Chapter 101: The Foolish Nephew and the Calculating Uncle

My mother once possessed a study, dedicated solely to housing her books.

Two rows of bookshelves stood there, each shelf brimming with meticulously arranged volumes.

Even with the advancements in magical technology, which had significantly improved printing techniques, books remained exceedingly precious commodities within this remote village.

Compounding the difficulty, most of these books were quite profound and esoteric.

Disposing of them would prove even more challenging.

One would first need to establish contact with someone in the city.

All in all, it was a profoundly troublesome undertaking.

According to Saki, the butler, Will had only taken possession of this manor within the last few months, a relatively short period indeed.

Despite the multitude of matters requiring his attention, his initial action had been to meddle with the seemingly inconsequential books in the study.

It was utterly baffling.

It was almost as if… he had deliberately tried to thwart Yalin.

Yalin was not one to beat around the bush.

While he couldn’t discern Will’s true intentions, the man himself was right before him.

Extracting the truth from his lips would be a simple matter.

He cast a glance at the individuals occasionally passing through the hall.

These were the assistants Will had hired.

Each possessed sharp, discerning eyes, and even from a considerable distance, one could sense the potent magical fluctuations emanating from them.

Clearly, every one of them possessed a certain level of power, setting them apart from ordinary mercenaries.

However, that was the extent of their capabilities.

There were no transcendent powerhouses here, none comparable to Yufinika, who could pose any real threat to him.

Should he summon the Conceptual Deities, it would be an exceptionally fierce matter indeed.

“Were those books particularly important to you?I noticed the study was never used, and all the books within were quite dusty.Keeping them only took up space, so I sold them all.My apologies,”

Will explained with an earnest expression.

“Is that so? And to whom did you sell them?”

“Well… it was through an intermediary introduced by a friend of mine.

He owns a bookstore in the city, and you know how it is: city folk just love collecting these sorts of things.”

Will let out a few embarrassed chuckles.

“But rest assured, if there was anything you needed, I’ll definitely retrieve it for you!”

“Oh, in that case, since Uncle has said as much, I can set my mind at ease.”

Yalin nodded with a smile.

“Of course!

We are, after all, each other’s only family.

Anything within my power, I will do my utmost to help you with,”

Will declared, thumping his chest with a grand air.

“Speaking of which, Yalin, my boy, you’ve really made something of yourself!

To actually gain admission to that academy!

This is the highest honor for the Ravenster family!

I’m certain your father’s spirit, watching from above, would be overjoyed to know!”

“Is that so? But I’m not nearly as formidable as Uncle.”

“What makes you say that?”

Will’s interest was piqued.

“Are you implying your time at the academy hasn’t been pleasant?”

Yalin sighed.

“Indeed.I possess no magical abilities, my grades at the academy are abysmal, and I have no friends.I’m forced to reside in a cheap dwelling within the slums, so it wouldn’t surprise me if I were expelled at any moment.”

“That truly sounds arduous… Does the academy not care for you at all?”

“The academy only concerns itself with those who excel academically.

There are countless students like me, devoid of talent and facing expulsion.

How could they possibly manage to look after us all?”

Yalin lowered his head, letting out several bitter laughs.

“My application for a leave of absence was approved remarkably quickly.

The approver didn’t even spare me a glance.

I doubt he would care even if I never returned.”

“Such a situation… Well, don’t lose heart too much.

Just do your best.”

While Will offered words of comfort, a surge of secret delight welled up within him.

As expected, his nephew remained as useless as ever.

After his parents’ demise, he had abandoned the family, showing no concern.

He had run off to Ailanmia for a woman, like some lovesick fool, only to end up in this pathetic state.

He deserved every bit of it.

After driving Saki out, Will had effectively become the head of the Ravenster family.

Though the family had fallen into decline, under the old man’s management, many new ventures had been established, promising a bright future.

More importantly, he required the Ravenster name.

This was not merely for his own benefit, but also at the behest of the one who had assisted him.

However, no matter how utterly useless Yalin might be, legally speaking, he remained the family’s rightful heir.

This fact could not be altered.

Therefore, should he cause a major stir, or forcefully attempt to reclaim the family estate, it would present a considerable nuisance.

Will had long sought an opportunity to eliminate Yalin.

However, he was wary of the academy, and with Ailanmia being so distant, he had never found the opportune moment to act.

Yet now, Yalin had delivered himself directly to him.

Moreover, from Yalin’s own words, it appeared the academy paid him little mind.

With this revelation, Will’s last shred of apprehension vanished.

A malevolent glint flickered in the depths of his eyes.

Yalin, seemingly oblivious to the shift in Will’s gaze, continued to wallow in self-pity.

“Ah, well, perhaps being expelled isn’t so bad after all.

At worst, I can simply return to inherit the family estate…

Since Uncle is managing the manor for me now, I won’t have to worry about it… However, if you also plan to reside in that small town, you’d best arrange for a new house to be built beforehand, otherwise, when I return, this place won’t be able to accommodate so many people.”

“Hahahaha—”

Will burst into uproarious laughter, doubling over with mirth, nearly shedding tears from the sheer amusement.

“Don’t worry, my dear nephew.

Uncle will certainly manage the manor well for you.

You just need to focus on your studies.”

“That’s truly troublesome.”

“No trouble at all, no trouble.

We are family, after all.

Is it not natural for us to help each other?”

Will patted his ample belly, his face beaming with enthusiasm.

“By the way, you only arrived yesterday, so you haven’t had a chance to eat yet, have you?

Why don’t we go out and grab something to eat first?

I’ll treat you to a proper meal.”

“That sounds good, but before that, I’d like to pay my respects to my parents.

I recall they were buried on the cliff’s edge not far from here…”

Yalin murmured, stroking his chin.

Will’s eyes darted, and he slapped his thigh.

“Excellent! My dear nephew, after all these years away, it’s certainly time you visited your parents!

However, that path is secluded and perilous; it might be dangerous for you to go alone.

How about I accompany you?”

“For Uncle Will to be willing to accompany me, I am naturally most grateful,”

Yalin said with a light chuckle.

“Then it’s settled.

Without further ado, let us depart promptly!

Have a seat for a moment; I’ll change my clothes and be right back.”

Will placed a hand on his knee, rose from the sofa, and turned to leave the living room.

Upon opening the door, a masked man was already waiting outside.

The exposed sliver of his arm was covered in black tattoos.

“Is that fellow your family’s young master?”

“As you can see, that is indeed him,”

Will sighed, shrugging his shoulders.

“Having overheard our conversation, what are your thoughts?”

“An imbecile.”

The masked man sneered a few times, delivering his assessment without mercy.

“Even among all the people I’ve encountered, he ranks among the most foolish.”

Which is to say, it’s a wonder he managed to survive in Ailanmia…

It seems to me the Ravenster family is utterly doomed.

Will shook his head, a chilling smile playing on his lips.

“However, it’s precisely because of his foolishness that we are spared the trouble of acting here, wouldn’t you agree?”