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In the game elements of Another World Online, personality traits determine the personality and abilities of NPCs, or characters.

Think of it as a kind of base stat.

However, personality traits are only given to characters that appeared in the original work.

Naturally, the more good personality traits a character has, the closer they are to being a main character.

Especially the personality traits belonging to the Seven Contrary Virtues—humility, charity, kindness, patience, purity, temperance, and diligence—are special traits that only the chosen ones can possess.

Bella Izakhel and other good-named characters fall under this category.

From that perspective, Tristan was clearly a discarded character.

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Character Profile.

Name: Tristan Ruelberta.

Age: 20.

Occupation: Count Ruelberta.

Personality Traits: Tycoon, Calculation, Pride, Greed, Jealousy, Wrath.

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The opposite of the Seven Contrary Virtues, the Seven Deadly Sins—pride, greed, jealousy, and wrath.

He was a villain of the ages, possessing a whopping four of them.

“This isn’t something I can fix.”

Personality traits affect not only oneself but also those around them.

Characters with good personality traits are surrounded by positive events.

They receive luck and blessings, and skilled individuals gather around them.

On the other hand, the future of characters with bad personality traits is rough.

Evil individuals gather around them for their own benefit.

They distrust, slander, and blame each other.

Thus, they all become villains and are thoroughly punished.

The world casting someone as a villain.

That is the fate of evil.

It’s not for nothing that Tristan was given 526 miserable endings.

Since he possessed many evil personality traits, his destruction was also predetermined.

“No matter how hard I try, Tristan will meet his destined destruction, sooner or later.”

So, I chose the trial.

According to the setting, a trial is a divine task and test.

Trials make humans stronger.

A harsh trial that can even change a person’s personality traits.

That was exactly what I was aiming for.

A dazzling light and a voice were heard.

[You have entered the Trial Space!]

I was standing in a pure white space.

Probably some kind of waiting area.

I hadn’t heard much about trials.

However, trials were usually given to heroes.

If I pass the trial, I might be able to rival a hero.

No, even if not that far, I just hoped to become a bit more normal.

[Implementing a trial in Tristan Ruelberta’s life.]

[Forgotten stories are being unlocked.]

Ah, hearing the explanation, I roughly understand.

It’s like a character’s hidden story.

As a devoted reader, knowing a character’s hidden story is incredibly exciting.

But the subject is Tristan.

I have zero expectations.

Rather, I have a feeling this trial will be an unpleasant experience for me.

“Sigh… what can I do…”

I steeled myself and closed my eyes.

Then, a message was heard.

[The trial has begun!]

[Trial Difficulty: A-rank or higher]

“A-rank…”

“Correct.”

“…?”

At that answer, I opened my eyes.

Everything around me had changed.

The pure white space was now filled with antique furniture.

I was sitting at a dining table.

“You can tell the grade without even eating the meat, impressive.”

In front of me was a deliciously grilled steak.

“Then, do you know its value as well?”

I looked at the emotional result attached to the steak.

It was the ability of the personality traits ‘Tycoon’ and ‘Calculation.’

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Name: Premium Tenderloin Steak

Description: A steak made from A-grade cows raised in the southern region of Meikahel.

Appraisal Value: Approximately 170,000 Kael.

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“About 170,000 Kael…”

“Correct.”

I looked straight ahead.

Across the table from me.

There sat a handsome young man with long hair tied back.

“Tristan.”

“Yes.”

I reflexively answered.

I knew I couldn’t defy this man.

“Assign value to everything.”

I felt fear toward this man.

This was the emotion Tristan felt.

As if being pulled by that irresistible emotion, I answered.

“Yes. Father.”

Count William Ruelberta.

Tristan’s father spoke with satisfaction.

“Let’s eat.”

Ding.

The grandfather clock chimed.

It was exactly 6 o’clock.

At the same time, an ominous message reached my ears.

[Personality erosion has begun.]

[Your current erosion level is 5%.]

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Through Michaela’s trial, I was experiencing Tristan’s past.

And for me, it was a series of shocking events.

