who is the winner?

"In second place by points…" Arthur drawled, pausing dramatically. His sluggishness made both Leon and Barkus visibly tense. Each was convinced of their own victory, but Arthur's hesitation in announcing the results began to chip away at their confidence. Leon and Barkus exchanged uneasy glances as tension hung thick in the air, sweat beading on their foreheads.

"And iiiiiiiin…" Arthur finally continued, drawing out the word with a clear grin on his face. It was evident he was enjoying the moment, deliberately playing on the nerves of those around him.

"Enough already! Just spit it out!" the father-and-son duo shouted simultaneously, their patience snapping.

"Alright, alright," Arthur chuckled, clearly pleased with his little victory. He finally declared:

"Second place goes to… Baron Barkus Bartfont with 120 points!"

A short but tense pause followed before he added:

"And first place goes to… Viscount Leon Bartfont with 125.5 points!"

"Ha-ha-ha! In your face, old man!" Leon laughed loudly, pointing at his father with both index fingers, a wide grin plastered across his face. He walked up to Barkus, giving him a few pats on the back, as if attempting to console him.

"Hang in there, Dad. Sure, Mom's gonna be furious, but I bet she'll forgive you in, what, a week?"

Barkus simply sighed heavily at his son's teasing. His mind was clearly preoccupied not only with the sting of defeat but also with the thought of explaining himself to his wife.

"Alright, I think it's time to head back," Nyx interrupted the silence, addressing everyone present. His calm gaze lingered on each of them, receiving nods of agreement in return. Even Colin, usually the most energetic of the group, looked weary. And it wasn't hard to guess why.

"I'm hungry," Colin muttered simply, drawing small smiles from the others.

Without wasting time, the group headed toward the ship, eager to return home.

---

The Women's Revenge

As expected, they weren't greeted at home with flowers and warm smiles, but rather with scowling, mocking, and furious glares.

Those glares belonged to the women of the Bartfont family—Luce, Finley, and Jenna. Their eyes practically sparkled with glee and smugness. Normally, it was the girls who bore the brunt of punishments for any mischief. But this day was an exception: the men were the ones on the receiving end. For the sisters, it was nothing short of a holiday.

Leon, however, didn't let them revel in their triumph for long. He knew their secrets all too well. Seizing the opportunity, he told their mother about all the pranks and hidden misdeeds of his sisters. As a result, the punishment soon extended to them as well. The sisters bitterly regretted their earlier mockery.

But the person who suffered the most was Barkus. His wife was so displeased with him that she refused to speak to him for several days, ignoring all his attempts at reconciliation. They didn't even share a bed during that time—a trial that Barkus found especially difficult.

However, as an experienced and resourceful man, Barkus knew exactly how to melt his wife's heart. Thanks to the barony's growing wealth—their income now even surpassed that of viscounts—he had plenty of means at his disposal. Knowing that gifts and attention were the key to winning her back, he finished his paperwork and planned an unforgettable romantic evening for his wife.

What exactly they did that evening? I am not gonna tell u :)

---

Time flew by, and soon it was Leon's birthday. He turned 15. The celebration was attended by many guests, mostly from noble families. Everyone brought gifts and well-wishes, but even the most lavish presents couldn't overshadow the main event Leon had been eagerly awaiting.

When the festivities came to an end, Leon lay on his bed in his room. The day had felt like it passed in the blink of an eye. But something even more exciting lay ahead.

"Just a couple more days… A couple more days, and I'll become a student at the Academy," he murmured softly, sighing.

His thoughts swirled around the upcoming event until a sudden realization struck him: he might have forgotten something important. With this in mind, he reached for his bedside table and pulled out a small notebook. It was his personal companion, where he jotted down all his important tasks, ideas, and even reflections on life.

Flipping through the pages, Leon stopped at a particular entry. Reading it, he quietly said:

"There's just one thing left. I'll take care of it tomorrow."

With that, he closed the notebook, set it back on the table, and finally allowed himself to relax. Closing his eyes, Leon drifted off to sleep, filled with anticipation for the new chapter of his life.