I had a nostalgic dream.

When someone feels nostalgia, it usually means the dream in question is a pleasant memory. However, the dream I had that day was more of a "nightmare"—a replay of one of the many traumas in my self-inflicted life.

It was about the one and only time I participated in a during my first life.

Why would a lazy, aimless person like me bother with something so troublesome even once? Well, the reasons behind my actions in my first life were always the same. That time, too, I was undoubtedly goaded by that woman into joining the duel.

With lines like "I want to see your impressive side" and "Lord Claym, you’re so strong!" the foolish me of my first life was easily flattered and enthusiastically joined the duel, only to be utterly crushed by an upperclassman.

────Looking back, it’s almost admirable in its own way.

My complete and utter defeat epitomized the stereotype of a petty, villainous noble—an exemplary performance of the typical aristocratic conduct. I still clearly remember the upperclassman who righteously defeated that pathetic version of myself.

There’s no way I could forget. After all, he was not only another of a like me but also one of the students closest to the in that academy.

────His name was…

Just as I tried to recall his name from my first life’s memories, my consciousness was abruptly pulled back.

A blinding light, a sense of relief... and a faint lingering anxiety woke me up.

"Haa…"

As usual, I woke up early and headed to the dormitory’s backyard to train. However, my mood was terrible, and I felt like I’d woken up on the wrong side of the bed. Appropriately matching my somber mood, today’s weather was a dreary overcast sky.

"Are you okay, Clay-kun?"

Seeing me sigh deeply, the Hero, who was practicing swings beside me, looked up at me with concern.

"Ahhh, yeah, yeah, I’m fine… totally fine."

Normally, I’d inwardly make a snarky comment about such an unmanly, overly cutesy gesture, but today, I didn’t even have the energy for that.

After the joint training session, Weiss, who had defeated Stud—or was it Sid?—in a duel, continued his training like this. He didn’t really need to keep up this absurd routine anymore, but according to him, "I’ve gotten so used to training that I can’t settle down without it."

────He’s completely addicted.

While I couldn’t help but feel sorry for the Hero, who seemed to be following in my footsteps, I wasn’t in any state to worry about others. My condition was far worse.

My practice swings were sloppy, to the point where I’d rather die than swing like this. If my old man saw me in such a pathetic state, he’d mock me relentlessly, and we’d inevitably end up in a pointless squabble.

────What was it again…?

I felt like I’d had a dream I didn’t want to remember, but the memory was hazy. Only the unpleasant emotions clung clearly to my mind. Trying to recall the dream only seemed to make me feel worse.

"M-Maybe you should take it easy today?"

"...No, it’s not that bad. Thanks, though."

I appreciated the Hero’s continued concern, but I didn’t stop my practice swings. I didn’t have a fever or anything—this was more of a mental issue. As terrible as my swings were, doing nothing would’ve been worse. Who knows, I might even recover my rhythm while practicing. There was no time to rest idly.

────I really need to deal with this.

I’d always known, but my mental resilience was utterly fragile.

Sure, compared to my first life, my body, skills, and magic handling had improved, and I could hold my own in a fight. But that’s all. In the end, I’d still crumble under the weight of my first life’s traumas.

I’d tried to tackle the same issues time and again, only to fail every time.

"What should I do…?"

That strange magic from Levia the other day… I resisted it.

At the time, she vehemently denied being responsible, but I was certain it was her magic. And it wasn’t ordinary magic—it was a special that only those with a unique heritage could wield.

────What the hell is going on?

No matter how much I compared her now to her first-life counterpart, they were practically different people. Even her origins and magic were different. That magic undeniably influenced the mind. Such peculiar magic could only be . Judging from what happened both times, its effect was likely mental manipulation.

────I can’t figure it out.

The more I thought about it, the more my thoughts spiraled. Regardless, I lacked information. Still, one thing had become clear.

I’d vaguely suspected it when I was executed in my first life, but now I was sure: I had been manipulated and set up by her mysterious . If nothing else, that much was certain. Knowing that was progress for now.

────Starting today, the real begin.

I couldn’t afford to let her consume my thoughts any longer. Since that day, she hadn’t caused any trouble. That was good enough for now. I could deal with her after handling other pressing matters.

"Let’s call it a morning."

"Understood!"

By the time I reached a conclusion, my lousy swings had become somewhat less lousy. I ended my morning training at a good stopping point. Forcing myself to move had improved my mood considerably. As expected, practice swings were universal. As long as I trusted in them, most problems could be resolved.

With this, the upcoming shouldn’t be a problem.