The Empire of Reimia (3)

—"He is smart, but lazy"... Yeah, right. -grumbled old Sinon Leveristos, without looking up from his work.
Across the wide desk before him, stacks of various securities and documents were neatly laid out, bristling with colorful seals and state symbols, which he checked carefully one by one, then made some notes in his massive ledger with a worn blue cover. Despite the inherent need for concentration and the great importance of the task, he always managed to combine it with other minor business meetings and simple conversations. And since no single mistake had been observed in twenty years of impeccable dedication, the superiors were more than ready to make such small concessions toward their best employee. Despite this, Sinon almost never used his extensive privileges — the old man arrived for duty earlier and left later than all the rest. Serving for the good of the Empire, solving the difficult tasks set before him, and handling important, often secret information gave him a unique pleasure, and for his four children, he dreamed of building only a similar fate — a life of joy, prosperity and plenty, in safety and surrounded exclusively by worthy and respected people.
—I once tried giving my children full freedom in choosing their own path. -Sinon continued. —And you know yourself how that turned out.
Moriner remained silent. He understood perfectly who was being discussed. Without a doubt, all of their father's dreams and ambitions had been invested in his eldest brother, not to mention unthinkable, fabulous sums of money. In return, the father received only resentment, annoyance and deep disappointment, a crumpled letter from the outskirts of Dreyeria, and then a body with a hole in the head. All of this took a heavy toll on the aging Sinon, and he never fully recovered from the stroke that followed shortly after: deadened legs, blindness in one eye and memory lapses finally buried all future professional promotions. Fortunately, this had little effect on his current job, but from that point on, the other children received no more leniency from Sinon.
—Take an example from Marlea. Until she was ten, she couldn't read a word — and now she's showing up those pompous professors at the capital's academy. Intelligence, laziness — all that is nonsense. The main thing is diligence and studious learning.
—I understand, father.
—What do you understand... -notes of irritation sounded in Sinon's voice. —If you understood, you wouldn't have let me down so much over these two years.
Moriner again found nothing to answer. He remembered his eldest brother poorly, but always considered himself more like him than the other relatives. Just like Tarvern, he could not find his calling, his life's passion. As for studying through force, pushing himself beyond his limits, his weakness of character would not allow it. Exact sciences were excessively difficult for him, he lacked talent in the arts, and in the military craft, poor health hindered everything. He feared disappointing his father and repeating the fate of the late Tarvern, but at the same time, he could do nothing to change himself. Often because he did not wish to change — to become, like his sister and second brother, pompous dolls obsessed with self-development, as if released from one of the imperial factories. Mere communication with them evoked in him a mixture of regret and loathing.
—Well, why are you silent? Ah, whatever. -Sinon finished checking another document and reached for the next. —Some good acquaintances recommended the military academy of Rheims to me. There you'll improve your health and, as they say, figure out your further life.
—Does that mean... into the army? -Moriner turned pale.
—Oh, come off it, not like that. Just a prestigious diversion for rich sons. But I've heard they have a difficult entry threshold and good teachers. -setting the papers aside, old Sinon looked at his youngest son with his empty gray eyes. —I can see that being strict with you won't work. Maybe they'll mold you into a man there with their modern educational methods.
—I... thank you, father.
—But mark my words, do whatever you want, but you must pass all tests with excellence! -Sinon threatened him sternly. -I will, of course, help however I can, but this will be the last time. Consider it a coming-of-age gift. If you screw up here too, blame yourself and go live however you want, even shoot yourself in the head.
—I understand everything. I definitely won't let you down again. -Moriner promised.
And for the first time, he did not fail the father's expectations: where possible, young Leveristos broke through with money and connections; where it was not possible, he strained himself to achieve success. Before leaving for the academy, a significantly softened Sinon even condescended to a firm handshake — the greatest praise that could possibly be earned. On the way, Moriner was in an inspired yet anxious mood: what awaited him ahead?


Traits
Wealth II (4)
Neatness (1)
Laziness (+1)
Love of Civilization (1)
Intelligence I (1)

Inventory
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