Meanwhile.

The faculty members observed the duel with intense interest.

Each one appeared completely absorbed.

"…Such frightening talent."

One of them muttered, almost unconsciously.

Normally, such a comment would have been met with derisive laughter, dismissing it as an exaggeration. But this time, not even a single murmur of doubt echoed in response.

They all just sat there, silent.

"…."

They say silence can sometimes be a form of agreement.

None of the professors dared to open their mouths, but they all shared the same thought.

‘Genius.’

An unprecedented talent, unlike anything history had ever seen.

As they watched today’s duel, the faculty couldn’t help but be astonished once again by the boy’s very existence. The performance was simply that overwhelming.

The professors swallowed hard, almost involuntarily.

- “I didn’t expect much from the son of a snake… but his talent is remarkable.”
  
- “Who would’ve thought there’d be a genius surpassing even Her Highness the Princess?”

- “Incredible doesn’t even cover it. He’s already better than the teaching assistants.”

- “To reach this level at such a young age… the future is promising.”

The shocking class placement test had revealed his potential. So, when they heard about this duel, their expectations naturally soared.

But the boy didn’t just meet those expectations.

**《Break.》**

He shattered them entirely.

With just a simple gesture, he nullified Lady Vanity’s ultimate spell.

It was a display of effortless beauty.

The professors were left speechless, frozen in place.

"…Ha."

"Incredible."

"Perfect."

"I didn’t think he could go this far… This completely defies my expectations."

"What was I doing at his age?"

They each let out a chuckle, a mixture of admiration, recognition, and awe. The thrill of the moment tingled down their spines, and a smile crept across their faces, unbidden.

"I have no choice but to acknowledge him."

"It’s hard to imagine anyone his age who could match him…."

"There are a few areas where his youth shows, but… in a few years, he’ll outpace all of us."

"Where did such a monster come from?"

Their voices were pure with admiration.

Even those professors who had once given him a harsher evaluation during the placement test found themselves clapping, almost mesmerized.

Talent, in its rawest form, is always captivating.

"A student I’d love to mentor."

"I’d like to teach him personally… How brilliant could he become?"

"I’d like to have him as my assistant."

"Heh… Assistant? I’d give him the position of head assistant."

"Are we starting a bidding war already?"

"Count me in."

A subtle competition sparked among them.

The professors were already captivated by the boy.

Each expressed a desire to bring him under their wing, their ambition to secure him blatant.

Amid this noisy exchange…

There was one woman who remained silent, holding her place.

With long, flowing purple hair, her crimson eyes carried an odd allure.

Selena stared blankly at the arena.

**Thud.**

Whatever had startled her, she had dropped her bottle of wine to the floor.

The woman seemed frozen, as if time itself had stopped.

"…I found him."

She murmured, her voice so faint it was almost inaudible, yet somehow tinged with excitement.

Selena lowered her head, her shoulders trembling.

Then…

"I must have him."

A twisted smile stretched across her lips.

Her body shuddered as if she was flushed with heat, though she quickly returned to her usual cold demeanor.

It was an ambiguous reaction.

The Headmaster, observing this drinker, said nothing.

As always.

■■■ turned away, indifferent.

---

**《The duel has ended.》**

**《Emilia Vanity has been defeated. The victor is Yuda Snaikers.》**

And with that, the intense duel came to an end.

Though the announcement rang out, there was an even louder noise filling the arena.

The sound of…

"Huwaaah! Ugh, heuu…!"

The sorrowful sound of sobbing.

Emilia was weeping, her appearance utterly pitiful as she cried.

Her sobs echoed throughout.

Her trousers were soaked.

A yellow puddle formed beneath her, an uncomfortable sight to witness.

It felt as if her dignity had been shattered.

I averted my gaze and spoke.

"Um, Lady Vanity?"

"Hicc… Sniff…!"

"I didn’t mean for it to go this way."

"Huwaaah!!"

Emilia began to cry even louder.

Though I was trying to comfort her, she seemed to take it as another insult.

What should I do now…?

After considering it, I decided to stay silent.

I took off the outer layer of my robe and quietly draped it over her legs.

To cover her.

‘What unfortunate timing.’

If I could, I’d have used my power to erase the evidence, but I didn’t have enough energy left for that.

It was all used up during the duel.

**Ding!**

[The power of the unique ability "Liar" has been mostly depleted.]
[Current remaining energy: 1.4%]

Today’s messages were merciless.

Without my power of lies, I was practically no different from an ordinary person.

In the end, it was the medics who stepped in to handle this chaotic aftermath.

The medics, who had been on standby for injuries, quickly approached the center of the arena as soon as the duel ended.

"If anyone is injured, please let us know."

"No injuries here, but Lady Vanity…"

"Hicc…!"

"Oh."

The medic sighed faintly.

She took a look around.

Then, with a nod, she seemed to grasp the situation.

