5 a.m.

I’m running on the sports field inside the Ruelberta Mansion.

Though it’s called a sports field, it’s more of a place for family gatherings or events like tea parties with nobles.

Usually, it’s just an empty lot.

I started jogging here a while ago.

Partly for dieting, but also to test the limits of this body.

‘Phew…’

After about 3 minutes of running, my body felt heavy.

I started to get out of breath.

Alright, time to push it.

I started running at full speed.

But this time, with ‘Patience’ activated.

[You are using ‘Patience’!]

I instantly picked up the pace.

My breath quickened, but I endured.

I suppressed the rising breath.

It felt like plugging my heart with a stopper, everything went quiet.

‘How long can I last?’

Patience doesn’t make me invincible.

I need to know my limits to handle any variables.

I kept running at full speed, determined to push to the limit.

Yet, my breath remained calm as if I wasn’t running at all.

It was a strange sensation, like I could run forever.

After about 5 minutes, my legs slowed down and I eventually stopped.

It wasn’t my intention, but I realized this was my limit.

‘My body… won’t move.’

It felt like my body’s switch was turned off.

Like after a blackout, only the minimal life-sustaining activities remained.

“Haa… haa…”

Being conscious but unable to move was quite unpleasant.

If I overuse Patience in a fight, I could end up defenseless like this.

I gained some knowledge. But…

“Haa… haa…”

Unable to endure any longer, I squeezed out the remaining strength to speak.

“Wendy.”

“Ha… yes…? Haa…”

“You’ve been noisy beside me.”

“Sorry… haa… I’m so sorry… haak…”

I told her I’d run alone, but Wendy stubbornly insisted.

It’s already tiring for her to be out this early, yet she followed me to run…

Wendy was panting heavily beside me.

She even bought workout clothes, fully intending to run.

Her effort is commendable.

Though… while I ran five laps around the field, she barely managed one and a bit.

“Count… haa… you don’t have to wait for me…”

I wasn’t waiting, I just ran out of stamina and stopped.

But to Wendy, it must have looked like I was waiting for her.

“I wasn’t waiting for you. I was just watching the sunrise.”

The morning sun was rising just in time.

Seeing the sunrise felt refreshing.

Even in this game world, starting the day with a sunrise is always pleasant.

I told the panting Wendy,

“Take a rest now.”

“No… I’ll run with you, Count…!”

“Stubborn… I’m going ahead.”

I left Wendy behind and ran.

But I slowed down a lot compared to before.

Having already hit my limit, there was no need to push further.

“Hehe…”

I could feel Wendy staggering behind me.

What’s so funny to make her laugh like that?

After running for a while, I felt a strange gaze.

Frowning, I found the source of that gaze.

Did it climb over the wall?

A cat was staring this way.

Its spotted pattern looked familiar.

I sighed involuntarily.

“A stray cat has wandered in…”

“Hohoho. Good morning, Count.”

A cat standing on two legs, smugly.

It was Myohail.

*

“This tea is quite delicious. Hohoho. Who knew such tea existed in the mortal world.”

The tricolor cat put down the teacup and spoke.

In the outdoor reception area set up in a corner of the mansion.

I was having tea with a cat since morning.

Well, more accurately, a sage disguised as a cat…

“But it’s a bit too hot for me. Being a cat’s tongue and all. Hoho. Next time, let my tea cool a bit more.”

“Myohail, this is the last tea I’ll serve you.”

Thanks to that, my perfect morning start is now plummeting.

Seeing me like that, Myohail just grins.

Looking at him irritates me.

The reason I dislike him is simple.

I can’t read him at all.

Partly because he’s a cat, but mostly because he’s a ‘bystander’ character.

In the original story, his role was just to give advice and open paths for the protagonist’s party.

Not much is known about his past either.

The legendary first sage and the first head of the Cremont family.

Now a spirit cat overseeing the Wall of Truth.

Myohail spends his days holed up in the Magic Library, reading books.

Even in the online game scenarios Sora created, he rarely made an appearance.

Seeing him meddle in mortal affairs like this…

‘The story is starting to change…’

Not exactly a good development for me.

Who knows what variables are waiting?

If Myohail wanted, he could kill me in an instant.

But I’ve already prepared myself.

Ever since I decided to save Tristan, this story was bound to clash with the original.

And with the 526 online scenarios where Tristan dies.

“Count, you’re quite harsh on your guests.”

“Wendy. Get this stray cat out of my sight.”

“Yes?”

Wendy, who was pouring tea, hesitated.

“Now, now, why so cold to an old man? Hoho, we’re not strangers.”

“We are strangers. Wendy. What are you doing? Get rid of him.”

“Yes, yes…! Ugh… sorry, Myohail…”

Wendy scurried over and picked up Myohail.

His short legs flailed in the air.

“Hey! Little lady, put me down. This won’t do. Respect your elders!”

“Wendy. No need to respect a cat.”

“It’s the Count’s order…”

“Be gentle! You’re making my fur fall out.”

“Sorry…!”

Wendy tightly hugged the flailing Myohail.

At that moment.

Poof!

“Huh?!”

Myohail vanished from Wendy’s arms in an instant.

“Hohoho. The Count is quite impatient.”

Somehow, he was already munching on cookies from the table.

His slyness resembled more of a snake than a cat.

“This is sweet and good. Little lady, I’ve finished this, could you bring more? It’s really delicious.”

“Count…?”

“…Go get it.”

“Yes, yes! I’ll go to the kitchen and bring some right away…!”

Wendy hurried off towards the mansion.

As her figure faded, I spoke.

“What brings you here this early?”

Myohail, as if waiting, opened his mouth.

“I want to take Wendy as my disciple.”

An unexpected statement.

A sage taking Wendy as a disciple?

I tried not to show my surprise and asked.

“…Why?”

“Don’t you know, Count? She has talent. Plus, she’s a descendant of the legendary hero. She’s destined to be a mage remembered in history-”

“If that’s the reason, I refuse.”

“Oh…?”

Myohail raised an eyebrow in surprise.

“Hoho. Count. I can make her the greatest mage in this country. I have the ability, and she’s young and talented. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for you too.”

“That might be true.”

“Then-”

“But… Myohail.”

“Yes?”

I leaned back in my chair.

“Did you ask Wendy? Or is this just your own thought?”

“…!”

“She’s about to enter university. I set up the opportunity, but she earned it herself. Sure, she’ll make mistakes. That’s obvious.”

I took a sip of tea.

Organizing my thoughts.

“Still, she’ll become an outstanding mage there. Does she really need to learn under you?”

“Hoho… you got me there. You’re right, but…”

Myohail scratched his head and continued.

“The little lady is a descendant of the hero. Even if she hides it, it’ll come out eventually. When it does, the world won’t leave her alone. Fate… won’t let her be.”

There was a strange power in Myohail’s words.

“I want to teach her how to survive.”

A way for Wendy to survive.

That’s what I want too.

I also don’t want her to die.

“Fine. If Wendy agrees, I won’t oppose.”

“Thank you.”

“But I have one condition.”

“What is it?”

“No matter what, protect her.”

For a brief moment, sadness seemed to flash in Myohail’s eyes.

Myohail stood up from his chair.

“…Hoho. Count, you might have forgotten, but though I’m past my prime, I was the first sage in history.”

He placed his hand on his chest and vowed.

“This sage, Myohail, promises you. I will protect the servant you cherish until my last breath.”

His face, filled with determination, made me simply nod.