Chapter 3 : Why Aren’t You Dead?

“Crasis, huh…”

Recalling the memory of that breathtakingly beautiful girl, Ron’s mood darkened.

He was supposed to have died the night before his eighteenth birthday.

But now, he was still alive.

If those two saw him alive, they’d probably stir up all kinds of trouble.

Should he run away?

Should he hide and pretend to be dead?

Ron instinctively considered following the behavioral pattern of this body’s original owner.

But the moment the thought surfaced, he dismissed it as absurd.

Why the hell should I hide just because I’m alive?

If my being alive is a problem for someone—then the problem sure as hell isn’t me!

Either they’re the problem, or this whole world is!

Ron tugged firmly at the lace collar on his chest and declared with fierce conviction:

“Meet them? Of course I’ll meet them.”

“Today is my eighteenth coming-of-age banquet. I’m the host of this party, and they’re the guests.”

“Why on earth would I hide?”

Hearing Ron’s resolute reply, The lead maid’s eyes widened.

“Master Ron…?”

“You…?”

Seeing all three maids frozen in shock, To them, the gloomy and depressed young master before them now felt like a complete stranger!

“But before that,”

“Help me get a few things ready…”

Elsewhere…

Inside an opulent carriage, A girl dressed in a luxurious formal gown gazed out the window, a sweet smile on her face.

“Ah~”

“Finally, I can get rid of that worthless fiancé.”

“Just imagining what life would’ve been like married to him is horrifying.”

“Uncle Jon, I’m so glad you helped!”

The curve of her lips refused to fade no matter how hard she tried.

Watching her excitement, The slicked-back-haired man sitting across from her didn’t look too pleased.

“When we set out, I told you to act sad — you said it was too early.”

“On the way here, I reminded you again — you said not yet.”

“Now we’re literally at his front door.”

“And you still can’t wipe that grin off your face?”

Chastised by her uncle Jon, Ron’s fiancée, Crasis, showed a trace of irritation.

“Uncle!”

“You know full well.”

“I never liked that guy.”

“The one I truly love is Renis!”

“Only someone like him — the top handsome ace of the Magic Academy — is worthy of my talents!”

Hearing Crasis’s argument, Jon looked even more exasperated.

“You brat…”

“We’re here today to attend your fiancé’s funeral!”

“No matter how much you look down on him, You should at least put on an act in front of others.”

“There are so many guests at today’s banquet — what do you expect people to think when they see your face like that?”

“Besides…”

“He gave up his life to fulfill the love between you and that boy!”

“You can’t even pretend to be sad?”

Faced with Jon’s scolding, Crasis plugged her ears with her fingers.

“So what?”

“His death has nothing to do with me.”

“It’s not like I killed him. He drank the poison willingly.”

Seeing Crasis’s bratty and arrogant attitude, Jon was so furious he raised his hand.

But the harsh words he wanted to unleash were stuck in his throat.

Crasis was insufferable — But she was also a once-in-a-century genius, with a magical affinity above 80%.

If the Phinip family wanted to rise in status , They’d need to rely heavily on her achievements in the future.

So Jon had no choice but to swallow his scolding whole.

“I’ll say just this—”

“No matter how you behave today, I’ll let it slide.”

“But you cannot marry Renis immediately.”

“Not within a year, fine — but at least wait three months.”

Trying to compromise, Jon thought he’d reached a middle ground.

But Crasis refused to back down even an inch.

“Three months?”

“No way. Once I confirm that loser Ron is truly dead, I’m marrying Renis right away!”

“I know, I know~”

“Uncle, you’re worried about noble reputation.”

“But what good is noble reputation?”

“You can’t see it, can’t touch it — it can’t even buy you a sesame seed!”

“As long as you’re strong enough, people will naturally justify everything you do!”

Crasis wore a contemptuous smirk.

Before Jon could say another word, She flung the carriage door open.

As she looked at the grand estate and the lively crowd gathered at the gate,

Crasis frowned.

What’s going on?

Didn’t Ron commit suicide last night?

By all logic, the front gate should be filled with weeping mourners.

Why is everyone chatting and laughing?

Confused, Crasis lifted her skirt slightly and walked forward, frowning deeply.

As soon as the two stepped out of the carriage, they were immediately surrounded by a crowd of nobles greeting them.

Normally, the two would’ve responded with noble decorum, exchanging pleasantries as expected of their status.

But faced with the overwhelming confusion in their hearts, neither of them had any intention of stopping.

Under the surprised gazes of the guests, They walked straight into the banquet hall.

There, they saw the current head of the Castrellero family—Lady Elenda.

At that moment, Lady Elenda was busy entertaining the guests.

Not a trace of grief could be seen on her face—no sign of the sorrow one would expect from losing a son.

Crasis and Jon exchanged a glance.

Both could see the same shock and doubt mirrored in the other’s eyes.

“Could it be… that brat didn’t kill himself?”

“Impossible. He already agreed to it.”

“Most likely, they just haven’t discovered the body yet…”

They whispered hastily to one another, uncertain how to proceed.

And then— Before they could make sense of the situation, the person who was supposed to be dead…

Ron appeared in the banquet hall, alive and in plain sight!

“Happy birthday, Young Master Ron!”

Upon seeing Ron, several guests smiled and clapped, offering polite congratulations.

The scattered applause was filled with veiled disdain and condescension toward this “good-for-nothing” noble son.

But in the face of such blatant scorn, Ron didn’t shrink away or flee in shame like he once would have.

On the contrary— He accepted the birthday wishes gracefully and confidently.

Drawing upon his deep knowledge of noble etiquette, Ron moved skillfully among the crowd, greeting each guest with poise and charm.

This confident demeanor made those who were familiar with the “old Ron” deeply uncomfortable.

Even his own mother, Lady Elenda, was left speechless with her mouth agape.

After making a round through the hall, Ron finally turned his gaze to the two people frozen in place.

To his left—Jon Phinip, the man who had met him in secret and tried to coax him into suicide.

To his right—his fiancée, the black-haired girl in a dazzling white diamond gown, the magical prodigy with an affinity exceeding 80%, Miss Crasis Phinip.

“Uncle Jon.”

“And my lovely fiancée~”

The two stared at Ron as if they’d seen a ghost.

Ron, however, approached Crasis with perfect composure, took her delicate hand, and kissed the back of it.

As she felt the brief warmth of his lips, Crasis finally snapped out of her stunned daze.

She jerked her hand away in disgust.

If Jon hadn’t stopped her, she’d have already slapped Ron across the face!

“Why are you still alive?!”

Crasis’s shocking outburst stunned the entire hall into silence.

Not a single sound remained under the weight of her furious words.