Strongest Noble's Daughter Uses Water Magic Book 2

Report *Edward*

Edward Anberibca stood in an office in one certain household at night, reporting to one man about the mock exam that occurred earlier that day, specifically about the new squires.

"Thus concludes my report regarding these recruits, father," he ended.

"I see... So that all happened," Lennox Anberibca simply acknowledged, looking at the written reports and the recruits' resumes, as well as the recorded video of the mock exam.

"Father, if I may, what are your thoughts about the troublesome squires I spoke of?" the former captain asked. "I have given you my report, and I may be the former captain, but personally speaking, after what I saw in the exam, I don't believe these people are meant for knighthood."

Lennox took in his son's words as he continued to observe the reports and video of the people in question. "Hmm... As you say, their characters are very concerning for the position they have all signed up for. However, considering the task they were given- the test you had set up for them- one can even say they had done their job flawlessly. A soldier who is capable enough to see through the missions they are assigned to is exactly what our kingdom needs. As such, I don't see a reason as to why we cannot accept these people in our rank."

Edward clenched his hands slightly at those words. He knew his father, how much he values a person's strength over their personality. And as the man before them is the commissioner of the Royal Army Knights, a position ranked much higher than his, Lennox has the final say in regards to the new recruits. That being said, even if these delinquents had acted out of line during the mock exam, it did not change the fact that they did as they were told to do. Even if the actions they took brought harm to his own family.

Not wanting to even hear his father accept these foul human beings into the great Royal Army Knights, Edward turned to the door. "If that is all, father, I must be going now. Tomorrow may not be a school day, but as a professor, I do have evaluations to do," he said.

Just as he took a few steps towards the door, Lennox called out to him. "Wait one moment. The soldiers out of the way, tell me... How is she doing at the academy?"

Edward already knew who he meant by 'she'. The only 'she' who has been on this man's mind for years, ever since he took her in as one of them. He knew who this man was referring to... but even so, just to be sure... "Which 'she' could you be referring to?" He wanted to know if he was wrong in his assumption, to have hope that maybe- just maybe- the 'she' Lennox wanted to know about was not the replacement, but his real sister.

"You know exactly who I mean. Considering the life she has lived for so long, I am quite concerned about her new life there. Especially during the mock exam. I could take a look for myself, but these videos don't show me much."

As vague as that response was, for this man could be referring to either one of the girls, Edward knew his father long enough; he knew the man was not interested in knowing about the girl he had kicked out of the house- the girl related to them by blood- but the one he had let into their humble abode.

"Leia is doing quite well at the academy," he began. "Though, apparently, she had attempted to use her magic during the exam. A few squire applicants did get injured, but their injuries were nothing fatal. Thankfully."

"Is that so? Even though it was made clear that she should not be using her magic until she has it completely under control?" Lennox questioned with a raised brow.

"Yes. From what I was told by the headmaster, she got into an... unavoidable circumstance."

The headmaster of Flammel Royal Academy... Out of everyone in this kingdom, there were very few who knew the truth about the Anberibca Family's circumstances. That their one and only daughter has the Water Affinity for magic, and was shunned out of her own home, while the Anberibca daughter revealed in public was actually an orphan adopted into the family. The headmaster was one of those few people who knew this truth, and made an effort to keep this revelation a secret from everyone else.

As Edward thought back to this news, a small idea came to his mind. "And it appears, she was also involved in it."

Lennox raised a brow at that last part, as his son had hoped. "'She'?"

"Yes. 'She'. The person you told to get into the academy no matter what."

It took the older man a few seconds to realize who his son meant, as he narrowed his eyes. "Ah, you mean 'her'..." he spoke. "And I dare ask, how has she been there?"

Hiding the smile that nearly formed on his face, Edward answered, "If you can believe it, she is doing far better than we have assumed, for a mage of her affinity."

"How so?"

"For one thing, she endured my Flare Body."

Lennox widened his eyes at the news. Flare Body was not a spell that was easy for any opponent to bypass. A Fire Mage may be able to withstand the heat coming off of it, but other than that, it was foolish for anyone to try to get into close combat with the person who cast such an advanced spell. And as the heat radiating from the spell was truly mana being released from the caster's body, mana that heats up depending on the amount released, for this spell to be used by an Anberibca, who has a large amount of mana within them, not even an average Fire Mage will be able to handle the heat. The only way other mages can attack the caster is if they use a long-ranged weapon or spell. So for someone to endure such heat themselves to land some hits in...

"She would have to be very brave, or very foolish," Lennox concluded.

As much as it saddened Edward how little his father thought of his own real daughter, he did not say anything to retort to his words. Instead, he added on to the achievements she gained. "Oh, that is just the start. Apparently, she had brought all her classmates together for training before the mock exam. Or so a Fire Mage commoner and crossbreed noble boy I faced had claimed. Then again, going by the unique teamwork they had displayed, I have to admit, that is quite the feat for someone like her."

"In what way would that be impressive? It should be obvious for commoners to serve as support for nobles, even if the noble is a crossbreed," Lennox waved off.

