Chapter 213: Family Dinner
Finally, Noah returned to his bedroom.
He gently placed Nancy on the large bed before looking around the room.
"My room is still clean."
His gaze slowly swept across the chamber.
Everything looked exactly the same as it had before he left the manor nearly ten months ago.
The neatly arranged bookshelf. The polished wooden furniture.
The large bed and even the curtains remained unchanged.
Nothing seemed out of place.
A small smile appeared on his face. "Good."
He sat down on the edge of the bed beside Nancy. Slowly, he reached out and gently stroked her head.
The black cat frowned slightly in protest.
Still she made no attempt to move away.
If anything, she quietly leaned into his hand, clearly enjoying the gentle petting despite trying not to show it.
Noah chuckled.
"Such a tsundere."
His fingers continued brushing through her soft black fur.
Then the color of her fur reminded him of someone.
Mary.
"...Damn."
The smile on his face gradually disappeared.
He had been doing everything he could to move forward.
Most of his time had been occupied with training. Or spending time with other people.
Whenever he kept himself busy. He hardly thought about her.
But whenever he found himself alone. Her memory quietly returned.
Just as it always did.
He rubbed his forehead tiredly.
"Looks like...it’s going to take a little longer."
Nancy quietly looked at him before resting her head against his thigh.
Noah simply continued stroking her soft fur in silence.
---
Night arrived before Noah even realized it.
The dining hall was brightly illuminated by elegant crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling.
A long dining table stood at the center of the room, covered with an immaculate white tablecloth and an assortment of luxurious dishes.
The Eldritch family had finally gathered together.
Julian sat at the head of the table. Across from him, on his right, sat Catelyn. Nathan occupied the seat to Julian’s left.
Meanwhile, Noah sat beside Nathan.
The atmosphere remained calm as everyone quietly enjoyed dinner.
After a while, Julian placed down his knife and fork before looking toward Noah.
"Your reputation at the academy has improved considerably."
His voice remained calm and authoritative.
"I’ve even had several noble families personally tell me how much you’ve changed."
Noah nodded politely.
"I’m glad to hear that."
"I’ll continue working hard."
"I’ll perform even better during the next semester."
Julian gave a satisfied nod.
Then Catelyn suddenly remembered something.
"Now that I think about it..."
She looked at Noah curiously.
"What happened to your semester results?"
"Did you receive them?"
Julian’s attention also shifted toward his younger son.
"Indeed."
"I never asked."
"Did the academy release the rankings?"
"Yes."
Noah nodded calmly.
"I already received them."
Nathan smiled.
"Oh?"
"That’s good."
"So..."
"What rank did you obtain?"
Noah smiled faintly before answering as though it were nothing unusual.
"I ranked second."
Silence.
The entire dining hall became deathly quiet.
Even Theon, who stood respectfully beside the table waiting to serve the family, couldn’t hide the surprise on his face.
Catelyn blinked several times.
"...Did I hear that correctly?"
Nathan slowly turned toward Noah.
His eyes had widened in disbelief.
"Little brother..."
"...you’re joking, right?"
Even Julian remained silent.
His expression barely changed. Yet anyone who knew him could tell, the Duke wasn’t speaking because he was still processing what Noah had just said.
Noah sighed helplessly.
"Seriously..."
He pulled out his phone.
Opening the academy application, he navigated to his student profile before placing the phone on the table.
"See for yourselves."
Everyone leaned forward.
Their eyes immediately landed on Noah’s profile.
First-Year Academic Ranking: Rank 2
His previous ranking...
1786
Had completely disappeared.
In its place...
Only one number remained.
Rank 2.
Noah clicked his tongue.
"Tch..."
"I would’ve taken first place..."
"...if Damien Ashworth hadn’t broken through to the Condensed Core Realm."
His tone carried a trace of dissatisfaction.
Despite everything...
He had once again finished behind Damien.
Still at least he had surpassed every other student in the first year.
Kaelan had also reached the High Rank of the Awakened Core Realm.
However, he had only broken through recently.
Lyria, Arisha, Leonard and Emm. All of them remained at the Mid Rank of the Awakened Core Realm.
Noah had firmly secured second place.
"...This..."
Catelyn stared blankly at the phone before suddenly looking back at Noah.
"Oh my... Oh my goodness, Noah!"
The cold and composed noble lady completely forgot to maintain her elegant demeanor.
Joy overflowed across her face.
She smiled proudly.
"You’ve exceeded every expectation."
