"Why don't you surrender?"
Daike Elpelan's body could no longer move.
Seeing the boy with a buzz cut lying on the cold arena floor, Velos—the former student council president who had already graduated—lowered his sword.
It was a memory from when Daike was a second-year student, fighting in a duel against the famous third-year swordsman, Velos.
It was a time when he had finally become a second-year and was at last able to properly keep up with class after spending his entire first year in the dark.
If he had been just an ordinary student, it wouldn't have been strange for him to pass out from his overwhelming injuries.
There was no way that a mere dud could defeat Student Council President Velos.
Even though he was well aware of that fact, Daike pushed against the floor with his fists, trying to stand despite being covered in blood and sweat.
He clenched his teeth, letting out a low grunt. Blood dripped from his forehead as Daike's eyes continued to shine. His heavy breathing was closer to that of an animal than a human.
"Are you ashamed of defeat?"
When he lowered his sword, Velos could already tell. Daike couldn't move anymore.
"There's no need for you to feel ashamed. All of the students here watching know how brilliant your efforts were. No one will criticize you."
"Velos, do you fight because you are afraid of being criticized?"
"What…?"
However, contrary to what Velos had expected, Daike somehow stood up again.
"If you settle for a lack of results… then you won't be able to grow any further."
At the time of that duel, Daike had a record of two wins and eighty-nine losses.
Despite being defeated over and over again, Daike Elpelan never took defeat for granted.
Even in situations where defeat was inevitable, he continued to push forward with all of his might.
"You asked me why I don't surrender."
In response to Daike's words, Velos' eyes widened in surprise… then he smirked.
Against that man, it was only polite to face him with all of his strength. Understanding that, Velos raised his sword once more.
It was only natural that Daike fainted after Velos' next strike.
***
"That person is Young Master Ed…?!"
"Y-Yeah…"
Ed Rothstaylor, who had left the waiting room and was heading toward the center of the arena, gave off a very different impression from what the Palerovers had imagined.
A blond figure with his sleeves rolled up, his school coat removed. He looked far nimbler than they had expected.
Well-developed muscles from practical labor were visible on his forearms. Across his body were many recent injuries, some of which were wrapped in bandages.
Overall, he gave off the impression of a sharp yet active young man. However, he hardly seemed like a young master from an aristocratic family.
Unlike Daike, who entered the arena armed with nothing but knuckle dusters, Ed had prepared a wide variety of combat equipment. A wand was attached to his back, a bow was secured at his waist, a dagger was strapped to his thigh, and he had even brought magically engineered tools.
Duels at Silvenia Academy were designed to replicate real combat as closely as possible. Thus, the key to victory was utilizing every means and all magical knowledge available.
As long as an action wasn't cowardly or inappropriate, the results of a duel had to be accepted. It was only natural for students to make use of everything they knew and possessed. This policy even allowed students from the Alchemy Department to use reagents and magically engineered items.
Ed Rothstaylor had taken that rule to its absolute limit.
He wasn't the type to cling to pride, honor, or pretentious ideals. It was obvious he had no such tendencies.
The audience erupted into cheers. Even though the arena was enormous, it was packed to capacity. Some people were even forced to stand.
It was a major battle—one that outsiders would normally never have the chance to witness.
All of the top students at Silvenia were considered among the most talented in the empire, as well as the future pillars of the world. A duel between them served as proof of Silvenia Academy's prestige.
Thus, those who held Silvenia in such high regard would never miss a match like this.
First-year top student, Wade Callamore.
Second-year top student, Lucy Mayreel.
Third-year top student, Ed Rothstaylor.
And the one who claimed the title of fourth-year top student, standing proudly alongside them—Daike Elpelan.
His appearance in the arena was the complete opposite of Ed Rothstaylor's.
Where Ed gave off a sharp and refined impression, Daike looked more like a living weapon.
Ed Rothstaylor wasn't particularly small, but Daike's massive frame was on an entirely different level.
As the two faced each other from a distance, the audience's cheers filled the sky.
It lasted for only a minute.
Creak.
The arena's outer door opened as an elderly man entered, escorted by several attendants. Following behind him was a young girl with a sharp gaze.
With their dignified presence and luxurious attire, the two radiated an overwhelming aura that dominated the entire arena.
Emperor Kroel, who had brought a long era of peace and prosperity to the Kroel Empire. His mere entrance was enough to silence the crowd.
No one needed to be told to be quiet. The overwhelming pressure of his presence alone subdued them.
As Princess Selah followed behind him, everyone instinctively realized they had to remain silent.
The two individuals at the pinnacle of the empire had come to witness the duel.
The guards cleared a path through the audience as the pair took their seats at the prepared table. Princess Selah sat beside the emperor, the two exchanging a few quiet words.
No one dared to speak recklessly.
***
"Is there any beer?"
"You have to go back to work after the duel… This isn't the time to drink…"
Assistant Professor Cleoh, who had previously threatened Professor Kaleid, let out a deep sigh.
Because it was a highly anticipated duel between top students, they had come to watch. However, being forced to stand due to the lack of available seating was exhausting.
Her head assistant, Anise, had become a member of the student council, leaving Cleoh with even less freedom than usual. And yet, the old man who was supposed to be her advisor showed no intention of working at all.
Having to endure such hardships because of him, Cleoh had completely lost any sense of courtesy toward the man.
At the very least, Professor Glast took pride in being her supervisor. Unlike that old war hero leaning against the wall and blowing his nose, who deserved no respect whatsoever.
Lately, Cleoh found herself wishing he would at least trim his beard.
Professor Kaleid, staring ahead with tired eyes, suddenly smirked as he observed the flow of magic coursing through Ed's body.
"I know I'm out of my mind, but that kid is fucking crazy too. Did he have Lucy Mayreel beat him up?"
"What? Are you talking about Ed?"
"The number of bandages on his body has increased significantly. The magic power flowing through him has grown stronger as well. That kind of growth shouldn't be possible in such a short time."
Kaleid tilted his head as he glanced toward the arena. Nearly every student at Silvenia harbored a powerful desire to improve themselves.
With visitors from across the empire and even the imperial family present, displaying one's abilities here could dramatically raise a student's reputation.
Yet Ed Rothstaylor didn't seem interested in the spotlight at all.
It was as though his entire focus was fixed solely on the duel before him.
"By the way, how many students did you say can use advanced magic right now?"
"I'm not sure. From what I know, two—Trayciana Bloomriver and Lucy Mayreel."
"Now there'll be three."
"What?"
***
"Begin the duel!"
The moment the signal rang out, a blinding light and a tremendous explosion engulfed the arena.
The audience screamed as the shockwave blasted toward them. Hair and clothing whipped violently as people shut their eyes and ducked down.
Boooooooooooooom!
Advanced Explosion Magic—Destruction.
Though it was cast in the form of the intermediate spell Point Explosion, with comparable speed, the outcome was entirely different.
Point Explosion, while fast, suffered from relatively weak firepower compared to other intermediate spells.
Destruction, however, could be considered the pinnacle of explosion magic, having overcome those shortcomings entirely.
A massive blast tore through the center of the arena, sending clouds of dust billowing outward.
As the dust settled, Ed could be seen with one hand raised and the other gripping his wrist. Across from him stood Daike.
The attack had come at an overwhelming speed. Even so, Daike Elpelan swiftly raised his guard to lessen the impact.
Despite that, his body was hurled into the arena's outer wall.
He had guarded, but he hadn't been able to fully block it. Burn wounds spread across his body, and part of the wall behind him had collapsed.
If he were an ordinary warrior, it wouldn't have been strange for him to lose consciousness right there.
However, Daike stood back up without hesitation.
Brushing dust from his body, he returned to his stance, gripping his knuckle dusters once more.
The pain from his wounds must have been unbearable. Even so, Daike's eyes burned with life.
***
Casting advanced magic right at the start of the duel.
The spectators could only stare in stunned silence.
They had expected a high-level battle, but no one imagined advanced magic would be unleashed immediately.
In a normal fight, a warrior struck directly by a magician's advanced spell would have been defeated on the spot.
Yet Daike's mental fortitude was unparalleled. He drew in a deep breath as he rose.
