Chapter 53. Each Other’s Values

***

I elaborated quite extensively on the previous duel.

As the two of them expressed curiosity and asked questions during my explanation, my story became even longer as I explained in detail.

And beyond my expectations… their reactions were quite intense.

“…Hooh. So you say you thrust out your spear as if predicting to create a draw at the end.”

“The fact that you could predict means you read Leonhardt’s sword, doesn’t it!?”

I awkwardly nodded at their passionate words.

It wasn’t purely my talent or skill that created the draw.

The moment I lost sight of Leonhardt’s movement, his habit suddenly came to mind, and I instinctively thrust out my spear as if predicting.

“I think I was really lucky. If the trajectory had been even slightly off, it would have been a duel where I should be considered defeated.”

Thinking about it, that instinctive judgment seemed to have changed my entire future.

By thrusting out my spear as if predicting, I created a draw result and endlessly raised my reputation.

That’s likely a strong reason why Dersen and Rachel sought me out.

“Even if you call it luck as Rachel said. Wasn’t it Han Chunsung’s own action to thrust out the spear?”

“That’s right. Thrusting out the spear was an action you judged and took directly, Han Chunsung. I don’t think you need to dismiss it as luck and consider the result a defeat.”

Even to my words, the two of them evaluated me quite highly.

Compared to when they first caught me, I could now clearly feel their deeper interest and curiosity.

“I’m embarrassed by your kind words.”

Clearly, this situation itself isn’t bad.

The atmosphere was more amicable than I had thought.

However, I wondered if this situation was really right. Originally, these were characters who should be entangled with Leonhardt.

It felt somewhat strange that I was forming connections with them before Leonhardt.

‘…Am I overthinking this?’

The current situation itself felt strange.

It seemed like the spotlight that should have been given to Leonhardt for his achievements was shining on me instead.

From Luna, a heroine, to Kali, who would be a great help in growth.

It felt like the focus of those who should be entangled with Leonhardt was all directed at me.

‘This shouldn’t be happening.’

Leonhardt was the ‘protagonist’ who had to overcome all the adversities and hardships that would befall this world.

He should be considered the most important figure in the world.

Only if Leonhardt grows properly would all future events unfold correctly.

“…Han Chunsung?”

I lifted my head blankly at the sound of the voice.

“Ah, I’m sorry.”

“There’s no need to apologize. You seemed lost in deep thought… Do you have something troubling you?”

“That’s right. What were you thinking about so intently?”

I awkwardly shook my head.

“It’s nothing. I seem to have been lost in other thoughts and been rude without realizing it.”

“If that’s the case, it’s fine. The conversation has been quite long, so you might be tired.”

“…If you really have any troubles or difficulties, please tell us. As thanks for keeping us company, I’d like to help if I can.”

…I involuntarily hesitated at Rachel’s following words.

ㅡAs thanks for keeping us company, I’d like to help if I can.

While Rachel’s words seemed like an expression of goodwill at first glance, they were also originally the words that formed the biggest point of contact with Leonhardt.

“I appreciate your words, but I’m really fine. Meeting the two of you like this today has been a great honor and truly a good time for me.”

As I calmly continued speaking, I swallowed the sigh that was about to burst out inside.

My thoughts seemed to continue endlessly. In reality, if viewed simply, it was really nothing.

After all, the current situation had a clear cause and effect relationship.

My evaluation had risen, and as a result, the imperial family had shown interest in me, that’s all.

“I see. Then today was quite a good time. It was interesting to hear about spearmanship as well.”

“Wait, brother, are we already… parting with Han Chunsung?”

“It’s already dinner time. It’s about time we should part ways.”

“We could have dinner together. I think it would be fine to spend a little more time together…”

As Dersen and Rachel continued talking about me, I felt strangely relieved.

The reactions of the two were completely different from when they first met Leonhardt.

While Dersen clearly guarded against Leonhardt and tried to find fault with him in every way to belittle him, the Dersen I faced was not such a person.

Although he showed coldness as if testing me at first, now I could feel him looking at me with favor and goodwill.

‘Yes, it’s very different…’

I couldn’t consider that my association with them would make the attention that should be given to Leonhardt disappear.

I just encountered them earlier. Yes, that’s all it was.

“Han Chunsung. What about you? Would you like to have dinner with us? If you want to, it’s fine to have dinner together.”

I immediately shook my head at Dersen’s calm voice.

Receiving this much favor was already enough for now.

“It’s alright. I’ll have dinner after I return.”

“…I see. That’s really disappointing. Rachel, you heard that too, right?”

“Brother. Aren’t you forcing an answer now? Who would say they want to have dinner together when asked like that?”

“Rachel. How have I forced anything?”

As Dersen laughed and met my gaze, I played along as he wanted.

“It’s absolutely not forcing. I just want to return now. Staying together any longer would be burdensome for me.”

Rachel’s attitude towards me now, which was strangely without distance, was noticeable.

And that would greatly bother Dersen.

No matter how much goodwill Dersen held towards me, Rachel was his top priority.

“……”

I gently smiled and slowly shook my head at Rachel’s silent gaze towards me.

Her gaze seemed to be telling me to say I would have dinner even now, but anything more than this was really burdensome for me too.

