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Chapter 2
In the original story, there's a passing mention that Rachel spent several years convalescing in a rural village during childhood. ‌‌‌‌
'So that village is our village.'
Even if the two of us lived in the ‌‌same village, it made sense that our paths never crossed.
Vivian was merely a commoner, while Rachel was the sole daughter of House of Edelwein.
Regardless, the fact that we ‌‌‌‌both lived in the same village during childhood was a stroke of fortune for me. ‌‌
'The problem is that I need to get close to Rachel....'
Rachel possessed a constitution that was the complete opposite of mine, which suffered from mana overload.
'Specifically, a constitution that absorbs the surrounding mana and makes it her own.'
Every human naturally generates a certain amount of mana within their body, and the heart serves as ‌‌‌the vessel that contains it. ‌‌‌
Rachel inherited the power of her ancestor, a Grand Mage, giving her a mana vessel with a density incomparably greater than anyone else's.
On top of that, she possessed the ability to absorb the ‌‌mana floating around her and make it her own.
'If I can use Rachel's constitution like that, I can alleviate ‌‌‌‌my incurable condition.'
To do that, I needed to approach Rachel's vicinity, so first I had to ‌‌create many opportunities to make an impression on her.
'Then I'll be selected as her companion and have frequent contact with Rachel.'
But Rachel was an exceptionally precious young lady, so she wouldn't leave the manor unless she ‌‌chose to.
And since I was a commoner, I couldn't simply enter the ‌‌House of Edelwein's manor.
'So my first plan is....'
Having arrived at the manor, I first surveyed the interior of ‌‌‌‌‌the residence.
The servants were busy carrying luggage, ‌‌‌having only recently arrived.
Rachel had apparently already entered the residence, but that didn't matter.
'Today my target is those ‌‌people.'
The first phase of my so-called "Twist the Bad Ending and Survive!" plan.
'Befriend the servants and gather information about Rachel ‌‌‌and House of Edelwein.'
The servants were essentially the eyes and ears of that household.
I could ‌‌learn most anything about House of Edelwein and Rachel from them.
'As I gather information about Rachel, opportunities to create a connection ‌with her will naturally arise.'
And ‌‌using that information, I'll naturally encounter Rachel.
'Alright. Time to move!'
After observing my targets for the day, I quietly slipped into the ‌‌residence.
The servants who were busily carrying luggage noticed my presence and turned to look at me one by one.
I seized the moment and greeted them cheerfully.
"Hello there!"
But most of them ignored me or regarded me with suspicion.
However, I wasn't discouraged.
'Well, that's only natural.'
No matter how ‌‌young a child might be, a stranger arriving at a hectic time becomes an object of suspicion. There are plenty of petty thieves ‌‌‌‌around, after all.
Understanding this, I revealed my identity first.
"I'm ‌Vivian, the daughter of Dias Hessen, who runs Vivian's Bakery in the village. I'm nine years old."
"...."
"I heard you just moved in, so I thought I'd stop by to say hello. I've passed by this place so many times, and I was amazed at how enormous the mansion is!"
Most of them ignored my words and carried on with their work, though a few cast ‌‌curious glances in my direction.
The fact that they didn't chase me out was already a victory.
'Now then, let me bring up something that could actually be useful.' ‌‌‌‌
I flashed a triumphant smile and played my trump card.
It was none other than....
"If you're curious about anything regarding our village, feel free to ask me. I've lived here for half my ‌‌life, after all."
Information about the village.
As a child, I couldn't offer physical assistance, but information was different.
'I've lived in this village longer than any of them, and I ‌‌know things they don't.'
But if ‌‌‌I just claimed ‌‌to know everything without proof, it wouldn't be credible. Let me start with a small taste of what I know.
My first target was the female servants.
"If you go to the general store ‌‌‌‌in the Village Square, they sell an incredibly effective cosmetic ‌‌lotion. The ‌‌girl next door uses it all the time, and her skin is incredibly soft."
"How much does it cost?"
As expected, several female servants perked up with interest and ‌‌asked.
I seized the moment ‌‌and quickly launched into my pitch.
"It's one silver per bottle, ‌‌but they're currently running a promotion where ‌‌you get two for the price of one. It should last about three more days."
The female servants began whispering among themselves about visiting this evening.
Pleased with their positive response, I flashed another triumphant smile and moved on to my next target.
The male servants.
"And the Tavern run by Pierre has absolutely ‌‌delicious alcohol."
