Adopting the Male Protagonist Changed the Genre - Chapter 162

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 162

People commonly believe that one must reach the pinnacle of swordsmanship to awaken aura, but according to what I learned through 【Hirome】, aura was a kind of superhuman strength that burst forth in desperate situations.

Of course, like Cheri who awakened the properties of aura and could freely manipulate it, blood-soaked effort and talent were necessary, but what was actually needed for aura awakening was surprisingly simple yet dangerous.

Only desperation enough to feel the threat of death was required.

In 【Hirome】, there were two methods to awaken the protagonist’s aura.

First, roam dungeons fighting monsters until HP becomes critically low.

Second, advance to the final year of the Royal Academy’s Swordsmanship Department and take the graduation exam.

The former aside, what exactly does the Academy do in their graduation exam that makes students feel life-threatening danger and awaken aura?

The answer was simple.

“You don’t need to worry about aura awakening. I hear the Royal Academy’s Swordsmanship Department graduation exam is a duel with the Sword Saint.”

That’s right. The mighty Sword Saint personally steps forward and graciously trains each student one by one with murderous intent!

After finishing such a duel, tada. A 3-minute aura awakening is complete.

‘By the way, originally Asillia should have awakened aura only after taking the graduation exam.’

It’s not that he lacks skill, but where would the precious youngest son of a ducal house ever feel the threat of death?

Still, awakening aura to save a friend is quite admirable.

While listening to the two chatting about aura as they gazed at the drawing room’s massive fireplace that only goes out in summer, I suddenly spoke up.

“Cheri, what do you usually do when you’re at your estate?”

Cheri, who had been showing Leo his ice aura, looked back at me as if he’d heard something completely unexpected.

Then after pondering for a long while, he finally answered.

“I fulfill my assigned duties.”

“No, not work. I mean hobbies and such. It seems like a rare day off, isn’t it a shame to just stay indoors? Don’t mind us and feel free to enjoy yourself.”

At my words, the anguish on Cheri’s face deepened even more.

I became frightened and asked with a sinking feeling.

“You do know what a hobby is, right?”

Cheri opened his mouth with a not-so-confident voice.

“My hobby is hunting magical beasts.”

“Uh… What are your duties then?”

“Protecting the Barrier Forest and hunting magical beasts.”

“…?”

For the first time in a long while, our conversation was going in circles.

No matter how much we respect personal preferences these days, how could hunting those terrible magical beasts be a hobby? Is this what they call finding your calling in your work?

“Do you… enjoy hunting magical beasts?”

“I do not.”

Wait, then it’s not a hobby!

I turned my body completely toward Cheri and asked again, hoping he would give me some kind of normal answer.

“Then what do you do when you have free time? For example, at Blanche Estate we enjoyed light tea together after dinner. Like that, what do you mainly do for your own enjoyment when given rest?”

“…”

Cheri pondered seriously over and over, but couldn’t give any response.

I unconsciously covered my mouth.

What a heartbreaking situation. It was exactly like looking at my past self, and I couldn’t just stand by.

I jumped to my feet.

“Cheri, invest today for my sake.”

“I will gladly comply.”

“Good. Then let’s go find you a hobby.”

Leo and I began boldly wandering around the castle grounds, even ahead of the host.

* * *

Hobbies are wonderful things.

They become a ray of light in a bleak life, and very rarely, like in my case, they can change life itself.

I urged Cheri, who sat blankly with his fishing rod dropped through an ice hole in a small pond within the castle grounds.

“How is it? Fun? Can you feel the thrilling tug?”

“I can feel the struggle of the fish that bit the bait through the fishing rod. From the fish’s perspective, it must be very painful. Also, I cannot understand what joy one should feel in catching creatures that won’t even be consumed.”

“…Alright, next.”

Since he doesn’t seem to like pointless killing, fishing as a hobby is a pass.

Next was Leo’s turn.

Leo rolled up both sleeves and held a duster in each hand like wielding twin swords, cleaning every corner of the drawing room.

“Knight! How is it? Don’t you feel refreshed and fulfilled?”

“Cleaning is nothing more than a series of tasks. Also, it could end up taking work away from the employees, so it would be better to do it where they can’t see.”

“Hmph.”

