Damn it… what kind of relationship did this body have with that girl?

 

No matter. I survived by a miracle, and that’s what matters now.

 

I have to make good use of this tournament. It’s my chance to get into the library—that’s my true goal here.

 

But before that, there’s a far more pressing problem…

 

My stats are abysmally low.

 

Since my blessing hasn’t activated yet, I’m at a complete disadvantage.

 

I need to raise my abilities by any means necessary.

 

Time to put those books I copied from Frossetta’s chamber to good use.

 

 

—

 

Brutal Training

 

After eating with Camellia and her mother, I went straight to the courtyard to begin a month of hell… I mean, training.

 

I had to adjust to the darkness and study Frossetta’s books, but the worst part wasn’t either of those.

 

No. The worst part… was training with that damn gorilla.

 

She made me run five thousand laps in an hour and a half.

 

Then came push-ups—while she sat on top of me. As if her monstrous weight wasn’t enough to crush my bones to dust!

 

After that, it was endless sword swings—four hours straight.

 

And finally, direct combat against her.

 

> “Damn it! Ten swords shattered over my head every single day!”

 

 

 

> “How can someone treat a thirteen-year-old like this?!”

 

 

 

Just wait, you damn gorilla… I’ll get stronger, and one day I’ll kick your ass!

 

Luckily, Frosita and her mother left the capital for a month, sparing me from extra torment. And my training schedule was different from Luna’s, so I didn’t cross paths with her much during this period.

 

But in the end… I managed to master forming a mana shield, after an excruciating struggle.

 

Once I succeeded, I could finally dodge the gorilla’s attacks with ease, which only forced her to up her game even more…

 

Still, after a full month of torment, I finally knocked her down—just two days before the tournament!

 

She looked up at me then, wearing a strange smile, and said:

 

> “Well done, Lin… You’re the most skilled swordsman I’ve ever seen. It feels like you’ve fought for thousands of years.”

 

 

 

And then she added, her tone suddenly sad:

 

> “I’m sorry if I was too harsh on you. I just don’t want anyone to die in battle. You don’t know what it feels like to lose someone you love…”

 

 

 

…

 

Inwardly, I thought: What the hell are you talking about? You nearly killed me!

 

Don’t think I’m going to forgive you that easily!

 

But I decided to let it go—for now. There was something far more important to focus on.

 

> “Show me my stats, damn system.”

 

 

 

 

—

 

[ Stats ]

Name: Lin Darkel Noctarien

Clan: Noctarien (Partially Sealed)

Age: 13

Level: 25 → 50

Strength: 200 → 500

Agility: 180 → 400

Endurance: 120 → 250

Mana: 350 → 700

Blessing: Not activated

 

—

 

[ Acquired Skills ]

 

Mana Gluttony (C): Absorbs mana at an accelerated rate.

 

Darkness Adaptation (C): Increases all stats by 50% in darkness.

 

Silver Tongue (F): Low-tier ability to deceive people through words.

 

Combat Sovereignty (C): Complete control over the battle for 60 seconds.

 

 

—

 

> “…Wait. Combat Sovereignty increased from 10 seconds to 60?!”

 

 

 

> “Well, at least there’s something positive.”

 

 

 

Now, only one thing remains… I have to win this tournament and get into that library.

 

 

—

 

Frost Royal Arena – The Day Has Come

 

A cold mist blanketed the area, and the wind howled across the stone arena, scattering flecks of snow like shattered glass beneath a pale, warmthless sun.

 

Crowds gathered on the icy stands. Faces hidden beneath thick cloaks. Eyes glimmering with hunger—for glory, for blood.

 

From the common folk to the nobility of the Frost bloodline… everyone was here. Everyone waiting for the slaughter to begin.

 

Above them, the white banners of the Frost clan fluttered, bearing the crest of the ice tiger—its claws dug into frozen earth, its eyes glowing with ancient menace.

 

But the banners didn’t move because of the wind… they pulsed, as if they breathed the very spirit of war.

 

In the heart of it all stood the battlefield.

 

Its floor wasn’t dirt or stone but a fusion of compressed ice and black rock, polished like cold steel, reflecting the faint sunlight like a sword raised for execution.

 

At its edges, pillars of clear ice stood tall, engraved with the names and titles of Frost warriors—those who fell, those who triumphed, those who died smiling.

 

All of them now part of this frozen legend.

 

Between the pillars, statues of ancient heroes. Their crystal eyes gleamed, watching those who awaited their turn in this sacred execution ground.

 

But amidst the frozen beauty… something was colder than the ice itself.

 

The eyes.

 

The eyes of the spectators. The judges. And Frosita.

 

They stared at me as if I were prey, ablaze on a frozen altar.

 

A chill ran down my spine. My limbs went numb. Then a soft voice broke through my thoughts:

 

> “If you win first place…”

 

 

 

Luna turned toward me, stepping close until I could feel her cold breath on my ear.

 

> “…I’ll accept your love.”

 

 

 

> “…What?!”

 

 

 

My mind went blank.

 

Like I’d plunged into a bottomless abyss.

 

That bastard—the previous host—he was flirting with Luna?! What does that have to do with me?!

 

Damn it… If Frosita sees this…!

 

Why now? Why is this happening now?!

 

An acute sense of danger surged within me. Sharp. Immediate. Suffocating.

