I quickly walked away from the stadium. Soon, the price of using Overload will hit me, which means the backlash is coming. Overload is an excellent special effect that allows someone like me, with a mere strength and stamina of 7, to face off against a stat monster like Ralph for a short time. However, it puts a great strain on my body. When Neike used it in the early part of the story, he suffered from muscle pain for two days. If even Neike, who had a good physique, suffered that much, I was worried about how much I would struggle. Regardless, my body was breaking down, and I felt like collapsing. Fatigue was rapidly eating away at me. However, I couldn't afford to fall asleep here. If I were to collapse here, after putting on such a show at the stadium, my trait, 'Twisted Noble's Dignity,' would not let me off the hook. 'Whew...' I should hurry. As I entered the long corridor leading to the exit, I saw a girl leaning against the wall. Her short red hair, small stature, and the sleek lines of her agile body caught my eye. She exuded an ill-tempered, small dog-like vibe. That girl was Piel de Chalon. Who was she waiting for? I quickly passed by Piel, but she spoke to me as if she had been waiting for me. "Ah... " Now's really not a good time. Even if she threatened to kill me, I'd rather ignore her and get back to my room as quickly as possible. But my body, acting on its own, smoothly turned towards her. This damned trait. Theo's family, the Waldeurk Viscounts, are prestigious, but Piel's family, the Chalon Dukes, are the top aristocrats on the continent. Naturally, I couldn't ignore the words of such a noble young lady. I briefly considered resisting the trait, but gave up. It was difficult to endure the sharp pain with my current physical condition, and my body had already reacted. "Why?" Thankfully, I didn't have to use honorifics. However, Piel said nothing. She hesitated, unsure of what she wanted to say. What's the point of calling someone who's about to collapse? "If you have nothing to say, I'll leave." As I turned my back on her, Piel exclaimed, "...How... How did you do it?!" I turned my body back to her and asked, "What do you mean?" "How did you... beat Ralph? You were a mess just last Monday!" So, that's why. Piel glared at me with a somewhat resentful look in her eyes. Why is she like this? 'But I can't tell her.' How could I explain that I used the information I already knew to collect Hidden Pieces, bought traits from the store, and used a Ralph-customized strategy? "It was just good luck." "Luck, my ass! Luck can only take you so far! Tell me how you did it!" "..." Piel's voice was too loud. It was especially annoying because my body wasn't in good condition. There was no one around, fortunately. "Calm down." "How can I calm down in this situation? Do you know how desperate it feels to realize that there's an insurmountable wall in front of me?! You should know this better!" It was a failure. Piel raised her voice even more. I glanced at my wristwatch. In five minutes, the circular train to the dormitory would arrive. It would take about three minutes to reach the station. The next train would come in thirty minutes, so I should wrap things up around here. I decided to be blunt. "How disappointing." "...What? Say that again-" I cut off Piel's words and continued speaking. "Isn't it disappointing that you, who have one of the most noble bloodlines besides royalty and are called one of the greatest geniuses on the continent, would use the word 'despair'? Are you really a student of the hero department?" "..." "Don't yap like a dog, Piel de Chalon. If you are truly a student of the hero department, you should know the words of the founding chairman: 'Overcome.' Instead of overcoming, you're just taking your frustration out on others." Piel's face reddened with shame and embarrassment. I should probably stop here, but I understood her suffocating feelings. I continued speaking. "Despair, anger, jealousy, envy - these are emotions that everyone has. If you get too deep into these emotions, you become useless. But there is a limit to what others can do to help you. You must overcome it yourself." With that said, Piel bowed her head as if relieved, and I turned my back on her, heading for the exit. Step by step. Was I too harsh? I seemed to be too sensitive due to fatigue and lack of time. After all, Piel is only a 15-year-old kid. And at that age, people tend to act without thinking about the consequences. Piel, holding a grudge, might try to kill me. I stopped walking and spoke to Piel, who still had her head bowed. "You don't have to win. If it's a defeat you can truly accept, it will have its own meaning. I'll be rooting for you, Piel."
