Chapter 5: Preparation (Part 2)
Early morning. A crisp morning breeze swept in. I went for a light jog around the training grounds, treating it like a casual stroll. The grounds were the size of several school fields stitched together, but now I could wander them as easily as a walk in the park. Running laps here every morning had become just another routine in my daily life.
Far off in the gloomy woods, birds flitted through the trees. Every falling leaf was captured by my Telescopic Vision. I never imagined the exercise-phobic me would say this, but it was perfect weather for a workout.
During training, my eyesight had been a curse—too sharp, forcing me to see things I didn't want to, headaches pounding from the overload. Now, I'd grown accustomed to it. I never dreamed I'd be smiling about that one day.
"Hoo."
Three laps in already. I could feel my stamina surging bone-deep. Back then, I'd have been gasping after one; now it felt effortless. This was barely a stroll. I'd have to push twenty laps before fatigue even whispered.
I picked up the pace. That's when it happened.
Thud!
"...!"
My foot caught on something mid-stride. A stray rock embedded in the dirt—who knew where it came from? Momentum had me; brute force couldn't stop it. My balance crumbled. No avoiding the fall.
Gravel rushed up. No time for a proper roll. Impact imminent—then a hand seized my shoulder, yanking me back. Balance restored. I slammed on the brakes and stopped.
"That was close, Shion."
It was Camille Esperand, jogging beside me. He withdrew his hand and wiped sweat with a towel.
"A rock stuck here, of all places."
"Yeah, no idea where it rolled from. I'll have it pulled later."
Camille waved over a servant in the distance. I glanced curiously at the approaching figure, then back at him. A sudden question bubbled up.
"...How many laps you on, bro?"
"Nine."
"Whoa, fast. Already?"
"I'm five years older than you, kid. Gotta do at least this much to earn the 'bro' title."
I never thought I'd be bantering like this with Camille. The side character turned villain in the original story had softened considerably. Before training, I'd pegged him as rotten to the core. But what I'd seen during those grueling days was far from villainous.
What twisted him into a villain in the original? He'd reached out to me in danger multiple times. Sure, survival demanded teamwork, but still.
"Anyway, watch your step."
"Yeah, got it."
The kids who'd trailed him like puppies were gone now. I recalled only one or two hanging on originally, but even that had diverged from canon.
...What changes had that wrought in his personality? As long as he didn't rampage pointlessly, it'd be fine. But who knew. One thing was clear: the Esperand heir, painted as irredeemably wicked in the story, wasn't so black-and-white.
Sure, there were bad apples here, and time might spark original-plot incidents. But this was a place where people lived, breathed, survived.
"Speaking of, what's your plan now? Still set on leaving?"
Camille tossed me a towel. I waved it off, wiping sweat with my hand instead.
"Heh."
He chuckled at that.
"Gotta go."
"If you want, I could pull some strings."
Sunlight poured over the training grounds. We paused. It was worth careful thought. Camille had clearly mulled it over too.
"Appreciate it, but I have to do this myself."
This was his second such offer. My answer stayed the same. A flicker of bitterness crossed his face at the repeated refusal. No helping it—I had my reasons.
"Fine. You'll figure it out. Good luck. I'm off for more laps."
"Yeah, you too, bro."
He didn't press further. With a curt nod, his shadow receded into the distance.
"...Gotta go."
Sunlight bathed Esperand Mansion, but its ominous aura lingered.
"This is the official notice from Arsen Academy. You've probably seen it, but take another look?"
Esperand Mansion's main building. Third floor, Dian Esperand's office. All us kids of similar age had been summoned.
"This is a golden opportunity for you."
My mother, Dian Esperand, smiled gently. But the children's faces across from her were uneasy.
The recommendation letters on the table were penned by an Arsen professor in close collaboration with Esperand—impossible through normal channels. As she said, a rare chance, one that wouldn't come twice. Without it, no Esperand kid was heading to Arsen.
"Tea is served."
"Ah, set it there."
Tea and snacks arrived promptly—as always, poisoned tea and tainted treats.
"You all know the rough situation."
Dian's finger pointed to the map. Near the continent's heart, close to the capital. Arsen etched boldly there.
...Arsen.
A name so familiar, so welcome to me. The story's main stage. As known to me as this mansion—and my next destination.
"Esperand collaborates closely with Arsen. Even the chairman doesn't know; only key professors do."
Why? Simple: illegal. If the chairman learned, he'd uproot Arsen's cabinet entirely.