"Except it was the crossbreed who was acting as support. More so, that crossbreed is an Icewink."

This reveal caught Lennox's attention. He had heard faint rumors of the lone heir of the Icewinks being a crossbreed, but only passed it off as some rumor, as most people had. To think it was actually true. Although...

"Is there any reason to tell me any of this? Interesting as that last bit was, you seem to have forgotten; that girl is no longer a part of this family. The day her affinity was revealed was the day she lost her place here. No matter what accomplishment she has achieved, here in this household, not one thing concerning her is of any worth to us."

Edward was afraid his father would say that. After all these years, he may have lent his lone daughter whatever books she requested, and he may have financially supported her over the years, but in the end, it was only because Levi was a mere child back then; there was no familial attachment towards her.

"No reason, father. Just thought it would be interesting to share how much that lowly commoner can achieve." Without another word, Edward finally took his leave.

Closing the door behind him, the former captain of the Royal Army Knights let out a light sigh. 'In the end, he truly has lost all interest in her,' he thought. 'Well, of course he has. Otherwise, he would never have adopted a replacement.'

Edward still remembered the day as though it was yesterday. He was visiting home one day after a patrol, upon his father's insistence, and was greeted by the sight of the new face, with hair as red as his father's. Not only that, but he also sensed a vast amount of fiery mana radiating from her. He even found it strange how familiar his family servants were treating her, as though she was an Anberibca like him and his family. When his father introduced her as his daughter, Edward could not begin to describe his shock. Even more so when his brothers wholeheartedly accepted the outsider as their newest family member.

If it weren't for the fact that Leia truly did have an immense amount of mana for Fire Magic- magic in which she truly has trouble in controlling- he would've thought her as a demon who wormed her way into the family for some malicious deed. Rather... he still thought that about her. For after all, a commoner born with such powerful mana? Having not even a drop of noble blood in her? How could he not be suspicious about her? Especially as she came into their lives some time after Levi was forced to leave. While Edward was aware that it was not Leia's fault that she truly just so happened to be born the way she was, he could not help but feel that way towards her.

"Edward?" Speak of the devil...

Upon hearing that familiar meek call, Edward glanced to the side and saw Leia standing there. "Leia... What are you doing here? It may not be an academy night, and this house may be close to the academy, but as a student, you should be in the dorms at this time. Don't think just because we are to be siblings that I will excuse you for your tardiness." The male Fire Mage noticed how his adopted sister grimaced at those harsh words, yet said nothing to retort. "It's getting late, and I'm tired from both using my mana and enduring that beating I got from your peers earlier. I will overlook this action once. You better return to your dorm."

Just as he turned to leave, Leia spoke. "I overheard your conversation with Lord Lennox."

Those words stopped Edward in his tracks, as he wondered exactly how much she heard through the doors. Well, that and... "I believe it was told to you enough times how you should be referring my father."

"It's only us here, but that is besides the point," Leia retorted. "A commoner I may be, I am not dense. You two were talking about someone. Someone I don't know, or should not have known about."

The older Fire Mage remained silent at her claim. He knew a bit of Leia's history with Levi, thanks to the headmaster, however small it was. Still, he was not going to needlessly speak of his relative to this replacement. "It has nothing to do with you."

"Maybe it doesn't, but I feel like I have the right to know about it. You two were talking about Levi, weren't you?" Edward held back the urge to flinch at the name and question. "Who is she, really? What sort of history does she have with you people? And don't say she's a nobody or that she's not someone I should be concerned with! From my interaction with her, from that power I sensed from her mana, it is clear she is not just any normal commoner!"

"I'd watch myself if I were you," Edward warned as he glared at her.

"Why? Is she someone important to you after all? Did you do something to her? No... It is most certainly because of that, isn't it? I did not notice it before, and I doubt anyone did, but Levi's knowledge of nobles and etiquette, the grudge she held towards this family compared to every other noble houses, not to mention the abnormal amount of mana she has as a commoner. That is, assuming if she-"

Before Leia could say any more, Edward hastily got to her face and covered her mouth. "I believe I told you to watch yourself," he said, hardening his glare, and even unleashed a threatening amount of mana from his body.

Leia shook in fright at the sensation, obliging to the warning. Once he sensed the girl heeding the warning to an extent, Edward removed his hand from her mouth and let out a light sigh.

She brought up a good point. He knew she did. This commoner posing as a nobleman would never have known that she was taking another nobleman's place, not when no one said a word about Levi. Not his stepmother- who constantly kept her distance from this commoner girl; not his brothers nor his servants- all who gave this girl the love that should've gone to the real Anberibca daughter; and most certainly, not his father- who only focused on her training as a proper Anberibca. It was high time someone told this girl the secret.

"It's not safe to talk here. Come." Though the halls may be empty, he did not trust Leia enough to be silent with what would be revealed to her, nor did he want to risk a patrolling servant walking by and overhearing what would be said.

As he turned around and walked, though quite confused with his odd request, Leia shook off her confusion and followed after him.