episode_0074

“That’s impossible! You’re saying you’re Cyan from the Brace Kingdom?!”

“Are you lying right now…? Then what I’ve suspected all this time….”

“Hey, Cyan. How on earth did you reach such a transformative state?”

Three women glared at me, pressing for answers.

In front of me stood Chief Alchemist Lucy, Princess Rosaria, and Swordsmanship Deviant Aria.

Each of them looked burdened as they confessed their feelings of betrayal to me.

…It seemed like I had unwittingly become the center of a very awkward misunderstanding.

“Yeah… I’m right! That guy is Cyan Gongja from the Brace Kingdom! He’s been hiding his identity all this time and approaching you guys!”

Encouraged by Cain, the women became even more perplexed.

Rosaria, covering her mouth, fixed her gaze on me in silence.

Aria marveled at every inch of my body as if questioning how someone could change so much.

And even Lucy seemed unsure of how to handle the situation.

Soon, Lucy asked Cain, “So, Cain, how did you find out that he’s Cyan Gongja?”

“The first suspicion arose during the Swordsmanship Tournament. The appearance of a strong contender in the Swordsmanship Department was a big deal. But there was one controversy related to him…”

Cain closed his eyes, hesitated for a moment, then began explaining coherently.

He touched upon one point first.

“It was about his lack of family background. To enter the Ariel Academy as a commoner, you need to prove significant fame and ability. Yet there was no information about him whatsoever.”

‘…I hadn’t prepared for this since he possessed a ruined identity just before the academy term started. This was my mistake.’

Then he moved on to the next.

“Moreover, there were rumors that he was often seen with Professor Iris, a Swordsmanship Department professor from the Brace Kingdom, at night. This implies the possibility of private tutoring. Professor’s private tutoring… isn’t that uncommon? Unless there are no connections.”

‘…Every time I confirmed that no one was around at night and went to the training grounds, was someone watching?’

Next, he addressed all three.

“Do you know the recent rumors circulating outside? The youngest promising talent known as Cyan cleared a troublesome maze that adventurers struggled with. When our family investigated his information, lo and behold, he too is concealing his origins? Not only that, it came to light that he was carrying an Orihalcon sword on his back. …Orihalcon is an exclusive ore only found in the mines of the Brace Kingdom, right? How can someone without a background carry such a valuable sword? It’s strange no matter how you think about it.”

‘Orihalcon…? Even though I pride myself on knowing the original story and veteran player routes, I didn’t know about these detailed settings. I just thought it was a good sword… It was a monopoly material of the Brace Kingdom?’

Lastly, he mentioned one more thing.

“And finally, this solidified my suspicions. Passing by the Swordsmanship Department with Elise, we overheard gossip. It was a rumor that a viscount from the Brace Kingdom claimed that Cyan from the Swordsmanship Department was the same person as the missing Cyan Gongja!”

‘A rumor…?’

There aren’t many people who know my true identity. At most, just three.

Among them, if there was someone capable of spreading rumors about me…

For a moment, the most likely person flashed through my mind.

‘Darius Trevan! That lunatic…!’

Even though he warned me back then that he wouldn’t stay quiet if I revealed my identity, here he was pulling off something like this!

“Cyan Gongja, say something! Why did you hide your origins and approach us under false pretenses?!”

“……”

Enthralled by Cain’s logical speech, everyone turned their confused gazes towards me.

I couldn’t easily answer Cain’s question.

“What a surprise…”

No, in the first place, it was you guys who approached me.

I tried to live quietly.

Except for Hedy, I have taken a passive stance in relationships as much as possible, and I never made appointments before they spoke first.

But when a friend I had been getting along with turned out to be a spy and reacted like that…

If you think about it, I’m just a citizen who lived in North Korea, but I ended up becoming a highly trained South Korean agent. I felt so unfairly treated.

I answered honestly.

“Surprise? That’s not true…”

“Lies! You’ve been approaching us while hiding your identity all this time! State your purpose!”

“I didn’t try to hide my identity at the risk of my life. I had my reasons too. If it seemed that way, I apologize.”

Then Lucy pointed out sharply.

“How do you explain asking me to make a potion while hiding your identity?”

Don’t get flustered.

After swallowing dry saliva, I calmly replied.

“Only an alchemist could process the magic stones we obtained in the labyrinth, so in that situation, if I had revealed my identity and asked Lucy, what would have happened? Surely she would have felt burdened or tried to explore if there were other spies. I didn’t want to face such a difficult situation.”

“And what about Aria and the Fourth Princess…!”

