The fourth day of the Martial Arts Tournament passed by smoothly, without any particular incidents.
Aside from watching the matches, I didn’t really do anything.
Since both the third and fourth rounds were held on the same day, the participants must’ve had a tough time pacing themselves.
But for me, who had already lost in the second round, it was none of my concern.
‘And it’s not Reysir Daudabina’s concern, either. With skills that utterly overwhelm his peers, whether he faces one or two opponents in a day, it makes no difference to him.’
Indeed, Reysir Daudabina easily scored two victories and secured a ticket to the finals, showing a much more pronounced difference in ability than he did in the original story.
Perhaps seeing Reysir Daudabina’s performance lit a fire of competitiveness in Nidhr?
Nidhr had spent quite a while in the third round, defeating his opponent using only swordsmanship, but in the fourth round, he quickly finished the match by employing his Aether Attribute ability.
In the original, he only used that ability after making it to the finals.
But since he’d already used his Aether Attribute ability in the fight against Liolikin, winning the tournament with just swordsmanship was already out of the question.
He must’ve realized that facing Reysir Daudabina with only swordsmanship would be impossible.
That should be enough information about the tournament’s fourth day.
From here, I’ll begin describing the last day of the tournament, when the much-anticipated finals take place.
“Um, Hailga? Sorry for asking so many questions…”
“Aw, there’s no need to apologize. Ask away. Is there something you’re having trouble understanding?”
“It’s just that… I don’t really get why this part turns out like this…”
Since today was the day of the finals, competition for good seats was fiercer than ever.
So we finished breakfast earlier than usual and arrived at the Stadium ahead of time.
But with finals just around the corner, all the students who arrived early for a good seat were busy poring over their lecture materials or exam guides.
In other words, the Stadium had turned into one giant study hall.
The earlier conversation between Vigdis Shalbrady and Hailga was set against this backdrop.
Liolikin was groaning over his textbook as well, and even Reysir Daudabina, who was about to compete in the finals, joined the study group.
‘Are Yor and I the only exceptions…??
Even if it wasn’t for the exams, there was still plenty to study.
Still, even though I’d finished the basics and moved on to advanced classes—
For a young duke’s son who must have received the best education since childhood, this wasn’t really the kind of content I should be studying at my age.
So instead of borrowing knowledge-enhancing books from the Academy Library, I picked out books that interested me.
In my previous world, they’d have been called ‘web novels.’
‘It’s not like these are the sorts of books a duke’s son would usually read, but Reysir Daudabina already knows I read web novels anyway, right?’
Still, to maintain at least a semblance of character, I did put a book cover on them.
For reference, Yor had chosen a humanities book titled 《The Agony of the Absolute>.
I skimmed through it, but there was so much self-praise and the prose was so overly academic, it just wasn’t my taste.
‘Enough daydreaming. Time to read a novel!
If not now, I won’t have the time to enjoy my hobby for a while.
So with the resolve to finish all three books I borrowed before the matches begin, I focused on reading.
That’s when Hailga suddenly dropped a bomb.
“Come to think of it, Prince Karvald Austri is known for studying quite a bit too, right? Wouldn’t it be better to ask your fiancé for help instead of me?”
Saying that I don’t take the course Vigdis Shalbrady is studying isn’t much of an excuse. Hailga doesn’t take that course either, after all.
Yet Hailga can answer Vigdis Shalbrady’s questions because that lecture only covers basic knowledge.
‘So I probably could help at least a little. But there’s no way I could explain everything as confidently and smoothly as Hailga does, answering every question thrown her way.’
That’s why I pretended not to hear Hailga’s suggestion, acting oblivious. Then, out of nowhere, Reysir Daudabina spoke up.
“Hailga. If it’s because you’re short on time for your own studies, I can help Vigdis Shalbrady with her studying.”
Could it be this novel’s protagonist is developing feelings for Vigdis Shalbrady?
In the original story, it ended with Vigdis Shalbrady’s one-sided crush.
If it’s turning into mutual love this time, how am I supposed to react?
‘…I don’t think I could ever congratulate them. Vigdis Shalbrady is going to die even earlier than in the original, and Reysir Daudabina will suffer even more because of it.’
Even though I promised myself not to get attached, these thoughts weighed heavy and listless on my heart.
But before I could sink deeper into those pessimistic thoughts, a new voice chimed in.
“I really do ask too many questions, don’t I…? I’m sorry for bothering you…”
I’d expected Vigdis Shalbrady to be happy at Reysir Daudabina’s offer, but instead, she looked crestfallen and apologized to Hailga with those words.
“Aaah…, it’s really a misunderstanding. Everyone forgets things if they don’t review, so helping you helps me too!”
“Really?”
“Yeah, really. Besides, there are lots of couples who study and date at the same time, so I thought it’d be good for you and Prince Karvald Austri to do the same…”
Hailga comforted the deflated Vigdis Shalbrady while shooting a sharp glare at Reysir Daudabina.
