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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: TushChen
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The reason for meeting Livia early was likely because an event in the original work didn’t occur.
According to the original development, I should have been attacked by Cluak in the Iserk Forest.
However, there was no way Cluak, already dead, could attack me, so the carriage ran through the forest without interruption.
At this point, the timeline of events must have gotten twisted.
‘Come to think of it, there was a setting where Livia traveled alone when coming to the academy. Was there an incident like this too?’
It was questionable how Livia, who had been crushed under magical beasts at this point, could safely arrive at the academy.
After vomiting what was inside once, Livia seemed to have exhausted her last bit of strength and fainted as if collapsing.
Honestly, it was fortunate that she lost consciousness.
‘I don’t want to face her here!’
When our eyes met earlier, it felt like a knife made of ice had slashed across my spine.
That’s how much I was wary of Livia.
Livia is like the incarnation of love.
To the extent that, blinded by her love for the protagonist, she would “assassinate” anyone who even slightly harmed the protagonist.
So, the achievement related to Livia that could be confirmed in the system’s achievement window was this:
It was to keep the characters Livia secretly killed in the novel alive due to her obsession with the protagonist.
So, I have been making thorough plans until now.
Isn’t there the most straightforward solution?
‘Make it so she doesn’t become obsessed with me.’
I had set a policy to never get involved with Livia, no matter what happens in the future.
Let’s pretend Livia doesn’t exist.
If we don’t get entangled, there will be no reason for Livia to become obsessed with me, and consequently, no one will die.
However, despite my determination, I met Livia very early on.
Moreover, the knights were walking towards me while carrying the unconscious Livia in their arms.
“Will she be okay?”
Nias worriedly tugged at the hem of my clothes.
“I don’t know.”
“I hope she’s safe. She seems like a really beautiful person!”
Nias moved her feet up and down.
Yeah.
She’s pretty.
Of course, she is.
Unfortunately, her inside is scarier than anyone else.
“What should we do with this girl? Fortunately, she doesn’t seem to have any major injuries, but she appears to be in a state of exhaustion.”
The knights asked me while carrying Livia.
I pondered momentarily, then decided to stick to my original policy.
Since we’ve already encountered each other, let’s treat it like we never met here.
“Just leave her somewhere nearby.”
At my blunt words that spilled out without hesitation, the eyes of the knight, coachman, other servants, and finally, Nias widened in shock.
“Leave… did you say leave her?”
It was a voice filled with astonishment.
“But to leave such a delicate girl like this… You mean to just leave her by the roadside and go?”
A delicate girl?
I looked at Livia, who was soaked in blood, with fear.
“Just leave her and go. No, leave her as far away from this point as possible.”
I spoke even more firmly.
It would be better to leave her far away so she can’t even follow us.
“B-but Young Master. Then she might get attacked by magical beasts again.”
Nias also looked at me with startled eyes and tugged at the hem of my clothes.
“What?”
“I feel sorry for her. Alone in a place like this…”
Not only that but the knights and soldiers who were watching this situation started whispering among themselves.
The sensory expansion is a unique ability that I bought for 10000 pts.
Due to my vision or hearing becoming sensitive when I focus on a target, I could hear them muttering softly.
“I heard he was vicious… and not only leaving her, but saying to leave her as far away as possible is too much.”
“They say he treats his exclusive maid so harshly. His personality is already…”
“Even if he just helped this pitiful girl a little, it would be fine. They say his abilities are tremendous. He could do it easily with magic.”
“With that kind of character… a hero candidate?”
I considered punishing the guy who said the last remark, but I gave up.
Naturally, there was no way they would say good things about me due to my lousy reputation that had worsened from tormenting Nias.
“You’re not doing it?”
I tilted my head as if displeased.
And I spoke while pushing up one eyebrow.
“Yes… I… understand.”
The knight gave Livia a sympathetic look and tried to step back with an expression showing it was hard to accept.
At that moment, blood gushed out of Livia’s mouth.
At first, I thought it was the blood of the magical beasts, but there was no way.
It was Livia’s own blood.
“…? Wait!”
Startled, I stopped the retreating knight and jumped out of the carriage.
I placed my hand on Livia’s head and checked the mana inside.
The original mana remaining in Livia’s body and the new mana being absorbed into her body were repelling each other, causing damage to her organs.
It was a typical state of mana collision.
If left alone, she would lose her life.
‘Could it be that she directly crawled under the magical beasts?’
That would explain it.
Livia, running low on mana, must have thought of restoring her mana with the blood of magical beasts abundantly rich in mana.
Accepting the mana of magical beasts is a way to quickly recover mana.
However, suppose the mana entering the body is not adequately refined.
In that case, the two types of mana cannot mix properly and become dangerous.
Livia must have been calmly absorbing mana while underneath, but the knights forcibly pulled her out.
“Put her down on the ground.”
“Pardon?”
“Hurry!”
