Chapter 3
The House of Luisa selects its heir based solely on merit—on power and status that can elevate the family’s name.
After surviving Luisa’s trials, the chosen candidates enter a new stage of brutal competition, each fighting to become the next head of the family.
And at the very top of that ruthless pyramid stood Chaser Luisa.
Before the player character ever appeared in the game, Chaser was the leading candidate to inherit the Luisa title—wielding both influence and strength within the family.
He was also the main antagonist—the one who relentlessly pursued and tried to kill the player character, seeing them as the greatest threat to his claim.
That was Chaser Luisa.
In the true ending… didn’t he eventually fall in love with the player and admit defeat?
It had been years since Evelyn’s reincarnation, and the details of the game’s story had started to blur.
But one thing she remembered clearly was that Chaser’s ability was fire.
When they first met during the Luisa trials, the dazzling flames he wielded drew everyone’s attention. His power had been undeniable.
But why would someone like him, who should be securing his position in the capital, be here in the mountains?
She must have had a really bad dream to wake up into this.
So what if he was handsome?
The more Evelyn looked at him, the more memories from her past life came flooding back—her stomach churned.
Just as her head started spinning with painful flashbacks, the silence between them was broken.
“You’re the one in charge here, correct?”
Even his voice was unfairly perfect—smooth and soothing, enough to disarm anyone who heard it.
It brought Evelyn back to her senses.
“Yes, I’m the one responsible for the monastery. I haven’t seen you around before—may I ask where you’re coming from?”
“I’m a traveling mercenary. I was passing through the mountains when a sudden downpour forced me to find shelter. That’s how I ended up here.”
Why this monastery? The village would’ve been closer unless he came from the Foren Mountains… Surely he didn’t cross them at this hour. And claiming to be a mercenary? That seems like a lie.
His words came out smoothly—too smoothly. Evelyn suspected he was lying, but she couldn’t let it show.
Children of Luisa were trained to be cold and calculating. They had to be, to survive the cruel trials of their youth.
That’s how they were written, too.
In the game’s story, Chaser had been the first to grow hostile toward the protagonist, constantly watching, testing—and trying to eliminate them.
What should I do?
If she rejected him now, and he later revealed his true identity, he could accuse her of disrespect and punish the monastery.
Right now, Evelyn was the one responsible for everyone here. Her choices would shape the future of this place.
She wanted to send him away—but this man was a high noble.
If he felt slighted, he could burn the monastery to the ground without a second thought.
Evelyn put on the gentle smile she’d learned from Sister Lasagna and nodded politely.
There was no other choice.
“You must’ve lost your way in the rain. The mountain paths aren’t too difficult, but they can be dangerous if you’re not familiar with them. Please rest here for the night—I’ll prepare a room for you.”
“Thank you.”
His response was calm and courteous, but it did nothing to ease her unease.
Sweat trickled down her back despite the chill—but she couldn’t let it show.
“Let me take you to your room. Have you eaten yet?”
“I’m fine. If it’s not too much trouble, I’d just like a towel to clean up.”
“Of course. The guest room is at the end of the left hallway on the second floor. If you’d like breakfast, please come to the dining hall by 8 a.m. It’s down that hallway.”
She pointed to the far right side of the first-floor corridor. He gave a silent nod.
Hopefully he’ll leave quietly in the morning without eating…
Only the sound of rain tapping against the windows echoed through the hall.
The second floor wasn’t far, but the tension made every step feel longer than usual.
Don’t panic…
Out of habit, Evelyn reached for the small pendant around her neck and spoke in a light, friendly voice.
“This might be a bit late to ask, but may I have your name?”
“You may call me Chain.”
“Alright then, Mr. Chain. Please feel free to call me Evelyn.”
They had only exchanged names, but the silence that followed made her uneasy.
Could he have recognized me?
Evelyn subtly wiped the sweat from her palms on her skirt, forcing herself to remain composed.
After a few more steps, they arrived at the guest room.
There’s another guest in the room next door, but… he’s leaving tomorrow, so I don’t need to mention it.
She opened the door and switched on the light, revealing a modest but clean room.
It’s not a proper inn, but this should be good enough. Oh—there’s a towel already here.
Evelyn turned away, quietly proud of her own diligence— “Ah! You scared me!” —and nearly jumped out of her skin.
