5 She is here

If this world is the same as 'Engage Hundred Times,' there should not only be SSR weapons but also the highest rank [UR] Ultra Rare weapons. In the game, you could acquire them through gacha, but since gacha doesn't exist in reality, I have to find them on my own.

"The worst-case scenario is that if it's UR class, it might be treated as a national treasure or a legendary weapon."

If there's common sense, extraordinary weapons like UR-class ones are undoubtedly strictly controlled by the state. If that's the case, it would be impossible to obtain them. Of course, they wouldn't lend out national treasures or legendary weapons even to a prince. So, I need to gather information and confirm the whereabouts of all weapons. Oh, let's also gather information on the heroines.

One year before the start of the main story, I will also enroll in the Royal Academy. I need to avoid contact as much as possible, quietly spend my time, and avoid causing trouble.

Just then,

"Excuse me."

A maid entered, knocking on the door...!?

"As of today, I will be taking care of my prince Elysion's affairs. My name is Mary Stillwell."

She bowed respectfully and introduced herself. There's no way I could be mistaken.

After all, she is undoubtedly one of the main heroines of "Engage Hundred Times."

****

"Your Highness Elysion. The attendant of Prince Chris has expressed a desire for you to join him for dinner today."

It's been a month since Mary became my maid. And of all things, she brings me this unwelcome news.

By the way, in this past month, the relationship between Mary and me has not been great.

Apart from my decision to avoid interactions with the characters from 'Engage Hundred Times,' she also keeps our conversations strictly business-like, making it clear that she wants to steer clear of the notorious me.

She doesn't hesitate to mutter complaints and occasionally even lets out audible sighs, fully aware that I can hear her.

Well, her keeping her distance actually works for me, as I don't have to worry about unnecessary niceties.

Huh? If that's the case, why not just dismiss her as my maid? Foolish... Mary is the main heroine in 'Engage Hundred Times,' you know?

If I were to do something like that, I'd be heading straight for a bad ending when the main story unfolds. I don't want to trigger any unnecessary flags.

Anyway, what I need to focus on now is this dinner with Chris. Well, the cause of this situation is that Elysion has been wholeheartedly trying to curry favor with Chris to gain recognition from his mother Margaret.

"This brown-nosing idiot."

Even in Elysion's memories, Chris, being two years older, is currently a first-year student at the Royal Academy, right? Since the Royal Academy requires even royals to stay in the dorms, and it's not even a vacation period.

"So, why is he here at the royal palace?" In reality, I've never met him once since I regained my memories from my past life.

...I have a bad feeling about this, but declining might lead to complications.

"How would you like to respond?"

"Tell him I'll join."

"Understood."

With a respectful bow, Mary promptly leaves the room.

She is perfect when it comes to her demeanor... although I know she occasionally slacks off in her work.

"Oh, right."

I've come up with a good idea. During the dinner, I'll try to push Mary onto Chris.

If I do that, I can keep the heroine at a distance, and Mary might become Chris's attendant, supporting him as she had hoped. Killing two birds with one stone.

"Hehehe... This should resolve one of my concerns."

Well, considering I'm going to change my maid after just one month. It's convenient being the disliked Elysion in situations like these.

"Now then, let's go."

With that, I leave the room and head to the training grounds.

Since my memories from my past life resurfaced, I've been training every day. I don't want to die, so I need to become stronger just in case I get involved in some event.

However...

"The problem is how to get stronger."

In Elysion's memories, there wasn't a concept of levels in this world like in the game.

In other words, to max out my stats, I need to train and get stronger... but how?

"I don't have any magic skills, so how do I increase my magic attack and magic defense?"

While it's clear that physical-related abilities can be improved through regular training, the logic for magic-related abilities is different. But since Elysion only possesses physical skills, there's no way for him to use magic.

"Haa... Maybe I should get a weapon with magic skills and train with that."

'He is a really messed up high mana character without any magic skills'

Some weapons in 'Engage Hundred Times' have unique skills, and among them, there might be weapons with magic skills. While it's not certain, it's worth trying.

This world is strange. Even though they have the concept of skills, the absence of the level system feels lacking. But the reverse is true as well.

"At any rate, what I need to do now is to max out these weak physical abilities and become a bit more... presentable."

Beyond that... well, there's a method, although I'd rather not do it if possible.

"Anyway, for now, I'll do my best with what I can."

I take a wooden sword and start swinging it.

---

"Nine hundred and ninety-eight... Nine hundred and ninety-nine... One thousand!"

After finishing a thousand swings, I collapse on the spot from exhaustion.

Th-this... it's quite challenging for Elysion's slightly chubby, not exactly athletic body...

I casually touch my protruding stomach.

Actually, I've always thought that rather than being overall chubby, having a slightly chubby stomach but being slim elsewhere is more embarrassing.

Well, regardless, I need to work hard to get rid of this flabby stomach. More than anything, I made a promise to Serena.

"In three years, I'll become a man suitable for her... wait, what!?"

When I try to get up, my eyes meet the sapphire-eyed girl.

Why is she here!? I mean, her family's territory, the Ravenhurst Duke's domain, is a two-week journey by carriage from the capital. She can't just casually drop by.

Moreover, even if I'm her fiancé, I'm still the 'incompetent mischievous prince.' Unless it's an order from King, she shouldn't want to get close to someone like me...

"Hello, my prince!"

"Good evening, lady. How come you are here though?"

"In truth, I have received permission from my father, the Ravenhurst Duke, and will be enrolling in the Royal Academy. I will spend the time until then at the townhouse in the capital."

"Oh... I see."

In other words, from now on, Serena will be within easy reach if I want to meet her.

Suddenly, I realized.

She must be trying to assess whether I, the inadequate fiancé, am worthy of her or not. Thinking about it makes me a little sad, but to avoid a bad ending and keep the engagement intact, I don't

 want to break it off with my favorite girl.

This means... I can't let my guard down for even a moment.