The Harvest Festival was just a week away.

“So that little kid hasn’t shown his face at the training grounds since the last match?”

“Yes, Viscount Gallard.”

“How delightful. Hahaha!”

Viscount Gallard laughed with pleasure.

He wasn’t laughing because little Noah had lost. He was in such a good mood thinking about how Calliphe must be grinding her teeth in frustration.

Duke Ortega must be feeling quite uncomfortable too!

“Targeting one child lets me make two people suffer. How economical!”

“Hehe. Indeed, sir.”

Dillen snickered along with the Viscount.

It was beneficial for him when his sponsor was in a good mood, as it naturally meant more support coming his way.

Dillen came from a merchant family with money but low social status, which left his future prospects unclear.

Catching Viscount Gallard’s eye had been his good fortune.

‘Everyone warned me that Viscount Gallard was a terrible person. But what does it matter if it benefits me?’

Those who pursue righteousness never succeed in life. In the end, success belongs to those bold enough to trample on righteousness. That was Dillen’s belief.

“How skilled is that little boy?”

“He’s fairly good. But he’s no match for me.”

“Are you certain?”

“Yes, Viscount.”

Dillen’s eyes gleamed with confidence.

“I won without even using my aura.”

Dillen was actually an aura user.

Since he had only recently manifested his aura, only Dillen and Viscount Gallard knew this fact.

“The little boy will probably make it to the finals. But I’ll be the one to win in the end.”

Dillen twisted his lips into a smile.

“Because an ordinary sword can never defeat an aura user.”

The timing of aura manifestation varied from person to person, but discovering your aura before your twenties earned you the title of prodigy.

Dillen was approaching his 15th birthday.

Showcasing his aura in the martial tournament finals would instantly make him famous as a genius swordsman.

An ordinary child without aura couldn’t possibly stand in Dillen’s way.

“Hahaha! Excellent, excellent. I’m very pleased! Calliphe Offensa won’t be taking the Harvest Festival prize!”

“Shall we proceed with the plan then?”

“Yes, wait a moment.”

Viscount Gallard felt a bit greedy.

Since things were going so smoothly, he wanted to humiliate Calliphe Offensa even more.

“The more pathetic we make that child look, the more Calliphe’s honor will fall. Duke Ortega’s too.”

“Of course. The competition between sponsored children is also a competition between sponsors.”

“Good, we should crush him thoroughly. Let’s do this.”

Viscount Gallard explained what trick Dillen should employ. He also introduced someone who would help.

“But Viscount, from the quarterfinals, participants will be isolated from outsiders and their possessions will be inspected. I’m concerned we might get caught…”

“I’m well aware of that. Bribing people is no challenge at all, so just focus on your part. Understand?”

“Ah, yes. Of course!”

If there was no worry about getting caught, Dillen had no reason to hesitate.

‘That kid’s expression after losing to me was quite a sight.’

He was looking forward to seeing what reaction he’d get this time.

* * *

“This is Ferica. A sponsored child I’ve brought along temporarily.”

“Hello, little ones?”

I waved my hand gently following Lynen’s introduction.

My once sparkling golden hair was now dyed to a dark brown color.

‘The dye job was worth it. Everyone looks at me like a complete stranger!’

Even Noah showed no sign of recognizing ‘Ferica’s’ true identity.

‘That distant look in his eyes… reminds me of when I first met Noah.’

I was sorry, but I couldn’t reveal my identity.

‘If he knew I’d become younger, Noah would definitely worry about me.’

He would fuss over me, and that could create unpredictable variables.

‘To make the most of the incomplete information from the mirror, Noah needs to act normally.’

At the same time, I needed to stay close to him to respond immediately if anything happened to Noah.

Just then, a related quest appeared.

Ding!

[Quest Generated!]

[To prevent Noah’s bad ending, you must become someone Noah trusts. Gain Noah’s trust.]

[Condition: Noah’s trust level 40 or higher]

[Failure consequence: Change in Noah’s future, loss of the ‘Prince’s’ interest resulting in failure to secure a guardian candidate]

‘Noah’s trust level, huh.’

I’ve already befriended Noah once, so this should be easy!

“Due to certain circumstances, she’ll be staying with us until the martial tournament ends. Exchange greetings and then continue with your training.”

After introducing ‘Ferica’ to the children, Lynen glanced at me.

Don’t worry.

When I conveyed this with my eyes, Lynen nodded faintly and left us alone.

Now it was time for the children.

The first to speak to me was Mihail.

“Your name is Ferica?”

“Yes. About nine years old.”

“What do you mean ‘about’? At nine, you’re just a little kid too.”

The elite blonde eight-year-old tilted his chin arrogantly.

“I’m eleven, you know? Mind your manners.”

“What? Hehe.”

I couldn’t help laughing at his show of superiority—if he knew my true identity, he’d be shocked.

Mihail frowned.

“Why are you laughing?”

“Because of you, silly.”

“W-what? S-silly?”

I continued smiling with the same giggling expression. I could feel my cheeks—plumper than in my original form—puffing out.

“You’re kind of cute.”

“…!?”

Boom. Mihail’s face turned bright red.

“I-I’m cute? How dare you say that when you’re younger than me… Ugh! Y-you’re really weird!”

Mihail retreated with stiff limbs.

Next, Imelen approached.

“Hmmm?”

Sniff, sniff. She began smelling my scent with her large nose.

‘Oh no.’

The others might be fooled, but deceiving Imelen with her exceptional sense of smell would be difficult.

See? Her small eyes are already growing wider, seemingly having noticed something.

Imelen opened her mouth in surprise.

“Unnn—”

“Wow, you’re adorable!”

I quickly rubbed her chin, which she loved.

‘This stays between us. Got it?’

After sending her a quick wink suggesting to keep it secret, the sharp-witted Imelen swallowed what she was about to say and rolled over.

“Liiiike.”

“You like me too?”

“Mmm. Like.”

“That’s right, good girl.”

The children seemed shocked by Imelen’s behavior.

Their expressions said, ‘How could our least approachable leader(?) fall so quickly?’

Lucilia, who revered Imelen as a Light Spirit and brushed her daily, looked the most shocked of all.

Quickly hiding her surprise, Lucilia approached me.

“Nice to meet you, Ferica. I’m Lucilia Manu Clerance.”

“Ah, Crown Princess.”

“Hmph. Yes, that’s right. But at least in this place, you may set aside formalities toward me. That’s my teacher’s wish.”

She’s following the conditions faithfully even when I’m not around.

‘What a good child.’

Feeling pleased, I decided to praise my diligent student.

“Alright, Lucilia. I’ve heard a lot about you from Lady Calliphe.”

“My teacher talked about me? What did she say?”

“She said you’re excellent material to become a wise ruler in the future.”

“R-really? Well, that’s only natural. Everyone says so, right?”

Lucilia kept elegantly tucking her hair behind her ear while her lips twitched.

“Yes. She also mentioned we would get along very well.”

“Of course. Feel free to ask if you need anything. I’m close with the Light Spirit too, you know.”

“Thank you. You really are the best!”

“H-hmph!”

Even the usually haughty Lucilia fell for it immediately.

I laughed inwardly.

‘Ah, this is so easy. Such innocent kids. They’re so easily won over.’

Now for the remaining one…

I slowly turned my head.

A child standing there with an expressionless face, watching me.

‘The kindest and gentlest of the little ones—Noah.’

I gave Noah my sweetest smile as our eyes met.

Noah showed no particular expression.

“……”

His head tilted slightly to one side.