I Possessed the Villain’s Childhood Friend – Chapter 75

Of course, Leon didn’t think about breaking off the engagement with Reina from the very beginning.

After all, that’s the nature of a political marriage.

Even if there are no feelings between them, they engage to maintain their houses, to uphold their honor, and to achieve necessary benefits.

Personal emotions don’t enter into it at all.

In simpler terms, it’s no different from a duty for the nobility.

So originally, Leon simply wanted to return Aike and Reina’s relationship to the way it was before.

He wanted them to be able to meet comfortably as childhood friends.

If Reina wanted, she could go find Aike, and if Aike wanted, he could visit Reina.

The rumors that might arise from that could be dealt with easily by Leon’s power.

That was all Leon’s plan stretched to.

However, as time passed, doubts started to arise in Leon’s mind.

What exactly did Aike want?

The fact that Aike liked Reina was something anyone who knew him would likely be aware of.

Leon wasn’t shocked by that fact at all.

It was quite common among the nobility for someone to have a fiancé while having affections for another.

But Aike was… somehow odd.

To be precise, something seemed twisted about him.

At least, that’s how Leon felt.

Thus, Leon provoked Aike in various ways.

He either asked Sophia for help or intervened directly himself.

As a result, Aike indeed started to improve, little by little.

But that was about it.

The fundamental issue didn’t seem to be resolved at all.

Aike was still twisted.

At the finals of the Heros Martial Arts Tournament.

It was rather unsettling to have a premonition that Aike, who had shown something beautiful enough to change one’s entire value system, might collapse at any time.

For Leon, Aike was the first true friend he had.

Aike might think differently, but that was how Leon regarded him.

And Leon became more convinced of that when he talked with Sophia alone.

“I’m glad there are no problems.”

“Yes. Every day has been enjoyable lately.”

After Leon asked Sophia for that favor, he started having more conversations with her alone.

“Studying with Miss Reina and Prince Aike, or having tea time with Miss Helen and Atal, all of those moments are precious memories.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

“Oh, and chatting with you, Your Highness, is included too!”

When Sophia said that and flashed a bright smile, Leon quietly smiled back.

“But wouldn’t there be some dissatisfaction? No matter how much you learn about noble etiquette at Arcana, there might still be some awkwardness for you, Miss Sophia.”

Leon’s intention was that if there were any inconveniences for Sophia, he would help in some way.

However, Sophia’s answer was truly unexpected.

“Hmm. Rather than dissatisfaction, I think I have some questions.”

“Questions?”

“Yes. When I look at Prince Aike, sometimes he has an expression as if he’s given up on everything? It’s strange to see, especially when every day is so delightful—why does he make that face?”

That was something Leon could empathize with.

He felt uncomfortable because it was exactly that.

“…I might sound rude saying this, but I’m really glad that I could become friends with you, Your Highness, Miss Reina, Miss Helen, Atal, and Prince Aike.”

Sophia’s following words carried no other intentions.

She was simply grateful for having this time with them, and Leon knew that.

“So, I hope that in the future, after graduating from Arcana, when time has passed, we can all gather and share smiles together. But when I see Prince Aike with that expression, it makes me feel like he might just disappear suddenly. That’s a little… unpleasant. After all, imagining a happy future together is the best thing.”

After saying that, Sophia waved her hands in apology for darkening the atmosphere.

However, upon hearing all that, Leon made up his mind and stood up.

“Thank you, Miss Sophia. You’ve helped me decide.”

“Uh? What do you mean all of a sudden…?”

“I’ll tell you once everything is settled. Until then, if there’s anything you want, let me know. I’ll try my best to fulfill it if I can.”

With those words, Leon abruptly turned and dashed towards the dormitory.

Left alone on the bench, Sophia pouted, seemingly displeased as she watched his back.

“I just wanted to talk to His Highness a bit more…”

Sophia quietly voiced her discontent, but soon smiled softly as she gazed at Leon’s retreating form.

“Still, I’ll pray that His Highness’ wishes come true.”

