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When it was revealed that the mastermind behind the ambush on the Duke’s carriage was a hyena from the House of Lenokhnen, Duke Ferbache immediately sprang into action upon receiving the news through a letter.

However, knowing the culprit did not mean he could take immediate action. There was no clear evidence of their wrongdoing.

Moreover, even if he caught the hyenas to force a confession, they were bound by a high-level oath magic that would result in their death the moment they spoke the truth.

From the start, there was no way for Johan to catch those hyenas, as they were deliberately trying to flee.

It’s usually harder to capture someone than to kill them. Especially for Johan, who wasn’t accustomed to using force.

Still, the Duke said he would subtly leak this information to apply pressure on the Lenokhnen family. For the time being, he hoped Kasys would also refrain from making noise.

Anyway.

As time passed, it came to be the last day of the extended vacation granted by the Public Affairs Office.

Of course, Johan and Fransia woke up at dawn to head to work as public affairs officers.

The knights warming up at the training ground wore expressions that suggested they could hardly believe this was reality.

The wizards examining documents inside the building didn’t look any different either.

Their demeanor wasn’t much different from that of modern office workers.

A strange sense of familiarity caused a faint smile to appear on Johan’s face. It seemed that no matter the world, places where people live were all the same.

“Everyone, attention!”

Crown Prince Fedelian shouted loudly as he entered the training ground.

“Today is the day of joint training with the First Public Affairs Officer! I hope you all haven’t gotten too complacent during your vacation!”

The knights and wizards shouted back with enthusiasm.

“We’re ready!”

“We can do it right now!”

Their voices filled the training ground. The earlier lethargy was nowhere to be seen.

“The training ground is larger over here, so the First Public Affairs Officer will join us soon!”

The First Public Affairs Officer, being part of a few elite operatives who even step onto the battlefield, had a smaller size for places like training grounds or buildings in comparison to the Second Public Affairs Office.

That’s why they were holding joint training in the Second Public Affairs Office’s training ground.

“The training will commence in an hour! Make sure to prepare properly!”

With that, Fedelian shouted and went back into the building.

“Ah, what if we lose again?”

“This is a Public Affairs Office with the Crown Prince, after all…”

“Of all times, the battlefield brat has returned.”

The knights and wizards sighed in unison. It seemed they had experienced many defeats before.

“Fransia, have you ever participated in joint training?”

Johan asked.

“Yes. We did it several times before going out on a reconnaissance mission the first time I came. But calling it joint training is just a competition that ends quickly.”

It was better to see it as a simple ranking.

“Still, we need to gauge both sides’ strength, so regularity is necessary.”

“Yes, everyone seemingly dislikes it, but there are no complaints.”

After saying that, Fransia turned away with a dejected expression.

“I have some documents to attend to before training, so I’ll go inside. Good luck today?”

“Yes.”

Seeing her walk quickly into the building, Johan couldn’t help but chuckle.

If these strange folks didn’t engage in juvenile antics, their daily life wasn’t too different from that of ordinary office workers, but it was the meddling of some oddballs that posed problems.

‘Though I can’t exactly tell them to quit being public affairs officers together.’

Fransia was steadily building her career to become the future head of her family, and Johan was raising his own value to accompany her.

In that sense, there was no better choice for either of them than being public affairs officers.

In this place, ability is everything, and evaluations are favorable when they come.

“Oh, Johan!”

Someone called out to him. A familiar voice. Johan grimaced and turned his head in the direction of the sound.

Violet seemed tremendously happy to see Johan, a smile blooming on her face.

“Ah… Violet.”

A sigh escaped his lips. Johan shook his head.

“Is that a sigh as soon as you see me? That’s too much.”

Violet pouted her lips, appearing hurt.

“It’s no wonder I sighed. What mischief are you up to this time?”

“Can’t I simply come to say hello? Hehe.”

But the sulky expression quickly gave way to a bright smile.

“I’m sorry about last time. I think I made a mistake because I was drunk.”

“Ah, yes.”

“Could you please forgive me? I’ll formally apologize.”

Seeing her smile that seemed completely sincere, Johan frowned. He should not get close to this woman.

“Well, I’m not quite sure. I would prefer if you didn’t act overly friendly from now on.”

“Hmm.”

Violet tapped her red lips with her index finger, a mischievous smile on her face.

“Well, I suppose the matter of our relationship is one that only time can resolve. Anyway, I’m just glad to see you safe.”

“…What do you mean by that?”

“Hehe, that’s a secret.”

Violet winked at him while playfully squinting one eye, then walked past Johan.

“…….”

Johan squinted as he watched her retreating figure.

‘Just glad I’m safe, huh.’

That was probably in reference to the movements of the hyenas.

But Violet didn’t have the power to mobilize them.

Which means…

‘From the start, it was all orchestrated with Kasys.’

The invitation Violet extended at the party and Kasys’s assassination plan were connected.

‘It seems they are trying hard to send me into the abyss.’

Tch. Johan clicked his tongue and scrunched up his face for no reason.

In a world where the genre is devoid of dreams or hope, it’s not easy to smoothly transition into a relationship with the female protagonist; it feels like walking on thin ice.

Just a little slip could send him straight into a pit.

Of course, he didn’t regret this choice. He had pledged to take responsibility from the beginning.

More than anything, he didn’t want to see the expression of betrayal and disappointment on Fransia’s face.

