Chapter 16
【 Preparation for the Entrance Examination 】
“Lisa, what do you mean by that?”
“Just what I said.”
At Sara’s question, Lisa replied with her usual calm expression.
“Gideon — that guy’s pretty skilled, isn’t he? It’s only natural for a woman to feel some attraction toward a capable, strong man.”
“…I didn’t think you were the type to care about things like that.”
“I have eyes too, you know. And if I’m going to end up in a political marriage with someone I’ve never even met, I’d rather choose the man myself after seeing him.”
“Wait, don’t tell me you fell for him at first sight or something…”
“That’s not it. I just meant I find him likable, nothing more.”
Lisa kept her tone casual and her expression neutral.
Sara, however, looked visibly irritated.
“Why though? What’s there to like about that Kyrgram guy…?”
“Hey, Sara. That’s just your perspective. If you look at him as a person, Gideon’s not a bad guy.”
Jason interrupted with a small laugh.
“Actually, he’s quite decent. He’s clean-cut and handsome, polite too, and his swordsmanship’s good enough to beat you. There’s no reason for Lisa not to like him.”
“…Fine. I’ll admit she could feel that way. But if you end up dating that guy or, worse, getting engaged to him—”
“Don’t worry, Sara. It’s not like I’m that taken with Gideon. At least, not yet.”
“Oh?”
Jason’s eyes sparkled with amusement.
“‘Not yet,’ huh? So you’re saying who knows what might happen later?”
“If he can truly prove his ability, I could definitely consider him as a partner. Out of all the men I’ve met so far, he’s the most to my liking.”
“No way. I’m completely against it. Sis, think carefully. No matter how capable he is, he’s still just a baron. And from a fallen family at that. What could you possibly—”
“Sara, we’re a ducal family. In this empire, no nobles rank higher than us. The only ones above us are the royal family. Naturally, our partners will almost always come from families of lower status.”
“Still, you should at least take their background into account—”
“As long as they have ability, that’s enough for me. Money, status, all that — if I choose a man, I can give those things to him myself.”
Sara fell silent, speechless at Lisa’s words, while Jason chuckled softly.
“You really do think like me, huh, Lisa? I also believe ability is what matters most. Though… where’s the capable woman that suits my taste? I kinda want to experience love again.”
“You should probably tone that ‘love’ thing down a bit, Jason. Anyway, since we’re on the topic… Sara, shouldn’t you be choosing your fiancé soon? If you don’t, the family will eventually pick one for you, and you’ll have no choice but to accept a political marriage.”
“I—I’ll handle it myself.”
Sara turned her gaze away and popped a piece of bread into her mouth.
It was obvious she wanted to change the subject, but Jason grinned slyly, not letting her off the hook.
“Come to think of it, didn’t you once say you’d only marry a man stronger than you? No one’s managed to beat you for years, but ta-da~! Someone finally did. So, does that mean you’ll—”
“Shut it, Jason. I’d never—never choose a weak-looking guy like that!”
“You really need to do something about that pride of yours.”
Jason laughed dryly, then turned his head toward Layla.
“Lady Layla, you haven’t touched your food for a while. Is it not to your taste? I can bring you something else right away if you’d like.”
“Hm? Oh, no, I’m fine. I was just enjoying listening to you guys talk. Hehe.”
Layla smiled brightly and looked around at the three of them.
“By the way, so Lisa also likes Gideon, huh.”
“That’s right. But… wait, Lady Layla, does that mean you like Gideon too?”
“Yeah. I think he’d make a good friend.”
“Hmm, I see.”
“Yup. And… oh? Speak of the devil, there’s Gideon.”
Layla pointed in his direction.
Gideon stood there holding a food tray.
As he scanned the area for an empty seat, his eyes met Layla’s. He nodded politely in greeting.
Then, he seemed about to head elsewhere.
“Looks like he’s eating alone,” Lisa remarked.
“Yeah, sis. That guy always eats by himself,” Jason added.
“Guess he just prefers it that way.”