"In exchange for intel from their core leadership, we've handled their requests and support. Traditionally, we've sent one child to Arsen."
Hearing canon lore like this—never thought the day would come.
An Esperand kid to Arsen. Tradition, they called it. More like a hostage, prettied up.
"Me!"
A girl with neatly braided yellow hair shot up her hand—Sirena Esperand.
"Only one can go to Arsen?"
"Formally, yes. But circumstances might allow more."
"If we go... what happens, ma'am?"
Dian smiled softly at the question.
"You'll enroll and study there. After completing one task."
"One task...?"
Dian's eyes darkened briefly.
"Hard if hard, easy if easy. You've endured Esperand's brutal training—you'll manage. No worries."
She recovered before Sirena noticed. Only I caught the shift.
"At Arsen, make contact with House Grander. Grand Duke Grander currently holds real power there."
"House Grander?"
"Yes."
A photo hit the table: a slender redheaded girl.
"Even if you don't go, memorize this face. You might cross paths someday."
Silence fell. Snacks piled high, untouched.
"House Grander..."
"What about Sierra, sis?"
"Not for me. Nothing to gain there."
Whispers rose as Dian sipped her poisoned tea, eyes closed.
"We can get strong here. Real combat beats boring classes. Arsen's a waste."
"...Really?"
"Yeah. You're magic-talented, Sirena. Better the Magic Tower than Arsen."
I'd half-expected reluctance entering the room. No surprise. Contacting House Grander was the thorniest part.
Old ties, once close, now strained. They cooperated when needed, but relations were ice-cold. In canon, they fully split. And now, Grander's daughter was at Arsen—traveling with the employer's kin would be thorns for any volunteer.
...And one more: we'd infiltrate under false identities. If exposed? Would Esperand save us?
Dian gave no guarantees. Even if she wanted to, she couldn't. From Duke Esperand's view, sacrificing one kid preserved the pact—profitably so. He'd discard us gladly if required.
We'd all ingested the Elixir. Orders from above meant obedience below.
"...Still sounds insane."
"Told you—no reason to go."
Hostage. Sacrificial pawn. Keywords inevitable.
Time dragged. Dian waited patiently for opinions, choices. No one stepped up.
Like canon? Originally, one went: Camille's lackey. The one who picked fights with the protagonist, name-dropped his house, and self-destructed.
But.
That kid was gone now. My insertion's butterfly effect, likely. During training, Camille bonded more with me than his canon sycophant. Survival forced alliances.
...Ripple: the lackey washed out.
Things had twisted early. No volunteers. Dian scanned reluctantly. Tradition demanded one.
"Sirena, what about you?"
"I'll... pass."
"Sorry, ma'am, I decline too."
"You too, Sierra?"
"Yes..."
The sisters refused first.
"Yohan, you?"
"Apologies, ma'am. I can't go to Arsen."
The black-haired boy beside me—Yohan Esperand—declined.
Last: me.
"Shion, you?"
What if I refuse here? Rebellion flickered.
Three paths:
One: Leave main story to protagonists, live as Esperand assassin. Optimistic, blind to their success.
Two: Ditch this villain clan, become hunter, live free. Ideal if possessed elsewhere. But requires purging the Gu Poison.
Three...
"What do you think of enrolling at Arsen?"
Enter Arsen Academy, join protagonists. Merges the two: post-grad, most become hunters. Still delegates story somewhat, but uncertainties linger.
Worst case? No choice.
If protagonists fail main story, defeat final boss...
...this world ends.
World ends, I plummet to hell. Heaven required fulfilling lifespan. Priority: survive the term. No—outlive it comfortably. Prep cushy retirement, finish Earth's unfinished life.
...Feasting, worry-free leisure.
But first, avert apocalypse. Nudge protagonists to clear story, slay boss—like canon game.
Difference: game ends at credits; I need post-ending life.
Arsen means rubbing shoulders with protagonists inevitably. I'll support as always—full throttle.
Probably why I got Player trait, Unique-grade talent. Telescopic Vision alone screams scouting/sniper cheat.
Once they're grown, I'll have breathing room. Build wealth, skills leisurely. Hunter path needs mid-tier Arsen grad anyway.
Luckily, Esperand ties ease entry unlike others.
...And.
Another reason: distance from Duke Esperand.
Elixir-bound, one death order and I'm done. Arsen's relative isolation from Esperand influence is safer. Cure ideal, but no method yet. Distance as stopgap.
Arsen: starting line for all this.
I raised my head, meeting Dian's eyes squarely.
"I'll go, Mother."