It seems She has Become the First Love of the Impenetrable, Iron-Hearted Male Protagonist

“Rosevelia, are you okay?”

Lucas’s question snapped me out of my thoughts, and I quickly nodded.

“Yes, I’m fine.”

So much had happened in the span of seconds: a fleeing knight had accidentally collided with me, that knight turned out to be Raymond—the largest and most imposing member of the Order—and just as I stumbled, Ian had somehow appeared out of nowhere to steady me.

Hadn’t he been far off just a moment ago? When did he get here?

“Raymond, you need to be more careful. Rose, is your arm okay? It didn’t pop out, did it?”

As Ian helped me back to my feet, Edwin appeared, lightly shaking my arm as if testing for damage.

“Your arm… dislocated? Are you saying I did that?”

Raymond, who had frozen after the collision, stared at me in wide-eyed disbelief.

“No, I’m fine, Raymond. My shoulder’s a bit sore, but my arm didn’t pop out or anything—”

“Wait, what? Your shoulder might be dislocated?” Edwin exclaimed, feigning panic.

Raymond’s face turned pale. For all his hulking physique, he was surprisingly naïve.

“Edwin, stop it. Raymond actually believes you,” I said, sighing.

Raymond blinked in confusion before finally realizing it was a joke. Scratching the back of his head awkwardly, he approached me.

“So… you’re really okay, Rosevelia?”

“Yes. You’re strong, but my shoulder isn’t that weak.”

“You’re sure?”

“Positive.”

Only after I rotated my shoulder a few times did Raymond seem satisfied and walk off, visibly relieved.

“Are you really okay?” Ian asked, his gaze scanning my face as if searching for hidden injuries.

“I’m fine,” I said with a shrug. “I was just startled, that’s all.”

“If you say so, that’s good to hear.”

Wait a minute—had I even thanked him yet?

“Thanks, rookie.”

“I only did what I should, Senior. You mustn’t get hurt.”

The slight smirk tugging at his lips didn’t escape my notice. His words carried a meaning I understood all too well.

“Right, I mustn’t get hurt,” I replied dryly.

This was the same Ian who’d once told me he couldn’t forget the moment our swords crossed. If I got injured, it would mean no more duels with him. Was that why he’d practically flown across the field to catch me?

I could see right through you, Ian.

“You’re Klein, right?” Edwin asked suddenly.

“Yes, Senior.”

“That determination to protect—you’ve got guts. I like it.”

“Huh?” Ian looked genuinely puzzled, but Edwin merely smiled and glanced between the two of us.

That smile… why did it feel so ominous?

“Well then, Lucas and I will leave you two to have a nice little chat,” Edwin said casually.

A nice little chat? Did I hear that right?

“Edwin? There’s nothing more for me and the rookie to talk about.”

“Oh, I think he might have more to say. Anyway, we’re off.”

What nonsense is he spouting now?

Come to think of it, had Ian ever actually confessed his feelings for me? No, it had only been a duel request… right? Surely, he didn’t still think—

“Edwin!” I called after him. It’s not what you think!

“Why did Senior Edwin suddenly leave?” Ian asked, tilting his head in genuine confusion.

“Beats me,” I said with a sigh.

“Could it be…”

“I just remembered something urgent,” I cut in hastily, and before he could question further, I hurried off to the Knights’ library.

The library, the quietest place within the Order, was predictably empty. Though relatively small, it was well-maintained, with high arched ceilings adorned with warm amber lights and large arched windows between the towering bookshelves.

As I stepped toward a nearby shelf, a gentle breeze slipped through the slightly open window, stirring the air. The faint smell of old books and the slightly musty scent of the carpet tickled my nose, drawing an involuntary smile.

I’d always loved libraries and old bookstores in my past life, and this familiar atmosphere felt oddly comforting.

“There should be a book on aura in here somewhere…”

I had high hopes, given that this was the Knights’ library, but books on aura weren’t as easy to spot as I’d hoped.

Well, it wasn’t surprising. Aura was notoriously difficult to sense, and achieving mastery to become a Swordmaster was even rarer.

“The Empire’s Great Knight, Lawrence Glazer?”