Raising his guard, he buried his face against his forearm.
Inhale…
Exhale…
When he lifted his head again, Daike Elpelan vanished.
The crowd gasped. A man of such size was moving so fast that tracking him with the naked eye was nearly impossible.
Daike reappeared behind Ed.
Despite his massive build, it was a mistake to assume he relied on a suppressive, weight-based fighting style.
Daike was the top student of the combat department.
The path he walked was paved with blood and sweat. He wasn't someone who overwhelmed others with innate talent or monstrous power. He was someone who had won through sheer perseverance, enduring battles no matter how brutal they became.
In other words, Daike could do anything other combat students could.
Assuming he had only one fighting style was the quickest path to defeat.
Boom!
He slammed his foot into the ground, the impact alone making the arena tremble.
It was the prelude to a single punch—one born from every ounce of strength in his body, unleashed as he kicked off the ground and swung downward.
The reason Daike earned the title 'King of Power' was that very strike—one capable of leveling a building.
Boooooooooooom!
No magic. No enchanted equipment. No reagents.
Just a single punch fueled by raw strength, powerful enough to shake the air itself and send debris flying.
The force tore through the air like a cannon blast, aimed directly at the back of Ed Rothstaylor's head—moving faster than magic itself.
A cannon fired from a fist.
No phrase described Daike's punch more accurately.
Whooooooosh!
Yet Daike's fist never reached its target.
At that instant, a violent gale wrapped around Ed, hurling Daike's massive body away.
Whoooosh!
Only then did Ed Rothstaylor move.
It wasn't that he couldn't react—he had chosen not to.
All so he could aggressively invoke the spirit blessing, Storm's Blessing.
"Keuk…!"
Daike, thrown aside by the wind without understanding what had happened, tumbled across the arena floor.
The force was impossible to resist.
The distance between him and the magician widened—meaning he would have to endure the next attack.
Ed Rothstaylor launched his assault. Daike raised his guard, his eyes locked onto the blond nobleman.
As Ed lifted his arms, flames erupted throughout the arena.
[Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaah!]
A terrifying cry echoed as a massive bat—nearly the size of a human—wrapped itself around Ed's body.
As the burning bat spread its wings, fierce winds once again swept through the arena.
Flame Pillars surged forward, rushing straight toward Daike.
Magic had to be countered with magic.
Daike possessed no talent for it. However, through relentless training, he had at least reached the point where he could resist enemy spells.
His magic resonance and efficiency were inferior even to someone who had just learned beginner magic. Even so, Daike forcibly drew out every scrap of magic within his body, channeled it to his feet, and stomped down.
Boom!
Step of Magic Resistance.
A spell that shattered an opponent's magic with one's own. Its efficiency was abysmal, and given Daike's lack of aptitude, its practicality was minimal.
Still, it was the only method available to him.
Cold sweat poured from his body as he barely managed to dispel Mugg's Flame Pillars.
But he knew he couldn't repeat it.
If Ed launched another spell, defeat would be inevitable.
So he had to move—now.
Daike Elpelan raised his guard once more and took a deep breath.
Inhale…
Exhale…
Steadying himself, he kicked off the ground and charged straight at Ed Rothstaylor.
If a beast the size of an elephant possessed the agility of a wildcat, it might resemble this.
Even fellow combat students could only stare in disbelief. As a warrior, it was nearly impossible to defend against such an assault.
Fast. Powerful. One clean hit meant death.
Daike closed the distance in an instant. There was no time to do anything else.
This was the result of a lifetime of relentless training—combat knowledge forged through experience rather than talent.
What the King of Duds had gained was a 'body sense' honed through endless repetition.
It was that same instinct that allowed him to deflect the mid-ranking water spirit Lacia—who had suddenly emerged beneath his feet—with a single kick.
Thud!
His body reacted before his mind could.
[Kyaaaaaah!]
Lacia the lioness vanished as her manifestation dispersed. Only then did Daike realize what had happened.
Ed Rothstaylor had set a trap using Manifestation of a Water Source.
Yet Daike had dealt with it purely through reflex.
Still, the disruption broke his stance.
Ed seized the opening, spinning around with a dagger clenched in his left hand.
Clang!
Daike blocked the blade with his knuckles—but another spell activated from the dagger itself.
Spiritual Skill—Explosion.
An explosion erupted from the engraved weapon.
Daike couldn't guard in time. Ed was caught in the blast as well, but thanks to his Blessing of Fire Fortune, he emerged unharmed.
"Well… would you look at that…"
Boooom!!!
Daike's rough laughter echoed as the explosion detonated.
He had already endured advanced explosive magic earlier. An attack of this scale wouldn't be enough to knock him out.
Still, being caught off guard without a proper guard was far from ideal.
Even if Ed couldn't finish him there, widening the distance again should have been enough.
Yet, contrary to Ed Rothstaylor's expectations, Daike was still standing before him in the smoke.
A low, guttural sound escaped him—like a massive brown bear looming in front of its prey.
Had he neutralized the magic at the last second? No.
Had he trained himself to resist explosions like Ed? No.
Had the spell's power been reduced by some external factor? No.
Daike Elpelan had simply endured it.
Through sheer spirit and willpower, he had taken it head-on.
"You're insane…"
"That's what I should be saying, Ed Rothstaylor."
With what little strength he had left, Daike shoved the dagger away with his knuckles.
There was no amplification, no technique—just a simple push.
Yet Ed Rothstaylor's body was sent flying.
Crash!!
Ed gritted his teeth as he rolled across the floor several times. When he rose, he immediately returned to his stance.
Just as Daike's follow-up attack was about to reach him, Mugg's fire magic once again engulfed the arena.
Daike Elpelan had little means to deal with magic. Most of the time, he could only grit his teeth and endure, or rely on inefficient resistance spells.
He knew none of this was ideal.
Even so, Daike continued charging forward.
Leaping into the air, he grabbed hold of the fire bat Mugg mid-flight.
[Kyaaak! Kaaak!]
Though called a bat, it was larger than a human torso.
Even so, Daike seized it, smashed it into the ground, and stomped down on it.
Ignoring the blood pouring from his own wounds, he completely subdued Mugg.
Ed canceled the manifestation, the spirit dissolving into magic power. Mugg had been rendered entirely incapacitated.
Ed Rothstaylor frowned as he readied himself once more.
Daike Elpelan raised his guard as well.
He took another deep breath.
Inhale…
Exhale…
He had been blasted by explosions, hurled across the arena, and was bleeding from his scalp—yet he continued his steady breathing, undisturbed.
Fighting him felt like striking a stone wall with bare fists. Through that oppressive presence and overwhelming strength, he crushed his opponents.
As Daike prepared to leap forward again—
Ed withdrew the 'thousand-year-old wooden wand struck by lightning.'
Daike was not an opponent he could afford to hold back against.
In truth… Ed had known that from the very beginning.
-x-X-x-
"Is it really fine for you not to watch the duel?"
When the news that Emperor Kroel and Princess Selah had arrived on Acken Island reached them, the servants of the royal residence became busy with preparations.
In order to welcome Emperor Kroel and Princess Selah, who would later meet with Princess Penia, they had to prepare a tea party in the garden as well as dinner. They also needed to organize the servants' business reports once again.
With the royal residence in a state of constant activity, Claire cautiously asked Princess Penia—who was walking down the hallway while gazing out at the garden—about the duel.
Princess Penia brushed her hair back and looked toward Silvenia Academy's distant spire as she replied, "…It's alright."
She hesitated briefly before speaking again, this time with more confidence.
"It'll be fine. Since it's him, I'm sure things will go as planned."
***
Deep breathing.
Daike, the King of Power, maintained his composure through steady, deliberate breaths.
Raising both of his massive arms into a guard, he stared straight at his opponent while carefully considering his next move.
After drawing in a deep breath… his heavy body lunged forward as swiftly as a hummingbird.
The audience held their breath.
All of the combat department students watching from their section were unable to look away.
The first- and second-year students, in particular, were completely absorbed.
The third- and fourth-years, having been classmates with both fighters, knew just how rapidly the two had grown over such a short period.
