[Check Out My P4treon For +50 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!! And get chapters before publishing them here for free on my p4treon][https://p4treon.com/roooaaa]
===
"This is my family's crest?"
As evening fell, during the final part of etiquette class, Eris' loud exclamation echoed through the classroom. Her voice carried such intensity that it seemed to demand everyone's attention.
Beneath the bright glow of the chandelier's candles, Edna remained as lively as ever, her face seemingly permanently fixed in a smile.
In a world where the average lifespan was short, a forty-year-old commoner would already bear obvious signs of aging. But as a noble, Edna enjoyed a healthy diet, regular routines, and no heavy labor—time had been "lenient" with her.
Her posture remained straight, her demeanor dignified.
Only the wrinkles around her mouth—particularly her nasolabial folds—had deepened slightly.
Probably from smiling so much.
Allen observed Edna's expression and came to that conclusion.
In another world, this would probably be considered an occupational hazard.
He lowered his gaze.
Several heads were clustered together, blocking his view as they huddled over an exquisitely bound book on the table.
Allen twitched his lips.
Can't see a damn thing.
The Boreas family crest?
Never seen it in the original story or the anime.
And even after years in the royal capital, I still haven't—with nobles from all over the kingdom (and even other nations) gathered under the king's watchful eye, flaunting your family's prestige was a surefire way to get targeted. Who here isn't a high-ranking noble? You wanna show off?
Thus, downplaying one's origins and emphasizing unity under the crown was the foundation of survival in the royal capital's political landscape.
Officials wore uniforms emblazoned with the Asura Kingdom's emblem nearly every day, rarely bothering with personal attire.
Allen had attended noble schools, but the capital's education system prioritized kingdom history. Family history? Go learn that in your own territory's schools.
So, no—he'd never seen it before.
He was a little curious.
Hmm…
He took a deep breath, glancing again at the heads blocking his view under Edna's amused gaze.
Wait, my curiosity is justified.
But what about you two?!
Among the heads in front of him—aside from the familiar white hair that carried the Boreas family's signature herbal scent (Sylphie) and the short brown hair (Rudeus)—were two others:
Greyrat's large, cat-eared head and Eris' small, fiery-red one, both pressed close to the book.
Unbelievable.
"Uh… Eris, Greyrat, why are you two looking too? Don't you already know the Boreas family crest?"
"Nope!"
"Never seen it."
Allen covered his face in despair.
A bodyguard who's been here for years and never saw the family crest?
"I have wandered this earth for half my life, never finding a worthy master. If you will have me, I shall pledge myself as your sworn brother!"
Greyrat, you're unbelievably loyal, huh?!
And you, Eris—you're the only child of Philip and Hilda, the heir of the main family. How the hell have you never seen your own family's crest?!
What a joke.
Don't they teach this stuff in etiquette class?
He rubbed his face, gathered his thoughts, and looked up at Edna.
She smiled back at him—graceful, composed.
Then deliberately averted her gaze.
Allen: ?
Just as he was about to ask her what was going on, he realized she wasn't just avoiding eye contact—she was looking at a bookshelf nearby.
Following her line of sight, Allen spotted a dusty history book.
He immediately understood.
The Boreas family crest should have been covered in history class.
As one of the four great noble houses of Asura, it falls under royal history—not her subject.
As for why Eris and Greyrat had never seen it? Simple.
This was supposed to be standard curriculum in noble schools, something covered after national history.
But Eris was the type to punch her way out of noble kindergarten. If she'd actually learned anything in school, her literacy and math skills wouldn't be so abysmal. Allen himself had attended noble school and learned to read and write, but he'd dropped out to train at the dojo before reaching royal history.
And after Eris got expelled, Philip had taken over as the Boreas family's history teacher.
But as the mayor of Roa, his duties were overwhelming. And given that Eris and Greyrat were practically illiterate—teaching history required at least being able to read, right?
Eris' literacy "skills" weren't up to the task.
So, it had been indefinitely postponed.
In the original story, before Rudeus arrived, Philip and Sauros had never intended to raise Eris as a refined noble lady.
In the timeline without Rudeus, this was even more obvious—Eris was eventually sent to the Asura Knights to help Ariel seize the throne, earning herself the infamous title "Crimson Lion" in the capital.
(Which, of course, had nothing to do with being "refined.")
It all came back to Eris' philosophy: Why talk when you can just hit them?
Allen blinked.
Weird…
As a high-ranking noble family's crest, shouldn't it be displayed prominently around the Boreas estate? Carved into walls, embroidered on clothes—isn't that a noble's pride?
He lowered his gaze to Greyrat and Eris' heads.
Without even checking their clothes, his honed "Flow Sense" replayed the past six months of memories like slides—Eris, Greyrat, Hilda, Philip, Sauros.
Even the servants.
None of them bore the family crest.
And coincidentally…
Neither the original story nor the anime ever mentioned it.
Not a coincidence—a deliberate omission?
Allen looked back at Edna and voiced his question.
"Lady Edna, shouldn't a family crest be a symbol of pride for nobles? Why haven't I seen it anywhere in the Boreas household—"
Suddenly, Edna's expression grew unusually intense. She interrupted him abruptly, her voice solemn yet fervent, startling Allen.
"The four great houses of Asura each have their own crests, representing their honor and lineage!"
"Each family's crest carries a different meaning, but they share one common trait—almost all noble crests depict ferocious magical beasts or predators. They symbolize bravery, resilience, nobility, prestige—superficial 'glories' like that."
"But—"
"Boreas is different."
As Edna spoke, hurried footsteps approached from outside—vigorous, purposeful, as if the person behind them was tireless even at night.
Allen didn't need to turn to recognize them as Sauros returning to the estate. Despite his age, Sauros often involved himself in Roa's administrative work, as if unable to fully trust Philip.
A man of action.
Edna's smile had vanished entirely. She stared at Allen with grave seriousness.
"Other nobles focus on the 'present' and 'past' glories. But Boreas looks to the future."
"The mere existence of the Fittoa Region is not Boreas' ambition."
"The Fittoa Region enduring forever on this land—that is Boreas' true pursuit."
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 240 on my patreon, go check it out and remember that if we reach the goal of 50 power stones I will publish the next chapter.