“Victor! Lux Stella Sirius!!!”
Wow… Waaaah-
Even after the host’s declaration of the winner, the audience didn’t react right away.
To be precise, it would be more accurate to say they couldn’t react.
Even the professors standing next to me wore dumbfounded expressions.
“Lux… Was this student really at that level?”
“Wasn’t the opponent a Sword Expert…?”
“It took less than 10 minutes… no, not even 5.”
No one doubted that Lux would win.
But none of us expected such an overwhelming victory.
Though this tournament had its fair share of issues, some participants clearly possessed undeniable skill.
Especially since the opponent was a Sword Expert, it wasn’t surprising the professors were taken aback.
“Did Professor Allen foresee this?”
My unusually calm demeanor seemed suspicious, as Cain approached and asked.
Hmmm, what should I say…? After pondering for a moment, I simply nodded.
“Yes. Though called a Sword Expert, he’s only at the beginner stage, far from mastery. It’d be difficult to defeat Lux without reaching that level.”
And by beginner, I mean barely starting out.
Not that I intended any disrespect.
After all, achieving Expert-level skills at a student’s age deserves praise.
It’s just that the opponent drew an unlucky lot.
“Your confidence is truly remarkable.”
“Well, naturally. Someone taught them, after all.”
At my words, Black Wolf nodded in agreement.
That’s right. You helped train them too.
Taking this opportunity, I decided to reveal our goal to the professors.
“Our aim is to have everyone reach the semifinals.”
“You mean… to secure first through fourth place entirely?”
“Yes. That much is necessary to uphold our academy’s status as the Empire’s best.”
Cain’s eyes widened at the ambitious target.
The other Magic Department professors reacted similarly.
Honestly, before the Olympiad began, I wondered if it was even possible.
But after witnessing their matches firsthand, I now believe it’s entirely feasible.
“There shouldn’t be many problems as long as we watch out for a few individuals.”
“A few individuals?”
“Students from Don Quixote Academy, Bluebird Academy, and Ice Castle Academy. Their skills stood out during the preliminaries.”
Particularly Carlos from Don Quixote…
He held his own against Ariana and even shattered her sword.
Now that Ariana has proper equipment, their rematch should be quite exciting.
Professor Angelica nodded in agreement with my assessment.
“That’s correct. They’re indeed top-tier academies. The betting odds are also quite high…”
“Betting odds? Surely, Professor Angelica… you didn’t wager on the students’ matches?”
Cain’s sharp glare made Angelica quickly cover her mouth.
Gambling?!
While human nature makes it unsurprising, professors directly participating in betting…
“I-I bet on our own students?! Of course!”
“That’s not the issue… Regardless, I’ll report this matter to the Headmaster.”
“Th-that…!”
For the head of the Magic Department to engage in gambling…
Even I found myself speechless.
Realizing there was no stopping Cain, Angelica defiantly shouted instead.
“What?! If there’s money involved, how can you NOT participate?! Especially when the Royal Palace itself oversees the official betting pool…! How else will I ever save enough for a house with today’s skyrocketing prices?! You know how expensive housing is, Professor Cain!”
“But, well… gambling is still gambling…”
“The Royal Palace supervises it!”
“Fine. I understand. But please lower your voice… I’m worried someone might overhear.”
Angelica’s fervor left Cain flustered as he covered her mouth.
Watching this comedic exchange between the two, I casually turned my head.
Something caught my attention—two figures quietly lurking behind us.
Professors Seneca and Doris from the Magic Department.
Their tense postures suggested they were accomplices.
If intelligent professors like them were willing to gamble, it must really be under the Royal Palace’s supervision…
“Does ‘Royal Palace’ imply oversight by the Treasury Department?”
“They’re jointly managing it with the Cultural Affairs Department. Essentially, since eradicating illegal gambling is impossible, the palace decided to take responsibility officially.”
Listening to Angelica’s enthusiastic explanation, she seemed more like a hired promoter for the palace.
Feeling pity for her, I spoke to Cain.
“It’s not technically illegal, so let’s leave it alone. It’s part of their personal lives, after all.”
“But it involves the students…”
“So what? If they make a profit, perhaps they’ll treat the students to a nice meal. Right, Professor Angelica?”
“Of course! Naturally!”
Relieved by my leniency, Angelica eagerly nodded.
“Let’s handle this with some flexibility.”
“Hmm… If Professor Allen says so… Very well.”
With the minor incident resolved, the Magic Department professors bowed to me in gratitude.
I might as well keep this favor in mind for future use.
