I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 52

Chapter 52: Probation Period (2)

Flora had never felt anxious while tormenting Carsein.

There was no reason for her to feel anxious.

A stray from the slums, replacing her dead brother? It was unacceptable, unthinkable.

She had repeatedly denied his claims, telling him he could never be her brother, that he was just a nobody from the streets.

“Flora, how can you say such things to your brother?!”

But thanks to her mother’s mental illness, Flora was always the one who was reprimanded.

Her mother’s love, once showered upon her, was now directed towards that beggar.

He was even threatening Karn’s place in the family.

Her sisters’ pleas fell on deaf ears. No matter what they said, that boy from the slums was slowly becoming Karn Bagrand.

She couldn’t just stand by and watch.

Who are you to try and break apart our family?

Who are you to try and impersonate my brother?

You’re just a commoner.

She wanted to scream those words at his face, but she couldn't.

Her resentment grew, festering within her.

Then, one day, she overheard a conversation between the maids.

“Why do we have to serve that peasant? He’s not even one of the young ladies! It’s a waste of good clothes and blankets.”

“What can we do? Everyone feels the same. But… what are you doing?”

“I’m just adding a little something to his food. So it doesn’t taste so good. Take that!”

The maid sprinkled a handful of salt into Carsein’s meal.

“Hey! What if you get caught?!”

“Caught? Just keep your mouth shut.”

“Well, yeah, I guess.”

“You’re not going to run to the young master and tell him, are you?”

“…Of course not! I hate that peasant too.”

The other maid hesitated, then joined in, discreetly adding extra sauce.

Flora realized that she wasn’t alone in her feelings. There were others who disliked Carsein, who wanted to see him suffer. And they could do it without getting caught.

It was the perfect method.

She started tampering with his food. She saw him cough from the pepper, gulp down water because of the salt, grimace at the spicy and sour flavors, and she felt a surge of satisfaction.

Strangely, there was never any evidence, even when he complained. It was a good thing, wasn’t it?

But even when she sabotaged him, her mother defended him.

That beggar, always whining and complaining.

Flora became even angrier. She started targeting other things, becoming bolder, more daring.

She used every opportunity to torment him.

Then, Isabella’s mental illness was cured.

Her mother had recovered, and there was no one left in the duchy to protect him.

Flora seized the opportunity.

The family would finally return to normal. She had brought justice to the duchy, protecting her family, her brother’s place, from that boy from the slums.

But recently…

She had started to have doubts.

An unpleasant feeling gnawed at her heart.

“Lady Flora? What’s wrong?”

She was walking with a knight, and he had taken off his coat and wrapped it around her.

“You should have said something if you were cold, my lady. You might catch a cold.”

“…”

She wasn’t cold. Her clothes were warm, and the shawl she was wearing protected her from the winter wind.

She didn’t need the coat.

But she felt a sense of relief.

‘Sir Theo is the best.’

Theo Ramstear.

A knight from the first squadron, a trainee knight on the verge of becoming a full-fledged knight.

She felt safe around him.

—How could this be Lady Flora’s fault? It’s his fault.

He had comforted her when she was reprimanded by her mother, a young noble from a baron family serving as a knight in the duchy.

—Carsein is a disgrace to the family. He needs to be punished, but… we’ll have to wait for the Duchess to recover.

He had empathized with her, understanding her frustration.

She often went to Theo when she was upset with Carsein.

His words were like a balm to her soul.

He always knew what to say, offering comfort and validation.

He was just like that now.

He was concerned about her health.

He was the person she trusted the most, after her family.

‘Sir Theo will know the answer.’

She looked at him, her heart heavy with her unspoken anxieties.

“Umm… Sir Theo, I have a problem… Can I talk to you about it?”

Theo smiled.

“Of course,” he said.

Although she had originally come with that in mind, Flora always felt at ease whenever she met Theo. Thanks to this, she was able to freely share her worries from the past days.

She told him everything.

From the times she had tormented Carsein to her current confusion.

She didn’t go into detail, but she shared her anxieties.

And then, she asked,

“Umm… So, what do you think, Sir Theo? I’m starting to wonder… if I was wrong…”

She wanted to know his opinion. Was she wrong to feel this way? How could she get rid of this feeling? She had come here for that.

Theo smiled, gently taking her hand.

“Lady Flora, you did nothing wrong.”

***

The fourth day of training arrived.

He was sore, but he was relieved that he had passed the halfway point.

The hardest part was over.

The training would be easier from now on.

▶The knights’ harassment will lessen, thanks to Isabella’s protection!◀

The status window confirmed it. The knights were more subdued, aware of Isabella’s scrutiny.

But that wasn't all.

▶You will receive help from your family during the remaining training days!◀
▶Due to your choice, one family member will intervene each day, until the sixth day!◀

He had used the Bagrand name to force the knights to obey the Duchess’s order, which slightly lowered his reputation within the squadron.

He had to avoid any unnecessary interactions outside of training, but he also gained powerful allies during the training period.

His family.

Day 3: Isabella.

Day 4: Arina.

Day 5: Claire.

They would visit him, one after another.

They might want to get rid of him.

They might believe he didn’t deserve to be there, that he had no right to train with the knights, that he had injured one of their comrades.

