Sitting in a situation worse than a dog's house, constantly tiptoeing and watching out, I'd rather coolly give everything up and start from the bottom.

When I decided to leave, I went through quite a bit of inner turmoil. It wasn’t the updated version of myself that struggled, but the original part of me—still bound by lingering attachments.

- Am I giving up?
- Is it okay if I’m never acknowledged by my family?
- Even if I can’t clear my mother’s dishonor?

These were emotions that my more modern, updated self couldn’t comprehend.

Family? Why would those people be my family? Just because we're blood-related? That’s such an outdated trend. In my industry, we interpret it differently these days.

And my mother’s dishonor? What dishonor? The dishonor lies with that bastard who toyed around and ruined some poor girl’s life.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized there was no reason for me to cling to this place, begging for love and recognition. Once I made that decision, my determination to leave became even firmer.

Besides, it wasn’t like I was starting entirely from the bottom. After all, I’m a bastard born into a prestigious noble family. Even a mutt at a scholar’s school picks up a thing or two after three years, and this bastard spent over a decade in a noble household.

I didn’t receive formal education or any real affection, but I did pick up a few things by watching.

Magic?
I mean, isn't the fact that I’m a reincarnated soul itself the most mysterious form of magic?

Swordsmanship?
There’s that old saying: “The pen is mightier than the sword.” I can read and write just fine. Isn’t that a kind of swordsmanship?

Disrespect toward bastards?
Try having another kid, and I’ll show you. After all, those who’ve been hit know exactly where it hurts the most.

If there were rankings for bastards, I’d be at least B-minus class—a high-grade bastard. With that sense of pride and confidence, I attended my day as usual.

I left the Vendel mansion and headed toward the outskirts of the city, arriving at the *Hayerren Public Library*. More precisely, the annex.

The pass for the annex was much easier to obtain than the one for the main library, so people like me often used it.

When I say “people like me,” I’m not talking about bastards. I mean students who strive for knowledge despite difficult circumstances, the bright and passionate scholars of the future.

"..."

The old librarian at the front desk glanced at me out of the corner of his eye and then returned to his work. Despite appearances, he’s quite a kind man. If I ask him for a specific book, he’ll bring it to me right away.

I don’t mind that he stands up immediately and courteously greets the other members of the Vendel family when they visit. True friendship isn’t swayed by status.

I went straight into the maze of bookshelves.

“Let’s see…”

The books in this annex were ones deemed unsuitable for the main library.

Specifically, books of subpar quality or content. Books dealing with insignificant knowledge.

But I found an interest in those so-called insignificant pieces of knowledge.

The key to survival is targeting the *blue ocean*. If I could master knowledge that no one cares about, perhaps the day would come when it would shine.

The *miracle of Bitcoin*, again?

With such opportunistic thoughts, I headed to the farthest corner of the library, where the light barely reached, and the ventilation was poor. A fitting place for bastards and these second-rate books.

I had never seen anyone else in this section. Even the librarian barely bothered with it. Isn’t he supposed to love all books?

“?”

But today, someone was here.

A rare sight—silver hair. Uncommon chocolate-colored skin.

And…

‘Pointed ears?’

An elf.
No, a *dark elf*.

A tall woman, probably around 5’10”, was definitely a dark elf.

[You could feel a cursed presence just by breathing the same air as them.]
[People with common sense despised them.]
[Wise scholars avoided them.]
[Dark elves were a cursed race.]

Suddenly, I felt an instinctive wave of disgust.

This happens sometimes.
I’m not sure if I should call it an instinct or a prejudice, but it clashes with my rational mind.

Every time that happens, I suppress it with reason.

This time it was easy. My curiosity far outweighed the disgust.

A dark elf.
*That* dark elf.

It was the first time I had ever seen a member of another species since being transported to this fantasy world.

I feel like I just ran into a celebrity. Should I ask for an autograph?

I restrained myself with superhuman patience. What am I thinking? Interrupting someone reading is rude.

