Chapter 55

In the morning, the knights were scheduled to quickly gather at the sound of Mark’s house being assembled.

But as the break time was almost over.

A probationary knight stopped me.

“Carsein Trainee, explain why you did such an action.”

The reason is obvious.

▶I wore a mask in the training hall!◀

▶You’re given choices. Somehow prove your innocence!◀

This appeared now.

It’s the rebellion route.

When Carsein, who entered as a trainee, had friction with the knights, an episode played out within this route.

The condition is simply choosing one of the given choices, or like now, also by approaching an opponent that could be avoided.

Generally, this route isn’t used much.

If news spread within the knight order that Carsein openly accepted a fight and fought, it would likely affect him negatively.

That’s why he ignored or remained silent on the choices that popped up every time he spun around.

“But now, this situation can actually be useful.”

Glancing to the side, I saw a probationary knight, Bruce, smirking.

Maintaining attention, I boldly said:

[2. Because my belongings were stolen.]

“The belongings were stolen from me.”

“Stolen?”

“Yes. Someone took a handkerchief I received from my family right there.”

Then Bruce, as if waiting for this moment, shouted.

“It wasn’t stolen. This is merely a measure for the legitimate entry test. Give me the floor.”

“Alright. Explain it, Bruce.”

“Carsein does not qualify for the fair test during the entry period. He has support from outside. One of those supports was that handkerchief.”

“Hmm. Continue.”

The guy, thinking he could fool his superiors, continued speaking with an excited tone.

There was a choice to object with “Objection!” but it wasn’t used.

“If what Bruce says is true, Carsein, you have committed rebellion. As a trainee, confronting a probationary knight means you must pay the price.”

Not planning to report this to the superiors, though the price would be heavy.

There’s regret, but overall, it went roughly as planned.

“You can rebut if you want. But if you obediently accept and show remorse, I’ll give you a beating right here.”

The rebellion route ends like this, with Carsein receiving punishment.

While it doesn’t greatly impact the episode, it lowers recognition within the unit and slightly decreases affinity.

Of course, in any case, this kind of thing is usually not chosen.

But there’s one exception.

▶Arina witnessed this scene!◀

▶Choices disappear!◀

“Why is Carsein getting a beating? What does this mean?”

“Miss Arina?”

This could be useful when family members come to visit.

***

Why would I choose the worst option outright to Arina, who came to the training hall?

Why did I confront the dispute with that Bruce?

Why did I throw Bruce to the ground despite knowing the rebellion route would happen?

All these reasons.

“Being beaten is unnecessary. Family support can always exist, but that only adjusts Carsein’s condition during the entry period, not enough to ruin evaluations. Right?”

Knowing Arina would return.

That’s why I laid the groundwork and waited.

If Isabella or Claire came, I could have made excuses. Women don’t know the specifics of what happens in the knight order.

But if Arina came, the story changed.

Why did she directly prohibit Carsein’s entry? Why did Isabella let it pass?

Not because she’s the eldest daughter, but because she had experience training with the knight order.

The rebellion fuss ended the moment Arina appeared.

Afterward,发言权 returned to me, and I recounted everything that happened at the water’s edge without missing a detail.

The knights’ expressions tightened.

“Brus. You this guy…”

The rest was predictable.

Bruce, who was just a probationary knight, couldn’t further increase my responsibility, and some who wanted to question me couldn’t speak recklessly either.

But I gained justification.

Justification to point out directly to Arina.

Quietly asking the firstborn, I asked somewhat bluntly.

“Do you understand now? What happened over a mere handkerchief?”

[Do you understand now?] It’s a reinforced version of the choice.

I delivered the statement about favoritism more clearly.

“Your actions could make things harder. This isn’t just making a fuss.”

“…”

“Just ignore it. That’s better for you.”

Even telling Mark wouldn’t cause problems.

Scolding Bruce further wouldn’t solve anything.

So, I firmly told them to ignore it.

Fortunately, she understood her mistake and didn’t refute.

She seemed to desperately want to say something, and after a while, she spoke quietly.

“…I never doubted you. Remember that.”

The red ponytail swayed again.

This time, her steps weren’t forceful, so she wasn’t agitated.

Her anger was gone, as indicated by the message.

▶Affinity with Arina increases!◀

[Current level: 24%]

“I never doubted you,”

I chuckled and denied it.

“You’re better off doubting me.”

Like the eldest girl.

Whenever she tried to help, it caused trouble.

Better to hit and curse than to help.

Arina was no different.

Such help makes things worse.

Careless actions backfire.

If that’s the case, I’d rather she not care at all.

That’s how I truly felt about the eldest girls.

“Raise your butt. Does it seem light to touch Arina’s belongings?”

