Night descended upon Rosenfeld Estate.
Outside the mountain fortress, cold northern winds swept across ancient cliffs.
Snow drifted through the darkness like pale ghosts dancing beneath moonlight.
Towering dragon statues watched silently from their perches upon the fortress walls.
Ancient.
Motionless.
As if they had been observing House Rosenfeld for centuries.
Within the estate, however, warmth replaced the cold.
Golden crystal chandeliers illuminated the Grand Dining Hall.
The enormous chamber had existed since the founding era of House Rosenfeld.
Massive dragon-carved pillars supported the vaulted ceiling overhead.
Ancient murals depicting legendary battles covered the walls.
A hundred enchanted candles floated in the air, casting soft golden light across polished obsidian floors.
At the center stood a dining table large enough to host a small noble banquet.
Tonight, however, it hosted only family.
The true core of House Rosenfeld.
One by one, family members arrived.
Conversations filled the hall.
Laughter echoed through the chamber.
Servants moved gracefully between tables carrying dishes from every region of the North.
Roasted mountain deer.
Fresh river fish.
Northern bread.
Mana-infused fruits.
Exotic desserts.
And countless other delicacies.
Then—
The doors opened.
Kel entered.
The conversations briefly paused.
Not because they feared him.
Not because they respected his status.
Simply because he had become the center of attention.
The famous Count of Frostbound Coast.
The young lord who had transformed an entire territory.
Kel walked toward the table.
At the far end sat Duke Aktaris Rosenfeld.
The ruler of the North.
His father.
The Duke occupied the head position naturally.
Without effort.
Without needing to display authority.
The seat itself seemed designed for him.
Kel walked toward the opposite end.
The position directly facing Duke Aktaris.
His place.
The heir's seat.
Soon the remaining chairs filled.
Helena sat beside Aktaris.
Arthur and Elise occupied nearby seats.
Uncles.
Aunts.
Cousins.
The entire family gathered together.
For the first time in years.
The atmosphere felt surprisingly lively.
Even Kel found himself relaxing.
After several minutes, dinner officially began.
The family exchanged stories.
Discussed current events.
Talked about Frostbound.
Talked about northern politics.
Eventually—
Duke Aktaris placed down his wine glass.
The conversations gradually quieted.
His sharp eyes settled upon Kel.
"So."
The Duke's voice was calm.
Steady.
"You once told me that you intended to enter Aetherial Institute through your own merit."
Kel nodded.
"I remember."
"You specifically stated you would enter without relying upon the Rosenfeld name."
"I did."
The Duke folded his hands together.
"Then tell me."
A faint smile appeared.
"Did anyone write a recommendation letter for you?"
Several family members immediately looked interested.
After all.
Aetherial Institute was not an ordinary academy.
Even geniuses struggled to enter.
Recommendations carried enormous weight.
The Duke continued.
"Based on Frostbound's reports, I assumed you were too busy."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"The territory experienced explosive growth."
"Roads."
"Departments."
"Trade routes."
"Urban development."
"Mining operations."
"Administrative reforms."
"You hardly seemed to have time to breathe."
A few family members laughed.
Aktaris continued.
"So I assumed you never had the opportunity to disguise yourself as a commoner and earn sufficient achievements."
Silence followed.
Everyone looked toward Kel.
Waiting.
Kel calmly placed down his fork.
Then replied.
"You are correct, Father."
The family listened attentively.
"When Frostbound entered its rapid growth phase, I quickly realized something."
"What?"
Victor asked.
Kel looked toward him.
"If everything depends on one person, the system will eventually fail."
Several family members nodded.
Reasonable.
Kel continued.
"Therefore, instead of personally managing everything forever, I spent approximately eight months building systems."
The room grew quieter.
Many already knew this.
Yet hearing it directly remained fascinating.
"I established specialized departments."
"Each responsible for a specific field."
"Commerce."
"Agriculture."
"Security."
"Infrastructure."
"Mining."
"Finance."
"Foreign Affairs."
"Research."
The family listened carefully.
Even Duke Aktaris seemed interested.
Kel continued.
"Afterward, I created a central Administrative Department."
"The purpose?"
Leonard asked.
"To oversee all other departments."
"Every report ultimately reaches the Administrative Department."
"Every decision is recorded."
"Every department is monitored."
"The system supervises itself."
A moment of silence followed.
Then Duke Aktaris nodded slowly.
"I see."
His eyes revealed approval.
The Duke understood immediately.
Most rulers built organizations.
Very few built organizations capable of functioning without them.
Kel continued.
"Creating the framework required approximately eight months."
"Afterward, Frostbound became increasingly self-sufficient."
"I finally gained time for myself."
Arthur blinked.
"So you just left?"
Kel shook his head.
"No."
"I monitored everything for several months."
"After confirming the system's stability, I finally began pursuing my original objective."
The family leaned forward.
Even Helena looked curious.
"What happened next?" Elise asked excitedly.
Kel calmly continued his fabricated story.
"I adopted the identity of Aedon Flinth."