Jason and Lisa spoke as if it didn’t bother them at all, while Sara deliberately ignored Gideon’s presence.
But Layla’s eyes sparkled. Suddenly, she stood up and shouted loudly.
“Gideon! Over here! Come sit with us!”
The three ducal heirs were taken aback by her outburst.
And Gideon himself was even more startled than they were.
“…Eh?”
‘Let’s just eat quickly.’
After doing some light training, I got a better sense of the body I had transmigrated.
It was already well-balanced and in good shape, so maintaining it as it was should be enough for now.
As for developing any particular strengths… that would need some more thought.
‘Still, even maintaining this is tougher than it seems.’
Training was one thing, but my diet was just as important.
Cut down on carbs, eat plenty of meat, throw in some salad… a balanced, nutrition-focused meal plan, basically.
‘Man, I never thought I’d go back to eating like this.’
Life really was unpredictable.
I mean, who would ever imagine getting transmigrated into the very game they used to play?
‘I’ll need to keep up the diet and maybe set up a proper workout routine starting tomorrow. At least until I officially become a knight, I’ve got to maintain this body.’
With those thoughts, I entered the cafeteria.
I planned to eat a simple meal and rest back at the dorm afterward.
After filling my tray with food, I started looking for a seat…
‘…Hm?’
While searching, I made eye contact with Layla.
She gave me a friendly look, and I responded with a slight nod.
That was the proper thing to do in a place with this many people.
‘Better not draw too much attention.’
I’d never actually lived in the Middle Ages, but I knew this game’s setting well enough.
In other words, I understood the general atmosphere of noble society in this world.
And I could already tell that many nobles had started viewing my recent behavior unfavorably.
‘Yeah… I probably stood out too much.’
I glanced around discreetly.
Other high-ranking nobles were scattered throughout the cafeteria.
They didn’t show it openly, but all of them kept glancing toward Layla and the trio around her.
‘They’re probably just waiting for the right moment to approach.’
For commoners, the academy was merely a place of learning. But for nobles, it was both a place of learning and socializing.
No one knew better than the noble heirs themselves how vital their connections were.
So, they tried their best to build as many connections as possible at the Academy before graduation.
And this year, among those connections, was one of the most important of all—the Princess.
Moreover, with the heirs of the other two ducal families also entering, all three ducal heirs were now gathered at the Academy.
For noble students, this was an opportunity they absolutely wouldn’t want to miss.
‘Moderation is always important.’
Among nobles, there was an unspoken rule.
When dealing with high-ranking nobles, one must be tactful and maintain just the right level of closeness.
In other words, with someone from a ducal or marquis family, one should spend an appropriate amount of time together and allow others the chance to approach as well.
Additionally, the chance to approach a higher noble first was usually yielded to someone of higher rank.
‘So, normally, the marquis-born students would try to join in first.’
The reason the other nobles were hesitating was because they were waiting for a marquis-born student to initiate conversation with Layla.
Once that happened, the rest would gradually start approaching Layla and the three ducal heirs.
‘There’s nothing to gain from getting on the bad side of nobles. I’d better stay quiet and out of trouble.’
I was a noble of the lowest rank—just a baron.
And not even a proper one, but a fallen baron from an obscure, nameless family.
Someone like me wouldn’t even be allowed to speak to the Princess, let alone to the heirs of ducal families.
In short, the conclusion was: stay low, stay quiet, especially in crowded places.
‘Let’s just eat quickly and go.’
As I looked around for an empty seat again—
“Gideon! Over here! Come sit with us!”
Layla’s cheerful voice rang out.
And in that instant, every gaze in the cafeteria focused on me.
‘…I’m screwed.’
For a brief second, I thought frantically.
Ignoring a summons from the Princess was, of course, suicide.
But going over there to eat with her was also suicide in front of this crowd of nobles.
‘Uh…’
I glanced toward the trio beside Layla.
They, too, looked completely stunned.
Naturally so—they were well aware of the unspoken rules among nobles.
They knew exactly what it meant for the Princess to single out a mere baron like me in such a public setting.
“…Hoo.”
