Consciousness returns.
The first thing I feel is something warm and comforting that wraps around my entire body, something mysterious and unfamiliar.
Just as I get the sense that this feeling is oddly familiar, a dull sound suddenly rings out.
Thud!
“Kyle! Have you forgotten what day it is!? You’re taking a nap on a day like today!”
“Ugh….”
With a groan, I struggle to wake up.
Then, the first thing that catches my eye is the familiar scenery of my room.
No, to be precise, it’s slightly different.
There are childish decorations around, as if it were the room I used when I was young, and the creaky door, which was old, has been neatly fixed.
“What’s with that rotten look in your eyes? Anyone would think you’re just resurrected from the dead!”
…..
But what really confused me wasn’t just the awkwardness of the room.
In fact, that was nothing.
What caught my attention wasn’t the room’s scenery at all, but the man standing before me, looking down at me with a condescending gaze, speaking in an arrogant tone, as if treating me like an inferior.
It was none other than Hasell Lyard, my only brother.
However, it took me quite some time to recognize him as my brother, Hasell.
It wasn’t because I had naturally erased his existence from my mind, as he had always looked down on me and treated me harshly.
The reason was that, for some strange reason, his face seemed to have regressed by about 10 years, looking much younger than I remembered.
He was also quite short. Still, since he had always been exceptionally tall since childhood, his height didn’t cause much of a discrepancy.
“Not answering? What do you think of your brother, who is like the sky, Kyle!”
That annoying tone surely belongs to Hasell, but what happened to him?
I can’t keep up with the sudden changes in my consciousness.
Wasn’t I supposed to have died with Sylvia in his hands?
Or does this mean I have to face that beggar-like face even in hell after I fall?
I don’t know who sent me here, but I must admit, they had a good mind.
It’s certainly more terrifying to live facing that face than to fall into hellfire.
No, let’s stop joking now.
But what exactly is going on? Did I somehow go back in time?
“…I’m sorry for the disturbance, brother. I must have taken some time to regain my senses after tossing and turning all night.”
“Did you age a decade in the meantime? Your tone has changed to that of an old man.”
“Ah, well….
I don’t want to hear it from someone who’s been using such an arrogant tone since the age of thirteen, trying to show off as the next heir.
It’s true, though.
How far back I’ve gone in time, I’ll have to figure out slowly, but for now, it’s best to speak more casually.”
“I’m sorry. I tried to imitate you, brother, and…”
“Tch, just because you imitate my tone doesn’t mean you’ll end up like me. You’re such a fool.”
This blatant degradation wasn’t anything new, so I didn’t really mind it and let it go.
What mattered more to me now wasn’t him.
If I’ve really gone back in time, what happened to Sylvia?
If everything has returned to the way it was, she should definitely still be alive.
I have no way of knowing for now, so I’ll have to find out by questioning people around me.
Still, the faint hope that she might be alive is making my heart flutter.
I don’t even know how long it’s been since I’ve felt such pure joy and excitement.
“Anyway, stop being sluggish and get out of here. You haven’t forgotten what day it is, have you?”
“What… what day are you talking about?”
As I momentarily lost myself in thoughts of Sylvia, Hasell clicked his tongue and turned his back.
Apparently, there was something special going on today, since Hasell himself came all the way to my room.
It’s certainly not something warm like a family trip.
If that were true, he wouldn’t have woken me up to take me.
It must be something good. I could just say I was asleep and they went without me.
Tap.
To check today’s schedule, I looked at the calendar on the desk.
The number 317 of the Empire’s era caught my eye.
That means, I must be around fifteen years old.
…Wait, fifteen?
“My father has called many people, so important guests will be coming soon. Today is the day that I will publicly confirm my position as the next heir.”
I stared blankly at his back as he walked out of the room, raising his nose.
I see.
So today is the day.
The day I became the failure of the Lyard family and was ridiculed in the noble circles, the most shameful day of my life.
It was the day of my first official duel with Hasell.
It was the biggest turning point in my life—or maybe “turning point” is even an awkward expression to use.