One title caught my eye. Reaching for the thick volume, I pulled it off the shelf and opened it to the first page.

“Lawrence Glazer is the pride of the Glazer family and a Swordmaster whose legacy remains in the history of the Fonnes Empire. This book chronicles the life of Lawrence Glazer.”

“Found it,” I murmured, feeling a wave of relief.

Sitting down at a nearby table, I flipped through the chapters until I found the one on aura.

*“This chapter draws from records left by Lawrence Glazer regarding aura.

Aura is a blessing. It can only be sensed by those who have reached the pinnacle of swordsmanship. In the sensing stage, the amount of aura flowing through the body is minimal, making it impossible to wield.

Those who master the art of aura are known as Swordmasters, the highest echelon of swordsmen.

Manifesting aura involves expelling it from the body, and the resulting glow is said to vary for each knight. Once an aura’s color manifests, it remains unchanged until the knight’s death.

A sword infused with aura gains destructive power several times greater than normal, capable of cutting through anything.

Aura also enhances physical abilities, though its limits remain unknown.

It is speculated that wielding aura grants minor self-healing abilities, based on records from Lawrence Glazer, who noted that his scars and calluses disappeared after becoming a Swordmaster.”*

“Self-healing abilities?”

I tilted my head, glancing down at my hands. Like Lawrence Glazer, Rosevelia’s hands bore no scars or calluses.

Her left hand lacked calluses entirely, while her right hand, which she used primarily for wielding a sword, was soft and delicate, as if it had never gripped a blade.

Could it be because her aura manifested more strongly in her right hand?

“So aura really is a blessing…”

“If not properly controlled, aura can drain the life force of its wielder instead.”

A blessing, my foot. First, it’s supposed to heal me, and now it might kill me?

I hurriedly turned the page, hoping to find something on how to properly wield aura.

“Unfortunately, no definitive method for mastering aura has been recorded.”

“What kind of book is this?!” I groaned, exasperated.

“This chapter draws from records left by Lawrence Glazer regarding aura.”

Aura is a blessing. Only those who have reached the pinnacle of swordsmanship can sense it. In the initial stage of sensing, the amount of aura flowing through the body is minimal, rendering it impossible to wield.

Those who can properly control aura are referred to as Swordmasters, the pinnacle of swordsmen.

The process of expelling the aura within the body outward is known as the manifestation of aura. The light emitted during this manifestation is said to differ for each knight. Once an aura’s color is manifested, it remains unchanged until the knight’s death.

A sword infused with aura gains destructive power dozens of times greater than normal, capable of cutting through anything.

Aura enhances physical abilities, though its limits remain unknown.

It is speculated that wielding aura grants minor self-healing abilities. This assumption is based on Lawrence Glazer’s records, which note that after becoming a Swordmaster, the scars and calluses on his hands disappeared. However, this is not definitively proven.

“Self-healing abilities?”

I tilted my head, glancing down at my hands.

Like Lawrence Glazer, Rosevelia’s hands bore no scars or calluses. Her left hand was smooth, while her right hand—her dominant sword-wielding hand—was so soft and delicate that it seemed as though she had never held a blade.

Could this be because aura manifests more strongly in her right hand?

“Aura really is… a blessing,” I muttered under my breath.

“If not properly controlled, aura can instead consume the life force of the wielder.”

A blessing, my foot. One moment it’s supposed to heal me, and the next, it’s draining my life?

Frustrated, I hurriedly flipped the page, hoping for some insight on how to control aura.

“Unfortunately, no definitive method for mastering aura has been recorded.”

“What kind of useless book is this?!”

I slammed the book shut, raising a small cloud of dust.

Cough! Cough! The dust tickled my nose, and I waved my hands in the air, trying to disperse it, but the sneezing and coughing wouldn’t stop.

Venturing a frustrated sigh, I stood up and returned the book to the shelf. There was no point in taking out my annoyance on an innocent book.

Finally, the long-awaited day arrived—the day Daisy and Ian would meet for the first time. It was also the day Daisy’s one-sided love would begin: the day of destiny.

