Chapter 53

“Huh, huff…!”

Today’s training started as usual.

On the fourth day, but with my frail body, it’s still out of reach.

As always, I was lagging behind the most.

But.

“Bruce, if you keep going like that, you’ll be caught up?”

“What…! When did he get here!?”

“Ha ha! Run faster before the bet.”

“That’s ridiculous. I was just running slowly!”

Lv. 7 (SP: 0.15)

→Strength 2.68

→Agility 3.50

→Endurance 4.11

→Health 2.10

→Immunity 1.05

→??? 0.20

Carefully increasing stats made me catch up to the slowest trainee knight, even if only for a moment.

My breath is still choked.

Short of breath, I can’t adapt, and their training intensity is overwhelming.

Still, feeling healthier makes this phenomenon need to continue. Stats might also be useful.

“Still too early. Got the key, but not ready to use it yet…”

I saw it all while running through the training hall, but in the game, getting the key at this timing isn’t usable.

Though I never thought why, being cautious with these guys made me understand.

Don’t use it.

It’s better to wait a bit more calmly now.

“Tsk!”

A knight goes ahead.

No, a group goes ahead.

Clearly, that tsk sound is directed at me.

Some of them purposely brushed past me as they went by.

“Ding!”

‘Ah, no good.’

The choice appeared right after colliding with them.

The content is obvious.

Why push forward, then choices about apologizing even though it won’t help.

The best option is to ignore and move on.

Even if this appears:

“[5. (Approaching Arina) Sister, did you see that guy push me over?]”

“I’d never say such a thing unless I lost my mind.”

On the third day, Isabella came, and on the fourth, Arina.

Thanks to her watching, the knights couldn’t be as bold.

After the morning run ended as a group,

When the choice window disappeared, Arina walked over.

Ignoring her, I slipped away towards the faucet.

As I quickened my pace, so did the footsteps chasing me.

The choice kept showing up, urging me to turn back to Arina, but I ignored it.

Then, Arina grabbed my shoulder and asked.

“The training is too intense. Why are you pushing yourself so hard? Stubbornly.”

“Ding!”

The original window disappeared, and new choices appeared.

“[1. (Shaking off hand) I stink of sweat.]”

“[2. (Playfully) What’s the problem?]”

“[3. I’m currently a trainee in the First Knight Order.]”

Turning my head, Arina looked displeased by my actions.

But, I felt the same way.

These choices weren’t fitting well.

Choice one didn’t make sense, and two, though annoying, wouldn’t repair suspicion.

Three seemed okay…

“Just don’t want to say it outright. Should I play along a bit?”

Since this is about raising affinity, there’s no Dead Flag.

I turned around and stood at attention.

“Are you giving an order?”

“What?”

“Isn’t that why you came to find me?”

“What? You…?”

Arina raised her eyebrows.

She knows.

What position am I in when speaking to her.

“I’m currently a trainee in the First Knight Order undergoing induction tests.”

I changed from standing at attention to a salute.

Very obviously.

Arina immediately grabbed my shoulders and messed up my posture.

“Trainee, what trainee? You’re my younger sibling.”

“In the training hall, we follow the rules.”

“Carsein.”

Arina’s grip tightened, clearly displeased.

“Don’t joke around. While I won’t stop you from following the trainee process, don’t misuse the rules of knighthood.”

Arina emphasized again that she came to meet Carsein Bargrand, not the trainee Carsein.

Drawing a line wasn’t possible right now.

“Should stop here.”

If she got truly angry, she might order the knights to bring me to the Duke’s mansion, similar to the game when affinity was low.

Saying more might lower affinity further.

“So, why did you come?”

I responded indifferently, washing my sweaty face at the faucet.

Already knew, but no other choices seemed good.

“…Just checking if you’re doing well in training. Nothing else.”

“Checking to see if I might cause trouble, right?”

Arina frowned.

That incident.

“No, I’m here to observe the bad habits of the knights.”

“Is that so?”

“Alright.”

Washing my face, I shut off the faucet.

Arina handed me something—towel.

“Got mine already.”

“Knights’ towels are rough. They hurt your skin. Use this instead.”

“Ding!”

Before I could see the choices, I ignored Arina and walked away.

