There was a brief commotion.
Only after saying that I’d definitely ask for a favor next time we meet was I able to sit on the sofa.
Then I watched Amy’s next match, and it was clear that now that it was around the quarterfinals, everyone’s skill level was high.
“Hmm, someone of that caliber could probably make it to captain…”
“…”
The Black Wolf gave an indifferent look.
I awkwardly smiled and fiddled with its ears.
Judging by how quickly ideas were coming to mind on how to use this on the battlefield, it seemed my occupational habits hadn’t faded yet.
Or… am I just weird?
“You’re the weird one. Allen.”
“Gah! Don’t hit me with facts.”
“Pushing a promising individual into the war is not something a human being should do.”
“… When did you start talking so well?”
“It’s in a book.”
“Wow…”
After Minerva Academy classes ended, I guess he was reading in the library or something.
Now that I think about it, he seems to be getting along well with the students too.
It was strange seeing the growth of someone who used to only know assassination.
Time flows, and even the Black Wolf has changed.
Knock knock—
“Excuse me.”
While I was fooling around with the Black Wolf, there was a sudden knock at the door.
Cain opened it, and a neatly dressed man entered.
“Hello. I’m Hessell Aldate from the Budget Management Department, Team 3.”
“Ah, yes. I’m Cain Aldeon, head professor of the Swordsmanship Department at Minerva Academy. What brings you here, civil servant sir?”
“First, would you take this?”
After shaking hands with Cain, Hessell handed over the documents he was holding.
“What is this?”
“As the tournament has been kept private for various reasons until now, since the matches are almost over, we’re about to release the remaining brackets. This is a preliminary copy for the professors.”
“Oh. Finally…”
“Please do your best for the remaining matches. And would Mr. Allen step out for a moment?”
“Huh? Wha… alright then.”
Why are they calling me again all of a sudden?
Surely it’s not another mission, right?
Pushing aside the ominous feeling to a corner of my heart, I followed Hessell outside.
“What is it?”
“Ahh, no need to be so on guard. It’s not about a mission.”
As if guessing my thoughts, Hessell smiled faintly.
Only then could I breathe a sigh of relief.
Hessell tidied his clothes briefly and pulled out a document from inside his coat.
It was the same kind of document I saw when Leo the Archer delivered the imperial order before.
“You’ve seen one of these before, right? Let’s skip the formalities. I’m terrible at them anyway.”
“An imperial order… huh.”
“Yes. Sorry, but could you confirm it now? We need to ensure it was properly delivered.”
“Understood.”
Slowly unsealing it, elegant handwriting began to glow gold.
Despite its flashy appearance, the content was very simple.
『Imperial Permission Slip』
Once again, I had received an invitation to enter the palace.
As the document transformed into a beam of light and wrapped around my wrist like last time, Hessell nodded.
“Confirmed.”
“But isn’t this improper?”
Leo went through all sorts of formalities when delivering the imperial order before.
At my question, Hessell chuckled awkwardly.
“Of course it’s improper, but since there’s no one watching nearby… If it’s fine with you, Mr. Allen, it shouldn’t be a problem, right?”
“I don’t mind.”
Going through unnecessary formalities was uncomfortable for me too.
So he came outside to deliver it.
Professors might insist on formalities if they were present.
“Then I’ll take my leave. Hopefully, we’ll meet again sometime.”
“Yes. Go ahead.”
As Hessell slowly disappeared from view, I scratched my head.
Since there was no specific deadline mentioned, I should visit later.
I also need to drop by the Helios Residence soon, and I’ll probably have to attend the Eastern Union Conference next month.
Suddenly, my schedule is filling up so much…
It looks like I’ll be busy for a while even after the Olympia ends.
“How did the brackets turn out?”
When I asked upon re-entering, the professors looked at me with bewildered expressions.
Why… are they making such faces?
Tilting my head, the Black Wolf handed me the document listing the brackets.
“Exactly how did the brackets turn out…?”
Silently checking the brackets, I finally understood why the professors were making those expressions.
All I needed was one sentence that stood out immediately.
– Olympia Quarterfinals, Match 4 –
Lux Stella Sirius vs Ariane Selene
“… Damn.”
The moment my goal of filling all the top three spots with my students faltered.
***
That night, at the hotel where Minerva Academy was staying.
Allen’s students gathered in Amy’s room.
“In the end, it turned out like this…”
Ariane tossed the bracket onto the bed and stared at the ceiling muttering.
We were bound to face each other eventually, but I hoped we’d meet in the finals instead.
“One of us will lose… but it’s okay! You climbed higher than me, didn’t you?”
Sena, who got eliminated in the round of 32, tried to sound cheerful.
But the gloomy atmosphere remained unchanged.
Sena lowered her head dejectedly.
Amy, clearly dissatisfied with the situation, spoke coldly.
