Fated to Be Loved by Villains
chapter-36

༺ Class Observation (1) ༻

< Gift-related Character Notification >

▼ Yuria Greyhounder

[ Interest Level 1 ]

[ Rewards Available! ]

I stroked my chin as I stared at the system window in front of me.

‘…Interest Level 1 right from the get-go.’

I guess it was because of her evil affiliation that her favorability progressed faster than normal.

Even more so considering that Iliya was still at Interest Level 4.

I had no idea how this happened.

“…”

Well, when has this ever happened when I expected it to?

And this.

[ Received Gift Reward from Yuria. ]

[ Skill: Swordsman’s Focus has been acquired! ]

< Skill Info >

[ Skill: Swordsman’s Focus ] [ Grade: B ]

[ Temporarily grants heightened focus during combat. When used, reaction speed and precision are maximized. ]

‘…Is this allowed?’

Desperation increases my stats, therefore increasing my physical abilities. However, this particular type of enhancement had a different feel to it.

It may be graded as B, but the performance it would yield would be close to a cheat if combined with Desperation.

Even when used alone, the benefits that could be gained during combat would be tremendous.

“Young Master! Long time no see!”

As I was thinking so, I saw a gentleman in a suit waving at me from afar.

Butler Herman was an elder who had served the Campbell Family for a long time.

He had been with the family longer than my own father, who was the master of the house.

With the above said, Herman had a peculiar aura that only a master of their craft exuded. Everything he did felt unhurried and relaxed.

“…Is Elfante always like this?”

“You could say that.”

Yet, even someone like Herman couldn’t hide his surprise at the scale of the event that was Elfante’s Class Observation.

In fact, there wasn’t a lot of people nearby.

However, if you looked at their identities…

There were big-time merchants, nobles, and even a nation’s royalty.

Who would’ve thought that such giants would gather in one place for some school’s class observation?

“No, even so…”

Herman brushed his beard and looked at the massive square arena in the center of the building.

“…That, doesn’t it seem a little dangerous?”

Herman’s gaze was drawn to the magitech display installed near the arena.

With such a heavyweight crowd, the class observation was filled with things that deviated significantly from its original purpose.

Presenting a subpar spectacle that would bore high-profile people who came here from all over the place to watch was simply impossible.

That was why they had prepared this.

A student battle royale.

“…”

This wasn’t an event you’d normally expect to find in an Academy, but rather in a colosseum. However, surprisingly, this was a historic tradition that had been going on since the early days of Elfante’s establishment.

It was truly a dreadful place.

“But, if I may ask, is the Young Master also participating in the middle of that?”

“…Well, yes.”

Herman asked with a worried expression. However, I couldn’t just let this opportunity pass.

This was my only chance to capture Gideon’s attention.

“…I don’t know if the Lord will be proud or terrified about this.”

I smiled wryly at Herman’s words.

‘We’re not even at the terrifying part yet.’

It wasn’t a joke. Be it Iliya or Eleanor, even one of them will turn the whole territory upside down.

“This matter… concerns me. It seems like all sorts of people are in attendance. I even saw people from the Holy Kingdom on my way here.”

“…Is that so?”

I responded with a squint.

Considering the timing and affiliation, that group probably includes the Saintess and the Boy King.

Their time of arrival was much faster than expected. Originally, the earliest they came should’ve been the next month.

‘As expected.’

The flow of the scenario was accelerating.

The fact that both of them were coming here meant that both the Holy Kingdom and the devil worshipers were starting to make big moves.

The reasons may be different for each, but it was clear that both sides wanted something within this Academy.

‘…I can guess what it is.’

And my task was to make it hard for them.

I neither wanted to get close to the Holy Kingdom nor the devil worshipers.

As I pondered, Herman continued with a smile.

“Well, since it’s an event with a large number of participants, it would be nice to show a great performance. It will also increase your popularity among the female students.”

“…Yes, well.”

“That’s right, isn’t there another event following the class observation? It will be easier to find a partner. I heard that the Lord also met the Lady there…”

“…I’ll take my leave now.”

You shouldn’t bring up such scary stories.

I could feel cold sweat rolling down my spine as Iliya and Eleanor’s faces came to mind.

‘I have work to do…’

That was to impress Gideon, who would be among the crowd, using the Tristan Style Swordsmanship.

< Mastery Info >

[ Attribute: Tristan Style Swordsmanship ] [ Grade: General ]

[ Current Proficiency: 0% ]

[ Master Sword Technique of the Tristan Duke Family. ]

[ ■ Can exert a certain level of power regardless of weapon. ]

[ ■ When equipped with a longsword, can use Deflect. ]

[ ■ When equipped with a longsword, can partially ignore the opponent’s defense and inflict damage. ]

The key thing here was the second effect.