However, the newer students had only just begun to grasp the difference between themselves and the upperclassmen—without yet realizing that the two fighting in the arena were special cases even among them.
Ed Rothstaylor unwrapped the cloth, revealing a large wand. Holding it, he watched Daike as the latter took another deep breath.
Despite his massive build, Daike moved with astonishing speed—nimble like a thief—and left no openings.
With a wand in one hand and a dagger in the other, Ed found himself backed against the wall with nowhere to retreat. From the center of the arena, Daike charged straight at him.
If someone didn't know better, they might have thought Daike was using spatial-type magic.
His movements were that fast.
In the blink of an eye, Daike was already in front of him, fist clenched. Ed barely had time to react.
Whooooosh!
"Huff!"
With a sharp grunt and a thunderous impact, Daike's foot slammed into the ground.
Dodging with near animal instincts, Ed narrowly avoided the blow as Daike's fist pierced through the wall where he had been standing.
Craaaaaaaash!
With a single punch, the wall collapsed, filling the arena with dust.
Just as Ziggs had warned—one direct hit from Daike's fists would end the match.
Ed Rothstaylor rolled across the dirt floor in an ungraceful tumble, retreating toward the center of the arena. Before Daike could turn to face him, Ed gathered magic power at the tip of his wand.
Aside from the advanced spell he had cast at the start, he had yet to use techniques that demanded an excessive amount of magic power.
However, Ed Rothstaylor had reached a point where magic consumption was no longer a concern.
The audience swallowed nervously.
They could feel that the flow of magic surrounding Ed was abnormal.
Even spectators with no knowledge of magic could tell that the atmosphere of the arena itself was changing.
A high-ranking spirit had arrived.
An elementalist capable of commanding high-ranking spirits. A magician capable of advanced elemental magic.
Possessing either one of those abilities alone was enough to be considered exceptional at Silvenia.
Yet Ed Rothstaylor possessed both.
A powerful wind began to swirl throughout the arena.
Students from the magic department stared in disbelief. Even the professors felt the same shock.
Anyone who had practiced magic even once understood what it meant to reach such heights at Ed Rothstaylor's age.
The dust stirred up by Daike's attack was swept away by the wind.
As visibility returned, Daike could be seen standing firm.
However… standing before him was a wolf larger than a house.
The audience erupted into shocked cheers.
Most students had never seen Ed summon Merilda before, and witnessing it firsthand left them in awe.
To them, the high-ranking wind spirit Merilda was a spectacle in itself. Merely gazing upon her majestic form was enough to inspire reverence.
But for Daike Elpelan, that high-ranking spirit was a trial he had to overcome.
A monster capable of blowing dozens of people away with a single kick and leveling buildings with magic. And he had to face it with nothing but knuckle dusters.
There was no option to retreat.
Daike raised his guard and took a deep breath.
Inhale…
Exhale…
His heart steadied itself once more.
Even amid the raging wind and swirling dust, Daike stared directly at Merilda with cold eyes.
Awooooooo!
The wolf's howl echoed throughout the vast arena.
With a swing of its forelimbs—thicker than a building's support pillars—a massive gust of wind surged toward Daike.
Boooooooooom!
Rock Skin.
Daike used his weak magic power to cast a body-enhancement spell. Though his magic would normally barely protect him from a scratch, he managed to withstand Merilda's attack.
Thud!
The impact drove his feet into the ground as if they were buried. His arm muscles screamed in agony, and the overwhelming pressure threatened to break his sanity.
Even so, Daike endured through sheer willpower.
"Huff…"
Clang!
After deflecting Merilda's forelimbs, he leapt upward toward the wolf's lower jaw, fist clenched.
It was a simple punch, yet it moved with such overwhelming speed that evasion was impossible.
Clash!
His fist slammed into Merilda's lower jaw with all his strength, snapping her head to the side.
A single blow wasn't enough to defeat a high-ranking spirit. However, as Daike prepared to follow up—
Swoosh! Thud!
He was fortunate to have cast Rock Skin beforehand.
While airborne, an arrow struck his lower abdomen. It failed to pierce his skin, but the impact sent pain through his body.
"Keukkk!"
Looking down, Daike saw Ed Rothstaylor lowering his bow, having switched from his wand to fire.
Out of habit, Daike had assumed he was facing a typical elementalist.
Usually, such battles revolved around defeating the summoned spirits, as elementalists themselves lacked close-combat ability.
Once the spirit fell, the elementalist followed.
But Ed Rothstaylor fought personally, using high-ranking spirits as merely one tool among many.
In a one-on-one duel, he was a stubborn and unfair opponent.
As Daike's posture faltered, he looked back up into Merilda's eerie eyes.
Bang!
The next blow sent him flying into the wall.
Dust filled the arena once more as Daike slumped forward against it.
Merilda's attack was decisive—something no human should have been able to endure.
For a moment, the arena fell silent.
As Ed lowered his bow… cheers erupted.
"Wow!"
"Amazing! A high-ranking elementalist who can also use advanced elemental magic… Is this really Silvenia's level now?!"
Princess Selah stared wide-eyed. Emperor Kroel stroked his chin as he observed. Even among those personally nurtured by the imperial family, few possessed such promise.
Silvenia truly was a profound institution.
As Ed Rothstaylor prepared to put away his bow and cancel Merilda's manifestation to end the duel—
Thud.
Daike Elpelan stood up amidst the rubble.
Even after being struck head-on by a high-ranking spirit, he rose as though he didn't care.
Blood streamed down from his forehead. His body was covered in cuts and wounds.
Yet the King of Power raised his guard once more.
He inhaled deeply.
Inhale…
Exhale…
The audience stared in disbelief. Everyone agreed—Merilda's attack was something no human should survive.
"It's not over yet."
"There's no point in continuing."
"That's not for you to decide."
To Daike, that much wasn't even a wound.
He spoke calmly as he looked up at Merilda's towering form.
High-ranking spirits weren't meant to be fought alone. They required preparation, strategy, and careful exploitation of weaknesses.
Daike knew that.
Yet he never retreated.
"At your age, you can command high-ranking spirits, use advanced elemental magic, fight competently, and wield a bow. You deserve the title 'Genius of the Third Year Magic Department.'"
"..."
"But how many geniuses do you think I've fought so far?"
Blood dripped down from his buzz cut, yet to him it didn't even qualify as an injury.
Daike Elpelan had always pushed his body to its limits when facing geniuses.
"Some crushed me easily. Others I managed to drag down by clinging to their ankles."
"…Daike."
"I'm not someone who can be defeated easily."
He entered Silvenia in Class F and spent half a year training without sleep just to reach Class E. Even then, he remained in the middle-to-lower ranks for another year.
Countless geniuses trampled over him during that time. At first, he counted them. Eventually, the number lost meaning.
Geniuses climbed ranks in leaps. Daike Elpelan climbed one step at a time—until he reached the top.
That difference in strength wasn't merely an ordeal.
It was his entire life.
Daike kicked off the ground.
Aiming for Ed Rothstaylor, he bent low and leapt forward, rapidly closing the distance.
Merilda moved to intercept, unleashing wind to stop him. Daike dug his feet into the dirt, endured the gale, shoved Merilda's paw aside with his knuckle dusters, and forced his way through.
His muscles screamed. Blood poured freely. Yet he reached Ed.
But Ed had anticipated this. At some point, he had embedded his dagger—engraved with Explosion—into the ground.
Boom!
The explosion rang out as Ed kicked his wand into the air and caught it.
Focusing his magic, he cast the advanced spell Eye of the Typhoon. A slicing wind suppressed Daike's movements.
Merilda struck again, smashing Daike into the ground.
Crash!
Struck twice by devastating attacks, Daike leaned against the wall, bleeding heavily, and took a breath.
The spectators swallowed nervously.
Combat department students clenched their fists. To them, Daike was a pathfinder.
Wade Callamore closed his eyes tightly.
Ziggs, leaning against the wall, sighed quietly.
He knew what would happen next.
Before anyone could worry, Daike stood again. Spitting blood, he raised his guard and breathed.