Chaser was standing right behind her, far too close. Evelyn gasped involuntarily and raised her voice without meaning to.
Realizing her reaction, she quickly covered her mouth, and Chaser took a polite step back.
“My apologies if I startled you. I thought I smelled something pleasant from the room.”
Yeah right. His stiff expression didn’t match his words in the slightest—he didn’t look sorry at all.
“No, it’s… it’s fine,” Evelyn stammered.
“I know this might be a strange question, but… have we met before?”
“Wh-what? No! I don’t think so. This is the first time we’ve met!” she said, forcing a laugh.
“Is that so? I must be mistaken, then.”
Though a faint smile curved his lips, his eyes remained cold and watchful.
That look—it wasn’t one of curiosity. It was calculated. Searching.
Evelyn’s heart pounded in her chest like it might burst from fear.
“How strange… You seem so familiar,” he added.
If she stayed here any longer, her nerves might snap.
“Well, I’ll be going now! Rest well!” she blurted out and turned away, not waiting for a reply.
She rushed down the hall, bolting for the opposite corridor where her room was. Only after slamming the door shut behind her did, she finally slump to the floor, back pressed against the door, tension crashing down all at once.
“Haa… haa…”
She clutched at her chest, trying to calm the panicked thudding of her heart.
There had been no scent in the guest room.
Ever since Lasagna had fallen ill and Evelyn’s sense of smell had become more sensitive, she’d switched to using only scentless cleaning products. There was no way any “pleasant scent” could have been there.
Had she become too jumpy just because someone from Louisa appeared out of nowhere?
Or maybe… maybe the smell was just an excuse—maybe he got that close just to get a better look at her.
Does he remember me? No… no, that’s impossible. It’s been ten years!
Even as she tried to reason with herself, the unease wouldn’t fade.
And how could it?
Evelyn still had nightmares about that place. That mansion. That trial.
Even after all this time, the image of that black estate where the trial had been held remained vivid.
A three-story wooden manor. Administrators stationed throughout, inside and out. A massive underground maze beneath the building.
And ten children, forced to fight desperately to survive.
Those who passed the trial became part of Louisa.
Those who failed—died.
If they didn’t die naturally, the administrators killed them to protect the secrets of the Louisa family.
Evelyn had been a failure.
And yet, she had been the only one who survived.
What if he’s here because he knows? What if he came to kill me?
“Uuugh…” Evelyn groaned, burying her head in her hands.
In the full-length mirror on the far side of the room, a fragile-looking girl stared back at her with wide, frightened eyes.
Her reflection should have shown her plain brown hair and dark brown eyes.
But what she saw instead was shimmering golden hair and soft green eyes, like the fresh leaves of summer.
Her true appearance.
What?!
Panicking, Evelyn grabbed a towel and furiously scrubbed at the mirror until it squeaked with the effort.
When she looked again, the image reflected was as it should be—an ordinary girl with light brown hair and dark eyes, perhaps a little pretty, but otherwise unremarkable.
“My necklace…”
Below her pale face and trembling lips hung a slightly askew pendant.
It was still there. Safe.
“Thank goodness…”
Evelyn clutched the necklace tightly.
The pendant was a magical artifact that disguised the wearer’s hair and eye color. Sister Lasagna had given it to her when she was young.
It had become Evelyn’s most treasured possession—Lasagna’s way of protecting a child who stood out too much to safely walk outside.
Now that she’d confirmed the magic was still working, the hallucinations and whispers seemed to melt away.
Right. There’s no way he could know. I was never the kind of person anyone noticed back then.
All the children in the trial had been espers—those with awakened powers.
But Evelyn… Evelyn was powerless.
She had shown no signs of awakening, and yet Count Bayardo, blinded by greed, had lied to the Louisa family to get rid of her.
Because of her lack of ability, the other children never saw her as a threat. Some barely acknowledged her existence at all.
Even Chaser, the standout of the group, likely hadn’t even known her name.
I can’t let anyone find out who I really am.
If Chaser realized she was the survivor from the Louisa trials… he might kill her on the spot.
And it wouldn’t stop with her.
If her identity were revealed, the entire monastery—Sister Lasagna, the children—would be in danger.
Her whole body began to shake.
She felt like crying. But she couldn’t make a sound.
