“Right. I was thinking I should tell you about that. The scene turned out to be more dangerous than expected.”

Kana used wind spirit magic to soundproof the room with a flick of her finger and explained the underground waterway scene in detail. Alderaan listened seriously and opened his mouth.

— This is serious. Though fixing such scene distortions is part of supporting characters’ work, it usually wouldn’t go this far in romance stories.

“That’s what I’m saying.”

Kana pressed her forehead and let out a deep sigh. Alderaan gently comforted his industry friend.

— You really went through a lot. If you hadn’t handled that scene well, you would have been suddenly eliminated. With the male lead dying and the corrupted spirit rampaging while destroying the spatial background, the star rating would have dropped significantly too.

“Yes, rather than stabilizing this world, it would have ruined it.”

— No wonder it felt strangely peaceful despite two supporting characters being able to enter…… Understanding comes when seeing this.

He clicked his tongue. She calmly refuted with half-resignation.

“Honestly, even that ‘peace’ feels like the calm before the storm to me. The characters are gentle and somehow things roll along even when flows get bumpy, but seeing variables explode and genre rules break just makes me laugh hollowly.”

— Well, that’s true too. Even you who are skilled in this field were taken aback.

“I wonder how it will end.”

Both the novel, and herself with Kiriel.

Kana stared out the window with sunken eyes. Unlike her troubled heart, the sky was deep blue, and the outside scenery bathed in bright sunlight boasted vibrant colors.

— Well, I can’t guarantee anything either. But since you’ve decided to endure until the end, you must steadily carry out your duties.

“Yes, let’s keep going until the end.”

She smiled faintly.

* * *

After resting well for about three days with her spirits, Kana headed to the Four-Colored Leaf Guild.

As soon as she entered the guild building, she met the Guild Master. Denia brightened but sent her a worried look.

“Lady Round, welcome. How are you feeling?”

“I rested well and completely recovered, so I’m fine.”

“That’s a relief. As I mentioned through the badge before too, I’m really sorry about that request. It was my oversight.”

Denia apologized again while bowing. Kana helped the Guild Master up and spoke gently.

“No. Originally it wasn’t supposed to be that dangerous, but an unexpected variable occurred. You don’t need to blame yourself.”

“Lady Round, you’re truly generous. Still, I’ll be thoroughly careful to prevent such incidents from happening again.”

Denia’s eyes turned resolute as she clenched her fist. Kana silently nodded at that and suddenly remembered her purpose for visiting, looking around.

“By the way, where are Miss Aila and Miss Cellie?”

“Ah right, I was asked to tell you when you came…… They’re all at the training ground. You can go that way.”

“Thank you.”

Kana held Nubes and headed to the training ground, leaving the Guild Master behind. As Denia said, Aila and Cellie had arrived first and were checking each other’s conditions.

They noticed her presence and waved.

“Lady Round, you’re here.”

“Your complexion looks much better.”

“Thank you all for your concern.”

Kana responded with a gentle smile.

They summoned their spirits and gathered in a circle. As discussed beforehand, they decided to train together, clash, and learn from each other.

She opened her mouth while watching Aila and Cellie take out auxiliary magic tools.

“Your auxiliary magic tools have changed.”

“Yes. Lady Round, you have good eyes.”

“Actually, we received additional compensation for the underground waterway incident.”

“His Highness the Second Prince is thorough in that regard. I received spirit stones as additional compensation.”

“That’s great!”

After briefly congratulating each other, they began training in earnest. Kana let Celia and Gnome spread their wings freely as they pleased.

Since Aila and Cellie had high-grade spirits, they were good stimulation for Kana.

Especially with Cellie who had a high-grade earth spirit, she could envision the direction for Gnome, still a low-grade spirit, to advance toward.

Their training ended after various spirits collided in mid-air then fell, and the training ground floor was repeatedly scorched, scratched, and flipped.

They tidied up the training ground then sat together amicably to exchange feedback.

Aila, who learned many points from Kana since she had a low-grade wind spirit, praised her endlessly.

“I felt this before too, but Lady Round, you’re really skilled compared to your spirits’ grades. Not only is your spirit energy rich and stable, but your spirit magic operation was really clean and proficient.”