Inhale…
Exhale…
Ed Rothstaylor couldn't be treated like a standard elementalist.
Even after closing the distance, Daike had to fight him like a close-combat specialist.
Daike charged again—this time toward Merilda.
She invoked Northeastern Wind.
Daike's body lifted helplessly before being smashed aside once more.
He rolled across the dirt—then stood up again.
This time, he aimed for Ed.
Enduring Merilda's attacks through sheer willpower, his body breaking apart, Daike advanced.
Bang!
He was suddenly right in front of Ed.
His speed exceeded normal limits.
Yet Ed's eyes remained calm.
Unless Daike struck with full power, he wouldn't land a hit.
As Daike drew back his fist, Ed prepared another spell.
The punch extended—
Then withdrew.
A feint.
Ed froze.
His plan to counter with Explosion failed.
Forced to bend low, he tried to evade.
Daike followed through.
Boom!
His fist sank into Ed Rothstaylor's side.
The first clean hit of the duel.
Though restrained, the blow still sent Ed flying.
Booom!!!!
Ed slammed into the wall.
Yet Daike felt no satisfaction.
It was like punching stone.
Ed had cast a defensive spell at the last moment.
He's still fine…!
Before Daike could react, Merilda recovered.
Her growl was terrifying.
Dark red magic filled the arena.
Celestial Magic Power.
The magic professors gasped.
Only Cleoh and Kaleid remained calm.
Daike turned toward Ed—but it was too late.
Forced Collection.
An unreasonable spell.
Celestial magic warped space itself.
In an instant, Daike's position changed.
He found himself before Ed's open palm.
Ed seized his face and slammed him into the ground.
Thud!
"Keuk!"
Ed stomped on his chest, dagger poised.
Disoriented, Daike swung blindly.
Clang!
Ed dodged and pressed the blade to his neck.
Silence fell.
"Surrender."
It was neither threat nor arrogance.
Just advice.
Daike smirked.
"I've never surrendered."
"You'll be seriously injured."
"I already have been. Cough…"
Daike gathered what little energy remained.
Fa Jin.
An inefficient magic—yet he used it anyway.
Whoosh!
Ed was forced back.
The battle reignited.
Daike stood again, bleeding, one knuckle duster gone.
Inhale…
Exhale…
His breathing never wavered.
***
Clevius shut his eyes tightly as Elvira skimmed her book.
Wade clenched his fists.
Ziggs watched silently.
All departments stared in shock.
"He never gives up until he collapses."
"That boy…"
Saila Palerover looked worried.
"Isn't this too cruel?"
"It's not, Mom."
Yennekar understood.
Ed could never go easy on Daike.
That was respect.
***
"Do you know why I never surrender?"
Daike spoke calmly.
"Because you don't want to lose?"
"Close."
"Because it's embarrassing."
He explained simply.
Others gave it meaning.
Expectations piled up.
He couldn't drop the white flag.
Ed straightened his back.
"Come."
But Ed knew.
Daike was mistaken.
Ed's injuries were visible now.
Evidence of his own struggle.
They were the same.
Daike laughed.
"Hahaha…!"
Blood-covered, smiling.
The duel was ending.
-x-X-x-
Throughout Daike's fight, the audience held their breath.
From the very start, the duel had been entirely dominated by Ed Rothstaylor. Watching Daike Elpelan's desperate appearance as he somehow continued to hang on was a rather sad sight.
After the two of them exchanged a short conversation in the middle of the arena, for some reason, it seemed as though Daike's movements had grown lighter.
Raising his guard as he weaved his body to and fro, he rushed toward Ed. However, his advances were repeatedly blocked by magic or elemental techniques, creating a monotonous cycle. Each time it happened, the number of wounds on Daike's body increased. Daike himself didn't seem to care in the slightest.
Students and members of the imperial guard who were born with an innate sense of combat could easily perceive Daike's years of effort through his movements.
Ed effortlessly used magic to dodge or block every one of Daike's powerful attacks.
But that was all.
No matter how much power Daike poured into his strikes, it meant nothing if he couldn't land a hit.
By repeatedly ducking and feinting, he miraculously managed to land a single blow against Ed's side. However, it was little more than a fluke—he was only able to land that hit once.
As soon as Ed realized that Daike was attacking not only with speed but also with evasive movements and feints, Ed's own movements became noticeably more cautious.
Even when a perfect opportunity for a counterattack presented itself, he did not commit easily. He carefully read every one of his opponent's movements, striking only when he was certain that Daike would be unable to respond.
Daike continued to fall to the ground, his body accumulating more and more wounds. However, he clenched his teeth and rushed toward Ed once again.
However—
"Princess Selah."
Princess Selah's butler, Dest, quietly whispered into her ear.
"There's nothing more to see. It appears that the eldest son of House Elpelan will be defeated."
It was a signal for her to prepare for what was to come.
House Elpelan had long given their full support to Princess Selah. Satisfied with and grateful for their loyalty, Princess Selah shared a special relationship with them—so much so that she had used her influence to greatly contribute to the revival and prosperity of House Elpelan. As such, if a member of their house were to claim victory in the duel, it would bring great benefit to Princess Selah.
Selah knew that Ed Rothstaylor was a formidable individual. She had been present at the Rothstaylor estate during the catastrophe.
She had personally witnessed Ed Rothstaylor summon a fragment of an ultimate spirit with her own eyes, leaving her no choice but to acknowledge that he was no easy opponent.
However, she also knew that there was no way he would manifest an ultimate spirit in such a small and crowded venue.
She believed that Ed Rothstaylor's strongest asset in the duel would be the wind wolf. That assumption stemmed from the image she held of him as merely a powerful elementalist when compared to others of his age.
After reaching that conclusion regarding Ed's strength, the head of House Elpelan had confidently declared to Princess Selah that they would win.
Eshtel Elpelan had proclaimed that Daike Elpelan was capable of destroying Ed, and Princess Selah had nodded in satisfaction upon hearing those words.
Yet the situation had unfolded very differently.
Using advanced magic from the very start of the fight and even dodging Daike's attacks in close combat…
Ed Rothstaylor's fighting style resembled that of an all-rounder with deep knowledge across multiple disciplines rather than that of a typical magician. Contrary to her expectations, his combat style was refined and optimized for battle.
That ultimate spirit I saw back then… was it merely one of his many hidden cards…?
Princess Selah frowned as she watched the duel. The conclusion seemed all but decided. At this point, Daike was merely continuing his struggle.
Ed Rothstaylor outperformed Daike Elpelan in nearly every aspect. Not only Princess Selah, but the majority of spectators gathered in the arena were forced to admit that fact.
"That student, Daike—he's an excellent warrior. In terms of mental strength and willpower, he truly deserves to be an inspiration to all warriors. He must have endured years of grueling training. However…"
Daike pushed himself closer to Ed and extended his fist, only to be sent flying once again by Storm's Blessing as soon as its cooldown ended.
"It's unfortunate that he was born with such a disgracefully low level of innate combat sense. Those who train their bodies and minds in an attempt to polish themselves endlessly… there will always be an inherent limit to their growth."
Hearing Dest's words, Princess Selah frowned.
Her butler had once worked in combat himself. As such, he could easily discern Daike's innate limitations through his movements.
"Daike likely understood better than anyone else that he has already reached the highest level achievable through sheer effort."
Dest closed his eyes as he spoke.
"Beyond this point lies a dead end. I know… from experience. If this were a duel against someone younger, he might have walked away victorious through effort and willpower alone. But against someone aiming for the very summit… that is simply not enough."
As if sympathizing with Daike, Dest whispered his final words.
***
A wall.
Standing before Daike, who continued to raise his guard, was a massive, magnificent wall—one so vast and unyielding that it could neither be broken nor bypassed.
Even if they clenched their fists in the same manner, the fist of a dud was fundamentally different from that of a genius.
From the subtlest bodily movements, the innate ability to sense an opponent's timing, the capacity to instantly twist and shift one's center of power, and the agility to use inertia and gravity as propulsion rather than constraint—
The realm of practice and the realm of innate talent were entirely separate.
That innate sense with which Clevius, Ziggs, Taylee, and Velos were born… Daike had never possessed it from the beginning.