“If you’re just going to mope around like this, go outside. Go figure out how to win. Don’t waste your time pointlessly.”
“Amy! Even so, how…”
“Do you really think we could all win first place? There can only be one champion. That’s what makes it valuable, right? Otherwise, why did we work so hard?”
Cold but realistic words.
Knowing it was true, Sena couldn’t argue against Amy.
Lux, who had been quietly closing her eyes, slowly opened them and spoke.
“Amy. Ariane. And Sena.”
The three called by name turned their gaze toward her.
“You guys are precious friends. You became friends with me when I was alone. Thanks to you, I realized the importance of friendship, and my academy life became enjoyable. I’m extremely grateful for that.”
Lux bowed her head lightly and gazed at her friends calmly.
“So, I want to say this while we’re all here. The championship is mine.”
“… Hmm. So confident, huh?”
Ariane smirked at Lux’s confident tone.
“You think you can obviously win against someone like me? Is that it?”
“No, I acknowledge your moonlight sword technique. Still, I must win.”
“That sounds irritating. Am I amusing to you?”
“Not at all. To be honest, I’ve been calculating countless ways to defeat you in one corner of my mind. It’s the same with Amy, and it was the same with Sena too. Ever since participating in the Olympia… No, more precisely, ever since Professor said he’d grant wishes, I’ve only thought about defeating all of you. Once I overcome you, the championship is mine.”
Lux’s crimson eyes were filled with sincerity.
This passionate speech from the usually quiet and expressionless girl was unprecedented.
Maybe even the amount of words she was speaking was a first.
Sena blinked and asked,
“Why? What wish do you want to make?”
Here stood an Imperial Princess, higher than the two young ladies of the ducal families and the Holy Maiden.
What could possibly be lacking for her to cling to a mere professor’s granted wish?
Ariane, who caught on to the reason, quietly spoke.
“Lux, you…”
“Yeah. I like the professor. I love him enough to want to spend my whole life with him.”
Upon confessing her true feelings, Lux wore a relieved expression.
Though it felt like she was pushed by the momentum, she had no regrets.
She knew she had to say it someday.
Ariane wasn’t surprised.
Even though Lux usually restrained her emotions, she often let her guard down around Allen.
Especially during that dinner, if she hadn’t noticed Lux’s feelings, she’d truly be an idiot.
“Huh?! Really? Since when?!”
… Maybe Sena really is an idiot?
“It just happened naturally.”
Summarizing it in one sentence felt like mixing several emotions together.
Decisively, it was the moment he woke her up from the curse that she realized her feelings, but…
Since the matter of the curse was a secret, she decided not to mention it.
“I see. I understand your sincerity.”
Lux, realizing she was hiding something, nodded understandingly.
“Still… you shouldn’t say things like that carelessly.”
Ariane grinned wickedly.
“Because it makes me want to interfere, doesn’t it?”
“It’s fine. I’ll still win.”
Lux responded calmly.
Approaching her slowly, Ariane leaned in close.
“I’m under stress because of arranged marriages and stuff. I can’t let you dream about a rosy future alone. Expect it. I’ll interfere somehow.”
“Alright. I’ll look forward to it.”
Their gazes met—Ariane’s mischievous eyes and Lux’s calm ones.
In the midst of this subtle psychological battle, Amy sighed softly.
“Could you guys do that somewhere else? Why are we gathering in my room anyway?”
“Originally, we came to celebrate your semifinal qualification…”
Sena laughed awkwardly as she clung to Amy.
“Didn’t expect it to turn out like this…”
“Haa…”
Despite Amy’s uncomfortable glance, the tension between Lux and Ariane didn’t cease.
“I’ve decided. Since tomorrow is the final match, I’ll stay up all night to reach Master rank. Then I’ll win easily.”
“Then I’ll become an Archmage too. Let’s try it.”
With that, the two fiery individuals left the room, allowing Amy to finally relax on her bed.
“Phew. Now I can finally rest.”
“Do you not care at all, Amy?”
“… Huh?”
Sena sat beside Amy casually and asked with sparkling eyes.
“About the professor. While I’ve already lost my chance, you’ve made it past the quarterfinals. If everything goes smoothly, you’ll face either Ariane or Lux in the finals. What will you do?”
If Lux advances, does she plan to lose intentionally?
Sena was very curious.
Amy’s parents were actively trying to arrange something with Allen…
Doesn’t that mean Amy is actually leading in the romantic front?
“… Get out.”
“Just answer this one thing…”
“Quickly. Get out.”
“… Hiiing.”
Faced with Amy’s firm tone, Sena had no choice but to leave with a pouting face.
“What will you do? Well…”
Deep in thought, Amy hesitated and then lay down on the bed.
“… Deliberately losing feels kinda wrong, doesn’t it?”
I always give my best, that’s all.
Amy justified her feelings in her own way.