 

I slowly turned my head…

 

Frossetta was staring at me. Her glacial gaze was a storm about to explode. Like a wife catching her husband… in the act.

 

> “…Shit.”

 

 

 

Suddenly, a notification flashed before me—glowing as if the system itself was mocking me.

 

 

—

 

[ Shoujo Mission Detected! ]

 

Mission: Knight of Love!

Objective: Win the tournament for Luna and flirt with her like a gallant knight!

Reward: 300 points

Penalty: Lose all your points and become an emotionally sensitive fool!

 

 

—

 

> “…What?!”

 

 

 

The ground beneath my feet seemed to collapse.

 

If I lose? I lose all my points.

If I win? I have to flirt with Luna… in front of Frosita

.

 

Where the hell is the reward in this nightmare?!

 

I glanced at Frosita from the corner of my eye…

 

She stood frozen, her eyes wide, lips trembling faintly.

 

> “Tch.”

 

 

 

Did her mind just snap?

 

But then she blinked…

 

And that killer glint returned to her eyes.

 

Her voice was quiet, cold as the ice… yet it carried an unmistakable intent to kill.

 

> “Lin… aren’t you forgetting to tell me something?”

 

 

 

Before I could answer, the Matriarch suddenly turned toward her. Her tone was sharp, slicing through the air like a blade.

 

> “My daughter… how does the Frost family deal with unfaithful men?”

 

 

 

A deadly silence followed.

 

The air itself seemed to freeze.

 

The Matriarch spoke again, calm before the storm:

 

> “We have always treated men as tools… used them, replaced them when needed.”

 

 

 

She paused, then looked at all of us, her eyes void of any warmth.

 

> “But there is one exception… betrayal.”

 

 

 

My blood turned to ice as she whispered:

 

> “Just like… Lowen.”

 

 

 

Luna’s eyes widened instantly, as if struck by lightning.

 

Her hand, which had been hanging loosely by her side, trembled violently. Then she clenched it into a fist—her nails digging into her skin until blood began to drip slowly.

 

> “…Father?”

She whispered. Her voice was broken, barely audible.

 

 

 

As for Ian…

 

He said nothing.

 

But he stared at the ground, his head bowed, his hair casting shadows that concealed his face.

 

Until his hand tightened behind his back, his wrist trembling ever so slightly.

 

I heard the sound of bones hardening, and the air around him grew colder. A cold that didn’t come from this place… but from within him.

 

When he finally lifted his head, his eyes were empty.

 

> “Lowen… betrayed my sister.”

 

 

 

The Matriarch’s words shattered something sacred.

 

> “And from the womb of that betrayal… you two were born.”

 

 

 

Luna gasped, barely breathing in what felt like a sea of ice.

 

Ian closed his eyes for a moment. When he opened them, there was no trace of the warmth he once showed when he looked at Luna.

 

Silence.

 

A silence so deep it was as if the universe had stopped moving.

 

Then, in a voice colder than death itself, the Matriarch continued:

 

> “The Frost family never forgets… and never forgives.”

 

 

 

She turned to Frosita, her stare slicing through the air:

 

> “So, if this man betrays you, he is not just a servant… he is a traitor.”

 

 

 

Her next words drilled into my bones:

 

> “And traitors… you know their fate.”

 

 

 

She paused briefly, then smiled—cold and merciless:

 

> “Because the Frost family… allows no one to touch its possessions.”

 

 

 

Her gaze turned to Luna, freezing the very air:

 

> “And any woman who dares… is erased from existence.”

 

 

 

A final verdict. But it wasn’t over.

 

The Matriarch’s voice grew even colder:

 

> “Isn’t this boy… your servant?”

 

 

 

Frosita stiffened for a moment, then muttered:

 

> “That’s right.”

 

 

 

The Matriarch’s smile turned inhuman:

 

> “Then he belongs to you.”

 

 

 

Whispers spread through the crowd—some saw me as a tool, others plotted to break me.

 

Frosita turned her gaze to me. Her smile… was a death sentence.

 

> “Lin, what do you think? Are you my servant?”

 

 

 

> “…Trap.”

 

 

 

Refuse? Rebellion.

Accept? A life sentence.

 

Another notification appeared.

 

 

—

 

[ Dangerous Shoujo Scenario Detected! ]

 

Survival Mode Activated!

 

Choose:

 

Official servant of Frosita (Reward: Stay alive.)

 

Deny the relationship (Penalty: You already know.)

 

 

 

—

 

> “Damn you, system.”

 

 

 

I raised my head slowly, meeting her eyes.

 

> “I am… your servant.”

 

 

 

A suffocating silence fell.

 

Then the Matriarch spoke, her voice leaving no room for argument:

 

> “A servant? Then the responsibility is yours, Frosita.”

 

 

 

Her eyes sharpened like a blade.

 

> “If he betrays you… it’s your weakness.”

 

 

 

But Frosita smiled coldly:

 

> “Don’t worry, dear mother… I’ll handle him myself.”

 

 

 

 

—

 

The judge’s voice rang out, announcing the start of the first round.

 

> “Contestants! To the arena!”

 

 

 

The cheers rose. The battle had begun.

 

But I knew…

 

This was only the beginning.

 

I looked ahead and whispered to myself:

 

> “This family is utterly insane… I need to get out of here.”