Mastery of technique could be achieved through training.
If you learned how to kick later than others, you might need to practice twice as long to catch up.
In reality, it was closer to five times as long—sometimes even ten or twenty. Through sheer willpower and effort, such gaps could be overcome through training alone.
However, once the limits of effort were reached, there would inevitably be a wall that could not be surpassed through determination alone.
A turtle might defeat a rabbit who naps by the roadside by clenching its teeth and trudging straight ahead. Yet after surpassing those lazy geniuses and reaching the end of the road, what awaited was a towering rock—one far too high to climb unless you were a rabbit.
And the whisper that reached the turtle's ear was this: To proceed further, you must jump.
Bang!!
Daike, who forced himself upright once more, was slowly losing consciousness. Even so, he clenched his teeth tighter as he stood, raising his guard.
He took another deep breath.
Inhale…
Exhale…
As he showed no sign of surrender, the school staff slowly began to move, preparing to intervene and end the duel.
The audience had already witnessed the full extent of what Silvenia's top students were capable of.
The duel had long since reached a point where continuing served no purpose.
As the prolonged battle dragged on, Daike's close-combat patterns had become completely ineffective.
His fists still carried tremendous power, but he lacked the sensory sharpness needed to deliver unexpected blows. Even if he managed to close the distance, there was no way to catch Ed off guard.
Fa Jin, a technique that activated without warning, consumed an enormous amount of magic power. For Daike, who lacked strong magical resonance, it was a skill he could only use a handful of times. Rock Skin, which mitigated physical damage to some degree, was equally useless against repeated, overwhelming magical assaults.
In every conceivable aspect, there was no remaining path to defeat Ed Rothstaylor.
That blond-haired nobleman was strong—monstrously so.
Yet Daike laughed.
"It's my loss, Ed Rothstaylor."
The sudden declaration of defeat shocked not only the audience but even the faculty members.
Daike Elpelan had never once thrown in the towel, despite suffering countless hopeless defeats in the past.
And yet, despite declaring his defeat on his own—
He still did not lower his guard.
"..."
"From the beginning, I had a feeling I would lose. This isn't the first time my pride has led me to defeat… this useless, stubborn pride of mine. But kneeling in forfeit before those bastards who haven't trained even a tenth as much as I have? That was too frustrating to even consider."
"Didn't you say you were used to losing? I didn't expect you to be so emotional."
"Yeah. To others, I probably seem mature—never debasing myself in a duel. But that's just because I don't want to show such an embarrassing side of myself. It would hurt my self-esteem."
Daike understood. Defeat was humiliating.
What was far more dangerous was becoming accustomed to defeat—losing the sense of shame and simply accepting it.
No matter how many times he collapsed, bloodied on the ground, he could never allow himself to lose that yearning to improve and move upward.
That was what Daike treasured until the very end. Even as his pride was worn down, he clung to it tightly, engraving that stinging resentment into his heart. That was how Daike Elpelan lived.
"But for some reason… I'm not angry today."
"…What?"
"It's probably because I'm facing a guy like you."
A torn, loosened bandage clung weakly to Ed's arm.
Beneath it, his wounds and finely honed muscles were visible—the result of enduring hardship again and again, walking the razor's edge of death countless times.
It wasn't difficult for Daike to imagine the thorny path Ed must have walked. He spoke in a tone of relief.
"Have you reached the end of your road yet?"
Daike felt it. His own path was blocked.
He could no longer move forward, a towering wall standing firmly in his way. Attempting to go around it would be equally futile.
Hearing Daike ask the question with a hearty laugh, Ed paused briefly before answering.
"Not yet."
"I see… I'm jealous."
After his casual response, Daike prepared for the final exchange.
Though he knew he would lose, he still wanted to attempt one last attack. It was a gut instinct.
Even with his unwavering determination, all the strength remaining in his body had reached its limit. His willpower could no longer be matched by his physical condition.
He intended to gather every remaining ounce of strength into a single final blow. If it succeeded, he would win. If not, defeat awaited.
And it would not succeed.
Knowing this, Daike had already declared his loss.
Yet a declaration was merely words. As long as he had even a fragment of strength left, he would continue to raise his fists. That was the only way he knew how to live. Ed understood this well and never lowered his guard.
Because when one has lived their entire life that way, it is impossible to change.
Inhale…
Exhale…
Daike drew a deep breath and raised his fists.
Fwoosh!
Boooooooooooooooooom!
Ed manipulated wind magic to alter his movement trajectory, effortlessly evading Daike's punch.
He ducked low and cast Point Explosion directly into Daike's chest.
Daike, already grievously injured, failed to raise his guard. He merely braced himself, having completely exhausted his magic reserves.
The attack struck his body directly, completely unblocked and undefended.
Boooooom!
Crash!
As the rising dust cloud dispersed with the wind, only Daike remained—kneeling, head bowed.
He was unconscious, yet his expression was peaceful.
***
Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!
Cheers erupted for the victor.
Admiration poured toward Ed Rothstaylor, who stood tall at the center of the arena.
The audience hurled flowers into the air, painting the sky with color. One by one, they fell, carpeting the arena floor.
Ed bowed his head toward Daike, who remained kneeling with his head lowered.
The school staff entered, placing Daike onto a stretcher and carrying him away. Afterward, Ed turned and bowed toward the audience.
Cheers surged once more. Following a prolonged, thunderous applause, Ed Rothstaylor raised a finger, signaling for silence.
As if they had anticipated it, the audience fell quiet. It was time for him to speak and offer words befitting his victory.
Princess Selah narrowed her eyes, biting her lip.
Had Daike won, he would have dedicated his victory to Princess Selah.
He would have smiled proudly, thanking her on stage for helping his house escape crisis.
All the glory of the duel would have belonged to Princess Selah.
Such words of gratitude would have further elevated her prestige, especially under the watchful eyes of nobles from across the empire—and Emperor Kroel himself.
But her plans had unraveled. She had assessed Ed Rothstaylor's strength as carefully as possible, yet he was far stronger than she had anticipated. His growth exceeded every expectation.
Since he openly supported Princess Penia, it was only natural to assume he would use this victory to raise Penia's name.
Selah shut her eyes tightly, preparing to sigh—
"My victory today is thanks to the great Princess Selah, who calmly adapts to any situation and always views the world objectively, even in the midst of the tragedy that occurred at the Rothstaylor mansion."
Those were words she never expected to hear.
"It was a great honor for me that Princess Selah personally attended my duel. I admit, there were moments when she looked upon me with suspicion and hostility. However, as a fair and impartial monarch, such caution was only natural. After all, the former head of House Rothstaylor committed a grave crime."
The entire audience held their breath, listening intently to Ed Rothstaylor's speech.
"And I know this as well. It was thanks to Princess Selah—steadfast in her morals and confident in her actions—who stood at the forefront of the Rothstaylor mansion during that incident. Because of her decisive actions that day, I am able to stand here now. That is why I wish to express my deepest gratitude to Princess Selah for correcting the misguided path of House Rothstaylor. Through her rebuke and guidance, she led us toward a righteous future. Therefore, today's glory belongs entirely to Princess Selah!"
Amid the falling flowers, Ed Rothstaylor delivered his praise.
The crowd erupted, chanting Selah's name. It truly felt as though she had become the protagonist of the arena.
Emperor Kroel patted Selah on the back with a satisfied smile, clearly proud. It was a speech worthy of admiration.
What…?
Princess Selah was the only one who failed to understand what was happening.
There was no reason for Ed Rothstaylor to defend or praise her.
And yet, with a sincere expression, he was placing all the honor of the duel at her feet.
What… is going on…?
Surrounded by cheers calling her name, Princess Selah alone stood frozen.
Her intuition screamed at her.
That man is plotting something.
However, his intentions remained hidden.
It was as though a dense fog obscured them entirely.
-x-X-x-
It took more effort than I had expected.
Since I already knew just how strong Daike Elpelan was, I also knew that, with my current specs, he wouldn't be able to defeat me. However, to be absolutely certain, I had perfectly mastered advanced magic through Lucy. Doing so allowed me to consider every possible scenario in the fight.
