Chapter 10: Karbaldr’s Shadow

In just a few hours, the start-of-term party will begin.

So, while eating the bread I bought yesterday as both breakfast and lunch, I decided to mentally organize the results of what I’ve done over the past week.

First, regarding the Paper Book Version of the web novel.

There was absolutely no information to be gained from the book itself.

Not even the publisher’s name, nor the print or publication date, was written anywhere.

I even deliberately took the borrowed book as a sample and went around several bookstores, putting in the legwork.

But it was all for nothing.

Not a single bookstore owner knew anything about ‘a book by an author whose pen name is made up only of special characters.’

‘So that means these books aren’t distributed anywhere, and only exist here at Valhalla Academy, right!’

‘Is it because there’s a setting that this library is nicknamed the “Library of the Greatest Knowledge”?’

‘Or is it because the early story of “Nas-e” takes place here?’

If it’s the latter, it’s a bit odd, since the original protagonist dropped out after just a year, making the Academy’s overall importance in the novel pretty low.

By that logic, calling a web novel “knowledge” is a bit of a stretch, too.

‘Since there’s no way to get more information for now, I’ll suspend the investigation into these books until next year…’

Luckily, that was the only thing I failed at.

I finished mapping out the Academy grounds and nearly completed cleaning my room.

As far as I can remember, I’ve also organized the contents of “Nas-e” and hidden it well inside the bookshelf. I have no intention of getting involved with the original protagonist, but since we live in the same world, the aftermath of a major incident could still affect me.

And I even reviewed the basic common knowledge I started memorizing back when I stayed at the original body’s family home, saving sleep time to do so.

Now, I’m at the level where I could recite it all if nudged.

“Ugh, if only the original body’s memories had been synchronized, I wouldn’t have had such a hard time… Ever since I possessed this body, these dark circles won’t leave my eyes.”

With a sigh, I muttered to myself.

To chase away the sleepiness from lack of rest, I sipped on a cup of coffee I brewed myself.

‘I didn’t even study this hard when I was preparing for the high school equivalency exam!’

For reference, I never even started preparing for the college entrance exam since I had no intention of attending university. Yet here I am, possessing a character in someone else’s novel, attending an academy that feels like a blend of high school and college.

No one can predict what the future holds, but I never dreamed things would turn out like this.

Anyway, to wrap up my week’s achievements—

Through steady practice, I’ve managed to mimic the original body’s handwriting pretty closely.

So, I filled out the course application form in that handwriting and managed to submit it safely within the registration period.

The only problem is that I’m still not completely used to it, so my writing speed is slow.

‘Well, if I keep taking notes while studying, I’ll get faster!’

Someone might wonder why I’m still studying, even though I’ve memorized all the common knowledge and only plan to take combat-related lectures next semester.

For those people, let me explain: I’ve laid the foundation with common sense, so now it’s time to build knowledge on top of that.

Also, unfortunately, not all lectures at Valhalla Academy are electives—there’s one Basic Theory Lecture I must complete.

This means there’s at least one lecture that overlaps with the original protagonist.

Why did I say “at least one” instead of just “one”? Because I don’t have Reysir’s timetable memorized.

It’s been so long since I read the Academy part of “Nas-e,” and not every lecture the protagonist took was mentioned, so I have no choice.

Still, there’s a timetable adjustment period.

I’ll just take the required lectures, and for the electives, I’ll change them or not depending on the situation.

Since I carefully selected lectures that seemed most useful for survival, I hope I can stick to this timetable as much as possible.

“Ah… When did this get empty?”

***

While lost in thought, I kept sipping, and before I knew it, I’d finished my coffee.

The bread was long gone, too.

Absentmindedly glancing at the clock, I saw there were still four hours left until the party started.

Even after factoring in the time to wash the cup, brush my teeth, change clothes, leave the room, and arrive at the central hall of the main building, there was still plenty of time left.

So, I brewed another cup of coffee and took out the Book of Names.

I’d already read it several times before arriving at the Academy, so I was familiar with its contents.

But since I’d soon be meeting the people listed in it in person, it would be wise to review it again.

With that in mind, I carefully reread the now dog-eared Book of Names.

I paid special attention to information about people likely to approach Karbaldr first, and the chance to use that information came a little earlier than expected.

Knock, knock, knock.

Just as I’d finished changing clothes, someone knocked on my door.

From outside, a voice said, “It’s me, Karbaldr-nim.”

He didn’t state his name, confident that I’d know who he was.

Of course, it was the first time I’d heard that voice.

‘But I have a good guess.’

There are two characters in the original work who always stuck close to Karbaldr, filling the lackey role.

Even during their Academy days, they followed Karbaldr around and joined in tormenting Reysir.

It was the same after graduation, when the original body formed an Einherjar team with support from his family.

