༺ How to turn the worst into the best ༻
‘Something does seem different.’
When the man of mystery confirmed that he was indeed Elden Rapellion, she was honestly a bit scared.
It was regrettable enough to have recklessly greeted him upon encountering him in an unexpected place from a distant land.
To the extent that she wondered if she had unnecessarily acknowledged a classmate she had barely spoken to throughout her school years.
Moreover, Elden was always a student who reeked of alcohol, hung out with bad friends, and occasionally bullied other classmates.
This realization came belatedly, and the deed had already been done.
“You were sitting diagonally behind me in our senior year, weren’t you?”
“Hmm.”
“Remember?”
“I’m not sure.”
“……”
When Elden could not remember her, Ariel had actually wanted to say ‘I must have mistaken you for someone else’ and leave.
However, in that moment, Elden mentioned her name.
“Ariel… was it?”
Even at that time, Ariel did not know whether it was fortunate or unfortunate that Elden had uttered her name, but as time passed, she came to think of it as a blessing.
“Ah, right. I heard you made it to the final candidates in the engagement battle. Congratulations.”
Of course, there were awkward moments.
“Ha, haha. Well, you, you’re… not bad, I guess… No, I mean, not in a romantic sense but… compared to the other candidates, you’re… uh…?”
Ariel, unable to find a proper response to Elden, who had declared his abstention along with self-reflection, faced a storm.
It was merely a formal greeting, devoid of genuine interest, and she just wanted to ask about the 7th-floor book tower, proving to be a significant challenge to overcome.
“Forget it. The abstention votes are still on hold, so officially, I’m still a final candidate.”
“Ah… I see.”
Fortunately, the storm passed without incident, and she quickly shifted her attention.
“But you weren’t interested in novels, were you?”
“Thought I’d pick up a hobby now.”
“Ho-ho… is that so?”
Her eyes sparkled.
It was regrettable that there was no visible sign of gladness, but the mere fact that she could recommend a book she had enjoyed was enough to make her happy.
And perhaps there was a distortion in the blurry memory of Elden Rapellion, for he seemed different.
It’s like the atmosphere around him had changed.
The Elden in her memory looked quite fierce.
Of course, she considered it a misconception.
Moreover, she thought, what does it matter?
Whether he was a villain in the past or not was none of her concern, and to Ariel, he merely seemed like a beginner eager to delve into pure literature.
To a novel enthusiast, he appeared no more than a baby attempting to take its first steps.
Thus.
Stealthily.
Glance.
Stealthily.
Glance.
She was busy catching glimpses of the beginner reading the book she had recommended.
It was a first for her.
To recommend a book to someone and watch them read it.
And also, waiting for a response.
The excitement of having her impression validated was quite thrilling.
Of course, along with the excitement, there was worry.
What if they find it uninteresting?
What book should I recommend if they say it’s boring?
What if they decide not to read pure literature because they found the recommended book boring?
Eek.
That must not happen.
As Elden turned each page, her excitement and worry multiplied, causing her heart to throb as if it would burst.
Fortunately.
“It’s interesting.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yes, it seems like you’re worried.”
The response she had hoped for came.
Yay–!
Success–!
Ariel nearly screamed with joy, but had to satisfy herself with a smile.
Phew, she sighed in relief.
And when Elden asked for recommendations on classics and mythology, it felt as though her heart exploded like fireworks.
It was a joy she had never felt before.
Sharing the fun she thought was only hers with someone else turned out to be this delightful.
Moreover.
She had found a friend to eat with.
She didn’t have to stuff herself in the morning in anticipation of skipping dinner.
Nor did she have to hear her stomach growl incessantly by late afternoon.
“Then I’ll be going. I have training in the evening.”
“Yes. Then I’ll be waiting here tomorrow too!”
That must be why.
She made the promise first.
Even without agreeing with Elden, she blurted out the promise to wait at this spot.
Although it was embarrassing for a lady, Ariel had made that promise.
“Then, I’m off.”