"How would ‌you know if it's delicious? Have you tried it?"
This time, one of the knights asked with a playful tone.
"No. There's this man who drinks there ‌‌‌all ‌‌‌the time, and he ‌‌always says he's quitting tomorrow, but then he shows up ‌‌‌there again the next day."
The servants burst into laughter at my words.
'Perfect, the atmosphere is great.'
Just as the servants were beginning to take interest and were about to strike up conversations with me.
A sharp, crystalline voice of a girl suddenly pierced through the air and shattered the mood.
"Who is that? What is she doing here?" ‌‌
I turned toward the voice ‌‌‌and saw a girl about my age wearing a dress made of quite expensive fabric.
She narrowed her pale green eyes into triangular slits and looked me up and down.
Refusing to be intimidated by her unpleasant gaze, I glared right back at her.
'Who is she? Rachel only has his maternal grandfather, Duke Edelwein, as family.'
As I was trying to figure out the girl's identity, one of the male servants stepped forward.
"She's a local girl who came to visit. You're about the same age—why don't you two get along, Sally?"
Sally looked me up and down, then spoke with a venomous tone.
"What? You're telling me to play with some country bumpkin like that? I'd rather ‌‌play alone."
And with that, she spun around and disappeared into the mansion.
Having been insulted out of nowhere, I glared daggers ‌‌‌at Sally's retreating figure.
'What nerve, and she's not even prettier ‌‌than me!'
Noticing my worry, the maid patted my shoulder reassuringly.
"Our young lady's tutor's daughter, yet she carries herself like a noble lady despite being a commoner. It seems she thinks she's become nobility just because her tutor is treated well. Tsk, tsk...."
"I'm fine! Thank you for your concern!"
It appeared that Sally had a poor reputation even within House of Edelwein.
I smiled inwardly with quiet satisfaction.
'The enemy of my enemy is my ally, after all.'
As Sally, with her tarnished reputation, belittled me, the other servants who witnessed the exchange began to view me more favorably. ‌‌
'Sally inadvertently helped my plan.'
I felt that today's work was sufficient.
I decided to withdraw at this point.
"Well then, I should be going. If you need anything from the Village, please feel free to visit anytime!"
I exchanged farewells with the servants and left the Manor.
'It's a shame ‌‌I couldn't even greet Rachel.'
As I soothed my disappointment and glanced up at the mansion without thinking.
My eyes met those of a girl gazing down from beyond the balcony window. ‌‌
'Who is that?'
Jet-black hair contrasting against porcelain skin, a small face adorned with eyes as blue as a winter lake.
I recognized her instantly.
That girl was Rachel—the very person I had been so desperate to meet.
'Wow, incredible! How can a person look like that?'
Rachel appeared almost inhuman, partly due to her otherworldly beauty, but also because of the cold, emotionless expression that made her feelings impossible to read.
Yet that very chill created an air of mystery around her.
Captivated, I stared at ‌‌‌Rachel before belatedly coming to my senses and raising my hand slightly in greeting.
But....
'Huh?'
Rachel saw my greeting and immediately ‌‌‌‌turned away, disappearing into her room.
'Did I come on too strong for a first meeting?'
I sheepishly lowered my hand.
'Well, we'll grow closer eventually!'
After all, I'd managed to greet her ‌and make an impression!
Having achieved today's objective, ‌‌‌‌I turned back with light steps, already ‌‌‌looking forward to tomorrow.
It was a promising beginning.
* * *
The next day.
After preparing to head to Edelwein Manor, I came downstairs and surveyed my surroundings.
As expected, I could see Father's silhouette in the kitchen behind the Bakery.
Our home consisted of the first floor—the Bakery that Father operated—and the second floor, where Father and I lived.
The reason I was now gauging Father's mood was....
[You absolutely cannot go near that Manor. Do you understand?]
Ever since Father heard ‌‌‌that House of Edelwein would be staying at the Manor a few days ago, he had nagged me relentlessly about it.
Assuming an unusually serious expression, she spoke with stern authority.
'If I say I'm going out, she'll definitely ask where I'm going and who I'm going with.'
Which would inevitably force me to lie. ‌‌‌
'Ugh, I really don't like lying.'
The honest nine-year-old ‌‌‌‌Vivian chose ‌‌‌‌‌evasion instead of deception.
But the moment I reached ‌the door with careful, muffled footsteps.
"Where are you going, Vivian?"
A familiar voice called from behind me.

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Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
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