No matter how much I thought about it, there was no quiet way to slip out of this.
The Princess had called me out so loudly; pretending not to hear wasn’t an option.
‘Is she trying to get me killed?’
I doubted Layla for a brief moment—but the thought vanished when I saw her smile.
There wasn’t the slightest trace of malice in that bright, innocent expression.
She really just wanted to eat with me.
In the end, I had no choice but to walk over to her.
“Lady Layla, have you been enjoying your meal?”
“Of course! Anyway, come sit down. We were just talking about you.”
“Yes, understood. Um… would it be alright if I joined you?”
I directed the question to the three ducal heirs.
Jason and Sara still looked startled, but the expressionless Lisa opened her mouth.
“Of course. The Princess called you—naturally, you should sit.”
“Understood.”
I took a seat.
I’d been starving for a while and just wanted to eat something quickly.
But as soon as I sat down, I could feel countless stares piercing into me.
Their gazes were so intense that I could hardly move.
If I made even a single mistake here, I’d probably face severe backlash from all those nobles watching.
“Gideon, don’t be so tense. Eat up—you look hungry.”
“Ah, yes. Understood.”
Thanks to Jason’s considerate words, I slowly lifted my utensils and took a bite of meat.
At his comment, Layla tilted her head curiously.
“Tense? Gideon, are you nervous? You usually talk to me so comfortably.”
“Ah, that’s… no, not really. Something just came up, that’s all.”
“Hmm, really?”
“Yes. By the way, I heard you were talking about me earlier…?”
“Oh, right! We were talking about how you wanted to join the Disciplinary Committee. And then…”
The conversation went along smoothly enough.
Layla spoke the most, Jason chimed in here and there, and Lisa added a few words in between.
Sara, however, remained silent.
She just glared coldly at me, then turned her head away, as if trying to pretend I didn’t exist.
“Oh, and I heard this morning that Gideon’s from the Serenus Region. Apparently, he taught himself swordsmanship there.”
Time passed, and the meal was nearly over.
Meaning, I’d soon be able to leave this place.
Layla seemed to have said everything she wanted, and Jason looked like he’d be the first to suggest we get up…
“Self-taught swordsmanship in Serenus, huh… That’s unusual.”
Lisa suddenly spoke in her calm tone.
“Hm? Lisa? Why?”
“I once heard a rumor. About a hero who learned swordsmanship from other races at the southern edge of the Empire. They say he defended the Empire from a great threat with nothing but his sword.”
“Oh, that’s really something. A swordsman who protected the Empire—and now there’s Gideon, who also learned defensive swordsmanship in that same region.”
“Yes, quite the fascinating coincidence.”
“Could Gideon be that swordsman’s descendant?”
“I’m not sure. There aren’t any records about that swordsman anywhere. It’s only known that such a man once existed.”
Lisa spoke casually, but to me, it was an interesting bit of information.
Because when I played the game, I had never once heard a story about a man like that.
Maybe when I went back to Serenus during the break, I should ask the other races about it.
That man might even be related to the Kyrgram Family’s secret.
“Hmm. Anyway, looks like everyone’s done eating—shall we get going?”
“Good idea. We should head out. I still have plenty of Disciplinary Committee work left.”
At Jason’s words, Lisa immediately stood up.
“Lady Layla, please give me your tray. I’ll take care of it.”
“Hm? Oh, no, it’s fine—I’ll do it. Oh, alright, here.”
Lisa took Layla’s tray and stood up, with Layla following behind her.
Jason rose as well, giving me a look that seemed to say, “You should go first.”
I bowed my head slightly in gratitude and quickly stood.
But just as I was about to leave—
“Gideon.”
Lisa called out to me.
“Yes, Lady Lisa.”
“Thursday, at 5 p.m. Don’t forget the entrance examination.”
“Yes, understood. I’ll definitely be there.”
“Good. Make sure you come. There are a few other applicants… but you’re the one I’m most looking forward to.”
With those words, Lisa turned and left.
And I quickly cleaned up my tray and exited the cafeteria as well.