Chapter 375: Wounded Pride
Even though Lucen was busy making the first-ever show using the revolutionary video orb, he still had time to go to the Academy and teach the students he had.
Still, because he was quite busy with his thing, he failed to notice the growing discontent of the nobles in the first and second years. One of whom was humiliated by Alexander, and was now plotting his revenge.
Yet, despite not noticing such things, it didn’t mean Lucen had not prepared for such a possibility. As someone who knew almost all the tropes, he had already predicted a few scenarios happening, and this was one of them.
Which is why he had prepared something in advance. He already placed a few people to look after Alexander’s group, and of course, by extension, their families.
Obviously there was no need to put guards on Elion, Nina, Ryan, and Cael’s families, but Alexander, Mina, and even Catherine’s families were vulnerable.
So if anyone was stupid enough to mess with them due to some petty reason, they will be taught a lesson.
***
Marlo Bihn was the only son of Count Bihn and had the pride to match it. He who had been praised as a genius since birth.
He had imagined how great he would become once he entered the Royal Academy. He thought he would become greater than even Lucen Thornehart and make his family rise in rank to become the next Ducal family.
He had already imagined himself being surrounded by beautiful women, and even the prideful Nina Drexford would be his.
Yet on the entrance exams, his dreams were shattered. Not only did he not place in the top ten during the written exam, but he also failed to do much in the practical exam.
He had seen several people do amazing things, especially Cael Thornehart. In the end, he was placed in A-class while two commoners were able to get into S-class. He could not accept the outcome.
He saw the two commoners getting along with the other S-class students, all of whom were from powerful families.
Among the two commoners, he was most infuriated by Alexander Wyrd. He was living the life he should have.
Not only did he get into S-class, but he also became close to Nina Drexford and Catherine Gate, both top beauties in the Academy.
There were even rumors that Lucen Thornehart himself wanted to invite Alexander to join Thornefang.
So one day, he, alongside his friends who also hated Alexander, tried to threaten him, but that failed. Now he felt even more ashamed.
Not only had Alexander refused to lower his head, but he had also avoided them without even properly fighting back. That was what made it worse.
If Alexander had beaten them up, Marlo could have called him violent. If Alexander had insulted them, Marlo could have called him arrogant. If Alexander had reported them, Marlo could have called him a coward hiding behind the Academy rules.
But Alexander had done none of those things. He had simply walked away. He had treated them as if they were not worth the effort.
That humiliation had been eating away at Marlo ever since. Inside one of the private rooms prepared for the A-class students, Marlo could not handle the humiliation, but he understood that he could not deal with Alexander by himself.
Which is why he was now using a communication orb to contact his father.
The orb glowed faintly, and after a few moments, the image of a middle-aged man appeared.
Count Bihn had sharp eyes, neatly combed brown hair, and the kind of expression that made it clear he was used to people lowering their heads before him. Even through the communication orb, his presence felt heavy.
"Marlo," Count Bihn spoke. "Why are you contacting me at this hour?"
Marlo lowered his head slightly. "Father, I need your help."
Count Bihn looked at his son for a few seconds. "With what?"
Marlo clenched his fists. "There is a commoner in S-Class. His name is Alexander Wyrd. He has been acting far above his station."
Count Reginald Bihn, the reason why his son acted this way was because of him. These were the values the Bihn family upheld for a few generations now, despite once being a family of farmers.
The first patriarch of the family, who achieved success through battle, hated being a farmer and despised all the commoners who were content with their lives.
This distorted belief had only worsened over time and became what it is today. Of course, in front of other people, the Count acted benevolently, but in truth, he only acted that way to his own people; any other commoner would make him feel disgusted.
That was why when Marlo spoke of a commoner standing above him, Count Bihn’s first reaction was not concern, it was utter disgust.
"A commoner in S-Class," Count Bihn repeated slowly.
"Yes, Father. His name is Alexander Wyrd. He acts as if he belongs there. He walks around with noble ladies, speaks with them freely, and even stands beside His Highness Prince Elion as if they are equals." Marlo spoke with dramatic hand movements.
"Hmph, the level of the Royal Academy seems to be declining every year. To think they would allow a commoner into the S-class. Not only that, they dare strut around as if they were of nobility." Count Bihn shook his head and sighed.
"He also shamed me in front of many students?"
"What did he do?"
The second the Count asked, Marlo hesitated. He did not want to tell his father that he had attacked Alexander with a group and failed to even touch him.
That was not something his pride could accept.
So Marlo lowered his gaze and spoke in a carefully chosen tone. "He insulted me, Father. That’s all I can say."
"... Hmph, very well. I will send a few men with you. Find an opportunity and bring him somewhere isolated. Once he is away from the Academy’s eyes, they will teach him what happens when a commoner forgets his place."
Marlo’s eyes brightened. "Thank you, Father."
"If possible, I would rather remove such an arrogant commoner entirely," Count Bihn said coldly. "But killing an S-Class student would be troublesome. For now, breaking his pride will be enough."
"Yes, Father." Their conversation ended, and the communication orb dimmed.
Marlo stared at the empty air for a few seconds before slowly smiling. Alexander Wyrd had treated him as if he were not worth the effort.
Soon, Marlo would make him understand that some people could not be ignored. And when that happened, the commoner would finally learn where he truly belonged.