Naturally, Leon sprinting towards the dormitory was oblivious to Sophia’s thoughts.

★

“Aike wants you to be happy, so he must have said he wants to be your knight.”

“Yes.”

“But in that, Aike has no intention of seeking his own happiness.”

Leon’s declaration left Reina unable to refute.

Though she was looking away, she had already picked up on it to some extent.

That Aike always acted for her benefit.

Even at the Heros Martial Arts Tournament, when she learned about Anna’s affair, or when she received Sophia’s request, or when he came back to Heros again.

All of Aike’s actions had been for her sake.

Yet after each incident, Aike would subtly step back.

Reina felt joy knowing Aike cared for her, but that alone caused her heartache to a painful degree.

“If you end up in a duel, what do you plan to do?”

“…I intend to win with all my might.”

Aike was strong.

Though he would self-deprecate about being weak, from an objective perspective, his skill was immense.

Even if he graduated from Arcana and joined the Knight Order, typically, newcomers spent over five years in training.

Yet Aike was skilled enough to skip the apprenticeship and be immediately assigned as a junior knight.

“If you don’t take him seriously, you won’t win, and it won’t be easy to hear Aike’s true feelings.”

Reina nodded quietly at Leon’s words.

“If he truly doesn’t know his problems, I’ll have to teach him.”

Reina also wanted to understand Aike’s true feelings, so she had no intention of stopping him.

But…

“Why is Your Highness going so far for him?”

It was natural to have questions.

Why was Leon, who didn’t have a long-standing relationship like Reina did, willing to help Aike to the point of calling off the engagement?

At that question, Leon took a moment to think, covering his mouth with his hand before speaking.

“Because at least I consider him a friend.”

“….”

“Initially, I had no thoughts of breaking off the engagement either. While political marriages can easily lead to breakups, it’s not something that happens easily at the level of the imperial family or the Rozelia Duke House.”

“That’s true.”

“But if breaking off the engagement would allow him to realize something, I think it’s a sacrifice that’s worth making. Sure, it might be a bit of a hassle to find a new fiancée.”

What a troublesome guy, Leon muttered.

“Still, if we’re going to imagine, isn’t it best to envision a happy future for everyone?”

However, as Leon spoke those words, he had a smile reminiscent of Sophia’s.

★

“Ha-ha-ha-ha!”

“Gra-ah-ah!”

Different battle cries echoed through the training hall.

Neither I nor Leon exhibited the precise movements from before.

We simply clashed in a rough and straightforward manner.

I absolutely could not lose.

I had to win, no matter what.

With that mindset, I swung my sword at my opponent with all my strength.

Shallow wounds began to appear on both of us.

Even then, I didn’t feel exhausted.

Instead, I felt heat pulsating throughout my body.

I swung Neia horizontally.

Leon slightly stepped back to avoid it, then immediately jabbed at my shoulder.

I spun around, dodging his thrust, and continued my attack.

Clang!

Our blades clashed, bouncing off one another.

My wrist hurt, but I couldn’t afford to stop.

I knew all too well that whoever stopped first would lose.

“Ha-ha-ha-ha!”

Leon still wore a fierce grin.

What kind of expression was I making?

I was thinking I would beat him no matter what—what kind of expression was that?

“Gra-ah-ah!”

Lowering my stance slightly, I lunged at Leon without hesitation.

Though I would sacrifice my reach, I didn’t mind.

It was a move I devised to settle this swiftly.

Once again, I swung Neia horizontally.

This time, Leon didn’t step back.

Even if he retreated slightly, I had plunged deep enough to cut.

Instead, I swung my sword down from above, intending to force Neia into the ground.

Now.

“Ugh!”

I forcefully twisted my body, stopping my slash and narrowly evading his attack.

Leon’s eyes filled with astonishment.

And his sword was now buried into the ground.

I charged straight ahead and struck his solar plexus with my elbow.

“Guh!”

As Leon exhaled, he was knocked backward.

I had no intention of simply watching that.

I immediately followed to continue my assault.

But…

“Ugh!”

