Edmund stepped into Sera’s residence while one of the servants guided Leonor toward an empty room upstairs.

Unlike Leonor, Edmund and Sera headed directly into Sera’s bedroom. The two of them were not planning to have sex, but Sera believed her room was safer.

No one would overhear them there. Only the two of them would know what was discussed.

The bedroom door locked. Edmund sat on a small sofa inside the room while Sera approached carrying a bottle of wine.

"Even though you’re no longer a noble, you can drink as much wine as you want in my house."

"Thank you," Edmund replied as Sera poured wine into his glass.

"So tell me, were you kicked out, or did you leave on your own?" Sera asked.

"I gave up my Viscount title of my own will. Julian didn’t throw me out," Edmund answered.

"Alright. They must be shocked, but Madam Oleander is still there. She can probably manage the city well enough."

"That’s not what worries me... Marcus’s influence is."

"Marcus? Marcus Siegfried?"

Edmund quietly cleared his throat, raised his glass, and slowly took a sip. He began explaining every plan he had prepared to Sera.

That meant there were now three people who knew Edmund’s future plans.

Nisya, Sebastian, and finally Sera.

Among everyone Edmund knew, those were the three people he trusted the most. They had always remained by his side.

Nisya had always stayed close to Leonor and shared an unusual bond with her, almost like sisters.

Betraying Edmund would mean betraying Leonor as well.

Sebastian had willingly abandoned his own status to remain loyal beside Edmund. That alone was enough proof of his loyalty.

And Sera, Edmund’s closest friend, had known about the Aschwin Family conflict from the very beginning.

Without involving Sera, Edmund feared his plans would become far more difficult to carry out.

Edmund carefully explained everything while Sera listened without missing a single detail.

The two of them continued talking and drinking wine together. Wine was effective at calming anxiety and providing temporary peace of mind.

Nearly two hours passed with Edmund explaining his plans while Sera mostly stayed silent and listened.

Occasionally, she reacted with shock, disbelief, surprise, or admiration.

What stunned her most was the fact Edmund had already planned for possibilities that had not even happened yet.

"I prepared for this because I’ve been suspicious of the Siegfried Family from the beginning."

"They kept pressuring me into marrying Lara. But once that failed, they would obviously choose another option."

"Clara, right?" Sera asked. Edmund quietly nodded.

"However, my father is stubborn and firm in his beliefs. He would never arrange a marriage before Clara graduates from the academy."

"During those three years, I’m certain the Siegfried Family will continue expanding their influence throughout Archester City through Oleander."

Sera let out a long sigh. She admitted she hated noble politics and political schemes. They drained the mind, emotions, and energy far too much.

However, Edmund clearly had no other choice.

If he failed to act quickly, the marriage would become reality after three years, and Edmund’s chance to reclaim the Viscount position would disappear completely.

Once that happened, the Siegfried Family could easily push the Aschwin Family out of the Archie Territory, meaning the Siegfrieds would eventually seize the title of Marquess.

"I understand," Sera replied.

"So what exactly are you planning to do? You don’t have influence anymore, and you don’t have money either," Sera pointed out.

"Clara will join as a Highborn student, and she’ll definitely pass. I plan... to join the academy as an instructor."

"What?"

"But you’re right. You’re no longer bound by noble rules anymore," Sera explained. "Technically, it shouldn’t be a major problem."

"I won’t register as Edmund," Edmund answered.

Sera suddenly fell silent and narrowed her eyes while staring ahead. Then she abruptly stood up, shock filling her face as she realized Edmund’s true intention.

"No! I refuse to use that forbidden magic. It could endanger you," Sera protested.

"I have no choice. I’ll accept whatever consequences come with it. Not only can I protect Clara, but I can also guarantee Leonor’s safety."

"You know that if the magic is used too often, it can affect you. Your body might struggle to return to its original form," Sera warned.

"I’ll be careful. My attribute stats are high enough. I’m confident I’ll be fine," Edmund replied.

Sera stayed silent before letting out another sigh. Everything Edmund said was completely true.

That forbidden magic required enormous mana capacity.

With Edmund’s high level, there should not be any problem maintaining the forbidden magic for an entire day.

However, the consequence would be severe mana consumption far beyond normal levels.

"If your mana reaches a critical state, I’ll force you to deactivate the spell and return to your original body. I refuse to let you collapse while still using forbidden magic. That would create serious problems!" Sera warned firmly.

"I’ll listen to your advice."

Sera nodded. If Edmund truly was prepared to take such a dangerous risk and genuinely believed he could handle it, then Sera had no choice but to support him.

Besides, she herself had become curious about Edmund’s future appearance.

He would possess a completely new face and a new name, without achievements or status, relying solely on his swordsmanship skills.

"The instructor selection process for Highborn classes is extremely difficult. Are you sure you can pass?" Sera asked.

"Leave that to me. Your job is to activate the forbidden magic on my body."

"You really are reckless, Edmund," Sera said. "But I like seeing you this ambitious."

"Come with me."

Sera and Edmund left the bedroom together and arrived in the back courtyard.

Sera instructed Edmund to stand in the center of the courtyard and remain focused without lowering his guard.

"All servants, leave my house immediately. Close your eyes and ears!"

"I’ll know if anyone disobeys."

"Anyone who disobeys will be severely punished!" Sera declared firmly.

Every servant obeyed her command. They rushed out of Sera’s residence and lined up neatly along the city sidewalk, confusing even the guards.

Eventually, the guards followed their example. All of them stood there with lowered heads, eyes closed, and ears covered tightly with their hands.

Once the situation became secure, Sera turned to confirm Edmund’s readiness. Edmund silently nodded without saying a word.

Sera swung her hand forward, summoning five gems of different colors and elemental affinities.

Her lips began chanting a special incantation while her eyes closed and her hands gripped a wooden-root staff.

A red rune appeared beneath the courtyard floor, spinning clockwise while emitting a crimson glow.

Edmund stared at it without the slightest trace of hesitation on his face.

Sera opened her eyes.

"Drop your blood onto it, Edmund."

Edmund obeyed. He bit his thumb and let a single drop of blood fall onto the red rune.

The moment the blood touched the rune, the crimson glow intensified dramatically.

Ancient red symbols began floating around Edmund’s body. Sera focused her gaze and finally spoke the name of the forbidden magic.

"Dark Art Magic: Blood and Flesh Transformation!"

The crimson ancient symbols immediately shot into Edmund’s body with tremendous force.

Every symbol that struck him felt like being blasted by a fireball spell, burning and agonizingly painful.

There were a total of 120 different ancient symbols, meaning Edmund had to endure the equivalent of 120 fireball spells hitting his body without using any defensive movement whatsoever.

Sera stared ahead as blood trickled from the corner of Edmund’s lips. Yet there were no signs that Edmund intended to give up.

"Continue! I can endure it."

Sera obediently continued maintaining the stability of the magic rune.

One hour later, the final ancient symbol struck directly against Edmund’s forehead. His body was pushed slightly backward before collapsing onto his knees.

Moments later, a pillar of crimson light shot high into the sky, lifting Edmund’s body into the air.

Sera did nothing. The crimson pillar was proof the forbidden magic had fully activated and fused with Edmund’s body.

Through the transformation of blood through mana, Edmund’s face changed completely.

He looked different from before, though still handsome. Even his clothing transformed.

The only things unchanged were his hair and muscular physique.

Slowly, the crimson pillar faded away, and Edmund descended back onto the ground. The red rune beneath him also vanished into magical particles.

"E-Edmund?" Sera called out.

"I’m no longer Edmund, Sera," the man answered.

"Call me... Edwin."