- Wow. A dark elf. First time seeing one.

Interrupting her reading? Cut.
Ruining a good day? Cut.

It would be like throwing down a challenge for a fight.

So, I restrained myself, maintaining the dignity of a bastard.

Step. Step.

I cautiously passed by the dark elf and headed toward the spot where I had noticed an interesting book yesterday. Where was it?

Ah, there it is.

*The Existence of Cats*.

Honestly, this book had nothing to do with my blue ocean strategy. I was just curious.

I once read a description of cats in a book, and their depiction was rather peculiar.

The book claimed that cats were spiritual beings and, at the same time, wicked monsters. Spiritual beings I could understand, but monsters?

What could a cat have done to be considered a monster?

Not every book has to be about survival. Sometimes you need a change of pace.

I sat down at my usual spot by the window, opened the book, and began reading.

About thirty minutes passed.

“?”

The dark elf was suddenly standing right in front of me, leaning to the side.

At first, I thought she was doing something strange, but she was simply leveling her gaze with the book.

*The Existence of Cats?* There’s a book like this?”

She wasn’t talking to me. It was just a casual remark, as natural as any passing thought.

She sat next to me without hesitation.

Peeking over, she began to read the contents of my book. Blink. She turned her head and stared directly into my eyes.

‘What…what are you doing…?’

I stared back at her in bewilderment.

The moment our eyes met—

“...!”

She jumped back, startled, like a cat that had been spooked.

She took a step back and asked, “Can you see me?”

Uh, I’m not blind; I’m just a bastard. What an odd woman.

I turned my gaze back to the book, pretending nothing had happened.

“...?”

She tilted her head, confused.

“Was it just my imagination?”

Thud.

She sat back down next to me.

I continued reading, and she continued watching me read. It was a very uncomfortable reading experience.

‘What is this situation?’

Go away. Please.

---

The dark elf eventually lost interest in the book and directed all her attention toward me.

"How unusual."

Her long fingers hovered around my face. She touched my hair, tapped my cheek, and brushed my skin.

She was certainly a dark elf—a mysterious creature. Her beauty was so striking that it was hard not to look at her.

Given all of this, it would be easy to feel flustered, but surprisingly, I was calm.

Her actions had a certain air about them. Her curiosity-filled movements felt like those of someone observing an animal.

Maybe this is how breeders evaluate the lineage of horses?

“Flawless skin. Glossy hair. And these blue eyes. You must be a noble, right?”
“Those who live for their own self-importance.”

A voice from within her robes echoed.

“A noble reading this kind of book? How amusing. Could it be they’ve recognized the charm of cats?”
“Maybe they’re interested in hunting cats?”
“That’s cruel. How could you say that?”
“Well, what other reason would a noble have for reading this?”
“...”

The woman moved her hands around, clearly irritated, as if she couldn’t come up with a rebuttal.

Meanwhile, I was utterly confused.

The flowing silver hair, the violet robe that seemed to hide her form, the mercury-like silver eyes…

The term *mysterious* couldn’t have fit anyone better.

But her actions…

‘Is she crazy?’

She acted like she was invisible, leaving no other interpretation.

‘What do I do now?’

This woman. She doesn’t seem to have any intention of leaving.

Her eyes were locked onto me, as if she could bore a hole right through me.

It seemed like I was at a crossroads.

Do I speak up now? Or do I continue to pretend ignorance?

“Excuse me…”

The former option it is.
For some reason, she needs to realize her invisibility game isn’t working. Better to stop this before she makes a bigger mistake.

“I can see you…”

“Huh? See what? What do you mean?”

She shoved her face into the book, her eyes wide with excitement.

“What do you mean ‘see’...”

Tap tap.

I cautiously poked her arm with my finger.

“I can see *you*.”

“Eek!”

She shrieked, jumping up from her seat. The way she clung to herself was oddly adorable.

---

[You resisted.]
[Target of resistance: Cognitive Reduction]