“Who said I was joking? It’s very rude of a martial artist to judge someone by their appearance, don’t you think?”
These were the words Cain had repeatedly emphasized to me during the last game.
“Look, I didn’t mean it like that.”
“I’m disappointed, Master. I didn’t think you were like this.”
Cain’s face flushed red at my unexpected remark.
“I apologize. I only intended to be wary of those who come to the dojo with a complacent attitude; I had no other intention.”
Cain quickly admitted his mistake and apologized.
Now he seemed like a true martial artist.
Thanks to my preemptive strike, registration went smoothly.
Soon, the class began, and I quickly picked up the movements Cain taught.
Sweating profusely made me feel refreshed.
‘Indeed, exercise is the best.’
I learned much faster than the average trainee.
There were limitations because my body hadn’t fully developed yet, but old memories were ingrained in my body.
So, when taught one thing, I naturally understood ten and could move accordingly.
The problem was Cain’s gaze towards me gradually became burdensome.
I deliberately made mistakes in movements I could do well, trying to escape Cain’s attention.
“Saydie.”
“Yes, Master.”
“Are you perhaps from a knightly family?”
“No. My father runs a trading company.”
“I see. Then, what about your grandfather?”
Hmm. Such detailed information wasn’t included in the game settings.
This was because it was truly unnecessary, separate from the fact that I had skipped most of the story’s beginning.
“Master, is family background important in learning martial arts?”
“What? Of course not. Family background is not important at all.”
“Then, what’s the purpose of asking me?”
Cain waved his hands, his face turning red at my blunt question.
“Ah! I only asked because your abilities are exceptional, so please don’t misunderstand.”
It was the first time I had seen him flustered since our first meeting.
‘I should probably stop visiting the dojo after I raise my stamina appropriately.’
It would be troublesome if Cain thought of me as a martial arts prodigy and sent me love calls.
A month passed quickly like that.
Finally, what was coming to me had come.
“Starting tomorrow, you will pair up in twos to compete in skill for a week. So, decide on your partners. Class is dismissed for today.”
As Cain left, I could hear the trainees murmuring.
They were all trying to figure out who would be the best partner, and a silent battle of wits was underway.
Perhaps because of the skills I had shown, no one offered to partner with me.
On the contrary, the trainees openly avoided me when I approached them.
‘What, are these guys cowards?’
I felt annoyed for no reason.
They should be thinking about growing by facing strong opponents, but they’re just trying to do easy things. Tsk.
How did I end up thinking like such an old geezer?
Besides, my stamina stat isn’t even that high yet.
‘Even if I look impressive on the outside, I’m very soft on the inside.’
In the end, I stormed out of the martial arts dojo.
Should I just not attend class for a week?
Then, frustration welled up inside me.
‘No, why should I?’
I’m paying to learn just like everyone else!
Just as my inner self was about to split, I remembered encountering the sister at the general store last time.
‘That’s right! The culture here was originally based on give and take, wasn’t it?’
Since an opportunity has arisen, I should make good use of it.
Having finished my thoughts, I decided to proceed quickly.
Soon, the sister appeared on the walking path in front of my house.
“Say, you said you had something to discuss with me?”
“Yes, Sister. Thank you for coming. I was just wondering if you delivered the potion to your mother safely.”
It felt impolite to get straight to the point as soon as we met.
I cautiously brought up the incident at the general store, watching the sister’s reaction.
“Thanks to you, thank you.”
The sister thanked me again.
We exchanged greetings a few times, diluting the awkward atmosphere.
Well, I guess this isn’t too bad.
Should I bring it up now?
“Sister, could I ask you for a favor?”
“A favor? What is it?”
The sister asked without showing any signs of annoyance.
I felt even more encouraged by her reaction.
“I’ve been going to a martial arts dojo lately.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, so would you be my one-day partner?”
“What? A one-day partner?”
“Yes! I’ll even pay for your one-day class registration, and I’ll be very careful to make sure you don’t get hurt!”
I was planning to lose the sparring match from the start.
There was no need to catch Cain’s eye any further, and I just needed to show the trainees that I was soft.
That way, they would rush to partner with me in the future.
“Say, could you give me some time to think about it?”
“Yes, of course! If you decide to accept, please contact me by midnight tonight. If you feel it’s an unreasonable request, you can refuse, so please think about it comfortably.”
I smiled brightly with my hands clasped together.
I pretended to be very relaxed on the outside, but the reality was different.
‘In any case, the sister owes me a small debt.’
Since I practiced the art of concession at the general store, it wouldn’t be easy for a noble lady to refuse my request.
However, that day.
Until midnight, there was no contact from the sister.
The next morning.
Contrary to expectations, the sister came to pick me up in front of my house.
“Young Lady! Miss Lavienne is here!”
I couldn’t help but be flustered at Anne’s shout.
I had thought that the sister had strongly rejected my request last night.
Faced with an unexpected situation, my mind became even more clear-headed.
“Anne.”
“Yes, Young Lady.”
“Who did you say came just now?”
“Miss Lavienne Viviana of the Viviana barony!”
