Given that the unlucky Nigel Ars was second in line since birth, it was only natural that the first in line was Noah Beselion, beloved by everyone in this world.

Noah, in a simple outfit of a white shirt and well-fitting dark navy cotton pants, emerged from the tent while swinging a wooden sword as if gauging its weight.

“Beselion.”

Noah instinctively moved his body to follow that familiar voice.

Nigel was looking directly at Noah.

Allen had told him not to stay still like this, but just having Nigel look at him made the corners of Noah’s mouth rise involuntarily.

“Come over here for a moment.”

Since Nigel’s words were irresistible to Noah, he followed behind Nigel without any suspicion.

The place Nigel arrived at was a small warehouse storing items such as chairs.

When Nigel and Noah entered the warehouse, it was packed with no empty space.

If it were an ordinary person, they would be conscious of being alone with Noah, but Nigel had been with men since he was young, and to Nigel, Noah was stamped as someone else’s man since birth.

So Nigel calmly rummaged through his pockets even with Noah in front of him.

“Found it.”

Nigel took out a black cat-shaped stone from his training uniform pocket. Its appearance was something he had seen somewhere before.

“Nigel, by any chance……”

“I didn’t steal it.”

Nigel quickly replied.

“No…… I never thought that.”

“I got it when I went to return the communication stone to Swindle before.”

Nigel quickly added as if making an excuse.

Noah laughed and opened his mouth.

“What is it for this time?”

Without explanation, Nigel touched the switch of the cat-shaped magical tool.

Meow!

Then, the cat flashed its yellow eyes a few times and stopped blinking.

“It’s to prevent light from leaking out.”

“Why on earth……”

Shh.

At that moment, Nigel brought his index finger to Noah’s lips.

“I won’t do anything bad, so just be quiet.”

Nigel took off the silver ring on his little finger, not seeing Noah’s ears turning red.

“To be honest, they nagged me a lot about why I’m participating when you’re suddenly participating and if we planned it together, but the fact that you shut your mouth is annoying……”

Noah barely suppressed his laughter at the more honest than expected remark.

“Still…… Since you don’t look well, I’m doing this specially for you.”

“Do I look that unwell?”

Noah tilted his head.

“Don’t you look in the mirror? Just looking at your face, it seems like you’ll collapse the day after tomorrow.”

He thought he had overworked himself before the sword competition, and it must have shown. The warmth hidden in the blunt tone made Noah’s heart tickle.

“Anyway, I only read about it in books and it’s my first time trying it, so it might not have an effect……”

“Nigel, you don’t have to use your ability for me……”

“Didn’t you hear what I just said? It’s fine, so just stay still like this.”

At the charismatic voice, Noah froze on the spot.

Nigel smiled satisfactorily at Noah’s reaction and pulled Noah’s left hand towards him.

Then he rolled up Noah’s shirt sleeve to reveal deep into his wrist.

“What are you doing now……?”

“……I’m getting annoyed, so just close your eyes and stay still.”

At Nigel’s words, Noah obediently closed his eyes.

With his eyes closed, all his senses focused on Nigel’s touch, making Noah’s heart tickle for no reason.

Nigel tightly grasped Noah’s wrist, and soon the density of the air changed. A warm and cozy power filled the small warehouse.

And at that moment…… something soft and warm, not fingers, touched the inside of Noah’s wrist and fell away.

“……?!”

At what happened in an instant, Noah stuttered with surprised rabbit eyes, unable to say anything.

“……What, what did you just do……”

“What do you mean what? I gave you a blessing. Since you didn’t look well.”

Nigel pointed to Noah’s wrist with his finger. As if to prove his words, a small golden spot appeared on Noah’s wrist.

Nigel, who had already put the ring back on his little finger, spoke naturally as if talking about the weather.

“I recently read a book that had various blessings in it. So I tried it out. Oh, by the way, the blessing I gave you is the blessing of well-being. I know you won’t get hurt, but still, don’t get hurt.”

……Am I the weird one for not being natural in this situation?

Noah thought for a moment.

“It says the duration is about a week…… So tell me exactly what specific effects it had later.”

For now, my heart is pounding……

Meow!

Then the magical tool blinked its eyes again, and Nigel opened the door and left the warehouse.

“If we come out together, there could be unnecessary misunderstandings, so you come out a little later. Oh, and don’t tell Allen about today, absolutely.”

Bang!

Nigel’s presence walked away without hesitation after heartlessly closing the door. Nigel seemed to be in a good mood, even humming.

In this indescribable situation, Noah held his breath, hoping his heart would return to its own pace soon.

“……How the hell am I supposed to face the sword competition.”