"A commoner."
"A beginner explorer."
Several cousins immediately became excited.
Real exploration stories were always popular.
"I joined exploration fleets."
"Traveled across unknown waters."
"Discovered ruins."
"Hunted monsters."
"Earned money."
"Collected achievements."
"And established a reputation."
Arthur's eyes widened.
"Was it dangerous?"
"Very."
The answer came instantly.
No hesitation.
The family immediately believed him.
Because everyone knew exploration was dangerous.
Kel continued.
"Through exploration, I accumulated sufficient funds."
"At the same time, Frostbound implemented a resource distribution policy."
Leonard raised an eyebrow.
"The fifty-fifty system?"
Kel nodded.
"Correct."
"Frostbound provides ships."
"Logistical support."
"Infrastructure."
"Security."
"Trade networks."
"Supply chains."
"Administrative support."
"Therefore, fifty percent belongs to the explorers."
"The remaining fifty percent belongs to Frostbound."
Victor immediately laughed.
"Still sounds like robbery."
Kel looked toward him.
"It is."
The entire table froze.
Then burst into laughter.
Even Duke Aktaris nearly smiled.
Kel calmly continued eating.
As if he had said nothing unusual.
Eventually Helena asked.
"So where did the recommendation letter come from?"
Kel answered smoothly.
"I met an explorer."
"A talented individual."
"A rising figure among the northern exploration fleets."
"What was his name?"
Several family members asked simultaneously.
Kel remained expressionless.
"Nameless."
The moment he spoke the name—
The entire room reacted.
Even Duke Aktaris paused.
Several cousins nearly stood up.
"THAT NAMELESS?"
"The Nameless?"
"The explorer?"
"The guild master?"
"The island campaign commander?"
Arthur looked shocked.
"You met him?!"
Kel nodded calmly.
"Yes."
"I worked under him for a period."
Technically true.
Just not in the way they imagined.
Arthur looked ready to explode from excitement.
"What was he like?"
Kel thought for a moment.
Then answered honestly.
"Unusual."
The family waited.
"...That's it?"
"Yes."
"Just unusual."
Arthur looked disappointed.
Meanwhile, inside Kel's mind—
Seiren was laughing so hard she nearly lost control of their connection.
"You're impossible."
"You're sitting there talking about yourself."
"And nobody knows."
Kel ignored her.
That only made her laugh harder.
Then—
A female cousin suddenly raised her hand.
Excitement visible across her face.
"Wait."
The entire table looked toward her.
Her eyes sparkled.
"Did you learn it?"
Kel immediately sensed danger.
"What?"
"The Divine Spoon Art!"
Silence.
Then the entire table erupted.
Even the older generation recognized the name.
The infamous technique had become absurdly popular across the North.
Every explorer knew it.
Every sailor knew it.
Every adventurer knew it.
Some treated it as a joke.
Others treated it as a legitimate combat technique.
Unfortunately.
Nobody could agree which interpretation was correct.
Arthur immediately joined.
"Yes!"
"I heard one spoon pierced three trees!"
Another cousin shouted.
"I heard someone killed a sea monster with a fork!"
A third added.
"My friend says explorers now carry emergency spoons!"
Victor nearly choked on his drink.
The hall descended into chaos.
Only Duke Aktaris remained calm.
Though his expression looked suspiciously amused.
Meanwhile—
Kel stared silently at his food.
A dangerous feeling appeared.
The same feeling he experienced whenever someone mentioned the technique.
Because the entire thing had started accidentally.
Very accidentally.
Far away, Seiren's laughter became uncontrollable.
"The Divine Spoon Art."
"The mighty Sovereign's successor."
"The future student of Aetherial Institute."
"Dragon Emperor."
"Founder of Frostbound."
"Master of Space."
"Creator of the Divine Spoon Art."
Kel mentally responded.
"It is not called that."
"Too late."
"It was a normal throw."
"Tell that to the thousands of explorers carrying spoons."
Kel felt a headache forming.
The family remained unaware of his suffering.
Arthur leaned forward.
"Big Brother."
Kel looked up.
"Did Nameless teach you?"
The entire table became silent.
Waiting.
Watching.
Anticipating.
Kel stared at his younger brother.
Then slowly took a spoon from beside his plate.
The room immediately froze.
Everyone watched.
Even servants stopped moving.
Kel casually tossed the spoon upward.
Caught it.
Then placed it back beside the plate.
Nothing happened.
Silence.
Several moments passed.
Then Kel calmly resumed eating.
"...No."
The room froze.
Arthur blinked.
"...That's it?"
"Yes."
The family stared.
Then collectively groaned.
Meanwhile—
Inside his mind—
Seiren laughed so hard she completely lost the ability to speak.
For several seconds.
Only laughter echoed through the telepathic connection.
And for the first time since returning home—
A genuine smile appeared on Kel's face.
The dinner continued late into the night.
Filled with stories.
Laughter.
Family.
And unfortunately—
Far too many conversations about spoons.