༺ Turning the Worst into the Best (1) ༻
Something’s different……
The strange man was indeed Elden Raphelion and honestly, this unnerved Ariel.
Encountering him in such a distant land had been unexpected, and for a moment, she almost regretted having come over to greet him.
It was a regret that stemmed from having to acknowledge a classmate with whom she had barely interacted with during her Academy days.
Moreover, Elden was always reeking of alcohol, hung out with bad company, and occasionally bullied the other classmates.
However, the moment she remembered this, it was already too late.
“Don’t you remember me? I used to sit behind you in our final year?”
“Hmmm.”
“Do you remember me now?”
“I can’t say I do.”
“……”
When Elden didn’t seem to recall who Ariel was, she wanted to say ‘Oh, I made a mistake, my apologies’ and walk away.
But, before she could do that, Elden uttered her name.
“Ariel….?”
At that moment, Ariel couldn’t tell whether it was a stroke of luck or misfortune that he had remembered her, but as time passed, she started to lean towards luck rather than misfortune.
“Oh, right. I heard you made it into the final stage of the Betrothal Contest. Congratulations.”
Of course, there were some awkward moments.
“Ha, hahaha-. Well, I suppose you’re right…No, I mean. Not that I agree you’re a scoundrel in the logical sense…Or any other sense…But…When compared to the other candidates, it’s sort of….Ah…You…Mmm?”
After introducing herself, she faced Elden’s declaration of withdrawal and found herself unable to utter a proper response to it.
For someone who merely greeted him with no particular interest in mind and who was only curious about the seven-book tower he held, this was a challenge difficult to overcome.
“It’s fine. My withdrawal is on hold, so technically, I’m still a finalist.”
“Huh? On hold……?”
Fortunately, she managed to endure the challenge without incident and quickly shifted the focus of the conversation.
“Hoh-. Weren’t you not interested in novels before?”
“I believe it’s time for me to pick a new hobby.”
“Is that so?”
Her eyes sparkled.
Although she was disappointed that he didn’t seem all that excited by the prospect of reading, Ariel was just happy to recommend the books she enjoyed reading.
And Elden Raphelion was acting differently enough to make her wonder if she had misremembered some things from their time at the Academy.
His posture was drastically different.
The Elden from her memories was like a fierce beast.
Of course, Ariel simply concluded that she had misunderstood him.
Besides, what did it matter the way he used to be?
Whether or not he was a villain in the past wasn’t her concern. In Ariel’s eyes, Elden was just a newbie who wished to explore the realm of Pure Literature.
To a veteran bookworm, he was like a baby taking his first steps.
And so,
Swoosh.
Glance.
Swoosh.
Glance.
Ariel quickly became engrossed in watching his reaction to the book she had recommended to him.
She couldn’t help it, it was a first for her.
So, she waited for his response.
The anticipation of whether her tastes would be validated was quite exhilarating.
Of course, her anticipation also brought a fair share of anxiety.
What if he finds the book boring?
What should she recommend if he was not interested in that book?
What if he decides that he doesn’t like Pure Literature just because she made the mistake of recommending the wrong book?
No, that couldn’t happen.
With every page turned, her chaotic mix of excitement and anxiety grew, as her heart pounded so fiercely she even wondered if it would burst.
Fortunately.
“It’s interesting.”
“Huh?”
“This book, it’s really interesting.”
The answer she hoped for finally came.
Yes–!
Success–!
Ariel almost screamed in delight, but the young lady contained herself, letting out only a smile.
Phew-. A sigh of relief soon followed.
And when Elden asked her to recommend some classics or mythology books, it felt as if butterflies were racking up a storm in her stomach.
It was a sort of happiness she had never felt before.
Ariel beamed at him, having found the delight in sharing what she once thought would be only kept to herself.
And then,
She also made a friend to eat with.
Ariel wouldn’t have to stuff herself during breakfast in anticipation of skipping the rest of her meals.
Nor would she have to endure the constant growls of hunger that would torment her during the afternoon.
“I should go now. I have training in the evening. I’ll read the rest tonight, so let’s talk more tomorrow.”
“Okay. I’ll be waiting here tomorrow too!”
That must have been why she made that promise without even considering his response.
It was reckless and impulsive of her to make this promise without his consent.
Had another noblewoman seen this, they would have frowned at her, but Ariel made the promise regardless.
“Then, I’ll be going.”
“Okay!”
