I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 215

Chapter 215: Turning Point (2)

▶Arina’s Affinity has decreased!◀
[Current level: 31%]

“Ha. I let the Flora’s birthday incident slide because of our sisters. And I should have known better than to expect you to actually take responsibility for your actions, to fix things instead of running away. I tried to respect you, Carsein. What a foolish mistake.”

Arina covered her eyes with one hand.

A bitter laugh escaped her lips before her expression hardened, the amusement replaced by a cold fury.

“You’ll regret your insolence, Carsein.”

Here it comes.

I hadn’t been able to see it before, but now… I could.

-Slap!

I caught her wrist before it could connect with my cheek.

“…!”

“You thought I would just stand there and take it? You’re wrong, Arina Bagrand.”

Even though her hand was charged with mana, I didn’t flinch.

Unlike before, I was no longer the weak, malnourished boy she could easily overpower. My body had grown stronger, my muscles honed through rigorous training. And now, with my mana awakened, I wouldn't back down.

“Watch closely. And if I fail, just like you predicted…”

I pushed her hand away roughly and continued,

“Then you can do whatever you want. Lock me up, make me a servant, strip me of the Bagrand name… I don't care.”

Of course, that would never happen.

“Oh, I know. You prefer to discard things quietly, don't you?”

“Carsein Bagrand!”

-Thud, thud.

I turned and walked away, ignoring her outburst, descending the stairs.

“Don’t worry. Even if you don’t discard me, I’ll leave on my own.”

***

Harnie kicked a pebble idly.

Today had been perfect, so far.

Requesting a Rest Week during the midterm evaluation could have been interpreted as him trying to avoid scrutiny, trying to protect the Bagrand Duchy's reputation.

But that hadn't happened.

Thanks to the time Carsein had bought her, Harnie had been able to reroute the Plesia Trading Company’s shipments through Lusmire, discreetly supplying her territory with the necessary clothing. The problem with the mining outfits was slowly being resolved.

While Harnie had simply managed to avoid criticism and maintain her score, Carsein’s achievements were far more impressive.

He had produced high-quality fruits that even the nobles coveted, and he had established contact with the West, earning significant bonus points.

She was happy, not just for his success, but also for the fact that he had silenced his critics, the young nobles who had tried to discredit him. The thought of them being penalized while he was praised filled her with a quiet satisfaction.

But…

Her cheeks were slightly puffed out.

“Why is he taking so long?”

Carsein still hadn’t returned.

He had said he had some business to attend to and had asked her to wait outside. Thirty minutes had passed, then an hour.

It wasn't that unusual.

Carsein must have had a reason for staying behind. He had things to do. She could have easily accepted that.

But today, she wanted to leave with him. Soon.

-It seems like the rumors aren’t affecting him as much anymore.

-That’s right. Unlike when he skipped the Week 4 report and requested a Rest Week, he’s performing exceptionally well. He hasn't received a single criticism.

-It’s not just his abilities, though… He’s… changed, somehow.

-Mmm… yes. He’s… more noticeable now.

She had overheard the young noblewomen gossiping behind the conference hall.

They were praising Carsein.

The negative rumors were subsiding, and people were starting to recognize his abilities.

He had become healthier, stronger, and more… noticeable. It was all positive change.

But for some reason, Harnie felt a strange sense of unease.

That’s why she wanted to leave, quickly.

“…”

Harnie, her cheeks still puffed out, kicked another pebble.

It rolled further than the last one, and her gaze followed its path.

And then, it stopped.

Her cheeks deflated as she saw what had stopped it.

Carsein’s shoes. It was time to go.

“Honestly! You said you would only be a minute! I’ve been waiting forever!”

She turned around, a smile on her face, ready to scold him playfully.

But a sudden wave of unease washed over her.

“I apologize for the delay. Let’s go.”

“…”

His response was… different.

His voice, his tone… they seemed normal, just like always.

But there was a subtle shift.

