went through a series of possible request he could make and possibly have her too.

...

Serena was a pretty lady and her husband was soon to be recruited in another family. Earl Scheta would not be free enough to come back and forth to visit her.

Serena too would be unable to leave due to her position in the family, the most likely candidate for the family head.

'What are the chances that I would get to have her if requested for her acquaintance? No, that would be too sudden and direct.' he concluded.

If she was professional and a practical lady, she would probably allow the request to a certain extent but it would be bad if she had strict morals.

At the very least, there won't be any consequence for his scandalous request.

A success in the matter would help him recover his lifespan faster and not to mention the allure of her beauty.

'I need to get to know her first, if she's smart enough and she sees that I show enough interest, the results would be satisfactory.' he planned to approach her and try to make advances on her.

(Please keep voting with Power stones. Serena's scene coming soon)