Chapter 32
Episode 23: The Active Knight
With his head hung low, Severus-senpai descended from the arena.
As he sat beside a man who was meditating with his eyes closed below the arena, the man suddenly opened his eyes wide and glared at me.
「Hey, Cole! You’re the captain, aren’t you? Get up to the arena already!」
「I know, senpai. Honestly, I didn’t expect it to come down to me.」
「I’ve already left the Knight Order, so I’m no longer your senpai. Call me ‘teacher’!」
Cole-senpai spoke nostalgically with the teacher—it seems they knew each other from their days in the Knight Order.
As Cole-senpai stepped into the arena, he scratched his head and spoke to me.
「You’re Selen, right? It’s an order, so I have to win. It’s a hassle dealing with a kid’s game as an active knight, but I guess I have no choice.」
「Yes, I also have to win, so we’re in the same boat.」
「Tch, this is throwing me off…」
I replied with a smile, which made Cole-senpai respond with a slightly troubled expression.
So Cole-senpai is an active knight, huh?
I wondered if I needed to put in more effort to win as the teacher announced the start of the third match.
「Alright, begin the third match!」
Cole-senpai, holding his longsword, muttered something under his breath as he launched a series of quick slashes.
I parried with my spear, but Cole-senpai pointed his left hand at me and activated a spell.
So he had been chanting magic…
「〚Rock Bullet〛!」
「Oh no!」
I quickly backstepped and flipped my spear to deflect the attack with the butt of the spear, but Cole-senpai didn’t miss that opening.
He turned his longsword horizontally and unleashed a sword technique.
「Well, can you dodge this? *Slash*!」
「Eek!」
I let out a bit of a strange noise but quickly drew the fan from the holder at my right hip, blocking the slash.
However, I lost my balance and fell on my rear.
Cole-senpai, pressing the attack, swung his longsword down from above.
I threw the fan aside, grabbed my spear with both hands, and blocked the longsword.
*Clang!*
「No way, are you serious…?」
「Heh, I’m serious!」
As I blocked with the spear, I simultaneously landed a counter kick to senpai’s solar plexus.
The unexpected counterattack forced Cole-senpai to retreat, giving me a chance to regain my stance.
「Are you really just a student brat?」
「I am just a 【student brat】 from the first year of the academy!」
While Cole-senpai was stunned, I responded with a smile and immediately launched my counterattack.
Holding the spear low with my right hand, I closed the distance and activated a spell with my left hand.
「Steal his sight—〚Sandblast〛!」
「What the—!」
My surprise attack worked perfectly!
I struck Cole-senpai in the side with my spear, then stopped the butt of the spear just in front of his forehead, ending the match.
「That’s enough! The winner is Selen! With the defeat of their captain, Slaine’s team is declared the victor. I hereby declare this 【Duel】 finished!」
The 【Duel】 ended with my victory over the three fourth-year students.
As specified in the duel application, the three defeated seniors bowed deeply and apologized to Slaine-sama.
Except for Cole-senpai, the others looked extremely dissatisfied.
Although I felt a bit uneasy seeing Prince Zex leave the arena with a displeased expression, I didn’t think much of it at the time.
–
Episode 24: The Emperor and Zex’s Downfall
The 【Duel】 ended in a shocking upset, with a first-year student defeating the fourth-years… but there were those who could not accept it and grew agitated.
Yes, it was the First Prince, Zex.
「To lose out of consideration for my brothers… Well, no matter. Selen, was it? I’ll personally take care of you! Now, come to me!」
Prince Zex, who was utterly deluded and living in his own fantasy world, ordered me to come to him, all while wearing a repulsive grin.
And in front of a large crowd in the arena, no less.
「Brother, before you even consider the time and place, your words reflect a fundamental flaw in your character as a person!」
「Silence! Do not speak back to your brother, especially when you are just my sister!」
When Selen-sama reproached him for his unreasonable remarks, Prince Zex became even more irritable and raised his voice.
「Brother, should I challenge you to a 【Duel】 for insulting my friend?」
Normally composed, Slaine-sama spoke with anger as he offered to challenge Prince Zex to a 【Duel】.