A chilling coldness, as if a winter wind had suddenly swept through the warm spring air.

And Harnie, her heart pounding, knew it wasn't just her imagination.

“Carsein.”

She reached out and grabbed his arm, stopping him.

“What happened? Did something… upset you?”

“Upset me? Nothing like that happened.”

“You’re lying. You wouldn’t be acting like this otherwise…”

“I said nothing happened.”

“…”

Harnie frowned.

‘Nothing happened?’

Something had definitely happened.

She stared at him, searching for clues.

She hadn't been this perceptive before.

But she had learned to read his expressions.

She had spent time with him, learned about him, and she had begun to notice the subtle nuances in his behavior.

Carsein was usually calm and collected.

Meticulous, attentive, always in control.

But that didn’t mean he was emotionless.

He showed his emotions, albeit subtly.

A frown when he was troubled.

Beads of sweat when he was nervous or embarrassed.

A hand scratching the back of his head when he felt awkward or self-conscious.

A faint smile, an upturned lip, when he was happy.

He was human, just like everyone else.

But there were times when his expressions disappeared.

When he became cold, distant, like a doll devoid of emotion.

Just like now.

Something had happened.

And the sad truth was…

She knew what it was.

She had seen it happen too many times.

She couldn’t just leave him like this, not when he was clearly hurting.

“…Carsein?”

Just like she had done before, Harnie stood on her tiptoes, reached out, and pulled him into a hug.

“I told you, didn’t I? If you’re hurting, you have to say it. If you’re struggling, you have to express it. You can’t just keep it bottled up.”

“It’s nothing, Harnie. You’re misunderstanding—”

“Your family… They said something to you, didn’t they?”

“…!”

“You see? I knew it.”

There was no point in denying it.

Carsein couldn’t even speak.

“I won’t ask what happened. But you can’t lie to me, not today.”

She pulled away slightly, her hands cupping his face.

“Spend the rest of the day with me.”

She needed to cheer him up.

***

“Spend the rest of the day with me.” Harnie took my hand and led me towards the carriage.

The carriage started moving, heading towards an unknown destination.

Harnie had whispered the location to the driver, so even I didn't know where we were going.

And…

“Do we really have to do this?”

“Yes. We do.”

“…”

She even blindfolded me, preventing me from looking out the window.

I had no idea where we were going.

“Young Master, My Lady! We’ve arrived!”

We finally reached our destination. I thought I could finally remove the blindfold, but Harnie told me to wait.

“There’s a reason for this. I’ll hold your hand, so just walk slowly.”

“Hmm… Alright.”

There had to be a reason.

Even though I had no idea what it was.

I had to rely on Harnie’s guidance, walking slowly, carefully. I could have used mana to enhance my senses, to make it easier to navigate, but…

I had a feeling Harnie would be upset if I did that.

After walking for a while, Harnie finally gave me permission to remove the blindfold.

And when I did… I saw a lake.

A lake divided in two by a narrow bridge.

“Hmm. The starlight isn’t strong enough yet.”

Harnie used a light spell to illuminate a section of the lake.

The clear water shimmered, revealing what lay beneath the surface.

“Do you see those fish?”

“Yes.”

“Those fish shouldn’t be able to survive in this lake.”

“…?”

What? Fish that couldn't survive in the lake… were living in the lake?

“It doesn't make sense, does it?”

“…No.”

I shook my head hesitantly, and Harnie smiled.

“But it’s true. The aquatic plants in this lake absorb most of the nutrients, so it’s not a suitable environment for those fish.”

It defied logic, but I assumed it was another one of this game's strange settings.

Regardless, the fish were alive.

Surviving in a harsh, unforgiving environment.

But their lives wouldn't last long.

“Trapped in a limited space, barely surviving on insufficient nutrients… They could die at any moment, couldn't they?”

“That’s right. But those fish won’t die.”

-Whoosh.

As Harnie spoke, the water level began to rise.

