"I, Emilia Vanity, in the name of honor and order, challenge Yuda Snaikers to a duel."

As expected, the big moment had arrived.

In front of the other students, Emilia boldly issued her challenge. The place where we stood had become a stage. The white glove on the ground, the intense atmosphere that felt like it would explode any moment, and the eyes of the audience all focused on us.

This was a meticulously crafted scenario.

- "The price for defeat... is that the loser must leave Gallimar Academy, as per the victor's decision."

The girl who had orchestrated all this smiled, her lips curling into a sneer. Even though her smile was tinged with jealousy, malice, and inferiority, there was still a dangerous beauty to it. She resembled a flower that had bloomed in ugliness.

Her crimson lips were overly tempting, and her voice, sharp and precise, pierced like the point of a dagger, intoxicating in its allure.

- "Your answer?"

Did she already know that I couldn’t refuse? Her question was filled with strange certainty. The sweet scent brushing against my nose made it hard to say no.

"As if enchanted, I accepted."

It was a checkmate move. I had no choice.

If I refused, I would be admitting to being a "bubble top student," confirming the rumors. Many students already suspected as much, and rejecting the duel would only give them more fuel for their gossip.

That was Emilia's real goal from the start: to destroy my reputation beyond recovery. Even if the duel didn’t happen, she would achieve her objective by making me look like a coward.

"Quite cunning."

I had to hand it to her. She had put some thought into this. A small chuckle escaped my lips.

"A bet on expulsion, huh?"

I knew she was planning something, but I didn’t expect such an entertaining event.

Now *this* was how academy life should be. It needed a bit of explosive fun.

Just thinking about it filled me with dopamine. Smiling brightly, I turned to find Regia speaking to me.

"L-Lord Yuda... wh-what should we do...?"

“Hm?”

Her green eyes were filled with worry, on the verge of tears. She usually had a gentle demeanor, but now, her expression looked as though she might start crying at any moment. Her voice trembled pitifully.

"Because of me, you’re dueling Lady Vanity... Th-this can’t happen."

“Oh dear.”

I had noticed her expression wasn’t great earlier. It seemed our protagonist was genuinely worried about me.

I suppose it made sense. Regia, like the other students, didn’t know the full extent of my power. She was probably unsure what to believe. And now, this bombshell had dropped.

- "I didn’t think he would accept... He clearly doesn’t know his place."

Emilia Vanity was considered one of the top elites of this year, having secured third place. The mention of expulsion had probably shocked Regia’s mental state. After all, I had stepped in to help her, and now it seemed like my duel with Emilia was her fault.

"I-I’m sorry, I always... cause so much trouble... because of me..."

Regia was already soft-hearted. She could endure being hurt by others, but she couldn’t bear the thought of causing pain to someone else. That kind-hearted nature of hers was just as it had been in the original story.

I instinctively raised my hand and gently patted her soft, pink hair. I stroked it slowly and kindly, as one would when calming a frightened puppy.

"L-Lord Yuda...?"

I appreciated her concern, but honestly, a smile suited her far more than a worried face.

“I’ll be fine, Lady Regia.”

“...”

“In fact, I’m thrilled about this. I’m so excited I could bow to Lady Vanity in thanks.”

“W-what...?”

I playfully poked her cheek, feeling the warmth of her soft skin beneath my fingertip. How could anyone want to make this girl cry?

“This gives me a chance to show you just how amazing I can be, Lady Regia.”

I’ll make sure to surprise you. I’ll amaze you so much that any sad thoughts you might have will vanish.

‘I’m really looking forward to tomorrow.’

It was going to be an exciting day.

---

As I walked down the corridor, leaving the scene behind, a girl who had been watching from a distance muttered to herself, as if unable to understand.

“Such a strange person.”

Her clear, blue eyes reflected a sense of curiosity. Platinum-blonde hair flowed like a gentle breeze as Charlotte stood by the window, watching my retreating figure, her head tilted in confusion.

“I don’t understand what he’s thinking.”

The question was genuine. 

Yuda Snaikers.

What exactly was he planning?

The boy’s peculiar actions had piqued Charlotte’s interest. She found herself thinking about him more often lately.

“So difficult to figure out.”

He was a complicated person. Even though he had enough power to crush everyone here, he was allowing himself to be tormented by Emilia Vanity. 

Charlotte had witnessed Yuda’s power firsthand. It confused her that he would simply accept such treatment.

- "Should I help you?"

- "If you’re enduring this because you’re worried about House Vanity, I can step in and stop them."

She had wondered if he was holding back because of House Vanity’s influence. She had even offered to help.

- "If I say the word, they won’t be able to bother you anymore."

This wasn’t normally something she’d involve herself in, but she had taken an interest in Yuda after he helped her during the class placement exam. And that pink-haired commoner girl following him around had also caught her attention.

But…

- "I’m fine, Your Highness."

He had firmly refused.

- "I have my own plans. Please just watch quietly. You’ll find it quite enjoyable."

Yuda had smiled brightly, his face filled with expectation. His expression had an innocent, childlike quality, even as it hid something ominous.

Charlotte decided to trust his words. Surely, he had a plan of his own. It felt odd to worry about Yuda when he was probably the strongest person in the academy. If he wanted, he could defeat the entire student body with a single gesture. Who was really worrying about whom?

She shook off the thought.

“I suppose I’ll watch a little longer.”

