Duke Erwin three sons.

"I'll be there shortly," Dominic answered back the servant had other thoughts.

Dominic heard the door creak open. But before the servant could make his way inside, Dominic leapt back and held it up in place, halting the man's attempt of pushing it open.

This was one of the bad things he had to face. As the useless and ignored son of the Duke, even servants sometimes liked to forget that he was the master. They wouldn't require his permission to come and go out of his room.

With his weak body and spirit, it was useless trying to stop them.

"Be right there, don't keep the Duke waiting." The servant said before his gaze drifted away from Dominic's face. His eyes looked behind Dominic, in search of something odd, anything odd. Dominic stepped forward, using his body to obstruct his view earning an ugly scowl from the servant.

"I heard you the first time. You can leave."

"The Dutchess is also present. Let me he—" He was about to force the door open when the door was slammed close on his face.

"Fuck!" The servant timely took his hand off the door's frame. Had he been a second late, with the force the door was closed shut, his bones would have been crushed to pieces. His face twitched in terror, his heart rate spiked up as he nestled his right in his left hand and cursed. "That bastard did it on purpose, didn't he? Where the fuck that scrawny fuck got so much strength from?"

Dominic locked the door and took his time cleaning off his room. He emptied out an alcohol mud jar, poured the antidote inside and hid it inside a recently dug secret chamber under the bed.

Clapping his hands off, he got rid of the dust and began to ponder.

"According to the original body memories, this Duke Erwin hated it when Dominic appeared before him. To take the initiative to invite me over, I the Duke has something in mind."

"But so be it, I'll eventually have to face this Duke Erwin... It's just that if I recovered my full potential before this unavoidable meeting, I would have better-negotiating power."

...

In the main hall of the Duke Erwin residence.

A boy of thirteen stood silently. His hand folded being his back, he dared not raise his head.

"The Academy Entrance Exam is within a week." Duke Erwin said what was in everyone's mind.

Duke Erwin was a powerful person when it came to management, forces and his own ability.

However, when it came to offerings, his achievements couldn't offset his failure.

He had a total of three sons.

His firstborn earned great achievements to the family name. He had broken through the third rank at the age of sixteen. During the days of glory, Erwin status peaked among the four Duke's in the Kingdom. He could do anything, say anything and no one would have any problems with that. Even the royal family had to watch their conduct before him.

However, if his ascension was fast then the fall from grace came even swifter. Misfortune hit him hard. In pursuit of his contracted beast, he went missing in a hidden realm three years ago.

Duke Erwin had expended all his resources, sending search parties in his pursuit.

However, it had been years and all those parties returned empty-handed.

With no choice, Erwin turned to his other two sons. As years passed by, both of these sons had been a disappointment in one way or another.

His second son failed the Academy Entrance exam, bringing great shame to his name.

And his third-born... Originally, Dominic was his second son from his first wife. Since his firstborn from his first wife had unprecedented achievement, Erwin had great hopes for his third born.

Perhaps, this was the reason that as days passed by and his third-born failed to awaken his connection, Erwin grew to resent him so much that he could not even bear the sight of him.

So much as that now that Duke Erwin feard that his third-born might remain a mortal his entire life.

To the Mages who prided in their superior bloodline, having a mortal born out of their descendants was no less than a curse. A stain, a shame, a blemish impossible to wash away.

"Duke Erwin," Casper said, breaking the depressive chain of thoughts and bringing him back to reality. "There are some things I need to discuss." Casper reminded in a low tone.

"Right," Erwin settled his gaze at his second son. "Luca, step forward, let me check your strength."

"Erwin, don't be so harsh on him. You have only this son." The Dutchess was a woman with soft features. "He will be the one to inherit you, give him some time, he'll do fine."

"Do you think the Royal family would accept him as my heir if he fails to ascend?" Duke Erwin didn't like to be disturbed when dealing with his offspring. "Paisley, you better stop being a hindrance to me teaching my son. Else, I'll not have my bloodline dry out because of your inability to conceive."

Paisley smile receded to an extent, never fully disappearing. It appeared she was used to such words of hurt. So much that now, she did not even mind and continued to smile.

Luca's hands tightened to an extent. Nevertheless, when Duke Erwin commanded, "Step forward.", he had no choice but to oblige.