These were people who would soon be entangled with Leonhardt, and I hoped they wouldn’t have great expectations of me.

Regardless of whether I had confidence or not, it was too much for me to be associated with the imperial family now.

“Then I’ll be taking my leave now. It was meaningful to be able to spend time together like this.”

As I continued speaking, Dersen smiled broadly.

“Yes. I was very glad to be able to converse with you too.”

As I said I would leave on my own, Dersen looked at me as if he really liked me, but I felt more comfortable with Dersen’s attitude.

This level of relationship between me and them was appropriate.

We held goodwill towards each other and didn’t think badly of each other, but we weren’t too close either.

“I enjoyed being able to have this conversation today too. Melua, please escort Han Chunsung out.”

At Rachel’s reluctant words, the woman called Melua slowly guided me.

…

Click.

As I matched steps with the maid called Melua, my gaze unconsciously went to her.

A woman with short hair of an even darker blue than Grecia. She exuded an air of nobility that seemed out of place for a maid.

‘Is she a noble?’

When one thinks of maids, it’s easy to think of servants or ladies-in-waiting. But in this world, maids were at least nobles.

Moreover, maids serving the imperial family should be considered to have high origins from at least count families or above. After all, people of inadequate status couldn’t be near the imperial family or high-ranking nobles. Perhaps this was obvious.

Even the maid who had attended to my bath and dressing today was surely a noble.

As we walked silently together, our gazes met involuntarily.

“…”
“…”

In a strange silence, just as I wondered if she had something to say to me,

“Is there something you’re curious about regarding me?”

As she asked in return as if reading my thoughts, I calmly shook my head.

“No. I seem to have stared too intently. I’m sorry.”

“…There’s no need to apologize. I was also wondering if you had something to say.”

At her calm voice, I calmly turned my gaze away.

…Let’s stop thinking.

Perhaps because I had been constantly tense while facing the imperial family, I didn’t want to think anymore due to mental fatigue.

***

In the inner room after Han Chunsung and Melua left.

Rachel let out a big sigh and narrowed her eyes.

“…Brother.”

“What?”

As Rachel called Dersen sharply, unlike when Han Chunsung was present, Dersen flinched.

“What are you doing exactly?”

“What have I done? We spent nearly two hours with Han Chunsung, isn’t that enough?”

As Dersen calmly answered and met Rachel’s gaze nonchalantly, she scoffed for a moment.

“It wasn’t parting, wasn’t it you driving him out? Like last time?”

“Rachel. I’ll say it again, but that’s clearly a misunderstanding. I didn’t put any pressure on him at all.”

“How is that not putting pressure? From what I saw, it looked like you were giving him looks to leave tactfully.”

As Rachel continued to respond with a sharp attitude, Dersen distinctly furrowed his brow.

“That wasn’t my intention. Yes, Han Chunsung was certainly fine. After talking with him directly, his character and attitude towards us were flawless. But Rachel. Isn’t there a big difference between him and us that can’t be bridged? There’s no need for us to associate with Han Chunsung.”

Even as Dersen continued speaking as if to persuade, Rachel only felt frustrated.

‘…No need to associate, he says.’

That statement from her brother really made her heart feel stifled.

This world is changing.

And it has been for a long time. Although imperial authority is still maintained, clinging to status was a one-dimensional way of thinking.

There are already countless commoners who have made a name for themselves, and even more people who prove their worth beyond their status with their Talents and abilities.

Moreover, how precarious the frontlines are, news of it comes in every day.

In that sense, a student like Han Chunsung was worth befriending.

Although he was a commoner with a Common Talent, he seemed to have limitless potential for growth.

“Brother. If you think like that, who could possibly associate with us? How many people can associate with us imperial family members as equals?”

“If we consider it, it would be the children of duke and marquis families, and besides them, there are the ‘Axes of the Empire’ with influence and high-ranking mages, aren’t there? Considering our dignity, we should certainly be mindful of who we associate with.”

Her brother’s expression hardened even more as he answered, and she really thought he seemed foolish.

Her brother was too stuck in old-fashioned thinking. With such a mindset, he could never embrace more people.

It was just absurd that her brother, who would ascend to the supreme position of emperor in the future, viewed people with such a narrow perspective.

‘Why doesn’t he understand that innate bloodline doesn’t mean everything?’

Even among the imperial family, there are incompetent ones and those who waste their years becoming obsolete.

The same was true for other nobles.

Everyone hopes to be outstanding, but reality isn’t like that.

“……”

As she faced her brother’s stubborn gaze, she felt truly fed up now.

‘Why.’

Why couldn’t her brother realize?

A few months ago. After her brother’s Legendary Talent was revealed, he began to place even more importance on bloodline, which looked really bad to her.

“…Brother. Let’s eat dinner separately today.”

“Rachel!”

“Then I’ll see you tomorrow.”

She spoke coldly and rose from her seat.

Click.
Click.

As she walked out, Han Chunsung suddenly came to mind.

The student who consistently maintained a calm yet unintimidated attitude while dealing with us.

He was certainly talented.

A rare and definite talent at that.

Despite conversing with him for hours, her brother couldn’t recognize Han Chunsung’s true value at all.

“…”

That was truly…

Incredibly disappointing.