When the original Karbaldr tried to trap the protagonist but ended up dying himself, they also helped with that scheme and died along with him.

‘I don’t need to be as cautious as I would with the original protagonist, but… these are characters I don’t want to get close to, albeit for different reasons…’

While straightening my clothes in front of the mirror, the face of the original body reflected there was scowling.

He looked extremely irritable and sensitive.

Maintaining that expression, I changed from the indoor shoes I’d bought at the shopping district a few days ago into dress shoes and opened the door.

As expected, the two characters I’d guessed were waiting in the hallway.

“Long time no see, Karbaldr-nim!”

“I-It’s been a while for me too…”

The first to greet me was Tridric Scaphti.

As in the Book of Names’ portrait, he looked very sly.

The big guy who spoke next in a timid tone was Liolikin Tremmler, who looked much older than his portrait in the Book of Names.

I know it’s rude to think this, but if I hadn’t checked the portraits beforehand, I’d have mistaken him for a professor—he really looked that old.

“Why did you come looking for me? We’ll see each other at the central hall anyway.”

Imitating Karbaldr’s manner of speaking, I subtly hinted, “I want to keep my distance from you two.”

But neither character caught my drift.

They only responded to the surface meaning.

“Of course, we came because we wanted to see you as soon as possible, Karbaldr-nim! On the way to the central hall, we’d like to catch up and chat.”

“I, uh… as you know, I feel awkward going into places like that alone…”

Sly Tridric was a total sycophant, while big Liolikin was timid to the extreme, despite his looks.

Their personalities and appearances couldn’t be more different.

“Tsk.”

Not wanting to talk to them, I clicked my tongue, showing my displeasure.

Even after I left the room and locked the door, my attitude didn’t change.

Without even saying “let’s go,” I simply started walking.

The two who had come to see the original body followed a step behind me.

Even though we’re classmates and supposedly close, they acted as if I were their superior.

To others, it must look like I’m leading them around.

‘Reysir not only spoke informally to me when I was in Karbaldr’s body, but even yelled at me…’

***

After being caught up in a demon realm incident, losing his parents, and having his territory confiscated by the imperial family, Reysir had nothing—no family power, no wealth.

Yet, he still spoke down to me.

But these well-born scions are acting subservient by choice—it’s laughable.

‘I mean, who would want to use honorifics with someone who bullies them?’

In that sense, it’s only natural for Reysir to speak informally to this body.

Tridric and Liolikin are probably sucking up because they have something to gain from the original body.

“When did you return to the Academy, Karbaldr-nim?”

“A week ago.”

“That early?! Why didn’t you let us know? I would’ve come sooner.”

‘If I didn’t answer, he’d probably pester me with,’ “Should I guess?” so I replied curtly.

Even though I made it clear I didn’t want to talk, Tridric kept chatting.

‘Did he not notice? He wasn’t supposed to be that oblivious.’

“How did you spend your vacation, Karbaldr-nim?”

“Fine.”

“Ah! Of course, you must’ve been well. That was a weird question. I enjoyed my break too, took it easy for once and finally got my hands on a painting I’d wanted for ages—it’s so beautiful in person…!”

Turns out he just wanted to brag about a lot of things.

The original never showed how Karbaldr interacted with his underlings day-to-day.

So I didn’t know, but this Tridric character really talks a lot about nothing.

It’s the kind of chatter friends might exchange, but…

Are the original body and Tridric even friends? I’m not sure.

‘He believes me when I say I was fine, and then happily brags about his own vacation, even though I look like hell?’

Let me say again: I have dark circles under my eyes right now.

Anyone could tell I didn’t have a good break, yet he glosses right over it?

At this point, I’m not sure if Tridric actually said, “Of course, you must’ve been well,” or if he really said, “Of course, you must’ve had a hard time,” and I just misheard.

“Liolikin, what did you do over the break?”

“Huh? Oh, I…”

“Never mind, you don’t need to say. I can guess. With those ridiculously big muscles, you must’ve spent all your time working out. Why not try hunting like me, to gain some real combat experience?”

Since I didn’t respond to his own story, Tridric turned to Liolikin.

But he didn’t even wait for an answer before going back to talking about himself.

And the way he put down the other person while lifting himself up—what a personality.

‘With an attitude like that, no wonder he was able to be Karbaldr’s henchman and bully the protagonist.’

If Tridric’s character and this way of speaking had been fully shown in the original, I bet he’d have gotten more hate than Karbaldr.

‘Maybe Tridric, like Karbaldr, has family issues?’

‘And how can Liolikin hang around with someone who constantly belittles him?’

That thought crossed my mind for a second, but I didn’t care much.

All I wanted now was to figure out how to cut off the original body’s lackeys.

So, pondering that, I walked on, and before I knew it, I’d arrived at the central hall where the start-of-term party was being held.