“Indeed, beating you without using magic is impossible.”

An ice shard had suddenly slammed into my stomach.

Regaining my breath while facing him, I saw a water sphere floating in the left hand of the Crown Prince.

“…What is this, some kind of boss battle’s second phase?”

I couldn’t help but let out such complaints.

But it was fine.

I already knew that Leon couldn’t fight like Reina.

As long as I wasn’t ambushed, I could definitely win.

After spitting out blood that had pooled in my mouth, I stepped forward again.

How much time had passed?

The sky had gradually turned completely to twilight.

“Ha-ha-ha-ha!”

Even so, we were still swinging our swords.

Leon’s attacks using magic weren’t entirely perfected yet.

I could clearly see the openings that were beginning to appear in his sword technique.

But that didn’t mean Leon was weak.

Magic attacks came at me suddenly, and my whole body was already crying out in pain.

I was out of breath.

My left shoulder ached, and my left foot throbbed with each step.

Running or swinging my sword felt burdensome.

Leon was likely in the same boat.

His body was bleeding all over; it was evident that he was not in a normal state.

The match was about to be decided.

Intuition was guiding me toward that conclusion.

“Shall we finish this?”

“Agreed.”

After creating some distance for a moment, we slowly settled into our stances.

Leon lowered his posture and pulled back his right arm.

It was a stance that could only be described as familiar.

A thrust that said he would pierce through outright.

“You really love finishing it with that move.”

“Well, it was the only technique I admired the first time I saw it.”

I adopted a defensive stance.

If he was going in to finish it, I simply had to counter from the front.

That was my intention.

“Here I go.”

With those words, the Crown Prince began to close the distance.

He had to be exhausted, yet his speed was suspiciously fast.

For a moment, I wondered if I might falter upon impact.

That sudden sense of unease began to creep into my body.

And soon, Leon’s sword was sharply aimed at my left shoulder.

Should I swing Neia?

No, I’d get pierced.

What if I stepped back?

He would catch me.

What if I tried to dodge sideways?

He’d read that.

In that fleeting moment, countless thoughts raced through my mind.

And then, that phrase resurfaced.

‘If you can perfectly parry against a rapier, you should be able to seize a chance at revenge against anyone, at least once.’

The moment those words flashed in my mind, I instinctively changed my stance.

I brought the side of Neia to meet his thrust while deliberately applying force at the right moment to push him away.

“What?!”

Leon’s right hand was jolted back with a powerful impact.

“Guhh!”

However, I couldn’t hold onto Neia entirely as my battered left shoulder couldn’t withstand the force and I lost grip.

“Ice Prison!”

Seeing my struggle, Leon’s judgment was swift and precise.

He extended his left arm as he began to chant magic.

It was B-grade water magic, Blizzard, which had previously led to my defeat during the last final exam.

“Seal the sinner!”

But I had anticipated he would do just that.

I had expected that if he was cornered and seeking a chance for a turnaround, he would certainly use magic again.

I trusted him.

I immediately stepped forward.

A blue light shot toward me.

However, I didn’t dodge; instead, I took it head-on and pushed forward.

“…!”

Surprise lit up Leon’s eyes, swiftly turning into a smile.

My body began to stiffen from the feet up.

Yet my right hand had already seized Leon’s neck, forcibly toppling him over.

And in my left hand, as I charged closer, Diana was drawn.

Without hesitation, I aimed Diana at Leon’s neck.

“I’ve won.”

“…Yeah. I’ve completely lost. No, I admit defeat.”

Leon slowly raised his right hand in concession.

My stiffening body was soon released, as Leon seemed to have dispelled his magic.

“Thus, the winner of the duel is Aike Akses!”

As I rose upon hearing the referee’s declaration, I took a few steps toward Reina’s direction.

Then I slowly extended my right hand and gave a thumbs-up.

Just like back when I had won the martial arts tournament in Heros.

Reina, looking at me, bore a gentle smile different from last time.

“I’ve won, Reina.”

And with those words, I lost consciousness.

It felt oddly similar to the conclusion last time.