The aquatic plants on the other side of the bridge were growing rapidly, displacing the water and forcing it to flow into this side.

The fish, as if anticipating this, swam towards the rising water, their mouths opening and closing.

I see.

That’s why the water looked different.

“At night, the aquatic plants on the other side grow rapidly. That’s when the fish can finally eat. And while the water level is high, they try to escape.”

-Splash. Splash.

It was true. Just as Harnie had said, the fish were leaping, trying to jump over the low wall that separated the two halves of the lake.

And then, he heard faint cries from the other side.

“Are those… female fish… on the other side?”

“You’re very observant.”

The female fish were calling out to the males who were trying to escape.

As if cheering them on.

It seemed impossible, but… one of the fish, after several attempts, finally leaped over the wall.

“Once they make it to the other side, the injured males can finally eat their fill and find a mate. They can live happily ever after in the other lake. I think there's even a special name for them… but I can’t remember.”

“…”

“Do you understand why I brought you here?”

Harnie took his hands in hers.

“Just like those fish who finally found their way, there will be better days for you, Carsein. There’s always light at the end of the tunnel.”

So don’t think your suffering is inevitable.

Don’t think pain and hardship are your destiny.

“Even if it’s difficult now, Carsein, you will find happiness. I know you will.”

Harnie squeezed his hands, her voice filled with conviction.

‘…This feels familiar.’

Perhaps it was because someone had said similar words to him before, holding his hands like this, before he was transported into the game.

But I couldn't be swayed by sentimentality, not now, not when I was so close to my goal.

Pain and hardship didn’t matter.

I no longer felt the pain of my wounds.

I would endure anything, overcome any obstacle, to achieve my objective.

“It’s getting dark. We should head back.”

“Alright. You’ll escort me back, won’t you?”

“Of course.”

Their hands touched again.

The path back wasn't difficult. Perhaps because this area was used as a tourist attraction at night, lanterns illuminated the way.

And then, Harnie cleared her throat.

“Ahem. Carsein.”

“Yes?”

“This might seem random, but… can I ask you something?”

“What is it?”

“I was just wondering… what do you want to do after you leave the Duchy?”

It didn’t seem like a difficult question.

But… it was.

‘I haven’t thought about that.’

I couldn’t tell her I wanted to go back to my own world.

“If you have nothing else to do, would you like to work for my trading company?”

Harnie cleared her throat again and continued,

“It’s not easy to make a living without a job… and…”

“I’m not interested.”

I had to refuse, firmly and decisively.

“If there’s even the slightest chance of me being dragged back to that family… it wouldn’t be safe.”

“…Is that so?”

“I want to sever all ties with the Bagrands. I’d be safer living in seclusion in the mountains, where no one can find me.”

“I see. If that’s the case…”

Harnie seemed lost in thought.

I didn't ask what she was thinking about.

-Step, step.

We reached the carriage.

“Let’s go.”

“O-Okay.”

Why was I so tired?

I had endured far worse before, and yet, I felt exhausted.

A wave of fatigue washed over me.

Maybe I should take a short nap in the carriage.

***

The Week 5 report meeting had ended a while ago, but the carriage didn't arrive back at their lodging until late at night.

But for some reason, no one emerged.

Camilla, who had been waiting to greet them, approached the carriage, a sense of foreboding settling in her stomach.

The curtains were drawn, but there was a small gap.

They hadn't been closed properly.

She couldn't hear anything, so she peeked through the gap. And what she saw brought a smile to her face.

“Um… Camilla? The Young Master…?”

“Shh.”

One of the villagers, his voice filled with concern, asked about Carsein, and Camilla placed a finger on her lips, urging him to be quiet.

“He’s asleep. We’ll talk tomorrow.”

The villagers, hearing that Carsein was asleep, quietly dispersed.

“Asleep… leaning against each other… It’s like a scene from a romance novel.”

And their hands… clasped together…

The sight brought a smile to her face.

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