Always Second but Actually Invincible

Cleo Farshid has been cast out by his noble family for a single, seemingly unforgivable reason: he could never claim the top spot at the prestigious Royal Academy. In an elite institution where the most gifted individuals in the realm compete fiercely for supremacy, Cleo consistently placed second in every discipline. To his father, this was a mark of failure. Yet neither of them grasps the sheer absurdity of that achievement. Securing the runner-up position across all fields in a school overflowing with unparalleled talent is, in truth, a feat of extraordinary power. Embracing his disownment as an opportunity rather than a tragedy, Cleo decides to leave his stifling aristocratic life behind. Seeking true freedom, he leverages his vast array of abilities to forge a new path as an adventurer. Despite his overwhelming capabilities, he remains genuinely convinced of his own mediocrity, casually insisting, "I'm just an average person. I'm not an expert in anything." This humble delusion sets the stage for an unmatched tale of adventure. Cleo steps into the wider world completely unaware that his lifelong status as the eternal runner-up has actually made him the strongest individual alive. It is a story about a boy whose greatest strength stems precisely from always being second best.