My Past Life is Riddled With Many Sins - Chapter 61
As the tournament was organized sequentially from freshmen to seniors, there were hardly any visitors yet.
“Look there, that’s Count Hartmann. I met him once through my father.”
“What? The immensely wealthy one? He looks so young?”
“He’s known for his mystique, rarely appearing in social circles. Who knew he’d be this handsome… And still unmarried?”
The students buzzed with excitement. Most being from noble families, their interest in Count Hartmann was naturally high.
Fitting his reputation as the richest in the empire, the man, dressed in luxury from head to toe, appeared to be in his mid-twenties at most.
The sight of him, elegantly seated and looking like something out of a painting, had many female students losing their hearts.
Feeling their gazes, Count Hartmann glanced their way, smiled faintly, and then returned his attention to the arena. The girls squealed and clutched their hearts.
“Ah, such a pity! If he was just a bit younger, he might have attended the academy with us.”
“I wonder who he came to see. Does he know someone participating in the swordsmanship competition?”
Meanwhile, under a shade that allowed insiders to look out but not the other way around, a man stroked his chin.
“Count Hartmann is here? Why would he come?”
Count Hartmann had kept a firm distance from the central political scene. It was more correct to say he was a recluse. It was inevitable, considering it was just one of the many identities he held.
While others might not be aware, the imperial family knew precisely who he was.
The head of the mysterious underworld.
His appearance changed with each identity, so his actual features were unknown. No one could even create a portrait of him. What was clear, however, was that his brilliant facade was also a deception.
Feeling triumphant over this realization, the man felt a surge of satisfaction.
“I’m the real deal.”
Touching his face, the Crown Prince smiled contentedly. The Enfield imperial family was renowned for its remarkable beauty. The statues in the square, representing the four great Emperors and Empress, were all known for their attractiveness.
The Crown Prince decided to shift his focus away from Count Hartmann. Today, his interest was not directed there, nor was it on the trivial swordsmanship competition.
His reason for being here was to monitor the movements of the Pope. The imperial family’s greatest political rival who had unexpectedly enrolled in the academy. Wasn’t it appropriate to at least feign concern?
“Hng.”
The Crown Prince easily spotted the Pope in the audience and narrowed his eyes. Unlike Count Hartmann’s possibly deceptive appearance, this face was undoubtedly his own.
It seemed he might not outshine this face, perhaps a draw or… a loss? He was arrogant, unwilling to accept such a possibility, he inadvertently followed the Pope’s gaze.
A plain head of wheat-colored hair entered his view, tied simply in a way that resembled a sheaf of wheat. Why was he looking at that? Was he reminded of a stable?
The Crown Prince chuckled softly to himself and glanced back at Count Hartmann, only to find that Hartmann was also looking in the same direction. Curious if he missed something else interesting, he checked again, but only the wheat-haired participant was there.
The Crown Prince’s gaze flicked between the Pope, Count Hartmann, and the wheat-haired participant of the swordsmanship competition.
What was so interesting about this seemingly ordinary female student?
Just then, the wheat -haired girl stepped onto the stage of the arena.
“Semifinal match between Delon Baros and Regina Heather! The contestant with the red armband is Delon, and with the blue armband is Regina.”
The announcer’s voice made the Crown Prince check the armband color of the wheat-haired girl — it was blue, confirming she was Regina Heather. Such a commoner-like name.
“Let’s see what she can do.”
He was uncertain why the underworld head and the Pope couldn’t take their eyes off her, so the Crown Prince decided to first observe her skills. He rested his chin on his hand as he watched the stage. However, for some reason, Regina Heather didn’t seem to show much enthusiasm for a competition participant.
She wasn’t waving her sword carelessly. It was more like there was no tension or excitement in her face at all. It was as if she was out for a leisurely stroll in the neighborhood.
One might think she was pushed into participating in the swordsmanship competition against her will.
“Perhaps it’s a strategy after all.”
Was it psychological warfare? Trying to provoke her opponent into losing their composure?
The Crown Prince’s expression turned sour. If one possesses overwhelming skill, petty tricks are unnecessary. Relying on such tactics might mean they’re mediocre. While that’s better than having no tact at all, it was inevitably disappointing.
“After all, truly exceptional talents are rare.”
* * *
Delon Baros was overflowing with enthusiasm. Winning just two more matches would make him the top swordsman among the freshmen. He had trained for this status with great dedication.
He had his own life planned out. Winning the freshman category of the swordsmanship competition was just the first step in his brilliant narrative. To do that, he had to defeat the person in front of him.
Regina Heather, Professor Gunter’s best student. She was an obstacle that needed to be surpassed for his brilliant life plans.
He had been somewhat surprised when he first approached her to challenge her. Contrary to his expectations, there sat a seemingly frail girl.
Could she really wield a sword with those slender arms? Could that delicate appearance truly be the top skill among Professor Gunter’s students? Something didn’t add up.
Originally, he had intended to completely destroy Regina Heather that day. Yet, he had softened unexpectedly after seeing her delicate appearance.
Her hair and eye color might have been plain, but up close, she was quite pretty…
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
