Reincarnated as a failed hero?! Watch me Defy Fate!-Chapter 247: Between Formulas and Feelings

I looked at Char, slightly puzzled. I had a feeling he was up to something.

Inside my mind, Envi chimed in, telling me to hear him out first.

I agreed—this might be a way I could genuinely help them.

I opened the side quest window in my mind once more:

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[!!! SIDE QUEST NOTIFICATION !!!]

Help the heroes master their familiars (In Progress)

Help the barrier research team complete the new barrier spell (In Progress)

Reward: 25 Goddess Points, Mysterious Gift

Failure Penalty: The heroes will fail to unlock the power of their familiars, and the kingdom’s barrier will not be created.

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I nodded to Char. "Alright... I’ll help you analyze Lilith’s magic formulas. I’m not as skilled as you all, but I do understand a bit of her magic—after all, I once stepped into her teleportation portal."

I said it with confidence. Everyone seemed genuinely pleased to hear it.

"Perfect! That means I can finish my part faster and go back to napping in peace." Char stretched both arms lazily as he said it.

"Hah, what nonsense are you spouting, brat? You won’t have any time to nap," Salvador-sama said as he placed a hand firmly on Char’s shoulder.

"Ugh... how annoying..." Char groaned and slouched over.

We all laughed.

Then, Char suddenly adjusted his glasses and said, "Alright, I have a suggestion. How about we split into three analysis teams?"

His sudden declaration made everyone pause, wondering where this was going.

"Why three teams?" the Saintess asked, curious.

"I think it’s a more effective and efficient approach," Char explained calmly. "With this many people in one team, the discussions get longer and more chaotic. It slows us down."

I started to understand where he was going with this.

"So here’s my proposal—we split into three teams and divide the remaining 45 pages of Lilith’s spell formulas. Each team analyzes 15 pages. If we start tomorrow, we could finish in just three days."

Everyone was impressed by Char’s reasoning. I never realized he had thought things through this far. Despite his lazy, cold, and annoying demeanor... he was actually reliable.

We all agreed to Char’s plan.

The teams were quickly decided.

Team One consisted solely of the Magic King, Salvador. He insisted he worked best alone. He admitted that while group discussions were fun, they often distracted him and slowed his decision-making.

I had a hunch this would happen—Salvador-sama did get overly excited when discussing magic. But of course, he could handle this easily. As the Magic King, he had the deepest understanding of magic among all humans.

Team Two would be Xerion, Arsene, and the Saintess. The three of them had a perfect balance: Xerion as the lead researcher, Arsene as his reliable support, and the Saintess with her divine magic expertise.

Team Three would be Char, Orion, and... me.

At first, I was confused why Char confidently chose to work with me. But then Salvador-sama leaned in and whispered that Char’s magical talent was exceptionally high—almost rivaling his own.

That surprised me. I had always suspected Char was powerful but chose not to show it. He was also one of Salvador-sama’s most trusted aides. I accepted the arrangement.

But before everything was finalized, Lyra suddenly stepped forward and made a request.

"Um... everyone... would it be alright if I helped with your research too?" she asked softly, her voice a little nervous. "I’ve been studying magic with the Saintess, and I’d love to help lighten your workload."

Arsene, Xerion, Orion, and the Saintess all nodded without hesitation.

"Of course, Lyra dear. We’d be happy to have your help," said the Saintess warmly.

Salvador added, "I’ve heard about you from the Saintess. You’ve got magical talent, Lyra. That’ll be useful here."

"Be proud, Lyra. They’ve accepted you," the Saintess said, smiling.

Lyra beamed—but her eyes soon turned to Char. He was the only one who hadn’t responded yet.

Char stared at her seriously, scanning her from head to toe.

"U-Umm... Char-sama?" Lyra’s voice wavered under his intense gaze.

"...I approve," he finally said flatly. "You’re cute. You can join my team."

H-Huh?!

Lyra let out a soft yelp and immediately hid behind me, flustered and confused.

I blinked in shock. Did Char just flirt with her?!

I instinctively stepped in front of Lyra and faced Char. "Please... don’t tease her."

Char frowned slightly, locking eyes with me.

I stared right back, cold and unyielding.

A silent spark crackled in the air between us.

Then, Char suddenly clicked his tongue. "Tch... annoying. I was just joking. But I was serious about her joining the team."

His words made me drop my guard, and Lyra finally looked relieved.

She smiled brightly behind me.

Lyra lowered her head and softly thanked everyone.

Her voice was gentle, almost fragile.

Everyone smiled at her in response—each of them seemingly warmed by her sincerity.