Deflect.

It was a parrying technique that could neutralize the opponent’s attack if timed correctly. It was a system that existed in almost every game in some shape or form.

And.

For a veteran who has mastered the timing in the game to a perverted level, one would be able to create some pretty interesting situations.

“…”

With a bitter smile, I grasped my longsword.

To be honest, what I was about to do was halfway between a scam and a farce. You could even call it a skit.

However, this skit…

Would be gobbled up by the Empire’s strongest Knight.

A dry tension filled the spectator’s stands.

Given their status, they would probably chat and have some social interaction with each other.

After all, everyone here was either a Leader or a Head, or someone close.

Well, probably.

That was what would have happened if it had not been for the presence of the man sitting in the middle.

“Why is he here…?”

“Um, I don’t know either…”

The two people talking together looked like royalties from somewhere.

However, this person was someone even they cannot afford to offend.

Gideon Galestead La Tristan. The Empire’s strongest Knight. Duke Tristan.

Everyone’s gaze was fixed on him, but he just looked down at the arena with an expressionless face.

“Huh, Gideon? What brings you here?”

Of course, in Elfante, there was usually at least one individual who could initiate a conversation regardless of the other party’s position or title.

For example, Conrad Baltador, the Dean of the Knights School.

Gideon’s gaze slowly turned towards his direction.

“…”

Seeing Gideon only give a slight nod without getting up or saying a word, Conrad smirked.

That’s right. This much of a response was already significant.

If it weren’t for the fact that they both trained under the same Master, Gideon would have just completely ignored him.

“So what kind of wind blew a guy with such a heavy hip here?”

Without waiting for an answer, Conrad casually slumped down beside Gideon.

Being so close together, Conrad was able to discover something that the others hadn’t noticed.

“…What happened to your arm?”

Conrad pointed out Gideon’s bandaged arm, which made him momentarily frown.

Seeing Gideon quickly cover his arm with his cloak, Conrad chuckled.

“You’re still at it, huh? Catching up with the First Duke Tristan?”

If the Empire’s strongest Knight was getting hurt to this extent, then there was no other explanation.

Gideon often did this. He would engage in crazy endeavors that others would not imagine as training. And all of it was to catch up with the First Duke, the Sword Saint.

“Hey, you don’t need to push yourself too hard, you have a child—”

“Senior.”

Gideon spoke in a low voice.

“That’s enough.”

At the same time, a chilling air swept up like blades slicing through the air.

“You know what I hate.”

The people around him broke out in a cold sweat. Meanwhile, Conrad was surprised.

‘…This bastard got even stronger?’

Although Gideon was stronger than him before, the gap he felt from the aura just now was bewildering.

In the past, he was at least able to win three or four times out of ten fights.

But now, he felt that he would lose every single one regardless of how many times they fought.

“…Ah fine. I get it. I won’t bring up your daughter. So, how did your arm end up like that?”

As Conrad causally let it go, Gideon took back his frown and regained his composure.

Then, with a shallow sigh, he replied.

“…I was training based on the passages left by the Sword Saint. It is a virtue that is the foundation of all swordsmanship he left behind.”

“What was it?”

“Take Mt. Tai as your own.”

“…”

Was he serious? What the hell is he talking about?

Conrad asked with a frown.

“So what did you do?”

“I tried cleaving a mountain first.”

“…”

“It didn’t go well.”

“…You thought that would work?”

Right. Looking at it like this, they were definitely father and daughter.

They were so similar to each other. Eleanor inherited that blank expression and the habit of saying something outlandish.

‘Blood doesn’t lie…’

Right in time as Conrad smiled bitterly, the players also started entering the stage.

They were all carrying their respective weapons with a tense atmosphere.

Conrad snorted upon seeing one person trembling all over.

Although they were highly regarded talents from various regions of the Empire, most of them were inexperienced and had never been in a real battle. It was only natural for them to tense up in front of a large crowd.

There were also those who were pushed by their families in the name of honor.

Meanwhile, one of them stood out like a sore thumb.

‘He’s here too?’

Among the group, one person didn’t seem to be tense at all.

No, it wasn’t just a lack of tension; he seemed almost bored.

Dowd Campbell.

With a blank expression, he walked nonchalantly, swinging his longsword as if it were a cane.

‘…Eum?’

And.

Conrad grinned, noticing that Gideon’s gaze had flown to him as well.

“So, did you come to see him?”

“…”

But Gideon merely continued watching without giving him any answer.

