Cassien retraced his steps, slowly walking back toward the carriage while thinking about tomorrow.

’Victoria already said it, but if memory serves correctly, tomorrow is the royal banquet. Meaning...’

He widened the curtains and entered the cozy space while the guard taking him home climbed back onto his horse.

’Tomorrow, I meet the first real problem.’

Slap!

The knight leading the way roughly tapped both horses on their backs, and the wagon finally began moving again.

Traveling through the ’Thieving Forest’ was not too difficult for most adventurers. It was actually considered the safest external environment compared to other lands filled with jagged rocks, dense trees, bushes, and dangerous creatures.

The reason? Because there were rarely any real challenges here.

That was why the royal capital had never once been overwhelmed by any true threats.

Just jokes pretending to be powerful.

Cassien leaned back and began thinking about the current events that should be happening in the novel.

’The trials...’

’The protagonist’s system awakening...’

’The main character getting beaten up by some bullies, all to set up an incredibly satisfying face-slapping moment.’

Every one of those events should be unfolding exactly as the novel described.

And by tomorrow, the academy trials would finally be over.

The main character of [A Hero’s Will To Survive] would have barely scraped by on the testing scores and been placed into the lowest-ranked class.

Meanwhile, all nobles were placed according to their family’s rank.

It was a messed-up system, but one that worked well for the government.

The comfortable seats caused him to think back to his old life for a moment.

’Why was I transmigrated here? As this character?’

"And even then, was it the author’s doing?" he whispered to himself. "Whatever the reason is, I am here now, and this is not a dream. All that is left to do is follow the events as they unfold, just as I have been."

’Either way, Cassien’s backstory has been far more interesting than I expected so far...’

...

December 7th, 10:30 PM.

Thirty or so minutes passed, and Cassien was already beginning to feel tired.

SHKKKKK!

The carriage came to a halt.

"We have arrived!" the guard called from outside, stepping off his horse to open the curtain for Cassien. "Best wishes from here on out, young master."

Cassien stepped down with a tired expression. "There is no need to speak to me so formally. Also, I never caught your name. What was it?"

The knight crouched slightly. "My name is of little importance to someone as grand as yourself, young lord."

Cassien rolled his eyes. ’This knight is a bit too serious.’

He then began walking back into his estate, where Tiara, the household maid, was already waiting for him while the carriage started moving back to where it originally ventured from.

"Finally, you are back, young master. How was your trip?" she asked curiously.

Cassien looked down at her. "Raise your posture. There is no need to bow. But thanks for asking. It was... eventful, to say the least."

She smiled. "I heard what happened. I heard you killed the leader of a dangerous group, and they let you go afterward. Well done, saving the elementary school back there."

Tiara turned and opened the gate with a flick of her finger.

"Well, come inside now."

Cassien followed behind her. "Has dinner already been served?" he asked.

"Not yet. Your father, I mean, the Duke of the Artfold Estate, had many matters to attend to, so he had only just returned home."

"Did you cook today?" Cassien asked, his stomach beginning to growl.

"Why don’t you see for yourself..." she whispered elegantly.

Tiara was not much older than Cassien, but she had always treated him almost like a son, as if he were still a fragile child.

But Cassien had never seen her as anything more than an older sister.

It was a mutual relationship.

She opened the door wide. "After you, young master."

...

Twenty minutes passed, and the Count of the Artfold Estate, along with Alexandria, decided to wait for Cassien before starting dinner.

It was not the father’s idea. It was his little sister’s request.

Which the father had no choice but to agree to.

During that time, Cassien took a shower, changed into a clean white outfit, and had Tiara help treat the wound he received from stabbing himself while fighting the man who had cast an illusion on him.

Now, all three of them sat at the dinner table.

One hand on the fork.

The other on the knife.

Ready to eat medium-rare steak with wine. While the youngest got a rich glass of orange juice.

The father had already started. No prayer, no thanks, just straight to eating.

The same went for Cassien, because he had never truly spoken to his father warmly or casually.

That was why he had grown up rough and emotionally numb. He never had an older figure to look up to, aside from Tiara, who could only do so much during those years.

At the time, his father was constantly occupied with paperwork and traveling.

Their mother had died while giving birth to Cassien.

And Alexandria could only watch the two men of the household eat in silence, hoping one day they would start a conversation.

Because all she had ever wanted was a family that could actually enjoy one another’s company.

Her heartbeat softened as the father finally spoke, staring ahead while avoiding eye contact with both of them.

"Tomorrow, at six, the banquet shall commence. I expect both of you to be on your best behavior, because everyone you meet tomorrow will become one of your future connections."

Chris spoke in a commanding tone. Chris was the Count of the Artfold Estate and the father of Cassien and Alexandria. He had soft, black, slicked-back hair, a neatly groomed beard with a connected mustache, and striking green eyes.

He wore clothing fit only for royalty.

One glance alone was enough to tell he was the duke.

Then Chris finally looked at Cassien, staring directly into his eyes for a moment.

"Oh yes, I almost forgot to mention. Cassien..."

The air seemed to slow for a brief second.

"I have finally found you a fiancée."

Stab!

Alexandria dropped her utensils onto the dining table.