***
Raei Translations
***
"Oh, Piel. You're back?" Neike spoke to Piel, who had returned to the audience seats. "...Yeah." With a weak voice, Piel responded and blankly stared at the arena. The match was underway, but she couldn't focus on it. 'How disappointing...' She kept repeating the words Theo had said earlier. The Chalon Ducal Family. The most prestigious family on the continent. Piel was the youngest daughter of that family. Those who wanted to flatter her. Those who wanted to use her authority. And the few who were actually confident. She had seen countless faces since she was a child. So, at the young age of 15, her ability to gauge people was no worse than high-ranking officials of the royal family. To her, Theo had just been one of the idiots that got under her feet until now. But Theo, who she just faced, was different. He was one of the few who could be confident in front of anyone. Moreover, he had achieved a flawless victory against an opponent that was impossibly strong for him. He proved it not with words, but with actions. 'Could I really accept that...?' After facing the colossal wall that was Neike, it felt like she couldn't break it down. Her heart, submerged in a deep sense of defeat. But did I truly put in a genuine effort? 'No.' I only put in as much effort as Neike. Even though I needed to work harder to surpass him. I wonder how much effort Theo, that idiot, has put in? I can't even imagine. 'Yeah... If that idiot, no, if Theo did it, why couldn't I?'
***
Fortunately, I managed to catch the dormitory-bound carriage just in time. Since most of the academy's students were inside the dome stadium, the carriage was relatively empty. As usual, I sat down in the back seat. I looked out the window. A deserted street, different from the usual, entered my view. 'After the practical evaluation is over, there will be a celebration and it will be crowded.' Anyway... As soon as I sat down, drowsiness came rushing in. It felt like if I closed my eyes, I could sleep for hours in this position. But I shouldn't fall asleep. No, I can't fall asleep. The dormitory isn't the last stop. Closing my eyes for a brief moment of comfort would be a foolish act.
***
[This stop is in front of the 1st Men's Dormitory. Once again, this stop is in front of the 1st Men's Dormitory. Please make sure to take your belongings when you get off.] With my almost fainting consciousness, I stumbled off the carriage. "..." At least, I made it. To my sweet room. ...That thought lasted only for a moment. An even stronger wave of drowsiness hit me. I couldn't even tell if I was crawling or walking. My vision began to narrow, growing dim. "Sigh." My room is on the 20th floor. Once I overcame one obstacle, another one appeared. The phrase 'overcome it' doesn't apply right now. That's when I spotted the long wooden chair in front of the dormitory. ...Normally, I wouldn't even bother with that rough and hard-looking chair. But at this moment, it looked softer than any sofa. 'Yeah... I'll just close my eyes and sit for a while before going up.' So, I sat on the wooden chair with my eyes closed. After that, I couldn't remember anything.
***
It felt like I was dreaming. Was this the first dream I had since I fell into this world? From afar, a fair and delicate hand approached and supported my face. Honestly, I couldn't tell whether it was a dream or reality. If it was a dream, I didn't want to wake up. I was happy just knowing that someone was supporting me. 'When was the last time I felt this emotion?' And the dream I'm having right now... Is it a dream of Theo or of my true self? I don't know. I just want to indulge in this happiness. Then, I felt a cold touch on my face.
***
"Ugh." It was a dream. I saw the familiar dormitory ceiling. "Umm..." I slowly propped up my upper body. With my eyes half-closed, I groped through the air to find my water bottle. I felt something in my hand. But it was a woman's soft touch— "!" I woke up with a start. My blurry eyes snapped open. I quickly let go and got out of bed. "Did, did you wake up, sir?" Amy, who usually had an emotionless face, spoke to me with a flustered expression. And her hand was resting on her chest. ...Oh.