Every move, each gesture. He was scanning everything.

It was as if he was trying to analyze something.

Then, his eyes flickered for a moment.

“Senior.”

“Hmm?”

“What is the relationship between that man and my daughter?”

“…What?”

“Has my daughter ever taught him the sword? No…”

Gideon paused for a moment before he continued.

“…He definitely learned something. How much did he learn? A few months? A year?”

“Hey, hold on. Wait a moment.”

Conrad responded with a bewildered voice to the sudden question.

“They seem quite close, but I don’t know anything about learning swords or something similar. Besides, he’s a freshman. It’s only been two months since he came to the Academy.”

“…What?”

Confusion crossed Gideon’s face.

It was highly unusual for his emotions to be revealed, considering his usual stoic demeanor.

“…It can’t be. That’s definitely our family’s—”

“All players, mutual salute!”

The resounding voice of the referee in the center of the arena cut off Gideon’s words.

“Ready!”

At this time, everyone in the arena took their positions.

The Knights School with their weapons, Magic School with their spells, and Theology School with their blessings and miracles.

“Begin!”

With the referee’s declaration, the arena quickly plunged into chaos.

In a situation where there were no allies except for oneself and enemies were all around, battles erupted in all directions. It was a chaotic free-for-all.

In an instant, nearly half of the participants were wiped out. Even in the ongoing battle, the numbers were also dwindling at a terrifying speed.

Likewise, the hidden gems were also quickly getting uncovered.

Conrad smiled as he looked down at the arena.

The reason why such a crude and savage event had continued for so long was because it was amazing at what it did. That was, to find talent. Some individuals would showcase their true worth in such chaotic combat situations.

With enemies on all sides, they would display overwhelming skills and abilities.

‘There are already some decent ones.’

A man wielding a spear, overwhelming his surroundings. Conrad was familiar with him. Talion Armand. The eldest son of Viscount Armand.

And there was also a woman with only her fists and some gloves on, knocking down everyone around her. However, her deep hood made it difficult to see her face.

‘These two are the most overwhelming.’

At the freshman level, these two were almost beyond the standard. If it weren’t for Iliya, the hero candidate, they were more than capable of aiming for the top of their grade.

“So, what do you think? See…”

Just as Conrad turned his head to ask the opinion of the person next to him, he suddenly stopped.

It was because he noticed that Gideon’s gaze never once moved.

The Empire’s strongest Knight was solely focused on one person right from the beginning.

“…”

Dowd Campbell.

As soon as the sparring started, he positioned to a corner of the arena and holed himself there, not moving a single step.

Yes. That was all.

‘…He’s holding up well.’

Although he remained on the defensive.

Standing in place, blocking and repelling those who come at him.

Well, it was a survival strategy, and it wasn’t hard to understand. But it doesn’t seem like much compared to the previous two.

“This is unexpected. Did you like such a modest way of fighting?”

“Is that all you see?”

“What?”

“In my eyes, it looks a little different.”

Saying so, Gideon rose from his seat and walked towards the fence.

It was as if he wanted to get a closer look at the man.

“…”

Gideon laughed.

“You’re laughing now?”

There wasn’t even a point denying it.

It felt like a puzzle he had been pondering for a long time was solved all at once.

Take Mt. Tai as your own.

This was what the Sword Saint had said.

He continued to watch the man standing in a secluded spot, defending against the attacks.

However, it wasn’t simply defending while standing still.

He anticipated every attack, waited for the perfect moment, and deflected them.

‘The basics of Tristan Style Swordsmanship.’

Deflection.

The fundamental technique of bouncing off the opponent’s attack to create an opening.

But used to its extreme.

Magic, miracles, and blessings.

Everything was nullified as if blocked by a massive wall.

With just that, the opponent’s attacks were rendered futile as they stumble and lose their ground.

And with those openings, he inserted a light attack and effortlessly pushed the opponent back.

‘…A freshman.’

What a joke!

If he was “just” a freshman, then the Empire’s Knights, including himself, were nothing more than inexperienced novices.

Conrad’s eyes widened when he saw the other party’s expression from the side.

A twisted smile hung on Gideon’s lips.

It was as if he had discovered something genuinely interesting.

Or…

‘It’s not just about defending.’

It was an expression of Win-win.

The Empire’s strongest knight to a mere freshman.

‘You win by blocking.’

Fancy attacks and all meant nothing.

Everything was optimized.

Standing in place, not moving a single step, all while creating a suffocating pressure.

It almost looked like…

“Mt. Tai.”

This was probably the virtue that the First Duke Tristan spoke of.

Gideon’s eyes flashed fiercely.