‘It felt somewhat wrong to merely watch Fransia, who is doomed to misfortune.’

Since he was a reincarnated individual, it seemed she too deserved to be happy now.

Though nothing had happened yet.

‘And also, this shall come to an end someday.’

They say happiness comes after enduring hardships, don’t they? Surely, one day, he could spend happy days with Fransia.

Without any worries whatsoever.

*

In the training ground of the Second Public Affairs Office.

Public Affairs Officers gathered around the training ground.

Fedelian shouted.

“Next!”

There was a duel going on between officers of matching ranks.

Since there weren’t many high ranks, Johan watched with disinterest.

But as time passed, he got more and more bored.

‘Wizards aren’t allowed to use rank 2 magic or above, and knights can’t use Mana Blades, huh.’

He understood that a serious fight could lead to losing one’s life, but could this really be considered effective training? As a newcomer, Johan found it baffling.

clang- clang!

The duel between two first-rate knights continued.

Brilliant white sword lights flickered in succession, and afterimages of the blades were born.

Although they showcased different sword techniques, the skill levels truly didn’t lie.

clang- clash!

They maintained precarious equality while clashing swords. It seemed it would take quite a while to determine the victor.

“Hmm. When will this training end? At first, it was fun, but after it kept repeating the same scenario, I’ve grown bored.”

Fransia said while hugging her knees in the corner of the training ground. Her face looked just as unsatisfied as Johan felt.

“I feel the same. Being a wizard, it seems I can’t grasp the knights’ actions.”

“Is that so…? Surprising to hear you can’t understand knights.”

Fransia blinked in astonishment.

“Didn’t you learn swordsmanship?”

“I’ve never formally learned it.”

“Not even at the academy?”

“I’ve only taken the tests.”

To be precise, he had learned before, but he hadn’t really learned it earnestly.

“I thought you would become a knight.”

“Why do you think that?”

“Uh… just a feeling?”

Fransia stammered her way through a response and giggled. Her bashful smile was quite adorable, causing Johan to smile unconsciously.

“By the way, have you met the first-grade wizard, Ratalen?”

“I met her earlier.”

“I see. That’s why I could smell her on you.”

“Her…?”

Johan blinked at the rare curse coming from her lips.

“I’ve been looking for her. I think she should pay for touching another man. But wherever she hides, she wasn’t at her place.”

A shadow crossed Fransia’s face. Her red eyes were swirling with an evident rage.

‘I’m fine with it, though…’

However, just because he was okay didn’t mean the matter was resolved.

Fransia was supposed to be Johan’s lover, set to become his lifelong partner.

This was more of a problem between the two of them than Johan’s personal matter.

‘It might be best to remain quiet here.’

Women’s issues are best resolved among themselves. It’s wise to avoid interference as it could complicate things for both sides.

“Johan Harsen!”

Suddenly, someone called out Johan.

Johan blinked and turned his gaze to the center of the training ground.

Kasys, wielding a wooden sword, was staring intently at Johan.

“Come forth.”

“……”

Johan’s brow furrowed. It wasn’t strange for a high-ranking officer to call out another high rank, but this was a duel between a knight and a wizard. Clearly, the knight had the advantage.

But even still, would he really call him out? Johan thought the guy had no pride.

“What? You’re calling the elite wizard Harsen?”

“A duel between a knight and a wizard, huh.”

“That doesn’t seem like it’ll work out…”

The other officers’ thoughts weren’t too different.

“I hereby designate Johan Harsen, the elite wizard.”

Nevertheless, Kasys continued with unwavering resolve, disregarding the gazes of those around him as he called out Johan’s name.

“Hmmm.”

Johan smiled as he removed his outer garments.

“Sounds good.”

At that moment, Fransia gasped in surprise and clutched his sleeve.

“What are you thinking?”

“What do you mean, what am I thinking?”

“There’s no way you can duel a knight.”

“It’s fine. I have my own plans.”

“…Johan?”

Johan chuckled and freed himself from Fransia’s grip as he stepped forward.

“Why did you call me out?”

Once in the center of the training ground, Johan asked quietly, a voice only loud enough for Kasys to hear.

“……”

Kasys kept his lips tightly pressed together and did not respond. His violet pupils blazed as he stared at Johan.

“Are you not embarrassed at all? Requesting a duel against a wizard. Doesn’t this contradict the code of the Rojino Empire?”

At this, Johan flashed an even wider grin as he began to gather his mana.

“Or is it that you didn’t like the gift I returned after you wrapped it up so nicely? I suppose that must have been reported to the Duke with a good scolding.”

Johan continued to pick at Kasys’s nerves, but he did not react, merely aiming his wooden sword at him.

“Use all the magic you have. I will not use my mana according to the official rules.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“……”

“If I use all my magic, you wouldn’t even last five minutes.”

Johan’s taunt earned him a heavy, unreadable expression from Kasys.

He could understand the other’s feelings well enough.

It was a mixture of annoyance and irritation.

“Well, since you told me to use all my magic, I won’t refuse. However, the elite knight from the House of Lenokhnen could very well perish, so I’ll be careful with my attacks.”

Johan said, smiling, as he shrugged his shoulders. At that moment, a powerful surge of mana swirled around him like a storm.

It spread out, overwhelming the surrounding air, much like an unseen gigantic wave rippling through space.

“Shall we begin?”