“Aria and Princess Rosaria were mostly coincidental encounters. I rarely approached them first.”

They might agree if they think about it.

Aria, curious about my swordsmanship, requested a duel, and Rosaria chased me to become her bodyguard.

I didn’t approach them.

Aria, pondering my words, also seemed to understand.

“Come to think of it… I was the one who approached Si-an all this time. He actually pushed me away.”

And Rosaria too.

“Come to think of it… I was the one who asked you to become my bodyguard.”

Yeah. It makes sense when you think about it.

To some extent, my sincere answers seemed to be understood by them.

“Yeah. I have no ulterior motives towards you. If I had played any tricks, wouldn’t something have gone wrong by now?”

But Cain seemed to feel his plans weren’t going as he wanted.

“T-This…!”

With veins bulging on his forehead, he continued speaking to me.

“That can’t be… It can’t be true! Right, Si-an…? You bullied me persistently since the first semester. Despite being a viscount, you hit me, threw dirt at me just because I’m a fallen noble, and even… even when my friends showed signs of rejection, you kept pestering me…!”

Aria and Rosaria, upon hearing Cain’s words, flinched.

‘Wow, he’s saying everything… Doesn’t he have any pride? How am I going to explain all of this?’

I feel unjustly accused.

These are not mistakes I made, but those of the previous owner of this cursed body. I have to apologize for the actions of that damn fool.

‘But Cain is also a victim… he suffered from the actions of the previous owner of this body.’

That’s certainly a pitiful situation. However, even if I were to tell them that I am not Si-an Gongja but Ji-an from South Korea, no one would likely understand.

In that case, the quickest way to end this situation is…

I made a decision.

“I’m sorry.”

“W-What…?”

“I’m ashamed of the mistakes my past self made. I am also trying to repent.”

“……”

“If it’s okay, please accept my apology. I will also perform some form of restitution.”

Cain seemed taken aback, probably not expecting this.

‘Yes, this is the only way.’

Let’s put an end to our long-standing feud.

Material compensation may not be proper etiquette, but then wouldn’t performing an act imbued with courtesy suffice?

It’s the final move.

I bowed my head towards Cain.

“……!”

At that moment, everyone present was astonished.

The head of a prestigious family bowing his head carries as much weight as tarnishing the image of a whole lineage.

Though merely a gesture of bowing, they must understand its significance.

Especially Rosaria, standing beside, would feel it even more.

“Oh, no, what….”

Cain hesitates.

Did he never expect this turn of events?

Now, how will this unfold?

I’ve done what I could. Honestly, if this isn’t enough, just accept it… I’m feeling quite unjust about this situation too.

In the midst of several moments of silence in the weary atmosphere, Rosaria spoke first.

“He has performed many acts of goodwill and achievements so far. I have also received considerable help…. His words don’t seem false. How about giving change a chance, Cain?”

Then Aria speaks as well.

“Yes. If he causes harm again, we can address it then. Perhaps observing the future is wise.”

Are you out of your mind?

I have nothing more to do with you all.

I’ve been avoiding you all along, knowing such a tiresome situation would arise.

I spoke firmly.

“If you still doubt, I’ll distance myself starting now.”

“No, there’s no need for that, I believe.”

“……”

Aria… truly a remarkable swordsmanship enthusiast.

Regret was visible in her eyes. Was she saying she didn’t want to miss an opportunity to spar after meeting a worthy opponent in a while?

Since there was no point in arguing here, I chose to remain silent.

Lucy then makes the final statement to conclude the situation.

“Well, um… Cain. I guess we have no choice but to believe at this point.”

“……”

“We have class soon, shall we keep an eye on the progress?”

“……”

Cain’s eyes widen as he clenches his lips tightly and remains still.

Aria, Lucy, and Rosaria exchange glances, nodding slightly.

And from both sides, Cain and I receive comforting pats on the back.

Lucy pats Cain’s side.

“Cain, stay strong.”

“……”

On my side, Aria pats me.

“…Sian, how did you train your back? It’s known to be a very difficult area to build muscle….”

“……”

I pretended not to hear deliberately.

Subsequently, everyone moved on, leaving for the next class. In an instant, only Cain and I were left.

“……”

“……”

Cain still stood trembling, looking dazed.

‘…I should leave now.’

As I turned away, it was at that moment.

“This, this isn’t right… He’s a useless fellow, Sian Gongja… Why on earth…? That Sian Gongja…! Ugh… Why is everyone…!”

“……”

Ignoring Cain’s voice, I headed towards the martial arts lecture building.