My Family in the Novel?

Schwi Heiron, determined to achieve her goals, leaned over her desk, surrounded by parchment and the weight of her responsibilities. The room echoed with the rustle of papers as her personal maid diligently worked alongside her.

"Has there been any replies yet?" she inquired, her eyes focused on the intricate details of the documents.

The personal maid, a loyal companion in her endeavors, replied with a bow,

"Aside from Tristan's firm denial the other day, everybody else hasn't made any actual replies yet, my lady."

Schwi pondered Tristan's refusal, considering the tempting offer she had presented to him.

The divine sword Osten, infused with the divinity of the wind god Tenshu, held a significant allure.

It was a weapon with a history, originally owned by his master and later confiscated by the holy church. The fact that it found its way into the possession of the Heiron family, specifically her father, added layers to its significance.

The swift and firm denial from Tristan, mere hours after she presented her ambitious plan, left Schwi grappling with a mixture of disappointment and urgency.

The prospect of transforming the slums into a thriving commercial district, an idea she believed would benefit both the academy and its denizens, clashed with Tristan's compassionate nature.

She should have anticipated this response, given Tristan's renowned kindness and empathy.

However, the weight of the denial pressed on Schwi, intensifying her resolve to take matters into her own hands.

The realization that the others might follow suit, rejecting her proposal, fueled a sense of urgency. Time was of the essence, and the intricate web of her plans demanded adaptability.

In the face of adversity, Schwi pondered alternative routes to achieve her goals. The divine sword Osten, though a powerful bargaining chip, was not the sole key to success.

She needed to reassess her strategy, considering the unique motivations and vulnerabilities of each individual involved.

As Schwi contemplated her next moves, she recognized that Tristan's denial wasn't the end of her possibilities.

There were still avenues to explore, and several individuals, aside from Tristan, whom she could approach for support.

Alex, Darja, and Louise, along with other top students from the second year like Evadne and Robert, presented potential allies.

However, the landscape became more intricate when considering the fourth-year students. Lilliana Vulter Tellus, the formidable top student who had recently returned and seized control of the student council, added a layer of complexity to Schwi's plans.

Despite the absence of any personal animosity between them, Schwi recognized the need to tread carefully around Lilliana, avoiding any actions that might lead to conflict.

The frustration mounted as Schwi realized her attempts to contact Adrian were thwarted by Lilliana's protective measures.

The absence of Adrian's voice in support, especially given his status as both Lilliana's younger brother and the top-ranking student in the first-year alchemy department, proved to be a significant setback.

Schwi was well aware that having Adrian endorse her project could be a powerful asset, but Lilliana's interference served as a clear warning to stay within certain boundaries.

"Has there been any news about the sage yet?" she asked her maid, eager for information on this mysterious figure.

"As of the moment, it seems he has already arrived at the academy and is staying in the venue provided by the principal herself," the maid reported.

As Schwi pondered the situation, frustration and resentment seethed within her. The mention of the principal potentially seeking aid from the sage intensified her irritation.

'That woman must have already started ingratiating herself to that old man. Whatever it is, that old man must never get hold of the staff of Estelle' Schwi muttered to herself.

The prospect of the sage becoming an ally to the academy's administration triggered concerns about her family's control over the school.

'Although I may not have the support of the students, almost every staff and commercial district here at the academy is owned by our company. The school is essentially ours at this point, and that stubborn principal is still resisting, going to the extent of seeking assistance from some random old sage just to oppose our monopoly on the school. Why can't she accept the fact that the school is ours? Even she knows that the school won't survive without the financial support of the Heiron's' Schwi lamented, frustrated by the principal's resistance and the potential threat posed by the sage's involvement.

As her communication orb vibrated and emitted a soft yellow glow, Schwi's jewel-blue eyes shivered slightly, immediately recognizing the caller. She swiftly signaled her maid to leave the room temporarily.

Pouring her mana onto the orb beneath her desk, she placed it on the surface, and a magical hologram materialized. Before her stood a man she both respected and feared, characterized by golden blonde hair and crystal blue eyes, strikingly similar to hers—making it evident who the caller was.

"Greetings, Father. Why have you called?" Schwi stammered, her nerves evident in her voice. The man looked at her with cold blue eyes, seemingly inspecting something as his gaze lingered on her for a few moments.

"You look well, Schwi," he remarked.

