"No, that's not it...! I'm not saying you were wrong... Wait? Actually, you were wrong last semester, weren't you? But you've reflected on it now, so I wasn't trying to criticize you..."
As I stroked the baby dragon in my arms to improve my mood, the protagonist of someone else's novel hurriedly strung together a series of incomprehensible words.
I don't know how many times he's going to deny it.
Watching him repeatedly deny his own denial, my bewilderment pushed away my sense of grievance.
"What are you so flustered about?"
"Because you made an expression I've never seen before, I wondered if I said something too disappointing...?"
"Forget it. It's not like you said something you shouldn't have."
Back in Chapter 59, he had also made a fuss about me showing an expression he'd never seen before.
It seemed this guy intended to make a scene every time I displayed a new expression.
'Well, Reisir is the protagonist of a first-person novel.'
Since he serves as the narrator, I suppose it's only natural that he pays close attention to changes in other people's expressions and reacts sensitively to them.
Just as I accepted that—
The protagonist of someone else's novel stared intently at my face, then suddenly said:
"By the way, Vigdís. What did you talk about while shaking hands with that kid named Nidr earlier?"
Just as I had asked out of curiosity about the conversation I'd had with that extra during the preliminaries.
He might have asked out of simple curiosity as well, but—
'He probably asked on my behalf.'
Truly unnecessary kindness.
In any case, it was obvious enough what they would have talked about.
So I wasn't particularly curious either.
If Nidr knew enough to know that Vigdís had a fiancé, he naturally would have known she hadn't even been learning the sword for a year.
And even if he didn't know—
Since Vigdís had asked Nidr how long he had been studying swordsmanship before the match began, basic courtesy would have prompted him to ask the same question in return.
'He probably praised her, saying her skill was impressive for someone who had trained for such a short time. Maybe he even added that he looked forward to seeing her performance in next year's tournament.'
When Nidr first appeared in the original novel, he established a positive and refreshing image through his overflowing confidence.
This time, too, he would have treated Vigdís in a way that fit that image.
"He said it was surprising that I had reached this level despite not learning swordsmanship for very long. So I thanked him and told him it was an honor to cross swords with him."
See?
Just as expected, it was nothing special.
"But..., hmm..."
I thought the conversation was over, but apparently there was more.
For some reason, however, Vigdís couldn't continue and began reading my expression.
Even though I hadn't felt curious a moment ago, her hesitation halfway through naturally piqued my interest.
And if that was enough to make me curious, then how much more curious would the one who had asked in the first place be?
"But what? What did you talk about after that?"
"It wasn't really a conversation. After we let go of each other's hands, he just said something strange and left..."
"Something strange?"
"To me..., he said it was a pity that I had a fiancé..."
After repeated questioning from Reisir, Vigdís finally answered.
And once again today, I realized that predicting the words and actions of characters from someone else's novel wasn't easy.
"What is that...? Doesn't it sound like he was hitting on you?"
"Because he praised my skill, I was happy that such an outstanding talent acknowledged me as a swordsman... Could all of that praise have just been lip service?"
The praise was probably sincere.
That was likely why he couldn't help feeling regret.
A woman with talent at Vigdís's level would be nearly perfect as a partner.
Except she was already engaged.
'He's the type of character who grades people and weighs whether they're suitable to keep by his side.'
In the original work, it wasn't until much later that Nidr revealed his true colors.
After all, he was still an Academy student and had to graduate first.
Only when he reappeared much later did the story reveal his mindset through a flashback.
After the martial arts tournament finals ended, Nidr acknowledged that Reisir's skill surpassed his own.
But he concluded that Reisir wasn't worthy of becoming his friend.
To allow himself to be bullied by someone as "defective" as Karvaldr.
To fail to grasp how insignificant that person's true nature was, and to not know how to properly use the power he possessed.
He was merely an ordinary person who had submitted to authority.
...That was Nidr's evaluation.
'Without considering why Reisir had to endure it. Without considering his circumstances.'