The strange voice of the snake echoed in her mind as she pushed aside her confusion. The little prince quietly turned and walked away.

---

The duel was arranged for the very next day.

It took place in the public arena where we had held the class placement exam. Normally, it was nearly impossible to reserve a spot here due to the packed schedule, but Selena had somehow made it happen. It was impeccable timing, as if she had been waiting for this.

- "Since this matter involves a class I oversee, I will handle the arrangements for the duel."

- "The headmaster himself will act as the judge."

- "Additionally, the entire faculty will be observing the duel."

Not only the headmaster, but also the other professors would be watching. It seemed like this event was growing larger than I had expected.

I hadn’t imagined the usually lazy professors would all show up in a crowd. Normally, a duel only required three faculty members to oversee it—one for judging, one for managing, and one for enforcement. This was a highly unusual situation.

‘Well... I guess I can understand why.’

After all, they had witnessed me save Charlotte. 

Even though I had only shown a fraction of my true power back then, it was enough to surpass what a student was capable of. Overwhelming the "Princess of Steel" was no small feat.

With such a brilliant talent in front of them, how could the faculty, as educators, not be intrigued? This duel was their chance to gauge the true extent of my abilities.

‘Still... what’s with Selena?’

That was the surprising part. 

In the original story, "The Drunkard" was never interested in things like this.

- "I will be responsible for the enforcement during this duel."

- "Please ensure that both parties compete safely and fairly."

Her involvement felt out of character. What was she plotting? For a while, I pondered over it, but soon let it go. I had more immediate matters to deal with.

“Wow... No matter how many times I see this, it’s still impressive.”

I muttered in awe as I walked to the center of the circular arena. The stands were packed with students, despite it being a regular weekday. Word of the duel had spread far.

There were more people than I had expected.

“This is going to be exciting.”

“If you’re scared, it’s not too late to forfeit.”

I heard a voice from ahead. Looking up, I saw the unmistakable blue-haired girl with the bun—Emilia.

“Lady Vanity.”

“Honestly, I thought you’d run away... but I must give you credit for having the courage to face me.”

“Thank you.”

“Hmph.”

Emilia seemed to be in a particularly good mood. Her smirk was filled with venom. The desire to shatter that expression burned within me. 

But I held back, breathing deeply to keep myself composed. Emilia glanced around at the audience.

“You sure about this?”

“Hm?”

“You’re about to be humiliated in front of all these people. If it were me, I’d die from embarrassment.”

“Hoho, is that so?”

I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing. The urge to cause trouble was boiling inside me, but I suppressed it and carefully prepared to unleash my *Lies*.

“It

 seems like we’re about to begin.”

A faculty member approached from the other side, drawing everyone’s attention. The stage was set, and the two actors stood facing each other.

Before the chaos began, I had one question I wanted to ask. It was for you.

“Come to think of it... May I ask you something?”

“What is it?”

“I was just curious as to why you’re doing all this, Lady Vanity.”

“Why...?”

“Yes, your reason.”

Emilia Vanity. What were you thinking when you bullied Regia? What thoughts drove you to scorn those you considered beneath you? What pain made you crave recognition so desperately?

I wanted to ask about the darkness behind her.

‘A person full of vanity.’

What had made her this way? Life is often about enduring the disease that is adulthood, but why had she forgotten her childhood already? What had happened on her star?

“Praise is so sweet, isn’t it?”

Receiving recognition from others. Being praised for beauty, wealth, intelligence, and status. But what did it feel like to lose yourself in that praise?

Emilia’s eyes were always filled with spite. To maintain the adulation of others, she insulted, excluded, and hurt people. But when she pushed everyone out of her life...

“What is it that makes you want to be top student so badly, Lady Vanity?”

What was the point of receiving praise on a star where you’re all alone?

“Such a foolish question.”

Emilia responded with a bored expression, as if wondering why I’d even ask something so obvious. Her lips twisted into a sneer.

“I deserve it because I’m exceptional.”

Her twisted perspective kept her from seeing what was truly ahead of her. She blindly ran toward her goal, a process known as "becoming an adult."

“Unlike a fool like you who has no qualifications, I deserve to be in that spot.”

“So that’s your answer, Lady Vanity.”

“Exactly. Now, surrender while you still can. Unless you want to embarrass yourself.”

“Oh dear... that won’t be possible.”

There’s someone who wants me to win.

I glanced toward the stands, where I saw a pink-haired girl clasping her hands together in prayer. I smiled quietly to myself.

“Well, I’ll do my best.”

“You’re a fool.”

“Haha... Perhaps.”

Our brief conversation came to an end as the referee stepped forward to begin the duel.

We both calmly took our positions.

《Both participants, please take your places.》
《This duel will proceed as a sparring match. The duel will end when one participant is incapacitated or surrenders.》
《The duel will also end if one side forfeits.》

The basic rules were the same as the class placement exam.

Following the announcement, we took our assigned positions, as did Emilia.

“Ready.”

The referee signaled plainly, flipping a coin into the air. The coin flashed in the sunlight, signaling the official start of the duel.

*Ping!*

The coin spun in midair, twirling as it lost momentum, before hitting the ground with a resounding clink.

*Clang!*

In that instant, both of us vanished from sight.

Like smoke dispersing, our figures reappeared at the center of the arena.

Two blades clashed violently.

*Claaaang!*

And so, the duel began.