Chapter 213: When She Fell In Love
That night, under the stars, Serena and I shared a quiet warmth that needed no words. Just being beside her, feeling her presence, made the world feel still and safe. Her beauty was radiant, but it was her gentle soul that captivated most.
Still, sothing tugged at from within—a question I couldn’t shake. Eventually, I broke the silence.
“Serena…”
“Yes, Naoki?” she answered with a tender smile.
“Why did you fall in love with ? Back then… I was just a flirt. A failure. The weakest of all the hero candidates.”
She burst into a small laugh. “Pfft! So that’s what’s been bothering you? Honestly, it’s true. You were the most shaless flirt at the academy. Every ti a pretty girl passed by, there you were. You skipped classes, picked fights, and your swordsmanship? Terrible.”
I groaned, covering my face. “Thanks for the ego boost…”
But then her voice softened.
“Still… even back then, I fell in love with you, Naoki.”
“…Why?” I asked, baffled. “Why would soone as amazing as you fall for soone like that?”
She turned her gaze to the night sky, and her eyes reflected distant mories.
…
Back then, Serena was still just a first-year student—quiet, diligent, and burdened by pressure. She ca from a prestigious family but struggled to awaken the full extent of her powers. While her swordsmanship was decent, her ice magic was unstable and uncontrollable.
The other students in her class—Lucius, Theresia, Cain—were prodigies. And then… there was Naoki von Blackmore.
Naoki was in a league of his own—but not in a good way. He was the bottom-ranked hero candidate, infamous for being a lazy flirt, skipping lessons, and always getting into trouble. His magic was nonexistent, and his swordsmanship lacked refinent.
But sohow, his presence gave Serena comfort.
She wasn’t the worst anymore.She wasn’t alone.
Naoki would tease her endlessly. At first, Serena found him irritating. He was shaless, always throwing pickup lines and provoking her reactions. But slowly, his silly persistence broke through her guarded heart.
They began talking more. Laughing more. She even learned a few teasing tricks from him.He wasn’t just a clown—he was loyal, funny, and kind in the strangest ways.He made her feel seen.
And then ca the final exam of the year—the infamous Troll Trial near Mount Archanis.
Each hero candidate had to defeat 10 trolls alone. No teams allowed.
Serena fought hard. She downed five trolls, pushing her body past its limits. But exhaustion consud her. As she collapsed under the weight of her fatigue, a terrible twist awaited her—ten trolls surrounded her. An ambush.
She tried to fight back, but her mana was unstable. Her body trembled. Her blade grew heavy. And in that mont… Serena thought she would die.
But then—
Naoki appeared.
His sword blazed with wind magic as he roared through the clearing.
“[Kazekiri 5X]!”His blade struck like a gale, knocking trolls away—reckless, wild, but effective.
“You ugly moss trolls! You think I’d let you lay a hand on this beautiful girl?!”
He turned to Serena with his signature grin.”You okay? I had a hunch you were here. What can I say? I’ve got a radar for cute girls in distress!”
“You idiot…” she muttered with a weak smile. “…But thank you. You saved .”
“Save the thank-you kiss for later—we’ve got more of these bastards to deal with!”
Together, they fought back-to-back. Seven trolls fell, but it took everything they had. Their armor cracked. Blood stained the ground. Naoki had shielded Serena from a fatal blow—taking it to the ribs. His breathing was shallow. His body was broken.
As he collapsed, Serena caught him in her arms.”Naoki… I’m so sorry… This is all my fault…”
But he opened his eyes and wiped away her tears.
“Don’t say that… We’re not finished. There’s still a way.”
Despite his injuries, his eyes were unwavering—full of belief, not just in himself, but in her.
“Use your magic, Serena. You still have mana left. I know you’ve struggled, but… I believe in you.”
She hesitated, still doubting herself.
Then Naoki stood behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and guiding her trembling hands.
“Feel it. From your core. Let the mana flow gently, like a river. Don’t force it—just trust it. Trust yourself. Because I trust you.”
His voice cald her fears. His warmth steadied her chaos.
And suddenly—her mana, once wild and chaotic, flowed with grace.
Ice gathered at her feet. The temperature dropped. A glowing sigil ford beneath them, crackling with raw, focused power.
The trolls charged.
“NOW, SERENA!” Naoki shouted.
She raised her sword, her voice ringing out:
“[Winterfell Magic Swordsmanship: Winter Embrace]!”
A blast of frozen power surged from her blade.The ground crystallized.Three trolls froze where they stood—statues of ice—before shattering into glittering fragnts.
They had won.
“I did it, Naoki! Your advice was incredible! I can finally control my magic!”Serena cried out in joy, her eyes shimring with the glow of her newfound power.
