Ch.23The Vain One (4)

“I, Ameila Venatti, challenge Judas Snakus to a duel in the name of honor and order.”

As expected, something big had arrived.

A duel challenge boldly declared in front of other students.

The place where the two stood had suddenly become a stage.

A white glove falling to the floor, an atmosphere tense enough to burst, the spectators’ attention focused on one spot.

This was a carefully designed scenario by someone.

“The price of defeat… is to leave Galimar Academy according to the winner’s opinion.”

The girl who orchestrated everything smiles.

Her lips curl with a sinister twist.

Though her smile was dimmed by jealousy, malice, and inferiority… it possessed a fatal beauty.

Like an ugly flower in bloom.

Her red lips were excessively luscious.

Her articulate voice pierces sharply into my fingertips.

Like a whisper that intoxicates.

“Your answer?”

Did she know I wouldn’t be able to refuse?

It was a question strangely filled with confidence.

A sweet scent brushes past my nose.

Denial melts away at such an alluring breeze.

“You accepted as if enchanted.”

It was a one-sided situation, you could say.

The choice is forced.

If I refuse the duel here, I’d be confessing that I’m a fake top student.

Given how many have been suspicious, I’d be handing them something to tear into.

This must have been the goal from the beginning.

To tarnish the top student’s image beyond recovery.

For Ameila, even if the duel fell through, she would achieve her purpose.

“How cunning.”

She seemed to have put some thought into it.

A smile escapes me with a snicker, finding it endearing.

‘An expulsion duel, huh.’

I thought she was preparing something… but I never expected such an entertaining event.

This is what proper academy life should be.

There should be some explosive fun, right?

Just imagining it felt like my dopamine was recharging.

As I stood there grinning, Lezia, who was walking beside me, spoke up.

“M-m-master… w-what are we going to do…?”

“Hmm?”

Green eyes on the verge of tears.

She always had a fragile aura, but right now, she looked like she might burst into tears at any moment.

Her voice trembled pitifully.

“B-because of me, you’re going to duel with Lady Venatti… n-no, that can’t happen.”

“Oh my.”

I thought her expression seemed off since earlier.

It seems our protagonist is worried about me.

Well, that makes sense.

Lezia doesn’t know my strength either.

Like other students, she must have been uncertain, unable to make a hasty judgment.

And then the bomb dropped.

“I didn’t think you’d actually accept… you really don’t know your place, do you?”

Ameila Venatti, counted among the top elites of this year.

A formidable opponent who ranked third in the grade.

Her mental state must have collapsed when the expulsion duel was declared.

Since I had stepped in to help Lezia, she must have felt it was her fault.

“I-I’m sorry, I’m always, c-causing trouble, because of me…”

She was already a sensitive protagonist.

A child who could endure others hurting her, but couldn’t forgive herself for hurting others.

Her overly kind personality remained true to the original work.

Thump-.

My hand moves on its own.

Gently stroking her fluffy pink hair.

Like taming a frightened puppy.

Slowly, affectionately.

“Uh, m-master…?”

I’m glad she’s worried, but.

A smile suits her better after all.

“I’m fine, Miss Lezia.”

“…”

“In fact, I’m very happy things turned out this way. I feel like bowing to Lady Venatti.”

“What…?”

“Hehe.”

I playfully poke the girl’s cheek.

The soft sensation followed by warm body temperature colors my fingertips.

How could anyone make someone like her cry?

“Because I now have a chance to show Miss Lezia my impressive performance.”

I’ll have to surprise her.

So much that even sad thoughts will disappear from the shock.

‘I’m looking forward to tomorrow.’

It was truly a day to anticipate.

***

A snake moving away down the corridor.

Steps advancing gracefully.

A girl watching the situation from a distance murmurs as if unable to understand.

“Strange person.”

Calm blue eyes.

Platinum blonde hair flowing with the gentle breeze.

Sharlotte, seated by the window, tilts her head curiously as she watches the retreating figure.

It was a sign of puzzlement.

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

It was a purely innocent question.

Judas Snakus.

What exactly was he plotting?

The boy’s unusual behavior made Sharlotte increasingly interested.

Thanks to that, the imperial princess had been thinking about him frequently lately.

“It’s difficult.”

He was a hard person to understand.

Clearly capable of overwhelming everyone with his abilities, yet deliberately allowing himself to be bullied by Lady Venatti.

Having witnessed Judas’s power once before.

For Sharlotte, his passive response was simply confusing.

“Shall I help you?”

“If you’re enduring Lady Venatti’s treatment out of concern for the Venatti family… I can step in and stop it.”

Perhaps he was worried about the Venatti family name?

She had even asked if he needed help.

“With just one word from me, she won’t be able to bully you anymore.”

Though not usually one to get involved in such matters, this was someone she had been keeping an eye on.

He had helped her during the class placement test too.

She was also somewhat concerned about the pink-haired commoner who accompanied him.

But.

“It’s alright, Your Highness.”

The boy firmly declined.

“I already have something in mind.”

“I would appreciate it if you just quietly watch. It will surely be entertaining.”

Judas replied with a beaming smile.

An expression full of anticipation.

A smile that contained something ominous, yet was also pure like a child’s.

It was an unfailingly clean color.

Sharlotte decided to follow his words.

He must have his own thoughts.

Perhaps it was strange to worry about Judas in the first place.

Someone who could take care of the entire academy with a single gesture—who was worrying about whom?

She shook off the idle thoughts.

“I’ll watch a little longer.”

The snake’s voice lingering.

