Unexpectedly, instead of giving the Hero a stern look as he usually would, her father simply nodded slightly.
"Though I indeed don't like the Profession of Magician, that seemingly gains without effort, it appears the Ancient Heroic Spirit chose you not just by chance—are you interested in inheriting my Noble Title?"
Her father's words took an abrupt turn, surprising the Hero completely, causing her eyes to widen.
Ignoring her shock, her father continued speaking:
"According to the merits awarded by your knighthood, handing over my Noble Title to you won't be a downgrade. As long as the timing is right, advancing to a Marquis won't be difficult either.
"Of course, I won't ask you to decide now. With your talents, you will certainly grow stronger in the future. You can come back and take over when you need to."
Her father's tone was calm, as if he weren't discussing the significant matter of inheriting the Viscount Mansion, but merely what to have for dinner.
The Hero stood there, mouth agape, unable to utter a single word.
Meanwhile, her brother standing beside her involuntarily twitched his brow. He seemed to want to say something, but the cold glance from their father quashed his attempt.
"A loser must be aware of their loss. Mercy has never been an obligation of the victor."
[The Hero's interest in the Noble Title (-49,50+interest)]
The Hero's heart began to pound furiously.
Her father's earnest expression and his sincere promise, like sweet honey, tempted her to reach out.
It was as if she could see herself inheriting the title of Viscount, becoming the center of everyone's attention.
Although she had previously decided to leave the nest, compared to her brother, her father chose her...
The impact of these words was far greater than the Hero had imagined.
"However, I do not intend to convert our family line to that of a Magician."
Yet her father's next sentence, like a bucket of cold water, poured over her head, making her entire body tremble.
"Therefore, it would be best if your husband is also a Mage, and your offspring must be tutored by either me or your brother. If we determine they lack the talent to become a Mage, they may choose to reincarnate into any Profession."
The Hero's involuntary smile turned into a bitter grin.
Indeed, this was characteristic of her father.
Moreover, it wouldn't be fair to her brother...
As if mercilessly awakened from a beautiful dream, she shook her head with some sighs and relief.
"Well, if possible, I'd still like to try relying on my own efforts... Thank you, Father." She squeezed a determined voice from her throat in response.
To say she didn't want the Noble Title would be a lie. Even if the Hero isn't obsessed with power, she wasn't indifferent to the positions of Viscount or even Marquis.
Furthermore, this was the recognition from that father, which she had yearned for countless times in the past.
But if possible, she didn't wish to obtain it in this manner.
"Is that so. It doesn't matter; do as you please. You now have the power to choose your own path."
Not caring that his proposal was refused, the Hero's father sat back down, allowing the Hero to breathe a small sigh of relief.
"So, what brings you here with your sister? Surely it wasn't just to admit defeat before me?"
His gaze shifted from the Hero, turning coldly towards her brother.
The young man took a deep breath and replied in a low voice: "...I need the Magic Map of the Western Realm."
"Oh... a trial, perhaps. To bring it up voluntarily, there may still be hope."
Her father nodded, his expression slightly relaxing.
[Based on the previous exchange between the Hero and her father (54), what is her father's opinion on the current situation in the Western Realm?]
2. First discuss with the senior members of the Mage Association
3. Researching the observation method of the Magic Cloud Undercurrent
4. Attempt to attack the Royal City
5. Await the Royal Family's decision
6. Should form a joint investigation team
7. Research the detonation method of the Magic Cloud Undercurrent
8. Need to understand the Divine Knowledge Saintess's Status
9. ——Just eliminate those Birdmen
10. Great Success/Great Failure
After spending these days together and reflecting on past experiences, along with her grandfather's numerous admonitions, the Hero now had to acknowledge something, however reluctantly.
——Her family, especially her father, had personality issues.
Moreover, they were not minor issues; they could be seen as rather severe.
Even when her father coolly chastised her brother, with words as sharp as knives, wounding the heart, the Hero could never feel much emotional fluctuation from him.
In the past, she could not perceive this and simply thought it was the dignity of a Mage Noble, only now recognizing a few clues.
Whether he was losing his temper at her brother or softening his tone towards her, it seemed her father's heart remained undisturbed.
His actions and words were not from genuine emotion, but seemed born from a rational calculation that he 'should' behave in certain ways.
Throughout, his cold, emerald-like eyes always harbored indifference and detachment.
It was that very iciness that awakened the Hero from her longing for the Noble Title and the desire for recognition.
Although she had gone through much in the past six months, for a fifteen-year-old girl, recognizing the oddities in her own family was indeed a very challenging task.