“No!”

“Then maintain that posture.”

“Ugh, yes!”

I looked away from Arina’s retreating back, and I saw Bruce receiving a beating.

Though there’s a difference between a trainee and a probationary knight, the rebellion seems forced.

Regardless of ownership, taking someone else’s belongings and getting punished is justified.

Moreover, it was Arina’s belonging, which made it even more impactful.

Bruce ended up wearing the blame he intended to pin on others.

“…”

He glared at me with veins popping.

With a look of vengeance like a bully from school.

At times like these, the youngest girl was best at annoying.

Smiling lightly, I saw his veins tighten.

“Yeah. Get angry? Save it. The angrier you get, the more flustered you’ll become.”

It was a satisfying result on both sides.

***

“That peasant brat…”

Upon hearing Carsein was a new trainee, Bruce approached without hesitation.

He’s a peasant, after all.

If a noble young master became a trainee, it would be scary.

More accurately, it was frustrating.

A scavenged nobody would soon become a probationary knight like him.

So, he wanted to scare and catch him off guard.

“Ah. Even a half-breed is well taken care of?”

Seeing Carsein, he realized he was treated generously.

His mouth watered.

By threatening with cheating and claiming equal exams during the entry period, he aimed to intimidate early on.

He thought Carsein would cower if reminded of the unit’s rules.

But…

Contrary to expectations, Carsein didn’t cower.

No, he not only didn’t cower but made Bruce let his guard down.

So, he intended to properly teach him a lesson.

Using the hierarchy within the unit.

But an unexpected outcome occurred.

Arina Bargrand’s intervention was unexpected, but he assumed the person wouldn’t believe the testimony anyway.

“Shouldn’t we stop these nasty customs?”

Firstborn Miss Arina’s criticism left Bruce in a worse spot.

“Damn.”

After enduring a beating for a long time under a superior’s order, Bruce spat out.

His palms, pressed against gravel, had various marks and bruises.

Even now, pain could be felt in Bruce’s hands.

But Bruce had no time to feel that pain.

His trials were not yet over.

“Sigh. To think I’m a probationary knight like this scum.”

“How embarrassing. Are you even a knight?”

“How can you lose to such a newbie? Ugh…”

Criticism from fellow probationary knights.

Bruce clenched his teeth and yelled.

“Shut up! You maggots, dare talk to me?”

Rank in the unit holds great power.

Regardless of ability, they were lower ranks in front of him.

“You’ll regret it later when you return to the dorm. You’ll be dealt with properly…”

“Then can I say the same to you? Since I’m higher rank than you.”

“Gares…”

But the moment he said that, a senior immediately jumped in.

Though a different group, he wasn’t a figure to be challenged.

“Why are you making noise when you were chosen for a higher rank? What position do you have to talk back to them?”

“…”

“If you’re going to talk, then go ahead. From what I heard, you just provoked and lost to a kid like Theo.”

“No, I was careless…”

“Shut up. Losing to a peasant who can’t even spin properly. Careless? Your level? Always playing around and barely training. It was no surprise this happened. Fool.”

Gares’ harsh words left Bruce speechless.

Along with the mockery and ridicule from fellow trainees, fists trembled involuntarily.

Seeing Bruce humiliated, Gares directed him to his next destination.

“Senpai called you. Go see. Stupid.”

“…Senpai, could it be?”

“Tsk tsk. So, you’re paying the price for your whining?”

Gares mocked and patted Bruce’s shoulder before leaving.

The juniors still giggled, not seeing him as a proper senpai.

“Oh no. Him calling me personally means…”

Damn it.

Bruce muttered inaudibly, then angrily headed to where the probationary knight who called him was.

Soon reaching the usual gathering spot, Bruce heard a mocking voice.

“Arrived?”

“…I was told you called.”

Confirming Bruce’s arrival, he walked toward the bowed figure like a criminal.

And.

“Keh!”

Punching Bruce’s abdomen, he made him kneel again.

“What a ruckus today? Ruined the knights’ names completely.”

“Guh…”

“When I heard a trainee rebelled, I thought I’d help. But it turned out differently. Huh? Huh? Huh?”

“Smack. Smack. Smack.”

“Expensive items make eyes wander. I know what kind of guy you are. But listen.”

Lowering his stance, he grabbed Bruce’s jaw.

Each swing made Bruce’s head turn.

“Did you think you could stand upright after being humiliated by a peasant in one move?”

“Wh-It was a mistake! I didn’t expect him to react suddenly and casually…”

Then he started making excuses.

“Smack!”

He punched Bruce’s face hard.

Still unsatisfied, he kicked.

His hidden face revealed.

This face,不久前