After watching the sage leave, I flopped onto the couch.
“Hmph. Who would’ve thought Lord Erias would lose?”
Truth be told, I had somewhat expected it.I mean, this was the guy who took down barbarians barehanded—barbarians that required torrents of aura blasts and magic barrages to subdue.
Dozens of barbarian villages annihilated by the sage…Among them were warriors wielding techniques on par with aura, and those practicing bizarre sorceries—but not a single one left so much as a scratch on him.
“Perhaps Lord Erias’ magic might have stood a chance…”
Seemed like transcendent magic was the only thing capable of countering the sage’s resilience. Just as I was pondering how impossibly tough his muscles must be, Black Wolf plopped down beside me and spoke.
“My prediction was correct.”
“Yeah, good for you.”
Did you come here just to brag about being right?As I blinked, the little bugger burrowed into my arms.
“What are you doing?”
“I demand praise.”
“I already gave it.”
“Words alone won’t cut it.”
“What… what do you want from me?”
Before I could make sense of anything, Black Wolf casually lifted my hand and placed it atop their head.Were they asking me to pet them…?Cautiously, I moved my hand, and their ears perked up as if signaling approval.
This guy isn’t a wolf but some kind of dog spirit in disguise, right?
“Why don’t you let me touch your ears usually?”
“Today feels different.”
“…”
If you’re okay with it, then fine.Though I didn’t know why they were acting this way all of a sudden, the sensation was undeniably pleasant, so I decided not to question it further.
Just as I absentmindedly stroked their ears, professors nearby began whispering.
“Are those two… really?”
“That’s likely. I heard allowing an ear-touch has a special meaning among beastfolk…”
“If students find out, there’ll be chaos!”
“Both are quite popular figures… Best we keep this between us. The fan clubs will go berserk…”
Fan clubs?!Could they possibly mean me? Or Black Wolf? Or both?!
Why does letting someone touch their ears carry such significance anyway? Should I ask Black Wolf later?
“Allen.”
“Huh? You heard that too?”
Oh yeah, this guy’s hearing is sharper than mine.No need to ask separately after all…
“The match begins.”
“Eh…?”
Startled, I looked toward the arena where a silver-haired girl clad in owl robes was ascending. Her ruby-like eyes sparkled under the sunlight.
The moment our gazes met, memories flooded back.
[It’s just the two of us, Professor.]
My heart raced involuntarily.Then Black Wolf tilted their head upward and questioned,
“Nervous? Why?”
Probably because you were so close, huh?I quickly composed myself and replied,
“W-well… It’s the first main match, right?”
“We saw the preliminaries.”
“But the finals feel different, don’t they?”
“… True.”
Did my clumsy excuse work? Black Wolf redirected their gaze toward the arena.I sighed inwardly in relief.
‘Tch…’
Here I was, handling things well until now, yet flustered over something so trivial.But there was no helping it.That day, Lux was more beautiful than anyone else—no man could resist falling for her.
How could I possibly stay calm?Especially when a lifelong bachelor receives his first date request.At that moment, I momentarily forgot about ‘her.’
“The first finalist from Lux Academy is…?”
“Who’s her opponent?”
“Don’t know… She’s not even wearing a uniform; can’t tell which academy she’s from.”
“Why aren’t they announcing the matchups?”
“To prevent bias, apparently.”
The professors’ conversation helped me refocus.Right. Let’s worry about that later and concentrate on the match.Even though Lux might not win…
…though judging by her gaze earlier, it seemed unlikely.
*
“The first final match of Olympia! Contestants: Lux student Lux Stella Sirius from Minerva Academy versus Mei Segara from Louis Academy! And we’re starting RIIIGHT NOW!!!”
Wooaaaahhh!
As the audience roared, someone rested their chin on their hand.It was none other than the absolute ruler of this vast empire—the Emperor.By his side sat a boy in golden armor.Quietly observing the arena, the Emperor asked,
“Who’s the opponent?”
“Mei Segara, as the announcer just said, did he not?”
“… Don’t toy with me; it’s dreadfully unfunny.”
“Hehe, my apologies.”
The Emperor frowned, prompting the boy to chuckle.The knights standing behind them clutched their hearts in anxiety.Even the captain of the imperial guard dared not joke around with the supreme ruler of the empire.Had the Emperor been displeased, the boy’s head might’ve rolled instantly.
Unaware—or perhaps uncaring—the boy calmly stated,
“She walks the path of the sword. A beginner swordsman at best.”
“A swordsman, huh. This year’s students seem quite skilled.”
The Emperor smiled contentedly.In these times of war, nothing pleased him more than young talent.
“How do you see the outcome?”
“You know full well. Are you fishing for compliments about your daughter?”
“Tsk, enough nonsense. Speak plainly.”
“Her Highness shall prevail. Within ten moves, I’d wager.”
The knights exchanged startled glances upon hearing such certainty.Didn’t he just say the opponent was a swordsman expert?None dared imagine the princess possessed skills to overwhelm an expert.
“Hush now. Even your thoughts should remain silent.”
Without hesitation, the boy adopted a cold tone, causing the knights to bow deeply.There was no time to wonder how he read their minds.A chill ran down their spines the moment his gaze landed on them.With the atmosphere frozen solid, the Emperor waved his hand dismissively.
“Leave them be. Controlling every thought would leave no survivors in this world.”
“That’s why I suggested bringing the royal guard.”
“Spare valuable resources just for an hour? Preposterous.”
“I’m far more expendable.”
“One must suffer to lead. That’s how organizations function.”
“Haa~ Truly insurmountable through words alone.”
“Force isn’t an option here. Perhaps words can triumph instead?”
The Emperor’s sly remark earned a shake of the head from the boy.Sighing deeply, he raised his voice.
“Disappear. I can handle this alone.”
“But…”
The hesitant knights were silenced with a single glare.
“I won’t repeat myself.”
“Y-yes sir!”
Terrified, they scrambled out of the VIP lounge.An instinctive reaction driven by primal survival instincts.Once the room emptied, leaving only the two, the boy nodded approvingly.
“Now this place is livable.”
“About time you fixed that human aversion of yours. How long do you plan to continue?”
“Not limited to humans. My issue lies with so-called knights unable to control their own thoughts.”
“Rather picky, aren’t you?”
And with that, the Emperor fell silent.He knew further lecturing would be futile.Instead, he stroked his chin while gazing at the concluded match.
“Hmm, just as you said. Swift victory.”
A dazzling spear pointed at the kneeling student’s neck, all within fewer than ten exchanges.
“Didn’t I say I had no need to watch? You should’ve left after confirming the Golden Way Zodiacs’ matches.”
“Your concern was valid. Is Lux’s curse resolved?”
According to the Emperor, his sole reason for monitoring the student matches was to check Lux’s condition.The boy responded stoically.
“Reports from Infantry Palace indicate she’s reverted to her initial state. Not entirely lifted, however.”
“How fares the interrogation of the High Priest?”
During the witch-hunting operation,Erias captured the enraged High Priest, who now underwent endless experiments and interrogations within the magic tower.
“It seems difficult. However, investigators traced the priest’s demonic energy northward.”
“North, you say…”
Recalling the fierce northern war, the Emperor furrowed his brow.Should heresy plot something in the north, it must surely involve the barbarians.Time for a thorough investigation.
“Teams from the magic tower and defense ministry have already been dispatched. We’ll act accordingly once results arrive.”
“Agreed.”
Rising from his seat, the Emperor paced forward.
“I’m returning. Can’t sit idle while cockroaches reemerge.”
“Understood. Shall I escort you?”
For the sake of the empire’s peaceful future, brief rest was over—it was time to work again.
