[Ethan, what do you mean by 'crippling the Blitzfeld'?] Dante's mechanical voice rang inside my head again.
You see, back on Earth, I was also abandoned by my parents—and I hated them for it. Which is a normal reaction. No child in any world should be treated the way I and Noah were treated.
I explained, the smile on my face replaced with a serious expression.
Back on Earth, I never got the chance to taste that "sweet revenge," but now, as Noah, I can.
[But how? You do know that Duke Friedrich is a powerful figure in the Empire and also a Grandmaster-ranked mage?] Dante asked.
Yes.
I knew that. Right now, I'm powerless. Just a pawn, the Blitzfeld family is using me to strengthen ties with the Edelstein family. My father—well, Noah's father—Duke Friedrich Von Blitzfeld, is a Grandmaster-ranked mage and a Grand Knight.
He's called the Thundercrowned Mage for a reason. His battles are legendary, his name held in reverence.
A hero.
But only to the world. To his children? He was a tyrant. Recognition only came with strength, and anything less was garbage to him.
People say he's strict. They have no idea. The truth is, he wouldn't hesitate to sacrifice even his own blood for power. The only reason Noah wasn't already disowned was because of the engagement with Elisabeth. Otherwise, he'd have been out on the streets.
Which, honestly, would've been better—for his sanity, at least.
How do I know this?
Because it's what happens in the game. Noah gets disowned after the protagonist "saves" Elisabeth from him. The engagement breaks off, and her route begins.
From that point on, he's a background character. Just another disposable ally in the protagonist's party.
Until he dies.
When Noah died, not a single member of his family came to mourn him. Not even Elisabeth. The only ones who did were his aunt, Josephine Von Blitzfeld, his eldest brother, Michael Von Blitzfeld, and the protagonist, Raiden Von Emberhold.
That's why I have a soft spot for the protagonist. Raiden valued life. He gave people a chance, saw their potential, and tried to help them grow. Noah changed because of him.
But I'm not that Noah, am I?
[You're still Noah—the fat and ugly boy—just with Ethan's soul mixed in,] Dante remarked.
Shut up.
[By the way, you never explained how you're going to cripple the Blitzfeld,] he reminded me.
By dragging their name through the mud. Death would be a mercy. I want them to suffer. I want to crush their pride and destroy the honour they hold so dear.
"Son?" Duke Leopold's concerned voice cut through my thoughts. I looked up to see his expression laced with worry. "Are you feeling alright?"
"Yes, I'm fine," I replied, forcing composure into my tone. "Just lost in thought."
"About what?"
"Nothing important, Your Grace."
He nodded and turned to Elisabeth, whispering something to her. Not that it mattered. If I didn't intervene in the upcoming academy attack, she'd die.
[That's a bit cold, don't you think?] Dante chimed in.
Nah. Let her die.
[But she's an important asset to the protagonist.]
Sure, she is. But my presence has already caused a butterfly effect. Her route might never open. Or it might open in some other way.
[So you don't plan to rely on the protagonist?]
Not completely.
[What do you mean by 'not completely'?]
You ask too many questions.
[This is the last, I swear.]
Ugh. Fine. I'll get stronger. So I don't have to rely on him.
[How?]
By joining the academy and training.
"Noah?" A sweet and serene voice called out. I turned to see Elisabeth. Her beautiful auburn hair was arranged neatly around her shoulders, and her azure eyes met mine with a false warmth. Her oval face wore a smile that was just as fake.
She's good at pretending.
And yet, my heart still beat faster. Noah's feelings again. They were seriously testing my patience.
I closed my eyes and focused. I thought of something else—something that brought me pain and frustration.
The number of times I died to that boss Fiend.
"Noah?" she called again, tugging at my tunic.
Not going to lie, Fiend was the perfect name. That monster was a demon. I died 68 times to him.
How can one boss be so absurdly hard?
"Noah?" This time, she reached for my arm.
"What?" I snapped coldly, slapping her hand away.
Her eyes widened in shock. She hadn't expected that. Probably thought I'd wag my tail like some pathetic puppy like Noah used to.
"Noah!" My father's voice boomed, his hand clamping down on my shoulder.
I turned to him and tilted my head, expression blank. "Yes, father?"
"Why did you slap her hand?" His tone was furious.
I remembered that look. That glare. It made my blood boil. But I wasn't strong enough to retaliate.
Not yet.
I slapped his hand off and turned back to Elisabeth. "I apologise, Lady Elisabeth," I said, bowing slightly. The apology was hollow.
I turned to my father. "There. I apologised."
His face didn't change. He looked away.
Duke Leopold said nothing, though his eyes sparkled with curiosity. Amusement, even.
Odd reaction considering I almost struck his daughter. But then again, I remembered how Noah used to grovel before her.
Now it made sense.
I turned to Elisabeth. My disdain almost surfaced, but I kept my poker face. "Anything you need, milady?"
"Y-Yes, I wanted to speak with you. Alone. If that's alright."
"I don't mind." I gestured to the door. "Shall we?"
We walked out together. I could feel her gaze boring into me.
I'm ugly. She doesn't need to stare that hard.
[At least someone's self-aware,] Dante scoffed.
Shut the fuck up, Dante.
Still, I wondered. What did she want to talk about? Well, I'd find out soon.
Right now, I need to focus on cutting her out of my life.
I was going to break off this engagement.
If it worked, I'd get disowned. Then I'd head to where Aunt Josephine and Brother Michael lived.
If it didn't, I'd pack up and run. Convince my aunt to take me in.
Either way, the result would be the same—I escape from Blitzfeld.
Then I'd apologise to them for what Noah did. Live with them. Train. Lose this damn weight. Learn everything I can about my legacies.
And about this world.
I have seven months before the game's story begins.
Seven months.
But first, let's deal with this engagement.
And figure out why I was dragged into this world in the first place.
What cruel fate won't even let me die in peace?