By memorizing all the aspects I needed to be familiar with—including theory, magic power resonance, and elemental application—I was able to learn advanced magic quickly through repeated practice.
Even though I say "quickly," I did have to risk my life several times during my duels with Lucy… well, it was a necessary process.
Waaaah!
I returned to the waiting room with applause and cheers echoing behind me. Passing through the iron gate, I entered the now-quiet room. The waiting room looked exactly as it had before.
I quickly took off my shirt, which had become completely filthy from falling onto the dirt floor. Opening the simple storage box nearby, I brushed the dirt off my clothes, took out a spare school uniform, and walked back to the table in the silent waiting room.
It was the same uniform that Bell Maya always washed for me, no matter how many times I told her it wasn't necessary.
Back then, I used to stay up late just to mend the sleeves when they tore. Now, I even had extra uniforms.
From those small details, I could really feel how much things had changed. Because of that sense of reward, I was able to keep moving forward.
"Why did you go easy on him?"
Suddenly, a familiar voice spoke without warning.
I wasn't particularly surprised. I could tell immediately who it was from her usual tired, listless tone.
When I looked over, Lucy was lying comfortably on the sofa on the opposite side of the waiting room. I must have missed her because the back of the sofa blocked my view. When did she even get there?
Was she worried because I'd been overworking myself lately? Or maybe she simply wanted to watch the duel…
Lucy sat on the soft cushion with her head turned away, speaking in an absent-minded manner.
I'd received a few minor scratches during my duel with Daike, but nothing that could be considered even close to fatal.
To be honest, the raw power behind his fists was genuinely threatening. However, it wasn't something I would realistically be hit by.
Ultimately, it came down to his lack of combat sense. Daike, who was born without that innate instinct, possessed fists with immense destructive power but lacked the flexibility needed to land them.
The power of his strikes could certainly be considered the most destructive within the combat department—but that was all.
In terms of growth potential, he would never be able to catch up to naturally gifted warriors like Ziggs and Clevius.
By the time they became third-years, they would already far surpass Daike. At present, they simply hadn't yet learned the combat department's systematic teachings or efficient training methods.
"I didn't hold back."
"If you were really giving it your all, you could have ended the duel from the beginning."
"..."
It was impossible for Daike Elpelan to get past the high-ranking wind spirit, Merilda.
However, I allowed him to engage me in close combat.
To spectators who didn't know any better, it would have looked as though Daike had broken through everything through sheer willpower, forcing me into close-range combat…
But to Lucy, who knew my specs in precise detail, it must have looked strange.
As though I had deliberately staged a long, fierce battle.
"I don't know what you were thinking, but if you'd made even one mistake and he landed a clean hit…"
As she spoke, Lucy grabbed the brim of her hat and sat up. The moment she made eye contact with me, however, she abruptly sank back down, burrowing into the sofa.
Watching her sit up only to collapse again felt like watching a video play in reverse.
"…Why are you naked?"
"I'm changing clothes. I can't go out to the festival dressed like this."
"Use your words."
"What?"
"You should have told me you were changing."
"What… is wrong with you…?"
Considering how Lucy usually behaved, seeing her suddenly act uncomfortable was strange.
Whether I was washing myself in the stream beside the cabin or taking off my clothes to repair them, Lucy was always nearby, napping on a flat rock.
So for her to scold me for not warning her before taking my shirt off… it was oddly out of character. She was now holding her hat down over her eyes, buried into the sofa.
"Well, I had my reasons. I never intended to lose. I just wanted the audience to see what kind of person Daike Elpelan really is."
"Why?"
"That way, he won't run into problems with his house. At the very least, he was able to publicly demonstrate his willpower."
In fact, public opinion among the audience was that Daike Elpelan had "lost, but fought valiantly," and that he had shown a worthwhile match through sheer grit and spirit.
If he had been defeated helplessly, there would have been no argument against his excommunication—for Daike, who bore the heavy expectations of his house.
"Besides, politically speaking, it was also necessary."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
As I buttoned my shirt and swung my robe behind me, Lucy finally stood up, shaking the loose ends of her sleeves.
"Well, I'll just wait and see how things play out. But why are you here?"
"I came because I was worried. Helping you practice advanced magic put a lot of strain on your body."
"Aren't you supposed to be attending a concert with Deputy Headmistress Rachel right now? Since you're the top student, I thought it was decided you'd sit in the front row… I remember Bell mentioning that…"
"..."
After that, Lucy began sweating profusely, making no effort to hide the truth.
"…Did you run away?"
"I don't understand music."
"I'm sure Deputy Headmistress Rachel knew that. She probably just wanted you there for formality's sake."
"I don't do formalities…"
I was certain Bell Maya was already scouring the academy grounds.
Lucy glanced nervously at my shoes, sweat pouring down her face as if silently begging me not to hand her over.
"Haah… Lucy. I don't want to lecture you about this either, but if you have a responsibility, you need to fulfill it. Right?"
"..."
"Sometimes it's something you don't want to do. But when you're in a position of power, that responsibility comes with the role."
As I buttoned my cuffs and tapped my shoes against the floor to put them on, I gave my appearance one last look. Then I turned toward the cabinet holding my old clothes.
Bell Maya couldn't discipline Lucy herself.
So, even though I didn't want to be the one saying it, I had no choice. There were very few people at the academy whom Lucy would even listen to.
"People with influence and power are forced to live with responsibilities. Those who reach such heights can't simply run away because they dislike them… they're unable to."
Creak.
As I finished my lecture and opened the cabinet door, I found Tanya Rothstaylor curled up inside, sitting at the bottom.
"Ah. Hello, brother. The festival committee added 191 new agenda items, so I panicked and ran away for a bit…"
Watching her greet me so casually while explaining herself, I covered my face with my hand.
***
Everyone passing through the hallway near the arena glanced toward us, murmuring quietly.
That was because they couldn't believe the combination of people they were seeing—three individuals sitting side by side on the hallway chairs after exiting the waiting room.
Lucy Mayreel, Silvenia Academy's top student, and Tanya Rothstaylor, the student council president.
In any student gathering, they were figures one might call the protagonists.
Seeing them together, blankly staring into space, must have given passersby an indescribable sense of pressure.
Even though they recognized us, no one dared approach.
Seeing the three of us—including myself—sitting motionless, they likely thought it best not to disturb us.
Watching from afar was the safest choice, though an odd atmosphere lingered.
I was there to meet the emperor once the remaining events concluded.
But why were Lucy Mayreel and Tanya Rothstaylor there as well?
Pressing my fingers to my temples, I sighed as I sat in the middle of the bench. The two girls on either side glanced toward me.
Lucy Mayreel had run away from a concert.
Tanya Rothstaylor had run away from the festival committee.
…They were both fugitives.
The only thing they had in common was where they fled. They always seemed to hide near me.
That was fortunate for Ziggs Eiffelstein and Bell Maya, who were pursuing them. If they vanished, all they had to do was look around me.
Eventually, both of them would be caught.
"It's… been a while, Lucy…"
"..."
Lucy raised her head and met Tanya's gaze, then leaned back against the bench.
Recently, Lucy had been talking more, but she was still timid and uninterested in most people.
Since I'd grown close to her, I sometimes wondered how she interacted with others.
Her relationship with Tanya, in particular, was complicated.
Once, Lucy had strongly supported Tanya. Later, she had tried to murder her. Eventually, she apologized for the misunderstanding. At this point, there was no bad blood—but no closeness, either.
They hadn't met face-to-face in a long time.
I expected Lucy to be warmer, but instead she hid behind me, clinging tightly.
"Did you run away from Ziggs again…?"
"I know I shouldn't, but every time I see stacks of documents reaching the ceiling, I panic…"
"..."
"Is it a phobia? I suddenly can't breathe and think, 'I need to get out.' Before I realize it, I've run across the entire education district…"
"You're going to make me cry…"
"Even if I run away, I still have to deal with it later… maybe I've grown addicted to that refreshing feeling afterward…"
"But didn't the student council's efficiency improve after Anise joined?"
"It did, but now there's the festival…"
That explained it.
