As a diligent and hardworking overachiever in his past life, Loewen found himself completely out of place after transmigrating to a world where one's value was determined by one's family background and inheritance.

He especially couldn't accept becoming a "parasite" attached to his family, forced to cross-dress to deceive others.

To make matters worse, his family's deranged relatives genuinely hoped that he, a cross-dressing man, would marry another man?

This is sick!

Have these feudal aristocrats had their brains constricted by corsets?

"Mother, didn't you say that I've reached the age to enroll in the magic academy this year?"

"Hmm? Oh... right, you're indeed not young anymore, and it's almost time for you to get married." The noblewoman spoke, drifting into a day dream. Her eager anticipation of becoming a mother-in-law truly frightened Loewen.

Dear lady, could you please stop mentioning marriage at every turn?

The corner of Loewen's mouth twitched. "When can I enroll?"

Lady Flenqi's face was full of astonishment. Her voice was sharp. "Enroll? Enroll in what? You have no talent whatsoever. You can't study magic!"

Parents actually wanting to prevent their children from studying? This is the downside of compulsory education not being universal.Damn feudal remnants!

Loewen's eyes were bright and unwavering. "Mother, I want to attend school. Even if I can't study magic, I wish to attend classes. Can you send me to the academy?"

He had already made up his mind. Even if told he had zero magic talent, he would still take a chance at this world's so-called magic academy.

As the saying goes, knowledge changes destiny. He couldn't let the opportunity for change slip by!

"This..." Lady Flenqi paused, unable to understand why her previously lazy and pampered 'daughter' had suddenly changed temperament. Before, she wouldn't even touch a book cover; now she was clamoring to attend school?

"Mother?"

Lady Flenqi snapped back, instinctively retorting, "Your father won't agree."

Loewen took a deep breath. His expression was resolute. "Then please allow me to talk to him."

***

South of the royal city, at the Shillman family's residence.

In the vast estate, flowers were in full bloom. Diligent gardeners were at work, clipping unruly branches with their shears.

Suddenly, a loud slap echoed from within the house. The orange cat at the gardener's feet bristled and leaped up, darting into the depths of the flower bushes.

The gardener was deaf and heard nothing, but judging by the cat's reaction, he could guess that another 'good show' was unfolding inside the residence.

Viscount Shillman had lost his wife early and had a violent temper, frequently beating his only son.

That child was unfortunate. At three, he fell seriously ill and nearly died. Though he was saved from death, for some reason, he had since been out of favor.

Who knows how he angered the Viscount today. Truly pitiful.

Meanwhile, Felix was kicked to the ground by Viscount Shillman, half his face swollen, blood at the corner of his mouth.

He struggled to prop himself up but was pinned down by a foot on his shoulder, unable to move.

"Didn't I tell you to use some clever tactics! You ran her over with a carriage, then proposed marriage, only to be rejected on the spot?"

Felix froze. "Father, how did you know..."

Viscount Shillman let out a cold laugh. Hatred swirled in his eyes. His expression was nearly deranged.

"Her brother has spread this disgraceful story throughout the noble families. He said you are a disgusting toad! Now, even I'm being mocked because of you! And you've lost the chance to marry that useless girl!"

Felix's chest heaved violently, his breathing labored, yet he remained silent, offering no defense.

"Listen! You must get that little wretch. I need the resources the Flenqi family controls in the northern territories." Viscount Shillman’s eyes were bloodshot. His gaze was full of malice, like he was looking at a dog on the ground. The murderous intent in his eyes was clear.

Tch, this little bastard! He can't even handle such a trivial matter!

Seems I need to consider replacing him with a more obedient child as my stand-in son. After all, I have no shortage of face-changing potions.

Felix looked up, meeting his adoptive father's cold gaze. His body trembled uncontrollably. "I messed up. She doesn't like me now, but I will seduce her. Please give me another chance!"

Viscount Shillman sneered, "Seduce? You'd better be as adept as your mother. She is quite the expert. I wonder how much of her talent you inherited, you wretched creature."

A crimson hue flickered in the depths of Felix's pupils as he clenched his fists tightly.

"Why so silent? Are you defying me?" Viscount Shillman's eyes narrowed menacingly. Something within him snapped. He suddenly lost control and attacked the kneeling boy with punches and kicks.

Felix curled on the ground, shielding his head. He endured the brutal assault without letting out a single cry of pain.

He bit down hard until the violent attack stopped. Slowly, he opened his crimson eyes, and stared vacantly at the nearby table leg.

Blood smeared his forehead. His appearance changed, and his hair had shifted from dark brown to silver-white.

Viscount Shillman's eyes, cold as a serpent's, fixated on this altered face. With evident disgust, he pulled out a handkerchief, wiped the blood from his knuckles, tossed a small bottle onto the floor, and turned to leave.

"Drink the potion. Don't let anyone see that cursed face of yours!"

Felix closed his eyes, and lied motionless on the ground as if he were dead.

After a while, he slowly propped himself up.

His neck and collar were stained crimson, the result of the viscount's metal cufflinks scraping his skin.

Felix wiped the blood from his body. While doing so, he was unable to resist the temptation to bring his fingers to his lips, licking them clean.

The smell of blood shivers through him. A fleeting expression of ecstasy crossed his face.

His pale skin and silver hair highlighted his crimson eyes, giving him an otherworldly, demonic appearance, like a specter risen from the depths of hell.

He picked up the small bottle from the floor. His trembling fingers removed the stopper, and then he downed the dark liquid in one gulp.

As the cold fluid slid down his throat, his appearance changed back to that of the esteemed young master of the Shillman family.