Even Char, the coldest among us, let out the tiniest smile. Barely noticeable... but it was there.

In the corner of my mind, Envi piped up again, his voice full of exaggerated concern.

"Hey, Nao! That little smirk—Char’s totally eyeing Lyra! We can’t let that creep near her! We have to protect her!"

I sighed internally.

"I agree with you, Envi..."

I didn’t know why, but seeing Char smile at Lyra stirred a flicker of irritation inside me.It wasn’t loud, just... present. And I didn’t like it.

Still, I swallowed it down.

After the meeting wrapped up, we all went our separate ways, heading back to our rooms in the palace.

I offered to walk Lyra back to her place—she hesitated a little, but then nodded.

The evening air inside the Braveheart Palace felt still and quiet.

Every footstep echoed faintly against the polished marble floors, and the halls were dimly lit by gentle, floating lights—enchanted to never go out. There was a strange calm to it all, like the whole castle was exhaling after a long day.

The guest rooms prepared for us were on the third floor—luxurious but simple.

King Aslan had insisted that we rest comfortably while stationed here. So, I had my own room, and so did Serena, Cain, and Theresia.

Even Freya, who joined us, had been given a space of her own.

Lyra originally bunked with Serena, but lately, she’d moved to sleep in Freya’s room instead.

Apparently, Freya didn’t like sleeping alone in such a large, cold room.

When I first heard that, I couldn’t stop laughing.

Freya—the fierce, tomboyish warrior who could beat grown men in duels—afraid of being alone at night?

It was so... unexpectedly cute.

Eventually, Serena suggested they just all sleep together in one room.

The mental image of the three of them curled up under a single blanket, fast asleep and smiling peacefully, made my chest feel warm.

Then, of course, Envi ruined the mood.

"Nao... just imagine it. You, lying in bed, surrounded by three beautiful girls. Serena snuggled to your right... Freya tucked in tight on your left... and Lyra wrapped around your waist like a warm cat..."

"Shut it!" I snapped back mentally, feeling my ears turn red.The image hit me harder than I wanted to admit.

Envi cackled.

Eventually, we reached Lyra’s room.

I paused in front of her door, unsure if I should say something else—but she beat me to it.

"Thank you... for walking me here," she said softly, brushing her hair behind her ear.

I nodded with a gentle smile. "Of course. Sleep well, Lyra."

But just before she could step inside, the door creaked open from the other side.

Out stepped Serena and Freya—both in their pajamas, eyes drooping with sleep.

"Lyra? You just got back?" Freya yawned, rubbing her eyes. "What took you so long?"

Then Serena narrowed her gaze at me, her expression suddenly sharpening. "Naoki... you didn’t try anything, did you?"

That cold stare of hers was enough to freeze the blood in my veins.

"W-Wait—what? No! Of course not!"

Lyra quickly stepped in to defend me. "It’s nothing like that! We were with the research team... we stayed late discussing tomorrow’s strategy. Actually, we’ll probably be working just as late again tomorrow."

Serena’s expression immediately softened into something warmer—almost amused.

"Oh... I see." She gave a small chuckle and looked at me. "Well then... thanks for walking her, Naoki."

I nodded. "Anytime."

Something in her eyes made me uneasy—like she was wondering if I was planning to add another fiancée to the growing list.

I forced a chuckle and took a small step back. "Alright... I’ll be heading to bed now. Good night, everyone."

"Good night," Freya said sleepily.

"Rest well," Lyra added.

But just as I turned to leave—

I felt a sudden warmth against my back.

Arms wrapped around me tightly.

It was Serena. She had come running out again and hugged me from behind.

"You’re working really hard, Naoki... Don’t overdo it. Take care of yourself, okay?"

Her voice was so soft—it caught me off guard.

I turned around slowly and pulled her into a gentle embrace.

"I will," I whispered. "You too... take care of yourself."

Serena nodded against my chest.

She looked up, her face glowing under the warm light.

Then she leaned in—perhaps wanting to kiss me.

But we both froze as we saw them.

Lyra and Freya.

Peeking out from the doorway, their cheeks flushed red like freshly picked apples.

Serena and I met eyes—and just like that, we both smiled awkwardly and held back.

No kiss tonight.

Instead, we shared a quiet, tender glance that said everything we couldn’t say aloud.

"Good night, Serena," I whispered.

"Good night, Naoki," she replied.

She walked back to the room, her steps light—almost floating.

As I watched her disappear behind the door, I felt something bloom inside me.

"I’m truly lucky to have someone like Serena..."

With that thought, I finally returned to my room—my heart still fluttering—and prepared myself for tomorrow training.

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