The student council's workload must have been overwhelming lately.
"When I run away… there's this strange pleasure that tickles my heart…"
"..."
I didn't know how to respond, so I stayed silent. Lucy, hiding on my other side, nodded vigorously.
She looked at Tanya with a sparkle in her eyes. A strange sense of camaraderie formed between them.
"…Is it really okay for the two of you to bond over this?"
"L-Lucy, are you also running away from something?"
"She runs away most of the time. She barely attends classes unless they're required for graduation."
Lucy, currently fleeing from Bell Maya, remained silent.
"Y-Yet she still has the highest grades?"
"Her practical scores are absurdly high. You knew that, didn't you?"
"Yeah, but she's accumulated tons of penalty points from Ophelis Hall…"
"Her practical scores more than make up for them…"
Lucy Mayreel was the only student magician capable of wielding ultimate magic.
In fact, there were fewer than five people in the entire empire who could handle ultimate magic at all. Aside from Lucy, they were all elderly, their bodies wrinkled with age.
She had surpassed the level of a student long ago, to the point that many found it strange she still attended Silvenia. Most were unaware of Glockt's will.
"By the way… you did great in the duel, brother. Every time I see you, you've grown frighteningly stronger. Honestly, even as your younger sister, it's scary."
"You don't seem very surprised."
"Is that so? After becoming student council president, every day has been hardship and shock… maybe I've gone numb."
Tanya shook her head with a sigh, then lowered her voice.
"Was it Princess Penia's idea to give credit to Princess Selah?"
"Didn't she tell you?"
"Well… I haven't been able to visit the royal residence much lately. I knew she was planning something, but not this."
Tanya's reaction surprised me.
Given how openly opposed they were to Princess Selah, I assumed she would have asked about Penia's plan.
However, since becoming student council president, Tanya had changed.
Above all, she seemed to have been strongly influenced by Lortel. She could now make rational decisions even in chaotic situations.
She complained and cried often, but when it came to political judgment, she always acted carefully.
"There's no reason to fracture Princess Selah's support by provoking unnecessary conflict. We can rely on House Elpelan's long-standing symbiotic relationship with her."
House Elpelan and Princess Selah had supported one another for years.
In particular, the current head, Balveron Elpelan, knew many of Selah's deepest secrets due to that trust.
To dismantle such loyalty, one would need to carefully wedge themselves between the two.
In other words, we needed to make House Elpelan dissatisfied with Princess Selah—something that wouldn't happen easily.
That was why we had to move slowly.
House Elpelan supported Selah because they believed that if she ascended the throne, they would rise with her.
So we had to shatter that certainty.
To do that, someone more valuable than House Elpelan had to appear.
A house with greater talent, deeper authority, the rank of a duke rather than a mere count, and a far more capable successor—one that would fall under Princess Selah's care.
That alone would shake House Elpelan's standing.
Even they would have to admit it was more advantageous for Selah to side with House Rothstaylor.
Seeds of doubt—fear of being discarded for greater power—would quietly, steadily spread.
And that would be the beginning of House Elpelan abandoning their allegiance.
***
"Selah will want you, because you come from a powerful house led by a duke."
On the royal residence terrace, Princess Penia whispered softly.
"Until now, the two of you have been openly hostile. But if you bow first, acknowledge her authority, and slowly draw closer… she will never reject someone like you, Ed Rothstaylor. You possess everything Selah desires."
"If I suddenly act accommodating, won't she become wary?"
"At first, yes. Still… Selah will take the bait."
Setting down her teacup and gazing at the blue sky, the princess spoke with firm resolve.
"If an opportunity arises to claim someone like you, Ed Rothstaylor, she will seize it—by any means necessary. However… your very existence is also poison to Selah."
***
In the hallway leading to the waiting room, the large gate opened as several soldiers bearing the imperial crest marched forward.
There was still time before the emperor himself descended, but the guards were already mobilizing.
This wasn't part of the official schedule.
It seemed Princess Selah had moved them on her own authority. The duels had yet to conclude, after all.
Once all duels ended, the emperor would appear—but before that…
It seemed she had come to meet me herself.
Princess Selah, alone.
A princess with sharp eyes and a commanding presence stepped through the formation.
Selah, the Princess of Frost, stopped in front of me.
Lucy, as usual, buried her face into my shoulder, exhaling slowly with unfocused eyes. Tanya swallowed hard beside me.
It was rare for royalty to visit someone personally. Normally, one would be summoned to a designated waiting room.
Yet Selah had come all the way to the waiting room hallway herself.
Her expression remained tense, filled with vigilance.
-x-X-x-
Not much was ever revealed about Selah Einer Kroel.
In
Chasing after power, revering authority, and obsessing over one's noble lineage—there was little about her that players could find endearing. When recalling how she was later devoured by the Evil God Mebula's power, screaming as her life faded away, it was easy to understand why she had been portrayed that way.
Watching her abuse those beneath her through sheer authority, revealing a sly smile while pursuing overwhelming power… all of it was meant to give players a certain satisfaction when she was ultimately consumed by Mebula.
However, Princess Selah had survived.
The role meant to emphasize Mebula's cruelty was no longer necessary. By failing to exit the story when she was supposed to, Princess Selah remained on the stage.
Regardless of perspective, she was a figure designed as a villain, as if painted onto a canvas.
Her role had been to reveal her dark side and then leave the scene with a horrific cry of despair.
By not leaving when she should have, she remained at the center of power within the imperial household, becoming far too great a variable.
That meant I couldn't ignore her. At the very least, I had to ensure she wasn't someone who would interfere with my plans.
"Forcing me to find you on my own. You should know that it's a great honor."
Her bluish hair, pale like frost, fell past her sharp jawline. Her cold, authoritative tone alone sent a chill through the air.
"It is an honor to see you again, Princess Selah."
"You did something rather amusing."
I slowly bowed my head to show respect for her personal visit.
Tanya, who had been staring at her shyly, bowed at the same time. Lucy, however, couldn't have cared less.
Lucy Mayreel had stood head-on against an Evil God. There was no reason for her to back down or show respect toward a villain who had openly tried to tear me apart.
Seeing Lucy behave that way, Selah let out an alluring smile.
"Lucy Mayreel. I still remember how arrogant you were when you were summoned to the imperial household for investigation. You're acting surprisingly tame now. Is it because of the man beside you? That's hilarious."
Just what had Lucy done in the imperial household for Princess Selah to criticize her so openly…?
I had heard that Princess Penia somehow managed to persuade Lucy to return to Acken Island with her. Before that, though, I'd only heard rumors of Lucy and Princess Selah engaging in an intense battle of nerves.
Even Lucy knew that deliberately harming a princess of the empire would amount to treason.
She must have been aware that force alone wouldn't resolve anything.
That said, it didn't seem like she had simply endured it either. Just as she had gone all-out against the Evil God Mebula, throwing spell after spell without hesitation, she must have run rampant through the imperial household as well. Seeing Princess Selah's exhausted expression gave me a clear idea of just how much trouble Lucy had caused.
"Having Lucy Mayreel and Tanya Rothstaylor by your side, with Penia backing you… you've accomplished quite a bit for a boy your age. I had no idea you were so impressive back at Rothstaylor Mansion."
On one side of me sat Lucy Mayreel, a genius magician. On the other was Tanya Rothstaylor, head of House Rothstaylor and the young student council president of Silvenia Academy.
Hidden behind me was the support of the Princess of Benevolence, Penia.
From Princess Selah's perspective, my actions must have seemed highly suspicious.
After all, there was no reason for someone as influential as myself to openly exalt Princess Selah's name.
More than that, she was openly hostile toward House Rothstaylor, having established her political standing through opposition to its power.
So it was only natural for her to feel sharp suspicion when I was the one to extend a hand toward reconciliation.
"Thanks to you, I was able to save face today. It seems Father has begun to view me as more qualified for the position of monarch. You have helped me greatly."
She began with those words.
"But you didn't think I would gladly thank you and reward you right away, did you?"
As Princess Selah looked down at me with an intimidating posture, there wasn't even a shred of goodwill in her voice.
An impregnable princess with an unshakeable sense of pride.
