The next morning, I woke up realizing I had gotten up way too early. Though there didn't seem to be a clock around, judging by the sun's position, it must have been around 6 AM. Since only a few people were awake, I decided to head to what looked like a training field to keep exercising and practicing my boxing.
This body seemed to belong to someone who used swords, but I had no knowledge of that, so sticking to what I knew was best.
After training for a few hours, I decided to take a break—no point in overexerting myself while in this world.
[Notification: You have acquired the skill [Boxing].]
Hearing the notification and reading it, I finally saw that I had gained the Boxing skill. I thought I'd get it faster since I had prior knowledge, but apparently, I still had to train to unlock it.
"System."
[
Name: William Sanders
Age: 19
Race: Human
Titles: [Neanderthal Killer]
-----------------------------------
Strength: 6 + 3
Agility: 6
Endurance: 5 + 3
Intelligence: 9
Luck: 4
Perception: 7 + 1
Willpower: 10
-----------------------------------
[Skills]
[Calm Mind] [Running (Lv.3)] [Stealth (Lv.2)] [Boxing (Lv.1)]
-----------------------------------
[Missions]
[Shop]
]
"Looks like my stats are finally starting to improve, and my skills have leveled up too." Right now, I just wanted to see what my new skill did.
[Boxing: 20% increased damage when fighting unarmed, 5% reaction speed boost.
You can land a surprise strike every 2 minutes.]
"What a great skill!" And this was just at level one—I wondered what it could do at max level. While checking my other skill upgrades, I noticed someone approaching.
Rossette stood in front of me, rubbing her temples.
"How long have you been there?"
"Since you started throwing punches at the air, completely focused."
"So you've been watching me for at least an hour."
"Arthur, is fighting nothing fun? You look like a child playing warrior." Her tone was mocking, but her eyes sparkled with genuine curiosity.
I stopped, wiping sweat from my forehead with my forearm.
"It's more effective than it looks. Or would you prefer I demonstrate on you?"
Rossette laughed, a sound as clear as wind chimes.
"Challenging a lady? How unchivalrous. Though if you insist, I could teach you some humility."
Before I could respond, her fist shot toward me—not the clumsy strike of a noblewoman, but a precise movement, refined by years of swordsmanship, though now without a blade.
"Wow! I have to admit, that's impressive. Where'd you learn that?"
"My mother believes a woman practicing fencing should use a foil—precise and elegant. But I think sometimes a few good punches are more persuasive."
She removed her gloves, seemingly ready for another attack. This time, I was prepared. I blocked her strike with my forearm and countered with a controlled jab, stopping just before her shoulder.
Rossette smiled—wide and genuine.
"Not bad, my lord. But you lack malice."
For the next hour, we exchanged blows and dodges. She was fast, her movements fluid, like we were dancing rather than fighting. At one point, I feinted high before switching to a low hook, stopping it an inch from her side.
"I have to admit, despite your inelegant movements, you managed to win."
"I wouldn't go that far. I was ready for a fight, while you were still in a dress that restricts you. Plus, I noticed you were avoiding getting it dirty."
Rossette glanced at her dress, now slightly dusty at the hem, and laughed—a bright, unrestrained sound that made her eyes gleam like rubies in the sun.
"You may not know me well, but just because I'm a beautiful, elegant lady doesn't mean I'm useless. I can get dirty without caring about a dress."
Arrogant? Absolutely. But she had every right to be. And despite facing me in something she wasn't specialized in, if we'd fought with swords, I would've lost.
"Tell me, you said you'd come early today. Does that mean—?"
"Yes. Mother and Father are currently speaking with yours, finalizing our engagement."
"Are you sure about this?"
"Of course. I don't particularly care who my husband is, as long as he fulfills his duties and doesn't betray me. Besides, you're entertaining, so I don't see the problem."
"You say that, but what if I return to my original body? You'd still be married to the owner of this one—and you might never remarry."
This time, she actually fell silent, as if considering something serious. After a few seconds, her expression hardened.
"If the real owner of that body turns out to be an incompetent or a coward, I won't hesitate to dispose of him. Divorce exists for a reason. I won't let him waste my time like my last fiancé."
I stood up.
"Well, we should go meet our parents. You should go ahead—I need to change into something better. Wouldn't want to disappoint my in-laws."
"No need to worry. Your father told me to fetch you here. Seems the real Arthur also trained often. Adopting his habits might be for the best."
Damn, my Luck stat must be higher than I thought. Once I leave this place, I'm buying a lottery ticket.
"From your expression, I see you didn't even know that. So I'll have to tell you a few things about Arthur so you don't slip up."
"Thanks."
"No need. I consider you an ally, and from what you've told me, my death wouldn't benefit you either. So you'd better be ready tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?"
"Yes. We have to go to the academy, and after what you did yesterday, they'll probably start shunning us both in some way."
Academy? Already? Back to school, with everyone's eyes boring into my neck.
"I'll count on you tomorrow."
[POV ???]
"DAMN IT, THIS WASN'T SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN!"
All my efforts to ruin that woman's reputation—ruined by some damn puppet who slipped out of my control out of nowhere. What a fucking joke.
I sat down, forcing myself to calm.
"Where did it all go wrong?"
She was supposed to lose her temper, challenge me to a duel, lose, and have no choice but to cancel the engagement and slink away in shame.
My knuckles whitened as I clenched my fists, the scars on my palms burning with the memory of years of meticulous planning.
With her explosive temper and insufferable pride, she should have reacted as always—with violence. A calculated insult to her honor, a subtle provocation in the tea room, and then, when her sword rose against me, the scandal would have been inevitable.
"But no."
My teeth ground together at the memory.
"Arthur Crimson."
Just remembering how he interfered and ruined my plan pissed me off.
"This isn't over. I'll make sure everything goes my way."