I Will Abandon My Family! - v4 Chapter 24, Chapter 25, Chapter 26 (Patreon)

v4, Chapter 24

Campus Life
I was the one who couldn’t adapt well.
No one paid attention to me, a low-ranking noble.

I didn't want to get involved with high-ranking or court nobles, either.

I thought they weren't interested in me anyway.

"Why is it her again..."

"Yeah, how did she get 520 out of 500 points?"

“I heard she deliberately pointed out mistakes in the questions to the teacher.”

"You must be lying!”

I was fine just staying in the corner of the classroom.

"You seem shocked. It's amusing."

"Henry..."

"It's presumptuous for useless people who doesn't even study properly to be frustrated as if they accomplished something."

Henry and I became friends and rivals since that day.
But it's questionable if we really qualified as rivals. However, in exams, it was always a close match between Henry and me.

"By the way, Shepherd Ashley is your brother, right?"

"Yes… but I..."

"Is he really your brother? I hate to say this, but he seems like a typical idiot."

"What?"

A typical idiot? What does that mean?

My brother is excellent.

"To be honest, I doubt your brother's lack of academic ability."

"Eh..."

"Haven't you heard? There are rumors that your brother had to repeat a year."

"Repeat a year..."
That must be a lie, right?
My excellent older brother.

My brother, who is currently in the general class.
I don't know the details, but I heard it’s only a matter of time before he gets to the special class.

"He's currently in Class D, but it seems he can't keep up with the classes... Class D, you know?"

"I didn't know."

Why is he in Class D, the class with the worst grades in the general course?

"It seems he has a low attendance rate, and the teachers are at a loss. He has no class to drop out to, he can only drop out of the academy now.”

"Dropout..."

"You're a scholarship student, and you're smart. Honestly, I can't beat you in academics. I don't think you've cheated, either."

"Henry..."

"And you're putting in the effort that matches that."

Henry may have a sharp tongue, but he's kind.
He acknowledges my efforts.

Meanwhile, the student council elections were held.
Being chosen as a member of the student council was an honor.

However, no one knew the criteria for selection.
It was recommended and chosen by the current student council president and vice president.

"Surely Henry will be chosen."

"Is that so?"

"Yes..."

With excellent grades and impeccable behavior, Henry was sure to be chosen.

However, coincidentally, my older brother appeared on the campus.

"Hmph. It's obvious that I'll be chosen for the student council."

Although the school buildings were separate, I worried about my brother, who boldly declared this at the entrance.

The criteria for being chosen for the student council were not set.

"Being chosen is obvious to me, who is excellent both in studies and appearance."

Appearance has nothing to do with it.
After making such a declaration in front of so many people, I worried about him.

When Henry and I were recommended by the student council president, my brother was the first to voice his disagreement.

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v4, Chapter  25

Presumptuous
The current student council president was the third son of a Baron.
The vice president was the daughter of a Marquis from a neighboring country, and they were chosen regardless of their status and lineage.

However, their excellence was remarkable.
While there were still many students who adhered to the ideology of social hierarchy, these two did not hesitate to purge students who engaged in misconduct or used their status to bully others.

They were also excellent at dealing with issues behind the scenes, forcing confessions, and their overall competence was unquestionable.
However, my brother, being a staunch supporter of social hierarchy, looked down on the student council president.

"Why was Marie chosen! This is absurd... Student council president! What are you thinking... she’s a woman, too!"

"What an idiotic man you are. Hey Cain, even a monkey would be a bit better. He’s more annoying than a female monkey in heat."

"Allie... be a bit more discreet."

"Why? I just told the truth as it is. Is this lack of refinement because you are from a poor neighborhood? Or did a noble adopt you, and you have become an arrogant fool? Moreover, you are someone from the lowest class of the general course..."

It's terrible.
Such merciless words.

"Henry..."

"She’s the daughter of the Marquis from the neighboring country. Lady Allisea. Her father is His Grace the Prince, the younger brother of the King. Despite her Royal status, she's quite assertive. Also known as a beautiful woman in men's clothing."

Indeed, she looks beautiful and masculine despite wearing the girls' uniform.

"What did you say...ugh!"

"Know your place. You are being impolite to your senior... Who do you think you are? Moreover, the student council officers are decided in the student council assembly."

"That's absurd!"

"Allie, calm down."

While reprimanding the vice president, the president quietly instructed her to calm down.

"I chose her because of her excellent grades, especially in the practical exams. There are few female students excelling in the science and mathematics."

"That's..."

"Effort doesn't betray. I've heard she's been working diligently without receiving much elite education. I want everyone to hear this."

Students gather around, listening to the student council president.

"We uphold meritocracy within the academy. For that reason, I want you to climb up based on your abilities without being bound by your status... Eventually, the social world will also become a place where abilities compete. So, don't neglect your efforts."

"Can a country's politics be changed based solely on status? Everyone, trust in this decision and the student council."

Everyone applauds the two speeches.

"Heard that? It seems like you're the one who's mistaken, you idiotic monkey."

"I'm not a monkey."

"Is that so, a tiny shrimp... no, I'll make you a maggot."

"You bastard...!"

Lost in anger, my brother attacked the vice president.

"Alright, that's enough."

"Ugh!"

Another student appears from behind, slamming my brother's head onto the floor.

"You caused trouble, so how about joining us at the disciplinary committee for a while?"

"What did you say! Don't joke around!"

My brother was taken away in custody.

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v4, Chapter 26

Confession
Since being chosen for the student council, my life has been busy.
On the one hand, it's been very fulfilling, but I've started receiving frequent letters from my family.

"Sigh..."

The content was as expected.
It mentioned my brother not being chosen for the student council, and whether I used my charm or gained sympathy to replace him.

Even though she used to say that I wouldn't be given a second look before going to the territory.

"What's wrong, Marie?"

"Nothing."

"Another sarcastic letter from your family?"

Even though I hadn't said anything, Henry noticed the situation at my home.

"The proficiency exam is coming up soon."

"Yeah."

"How about we make a deal? The loser of the next exam has to listen to whatever the winner says."

"I have nothing to offer."

Henry was wealthy, coming from a business family, while I was a scholarship student and quite poor.
Despite that, I manage because of the allowance from my Father.

"It doesn't have to involve money. Just something that only Marie can provide."

"Then ,okay."

I agreed easily at that time.
Henry seemed really eager, and secretly, I had feelings for him.

It didn't take long for me to develop affection for him, who had been kind to me since I entered the academy.

But when we graduate, I will have to go back home, and Henry will stay in the Royal Capital.

So, I wanted to at least grant Henry’s wish, even though I didn't go easy on him in the competition.

"Heh... I won. I won!"

"Yeah, I was completely defeated."

Henry was unusually desperate.
I felt an intense determination, but did he want to win so badly?

"So, what do you…”

"It's you."

"Huh?"

"What I want is to be by your side."

I didn't understand the meaning.

"Um, that is..."

"I like you. So, be my girlfriend. And when we graduate, let's get married."

"Huh?"

"What are you making that dumbfounded expression for? Didn't you notice?"

I didn't notice.
I absolutely didn't notice!

"So? What's your answer?"

"I will be in your care."

If it were the old me, I would have agonized over it and probably couldn't believe it.
But in this past year, I don't know how much Henry has saved me.

"Don't worry about your family situation."

"Huh?"

"It's okay."

It's definitely not okay.

But it was strange.
When Henry said it was okay, I felt like it really was.

I believed that the future would be bright.
Henry made me believe that the future was bright.

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