Naoki smiled faintly, but his legs gave out, and he collapsed into Serena’s arms. His breaths were short, and his body was completely exhausted.
“That’s amazing, Serena… I knew you could do it…” he said softly, his consciousness slipping away.
Serena held him tightly, her heart aching at the sight of his drained face.”Rest now, Naoki…” she whispered.
Then, she kissed his cheek gently.”Thank you… for saving .”
Naoki managed a tired smile.”This is worth it… I’m happy. I’ll have a beautiful dream.”
And with that, he lost consciousness, cradled in her arms.
They were both rescued and safely returned to the academy. Serena requested aid from the instructors to treat Naoki. A few days later, they were inford they had passed the trial.
But their joy didn’t last long.
The instructors summoned them again—with grave news. They had obtained proof that Serena and Naoki had helped each other during the individual trial—an act strictly forbidden. As a result, they were at risk of being disqualified.
Serena protested imdiately, outraged by the accusation. But before her voice could rise further, Naoki stepped in calmly, placing a hand on her shoulder.
With a steady voice, he admitted everything.
He claid that Serena had single-handedly defeated the trolls. He had only tried to steal the achievent by launching a surprise attack, but failed and got beaten instead. It was Serena who ca to his rescue and finished the battle.
“The troll points belong to Serena,” he said firmly. “I don’t deserve any of them.”
The instructors nodded in agreent.”It’s impossible for you to defeat trolls, Naoki. You can’t use magic, and your swordsmanship is weak.”
Serena wanted to object again, but Naoki gently held her hand.”Don’t say anything,” he whispered. “Let it be this way.”
The sky was heavy with clouds as they stepped into the quiet garden. Serena finally let her emotions out.
“What were you thinking, idiot!” she snapped. “Why are you taking all the bla alone? I didn’t want this!”
Naoki just smiled, a quiet, painful smile.”It makes more sense this way, Serena. I’m the academy’s failure. To them, I’m the problem. No one would believe our story.”
Serena clenched her fists, tears falling as she lightly pounded his chest.”It’s not fair… You didn’t deserve this…”
Naoki wiped away her tears, his touch gentle.”Don’t cry. I’ll retake the trial alone. You just focus on your magic. Beco stronger—stronger than all those arrogant hero candidates.”
Serena stared into his eyes, her voice trembling.”Fine… But promise . Promise you’ll pass and reach the second year. I’ll be waiting.”
Naoki nodded.”Trust , sweet lady. We’ll et again.”
..
.
Naoki kept his promise.
He completed the trial on his own, though he ended up gravely wounded and had to spend a full month recovering. Serena felt guilty every day, constantly thinking about him.
When he returned and joined the second-year class—alongside Serena, Lucius, Theresia, and Cain—everything should’ve gone back to normal.
But Naoki had changed.
He beca distant. His responses to Serena were cold, emotionless, and formal. No more warmth. No more shared laughter.
Naoki was drifting away.
Over the year, he grew more unstable—skipping classes, getting into fights, and becoming the center of bad rumors. Every ti Serena asked what was wrong, he simply replied:
“I’m fine.”
In their final year, each hero candidate was tasked with completing a quest from their noble family.
Lucius, Theresia, Cain, and Serena completed theirs with ease.
Only Naoki had yet to finish his.
He said he was still gathering a unit to help him. Lucius and the others offered their troops. Serena wanted to do the sa—but the Winterfell family was ordered to defend the eastern border, near Mount Archanis, where monsters were increasingly attacking.
With a heavy heart, Serena couldn’t help him.
Naoki departed silently, without saying goodbye.
The last ti she saw him, his expression was filled with sorrow. But duty held her back from chasing after him.
Days later, the devastating news ca.
Naoki had failed the Blackmore quest.
His status as a hero candidate was revoked.
He was branded the “Failed Hero.”
A harsh title that signified disgrace—even before he could prove himself on the battlefield. A first in history. His family was humiliated, and so was he.
Naoki was temporarily expelled from the academy.
..
Serena graduated—without Naoki.
Her heart shattered. But she held onto her promise.She grew stronger. Strong enough to rival Lucius, the top hero of Braveheart Kingdom.
She fulfilled her promise.
But Naoki did not.
Her sadness only deepened when she heard the news—Naoki had lost his mory. Everything they had been through… all their mories… were gone.
Serena cried through the night.The boy who had once stood by her side no longer rembered her.
It took her ti—painful, slow ti—to gather the strength to face him again.
Then, one day, they t again.
But she t , not Naoki.
Finally she t who had been reincarnated into this world as Naoki. She didn’t know that I replaced Naoki.
We first t at my inauguration party as a hero candidate and heir to the Blackmore family.
Serena looked happy. I couldn’t ruin her fun and kept my secret a secret.
She deserved to be happy.
And I will protect that happiness
…
..
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