My thoughts stopped at those lips, as if someone were about to speak of death.
“Rohan?”
Stay calm. I mustn’t lose my composure.
“Rohan?”
Why is Ariel here at this moment? Perhaps due to the altered development…
“Rohan.”
Before I knew it, Ariel’s face was right in front of me.
Her gaze was unwavering, her pupils eerily lifeless—almost as if dead.
“Ariel Lippenstein.”
“Yes, speak.”
“You’re rude.”
“…Yes?”
I took a step back. At my words, Ariel tilted her head slightly to the left. But I didn’t stop. I advanced, reducing the space between us.
“Before you were the Assistant Professor of Springwind, before all that, am I your equal—my name being Gamma‑tier of the Empire—so you may call it lightly?”
Silence. The person before me is not the one who severed Grace’s arm. She did not go on to become the Weapon Master of Habledown’s Republic. I, however, am a hero of the Human‑Demon War and a Gamma‑tier. So to me, you are simply… Ariel Lippenstein. Just another Epsilon‑tier student I teach—your status not near mine.
“I apologize, Assistant Professor.”
Suddenly, she bowed deeply. Looking at the crown of her head, hand on her chest, she continued:
“I apologize for my rudeness. Please forgive me…”
I couldn’t say it surprised me—this is Ariel’s nature. She hides her intentions, placates others, and cloaks herself in a hypocrisy so charming it’s disarming. But you don’t know, do you? That before you, someone who hides even more lies.
Now you’re nothing but a hypocrite.
“Rise. Are you here to make me into a tyrant of a knight? All I wanted was to hear ‘I’m sorry’ from your lips regarding my honor.”
People around us were watching. In the Habledown Empire, Gamma knights like me—nobility—have no power to oppress others. That belongs only to the emperor and royal family. Yet rank denotes honor and strength—respect and authority officially recognized.
Still, look at her. She doesn’t stand—she bows deeper, drawing more attention. It provokes my anger further.
“I said—rise, Ariel Lippenstein. Were you planning to dishonor me…?”
“Quite the opposite. I aimed to dishonor your honor, Assistant Professor, so I owe you my apology.”
She’s doing a power play with me? A student against their professor?
“Apology noted.”
But this isn’t the sincere apology I want. That bone‑deep false apology doesn’t eliminate my hatred. If this gets captured and shared—game over.
“I’ll ask you.”
“Speak.”
“Ariel Lippenstein. Did you truly mean to provoke me?”
“Yes?”
Ariel raised her head—surprised. Didn’t expect that expression.
I continued calmly:
“I asked if you deliberately attempted to diminish my honor. Ariel Lippenstein.”
“No, absolutely not…!”
“If so, why are you apologizing?”
Supporting her shoulder, I helped Ariel stand. First stop—bathroom. I need to cleanse this filth from my skin.
“Have you ever seen someone apologize after mistakenly harming an ally?”
“No, I haven’t.”
“Then tell me: why aren’t you apologizing?”
Her lower lip trembled as she understood my point.
“I… made a mistake.”
“Exactly. You didn’t apologize because it was a mistake, and the harmed party also recognized it as a mistake and let it go. You had no intent to harm me, so you did nothing wrong.”
I already know how to handle you and strip away that shallow hypocrisy.
“So you don’t need to apologize. Rather, I need to apologize—for using my status against you.”
“Pardon me, what…?”
“I ask for your forgiveness.”
I rolled up my sleeve. In knightly fashion, I knelt on one knee, fist to heart.
“I’m sorry.”
Perhaps this apology is for some future event. Perhaps at some point I will have to kill you—for your future. So now. While I can. I must apologize…
“It’s okay.”
Her pale hand gripped mine. Tightening, she looked up and smiled.
“It’s your honor, not like me.”
I had forgotten how she had used hypocrisy and genuine care to win Grace’s and the readers’ hearts. In the illusion where every resentment melts, I thought:
“Don’t worry, Grace.”
Her hypocrisy was always sincere—powerful enough to deceive everyone.
“From now on, I’ll protect you.”
Even if it means fooling herself…
***
At home, I stood before the sink, facing the mirror.
“She’s exceptional, as always.”
For a moment, I almost believed Ariel to be “a good person.” And I— who knows every truth.
“Feels like being under an illusion…”
No mana movement. Not even my perception missed it. Had I known this would happen, I’d have bought “Status Window” first.
She’s unfathomable—strong, yet fragile to the touch, weak yet unyielding to a Gamma knight. A goblin’s power—an irresistible charm.
“Where did the lies begin…”
No—I don’t even know where the lies began. Ariel Lippenstein has worn so many masks she forgot her true self.
One thing’s certain: she is not supposed to appear yet—and shouldn’t have at this point.
“Ariel Lippenstein. Age 20. From Folkestone in the southern Empire. Real name—unknown.”
Ariel Lippenstein is not her real name.
Her true identity: daughter of Allen Leaderstone—a traitor to the Empire during the Second Human‑Demon War, a former Alpha‑tier. Now she’s Michael Lippenstein’s stepsister, here to avenge Grace by enrolling at Springwind.
One guess among readers was:
“…Grace executed Allen Leaderstone.”
Leaderstone was slain by Grace during the war. The Empire was prevailing, demons were retreating, traitors were executed as expected.
So was Ariel’s hatred of Grace simply that of a traitor’s offspring? Readers reacted strongly. If true, it would become a simple revenge tale. But as the Empire’s truth emerged, sympathy grew for Grace. The author twisted and reversed this, ultimately burying it.
In summary: Ariel is Allen Leaderstone’s daughter, now Michael’s stepsister, and enrolled at Springwind to avenge Grace—though timing is off.
“Ariel arrives one year too early.”
Her enrollment should occur a year later—only after Michael’s disregard and Grace’s isolation. Now here due to my interference—another unforeseen variable, like Ellis. The question: how will this affect Grace’s fate? Coupled with Michael, fate could spiral disastrously.
“Perhaps I’m that variable…”
Perhaps the world is adjusting itself—to prevent altered fate, to steer destiny, to counter my interference. But disappointment is premature. If fate were unchangeable, the author wouldn’t have sent me here. If needed, I’ll use Bookmark to infinite-loop until fate changes. Though only every 15 days, I still can reset time.
“First, I must gain the power to handle variables.”
The issue is: I might die during the training. This world is real—death here means real death.
I opened the faucet, splashed cold water on my face—my overheated thoughts began to calm.
If I’m to change Grace’s fate, structural plans are in place.
“Now… to forge my own path.”
Based on this new “Growth” setting.