As if demanding to know why he was butting in.
“You can go on a date later in a different way, right? Let’s just leave Karvald Austri alone to rest.”
“And why should we do that?”
“There’s a reason. The healer said Karvald Austri keeps getting nosebleeds because of mental fatigue. So he shouldn’t do anything that requires brainwork.”
I lowered the book I’d been holding up to my face and stared at Reysir Daudabina. His answer to Hailga’s question was just too absurd.
What was with this overprotectiveness?
Even his childhood friend seemed dumbfounded.
“If that’s your reasoning, shouldn’t you be taking away the book he’s reading now?”
“No, that’s fine. I’ve read that novel before; the sentences are short and the plot’s straightforward, so it’s perfect for clearing your mind and relieving stress.”
As a side note, I never told Reysir Daudabina the title of the book I was reading. He must’ve peeked over my shoulder and figured it out on his own.
Also, it’s not a coincidence I’m reading a book Reysir Daudabina read before.
Back in Chapter 71, he recommended this novel to me, saying it was fun and I should read it sometime.
‘Think about it, dear readers. How could I not read a web novel recommended by the protagonist of a web novel?’
What’s more, this guy loved the novel I wrote.
That means our tastes are pretty similar, so a novel he recommends is guaranteed to be good.
So, at a time like this when even picking out a book leisurely is a luxury, this was the best choice I could make.
“Hmm…, Reysir Daudabina? Are you really offering to help Vigdis Shalbrady with her studies out of concern for Prince Karvald Austri? Or is it because you want the prince to hurry up and finish that novel so you can discuss it with him, and don’t want anyone interrupting his reading?”
“Hahaha, you really do know me, Hailga.”
Honestly, this is getting out of hand. Why does he just assume I’ll discuss the novel with him once I finish?
“Come on… Anyway, there’s no need for Reysir Daudabina to help Vigdis Shalbrady with her studies. I just suggested it because I was worried the prince might get jealous, but he doesn’t seem the jealous type. But if a guy like Reysir Daudabina steps in, things get complicated, don’t they?”
“And after all I’ve taught Vigdis Shalbrady through all our sparring, now you bring this up?”
Teaching someone how to fight head-on and helping them study, sticking right by their side, are totally different things, aren’t they?”
Hailga shook her head and waved her hands dismissively.
It was a clear sign for Reysir Daudabina to mind his own business and let her help Vigdis Shalbrady herself.
Reysir Daudabina sheepishly opened his textbook, and I lifted my own book again to resume reading.
‘Even inside a novel, reading novels is still fun… If that’s true, writing novels should be just as enjoyable.’
If I ever get some free time, I’d like to finish writing the novel I left incomplete before I died.
Now that I know this world really exists, I feel I absolutely have to.
Call it a sense of responsibility.
My own world, my protagonist, my characters—leading them to a happy ending is my role as an author.
“It’s about time I move to the participants’ section. I’ll come back here after the finals, so save my seat for me. Got it?”
After quite some time had passed—
As the general audience started pouring in and the place grew crowded, Reysir Daudabina closed his textbook and stood up, saying the above.
Come to think of it, after finishing his fourth-round match yesterday, Reysir Daudabina had come straight to the general student section where we were, instead of returning to the participants’ area.
He must really dislike being alone with Nidhr.
Not long after Reysir Daudabina left his seat, the host appeared with an Aether microphone.
The host emphasized that today was the final day of the tournament, stirring up a sense of regret in the crowd.
Then, after hyping up the anticipation for the finals—
He announced that today’s first match would be the third-place playoff for the first-year participants.
He went on to say that although these contestants unfortunately didn’t make it to the finals this year, next year’s results could be different.
As the host continued with his commentary, the students who lost to Reysir Daudabina and Nidhr yesterday took the stage.
If it weren’t for those exceptional figures—the protagonist and the original villain—they would have been finalists themselves.
I closed my book, with about ten pages left, and focused on the stage.
Watching the two of them draw out their full potential and clash fiercely had me on the edge of my seat.
For first-years, they put on a spectacular show with impressive skill, earning enthusiastic applause from the audience.
When the applause died down, the host grabbed the Aether microphone again.
“Now~! Up next is the showdown between Nidhr Gramod and Reysir Daudabina! I knew from the very first day of the tournament these two would face off in the finals! I’m sure many of you predicted their advancement too, since they’ve both displayed such outstanding talent!”
After a rather long-winded introduction, the host started talking about the abilities of the two finalists.
For Nidhr, he mentioned his solid swordsmanship and how he used his earth attribute Aether abilities at just the right moments.
But for Reysir Daudabina, he only spoke about his flashy and powerful thunder abilities.
‘Come on. Reysir Daudabina’s spear skills are far superior to Nidhr’s swordsmanship, so why act like he made it to the finals on his thunder ability alone?’
I frowned, doubting the host’s qualifications.