“I agree with Aila too. Celia is said to be intermediate grade but rivals most high-grade spirits, and though Gnome is still low-grade, he shows plenty of potential.”

Cellie calmly added. They certainly had insight, ability and experience. No wonder they worked as mercenaries too. Kana’s eyes curved prettily.

“Thank you all for your kind words. I learned a lot while training with you too. How about getting together whenever our schedules match?”

“Sounds good!”

“Someone like Lady Round is always welcome.”

Aila and Cellie were favorable. Kana decided to make the honorifics more comfortable too.

“Ah, you can call me by name.”

“Then we’ll call you Lady Kana.”

“Yes.”

She nodded. Aila stroked her chin and muttered.

“Hmm, since we’ve gotten closer, should we eat something together……”

“Since it’s an awkward time for a meal, how about having snacks at a teahouse? After training, sweet desserts with mild tea would be nice. I’ll treat.”

“Wow, sounds good.”

“I agree!”

They all came out and moved to a nearby teahouse. Once they actually sat down and all their ordered snacks arrived, everyone felt awkward. Kana tilted her head while examining their expressions.

“Are you uncomfortable?”

“Ah, not really, just not used to it……”

“Right. We usually eat and drink at taverns or inns.”

“Ah, that makes sense.”

She nodded in understanding. Aila and Cellie who had been acting awkward soon adapted. They enjoyed snacks and casual conversation in a warm atmosphere.

As the conversation lulled, Cellie carefully opened her mouth while reading the mood.

“Lady Kana, won’t other nobles look down on you for associating with us?”

“There certainly are such nobles. But those close to me aren’t like that. Isn’t it foolish to look down on and ignore people with power in the first place?”

“Hmm.”

“If someone would insult me for being close to commoner guild members, I don’t particularly want to associate with them either. Though appearances and face are important for nobles, I’m more drawn to substance and spirit summoner colleagues.”

It was true. Supporting characters were all the same anyway, weren’t they? Though managing reputation was important for work, naturally she leaned toward the latter when comparing like this.

“Wow, Lady Kana really is different.”

“You’re truly magnificent!”

Cellie and Aila who had worried about potentially negative effects on Kana clapped with relief.

As they peacefully spent time finishing their snacks, suddenly a sneering voice cut in from the side.

“Oh my, who do we have here. Isn’t it Lady Kana Round?”

Kana turned her head. Curly pink hair and fiercely shining golden eyes. The villain from ‘Fake Saint’. She responded calmly.

“Lady Cordelia Serade.”

“That’s right. Finding you hanging around with commoners in a place like this, have you been properly pushed aside too?”

“Well. That sounds contradictory coming from you, Lady. Besides, I was just spending time with good people…… It’s unfortunate you view it so negatively.”

Kana subtly pointed out the villain’s circumstances. Cordelia clenched her fist and emphasized each word.

“I am an officially recognized lady of House Serade. Of course I have noble friends too.”

“Ah, yes.”

She nodded lifelessly.

‘Even if it’s work, wasting time arguing over childish and sloppy topics is a waste.’

While she drank tea and controlled her empty feelings, Cordelia snorted and stubbornly continued.

“Well, putting aside the commoners, you’re always hanging around my sister and her group. I thought you were just her follower.”

“Ah, is that so.”

“Everyone probably thinks that……”

“I don’t particularly care.”

How could she get angry at being called a follower when her role from the start was a background supporting character meant to highlight the female protagonist?

Cordelia frowned looking at Kana who showed no sign of agitation. Though her green eyes seemed sincere, she couldn’t understand at all.

“What did you say?”

“I said it’s fine. Even if such talk goes around behind my back, my family, abilities, and built relationships won’t disappear.”

Those words sharply struck the anxiety and inferiority complex Cordelia had long harbored in her heart. Moreover, that anxiety was gradually becoming reality now. She trembled.

“What do you……”

“Lady Serade, how is your ability control these days?”

At her casually thrown words, Cordelia flinched slightly but tried to act calm.

“Of course it’s fine.”

“I see.”

“Why are you asking about that?”

“Just curious.”

Kana calmly brushed off the villain’s sharp reaction. Cordelia sneered and advised.

“Lady Round, you might get burned badly later. You could be driven out of your family over an unfortunate incident, or suddenly lose your abilities when your spirit contract breaks.”