He even thought that if Reisir escaped Karvaldr's bullying, then he would make him his friend.
His confidence overflowed to such an extent that it pierced the heavens as arrogance.
'If he thought so highly of himself, shouldn't the normal response have been to resolve to save Reisir from that bullying?'
Yet he himself lacked the courage to oppose Karvaldr, a member of a Ducal Family.
Wasn't that simply the excuse he used to compromise with himself?
For someone like Nidr, who acted that way in the original work, to tell Vigdís that it was a pity she was engaged...
It seemed he had heard the recent rumors that Vigdís had Karvaldr wrapped around her finger.
"That jerk may have said it to make himself look good in your eyes, but Vigdís, if your skill weren't genuinely outstanding, he wouldn't have been able to say something like that."
"I... suppose so?"
"Of course! Karvaldr said the same thing earlier, didn't he? That he sees the aptitude to become an excellent swordsman in you. You know better than anyone that this guy isn't the type to say things he doesn't mean, right, Vigdís?"
Not only did Reisir drag me into the conversation out of nowhere, but he even pointed directly at me.
Then Ríolíkin, who hadn't participated in the conversation at all, let out a small laugh.
"Ehehe..."
He was probably reminiscing about the praise and lip service I'd given him earlier.
"Yes, I know. Kar really is that kind of person."
"To covet someone who already has a fiancé is an act that disregards both you and Karvaldr. And treating someone you crossed swords with in a match that way isn't right either. His skill may be excellent, but his character is terrible."
Perhaps because he felt that Vigdís and I had been insulted as a pair, Reisir frowned openly.
Even though I hadn't been insulted directly.
No, even when I had been insulted directly.
In my previous life, not a single person had ever become angry on my behalf.
'Ah..., I shouldn't be dwelling on things like that...'
In any case, the main reason Reisir was angry was because he felt Vigdís hadn't been respected as a swordsman.
Everything involving me was merely secondary.
Thinking that, I struggled to keep my face expressionless.
Because if I accidentally looked moved, Reisir would only become more annoying.
"By the way, Karvaldr really has no reaction...? That kid named Nidr might be interested in Vigdís. Doesn't that bother you?"
It seemed I had been wrong.
Reisir remained annoying despite my maintaining a perfectly blank expression.
"I believe I already told you not to ask questions like that."
"So you are bothered? The fact that you can't just say you're fine..."
What an absurd misunderstanding.
But it was obvious that even if I denied it, Reisir wouldn't believe me.
At the same time, I couldn't openly declare that I had no romantic feelings for Vigdís.
"Stop talking and watch the match."
With that, I ended the conversation and turned my attention toward the stage.
Then I found myself thinking for a moment.
'By the way, Nidr hasn't even started acting like a villain yet, and he's already earned the original protagonist's hostility.'
Although he was destined to become corrupted, I couldn't help finding him a little pitiful.
For all his bleak prospects, he hadn't actually bullied anyone yet.
His arrogance was excessive, but for now he was nothing more than one of many adolescents intoxicated by his own excellence.
'...My own situation is already a disaster. Why am I worrying about him?'
Besides, the reason Nidr became corrupted was because the superiority complex born from his confidence eventually flipped into an inferiority complex.
It happened because he failed to awaken and became obsessed with the idea that he wasn't special.
That wasn't a problem I could solve.
It had nothing to do with me.
Concluding my thoughts there, I focused on the match unfolding on stage.
"It's getting close to lunchtime. What are you planning to do about food?"
Around the start of the thirteenth match, Reisir suddenly asked.
The Martial Arts Tournament hosted by Valhalla Academy didn't have a designated meal break.
Instead, food could be ordered and eaten inside the stadium, and Academy students were even provided with free lunchboxes.
Reisir wasn't asking where we would eat.
He was asking when.
"I plan to eat after my match. If you want to order now, go ahead."
For reference, I was fifteenth.
Reisir was sixteenth.
If I ate now, I'd have to compete with a full stomach.
For that reason, when I said I would eat afterward, Reisir decided to do the same, and Vigdís and Ríolíkin followed suit.
