The duel that had shocked everyone.

The brutal spectacle that was almost unbelievable finally ended after two grueling hours.

The boy, exhausted from dancing, had collapsed.

Thud!

The boy rolled on the ground, completely drained.

Even so, his hips still twitched as if in spasms, making the onlookers frown.

The students stared at the arena with cold eyes.

“......”

The arena, which should have been filled with cheers.

Just a few hours ago, the students had been enthusiastically rooting for Ian. Now, they stood speechless.

There was no longer any admiration in their gazes.

It was truly an unsightly scene.

Students, professors, and followers alike watched the boy with the same reluctant expressions.

An elite with no flaws.

The top talent of his year, considered the next student council president.

The image he had painstakingly built over years was shattered.

All that remained in their memories was Ian’s passionate twerking.

Possibly the most humiliating ending.

“Heh.”

Meanwhile.

Only the mastermind behind the chaos was smiling.

The social downfall seemed to amuse the snake, whose lips were curled into an unwavering grin.

He subtly covered his mouth.

It was the classic look of a villain.

《...Ah.》
《The, the duel has concluded.》
《Ian Ternado is unable to continue. The winner is Yuda Snakes.》

The announcer’s voice rang out belatedly.

It was the broadcast that declared the result, but there was no applause or cheering to be heard.

Only a heavy silence lingered.

“It was a fierce battle.”

Yuda shrugged and turned his back.

The students, still dazed, watched as the snake walked away at a leisurely pace.

The fight between the top students had ended decisively.

It was so one-sided that it was questionable if it should even be called a fight, but it had provided quite an entertaining time.

It had been a long time since Yuda felt such a strong rush of dopamine.

‘Perhaps I was too harsh.’

The thought crossed his mind briefly.

It wasn’t just that he had trampled on Ian’s pride; he had shattered it completely.

The perfect genius image was no longer possible.

While the result was satisfying, there was also a tinge of pity.

But he didn’t regret it.

‘It was necessary.’

After all, Ian had brought it upon himself.

He had picked a fight and challenged Yuda, even insulting a professor in front of the assistant head.

On paper, Yuda had the upper hand.

Anyway.

It was time to settle the price of the duel.

This phase was called [Execution].

We conversed nonchalantly.

“Have you been well, Ian?”

“......”

Ian sat with a haggard expression, lips trembling in silence.

Every time their eyes met, he flinched, unable to forget the trauma of that day.

It made it easier to get the answer Yuda wanted.

“My request is simple.”

“......”

“Just once. Be my pawn.”

“A pawn?”

“It’s nothing much. When I give a command, follow it.”

“What kind of command?”

“Well, I don’t believe I’m obligated to tell you in advance.”

“......”

Though Ian had been thoroughly outplayed, he was still the top of the second year.

He was also preparing to become the student council president next year.

That position might now be in jeopardy, but he was still a talented individual.

Just an unfortunate genius known for twerking.

Attaching conditions like this would certainly come in handy later.

Moreover, being the assistant to Professor Kadel, who opposed Selena, made him a useful asset for balancing power.

He was a rough gem with potential.

“Oh, and.”

Yuda added.

“Make sure to attend classes as usual.”

“What... what?”

“No hiding out in the research building until graduation.”

This condition didn’t hold much meaning.

It was added just for amusement.

It would be a waste for the academy’s idol and top dancer to skip classes.

It was the sentiment of a producer who had launched a superstar.

“Wait, why are there two conditions? The duel’s terms allowed only one!”

Ian’s protest was immediate.

But Yuda’s relaxed voice silenced his resistance.

“Ian.”

“Y-yes...?”

“If you refuse, I’ll have you dance again.”

“......”

The options were clear.

Accept the conditions, or relive the nightmare.

This time, Yuda planned to make him dance Zero Two at the main gate.

For three hours.

“Choose freely.”

“......”

Ian, who sat there stunned, shivered and eventually nodded.

“Please... let me be your pawn.”

His teary eyes glistened.

As a single tear rolled down, the once-promising boy knelt before the mastermind.

It was a brutal scene.

The story of the duel stirred up the academy.

A first-year student who hadn’t yet shed the label of rookie had defeated the top second-year in overwhelming fashion.

It wasn’t even close enough to be called a fight.

“No one expected that outcome.”

“Even a close match would’ve been impressive, but... Ian couldn’t do anything.”

“Is illusion magic really that powerful?”

“If it was, it wouldn’t be considered an unpopular subject.”

“No, that first-year is just absurdly strong.”

The students were in shock.

Illusion magic, known to be one of the most difficult disciplines, had been wielded effortlessly to crush an upperclassman.

Their reaction was understandable.

Some even started reconsidering the value of the subject.

“But still... that was brutal.”

“Who could’ve imagined such a revenge? Who thinks of something that crazy?”

“He doesn’t let go once he targets you.”

“Now that you mention it, last time too...”

It wasn’t just the skill that made headlines.

The humiliating nature of the duel itself left a lasting impression.

Everyone whispered.

“Didn’t he do the same to Lady Vanity?”

In front of the entire school.

The scene where Emilia, soaring through the air, ended up wetting her pants.

