“Hmph… Finally made it here.”
Unlike before, Amy was all alone in the Player Waiting Room, exhaling a breath heavy with tension.
She was reflecting on all the Matches she’d fought so far, trying to steady her mind.
“…Can I really win?”
To Amy, Lux was nothing short of an insurmountable wall.
She only became top of the class after Lux suddenly started slipping in performance. For some unknown reason, Lux couldn’t properly handle her Mana for a while. If that incident hadn’t happened, there’s no way Amy would have claimed the top spot.
But now Lux had regained her former glory—and perhaps even become stronger than ever. The fact that Amy had never defeated her even once weighed heavily on her mind.
“I need to calm down. I can do this. It’s different from back then.”
Even as she tried to give herself a pep talk, her racing heart wouldn’t settle down. Suddenly, her mind drifted back to the day of the entrance ceremony. With the goal of becoming the greatest Archmage to follow in her father’s footsteps, she proudly took the entrance exam—but ended up second.
Naturally, Amy had expected to enter at the top, and the shock was immense.
‘Just who is this person who’s better than me?’
After suffering a blow to her pride, Amy used her family’s resources to investigate. That’s when she found out the top-ranked student was none other than the Empire’s Imperial Princess.
‘Tch, was it because the Royal Palace pulled some strings…?’
Even Minerva, the Empire’s premier educational institution, couldn’t ignore the authority of the Royal Palace. Back then, Amy thought that was the only explanation for why the princess was given the top spot.
When she attended the entrance ceremony with the mindset of seeing just how great this person was, Amy lost her words upon seeing Lux, the freshman representative, ascend the stage.
Hair as silvery and dazzling as sunlight itself.
Ruby-red eyes that were mesmerizingly enchanting.
A porcelain-white complexion more radiant than natural pearls.
Every movement exuded an innate sense of nobility.
She was by far the most beautiful girl Amy had ever seen. Even someone like Amy, who’d been loved and pampered her entire life, couldn’t help but be awestruck. She unconsciously thought, ‘This must be what they mean when they call someone doll-like.’
‘G-grant it, magic-wise I’m still better!’
During lectures, however, the magic Lux displayed was just as dazzling as her appearance—and just as powerful. Precision, stability, casting speed—Amy couldn’t beat Lux in anything. No matter how close she felt she was to catching up, that tiny step—no, even half a step—remained an unbridgeable gap.
Is this what they call a difference in talent?
Though Amy was undoubtedly talented and destined to become an Archmage herself, there seemed to be a wall between her and Lux. At least, that’s what Amy believed.
It was undeniable that Amy had grown exponentially under Allen’s guidance, even unlocking her Family Skill, Hwa-An. But if Lux had also grown at the same rate… Her magic after overcoming her slump was so overwhelming it sent shivers down Amy’s spine.
“Sigh, with this kind of mindset, there’s no way I’ll win.”
Despite spending so much time alongside Senna, the Holy Maiden, Amy didn’t believe in religion—but right now, she almost wanted to lean on some divine intervention.
As she was feeling particularly weak, an unbelievable voice reached her ears.
“Why are you sighing like the world’s ending?”
“…Professor?”
Turning her head quickly, Amy saw Allen standing behind her with a smile.
“That’s right. Your professor.”
“How did you… get in here?”
Only authorized personnel were allowed into the Player Waiting Room. Amy’s gaze wavered.
Allen silently placed a finger to his lips with a grin.
“This? Child’s play. Who am I? Your teacher, remember?”
“What does that even mean… hahaha.”
Despite herself, Amy chuckled at his cheeky face.
“I came because I thought you might look this pathetic. There’s only one Match left. What’s got you so worried? Spill everything to your teacher.”
As he pretended to stroke a beard he didn’t have, Amy laughed again. This was something she couldn’t confide in her friends, but maybe it was okay to tell Allen. So, Amy poured out all the worries she had been suppressing inside.
“That’s how it is.”
“Hmm, I see.”
“So pitiful, right? Not only am I jealous of my friend, but I’m already thinking about beating her…”
Amy curled up, embarrassed to hide her shame.
Allen quietly gazed at her before gently patting her head.
“People are naturally weak. We yearn for and envy what we don’t have. Heck, I envy countless people myself.”
“You do?”
Could anyone envy Allen, who became a Master and War Hero at such a young age? With pure curiosity, Amy asked, prompting Allen to laugh and answer.
“Your diligence. Ariana’s free-spiritedness. Senna’s purity. Lux’s nobility. You all possess things I lack.”
And that wasn’t all.