When I shouted angrily, the knight hurriedly laid Livia on the ground.
I couldn’t let Livia die like this.
Even if I didn’t keep Livia by my side, Livia had to live.
The word party definitely referred to the original hero party members in the novel.
As long as this achievement existed, I couldn’t let Livia die.
Simply for the sake of my lasting peace!
“For now, no one should touch me.”
I warned threateningly and placed my hand on Livia’s abdomen.
I planned to finely control Livia’s mana from the center of her body.
First, I sent my mana throughout Livia’s body.
Then, I engulfed the magical beasts’ mana, colliding with Livia’s original mana with my mana.
Being careful not to make Livia’s mana repel, absorbing the magical beasts’ mana was a delicate task that made all the nerves in my body stand on end.
“Urgh…”
However, I finally did it.
Fortunately, I had a similar experience when I saved Elena from the curse before.
I slowly and gradually dissolved this absorbed mana into Livia’s mana.
If I made even a tiny mistake, the mana could instantly repel each other, and Livia could die.
I had to be careful.
Like a mother bird feeding her baby bird.
Little by little.
Little by little.
I only flowed mana to the extent that Livia could digest.
At that moment, something hot came up my esophagus.
Gulp.
Along with the pain of my insides twisting, I tasted blood in my mouth.
After doing fine control of mana for a long time, it seemed that my body had also been strained.
Even while tasting the blood lingering in my mouth, I didn’t lose focus.
A single moment.
If I let my guard down, even for that one moment, Livia would die.
And the moment Livia died, the mana would backflow, and there was a possibility that I would also die.
I continued focusing to the point where I couldn’t tell if 10 minutes had passed, 30 minutes had passed, or even longer.
The smell of blood in my mouth grew stronger.
During that time, only Livia filled my vision.
As the mana was absorbed, the blood flowing from Livia’s mouth began to decrease.
Her complexion became relaxed, and Livia’s breathing stabilized.
“Phew.”
Only after everything was over could I finally let out a long sigh.
“It’s done.”
There was no longer any impure mana of magical beasts left in Livia’s body.
It was in a state where every last drop had been absorbed by Livia.
Livia, who had been on the verge of life and death, survived.
As I came to my senses, I began to hear the sounds around me.
“What did the Young Master do just now…?”
“Is he alright?”
“That girl, her complexion seems to have improved?”
The knights and servants, not well-versed in magic, still seemed unaware of what I had done.
Anyway, if my notoriety would be maintained, it would be better if they didn’t know I had saved Livia.
“Young Master. Your blood…”
Nias, who had been sticking close to my side the whole time, sniffled and wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth with the handkerchief she was holding.
Judging by her pale face, she must have been so worried during that time, which seemed to have been about 10 minutes.
Nias believed in me and didn’t touch me during that time.
I tried to pat Nias’ head without realizing it, but I hesitated.
There were too many people’s gazes here.
“It’s fine. It’s unnecessary.”
I sharply brushed off Nias’ hand.
And as I got up from my spot, I pointed to Livia, who was still unconscious, and said,
“Now get rid of this girl.”
Since I had saved Livia anyway, I had to quickly run away before she saw me.
Then, we would still be in a relationship without a proper conversation, so the plan would be safe.
“Get rid of her? At least until we reach a safe place…”
The knight questioned the order and tried to refute it.
This person doesn’t know how to read the room.
“I’ll say it one more time. Get rid of her.”
And just as I was about to turn my body, a clear voice rang out.
“Get rid of me?”
A truly untimely cold wind blew eerily.
As I slowly turned my head, a beautiful girl with sky-blue eyes widened like a clear mirror fully reflected me in her pupils.
She regained consciousness sooner than I thought…
Livia slowly lifted her upper body.
Realizing her dirtied body, Livia grasped the surrounding scenery and her own body, then opened her mouth.
“Someone else’s mana…? It’s so naturally merged.”
Livia tilted her head with an expression of incomprehension.
The girl slowly raised her eyes and stared at me.
“Could it be that you purified the magical beasts’ mana and saved me? It must have been a difficult task that required risking your life.”
Livia spoke with her eyes sparkling.
I tried to say something as an excuse, but she had already confirmed that I had saved her.
Since the traces of mana had not yet disappeared, it wouldn’t have been challenging to identify the owner.
“No, you’re misunderstanding me…”
“And humble too!”
Livia got up from her spot and walked over to me.
Livia approaching me while blood was dripping from her body honestly reminded me of the scene where Livia went to kill the other heroines after tying up the protagonist.
However, what actually came out of Livia’s mouth was a bright voice.
“I don’t know who you are, but thank you so much! You saved my life! My gosh, I really thought I was going to die earlier!”
Contrary to her neat impression, Livia had a lively and mischievous personality, which was her outward personality.
She grabbed my hand and shook it vigorously.
Nias let out a surprised “Ah!” beside me, but that cry was immediately buried by Livia’s voice.