But they couldn't act rashly while their masters were watching.

“But… this game is never that easy.”

▶On the sixth day, Flora Bagrand will visit the training grounds!◀

“Of course not. It wouldn’t be so difficult if they just gave me everything I wanted.”

Isabella was a reliable ally, and Arina and Claire would protect him if the knights tried to harm him.

But Flora was a different story.

She was obsessed with the idea that he was trying to steal her family. And her immaturity made her unpredictable, increasing the chances of her siding with the knights.

Ironically, it was a symmetrical pattern.

It was an unchanging scene, a constant in this episode, regardless of his choices.

Episode V started with Flora, and it would end with her.

It meant…

He had to confront her, to win over the last member of the family.

He chuckled, remembering a scene from the episode.

“…I can use this.”

He had finished analyzing the situation, and it was time to act.

▶Prepare for training by filling your canteen!◀
▶Pack a towel in your pouch, in case you sweat!◀

The status window, as if reminding him that he couldn’t just stay in his room, urged him to move.

He had to confront the knights now, just like Carsein in the game.

—Knock, knock.

‘He’s finally here.’

Carsein opened the door.

“Excuse me, young master. I just need to… Oh.”

The door swung open, revealing Mark.

He seemed surprised.

He probably hadn’t expected the young master to be awake so early.

But he was used to waking up early for school, work, and studying.

The choice window appeared.

“You’re calling me ‘young master’ instead of ‘trainee.’ You must have something important to say.”

“…Yes, that’s right.”

Mark didn’t deny it.

Carsein closed the door and stepped outside. Mark cleared his throat.

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

—Ding!

The choices appeared as Mark spoke.

He corrected Mark’s question, choosing the same option as in the game.

“You’re asking why I didn’t report the knights’ harassment to Mother, even though she was right there, aren’t you?”

“…!”

“Because I would have been expelled. Isn’t that right?”

“That’s not true. If the Duchess had known about this, she would have punished the knights, not you.”

“You think I would break my own promise, my vow to follow the rules of the training grounds, just three days after making it? You think I would use my status as a Bagrand to get my way?”

It was absurd.

“Just admit it. You’re letting me stay because you want to know why.”

“…!”

“You’re giving me a chance, aren’t you? Am I wrong?”

Mark gulped, his lips trembling.

He didn’t answer.

He sighed, then looked at Carsein, his expression serious.

It was a different tone than before.

“I can’t forgive you. No, I won’t. You know why.”

“Yes.”

“We all remember what you did to Radiel. So…”

Mark clenched his fists.

His knuckles were white.

He continued, his voice filled with suppressed anger,

“Don’t you dare run away this time. You will tell me the truth. What happened that day? What did Radiel try so desperately to hide?”

He didn’t try to hide his anger.

The choice window asked if he wanted to punish Mark.

If it had been the real Carsein, he would have probably cursed at the game developers for giving him such a choice.

He wouldn’t break this promise.

Not even if he wasn’t Carsein Bagrand.

“I promise. I’ll tell you everything, when the time is right.”

“…”

Mark finally relaxed his fists, his breathing slowing.

He turned to leave, then stopped and handed Carsein a few things.

They were gifts, suitable for a hospital visit.

“Radiel wants to see you. He heard you were at the training grounds. You should visit him.”

Mark left, his footsteps heavy.

Carsein didn't thank him. He couldn't.

—Ding!

▶A sub-episode has been activated! Mark’s affinity will be frozen during this time!◀
[Current level: 2%]

▶Sub-episode. Mark and Radiel has begun!◀
▶This episode will progress separately from Episode V, and the rewards will be granted separately!◀
[Success: Mark’s affinity will increase, and your reputation within the knight squadron will be upgraded to Fame.]
[Failure: -]

He had chosen this path to trigger the sub-episode.

***

After his conversation with Mark, he followed the instructions and headed for the water fountain.

‘It should be around here…’

He wished he had Carsein’s memories. The training grounds, a simple pixelated map in the game, were vast and confusing in reality.

But he seemed to be in the right place. He could recognize the surrounding area, the layout of the buildings and the terrain.

He reached the water fountain and heard voices coming from nearby.

“I feel like I’ve gained weight.”

“Well, you’ve been drinking a lot lately.”

“Hey, I still train properly, you brat.”

He had to be careful.

If he wasn’t careful, he would encounter the knights at the wrong time and trigger a conflict, especially if the ones who had been bribed by Emma decided to stir up trouble.

His reputation would plummet.

And he wouldn’t have Mark’s protection while the sub-episode was in progress.

He waited, and the knights finally left.

He quickly filled his canteen and then splashed water on the ground nearby.

‘Damn it, where is it?’

In the game, there would usually be a “drink” button when he reached the fountain, but this time, there had been a “use” button.

Carsein had splashed water on the ground and found an item.

But… This damn game…

‘It’s so much bigger in real life!’

There was no other choice.

He had to try splashing water on every pillar.

He repeated the action four times.

And then, a key, hidden behind one of the pillars, appeared.

—Ding!

[Item acquired!]

“…There it is!”

The long-awaited message appeared.

■Items in possession■
◆First Knight Squadron Storage Room Key
[Grants access to the storage room.]