Noah couldn’t even readily touch his wrist where Nigel’s…… had brushed past, only staring at it blinking, and belatedly left the warehouse.

“……Beselion! Why are you so late! You have to get on the competition grounds now…… Your face is burning red? Are you sick somewhere?”

“……No. I will go up right away.”

Noah answered the organizing committee member and strode onto the competition grounds.

“The long-awaited round of 16, the first match! The first match between Noah Beselion of the sword and Simon Miller of magic begins! Ah, there is a protective barrier on the competition grounds, so please fight to your heart’s content without hesitation!”

Buuu!

A powerful horn sound signaled the start of the match.

“Beselion, come at me!”

Simon said in a resonant voice.

Noah gripped the wooden sword again, and suddenly remembering his arm where Nigel’s…… had passed, he couldn’t help but smile shyly.

And belatedly, he realized how this would have looked to Simon.

“……This, you dare look down on me?!”

Simon took out a few colorful bottles from his pocket. And he threw one of them on the ground.

Clang!

As the bottle shattered, the competition grounds were instantly enveloped in fog, perfectly concealing the two people.

Wooooo.

At the same time, boos erupted from the spectator seats.

Noah focused on following the presence of the unseen opponent in the fog obscuring his vision.

“……!”

Dodging the flow of power suddenly felt, Noah smoothly evaded to the right.

With a narrow margin, a burst sound and yellow liquid splashed on the ground.

Liquid droplets that couldn’t be avoided in time seeped into Noah’s ankle.

It was only for a moment, but Noah’s foot became heavy.

That yellow liquid seemed to have the effect of instantly slowing down movement.

Swish.

Noah closed his eyes completely.

Since there was no need to rely on vision anymore, he was trying to focus all the nerves that had been concentrated on vision into finding Simon’s presence.

At that moment, among the numerous flows, Noah found a flow of power with a sensation similar to before.

Noah, still with his eyes closed, silenced his presence and walked towards that fragile but distinct power.

The moment the power approached right in front of him.

Simon hurriedly opened a potion bottle, startled by Noah who suddenly popped out.

Noah raised his sword and swung it up and down without hesitation.

……Thud.

Soon after, a dull sound of something hitting the ground was heard.

The audience searched for the silhouette of the one chosen by the goddess among the competition grounds obscured by fog.

Waaaaaah!

The audience sent a huge cheer to the victor who emerged from the fog.

“The outcome was decided in the blink of an eye! The winner is none other than Noah Beselion!!”

Noah bowed his head to Simon lying on the ground and left the competition grounds without lingering.

‘Even without awakening, the male lead is still the male lead.’

If vision is obstructed, just close your eyes.

Nigel could not easily imagine how much time and effort had gone into obtaining this seemingly simple solution.

“……!”

Nigel, who had been peeking at the match through the gap in the tent, made eye contact with Noah coming down from the competition grounds.

Nigel hurriedly averted his gaze, but he couldn’t stop Noah’s footsteps.

“Nigel!”

At the soft voice calling his name, Nigel slowly turned his head.

After finishing the match, Noah’s complexion was rosier than usual, his eyes in a pretty crescent shape, his cheekbones nicely raised, and the corners of his mouth lifted high.

Noah’s face was literally filled with joy.

He thought it was a bit like that usually, but today it was a bit more so.

As if he wasn’t the only one who thought that, the female student next to Nigel let out an exclamation of “Wow” out loud.

“……Are you that happy?”

Nigel said grumpily with his arms crossed.

“Yes, you kept your promise.”

“What promise…… Don’t tell me, not to get hurt?”

Noah’s fine blue-silver hair swayed up and down greatly.

“You really……”

What the hell does that one line mean.

How would he react if he knew that all of this was not out of concern for him, but for my own safety?

The difference between Noah’s pure happiness in keeping a friend’s promise and his own dirty ulterior motive was so stark that Nigel couldn’t find the words to say and just stood there silently.

“Nigel.”

Noah’s words lifted Nigel’s head.

“I won’t get hurt either, so Nigel, don’t get hurt too.”

In front of that clear smile, Nigel finally became a sinner.

Noah must have participated in the sword competition for reasons such as the honor of his department, to test his skills, etc.

Not for personal greed like himself who participated holding a grudge and seeking revenge.

“……Okay.”

Nigel answered with effort, soothing his bitter insides, and Noah responded with a bright smile.

“Then, I’ll cheer for you!”

Noah waved his clenched fist once and left the tent.

Nigel stared blankly at Noah returning to the tent under the warm sunlight.

Not knowing that Noah’s face was flushed not because of the match.