Warm families, exceptional backgrounds, unmatched talents—there were plenty of reasons for Allen to feel envious. If Allen weren’t from another world, he wouldn’t have become a Master or a soldier. He’d likely have lived and died as a common beggar.
Of course, Allen didn’t voice that last part.
“Well, whatever it is, appropriate emotions can be powerful motivators for growth. Without Lux, your skills probably wouldn’t have developed this far.”
“That may be true, but…”
“Relax and enjoy it. The Amy I know isn’t someone who gets discouraged over something like this, right?”
“…Yes!”
It was clumsy encouragement, but the oppressive weight on Amy’s heart had vanished without a trace.
“Alright. See you after it’s done. Show me a game you won’t regret, no matter the outcome.”
“Yes. I will.”
As Amy smiled brightly, Allen disappeared in an instant.
“…”
Was it a hallucination brought on by stress? Amy blinked as she stared at the empty space where Allen had been just moments ago.
“Oh yeah, there’s the Wish Prize.”
Remembering something she had carelessly forgotten amidst the fierce competitions, a small but fiery spark ignited in Amy’s eyes.
“I’m going to win.”
For Allen, who secretly came to encourage her, there was no way she could lose.
***
Meanwhile, Lux sat alone in her own Player Waiting Room, meditating quietly before speaking.
“You’re here.”
“Wow, you’re impossible to fool.”
The air rippled, revealing Allen with a grin.
“Those eyes are too cheating, aren’t they? What do assassins even eat?”
“Do you want me to fall victim to an assassin, Professor?”
“…No, that’s not what I meant.”
Allen wore an expression of exasperation, which made Lux smile faintly. Then, as Allen approached, she detected traces of residual Mana and asked sharply.
“You went to see Amy first, didn’t you?”
“Can you really tell that much from Mana?”
Isn’t that a bit excessive? Can you really detect that level of detail? Allen looked incredulous as he responded. He didn’t understand the implications behind her words.
“Yeah, I gave her some encouragement since she seemed nervous.”
Lux gestured for him to come closer. As Allen hesitantly approached, Lux suddenly grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him down.
“You went to see her first, didn’t you?”
At the nearness where their lips could almost touch, Allen broke out in a cold sweat. Now he understood what she meant and stammered an excuse.
“Well… Amy’s waiting room is farther away. So in terms of route efficiency…”
Upon reflection, there was no real need to make excuses. Both were equally precious students to Allen. And at this moment, nothing had been decided yet.
“Hmm~ Alright, I’ll let it slide this time.”
“T-thanks? Why do I even have to say that… Anyway, can you let go now?”
“It’s just that… I couldn’t help feeling jealous.”
Her tone was anything but apologetic. After all, her hands were still firmly gripping his collar.
“Surely you haven’t forgotten what I said last time, right?”
“About wanting to go somewhere after winning? Of course I remember that.”
“And yet you went to see Amy first. Should I clarify things further?”
Lux breathed out excitedly.
“I love you, Professor. I adore you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
Finally confessing her feelings aloud, Lux’s eyes betrayed not a hint of hesitation. Allen was overwhelmed by her pure and intense emotion.
“…”
“You don’t have to answer right now. Eventually, you’ll be mine anyway.”
Having spoken her mind, Lux had no intention of backing down. No matter who stood in her way, she would achieve her desires. Her crimson eyes were deeply etched with resolve.
“…Will you be alright? I’m expensive, you know.”
In response to Allen’s silly remark, Lux smiled sweetly—a smile resembling the man she loved.
“I’m the most expensive woman in this empire, after all. Honestly, I want to stamp this right now, but I’ll hold off.”
Slowly releasing Allen, Lux crossed her arms and declared.
“One day, you’ll be clinging to me.”
Her regal posture was truly that of an empress. In Allen’s eyes, she overlapped with the image of an emperor he had once known. Perhaps bloodlines really couldn’t be ignored.
“…Alright. I’ll look forward to it.”
With his mind completely blank, Allen could only respond this way.
“But Amy won’t be easy. She seems pretty determined.”
Though it was a habitual provocation, Lux paid it no mind.
“My feelings for you aren’t something I’d lose to anyone.”
“Hahaha, I’ve lost. I’ll happily watch then.”
“To see me win, right?”
“Don’t get too cocky.”
With the ever-confident Lux standing behind him, Allen quietly faded away.
“Phew… Hmm~”
Gently inhaling the lingering traces of Mana deep into her lungs, Lux smiled softly. Though slightly embarrassed upon reflection, she felt glad she had voiced her feelings. Some emotions grow stronger only when expressed aloud.
