IQBTMLR- Taelice

c1

Chapter 1

“Lisa, aren’t you going to wake up already?”

A loud voice pierced my ears.

“Do you have time to do this? You should be training first thing in the morning!”

Jin shouted as he slammed the door open.

“This is our last chance! If you fail the sword competition again, you won’t be nothing more than an illegitimate bastard!”

I groaned and shifted over in bed. My long strands of bright purple hair spread out.

“Why the hell are you slacking off without going to the training ground these days? Are you out of your mind?”

‘Of all things, I can’t believe I was born into this role…’

I was living my life to the fullest until a huge change happened a few days ago; I suddenly remembered my previous life.

I even realized that the world I lived in was based on a book I read before reincarnating.

I isolated myself in my room for a few days, frustrated by the idea that I was born as a character in a book and had a predetermined future.

I denied it at first because I didn’t want to accept it, but my memories became clearer and my previous self had fully blended in.

If I had been reborn as a villainess with a crush on the male lead, I wouldn’t have felt so hopeless. If that were the case, I could just stop liking him and move on with my life.

Furthermore, I wish I had known this the moment I reincarnated.

‘What’s the point of remembering anything in the spring of my 22nd year?’

For 22 years, I’ve been faithful to the original novel and worked hard in building up my karma.

“Are you going to lose against Kim Taehyung again?”

Lisa Manoban, the role I was reincarnated in, was the male lead’s, Taehyung, rival.

No, only Lisa saw Taehyung as a rival; he didn’t care about her at all.

In the Imperial Swords Competition, a huge event held every four years, he was always in the first place and I was in second.

The event was so prestigious, the winner was granted a title as a prize.

But there was a problem: only one person could win first place.

‘A nasty world that only recognizes the first place is the same in this life and any life!’

There was also a 24-year age restriction.

‘It’s the same as saying you won’t have a chance once you get older.’

I’m already 22 years old, hence this swordsmanship competition, which would take place shortly after, was my last chance.

“Aren’t you supposed to get a title no matter what!?”

Jin shouted once more.

“Aren’t you putting too much faith in my underground work? He’s a demon. You know he’s a dangerous opponent even if you chop off his limbs!”

I was born as the illegitimate daughter of Marquis Avedes, one of the empire’s most prestigious noblemen, and, like any illegitimate child, I needed to gain my own title to be acknowledged as the daughter of a noble family.

Jin, my older stepbrother on my mother’s side, became my guardian when she died. Ever since I showed my talent for swordsmanship when I was a child, their goal was for me to win a title and proudly become a member of the Marquis of Avedes.