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HEL SCANS
[Translator – Kie]
[Proofreader – Starfall]
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Chapter 6: The Scholarship Student At The Academy
The noble families of Sephia can be broadly divided into two categories.
One is the military families who raise soldiers and go directly to the battlefield, and the other is the political families who stay in the empire and influence the political landscape.
Count Arsene’s family belonged to the political class. They moved goods for profit and used that profit to interact with other families.
That’s why Selina didn’t need to go to the academy.
The empire’s only academy was, to be precise, a place to lay the foundation for military families.
Naturally, there were more male students, and most of the few female students were also daughters of military families.
Eric’s words played a big role in getting her into the academy, let alone receiving a scholarship.
“Do you really have to live in that mansion? Why do you have to keep seeing the people who bully you? Can’t you just leave and live on your own?”
When Count Arsene used to leave the mansion for work, Flora and Brandon’s harassment would begin.
They wouldn’t give her enough food, they’d throw away her favorite things, and they’d hit her in places where it wouldn’t show.
But Selina didn’t tell her father about it.
Seeing Selina, who wouldn’t even say a word about her hardships in front of her childhood friend, Eric said,”I’m going to the academy on behalf of the imperial family. The academy has dormitories, so we can go together. You can learn how to defeat the people who bother you there and come back.”
In reality, Eric said that because he didn’t want to go to the academy alone, but those words had a positive effect on Selina.
It occurred to her that she didn’t have to cower alone. That there were other places besides home where she could grow.
Realizing this, Selina told Count Arsene that she wanted to go to the academy.
“No.”
Count Arsene naturally opposed it.
“You’re still young. If word gets out that a 10-year-old girl is leaving her family to attend the academy, it won’t help your reputation. It would be better to make an early debut in society and establish your position…”
“Count, just let her go. This is the first time I’ve seen Selina so eager to do something. Since she wants to do it, maybe she’ll learn something that will benefit the family. Right, Selina?”
For the first time Flora supported Selina’s wishes.
She was only too glad to get rid of the girl who had been an eyesore.
“But…”
The academy was a minimum of four years. If she failed, it would take even longer to graduate as she would have to retake the courses.
“I can’t pay for your tuition forever either. No.”
He opposed it because of the tuition, but in truth, Count Arsene was deeply worried about his only daughter leaving his care to live alone at the academy.
It was true that he had become a little distant from his daughter since his remarriage to Flora, but Selina was still his beloved daughter, more precious to him than anyone else.
Now that Sebastian, his youngest child, was born, he thought the best way for the family to get along was to live together under one roof.
Unfortunately, this was only Count Arsene’s thought.
From the moment Flora marked this family as her son’s, the option of coexisting with Selina had disappeared for her.
Young Selina knew this implicitly.
“You only need to pay two years’ worth of tuition.”
It was laughable for the notoriously wealthy Count Arsene’s family to worry about money, but
Selina said confidently,
“I’ll manage the rest with scholarships.”
Hearing her plan, Eric was worried.
“If the daughter of the wealthy Count Arsene uses the scholarship system, people will criticize her. It’s taking away someone else’s opportunity.”
Selina replied as if it wasn’t something for her to worry about.
“Count Arsene’s money isn’t mine yet. I can endure the gossip. I’ll proudly show them that I have the skills to qualify for the scholarship.”
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HEL SCANS
[Translator – Kie]
[Proofreader – Starfall]
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With Selina’s unwavering determination to attend the academy, Count Arsene could not change her mind.
In the end, Selina was admitted to the academy.
“It’s rare for you and I to agree,” Flora said magnanimously when they were alone. “Yes, if we
don’t get along, living apart is the answer. Still, I’ll try to ask the Count to cover all four years of tuition.”
Selina’s eyes turned cold as she replied, “Two years of tuition will suffice. I’ll become a scholarship student and receive support for the remaining two.”
“You’re still young and naive, but know that there’s such a thing as public perception. The daughter of Count Arsene’s family, an academy scholarship student? What will people think of our family?”
“They’ll think there’s a reason we can’t pay the full tuition. That’s a hundred times better than the alternative. So don’t offer to pay my tuition as if you’re doing me a favor. Even if all the money in this family is in your hands, I have no intention of begging.”
Selina spoke confidently, brushing past Flora, then turned back to add, “And please choose your words carefully. ‘Our family’? Anyone would think you’re my mother.”
Flora’s face flushed with anger as she shouted at Selina’s retreating back, “Fine, then do as you please! We’ll see how long you can last!”
And so, Selina left for the academy.
During her time at the academy, the tuition sent from her family covered only one year.
She knew who was behind it without having to ask.
That’s why, even when she returned home twice a year, she deliberately avoided bringing up the topic of tuition.
“I can pay for a year…” Eric offered.
“No need. I’ll manage on my own,” Selina declined immediately, her tone light as if she had
expected this all along.
Selina had been working hard since her freshman year, preparing for this very situation.
During the semester, she worked part-time in the academy instructors’ office, and during breaks, she took on odd jobs at the Arsene Trading Company.
By working part-time in the office, Selina befriended the instructors and received valuable study tips for each subject.
Helping with odd jobs at the trading company, she learned the practical skills necessary for
managing the family business in the future.
As Selina’s grades improved, more students started requesting her tutoring services.
The result of three and a half years of hard work was an early graduation as valedictorian.
* * *
Academy life was enjoyable, though a bit more challenging than others had imagined.
Although Selina couldn’t solely focus on just her studies without the full support of her family, she did learn and gain much in return.
The true challenges, however, unfolded after her debut in society.
‘I can never forget,’ Selina thought as she placed the box containing the quill pen back in its place.
Despite graduating from the academy as valedictorian, Selina faced a harsh reception in society.
She had gone against her parents’ wishes and attended the academy.
She had taken away someone else’s opportunity by becoming a scholarship student.
All of these things followed her like a shadow after her debut in society, as if they were major flaws.
That’s why Morgan Patel always acted as if his engagement to Selina was a burden.
If it weren’t for the joint venture, if she hadn’t been engaged to him…
If she hadn’t accepted the role of the villainess, no one would have even volunteered to be engaged to Selina.
“Selina is the one who benefited the most from this joint venture. Did she even solve the problem of her engagement?”
Selina clenched her fists, remembering Flora’s words and laughter in front of the Patel family.
‘What did she say after the engagement? That a woman’s life is over once she gets married and leaves? Just you wait. I’ll become the head of the family no matter what, enjoy what’s rightfully mine in this house, and live proudly.’
Selina walked to the window and gazed at the main building of the mansion bathed in moonlight, reaffirming her resolve.
‘That’s my place. I won’t let anyone have it. Especially not Flora and Brandon.’
Selina, quietly burning with determination, was no longer the 10-year-old child who merely endured and cowered.
She had grown into a strong woman with a clear goal and the willingness to do whatever it takes to achieve it.
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HEL SCANS
[Translator – Kie]
[Proofreader – Starfall]
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