Her expression showed a mix of complicated emotions.

"We’ll take care of the aftermath. Yuda, you’re free to go."

"…Understood."

I reluctantly nodded.

Though I wanted to stay by her side out of guilt, Emilia looked like she needed space to recover.

‘She probably doesn’t want me around after what happened.’

With a sigh, I withdrew.

A bit of regret lingered.

I should have held back a little. I’d gotten too carried away.

I hadn’t even considered her character’s settings.

Once, I’d been an authority on [The Little Prince’s World].

"Time flies, doesn’t it?"

That memory was already three years old.

It wasn’t even part of the main story, just a single line in an extra book.

I suppose it’s impressive that I remembered it at all.

As I walked out of the public arena, someone called my name.

A refreshing voice.

"Lord Snaikers…!"

I lifted my gaze.

In my line of sight was a girl with long pink hair, blinking green eyes.

"…Lady Regia?"

"Lord!"

Regia came running toward me.

She closed the distance quickly, and then, she wrapped her arms around me.

A sudden warmth enveloped me.

"I’m so relieved! I’m so glad…!"

"Hm?"

"I never thought you’d actually beat Lady Vanity! I’m so, so glad!"

Her pure joy shone like the spring sunshine.

I couldn’t help but smile.

"Haha."

"You said you’d be expelled if you lost to her! I’ve been so worried these past few days…"

Her green eyes sparkled like fresh greenery.

Though she hadn’t shown it, she must have been worrying. She kept expressing relief and congratulations.

Maybe this was her way of showing it.

Regia hugged me tightly.

The warmth of her body against mine.

I felt an odd sense of embarrassment.

I gently patted her head in return.

"…Ah."

Regia, realizing herself at last.

She stood there frozen, almost like a malfunctioning machine, before slowly stepping back.

A faint flush colored her pale cheeks.

"S-sorry! I… I just got so excited…!"

She stammered, hurriedly trying to explain herself.

Whether it was from the shame that hit her belatedly, she covered her face with her hands.

As always, she was the heroine I knew.

Clumsy and foolish, but genuinely kind-hearted.

Someone who could sincerely feel joy for another’s happiness, and shed tears in worry.

A kind of foolishly good person.

"With such a heartfelt celebration… I’m truly honored."

"P-please don’t tease me…"

"I mean it."

I gave her a playful smile.

I admired her for it.

After days of being bullied, she still found the heart to worry about others.

I gently patted her pink hair again.

"U-um… Lord Snaikers?"

"Don’t worry."

"Huh?"

"The bullying. Lady Vanity had it out for you, right?"

I spoke with a soft tone.

"Now that she’s lost the duel… no one will dare to treat you poorly."

"…"

"I’ll be by your side."

Friends always help each other, don’t they?

I added playfully.

Regia seemed frozen, like someone caught off guard.

I winked at her.

"So, there’s no need to be afraid anymore."

That’s why I’d come to the academy in the first place.

So that your story wouldn’t end in sadness.

To let you laugh, live, be happy, and love… and, in the end, reach a beautiful conclusion.

The sole reason I lived this wretched life.

Perhaps she was moved by my sincere encouragement.

For a moment, Regia was speechless.

Maybe it was the setting sun, but her

 cheeks looked particularly flushed.

As if she was embarrassed.

"…Thank you, as always."

"We’re friends, no need to thank me."

"I… still wanted to say it."

"Such a sweet girl."

Her gaze drifted slightly.

After sharing a brief laugh, we started to walk away.

It was the end of a long day.

"Now that the worry’s gone, tomorrow’s sure to bring more good days, right?"

"Yes…!"

And so, the two of us walked in step.

---

The next day.

The aftermath of the duel quickly caught up with me.

"…."

In the silent room, a blue-haired girl sat across from me.

She’d cried so much yesterday that her eyes were still red. I felt like a criminal.

It was the first meeting since the "lemonade accident."

‘This won’t be easy.’

I cleared my throat and turned my head.

At the opposite desk sat Selena, observing us with her crimson eyes.

She shuffled a few papers in her hands.

The one responsible for overseeing [The Execution] of today’s results.

"Then, we will proceed with the execution."

Her tone was strictly formal.

Today was the day to fulfill the conditions agreed upon after yesterday’s duel.

The final step.

But…

"Dear Head Professor."

"Yes?"

"Apologies for interrupting, but may I say a few words before we begin?"

My plan was only just beginning.

I shifted my gaze slightly.

The blue-haired girl sat slumped, stripped of everything, now facing expulsion as the fallen noble.

I clicked my tongue lightly.

"I have a proposal for Lady Vanity."

"A proposal?"

"Concerning the execution. I’d like to speak to her privately."

"Permission granted."

"Thank you."

A twisted smile crept onto my lips.

People are always more vulnerable when they’re down. Emilia was no different.

This was my chance to sway her.

---

Time for a bit of gaslighting.