I Became a Veteran Heroine in a Harem Story

My own faction, what Erich said about it wasn’t false, but it’s not necessarily all good.

My purpose, unlike in my previous life, is to stand at the pinnacle within this world’s society and order. Only then can I ultimately enjoy all of it.

Overwhelming force is one of the ways to stand at the pinnacle. Unless it’s possible to destroy everything like in my previous life, it’s impossible to completely exclude other factors now.

From that perspective, unnecessary attention was still poison. Even I thought that I still had little to my name.

Of course, since things don’t go according to my intentions, appropriate improvisation was necessary.

“Out of the 55 selected students, only 4 somehow passed. I had my doubts, but to think it would really turn out like this.”

“Even these 4 have only the minimum capacity, and I can’t guarantee they’ll be able to properly learn it.”

“If they fail, it can’t be helped. We can’t make the impossible possible.”

The instructors sighed as they looked at those who passed my test. There were only a few individuals who had both the ability to withstand the repulsion and the mental strength to endure the pain.

But that didn’t mean they all could learn. Since I was absolutely dominant in this matter, neither the instructors nor the students who passed could say anything.

“Then, do I have complete authority over them?”

“The chancellor said your top priority should be passing on the technique. After all, everyone here is verified personnel who can pass the regular training course early. But as you know, since only you know your technique, it’s impossible for others to interfere.”

The instructor subtly changed the subject. Though he spoke indirectly, everyone present could understand the implication. It meant to use any means necessary.

The second and third-year students, who were my seniors, flinched at those words. They seemed afraid of what I, their junior who had been given full authority, might do.

As they expected, I had no particular intention of treating them well. I am the master, and they are merely disciples, so it’s clear who should serve whom.

“Anyway, since everyone’s physical condition isn’t at its best today, there’s not much we can do. Go back for today.”

I spoke looking at them standing obediently before me. The things they fear are scheduled to begin tomorrow.

I changed my manner of speaking to be the same as when addressing my classmates, but the seniors didn’t even think of arguing about that and hurriedly packed their things to leave.

“Looking forward to tomorrow.”

When all the other students and instructors had left, and the place was completely dissolved. That’s when Erich spoke to me.

I looked at him with furrowed eyes. Although he lost his composure at the last moment looking at my chest, he was the one who endured the longest and the best.

Being the most skilled person, perhaps it was an expected result.

“Do you really think learning this will help? I think it would be more beneficial for you to walk your own path.”

“I think it’s already proven what kind of nature the soul technique has, what kind of power it possesses. Unless there’s an overwhelming gap where you can’t withstand the recoil, the soul technique can only be countered with the soul technique, right?”

“So you were serious about defeating me.”

I sighed looking into his eyes. In fact, it wasn’t new; he had always been like this from the first day of admission when we got entangled by chance.

He showed interest in me first and tried to approach me. As if it were a predetermined fate for the protagonist to approach the heroine.

However, the current Erich seemed somewhat different. His eyes looking at me were quite different from the gaze he sent to other heroines.

The kind of eyes that are extremely annoying to me, but perhaps those watching him might like.

“You won’t be able to learn. The soul technique is easier for someone who is rather pure to accept. Like my past self.”

“Are you saying my interior is dark?”

“I think you would know best yourself.”

There were many hidden meanings in just those three short sentences. However, my statement that he would have difficulty learning was direct.

He is already in the process of acquiring his own methods while living through two lives. It won’t be easy to nullify all of that and accept something new.

Ironically, that quality that makes him an unapproachable strong person now holds him back.

Did he understand my words? He moved his lips a few times, then smiled bitterly, packed his things, and left.

* * *

‘She’s a person from a different world than the one I lived in. But even considering that, I just can’t understand her inside. When I try to understand by conversing, I feel like my insides are being penetrated instead. Are all children from great families such monsters? No, even Raines, who is royalty, or Deina weren’t to that extent.’

He was an ordinary Magic Knight in his previous life, and even in his reincarnated life now, he was merely a young master from a small provincial family. However, having experienced so many diverse events in his previous life, he knew all that there was to know.

