The Art Of Getting Punched (Almost)

The vast hallway stretched before me—grand yet suffocating. Towering stone pillars lined the walls, engraved with golden filigree, while massive oil paintings of past nobles loomed overhead, their expressions cold and unfeeling.

The Stormbane estate was magnificent, a true testament to nobility. A place that should have inspired awe. But with Nathan's memories now fused with my own, it felt… ordinary.

As I walked, servants cast wary glances my way. Some recoiled as if I might lash out at any moment, while others barely hid their sneers. The disgust in their eyes was unmistakable.

"Just great," I muttered under my breath.

At that point, my best move was to avoid unnecessary confrontation. Ignoring them, I headed straight for the East Wing—where my sister resided. Thanks to Nathan's memories, I knew every corridor, every shortcut, every hidden passage in this estate like the back of my hand.

Yet, just as I reached the entrance—

Thud.

A wall of muscle stepped into my path.

Looking up, I found a man in his forties, his towering frame radiating sheer authority. A square jaw, short dark hair peppered with gray, and piercing eyes that burned with barely restrained contempt.

Sir Edric.

One of Stormbane's strongest knights and my sister's personal watchdog.

"What are you doing here?" His voice was flat, yet dripping with displeasure.

I met his gaze without flinching. "I came to see my sister. It's been a while."

Edric scoffed. "The infamous young master suddenly has time for family? That's new. Too busy terrorizing the maids to visit before?"

I ignored the jab. "It's none of your concern. Move aside."

His expression darkened. "It is, of course, my concern. I won't let a perverted monster like you near the young miss."

Ah. Nathan's stellar reputation strikes again.

I sighed internally. Of course, Edric wouldn't just let me pass. He had spent years witnessing the real Nathan's atrocities. And now, everyone in this estate was simply waiting for an excuse to break my bones.

Still, I had to see my sister.

What options did I have?

Option 1: Fight him? Suicide. This man wasn't just strong—he was Stormbane's sword. Even the game's protagonist wouldn't be able to take him down at this stage.

Option 2: Wait for another opportunity? No time. The Duchess—my stepmother—was returning tomorrow. If she got involved, I'd lose any chance of meeting my sister.

That left me with Option 3.

A dirty trick.

It seemed Nathan's bad reputation might actually be useful.

"You know..." I drawled, dragging out my words, "I've been getting bored with the maids lately." I sighed dramatically. "They're all so... uninteresting."

Edric's eyes sharpened.

I took a step forward. "Then I thought—why go through all the hassle of finding a new one when the most enticing option is right next door?"

His body tensed. "...What did you just say?"

Hooked.

I leaned in slightly, voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Why settle for ordinary maids... when I have my beautiful sister right here?"

"You vile bastard! She is your sister!" Edric's mana flared violently.

Oh, this was working better than I expected. Time to push it further.

I scoffed. "And? She's still a woman, isn't she?" My smirk widened, voice dripping with mockery. "Do you think a mere relationship stops a man from enjoying the finer things in life?"

Edric clenched his fists, his entire frame trembling. "You sick—"

I cut him off with a soft chuckle. "Oh, don't look so scandalized, Sir Edric. You've seen how she carries herself, haven't you?" I gestured lazily toward the East Wing. "So poised, so elegant... so utterly untouchable. Doesn't that just make it all the more exciting?"

His breathing grew heavier, shoulders squared.

I tilted my head, eyes gleaming with false amusement. "I mean, let's be honest. She's always been distant, cold—like a porcelain doll locked behind glass. It makes you wonder, doesn't it?" My voice dropped lower, taunting. "What kind of face would she make... if someone shattered that glass?"

"You fucking—!"

Mana surged around Edric, heat rippling in waves from his body.

I grinned. "Oh? Touched a nerve, did I?"

I took another slow step forward, my voice turning almost thoughtful. "But you know what's funny, Sir Edric? If I truly were the monster everyone believes... what could you do to stop me?"

His entire body stiffened.

I let my smirk linger. "Nothing. The Stormbane name shields me, and you? You're just a dog." I let my words hang in the air before delivering the final blow. "A dog barking at its master."

Boom.

The stone beneath Edric's feet cracked. His entire body exploded with power.

Oh… shit.

I expected anger—this was something else. This was pure, murderous intent.

"Your very existence is an insult to the Stormbane name!" he roared. "I held back only for Lady Brille's sake until now, but you—" His foot dug into the floor, muscles tensing. "I will end you here and now!"

'Uh… did I overdo it?'

The plan had been simple—provoke him into attacking me. As much as my reputation was beneath the ground, I was still a noble. He wouldn't actually kill me. After I took a hit, I'd collapse dramatically, cause a big scene, and force my sister to come outside. A flawless scheme—

Or so I had thought.

The air around us thickened, charged with raw mana. Edric's clenched fist crackled with energy, the sheer force distorting the space around it.

I gulped.

Wait, wait, wait—he's actually going to kill me?!

I tried to move. My body wouldn't respond.

'Damn it! MOVE!'

The fist tore through the air, heading straight for my face—

"STOP!"

A sharp voice sliced through the air like a blade.

Edric's fist halted inches from my skull. The sheer pressure still crackled in the space between us.

For a second, I didn't move. Didn't even breathe.

'Is my head still attached?'

Slowly, I turned toward the voice—silently thanking whoever had just saved my miserable life.

And there she was.

My step-sister.

Standing at the top of the stairs, serene yet commanding.

She wore a sapphire-blue velvet gown with intricate silver embroidery, its design exuding effortless grace. A delicate pearl choker rested against her pale neck, its sapphire pendant glistening under the chandelier's glow. Her white hair cascaded down her back, untouched by the tension in the air.

And her eyes—piercing violet—locked onto mine.

No warmth. No affection. Just cold, calculating indifference.

"Let him in, Sir Edric."

Edric stiffened. "Young Miss, he just—!"

"You nearly blew his head off," she said indifferently, cutting him off. "Did you plan to explain that to Mother?"

"...!"

That got him. Edric clenched his jaw, reluctantly lowering his fist.

My sister turned without another word, walking inside with effortless elegance.

I exhaled, tension leaving my body all at once.

Damn… that was way too close.

Shaking off the lingering fear, I followed her inside.

Time to see what kind of person my 'sister' truly was.