Magic Academy Bans Harem

Chapter 394 The Expanding Family

"Since the patriarch is still in perfect condition, we can hardly imagine the danger he faced back then. It is said that since he was very young, the patriarch has experienced almost every kind of assassination attempt, and each time he has barely survived. The patriarch is like a phoenix in legend, becoming stronger with each perilous situation he overcomes!"

Dino continued speaking.

Although he seemed to have toned it down somewhat, Ritas could still sense that the old butler had probably been a fervent follower of Roland since he was very young.

"Compared to the demanding conditions of mind reading, this trait is more like a superpower."

"Hehe. I think that if this trait is really a superpower, it would actually be a denial of the patriarch's resilience and hard work."

Dino smiled gently and continued,
"As the patriarch grows stronger, it's conceivable that conventional methods become increasingly ineffective in eliminating him. Perhaps for this reason, the mastermind behind the assassination attempt on the patriarch is becoming increasingly aggressive. But this aggression and impulsiveness are weaknesses. Add to that the patriarch's special abilities..."

"For those with a guilty conscience, mind reading is probably the most terrifying ability, even if it is limited."

"Yes."

Dino sighed, his face full of melancholy.

"In the end, the patriarch still managed to track down the person who had been trying to kill him since he was a child. Or perhaps, he already had the answer in his heart. After all, there are only a handful of people who can create such frequent and ingenious killing intent in the Western Region."

"."

Having roughly guessed the answer, Ritas frowned.

"The person who has been trying to eliminate the head of the family for many years is his father, the previous head of the Elson family, the eldest master."

Inside the reception room, Ritas and Dino's conversation continued.

As a member of the Elson family, Ritas now had doubts, wondering, "Can I really listen to these things?" Therefore, he increasingly felt that the old butler before him was truly no ordinary person.

However, leading Elson's entourage is not a job that just anyone can do.

After all, managing the butlers and maids dispatched to the important figures in all the families meant that, to some extent, he was also responsible for their safety.

“Young Master, you must not understand why the Master would do such a thing, right? And it is from here that the ‘twistedness’ that has existed in the Elson family for a long time begins.”

"So, it's only starting here?"

Ritas couldn't help but sigh softly.

He hadn't said much, but he had already drunk quite a bit of black tea because he was thirsty.

"The patriarch only learned the truth when he was about to seize control of the family from the master. Simply put, the patriarch is not the master's biological son."

"?"

Although he was momentarily stunned, Ritas quickly figured out the details.

The former head of the Elson family was no ordinary man. Although he had endured much for a long time, he possessed considerable pride. And it was precisely because of this that, upon learning that the wife arranged for him by his family was actually his blood relative, even if he didn't break off the engagement and cause a scene, he would absolutely not follow the family's twisted bloodline worship in public.

only.
"The identity of the head of the family's biological father remains a mystery. This is because the eldest master and his wife passed away when the head of the family was young. Since there is no concrete evidence, I do not wish to include the deaths of the eldest master and his wife in the darker aspects of the family."

Listening to Dino's words, Ritas felt that the ruthless former head of the Elson family had definitely not only sent people to assassinate his nominal son.

"The Elson family, after all, is respectable. Therefore, the patriarch can maintain a marriage devoid of any affection, and allow someone who isn't even his own son to live a privileged life as the family's young master. But, under no circumstances will he allow that child, who should have been merely a mascot, to radiate dazzling light."

Dino slowly shook his head.
"Although the patriarch had many illegitimate children, there was no doubt that none of them, or rather, none of them at the time, could compare to the current head of the family. Especially after the awakening of 'supernatural abilities' within such a family. Everyone was hoping for a pure-blooded and incredibly powerful successor to lead the family to new glory. In fact, if the head of the family were simply allowed to grow up naturally and accumulate fame, then one day, even if the patriarch explicitly revealed the head of the family's true parentage, others would simply ignore the facts. Therefore…"

The only solution is to get rid of Roland Elson, who was born out of the twisted and corrupt Elson family, as soon as possible.

Ritas gently rubbed his forehead, pondering what he could do if he faced someone like Roland, who was practically a walking "stain."

The answer, again, is no solution.

The way the previous head of the family obtained power was tainted, so he had to ensure that everything concerning him afterward was "clean".

Unfortunately, they ran into a genius like Roland, who was impossible to suppress even if they wanted to.

"So, the strange situation facing the Western Regions and the family is also related to Roland's background?"

Although it wasn't the same "so," Ritas continued, picking up where he left off and asking another question.

"Yes, it's hard to calculate how much of a direct relationship there is. But it's definitely the 'source' of all this."

Dino nodded and continued,
"After the patriarch acquired all the power in the family, he did not launch a purge against the eldest master. The eldest master lived peacefully for nearly ten years before passing away due to illness. Before his death, the eldest master entrusted his most favored and outstanding son to the patriarch."

Floyd Elson.

Even though Dino didn't say it explicitly, Ritas immediately realized who the other person was.

"He really has the nerve to say that."

No matter how much the Elson family and the former head of the family gave Roland, it couldn't outweigh the malice that led to countless assassination attempts.

"Hehehe, when a person is about to die, they can say anything. Moreover, from the moment the patriarch did not choose revenge but only put the master under house arrest, the master probably already had his eye on the kindness in the patriarch's heart."

"Kind."

While the countless souls who perished under Roland's sword might scoff, Ritas acknowledged the enduring kindness within Roland's heart. Or rather, if it weren't for Roland's goodness, he wouldn't be sitting here now.