Such as the lives of ‘real’ nobles to protect their power, or the not-so-clean underside of this world.

It was something he never wanted to get involved with. It was too tiring and sometimes scary. But when someone who concerned him was placed right in the middle of it, he couldn’t help it.

“Is it presumptuous behavior?”

Walking absentmindedly, he stopped and let out a wry laugh.

If she knew these thoughts, she would probably openly scorn him, reproaching who was worrying about whom.

But Erich could hardly control his feelings. Because it was his innate fate. His feelings toward her were of various kinds, but in the end, as those feelings accumulated more and more, it was inevitable that his eyes and heart would be drawn to her.

‘For now… what’s important is the martial arts tournament. I don’t like troublesome things, but if things flow this way, it can’t be helped.’

The fortunate point, if any, was that the two of them were walking the same path anyway. As long as they had the same purpose and walked the same path, the two had no choice but to be together.

Kiina needs Erich too. This is a fact even she would acknowledge.

It’s not just Erich. Unlike the past, obtaining the future she wants is by no means something she can do alone. What she wants is not to remain alone on the ashes where everything has perished.

‘Well, she’s the kind of person who inevitably attracts people around her anyway.’

Having thought that far, Erich scratched his head and began walking again. In fact, the possibility of Kiina being alone was almost non-existent.

Like a rare talent or a pillar in one’s heart, no matter how cold and blunt she acted, people would always gather around her as time passed.

Erich was convinced that she had a certain power, named charm, that was worth it. And the evidence was his own heart.

“I heard they started accepting participants for the tournament that’s two weeks away from today. In my opinion, rather than just anyone participating, a check seems necessary.”

“Hmm, do we have to talk about work even here?”

“Right, we’re all tired today, so let’s rest now.”

Erich’s conjecture was actually being proven. In the large bathhouse where students gathered to wash after training, Kiina was surrounded by other students today as well.

“No, rather, if we sort it out here once, the meeting later will end quickly. We just need to hear the opinions of the male students.”

Deina, who liked talking about work as much as Kiina, shook her head. In fact, people gathering around Kiina had been happening for quite some time, but now, after experiencing a series of events, it was a bit different.

Beyond just the group who flattered to gain favor, major figures like Deina and Karin had also come into the bath together to talk.

“Our goal is not individual awards but the performance of the entire year. Considering compatibility and tendencies, we need to send the optimal people to increase our win rate.”

The topic of conversation was the martial arts tournament, which had now drawn close. Especially since this time, the tournament had more than just simple prizes at stake, the students’ level of immersion was at its highest.

“Excluding squad leaders, only the strongest person from each squad will participate. It’s inevitable to minimize internal war among first-years and achieve the highest performance.”

“To, to that extent?”

“Once we’ve started something, I have no intention of proceeding half-heartedly. Everyone here should know by now why I’m saying this.”

Kiina firmly responded to the stirring reactions around her.

From Kiina’s mouth to the year council, from the year council to the squad leaders, from the squad leaders to the ordinary students.

Almost all students were already aware of what Kiina was thinking. To most students, her words, which considered even beyond the academy, were a fresh shock in themselves.

No one could refute her words aimed at increasing the survival rate in future real combat.

“Don’t confine yourself to the thought of being a first-year at the academy. If you can rise higher than that, you should gladly go. In the end, our purpose is whether we can survive on the battlefield or not, that’s it.”

Kiina’s indifferent voice, as she was immersed in the bath with hot steam rising, resonated quietly and instantly captured the ears of those present.

Unlike before, many of those here had experienced a terrible disaster not long ago. It was a statement they dared not ignore.

“After all, it’s something we have to do, and if we achieve it, honor and rewards follow. There’s no reason not to do it. There’s no need to distrust. I believe our class will become the strongest in history.”

She, who had been receiving everyone’s gaze, stood up with water dripping from her body to leave the bath. The last statement was just expressing her own thoughts, but its power was quite strong.

‘Indeed, she has the qualities.’

Kiina’s control was already at its peak. Deina, watching the back of Kiina who had brought the entire year under her control, also stood up to follow.