One day, with just one month left until my 15th birthday, I was called by my father.

"Saijar. You are being disinherited and banished from the Ardeck ducal family."

"........."

The day I knew was coming has finally arrived.

My disinheritance was predetermined, so it's not surprising.

I, Saijar von Ardeck, as the heir to the duke's family, have worked hard, diligently training day after day.
However, my current position is precarious, and the reason for that is my younger half-brother.
Although I'm the heir, my younger brother is the same age as me, born just 10 days after me.

My mother, who was the duchess, passed away when I was young. Because of that, my younger brother's mother is now the duchess.
This stepmother of mine has tormented me since I was little, making no effort to hide her desire to make her son the heir to the duchy.

Soon, I will turn 15. In this country, 15 is the age of adulthood, and I am expected to make my debut in high society.
But before that happens, my stepmother wanted me dead or exiled. I knew my father, who listens to her every word, would disinherit me.

During the "Blessing Bestowal Ceremony" at age 13, my younger brother received the blessing of the Sword God and gained the skill- Sword Emperor.
The ranks for sword skills are Swordsman, Sword Master, Sword King, Sword Emperor, and Sword Saint. My brother received the second-highest rank, Sword Emperor.
The Sword Emperor rank is practically the highest skill, as a Sword Saint hasn't appeared in the last 1,000 years, and even a Sword Emperor is a rare skill, only appearing once every few decades.

In contrast, the blessing I received was from the unknown Goddess Amalia, and my skill was Life Magic.
The priest looked puzzled during the ceremony, as no one had heard of this goddess before.

Life Magic is considered a useless skill, often ridiculed when possessed by nobles, because all it can do is light a fire or produce drinking water.

Thus, my father has finally declared my disinheritance.

"A useless skill like Life Magic... You have no place in this house."

"........."

"By tomorrow morning, you are to leave this mansion. You are no longer allowed to use the name Ardeck."

"........."

"Did you hear me?"

"I understand."

My disinheritance had been decided two years ago. No, it was decided the day my stepmother gave birth to Monoglok.

No matter what I say now, my father will never change his mind.

"From now on, Monoglok will be the heir. Work hard from now on."

"Yes, Father!"

This Monoglok, who is not just large but unnecessarily massive, is my brother.
He bears no resemblance to me, who is slender. How much food does one need to consume to grow that big?

"Did you hear that, Saijar? You're disinherited today. I'm the heir now!"

This is my brother's true nature—arrogant and unable to recognize me as his older brother.
It's nothing new; I've suffered countless abuses at his hands.

Once, I was pushed down the stairs, another time, he cut my back with a sword. My body still bears the scars.

"Of course! There's no way we could leave the Ardeck duchy to someone with a useless skill like Life Magic!"

My stepmother looked thrilled to have finally driven me out.
No wonder, she's been scheming for years to make Monoglok the heir.

For her, this is long-awaited.

"That's all. You may leave."

"........."

I bowed my head slightly and left my father's room, looking down.
I couldn't face my father, my stepmother, or Monoglok right now.

If they saw my face now...

"Master, has the conversation ended?"

"Yes, it's over, Pal."

She is Palmyris, my personal maid.
A dark elf with brown skin, she has served me even before I was born.

"Master, you're smiling."

"Well, I'm happy."

I was never suited to being a noble.
I never wanted to become one in the first place.
But my grandfather insisted, so I stayed in this house.

"You're quite an unusual master, smiling even after being disinherited and exiled."

"Were you listening?"

"I could hear it."

Dark elves have good hearing. Or rather, Pal has exceptionally good hearing.

"Tomorrow morning, I'm supposed to leave the mansion."

As I walked, I spoke to Pal.

"Tomorrow?"

"It's better to do this sooner rather than later. I think I'll leave tonight."

"I will accompany you."

Pal came to this house with my mother.
Now that my mother is gone, and I'm about to leave the house, it's only natural that Pal would come with me.
I've expected this, so it doesn't surprise me.

"Hey, Saijar! Don't ever show your face in front of us again, you worthless trash!"

As I walked down the hallway, Monoglok shouted from behind.
And this person will be the heir to the duke's family... the quality of nobility has really fallen.