Smiling faintly, I gestured toward the arena.
“Let’s focus on the next match. We don’t know when our students will appear.”
“Yes!”
And so, our attention returned to the arena.
Regrettably, none of the others were visible yet.
Today, seeing Lux’s performance would have to suffice.
***
One day, as the main tournament progressed smoothly…
The time had come.
“Hmph, finally my turn.”
A striking young girl with deep blue hair quietly muttered to herself.
The eldest daughter of the Selene family strode onto the field, her vibrant ponytail swaying.
Her name was Ariane Selene.
The strongest swordsman of Minerva Academy, possessing unparalleled talent.
“Finally, it’s time to show my true fangs, Blue Dragon…”
Chuckling darkly, she affectionately stroked the sword at her waist.
Her manic expression was unmistakable.
In front of her stood a girl in a white robe.
“So, you’re a mage. Tch, far too easy. I won’t even need to draw my sword.”
Ariane’s smile grew wider.
Countering mages was something she had drilled endlessly.
She had practiced countless duels.
Against her rival Amy, her win rate hovered around an impressive forty percent using wooden practice blades.
An ordinary mage stood no chance against her.
“Tch, if only it wasn’t for that Eye of Insight…”
But those stats were based on wooden swords.
With the Blue Dragon by her side, even Amy would struggle to defeat her.
“Heh, shall we begin?”
As she casually gripped her sword hilt…
“What are you muttering about all alone?”
Suddenly, a massive jet of water erupted before her.
“Wha- What is this?!”
Panicking, Ariane hastily retreated.
Had she not instinctively stepped back, she surely would’ve been hit.
“That’s cheating! Who attacks without warning?!”
“What do you mean? The match started ages ago.”
The nonchalant girl cast another spell.
[Water Magic: Azure Stream]
Streams of water spread across the arena from beneath her feet.
“No doubt you were distracted and didn’t hear my name, huh?”
“How… When did she…?!”
Despite her shock, Ariane swung her sword.
[Moonlight Blade Technique: Crescent Slash]
A pale silver blade of energy shot toward the girl.
“I already knew that technique from the preliminaries.”
[Water Magic: Rising Waterfall]
Raising her hand, the girl summoned a wall of water from the ground.
Ariane’s blade cut through the cascade like moonlight splitting a waterfall.
But the girl had already moved away.
“This won’t work twice.”
Gliding effortlessly over the water surface, the girl now stood behind Ariane.
Instead of attacking, she pointed at her robe.
On her delicate finger perched a cute blue bird.
“I’m Satis Eckelart, senior year at Bluebird Academy. Consider this a last warning. Show me your true strength.”
“…I’ll make you regret that.”
Ariane’s forehead veins bulged.
Her fury burned at her own carelessness in such a crucial match.
Was her desire for victory really this shallow?
How could she underestimate her opponent so much, distracted by mere swordplay?
Her spiraling thoughts cooled her burning determination.
“Minerva Academy senior year, Ariane Selene. Let’s go… for real this time.”
“Bring it.”
At Satis’s gesture…
[Moonlight Blade Technique: Eclipse Moon]
Faint crescent-shaped energies rained down from all directions.
***
“Idiot.”
Black Wolf’s critique upon seeing Ariane getting overwhelmed.
“She’s regained her senses, so it should be fine now.”
“No. That girl had the upper hand and failed to capitalize.”
His firm words made me grimace wryly.
“Probably tied to some principle of hers.”
“There’s nothing more important than victory.”
I agree with him in principle, but isn’t this a festival?
There’s value in learning something from a single defeat rather than winning through an opponent’s mistake.
Since no one dies from losing here.
“Let’s scold her later. This is about to get interesting…”
While idly petting Black Wolf’s ears, I heard the door opening.
Creak-
“To think Professor Allen would be here…”
Turning at the unfamiliar voice, I saw a man approaching.
Snow-white hair.
Eyes as deep and blue as northern lakes.
Slim but tall build.
A visage elegant enough to be described as princely.
Seeing this stranger, I blinked and asked,
“I’m Allen. Who might you be?”
Upon hearing my name, the man approached with shining eyes.
His attire was extravagantly luxurious, almost fashion-industry level.
Coming closer, he extended his hand.
“Pleased to meet you. I’m Ariane Selene’s father.”
“Ah, so you’re…”
Wait, then…
Startled by the sudden realization, I stammered.
“Lord Selene?”
“Hmm, call me Calias.”
The man grasping my awkwardly suspended hand revealed himself as the Patriarch of the Selene Dukedom.