“What’s your name?”
“No, wait…”
Due to Livia getting close without any sense of distance, I took a step back.
However, Livia casually followed me that distance again and said,
“Ah, right. I should say my name first. I’m Livia!”
‘Could it be…!’
I had a sense of déjà vu.
Wasn’t Livia’s first line of dialogue in the original work after her self-introduction?
The moment that line comes out, my plan will be ruined.
“I get it. I don’t want to say my name…”
I hurriedly tried to shake off Livia’s hand and run away.
Because I thought running away was the way to survive.
However, Livia grabbed my hand even tighter and clung to me instead.
“Huh? Why, why are you running away?! Ah! It must be because of the blood. You should have said so!”
As Livia used magic, a gentle wind blew.
Her sky-blue hair, soaked in blood, fluttered in the wind.
“Ackoo. Ackoo.”
Without fail, I heard Nias coughing.
In the meantime, the blood that had been soaking Livia’s body disappeared, and Livia transformed into a clean appearance.
The girl, now clean, looked indeed much more beautiful.
As the blood clinging to her body was removed and her neat appearance reminiscent of forget-me-nots was revealed, exclamations burst out from those around us.
Whether they did or not, I was exceedingly anxious.
“Oh, the emblem on the carriage. Deinhart?! Then could it be Leonhart Deinhart who is on his way to Ellinsia Academy… Wow! I…”
At that moment, I recalled the line from the novel.
These are the words the protagonist in the original work hears when he first meets Livia.
‘I’m a fan!’
“I’m a fan! I heard that you already have tremendous magic skills at a similar age to me! Then you’re not only my life savior but also my magic senior! I was also chosen by a lower-rank star and am on my way to the academy!”
Livia grabbed my hand even tighter and gave a sweet-eyed smile.
*Ding!*
A blush rose on Livia’s face.
Wait, please! Stop running off on your own!
However, contrary to my screaming, Livia was like a bulldozer with no intention of stopping at all.
“Thank you. My life savior. I’ll never forget it for the rest of my life.”
This line comes out when the protagonist in the original work first saves Livia.
*Ding!*
It would be fortunate if it stopped here.
However…
“Since you saved my life, can I ask one more favor?”
“No, you can’t.”
I quickly shook my head.
However, Livia smiled as if saying, “Oh, don’t be like that,” and continued.
“Can you be my first friend?”
It’s a line when Livia develops a strong liking for the protagonist.
After living a life of cold training and orders in the Assassins Guild, Livia ignores her father’s orders for the first time and runs away to the academy.
Through the numerous socialization training she has received, Livia could naturally blend into the academy.
A bright smile, kind attitude, sociable conversation.
Those things weren’t tricky for Livia to put on.
However, Livia could never feel like she was genuinely exchanging hearts with someone.
Because everything felt like an act.
This is a line uttered by Livia, who keeps her heart tightly closed behind a bright expression when she opens up to the protagonist who saved her life.
And now, it flowed smoothly from Livia’s mouth.
This line came out much later in the novel’s progression.
Before even going to the academy!
“No. I’m the type who doesn’t make friends.”
What does it mean to be the type who doesn’t make friends?
Even though I thought it was absurd, but for now, I made an excuse like this.
However, it seemed Livia took it quite differently.
“How lonely… Yet how cool. That’s right. Friends from the beginning might be too much. I’m not disappointed though!”
I managed to overcome the first crisis for now.
At least she isn’t calling me senior either, so that’s good news.
However, the next moment, the decisive line that determined how Livia would address the protagonist mercilessly flew in.
“Then, since you’re my magic senior, can I call you senior?”
I closed my eyes.
This girl has no intention of stopping.
“No, we’re probably the same grade, so senior is…”
“Senior!”
Even though I didn’t answer, Livia just said it.
*Ding!*
I belatedly acknowledged it.
I should have avoided getting involved from the beginning; once involved, it was already too late.
“That girl seemed to be a mage? The young lord saved her.”
“As expected, no matter what is said, you have the qualities of a hero.”
“Your words may be harsh, but your actions are virtuous. The qualities of a hero cannot be hidden.”
“When you were coughing up blood earlier, I was worried… To risk your life for a stranger you met for the first time!”
Applause burst out from those around me who had realized what I had done a bit late.
I felt their favorability towards me skyrocket in an instant.
Their eyes, which had been in shock when I told them to get rid of her, changed to warmth.
The only ones who couldn’t smile at this moment were me, who was in a severe situation.
And Nias, who was flustered seeing me holding hands with Livia.
“Please take care of me at the academy too! Senior!”
Livia tightly held my hand and looked up at me with sky-blue eyes filled with mischief.
Then she slightly tilted her head and gave me an eye smile.
Lovably to anyone who saw it, yet only I knew the despair it brings.
My most perfect plan of ‘not getting involved’ went belly up at this moment.
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im guessing she has purple hair?