“Oh my, Lavienne. Why is Anne calling the sister by that name?”
Words that I might have overlooked just passed by today bothered me.
Anne lowered her head at my remark.
“Ah! I’m sorry, Young Lady.”
“That’s my nickname for the sister. So, you better be careful. You don’t want to make a mistake.”
I spoke a little firmly, but I didn’t scold Anne emotionally.
It was just out of concern.
“Yes, Young Lady. I will keep that in mind, I will keep that in mind!”
Anne reassured me that she would.
In fact, there’s a backstory to why I call the sister “Lavienne.”
Before that, I’ll reveal in advance that my naming sense is terrible.
I guess I’m Korean to the bone. Seeing that I’ve become accustomed to shortening names.
It was the same when I was deciding on nicknames for the male lead candidates in the previous game.
Namely, Coco, Cherry, and Verver.
This is by no means the name of someone’s pet.
Again, these were the nicknames of the male lead candidates.
Back then, they would come running like loyal dogs when called.
‘Hmm!’
I would like to take this opportunity to express my deepest apologies to them.
Anyway, the reason I call the sister Lavienne is simply because the sister’s real name was “Lagenne Viviana.”
Anyway, back to reality.
“Sister, what’s going on from this morning?”
I faced the sister with wide eyes.
An bewildered expression came out in the unexpected situation.
“Say, aren’t I late?”
“Yes?”
“I mean, the martial arts dojo time.”
“Ah, yes. That’s right, Oh? Don’t tell me, Sister, are you accepting my offer?”
The dazed look from just now disappeared in an instant.
Excitement washed over me like a wave.
My eyes must have been sparkling more than ever.
“That’s why I came. Let’s hurry and leave.”
“Wow, yes!!”
I couldn’t hide my joyful expression at all.
The sister immediately went ahead.
I followed the sister, deep in thought.
‘The reason there was no contact yesterday was because she was still thinking about it a lot until this morning?’
I had asked the sister to be my one-day partner, but it wasn’t something that could be easily answered.
So, I used give and take.
The sister’s actions of coming to my house early in the morning felt very powerful.
It was a distinctly different look from the noble ladies who were afraid to get hurt.
‘What! Why is she so cool?’
Haa, I’m completely smitten from the morning!
My heart was beating strangely.
It was a different movement of the pulse than usual.
‘Hehe.’
The corners of my mouth kept twitching, and my lips opened.
Maybe…
‘Am I the push-and-pull genius I’ve only heard about?’
Was this something only I didn’t know?
Unfounded confidence soared into the sky.
If I’m like this with just one acceptance from the sister, how will I handle things in the future?
‘I don’t know, I’ll think about that when the time comes!’
While I was floundering in delusions, the sister, who was walking ahead, glanced back at me.
“Say, hurry up. We’ll be late at this rate.”
“Yes, let’s go!”
While walking side by side with the sister, my gaze was constantly directed towards the sister.
‘Wow, how can her skin be so good?’
The sister’s snow-white skin made her silver hair look even more vivid.
Her eyes, containing emerald jewels, and her thickly drooping eyelashes were like a painting. Every time she blinked, it was reminiscent of a butterfly’s fluttering wings.
Besides, her sharp nose was art itself, and her moderately voluminous lips were!
‘What more is there to say?’
I couldn’t help but admire the sister, who had nothing to criticize.
‘Ah!’
I made eye contact with the sister.
I shrugged my shoulders as if I had been caught doing something bad, but quickly raised the corners of my mouth and smiled.
There’s a saying that you can’t spit on a smiling face.
It was the best way to hide my embarrassment.
Fortunately, an embarrassing situation did not occur.
‘Phew!’
To be relieved after obviously looking at her.
There was no greater contradiction.
After that, I glanced at the sister and made eye contact several times, but the sister did not ask me any questions.
Before long, we arrived at our destination, the martial arts dojo.
Before entering the class, I explained the whole story to Cain.
Perhaps because I brought the sister as my partner, he looked troubled for a moment, but he accepted because my intention was so firm.
After that, I admired the sister once again after she changed into her uniform.
‘What she’s so cool.’
Unlike usual, the sister neatly tied her long hair back.
Her sharp jawline became more prominent.
Is that why?
The sister seemed strangely dignified today.
The sister’s collarbone was also clearly revealed through the slightly open uniform collar.
‘…’
My eyelids fluttered without me knowing.
For some reason, an inexplicable heat lingered on both cheeks.
The sister’s appearance, which was completely different from her usual dress, even increased my heart rate.
‘I think I’m already in love.’
I quickly covered my mouth, but my excited heart did not calm down easily.
The gazes around me were also unusual.
Some had surprised rabbit eyes, and some were busy covering their gaping mouths.
‘Guys, did you see?’
I’m this kind of person.
‘Ahem!’
I put strength into my shoulders for no reason.
I wanted to go to the dojo with the sister every day if she was okay with it.
Of course, I wouldn’t say such a thing out loud.
And at this time, I didn’t notice it at all.
The great disaster that would unfold before me.
“Sadie Le Cleo, and Lagenne Viviana. You two, come forward.”