In the original story, Daisy, frail and prone to illness, had fallen sick before the festival’s eve and was confined to her room until the festival ended.

Her father, Duke Elijah, had tried to console her disappointment by purchasing rare gemstones. Daisy, eager to see the gems designed, used the opportunity to leave the house.

What followed was a predictable series of events: Daisy became separated from her maid on the way back and was surrounded by ruffians. Ian, passing by, saved her, and their fateful connection was formed.

“Rose, why are we wandering around the plaza?”

“Just be patient and stay still.”

“How long do I have to wait?”

We had been aimlessly walking around the plaza since morning, right after lunch, yet there was no sign of the event unfolding.

I’m sure this is the right place.

“Just a little longer… Wait, Edwin?”

Oh no. Edwin had vanished.

That idiot.

I turned to scan the area angrily when I finally spotted a girl who looked like Daisy.

Her appearance was just as I’d imagined, so strikingly similar to her description in the story that I recognized her at once.

Sure enough, the story was proceeding as written: across the street, three suspicious men eyed Daisy as she became separated from her maid.

Where did Edwin disappear to?

Could I have been wrong?

Was the dream I’d had about Ian and Rosevelia just a figment of my imagination? Was the original story immutable after all?

Was that why Edwin wasn’t appearing at all?

In the end, would Ian save Daisy, just as in the original?

My head spun as confusion and frustration tangled in my mind. I bit my lip nervously, my thoughts in chaos.

Neither Edwin nor Ian had appeared, leaving me to consider the worst-case scenario.

If Ian shows up and saves Daisy, the original story will repeat itself. Daisy will fall for Ian, and Edwin will harbor his unrequited love for Daisy.

“Such a pretty thing.”

“You’ll regret treating me so rudely if you knew who I was.”

“Regret? Do you even know who we are?”

“We live our lives looking forward, so what are you going to do if we take you away right now?”

What nonsense are they spouting?

“If… if it’s something you want…”

“Something we want? What if I said I wanted the imperial palace? Would you buy it for me?”

“If you dare lay a hand on me, my family won’t stand for it.”

“Your family? Let’s hear how impressive this family of yours is.”

The man sneered, and Daisy’s face flushed red with humiliation.

I couldn’t watch this any longer. Whether it was Ian or Edwin who intervened in the original, it didn’t matter now.

The time to act was now.

“You live your life looking forward? How admirable.”

Just as the largest of the men reached for Daisy’s wrist, I struck him at the back of the neck with my scabbard.

As the man collapsed, the scrawniest of the group turned, startled.

“Wh-who are you?”

“If you only look forward, maybe you should consider looking back sometimes.”

Before he could draw the dagger at his waist, I hit him squarely at the nape.

As he collapsed, foaming at the mouth, the third man—bearing a long scar under one eye—lunged at me with his sword.

“Who the hell are you?”

“Does that matter right now?”

I positioned myself between Daisy and the scarred man, drawing my sword.

The man lunged, his crude blade clashing against mine before being sent flying. His expression turned to stunned disbelief as his sword soared through the air.

“H-how did you…”

I shrugged and approached him. Terrified, he scrambled back, but before he could flee, I struck him with my scabbard.

“We can’t have you running away, can we?”

As the last of the men crumpled, Daisy stared at me with wide, tear-filled eyes, her hands clasped over her mouth.

Looking at her, my scattered thoughts began to settle.

What just happened?

Edwin hadn’t shown up, and Ian, who was supposed to save Daisy, hadn’t appeared either. Instead, I had saved her.

Does this mean the story has changed?

The realization was overwhelming. I needed time to process what this all meant, but before I could leave—

“Um…”

I felt a soft tug on my cloak. Looking down, I saw Daisy’s light brown hair and violet eyes.

It really was Daisy.

“Yes?”

“Thank you for helping me.”

Daisy was talking to me.

“It’s nothing. I’ll be on my way now…”

“Wait! May I ask for your name?”

“I’m just a passerby.”

“A passerby? Your swordsmanship suggests otherwise. Are you, perhaps, a knight of the White Order?”

Her sparkling, expectant gaze pierced through me, and I felt it in my gut.

Something has gone terribly wrong.