After Frosita left, I didn’t linger. Staying there any longer would have been pointless—and dangerous.
I stepped out into the dimly lit corridors of the Frost estate, my mind still reeling from our conversation. Something wasn’t right. This world was deviating from the novel’s plot in ways I couldn’t predict.
Damn it. Someone is pulling the strings behind the scenes.
System, why isn’t this world following the novel’s plot?
[The information the host seeks is beyond the system’s limits.]
...So I can’t rely entirely on my prior knowledge. I’ll have to be more cautious.
But now’s not the time for this. I need some sleep.
As I entered my room, I was startled to find another person fast asleep in the bed next to mine.
He was a tall boy with yellow hair, his face marred by signs of extreme exhaustion.
I scrutinized his features for a moment before recognition struck me.
A prodigy in swordsmanship, destined to become one of the world’s top twenty knights. In the original novel, he was one of Sylvina Rainar’s supporting characters.
But... Why is he here?
There was never any mention of him growing up in the Frost family.
Judging by his fatigue, he must be undergoing rigorous training.
This could work to my advantage... I could use him to gain access to the knights’ training sessions. Follow current novels on novel fire.net
In The Following Morning
I awoke to the sound of movement beside me.
Ian was already up, preparing to leave for training.
I smiled and stepped toward him, saying casually,
"Hey, Ian! Why don’t you take me with you to train?"
He gave me a puzzled look before responding with a smirk,
"Haven’t I told you hundreds of times to come with me? You always refused, saying running was for fools."
...Damn it. Looks like my previous self was a lazy bum.
Recovering quickly, I put on a confident smile.
"My perspective has completely changed after seeing you."
Ian let out a chuckle.
"Let me guess—you’ve been inspired by the noble knights?"
His cheeks flushed slightly before he added hesitantly,
"Alright, I’ll ask my sister to put in a word for you."
Damn it! My tongue slipped!
Ian narrowed his eyes on me.
"What’s wrong with you, bastard? You were flirting with my sister Luna just the other day—until she knocked you out cold."
"She’s a skilled knight, and even the instructor respects her a lot," he continued.
Then, fixing me with a serious gaze, he added,
"You’ve been acting weird lately, Lin... Are you sure you’re not possessed?"
"Hey, you brat! Stop talking nonsense!"
"Well then, I won’t ask my sister to help you."
"...I apologize, noble knight Ian."
"That’s more like it."
Damn it. I’m groveling before an eight-year-old.
But it doesn’t matter. At least I’ll get into the training.
Sure enough, after Luna put in a good word for me, the instructor allowed me to join.
We arrived at the training field.
Before I could even grab a practice sword, a system notification popped up.
[Side Mission Activated: "The Heroic Moment No One Expected"!]
Mission: Participate in knight training and prove your worth through a dramatic act of heroism!
Description: During the training, you will find yourself in a situation that demands swift action to save a noble lady. Demonstrate courage, embrace the consequences, and become the talk of the town!
Objective: Intercept an attack meant for a young noblewoman, then collapse dramatically in her arms.
Reward: The skill "Cunning Instinct" and 50 points!
Penalty: "You will become a love interest by accident!"
According to noble etiquette, collapsing into a lady’s arms isn’t just foolish—it’s an outright insult. It would be seen as a deliberate humiliation of a noblewoman in public.
And the worst part? Such an insult is not easily forgiven. Sometimes, the simplest solution is execution.
"Damn you, system! Are you trying to get me killed?!"
[The system exists solely to ensure the host has the best possible experience.]
"The best experience my ass! Are you trying to turn me into a clumsy shoujo protagonist?!"
[Please complete the mission to proceed.]
Just then, as if fate itself conspired against me, a silver-haired girl slipped during training. At the same moment, a wooden sword flew from a trainee’s hands, hurtling straight toward her.
Everyone froze, paralyzed by shock. No one moved to save her.
It was the perfect setup for a cliché heroic moment...
But I wasn’t falling for it.
I sprinted forward, but instead of throwing myself in front of her, I grabbed another person who happened to be passing by—and yanked them into the path of danger.
The poor soul crashed into the girl, knocking her aside just in time to avoid the incoming sword.
However, he ended up sprawled awkwardly on top of her.
For a moment, silence hung over the training grounds.
Then, the girl’s face turned crimson—not from embarrassment, but sheer rage.
[Warning! Mission failure was avoided in an... unconventional manner!]
She sprang up and smacked the unfortunate victim across the face as the spectators burst into laughter.
Meanwhile, I slipped away, feigning innocence.
[Mission complete... though not as expected. Reward recalculated.]
New Reward: "Silver Tongue" Skill and 50 points.
A sly grin tugged at my lips.
Now this is how you complete missions—not through ridiculous shoujo tropes.
"You... you bastard!!"
I turned to see the girl I had saved storming toward me, fury blazing in her eyes.
"How dare you do that to me?!"
I studied her more closely.
With silver hair and striking blue eyes, her features seemed oddly familiar...
Wasn’t this Chloe Frost?!
Damn it. I haven’t even dealt with Frosita yet, and now this?!
Chloe Frost stood before me, her gaze burning with indignation.
It was clear that she wasn’t the forgiving type.
"You... you lowly wretch. How dare you disgrace me like that?"
Raising my hands in a placating gesture, I spoke in a calm tone.
"Please, Lady Chloe, it was an accident! I merely sought to protect you from the flying sword."
She narrowed her eyes.
"An accident? You made a mockery of me in front of everyone!"
Placing a hand over my chest, I let out a theatrical sigh.
"I take full responsibility. If you wish to reclaim your honor, you may dictate any punishment you deem fit."
She scrutinized me for a moment before her lips curled into a cold smile.
"Very well... You shall serve as my personal attendant for an entire week."
[Warning! Probability of entering a shoujo romance route: 80%!]
Hell no! I won’t let this happen!
Instead of outright refusal, I needed to maneuver my way out of this with tact.
Straightening my posture, I placed a hand over my chest in a formal bow.
"Lady Chloe, I am deeply honored by your offer to atone for my mistake, but unfortunately... I cannot accept such a prestigious role."
Feigning regret, I let out a solemn sigh.
"As you know, I am merely a humble servant of House Frost. My duties prevent me from pledging personal service to anyone other than Lady Frosita. Were I to serve another noble while still in Frost attire, it could be perceived as an insult to the family."
Doubt flickered across her features, though she didn’t seem entirely convinced.
Time for the finishing blow.
"Moreover, if I were to become your attendant, I would be at your side at all times... Surely, you can see how that might spark unwanted rumors? It would be quite disastrous if whispers spread about Lady Chloe Frost keeping a handsome young man at her beck and—"
A swift kick nearly shattered my ribs, but I managed to dodge just in time.
"Shut up!" she snapped, fists clenched.
But I pressed on, undeterred.
And just like that, I survived another shoujo pitfall.