"You're Hugo and Fee Clay, aren't you?"
"That's right. And who might you be?"
Yugo and Fee had been enjoying a quiet moment together that day. However, a sense of unease had already begun to settle over them. The swarms of girls and social-climbing nobles who usually hounded them every day were nowhere to be found. Like the tide pulling away from the shore, the relentless recruitment attempts had suddenly ceased—a change both Yugo and Fee found deeply suspicious.
As they faced the trio that had called out to them, Yugo began to piece together the answer. All three exuded an air of high nobility. Fee caught sight of their faces and sucked in a sharp breath before turning to his brother.
"Big brother! These people... they’re the candidates fighting over the seat of the next head of the House of Clay!"
"I see. That explains a lot."
He’d had a feeling that was the case even before Fee spoke. As Yugo muttered to himself, confirming his suspicions, the man standing in the center of the trio spoke up.
"Hah! So you’re saying you don’t even recognize your own kin from the branch houses? I suppose for a hero who saved Wind Island, there’s no room in his head for the likes of us."
"It’s not like that. I came down with a case of amnesia a while back. I don’t really remember anything from before then, so I’d appreciate it if you didn't take it personally."
"Ufufu... Oh, we know all about it. You lost a pathetic duel, and the shock wiped your slate clean, didn't it? Then, after losing your fiancée and dragging the Clay name through the mud, your father cast you out. And here you are today. Isn't that right?"
"Yeah, exactly as you say."
While the first man had directed nervous irritation at him, the woman who spoke second possessed an alluring, almost predatory air. She seemed intent on provoking him. Yugo ignored the barb, sensing that she was the most dangerous of the group. As his gaze shifted toward the large man who had yet to open his mouth, the woman with the meaningful smile continued.
"Well then, allow me to introduce us properly. My name is Drowa Clay. The man next to me is Mad Clay, and the silent giant is Fango Clay. We are members of the branch houses of the House of Clay. And, just as little Fee said, we are the ones competing for the position you vacated when you were exiled."
"And what business do branch members have with a disowned guy like me? Though, I can pretty much guess..."
Yugo sighed as he met Drowa’s sharp, piercing gaze. His dismissive attitude—or perhaps his very existence—clearly disgusted Mad, who ground his teeth and let out a low groan.
"Exactly! As a candidate for the succession, I have to ask you! Hugo Clay... you don't intend to use this recent glory as a ticket back into the family to reclaim the seat of the next head, do you?!"
"Not a chance. Are you satisfied now? Good. We’re leaving."
"Wait! You think a few words are enough to convince us?!"
"Look, I really have no interest in the succession. Even if the old man asked me to come back, I’d tell him no. So breathe easy."
Yugo’s words were entirely sincere. He wasn't originally from this world, after all. Being called the eldest son of the prestigious House of Clay didn't feel real to him, and he couldn't imagine himself governing people as a noble in the slightest. That seat belonged to someone with the appropriate talent and temperament. Since Yugo was certain he wasn't that person, he truly didn't care about the family's future leadership.
However, seeing his reaction, Drowa’s lips curled into a knowing smile.
"I see. The rumors that you’ve become a completely different person since the memory loss seem to be true. The old you would have looked down on us with a sneer and boasted that the seat was yours and yours alone."
"Like I said, I’ve changed. Take the seat. Fight over it all you want."
"How humble. It’s a transformation unimaginable from the person you once were... But what if it’s all just a performance?"
"What do you mean by that?"
"Yugo... is your memory loss a lie?"
Yugo’s heart gave a heavy thump. For a split second, a surge of panic hit him—did she realize he wasn't the "real" Hugo Clay? But her theory was far removed from his actual secret, though it carried a weight of its own.
"You haven't actually lost your memories. It's all an act. Even that 'bad boy' persona—the problem child of Luminous Academy—was a role you created, wasn't it?"
"What...?"
"You played the part of a delinquent to lose your father’s trust. You intentionally lost that duel to ruin your reputation and force him to kick you out. Am I wrong? Zenon Ash, the boy who beat you, hasn't done anything of note since and is currently hiding away on a leave of absence. Meanwhile, you haven't lost a single fight since that day. You’ve solved major incidents and defeated countless monsters. With that much power, why on earth did you suffer such a pathetic defeat against a nobody like Zenon back then?"
"I told you, I don't remember. I probably just got cocky and tripped up."
"Ufufu... you’re good at dodging. Then let me get straight to the point."
Yugo was simply trying to tell her that she was overthinking things, but from her perspective, his dismissiveness looked like evasive maneuvering. Drowa leaned in, finally delivering her conclusion.
"Hugo Clay... every single thing you’ve done was for your brother, Fee. You threw away your life as the heir so that he could be the one to inherit the House of Clay. Am I right?"