Ian’s passionate dance that bent everyone’s brows.

Both were unforgettable disgraces.

As a result, rumors spread among the students.

“It’s terrifying to even live near him.”

“Stay out of his way. Get on his bad side, and your academy life is over.”

“Doesn’t he look ominous... like if you cross him, you’ll disappear the next day?”

“No matter why, he just gives off this chilling vibe.”

Rumors about staying clear of the young lord Snakes circulated widely.

These tales eventually reached Yuda’s ears.

He smiled wryly.

“Seems I’ve become rather disliked.”

He could feel the glances from the students.

As he gave an awkward chuckle, the girl walking beside him responded.

“Hmph. You brought it on yourself.”

Blue eyes shot him a sidelong glare.

The look was filled with considerable disdain.

As a fellow victim, perhaps she felt a pang of empathy.

The girl furrowed her brow, then snapped at him like she was scolding him.

“You went too far this time.”

“I’m reflecting on it, I assure you.”

“Your grin’s about to split your face.”

“Ah.”

He covered his mouth belatedly.

The villainess sighed softly.

“...I know it was justified revenge.”

“I’m glad you understand.”

“And I know how much you held back. If you really intended harm, it wouldn’t have ended with him being a laughingstock. You would’ve erased him from existence without a trace.”

“That's a frightening statement.”

“But you could do it.”

“Just because one can doesn’t mean one will.”

“You always have to have the last word, don’t you?”

Emilia pressed her temple as if she had a headache.

Her red lips murmured quietly.

“That Ian... I wonder if he’ll be able to show his face again...”

“Oh, don’t worry about that.”

“What?”

“He’ll be fine, just like you are.”

“W-what did you just...?”

A sudden, teasing jab.

The comment struck her like a dagger, straight to the heart.

“Did you... did you just say...”

Her face flushed bright red.

Her pupils trembled with a mix of rage, embarrassment, and confusion.

The villainess froze for a moment, then screamed.

“You! You promised not to tease me about that!”

“I’m surprised you believed me.”

“You... you absolute jerk!”

“You’re so gullible.”

“Ugh! You’re the worst!”

Emilia looked ready to explode.

Yuda dodged imaginary ice spears falling from the sky as he mockingly teabagged the ground, fulfilling his role as the troublemaker.

“Rest assured, I embrace even your embarrassing past, Lady Emilia...”

“Shut up!”

“This is what true affection looks like.”

“Aaagh!”

And so, amidst the playful chaos, they continued walking.

The eventful duel had passed.

Thanks to it, a week went by in the blink of an eye.

The academy was now steeped in deep summer.

A season of lush greenery.

Students celebrated the months that had flown by.

The academy, a place of relentless competition.

But even amidst the intensity, there came a time when they could set their studies aside for the first break.

The school trip.

“It’s finally tomorrow.”

Sitting on the sofa, Yuda muttered.

A voice came from beside him.

It was Irene.

“The schedule starting tomorrow... is it the school trip?”

“That’s right.”

The fox girl poured tea.

She was trying her best, but she was still too inexperienced to be called a maid.

Yuda swallowed the tea, which tasted slightly astringent.

“Surprising.”

“Hm?”

“You seem excited.”

“Of course I am. Who in the world doesn’t love a holiday?”

“I thought you’d be

 different.”

“I’d appreciate it if you thought of me as a normal person.”

“I’ll try.”

She fiddled with the teapot, expressionless.

After a moment of silence, Irene seemed to recall something and asked.

“When are you coming back?”

“They said it’s a week.”

“That’s shorter than I thought. I’ll just watch over the dorm.”

“Oh, did I not mention it?”

“Mention what?”

“You’re coming with me.”

“I’m going too...?”

“We can bring one servant along. I planned to take you.”

“Can I refuse?”

“No.”

“I figured.”

Irene let out a brief sigh.

Yuda chuckled and gently stroked her wagging tail.

The soft texture flowed through his fingers.

“...Why do you like my tail so much?”

“Don’t worry, Irene.”

“Don’t touch my tail.”

“It’ll be fun to go on vacation together.”

“No, my tail.”

“They said the destination is the coast. Perfect for summer, right?”

“You’re not listening to me at all.”

He skillfully calmed the pouting fox.

Yuda spoke softly.

“Heh... It’ll definitely be fun.”

An unexpected event was waiting.

A mischievous smile spread across his lips.

Stifling the grin, he sipped the tea again.

It was still astringent.

Morning arrived, the long-awaited day of the school trip.

From early in the morning, Class A students gathered at the carriage station.

Each student had a large suitcase in hand.

They were preparing for their journey.

As they waited with anticipation, their homeroom professor arrived last.

Had she drunk too much the night before vacation?

Selena looked as if she was suffering from a hangover.

Yet she clutched her bottle, embodying her reputation as a drunkard.

She counted the students and took charge.

“Board the assigned carriages. We’re leaving now.”

The students found their seats.

Neigh—!

Before long, the lined-up carriages announced their departure with a strong call.

Hooves crossed the academy’s gates, heading down the road.

[EP.9 School Trip]
-The Dazzling Sea, and the Singing Students-

The vacation had begun.