All eyes turned to Garry—who stood there like a complete fool, finger still mid-air, mouth hanging open as if his brain hadn't caught up to what he'd just yelled.
The entire hall froze.
Nobles paused mid-conversation. Heirs stopped mid-sip. Even the string quartet faltered for half a second—like the violins themselves were offended.
Garry blinked. Twice.
Then, as if realizing he had just committed social suicide, he slowly lowered his hand and tried to stand straighter.
Too late.
"Boss… I thought you'd want to know," he mumbled, voice cracking under the weight of a hundred aristocratic glares.
I closed my eyes and inhaled sharply through my nose.
Of all the times.
I wasn't sure if I wanted to strangle him or pretend I'd never met him.
"I appreciate the... urgency," I said through clenched teeth, smiling like this was all part of some elaborate inside joke only peasants and idiots would laugh at.
Next to me, Elric didn't move.
No flinch. No glare. Just calm, unreadable silence.
Then, slowly, he turned to Garry.
"You mean Lucard?" he asked casually.
Garry, already drowning in shame, nodded way too eagerly.
"Yeah. You, uh… kinda flattened him. It was awesome."
Murmurs erupted across the room.
I glanced at Elric, and for a brief moment, shock actually made it to my face.
Inside?
I was screaming.
How the hell did he get this confident?
Sure, I'd half expected he might've taken down Lucard to claim a spot here—that was already shocking, considering Lucard was a legit rival to the original Brandy. Not to me, of course. I'm built different.
But the way Elric delivered that moment—like it was barely worth mentioning?
That's what shook me.
In the original story, he only got like this after claiming his first major opportunity, unlocking a hidden ruin, and finally shattering the limits of his talent.
What if… he regressed earlier than in the story?
That would explain the shift. The confidence. The calm demeanor.
Maybe he got to the elixir ahead of time. Maybe he didn't need the academy or an adventurer ID. Maybe he already changed everything, and I'm the one stuck playing catch-up.
But... no. That doesn't track.
If he'd regressed much earlier, there would've been signs. House Ashborne would've moved differently. There would be whispers, rumors—something.
And he wouldn't still be awkward with his wine glass or fidgeting in a stiff collar like it's made of thorns.
So no. He didn't regress that early.
But he's definitely ahead of schedule.
And that... changes everything.
"But I didn't expect you to be so curious," Elric said with a teasing tone.
I composed myself. Smiled a little. Then replied in my most polished, flamboyant tone:
"Who wouldn't be curious when someone steps out of the shadows and into the light?"
That line landed like I wanted it to. The hall, still buzzing with murmurs, turned its full attention back to Elric.
He didn't miss a beat.
"The light around me was getting weaker," he said calmly, "so I figured it was time to replace it."
The silence that followed was louder than Garry's entrance.
Gasps. A few chuckles. And one open laugh from the back corner.
He just implied—clearly and confidently—that his brothers were too weak to keep up, so he stepped over them.
Even I was stunned.
After a beat, I chuckled.
"I don't even know what to say to that," I said with a grin. "But I must admit, things just got interesting."
I raised my glass slightly.
"Looking forward to the tournament."
Then I turned and walked away, leaving Garry behind, still standing like a sad puppy who'd brought me a burning stick instead of a bone.
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Elric raising an eyebrow at my exit.
Yeah. I played that off well.
He really is the protagonist, huh?
A few minutes ago, I was spiraling. Now?
My heart's racing—not from fear. From anticipation.
I have no idea what's going on anymore. The story's off-script. The timeline's cracked.
But I've managed to dodge the bully role—for now.
After this, I'll carry the image of someone who respects the strong.
And as for my past… well, a few harsh words here and there can be chalked up to childish naivety.
If anything worse comes up?
I'll blame it on Lucard.
And Garry.
Definitely Garry.