Many must have bowed at her feet, kissed her toes, and begged for her favor—but none could ever change that cold gaze.
To her, people were merely tools for success. Anyone she treated kindly was simply someone useful to her ambitions.
Natural talent, noble lineage, and utility—those were her measures. She didn't despise those who flattered her; rather, she trusted those who lived by pleasing others even less.
With that thought, I slowly closed my eyes, then opened them again.
I had seen countless people like her.
Selah had lived her entire life near the pinnacle of power within the imperial household. She must have encountered every type of person imaginable.
Because of her arrogance and authority, there were surely those who bowed eagerly for a chance to share her power.
And since she viewed people as tools, there must also have been righteous individuals who opposed her, driven by burning ideals of justice.
Rewarding those who admired her and making those who opposed her regret it—that was likely how she ruled.
Controlling such people wasn't as difficult as one might think.
However, for those who lived by controlling others, the thing they feared most was the unknown.
A person with clear intentions was easy to deal with.
But someone who could be either ally or enemy—someone whose difficulty, loyalty, and motives were uncertain—such ambiguity unsettled those in power.
"Of course not. I was merely paying my respects to Princess Selah."
I spoke calmly, keeping my head lowered.
Even though I was certain she wore an arrogant expression, I could also sense her vigilance.
There was always suspicion in the gaze of someone looking down upon a subordinate.
After all, those in power constantly had to decide whether the people beneath them would be assets or poisons.
Bringing the wrong person under one's command only planted seeds of chaos that could destroy everything they had built.
"Why did you openly support me? I was openly hostile toward you and your house."
"When I make judgments, I don't consider emotions, nor do I dwell on politics. There is only one basis for my decisions."
Humans were deceitful creatures, driven by a desire for what they could not possess.
"Who deserves to be emperor? I simply judged that you, Princess Selah, are the right person for the position."
"You certainly have a way with words. You're exactly the sort of person people would want beside them when they wish to hear something pleasant."
Her sly smile made the hidden meaning clear—anyone could say such things.
"But if you truly believed that, you wouldn't have supported Penia in the first place."
"If that's what you believe, then I have nothing more to say. Whether you trust me or not, I will continue to act according to my own convictions."
"Well, I never expected you to say that. Still, thanks to you speaking my name, my standing has risen considerably. For that alone, you have my gratitude."
For someone with such overwhelming pride, even expressing gratitude was a major concession.
That was all, however.
"Still, if you thought you could win my favor this way, you are gravely mistaken. I never accept favors whose motives I do not understand."
"Is that so? Then that's unfortunate."
After our brief exchange, Princess Selah folded her arms and regarded me with clear dissatisfaction.
She showed no unnecessary emotion. Regret, anxiety, resentment—none of those would serve her here.
And so, that was that.
I had formally praised Princess Selah and dedicated the honor of the duel to her. She saw no reason to probe any further.
Thus, our battle of intentions came to an end.
***
"You are always working so hard, Young Master Ziggs."
"Not at all. Miss Bell, you are the one who works tirelessly managing Ophelis Hall."
Bell disliked being spoken to so respectfully by the person she directly served. Ideally, she wished he would speak more casually.
However, Ziggs merely smiled politely, seemingly unaware of her feelings.
After the intense war of nerves with Princess Selah, the pursuers finally arrived once the remaining duels concluded.
Ziggs had been watching the matches, while Bell was already an unrivaled expert when it came to chasing Lucy.
When the two crossed paths while pursuing Tanya and Lucy, they exchanged looks of strange camaraderie.
I had no idea why everyone around me kept forming bonds for such pointless reasons.
"I assume you're here for Lady Tanya."
"And you've come for Lucy, Miss Bell."
They exchanged sympathetic looks, finished their greetings, and proceeded with their respective duties.
I nodded and handed over the missing items—Tanya and Lucy.
"What happened?"
Bell asked as she grabbed Lucy, sensing something was off. Normally, Lucy would allow herself to be dragged away blankly, but today she was clearly irritated.
"Princess Selah spoke with me briefly. She sat beside me the entire time."
"…That must not have been pleasant."
"Well, politics rarely are."
"…I don't like that girl. I hate her."
Lucy pouted openly. Given our opposing political positions, mutual wariness was inevitable.
"After you won your duel, I was surprised to see you dedicate your victory to Princess Selah."
"That's understandable."
"…I'm not sure how you'll take this, but I'm not convinced that approach will work on Princess Selah."
Ziggs hesitated before continuing.
"She's full of pride. Rather than repaying a debt, it might look like you were positioning her to owe you instead."
Speaking so boldly about the imperial family was dangerous, yet Ziggs trusted everyone present.
"Wouldn't it come across as you judging her worthy—rather than the other way around?"
"I had my doubts as well, but Princess Penia insisted this was the correct course."
I answered while trying to lift Tanya off the bench. She clung stubbornly, clearly unwilling to move.
"At the very least, she understands Princess Selah better than I do. I decided to trust her judgment."
"I see. If that's your decision, then I understand… President, let's go. There's still plenty of festival work left."
"But… Ziggs, do you know how much is left?"
"I'm sure Anise does. Besides, that's irrelevant."
"W-What? Why?"
"Because no matter what, you won't finish it all today."
Tanya froze as Ziggs grabbed her hand. I felt as though I were handing my own sister over to the devil—but it couldn't be helped.
"Well then, I'll be heading out too. The festival's still ongoing, so do your best."
I hadn't been able to enjoy much of it myself. Still, I hoped to savor the ending.
Princess Selah might remain at Silvenia for some time. If she did, she would surely gather information on me, analyzing my motives.
"You don't need to do anything. If you simply remain still… my sister Selah will handle the rest."
It was rare for Princess Penia to speak so firmly. Perhaps I should trust her completely.
Even so, I didn't understand what she meant.
I bid farewell to Bell and Ziggs, who departed with Lucy and Tanya.
Left alone, I sat quietly in the waiting room hallway. With time before the emperor's arrival, it was a perfect moment to rest.
Just as I was about to lie back, Bell—who had been leaving with Lucy—turned around and re-entered the room.
"Ah, Young Master Ed. I forgot to tell you something."
"What is it?"
"Well, actually—"
Thud!
The waiting room door suddenly flew open.
***
"They're not here…!"
Yennekar's complexion drained of color.
The arena was packed with people eager to catch a glimpse of the emperor and princesses.
The academic staff and student council struggled to maintain order.
Cheers praising Emperor Kroel echoed everywhere.
Yennekar had planned to bring her parents to see the emperor from afar after spotting Ed Rothstaylor.
Yet in the blink of an eye, Orte and Saila vanished.
They wouldn't wander off on their own. They barely understood Silvenia's layout.
Anxiety surged through her chest.
Her energetic countryside parents, unable to restrain themselves from meeting Ed Rothstaylor at last—
They had traveled all this way with gifts. Surely that alone wouldn't stop them.
Realizing the gift boxes were gone as well, Yennekar knew her fears had come true.
***
"Young Master Ed! What an honor to meet you! I'm Yennekar's father, Orte! We live in Pulan! We couldn't let your kindness go unthanked!"
"H-Honey! Where are your manners?! Please forgive him, Young Master Ed! He milks cows all day and knows nothing of noble etiquette! I'm no better myself…"
The couple, Orte and Saila Palerover, looked every bit like rural villagers.
"How did you get here?"
"There's no need for formalities! Speak casually with us! I know my place!"
"Y-Yes! No need to be polite—especially to him!"
"W-Wait, Saila…"
They placed a beautifully wrapped gift on the table.
"Our ranch's finest cattle! Even nobles seek it out!"
They mistook Bell Maya for my servant. I didn't correct them.
"I-I understand."
Bell rarely stuttered. She looked anxious.
Of course, I understood why.
"Yennekar is a close friend of mine. She's hardworking, kind, and talented."
Their reaction was explosive.
"She's helped me greatly—with magic, housekeeping, and more. You raised her well."
Orte nearly burst with joy.
When Bell panicked later and insisted they must never come to my camp, I understood immediately.
Those two absolutely could not be allowed anywhere near it.