“Yes!”
Thus, their chance meeting came to an end.
The regret might be because they couldn’t discuss novels in depth.
But since he said he would read all the recommendations tonight, there would probably be a lot to talk about tomorrow?
Thinking so, Ariel resumed her reading as she watched Elden’s departing back, her toes happily wiggling under the desk, a response she wasn’t even aware of.
**
“Then I will call Rachel to the training ground.”
“…Can you find your way to the annex? Need help?”
“Ahem, ahem, the library is just too complicated, that’s all.”
“If you get lost on the way, stand there and wait for an adult’s help….”
“I, I will go.”
Rendler, taken out of the library by the security staff as a trespasser caught red-handed.
How severely must he have gotten lost to have made it down to the fourth basement?
According to the librarian, even they find it difficult to navigate there.
It’s a wonder how a chief butler of a noble family from the medieval era, prone to getting lost, has survived and reached such a position.
Anyway.
Having sent Rendler off and arrived at the training ground.
There was no need for detours since it was located between the library and the annex, so only Rendler was sent.
There are several training grounds within the Duchy.
The drill ground for the guards to practice tactics, a training ground for individual training, and a gymnasium for physical exercises are the main ones, but the place I am now is a training ground exclusively for ‘nobles’.
It wasn’t out of a desire to assert any sense of superiority.
Simply, she didn’t want to be a nuisance to the commoners who were training happily.
‘Finish training, eat dinner, and read a book, and the day is over.’
She looked around.
While the training grounds used by the commoners are open spaces where one is exposed to rain and snow, the noble-exclusive training ground was an enclosed space with a roof and walls.
A space that blatantly reflects the societal structure favoring nobility.
The training
ground, somewhat eerie due to its emptiness, was where she roamed, waiting for Rachel.
About ten minutes later?
Creak.
The door to the training ground opened, and expecting Rachel, she looked up only to see the regrettable trio of three entering.
‘…Hmm.’
Obviously, they were not here to train.
They had come to make an offer or a threat to the traitor alone in a closed space.
Especially since the heroine had already removed the evaluation team’s shackles.
It was a scenario she had anticipated, a development she had thought inevitable, so instead of tension, a smile formed.
‘Right. I was wondering when they would come.’
She put her hands in her pockets.
She hadn’t lived her life foolishly enough not to have a contingency plan for an expected scenario.
As mentioned earlier, human beings, being intelligent creatures, should live with the worst in mind and prepare for those scenarios.
And if one goes a step further, one should devise a strategy to turn the worst into the best.
There was a perfect insurance for them, who were accustomed to scheming and slandering as part of their daily routine.
For her, who had taken out that insurance, the secretive visit of the regrettable trio was rather welcome.
Moreover, she hoped for a threat rather than an offer.
It was insurance that would save this pitiful abstainer from the annoying situations to follow.
Therefore, she greeted them with a smile.
“What brings the three distinguished guests here? What matter do you have?”
The heroine had also cleared the evaluation team for this scenario.
It was natural for the regrettable trio to come to her with hostile faces, a course of action more fitting for those who choose punishment over repentance.
The duchess had shown significant interest during our first meeting.
She intended to inspire a will to participate by giving hope, and as a result, I received envy and jealousy from the regrettable trio.
They probably thought my declaration of abstention was a ruse to deceive them and gain favor with the duchess.
Their thoughts and decisions are of no concern to me, but if they intend to directly harm me, a mere spectator enjoying popcorn, the story changes.
If they intend to spread harm where it does not belong, then it is my duty to extinguish that spark.
Having nothing does not mean one must endure injustice and live a grievous life.
Having much to lose does not mean one must reduce sleep to live a strained life.
No longer will I live a life of grievance or comply with injustice.
“Engaged in reading and training… Elden, you do live a carefree life, don’t you?”
Well then.
It’s only natural.
She shrugged her shoulders and responded with a playful grin.
“Well, I am an abstainer, after all.”
I think it should be ” he”, not ” she”