Chapter 79

Chapter 79

The Heroine of the 1st Playthrough Remembers My Training.

Episode 79: A Rascal, Villainous Young Lady, And Stepmother (2).

“Is Mr. Gordon still the same?”

“Yes, Gordon is still causing a ruckus at the restaurant. Just yesterday, he blew up the place trying to develop a new dish.”

“That man never changes. What about Chart?”

“…Chart? Even in this cold winter, he was tilling the ground with a pickaxe to grow flowers for you. I told him flowers bloom in spring, but he didn’t listen. Sometimes youth is hard to understand.”

“Tell him that the flowers are fine, but please take care of himself.”

“I’ll pass it on, but I’m not sure if he’ll listen.”

Although I generally had information about the employees in my mind, no one could predict how much they might have changed in this world.

On the way to the restaurant, I asked Alfredo about the employees’ well-being to get an update on the situation.

“I’m glad to see everyone is doing well even in my absence.”

“Everyone will be happy to know you remember them, Young Master.”

“We’ve arrived! Young Master!”

Just as I was gathering all the necessary information, Emma spoke with a cute smile.

‘…Is it finally starting?’

The door with the Calliope family emblem came into view.

In ‘Academy Trainer’, the screen opening with the start of Chapter 3 was right at this door.

Just as I was feeling a bit excited about the new chapter starting, Alfredo opened the door for me.

Clank—

When the door opened, I saw the members of the Calliope family seated inside.

The first person I met eyes with was Garcia Maisha, seated in the third-ranked position.

It was hard to believe she was a married woman with two children, as her appearance was wrinkle-free and her legs were attractively long.

When I greeted Garcia, she glanced at me and then sipped her tea, uninterested.

‘…At least there’s no hostility.’

While there was no sense of closeness as a family, this wasn’t necessarily bad. She seemed to understand that it was more beneficial to have me on her side than to be hostile, considering her sensitivity to power and her apparent lack of interest in the position of head.

Turning my gaze slightly to the right, I saw Cale clicking his tongue.

“Tsk.”

He was full of hostility at a glance.

I knew the reason.

Cale’s inferiority complex stemmed from the fact that I had enrolled in the fallen Carnea Academy.

But if he aimed for the head position, he would eventually need my support. His attitude was incredibly foolish.

Sighing inwardly, I found my seat.

‘…My seat is taken.’

According to the ranking, I should have been in the fifth position, but that seat was already occupied by Reika.

…Despite my absence from the family for a while, being pushed out by a woman as an heir was quite the sight.

Surprisingly, Reika greeted me with a cheerful smile as I sat beside her.

“Yujin, it’s been a while. How was Carnea?”

“…?”

I blinked in confusion.

‘…Was Reika always like this?’

I was at a loss for words at Reika’s demeanor, completely different from what I remembered.

‘…Could something have already happened in the family?’

After a brief moment of contemplation, I bowed slightly and replied.

“Yes, Reika, I’ve been doing well at Carnea.”

“Oh, come to think of it, I’m not really interested. You don’t have to tell me.”

Reika cut me off, smirking with a sarcastic lift of one corner of her mouth.

‘As expected, she’s a bitch.’

Although I felt disgusted, it was better than having changes in my relationship with Reika that I didn’t know about.

Clank─

At that moment, the door opened again, and Erden Calliope entered.

Erden’s beautiful black hair and sharp jawline were enough to make women’s hearts flutter.

One peculiar thing about Erden was that his entire body was covered in blood.

It wasn’t surprising, as I knew from the original story that Erden would appear like that.

‘It’s monster blood anyway.’

The servants, seemingly accustomed to Erden’s appearance, wiped the blood off him with towels while he spoke to me.

“Yujin, it’s been a while.”

“Yes, brother. How have you been?”

Erden nodded slightly instead of answering.

“Erden, what’s with your attire?”

Garcia, displeased that Erden greeted me first instead of her, spoke in a sharp tone.

“…I came straight from subjugating monsters and didn’t have time to change.”

“Regardless, this is a meeting with our father. Isn’t it normal to at least clean off the blood?”

“…Father said not to be late, even if I was a bit dirty… I’ll be more careful next time.”

“Hah, I didn’t expect you to be covered in blood to this extent. And isn’t there no need for you to fight personally? Do you want to gain the soldiers’ respect that badly?”

As Garcia mocked him, Erden, who had been answering passively, looked up at her.

“It’s not for anyone’s respect but because it’s a noble’s duty. If swinging my sword can save even one more soldier, I will do it again and again.”

As Erden and Garcia glared at each other, Alfredo opened the door once more and reported.

“The head of the family is entering.”

With that, everyone stopped arguing and stood up, bowing their heads.

“….”

In the deep silence, Edard Calliope entered with confident and disciplined steps.

Despite his age, Edard’s body, maintained better than Loreos’, was impressive.

‘Or rather, it’s surprising that Loreos can compare to a knight, given that he’s a mage.’

“Sit down, everyone.”

As Edard naturally took the highest seat, everyone, including me, sat down.

Shortly after, luxurious food began to be served. Once we’d had enough to eat, Edard wiped his mouth with a napkin and spoke.

“So, I’ve heard that you did quite well, Yujin.”

“…Thank you, Father.”

I wasn’t sure what he was praising me for, but I thanked him anyway.

Edard, looking pleased, continued.

“The Princess herself sent me a letter. She praised you, saying you saved her life. I also heard you were invited as a guest to the royal family.”

“….”

I was honestly surprised.

I hadn’t expected the Princess to go this far.

I never planned to ignore the invitation, but now it was really unavoidable.

‘…But it’s not bad.’

I had planned to subtly reveal the royal invitation at an appropriate time, but now, with the Princess saying I saved her life, I gained more solid trust.

“…It was just luck.”

“Luck, repeated, is called skill. And I heard you personally dealt with monsters during the summer. Though they are weaker than the northern monsters, you didn’t back down against them…”

As Edard’s praise continued, the expressions of the three who shared Maisha’s blood grew tense.

“Yes, in Calliope, we value rewards and punishments. Saving the royal family’s blood is valuable. If you have any wishes, speak up.”

Garcia’s eyes widened at Edard’s statement.

It was rare for the head to ask someone to express their wishes.

He would fulfill any reasonable request, as refusing would damage his honor.

I already knew what I wanted from the beginning.

“I wish for a private audience with the head of the family.”

I used the term “head of the family” instead of “father” to show that, while it was a private audience, it had a strong public nature.

Clank.

Garcia slammed her utensils down loudly, and both Reika and Cale glared at me with faces full of anger.

I understood.

They thought I wanted the private audience to participate in the heir competition.

The only one who didn’t react was Erden, but he would have reacted the same even if I had asked for the head position right here.

After closing his eyes and stroking his chin for a moment, Edard asked with interest.

“A private audience, huh. You deserve at least a treasure from the family warehouse for what you’ve done. And you’re satisfied with just a private audience?”

“Yes. That is all I wish for.”

“Hahaha! Good. I will arrange it soon.”

Edard laughed heartily, but honestly, if he were a good father, he wouldn’t be so happy.

By participating in the heir competition, the possibility of conflicts among his children would increase.

He was an excellent warrior but a third-rate father.

“Then, let’s finish here. Enjoy your meal.”

As Edard stood up, I felt the others’ gazes on me, except for Erden.

‘So what.’

I ignored their stares and continued to eat.

If things went wrong, today might be the last day I could eat unpoisoned food in the family.

I had to fill up while I could.

‘…The die is cast.’

There’s no turning back now.

Only the fight to eat or be eaten remained.