Leaving behind the tangled questions, the young princess quietly turns away.

***

The duel was set for the very next day without delay.

The public training ground where the class placement test had been held.

Normally, it was a space difficult to reserve due to its packed schedule, but Selena appeared from somewhere and resolved the issue.

The timing was impeccable, as if she had been waiting for this.

“Since this involves my assigned class… I will prepare the venue.”

“The headmaster will serve as the judge.”

“The faculty will also be observing this duel.”

Not only that, but news that other faculty members would be attending as well.

The situation seemed to be growing larger than I had anticipated.

Moreover.

I didn’t expect professors known for their reluctance to move would come rushing in.

Typically, duel supervision is divided into three roles—judge, manager, and executor—so the number of attending faculty rarely exceeds three.

This duel was an extremely exceptional case.

‘Well… I kind of understand.’

These people saw me save Sharlotte.

The power I showed then was just a fraction of what I have… but it was output that transcended student level.

Overwhelming the Steel Princess.

A truly unique talent.

These people have the blood of educators flowing through them.

How could they not be interested when a brilliantly shining raw gem appears before them?

Therefore, this duel was a kind of assessment.

Measuring how much value I possess.

‘The professors are one thing, but…’

What surprised me was Selena.

It was too unexpected.

In the original work, the “Drunkard” was never a character who showed interest in such matters.

“I will be in charge of ‘execution’ for this duel.”

“I hope both of you will compete safely and fairly.”

Her proactive approach felt unfamiliar.

What exactly was she plotting?

I pondered for a while, but soon dismissed the thought.

The immediate situation took priority.

“Wow… I still can’t get used to this scale.”

After a brief exclamation, I stop walking.

At the center of the circular arena.

I leisurely look around.

The news of the duel must have spread quite widely, as the stands were filled with students despite it being a weekday.

More than I expected.

“I’m feeling nervous.”

“If you’re scared, you can forfeit even now.”

A voice suddenly reaches me.

Looking straight ahead, I see the unmistakable blue bun hairstyle.

“Lady Venatti.”

“Honestly, I thought you’d run away… I must at least praise your courage for showing up to the duel.”

“Thank you.”

“Ha.”

Ameila seemed particularly in good spirits.

A smile twisting sinisterly.

The desire to break her spreads, but I suppress it with a gentlemanly breath.

As I’m composing myself, the girl gestures around.

“Will you be alright?”

“Hmm?”

“You’re about to be humiliated in front of all these people… if it were me, I’d die of shame.”

“Hehe, is that so?”

That sounds quite exciting.

I desperately hold back my laughter.

Suppressing the boiling instinct for chaos, I contain my lies with my fingertips.

“It seems we’re about to begin.”

I can see a faculty member walking from the opposite side.

Everyone’s attention focuses.

A stage on the brink of drama.

Two actors facing each other.

I suddenly spoke up.

Before all the chaos that was about to unfold, I needed to ask one question.

For your sake.

“By the way… may I ask you something?”

“What is it?”

“I just want to know why Lady Venatti is doing this.”

“Why…?”

“Yes, why.”

Ameila Venatti.

What feelings drove you to bully Lezia?

What thoughts make you despise those who are lacking, and what pain makes you crave recognition so desperately?

I ask about your terrible background.

‘A person full of vanity.’

What made you this way?

They say life is about suffering through the disease called adulthood, but why have you forgotten your childhood so early?

What happened on your star?

“Praise is truly sweet, isn’t it?”

Recognition from others.

Being praised as the prettiest, best-dressed, richest, and smartest.

But how does it feel to lose yourself by becoming obsessed with it?

The girl is always viciously sharp.

She slanders, pushes away, and hurts others to receive praise.

But when you erase everyone from your life.

“I dare ask why Lady Venatti desires to be at the top so badly.”

A star where only you remain.

What use is the praise that pours down then?

“What a trivial question.”

Ameila answers with an indifferent expression.

As if asking why I would ask something so obvious.

Her twisted lips contain mockery. Clear derision.

“Because I’m exceptional.”

A distorted view cannot see ahead.

It only blindly rushes toward the goal.

That is the process of becoming an “adult.”

“Unlike a worthless fool like you, I am someone who rightfully belongs in that position.”

“So that is Lady Venatti’s answer.”

“So, forfeit now if you don’t want to be disgracefully broken.”

“Oh my… that would be difficult.”

Because there’s someone who wants me to win.

Pink hair visible among the wide stands.

The girl is praying with her hands clasped together.

I smile softly.

“Well, I’ll do my best.”

“How foolish.”

“Hehe… perhaps so.”

The light conversation ends.

The faculty member serving as the middle judge stands between us and begins to proceed with the duel.

I calmly take my stance.

《Combatants, please wait at your positions.》

《The duel will proceed as a match. The duel ends when one opponent is subdued or incapacitated.》

《Additionally, the duel will end if one side forfeits.》

The basic rules seem similar to the class placement test.

Following the announcement echoing through the arena, I take my designated position.

Ameila does the same.

“Ready.”

The middle judge calmly gives the signal.

A coin glints. It’s to fairly announce the start of the duel.

The judge picks up the coin with their fingers.

And then.

Tack-!

Flicks it into the air.

The golden afterimage falling to the ground.

The spinning coin soon loses momentum and hits the ground with a loud noise.

Clang-!

Simultaneously, the two figures standing on the stage disappear.

The shadows that scattered like a handful of smoke reappear at the center of the arena.

Two blades clash.

It was the first exchange, happening in an instant.

Claaang-!

And so.

The duel begins.