# Chapter 7: 7
As Zade mentioned, the Tilrods were a family of gentlemen.
His ancestor, Alexis Tilrod, was a knight of Dantes Arpend, the first emperor of Cardia. It was said to be called the "Sword of Fire."
As a knight of the First Emperor, he had ushered in a new era through the recapture of territories occupied by monsters.
But since his time, the Tilrods had been in steep decline, failing to produce decent gentlemen generation after generation.
So, Alexis Tilrod's talents were lost.
It manifested itself in Radis, the pariah of House Tilrod.
—She's a genius.
Armano realized that he had found a single pearl in the middle of a sea of mud. Now, he realized that that mud was not just mud.
But the tutor, who visited Armano secretly, had warned him even before he met the boy.
"Don't pay compliments to Miss Radis." If you do, they can fire you without giving you a letter of recommendation.
Armano did not want Radis' talent to be buried. He dedicated all his passion to Radis and his talent, pretending to teach David and Radis together.
And lazy David liked it that way. It was interesting to see his sister sweating under the scorching sun. David laughed at Radis to his heart's content, happy to be able to take a nap in the cool shade.
Likewise, Radis was also happy to be able to learn fencing and receive praise from a reputable teacher.
Armano, the one who taught them, was also happy.
But that bubble of happiness in the middle of the mud was destined to burst.
It didn't last long.
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The year David turned fourteen, everything was revealed.
—Sir, I will send David to the Imperial Academy.
—I heard it's the elite training ground for knights. I'm thinking about signing David up for early admission. What do you think?
As he looked into Zade and Margaret's bright eyes, Armano realized that the time had come. He opened his mouth with great hesitation.
—It will probably be difficult.
Zade's face was stiff. The same thing happened to Margaret, but she composed herself and smiled, and then asked again.
—As expected, fourteen years is too soon, right? Would it be okay if it was next year or the year after?
—No, it won't be possible, no matter how old I am. I apologize for letting you know so late. David has no talent for fencing.
—...
Armano tried to explain to Margaret that David had no talent, no perseverance, and no motivation to become a knight in the first place.
Instead, Radis had it all.
But Margaret didn't want to hear any of that.
—That sneaky bitch…!
The immediate target was Radis.
—You seduced your master like the slut you are! This is how you ruined the future of your brother and your family!
Margaret screamed and slapped Radis on the cheek. Strong.
Radis didn't even moan and kept his head down. She was already used to accepting and enduring all the violence and verbal abuse she received.
Armano grabbed Margaret's arm.
—Madam, please stop!
Margaret also slapped him on the cheek.
—He's fired! It even ruined my treasure!
Armano was immediately expelled, but the situation had not yet been resolved.
Margaret needed to get her son into the academy somehow. He always did everything he could to give his precious gem a bright future.
—You do it.
Radis, whose face was swollen after receiving a slap on the cheek, raised his head.
—You ruined everything, so fix it. Go take the test instead of David.
-Hey…?
—You're about the same height, so no one will know if you're wearing armor and a helmet. Their faces are also similar.
Margaret pulled out a pair of scissors that were used to cut fabric.
Margaret hit Radis on the head once more, causing her to bow her head, then Margaret pulled the girl's hair and lunged with her scissors.
Radis couldn't say anything and just trembled, watching his tangled hair fall in front of his eyes.
He could see the faces of his two younger brothers through the gap in the open door.
David's face was red from trying to contain his laughter, and Jurich's big eyes were filled with terror.
Then, after Margaret cut Radis's hair, she said:
—I will forgive you if you do the right thing for David's sake. You are the eldest daughter of the Tilrod family. Isn't it natural that you do everything you can to support your brother, since he is the pillar of our family?
The eldest daughter.
The word sounded like a revelation to Radis. She had never been called "daughter" before.
—Well…
Radis did everything Margaret told him to do.
He took the Academy entrance exam, wearing his brother's armor and with his chest, which had just begun to grow, tightly bound.
Then, she saw her brother leaving the house after she passed the exam for him.
-Good job.
It was the first compliment he heard from his mother. Radis smiled.
His hair had been cut badly and his face and body were covered in bruises.
But she was happy.
Valiz