And thus, their sudden encounter reached its end.
The lingering feeling of disappointment in her heart was probably because they didn’t have the opportunity to discuss the novel at length.
However, since he would read her recommendations tonight, there would be plenty to talk about tomorrow.
With such thoughts, Ariel returned her focus to the book, as Elden’s figure disappeared into the distance.
What Ariel didn’t notice were her feet, happily bouncing beneath the desk, expressing the feelings she herself might not know yet.
**
“Then, I shall inform Knight Rachel to meet you in the training grounds, My Lord.”
“……Are you sure you’ll be able to find your way back? Do you want my help?”
“Ahem-. The Library was simply very…Grand and complex, My Lord, this shan’t happen again.”
“If you get lost on the way, stay where you are and call for a servant to help……”
“Cough-. My Lord, I shall take my leave.”
After leaving the library, I found Rendler being dragged by the security staff and being accused of trespassing in the restricted areas.
Just how directionally challenged was he to end up on the fourth sub-level of the Library?
According to the librarians, even they found it difficult to navigate there.
Nevertheless, the fact that Rendler managed to become the Head Butler, even with his…difficulties in finding his way, was an achievement to be proud of.
Anyway,
After sending Rendler off, I arrived at the training grounds.
Since the training grounds were located between the Library and my housing, there was no need to make my way back. Which is why I sent Rendler alone.
Inside the Grand Palace, there were multiple training grounds.
There’s the common training ground, which most guards frequented, personal training grounds, and a gymnasium for other physical exercises, just to name a few. The place I was in now, was a training ground exclusive for ‘nobles’.
It wasn’t that I was trying to assert my superiority or authority.
I simply chose this one to avoid inconveniencing others who might be training peacefully.
Finish training, have dinner, and then read a book. That’s a good way to spend my day.
I looked around,
The common training grounds were usually set up in open spaces, exposed to the elements of nature such as rain or snow. However, the training grounds for the nobility were in enclosed spaces.
A place that blatantly displayed the social disparity between the nobles and commoners.
I walked towards the empty and somewhat eerie training ground as I waited for Knight Rachel.
After 10 minutes,
Creak-.
The doors to the training ground opened and as I looked towards them, expecting Knight Rachel, I was met with the Regretful Trio instead.
…Hmm.
Of course, these guys didn’t come here for training.
Since this was an enclosed space, they must have been planning on threatening or coercing me.
Especially since the Heroine had released them from the shackles known as the evaluators.
It’s something I anticipated, so instead of being nervous, a smile found its way into my face.
That’s right. I was wondering when you all would show up.
I put my hands into my pockets.
I wasn’t foolish enough to be caught unprepared in such a situation.
One must always consider the worst-case scenario and then plan for it.
Moreover, If you manage to do a good job, then you could turn the worst into the best.
Fortunately, I had prepared some countermeasures for them, who are used to dealing with situations by using blackmail or scheming their way out.
Honestly, I hoped they would threaten me instead of trying other things.
Because if they did, then this would save me from a lot of tedious situations in the future.
So, with this in mind, I greeted them while smiling.
“Such esteemed guests have graced me with their presence. What can I do for you all?”
Lumia must have freed us from the evaluators to create scenarios like this.
It was natural that the Regretful Trio would seek me out, with less than repentful intentions in mind.
During the first official meeting with the Duchess, I received considerable attention.
Perhaps it was Lumia’s way of instilling some hope and spurting me into participating, but as a result, the jealousy of the Regretful Trio had been incensed.
They probably thought my withdrawal was a ruse to gain attention from the Duchess.
Of course, their thoughts weren’t my concern, but if they tried to harm me, the innocent spectator who was happily munching on his popcorn while watching this tragedy unfold, then it’s a different story.
If they try to spark some trouble, then I must extinguish that ember.
During my past life, I had nothing, and as such I had to endure injustices and live a resentful life.
I was forced to cut my sleep just to make ends meet.
But I won’t allow myself to suffer unfairly or comply with the injustices of life.
“Studying and now even training……You’re having quite the carefree life, aren’t you, Elden?”
Well then,
Since they started with such an obvious statement.
I shrugged my shoulders and answered playfully.
“I can do this because I am a withdrawer.”
TL Note:
mUAHAHAHAHAHA.
Yessssss
Im freeeeee!
I can now write nonsense again! hahahahaha My wisdom shall coat this novel like those before.
My Powa!