Cesar, who dared to disappoint the cleaning fairy, hurriedly grabbed a duster, but it was already too late.

After that, we busily wandered around the castle grounds to experience all sorts of activities that could be called hobbies.

Drawing and archery, simple indoor sports and even knitting.

But…

“Horses are a means of transportation. Making horses run without a destination could accumulate unnecessary fatigue for both horse and rider, so I think it’s inefficient in the long run.”

“…”

The moment even horseback riding was rejected, Leo and I, unable to bear the overwhelming futility, flopped down on our backs in the snow. The fluffy snow that had fallen in the early morning made squeaking sounds as it was crushed.

After hesitating briefly, Cheri lay down next to Leo, putting his back against the ground like us.

How long did we lie side by side, blankly staring up at the sky?

“What kind of hobby activity is this?”

“Enough. Don’t open your mouth any further.”

“…”

It was a day without any gains.

If I had known this would happen, I shouldn’t have dragged around a busy person and just let him rest comfortably by the fireplace today.

Before my clothes got wet, I got up and brushed the snow off Leo’s back, then took the reins and started walking.

As we trudged back, my gaze was caught by a massive camellia tree standing alone behind the castle.

“That’s…”

I remember seeing it. It was none other than the scene from the landscape painting enclosed with Cheri’s letter.

Though all the flowers had fallen, the red flowers covering the pure white snowy landscape were enough to captivate the eye.

When the tree was full of flowers, it probably looked like a single bouquet in itself.

“All the flowers have fallen. I wanted to see it with my own eyes, but I guess I came too late.”

The moment I muttered that, a gust of wind blew and frozen snowflakes scattered.

However, the low voice that followed flew to me unshaken even by the fierce northern wind, tickling my ear.

“That is not so. With the Marquess’s Daughter here, the most beautiful single bloom remains.”

Cheri replied matter-of-factly while catching my hair that was wildly fluttering in the wind with his hand.

The next moment, as the wind died down and silence arrived, a tumultuous eye contact followed.

Ripples began to slowly form in Cheri’s eyes, which were like ripe cornelian cherry berries, and soon he stepped back from me in surprise.

With a bewildered face, he touched his lips, roughly rubbed his face, then bowed his head while holding his forehead.

“I apologize. That was a slip of the tongue. When my eyes turn red, impulse control becomes difficult…”

I quietly looked down at the hair he had caught for me.

Impulse? When his eyes turn red, does he develop some kind of playboy attribute?

“It’s… fine. That can happen. Yes… that can happen.”

I fiddled with the hair his hand had touched, twisted it with my fingers tormentingly, and strode ahead.

Not a single word was exchanged between Cheri and me until we returned to the castle.

While Leo, caught between us two, only rolled his eyes and read the atmosphere.

Cheri, who had escorted me to my room, looked around to confirm no one was nearby and quietly called me.

“Lady Blanche.”

It was a very familiar form of address.

Though I had become the Marquess of the Blanche Family and he stood before me as the Duke of Baluashten, in private spaces we still called each other ‘Cheri’ and ‘Lady Blanche.’

I had never assigned any meaning to it. It was simply a product of familiarity.

But in this moment, it sounded incredibly special.

Like pet names we called each other away from prying eyes.

The moment I unconsciously stepped back and met his gaze.

A smile spread across Cheri’s lips that seemed like it would carry a scent as sweet as overripe fruit and slightly bitter like aged wine.

“I didn’t find a hobby, but today was very enjoyable.”

“…That’s a relief.”

“Then rest well.”

Until the very last moment the door closed, I couldn’t take my eyes off Cheri.

Thud.

The door finally closed, and I leaned my back against it feeling somewhat dazed.

‘Impulse control is more difficult than usual?’

Had he always smiled like that just now, when the curse made him a bit more debauched than usual?

“That’s a bit… dangerous, isn’t it?”

I suddenly spoke up, then covered my mouth.

Dangerous, for whom?

As improper thoughts arose and I shook my head frantically, Leo, who had been staying by my side, carefully called out to me.

“Lady Belinda.”

“Mm?”

“Your face is really red. Should I open the window?”

“Yes… Coming inside from outside must make the room feel hot.”

After that, I could only prepare for bed after letting the cold wind blow on me until both my cheeks were frozen bright red.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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