I took out a towel from my pouch and wiped my face, making Arina sigh lightly.

“The training intensity is too much. I’ll tell Mark to ease it a bit.”

“Not necessary.”

Before the notification sounded, I answered.

“Stop visiting me. Including this.”

“…”

Arina had brought items to help with my training life in the training hall.

But, I don’t want any more help.

Either way.

“Being favored by the first daughter of the Duke House won’t be acknowledged by anyone. Thought you’d understand by now.”

Reiterating that I’m a trainee following the rules, not the Duke’s son.

Arina frowned again.

“Remember why I got angry?”

Second choice.

“[3. Not needed.]”

Was my favorite choice.

“When I said I didn’t like my kindness being trampled, you doubted me, but I don’t think that’s fair.”

Arina’s gaze changed.

Facing her, I had to pick this third choice.

“Arina is upset. How should I respond?”

“Warning! Unavoidable choice!”

“[1. Who cares? Eat this. Just as annoyed as me. Fair, right?]”

“[2. Don’t realize how much I’m being hindered by you?]”

“[3. Really? Remember that? You have no conscience?]”

“[4. That’s favoritism. Trying to interfere, right?]”

Fourth day. An additional choice arose from meeting Arina with higher affinity.

Here, I chose:

“Heh. Same old story.”

“What?”

“Instead, you’re making things harder for me. Already forgotten?”

Picked the worst choice intentionally.

***

Arina planned this carefully, worrying about Carsein.

Seeing the torn certificate made her suspicious, which wasn’t pleasant.

So, she tried to help more.

Recalling he liked training, she supported him to improve his mood.

“Heh. Same old story.”

But hearing this.

“Instead, you’re making things harder for me.”

Despite helping, it made things worse.

Anger rose.

“You…!”

Arina stopped.

“Right. I was foolish. Didn’t need to care about someone wanting tough training.”

Flap.

Arina threw the towel to the ground.

“Knowing how tough knighthood is, curious how long you’ll endure. Come back after a proper scolding.”

She turned and left, her ponytail swaying violently.

Left alone, Carsein checked his status window.

“Wow, look at this? The first daughter receives such support?”

For a moment. Then, an unwelcome visitor arrived.

“He’s here.”

Carsein quickly sized up the man.

Spiky orange bangs.

Freckles densely scattered on both cheeks.

Shifty movements and sleazy behavior.

From the game, recognizing these traits identified him.

“This must be Bruce.”

The laziest among the trainee knights, who joined the Duke’s House due to money, was the Bruce character in the game.

“Why are you staring? Hey, do you know how many ranks we differ?”

His voice matched his shifty movements, cheap.

They’re everywhere.

Why? Seen often in groups?

“If Arina were here, he would’ve been speechless.”

Forced to pick a bad choice to send him away.

No reason to fear.

Knowing such people only pick on weaker ones.

Carsein answered boldly.

“What’s your business?”

“What’s your business? Don’t you respect your seniors?”

Bruce shoved Carsein’s shoulder.

“You’re the only one benefiting. During induction tests, using external forces is unfair. It’s illegal entry. Forbidden by the Knight Order. Understand?”

Repeatedly pushing Carsein, Bruce pointed out the situation.

“How do others feel? Some easily pass, while others compete fiercely. Isn’t that unfair?”

Bruce then shook out the fallen towel and folded it neatly.

“So, this is confiscation? I’ll overlook your illegal act.”

Seemed like he was accusing, but his actions were obvious.

He wanted those expensive-looking items.

Reminded him of school days when the top student showed up with stationery.

“Properly use pens. Messy handwriting, what’s that?”

Then, leaving everything necessary behind.

Not sure where he heard it.

But, that day, he was challenged because of it.

“Heh. Just when I’m eyeing valuables, situation similar?”

Blood ran cold.

Unpleasant memories and eerie coincidences made Carsein laugh.

“Kuk, kukkuk.”

Unexpected laughter.

His laughter grew louder.

The sound reached Bruce, who was happily holding the expensive towel, and Carsein changed plans.

“Right. Time to reveal it.”

Whether a greedy thug or a family member stirring trouble,

Both deserve to eat dirt.