"Yes, thank you."

"How has the project been progressing?"

"Regarding that, I may have encountered some resistance here and there. The plan for a new commercial district is still ongoing, but due to the principal's opposition and the lack of support from other students, it makes execution more challenging for me," Schwi explained.

"I see…." came her father's usual aloof response. She couldn't help but reminisce about a time when her father used to be more attentive and affectionate, contrasting sharply with his current, colder demeanor. The change had not gone unnoticed by Schwi, leaving her pondering the reasons behind it.

"F-father, excuse my rudeness, but may I ask you a question?" Schwi hesitated.

"Go on," her father replied.

"Why exactly are we trying to swallow the whole academy?" Schwi's confusion regarding this particular project had grown. The Heiron family already held significant influence over the school, and to her, this plan seemed to serve no purpose other than to provoke animosity and opposition from the academy heads and the Heiron family.

"Schwi, if the Tellus are the Emperor's sword, what exactly are we, the Heiron's, to both the empire and the emperor himself?" her father questioned.

Schwi pondered for a while, trying to grasp her father's point.

"Hand?"

"No... we are His Majesty's will. Wherever we go, whatever we do, is the will of His Majesty himself. The glory and richness of the Heiron's come from the Emperor himself" her father explained.

Upon hearing his father's words Schwi realized he whole point why, her father has been trying to swallow the academy.

"But what we're doing now, wouldn't it cause war, father?"

"You don't need to worry; the Empire is strong enough to defend itself."

Schwi bowed her head in response. After the call ended, she sighed, leaning back in her seat. Meeting her father, whether through a call or in person, was always nerve-wracking. Despite no longer being a child, the pressure her father's gaze exerted remained intimidating. It was hard to believe she was now a third-year at the academy.

'The moment we establish the new commercial district is the moment we gain control of the whole academy'

'Essentially meaning the emperor owns the school as well. The moment other countries find out about this devious plan, a war might really break out'

The academy is considered a peaceful neutral ground not owned by anyone on the whole continent.

'The Empire claiming hold of it by using us, the emperor, is truly cunning. But is he really prepared for war? I'm pretty sure the Holy Kingdom would not put up with any abuse of power over the continent, especially over a learning place like this'

...

I headed towards Euphemia's lab after lunch, our usual routine after gathering for the day's meal. It had become a bit troublesome, the way Aria consistently got close to me whenever she had the chance. While we were technically lovers now, I wished she would take her time, especially considering the suspicions from Tristan, Louise, and the questioning look from Alex.

I was relieved that Euphemia didn't scold me in class for forgetting our last meeting. I couldn't afford to miss it again, especially since she seemed excited to show me something yesterday. I needed to make up for the oversight this time.

"Adrian!"

Someone called out to me, hugging me from behind. "I missed you" she said, holding me tightly, her breasts pressing against my back with every force.

But I quickly recognized the voice. "What are you doing, Principal Victoria?" I asked as I used my mana to push her away from me.

"Tsk. You're really no fun, huh?" She wiped off her crumpled shirt because of the mana wave I sent and looked at me. "Adrian, I would like to discuss something important with you. I'm sorry, but can I take your time?"

Looking at how serious she was, it seems to be rather important, huh? I looked behind me and saw Euphemia's personal lab just a few more rooms away.

"Haah, okay, but make it fast," I said to her, knowing Euphemia. She would surely take her time trying to introduce all her newly concocted potions. I'm sorry, Euphemia, but I'll be sure to finish this quickly

"Let's go then," said the principal as she twisted her arms, and a magical circle encircled us before glowing in a bright blue flash. Suddenly, my vision changed, and now I was in front of the principal's office.

"Please take a seat," she gestured towards the chair opposite hers. The magical transportation had been swift, and as I settled into the chair, I couldn't help but wonder about the urgency in her request.

"Make this quick, Principal; I've got an appointment."

"Geez, young people nowadays really like to overwork their elders, don't they?"

Suddenly, the principal snapped her hands, and something appeared in front of me, floating mid-air.

"This is?"

"The staff of Estelle, the academy's most important treasure and the academy's pride and joy, as well as the last remaining memory the school has of its founder, the archmage Estelle" explained the principal. She spoke with a sense of urgency and determination that caught my attention.

"Adrian Vulter Tellus, I want it to stay in your hands for the time being."

"Huh?"