To put it plainly, there were two times in my life when I felt most ashamed and wished I were dead.
The first was when I was thirteen and had a light duel with Hasell.
That day, I was utterly defeated.
Of course, it wasn’t a real battle where we fought for our lives. It was just a sparring match where we wielded wooden swords, but the result was nothing short of tragic.
I, having failed to even land a hit on my older brother, who was only one year older than me, ended up hiding in the corner of the dueling grounds, wiping away my tears.
My father, who had long known that I had no talent for the sword, must have been deeply disappointed that day. Since then, I became known as the “failed child” within the family.
Up until that point, though, I could still bear it.
Despite his constant criticism, my father still spoke to me, and the rest of the household treated me the same way.
However, after I squandered my second chance, I became a mere nonentity in the family.
At some point, my portion of food stopped appearing on the table, and I had to ask the cook in the kitchen for meals, only to receive them after a long delay.
The second event that marked my downfall happened today, or rather, about seven years ago from the day I died, during my first public duel.
“You must be very nervous, young master.”
“Not really. I don’t feel anything.”
While changing into comfortable clothes for the duel, the servant beside me spoke gently, as if trying to understand my feelings.
For some reason, he was making a big deal out of something as simple as a duel. His words seemed to explain it for me.
In the Lyard family, when choosing the next head of the family, they gather outsiders and hold a public duel, which is practically a life-and-death battle.
The one who wins is then chosen as the next heir.
It’s a simple process, and one that fits the Lyard family, which is known for its strength in martial arts. Only strength can prove everything.
And, as expected, I was publicly humiliated again in the duel, losing to Hasell in a manner even more pitiful than before.
That must have been when I earned the title of the “failure of the Lyard family.”
In truth, I had expected this outcome from the beginning.
The reason my father hurried to hold this event so soon, even though it’s typically held just before someone becomes of age, was clear even to a child like me.
He wanted to brand me as useless to the family.
He wanted to say that the only person who was needed in the family was Hasell, and that I should know my place.
And this public duel was the best stage for him to do that.
“I’ll take care of it, so wait outside.”
“Yes, young master.”
As I reminisced about the past for a moment, I sent the servant away, who was about to take my wooden sword for me.
Once the watchful eyes were gone, I cautiously extended my now smaller hand and began to channel my magic.
Zing.
“…As expected.”
Just as I felt when I first regained consciousness, there was something different about the flow of magic within me. It seems that this body can now use magic normally, just like I could before I died.
But that’s not all.
Originally, I had learned magic through a grimoire from that robed figure, using an unorthodox method that was close to demonic magic.
As a result, the only magic I could use was black magic, which I could only use when no one was around.
However, now, the magic I wield is a clear, white magic, unlike before.
This means I can now use regular white magic as well.
“Alf.”
“Yes, young master.”
After making up my mind, I forcefully gripped the magic in my hand and made it vanish, then I quietly called the servant who was standing outside.
I had lost all interest in this family.
I no longer cared about becoming the head of the family, nor did I expect anyone in the family to look up to me.
I was used to the pointing fingers of others, so if I were to simply forfeit and lie down in bed, I wouldn’t feel any regret.
But then, a conversation I once had with Sylvia came to mind, and I couldn’t just give up so easily.
It’s truly a pity. No one appreciates the true potential of Lord Lyard… seeing such a narrow view of him, it breaks my heart.
Sylvia, you said that, didn’t you?
Of course, I know that I have no right to approach you or love you again in this world.
But at the very least, for you, who was saddened to see someone like me being scorned, I won’t let the same thing happen again.
At least, in this world, I hope you won’t have to be sad because of me.
So, I will do my best.
“Go ask father and brother if magic can be used in this duel.”
Magic? I’ll ask them.
Even if magic isn’t allowed, there’s still a chance to win, but I decided to be sure.
And to be more honest, I wanted to see Hasell’s surprised expression, so I hoped to use magic and crush him properly.
It’s pure frustration.
Even though I’m using Sylvia, the one I love, as an excuse, my true nature is still just a narrow-minded thug.
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