“Wow…”

Reflected in the mirror was a boy who looked about 10 years old.

Pale skin and jet-black hair that fell to his shoulders.

With such long hair, he looked like a girl, but the boy in the mirror was undeniably handsome.

“You had your glory days too, huh…”

If it weren’t for those uniquely gloomy eyes, I wouldn’t have recognized him at all.

I never imagined that young Tristan would be such a stunningly handsome boy.

“If he just loses some weight and takes care of himself, he could be pretty decent, huh?”

The base is good, so it’s worth a try.

Once I finish this trial and get out, I’ll start with a diet.

Even a trash character can become a god-tier character depending on how you raise them.

“Now, the problem is…”

I had ended up in Tristan’s childhood.

Here, I had to find the conditions to clear the trial.

The time limit is probably until I’m completely eroded by the personality traits.

If I’m fully eroded, it’s game over.

“…It’s all or nothing.”

However, I didn’t know much about Tristan’s childhood either.

It was a behind-the-scenes story that wasn’t in the original work.

I had no choice but to wing it.

I didn’t want to know about the childhood of a villainous pig count, but I had no choice.

Knock knock.

“Young master. It’s almost time to leave. Is there anything I can help you with?”

It seems there’s some schedule.

I hurriedly got dressed.

“It’s fine. Let’s go right away.”

When I opened the door, the servant looked surprised.

“Young master?”

“What’s wrong?”

“Ah, nothing. It seems we should head down right away. The Count is waiting downstairs.”

The servant hurried ahead.

Seems like something urgent is going on.

As I stepped out of the entrance, William was waiting by the carriage.

In his hand was a silver pocket watch.

“24 seconds late.”

“My apologies…”

The servant bowed deeply.

William, as if even the time to scold was a waste, ignored her and got into the carriage.

“Get in. That’s within the margin of error.”

I followed William into the carriage.

As expected of the luxurious Ruelberta family’s carriage, it was spacious and lavish.

The ride was smooth too.

Truly a masterpiece crafted by the Empire’s artisans.

As I was thinking this, I felt something was off.

For some reason, the servant had been glancing at me nervously since earlier.

Was it because of the lateness earlier?

In that suspicious silence, it was William who spoke first.

“…Tristan.”

“Yes.”

“Why is your hair like that?”

Ah…

It’s my first time with long hair, so I didn’t tie it properly.

Through the carriage window, I could see my poorly done ponytail.

So that’s why the servant kept trying to say something.

This is awkward.

I felt like I shouldn’t answer William wrong, so I replied casually.

“It’s more comfortable and saves time this way.”

“……”

William’s brow furrowed.

Is this a bit too much…?

I could feel cold sweat running down my back.

I couldn’t tell what William was thinking, so I couldn’t help but be nervous.

That’s why his answer was also beyond my expectations.

“That makes sense.”

William nodded as if convinced.

He fiddled with his own long hair and said,

“Butler. Starting tomorrow, I’ll tie my hair like that too.”

“Eh? But…”

“It’s more efficient.”

“Ah, understood…”

William took out a small pocket watch and checked it.

Even in such a trivial action, there was no hesitation.

No, perhaps it’s better to say there was no excess.

He’s definitely a unique man.

A decadently handsome man with a somewhat tired look.

Count William Ruelberta, Tristan’s father and the former head of the family.

All I knew was that Count William died young.

In fact, not just William, but all the heads of the Ruelberta family died young and passed on the title at an early age.

Tristan also became the head of the Ruelberta family at a young age.

‘But it’s hard to believe…’

It was said that William died by suicide.

However, the man in front of me didn’t look like someone who would commit suicide.

‘What happened back then?’

The hidden past of the Ruelberta family.

If I can uncover it, it might be the key to getting through this trial.

I cautiously asked,

“By the way… where are we going today?”

At that, William tilted his head.

“You’re saying strange things. We’re going to the Izakhel Duke’s family, didn’t I say that?”

He added,

“Today is the Duke’s daughter’s birthday, didn’t you prepare a gift?”

…Me?

 

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