「You foolish brother! Do you realize that your words are disrespectful to the future Emperor—that’s me!」
Caught off guard by this unexpected turn of events, Prince Zex flew into a rage, making increasingly nonsensical statements.
「There can be no such thing as disrespect between brothers. Restrain your foolish actions—you are, after all, the First Prince!」
The moment that voice was heard, Prince Zex turned pale and looked in the direction of the voice before speaking.
「F-Father! Why are you here at the academy?」
「This is the academy where my children attend. If there is an issue, I am promptly informed, so I came to investigate. But I am at a loss for words at your behavior, Zex.」
「I-I am trying to maintain my dignity as the future Emperor…」
「Who decided that you would be the next Emperor? Zex, Slaine, and Seiren all have equal claims to the throne, but I see you have fallen behind!」
With the Emperor’s arrival, the last remnants of Prince Zex’s dignity vanished, and he hung his head in shame.
Before the students who had come to witness the 【Duel】, the Emperor spoke about the succession to the throne.
Many students likely now think that Prince Zex is no longer the strongest candidate for the next Emperor.
Since most of the students are nobles, word of this event is bound to reach their families, which will have a significant impact on Prince Zex’s future.
「Let it be known to the students gathered in this arena: The academy is equal for all, and the Empire values those who excel through effort. Strive diligently each day!」
With those words, the Emperor left the arena.
I thought I saw him glance in my direction, but that was probably just my imagination.
—
The Emperor’s Perspective
I had heard troubling reports of the First Prince Zex’s behavior and decided to visit the academy on the day of the 【Duel】.
Of course, depending on the outcome, I would take steps to correct anything disgraceful.
I didn’t expect Slaine to lose, even against fourth-years, but who is that girl?
She defeated not just the fourth-years but even the active knight, Cole, by herself?
Even Slaine would struggle against Cole… and yet that girl defeated him effortlessly.
She may be a commoner, so there’s probably nothing significant to find out, but I should still have her investigated.
I am certain that girl will become a treasure of the Empire.
I should also consider the possibility of her becoming Slaine’s 【Bride】.
『Celestia continues to stand out no matter what she does…』
–
Episode 25: Brad’s Dilemma
The Imperial Intelligence Department has begun a background investigation on Celestia-sama?
Is there some sort of issue within the academy?
When I quickly looked into who had ordered the investigation and what it entailed, I discovered that the cause was none other than Celestia-sama herself.
In the 【Duel】 held at the academy, she defeated all the upperclassmen on her own.
And among them was an active knight serving the First Prince, whom she easily dispatched—this has drawn far too much attention.
If she were a child born of a noble’s mistress, they might adopt her as a noble daughter and keep her under the Empire’s control.
Such cover-ups would be easy to manage.
The real problem is that Celestia-sama is getting along well with the twin siblings, the Second Prince and the First Princess.
The Second Prince is particularly concerning. There’s a possibility that he could develop feelings for the beautiful Celestia-sama.
If that happens, she could be welcomed into the royal family.
Until she returns to Spica City during the holiday break, I can only hope that nothing develops between them.
It’s too risky to approach Celestia-sama within the academy.
Reporting this situation to the young lady in Spica City and having her send a letter to Celestia-sama isn’t an option either.
Given the current investigation, any letter would be subject to censorship.
Somehow, I must ensure that Celestia-sama acts with restraint and doesn’t stand out.
Her appearance aside, her martial and magical abilities are far beyond those of an average student, so anything she does is bound to attract attention.
Looking back, I regret not encouraging her to interact more with her peers. We 【Shadow】 excel in martial arts, and Mystique is a top-tier class in magic.
Celestia-sama doesn’t fully understand how much her abilities surpass those of her peers.
From now on, I can only pray that she doesn’t draw any more attention during her school life and that the Prince does not develop feelings for her…
Brad still doesn’t know.
He doesn’t know that Celestia will continue to stand out at the academy.
He doesn’t know that she will captivate not just the Prince but many of the men at the academy.
He doesn’t know that the meteoric rise of the naturally charming beauty, Celestia, has only just begun.
Thanks for all the chapter