Nathan laughed softly.
"That’s amazing, little brother. When I was a first-year student... I wasn’t even among the top five! Even I never achieved something like this during my first semester."
He shook his head in admiration.
"You’ve really worked hard."
Then a loud laugh echoed throughout the dining hall.
"Hahaha!"
Julian laughed openly, something that happened only on rare occasions.
"This...was completely unexpected."
He looked at Noah with unconcealed pride.
"I remember telling you to at least aim for the top ten."
A smile remained on his face. "I only said that to motivate you...I never imagined...that you would actually finish your first semester ranked second in the entire academy."
"True. Instructor Morgana really helped me a lot. She’s an amazing teacher." Noah said.
"Oh, her. I know Morgana well," Julian said with a nod of understanding. "She is an S-Rank Hero from the Celestine Household. A true genius with extraordinary talent."
"So, Father... you also think she’s amazing?"
"Of course." Julian nodded calmly. "I have a great deal of respect for her. Despite her young age, she has already reached such a remarkable rank. Very few people can achieve what she has."
Catelyn suddenly frowned.
"Noah..."
Her blue eyes narrowed suspiciously.
"...You’re not thinking something inappropriate, are you?"
Noah looked at her innocently.
"What do you mean, Mother?" he asked, genuinely trying to appear confused.
She continued staring at him, unconvinced.
Noah immediately decided it was wiser to change the subject.
"Oh, Brother," he said as he turned toward Nathan, "when are you planning to get married? I think you’re old enough."
"What?"
Nathan frowned.
He had been peacefully enjoying his meal until Noah suddenly threw such an unexpected question at him.
"Well, you know what I mean," Noah continued with a grin. "You’re at the perfect age to bring Mother a wonderful daughter-in-law. She must get bored being the only woman in this manor."
"Hey! I’m only twenty-six!" Nathan protested. "Why are you trying to marry me off so early?"
"Noah isn’t entirely wrong, Nathan," Catelyn said thoughtfully. "If not marriage, then at least try dating someone."
She glanced at Noah for a brief moment before looking back at Nathan, as though she had suddenly remembered something important.
"And the woman should be around your age..."
She paused.
"...Not older."
Noah’s lips twitched.
She was obviously referring to the joke he had made earlier about Morgana.
’Seriously... what’s wrong with Instructor Morgana? Noah complained inwardly. She’s only twenty-eight... or maybe twenty-nine. That’s still young. What’s so wrong if I wanted to marry her? She’s only ten years older.’
As far as he was concerned, there was absolutely nothing wrong with it.
"Mother," Nathan said helplessly, "I’ll date someone if I meet a woman who genuinely interests me."
Catelyn sighed softly.
"I only hope you don’t remain single for the rest of your life."
Then Julian looked toward Noah.
"By the way, Noah... I heard you’ve become quite close to Duke Sunweave’s daughter."
Noah frowned.
’What the hell...? Were they secretly keeping an eye on me? How did they even know something like that?’
Julian seemed to read the suspicion on his son’s face and chuckled.
"Haha, don’t worry. I didn’t assign anyone to monitor your every move."
He calmly cut another piece of meat before continuing.
"I learned it directly from Duke Sunweave himself. We were discussing official matters not long ago, and during our conversation he casually mentioned that his daughter had become rather close to you."
"I... see."
’So Lyria must have mentioned me to her father... or perhaps Duke Sunweave had simply been keeping an eye on her. Considering she’ll become the future Saintess... that wouldn’t be surprising.’
"I’ve met that girl before," Catelyn said with a gentle smile. "She’s very sweet... and quite beautiful."
"Cough..."
Noah awkwardly cleared his throat.
"Mother, I think we should leave that topic alone. I’m still young. There are many things I need to learn before thinking about relationships."
"Very well."
She smiled knowingly before changing the subject.
"Regardless, I’m truly happy that you managed to achieve second place."
Julian nodded in agreement before asking,
"Tell me, Noah. Is there anything you want?"
He paused briefly before adding,
"Ah... although I suppose we still have to maintain the appearance of your exile before the other noble families. So I can’t lift the tag of exile from you."
"I understand, Father."
Noah nodded.
"There is something else I’d like to ask."
Julian looked at him.
"Go ahead. You may ask for anything."
Noah straightened his posture before speaking respectfully.
"Then... please train me while I’m here. I plan to spend my entire summer vacation training. Having your guidance would help me improve far more than practicing alone."
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