"Karvaldr. Still, wouldn't it be a good idea to eat something for energy before going on stage? Chocolate, perhaps. Or chocolate. Or maybe something like chocolate."
Judging by his words, it seemed Reisir had prepared chocolate for exactly this situation.
Or perhaps he simply happened to have chocolate stored in his inventory.
"You don't happen to have a nut allergy or anything like that, do you?"
Even though I hadn't agreed to eat anything, Reisir slipped a hand into the inner pocket of his coat, then paused and asked about allergies.
Lest any readers think this is foreshadowing, let me clarify that this body was never given any allergy setting.
I had eaten nuts while staying at the original body's ancestral estate without any problems.
The topic came up only because Reisir was being cautious after hearing me say I had nearly died from poison in the past.
It wasn't a setup for some future incident.
"...I don't."
Only after hearing my answer did Reisir take out a box of chocolates.
He pretended to pull it from his coat pocket, but he had obviously taken it out of his inventory.
Even in winter, chocolate stored inside a coat could melt.
Besides, the box was far too large to fit there in the first place.
Vigdís and Ríolíkin exclaimed in admiration.
"Wow!"
It wasn't because the luxurious box containing twenty praline chocolates looked delicious.
They were amazed that a box that large had somehow emerged from a coat pocket.
'If he'd just bought a box of ten, it would have been cheaper, and nobody would have been so fascinated by it coming out of his pocket... Did he think that wouldn't be enough for everyone?'
While I was thinking that, the opened chocolate box was suddenly pushed in front of me.
Just from the glossy sheen, I could tell it was high-quality chocolate that had been properly tempered.
He must have bought it specifically so everyone could share.
Just like the bread he bought me before.
I honestly don't understand why this idiot keeps buying things like this when his allowance isn't that large.
'Did he decide it was fine because he'll get prize money if he wins the tournament anyway?'
I couldn't think of a good excuse to refuse.
It was better to eat than to look like a stubborn child refusing for no reason.
So I picked one at random, put it into my mouth, and bit down.
Elegant sweetness and rich nuttiness spread across my tongue.
'...It really is good.'
The thirteenth match ended while we shared the chocolates.
By the time the lingering flavor had completely faded from my mouth, the fourteenth match had begun.
The gap in skill between the two participants was obvious, and it already looked as though it would end quickly.
Thinking it was almost time for me to get ready, I set Yor down.
After removing my coat and folding it neatly across my lap, I felt my body stiffen.
Part of it was probably due to the cold.
But the tension undoubtedly played a ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) role as well.
So when I unconsciously took a deep breath and exhaled—
Whoosh.
A white cloud drifted from my lips.
"Karvaldr. I know you're still in the phase of learning through success and failure as well, but if possible, I hope you win so we can meet in the next round. So good luck!"
"And no matter what the outcome is, please do your best so you won't have any regrets...!"
"W-Well then, have a safe trip...! A-And, uh... F-From now on, I'll t-think of praise in a-advance...!"
The people sitting beside and behind me each offered their own words.
For a moment, I nearly became sentimental because of the sincerity in their encouragement.
Then Ríolíkin spoke.
And his words were so ridiculous that I immediately came back to my senses.
The match hadn't even started yet.
What exactly did he plan to accomplish by preparing praise in advance?
Wouldn't praise without any basis or impression simply be flattery?
"Nyang nyang nyang~!"
After the fourteenth match ended, I stood to head toward the stage.
At that moment, Yor waved a whiteboard that read:
「 Fighting☆ Master is the best!! 」
She had even drawn a star.
It was unbelievably cute and touching.
Therefore—
"I'll be back."
—Those words were directed solely toward my cute and lovable baby dragon.
However, the three humans misunderstood and assumed I was speaking to them.
They immediately began telling me to have a safe trip.
I briefly considered correcting them.
But if I did, they would probably interpret it as tsundere behavior rather than cold indifference.
So I simply kept my mouth shut and sharply turned away.