The Elson family, which had long been rife with twisted secrets, seemed to be doing alright before its wounds were exposed. This was perhaps due to Roland, the family head who was completely out of step with the "Elson" of the past.

"Of course, the patriarch wouldn't relinquish his position to Young Master Freud just because of the old master's dying wish. I wonder if Young Master Ritas still remembers the two major factors that shaped the Elson family?"

"Is it 'bloodline' and 'power'?"

"Yes. While I don't really want to fathom the patriarch's thoughts, I imagine he's had enough of the 'bloodline' thing. So, over the years, various changes have been subtly occurring within the Elson family. The patriarch may want to break free from the 'bloodline' shackles that have become a burden on the Elson family."

Ritas nodded slightly in response to Dino's words.

On the surface, however, there have been many changes within the Elson family. For example, the adoption of orphans has become common practice within the family. Some of the adopted members have even become important members of the main branch of the family. Furthermore, although it is not uncommon for female or mediocre family heads to exist within the Elson family, Roland had already declared that Charlotte would not succeed as family head.

On the surface, there were many obvious signs, so Roland must have taken a lot of measures in secret as well.

After the death of the previous head of the family, attacks and assassinations against Roland remained commonplace. And in some ways, Roland's actions were seen as shaking the very foundations of the "family."

"Since the 'bloodline' aspect is gradually fading, the current benchmark for the Elson family is 'strength.' That is, clear martial prowess. Although it's unclear how much can be counted, the patriarch has said more than once that as long as someone can defeat him with a sword, not only will he be awarded the title of 'Sword Saint,' but he will also be offered the position of patriarch."

Dino chuckled as he spoke.

Ritas, on the other hand, couldn't help but rub his forehead.

It feels like after Roland has been in charge of the family for decades, the family's level of civilization has regressed to the tribal era where the strong were respected.

"Under such circumstances, the person who appeared before everyone—no, the person the patriarch actively presented to everyone in the family—was Young Master Freud. Young, capable, and powerful, and with a purer 'bloodline'—'Elson.' The patriarch not only tacitly approved of Young Master Freud expanding his influence, but even took the initiative to make some handover-like moves. At the time, everyone believed that Young Master Freud was about to become the new patriarch of the Elson family."

"Then why did Floyd leave the West Coast at that time?"

Ritas asked, puzzled.

Not to mention other family members, even he at the time believed that Freud would soon take office while Rowland would retire and return to the mansion to run the Cross Hall and teach his students.

"Please forgive my limited knowledge. I don't know the specifics. I only know that the head of the family had a fierce conflict with young master Freud at the time."

"."

Seeing Dino still "knowing only limited things" even after all this has been said, Ritas couldn't help but feel speechless.

However, since Dino didn't know, it means that the only people who probably knew the reason were Roland and Floyd, the two people involved.

"Now, I wonder if Young Master Ritas has roughly figured out the current situation in the Western Regions?"

After the narration paused, Dino asked this question.

Although the information was somewhat chaotic or abstract, Ritas quickly organized it.

"In other words, the widely recognized and even Roland's chosen successor to the family head has returned to the Western Territory after many years. His lineage and abilities are beyond question. Moreover, he adheres to the rule Roland established for Elson: to pursue only 'strength.' Therefore, even though this is a rebellion, everyone else in the Western Territory sees it merely as a 'transfer of power,' and thus adopts a wait-and-see attitude. So, what is the reason Roland hasn't faced immediate punishment?"

"It's because young master Freud will be engaging in a public duel with the head of the family. In eight days."

After his conversation with Ritas ended, Dino resumed his role as the butler, serving tea and water to the young master.

Ritas, who was pressing his brow, was deeply troubled by the current situation in the Western Regions.

Only by understanding the twisted nature that the Elson family has been cultivating for generations can one understand the strange "calmness" that exists in the West.

Even with all the titles and factors associated with Freud, under normal circumstances, other family powers would not have simply ignored him when he instigated a rebellion.

But precisely because these things happened within an unusual family, a situation that is almost unbelievable has emerged.

Floyd, who already held an absolute advantage, still intended to duel the "Sword Saint," which seemed like child's play. However, if he could gain control of the entire Western Region in a short time through such a farce, then Floyd would likely be willing to perform even if it were a monkey show, let alone a child's play.

The fact that such a significant matter could be entrusted to a duel proves that, no matter how highly they are praised, the Elson family is ultimately just a "family."

"The Elson family has become far too arrogant."

Ritas sighed with mixed feelings.

One layer is literally "expansion".

From a family of only a few people, to a clan owning several mansions, and then to the "Kings of the West," controlling the entire Westerlands, the Elson family is no longer just a small family.

However, it seemed that no one noticed this. They continued to deal with the various internal problems in a family-oriented manner.

On another level, it is the "expansion" of the Elson family's style of doing things.

The closer they get to modern times, the more the succession of the Elson family takes on the feel of a coup or war. Moreover, each head of the family establishes "rules" for the family that transcend reason and law.

"What you're saying, young master, is too complicated for my decaying brain to understand. And as people get older, they start to hate change. I may not live for many more years. I only wish to serve the patriarch to whom I have devoted my loyalty for the rest of my life."

Dino, who had already filled Ritas's cup with black tea, flashed a glint of shrewdness in his eyes that was completely at odds with his words.

"So, could you please change how you address Young Master Ritas? For example, 'Young Master'?"

(End of this chapter)