Ch.245245. The Taste of Blue

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Eliya’s daily routine is quite simple.

After classes end each day, she comes to the “club room” and maintains the equipment inside.

Of course, that’s just what she says. In reality, what she’s doing is preparing for her and Darwood to secretly cuddle together here, away from others.

Recently, other people have caught wind of this and somewhat dimmed the experience, but this space is still entirely under her management.

Since being appointed as an official hero, other people have…

Well, with one exception.

“…”

“…”

An awkward silence hung between Elnore and Eliya as they encountered each other.

Both knew well enough that they weren’t on terms where pleasant conversation would naturally flow.

But it would also be strange to openly growl at each other.

It’s not that they get along well, but rather…

It’s a phenomenon that comes from both of them intuitively knowing that if they were to fight once, things would escalate to an uncontrollable level with this person.

You could also interpret it as there being many things ‘at stake’ between them.

So, regardless of what they think inside, the two maintain a reasonably amicable relationship on the surface.

This approach has been maintained even after Eliya confronted her aggressively in the Tristan Dukedom.

“…Hello.”

Perhaps Eliya’s awkward greeting was largely influenced by that.

And the other person nodded expressionlessly in response.

“I’ve removed all the grotesque tools that were in the drawer.”

“…”

Eliya’s face twitched violently.

Anyone would likely have a similar reaction if, instead of returning a greeting, someone responded with such an unexpected statement.

“…You went through my things again?”

When she asked this, the other person simply nodded without expression.

“It’s a space where Darwood stays.”

The answer came back in a monotone voice.

“I can’t help but inspect it.”

Her attitude suggested this was so obvious it wasn’t even worth mentioning.

As if nothing related to that man could exist without passing through her hands.

‘…How self-righteous.’

That attitude of treating the man as her possession has now gone beyond annoying to the point of being infuriating.

Anyway.

It’s impossible to get along with this person.

Thinking this, she grabs her throbbing forehead.

“…What? Even so, going through someone’s personal items—”

“Listen, hero.”

In response to Eliya’s grumbling, Elnore rarely opened her mouth with an incredulous expression.

Her demeanor exuded an atmosphere of “isn’t this going too far?”

“You seem to forget often, but I am still the current student council president of Elphante. Maintaining basic school rules and decorum is also my duty.”

“…”

“Put your hand on your heart and tell me. Were those items in the drawer really appropriate for an academy?”

“…”

How unfair to push with such proper reasoning.

Though she felt like she’d lose if she kept quiet, she still muttered a defiant response.

“…It’s just contraception. It’s not illegal for me to buy such things.”

“…Perhaps you should reconsider what you just said.”

“…”

“…”

It seems better to back down here.

Even Count Kendrid said that fleeing from a battle you cannot win is not shameful…!

Of course, she couldn’t resist muttering one last thing.

“…I wonder if you’re judging because you’ve done it yourself, or what…”

While this comment could potentially spark another argument, the response from the other party was somewhat disconnected from that expectation.

Rather than getting angry or annoyed,

She looked back with slightly widened eyes, as if genuinely confused by what she’d heard.

“What are you talking about?”

“Huh?”

“I haven’t done such things with Darwood yet. Where did you hear such nonsense?”

“…”

Eliya blinked silently.

She believes in the Authority, Kasa Garda.

According to her, the “Eye of Truth” she possesses is the result of developing an inexplicable “intuition” to the extreme.

If she felt certain about something, it would definitely be so, or so she said.

It’s hard to think there would be any error in what Eliya herself “felt” when she saw Darwood.

That man has undoubtedly lost his “purity.”

And also.

What Elnore is saying now is also “true.”

This woman has never had intercourse with that man.

“…Huh?”

Then.

Who on earth could it be?

As Eliya stood with wide eyes, feeling a tingling sensation at the back of her head, the surroundings suddenly became noisy.

A sound like the entire building was shaking.

More precisely, it was because a herd of students was rushing by like a pack of beasts.

“What…?”

“Wow, how many people…?”

Both of their gazes flew simultaneously to outside the building.

The number is enormous, with dust visible to the naked eye.

Was there ever a reason for so many people to gather so rapidly within the academy?

“Hey, you there! Wait a moment!”

And Elnore, seemingly more interested in this phenomenon, immediately called out to someone passing by.

“What is all this commotion about? Where is everyone going?”

“Ah, Student Council President! Everyone is heading to the Knight Academy’s dueling hall right now!”

“…The dueling hall? Why there?”

“It’s a duel, a duel!”

The student answered with a beaming smile.

He seemed pleased that something had finally come along to alleviate the boredom of academy life.

Elnore’s expression crumpled upon hearing this.

If it were just a simple duel, given Elphante’s characteristic of gathering all sorts of people, it’s something that happens all the time. Was there a reason for such a crowd to gather?

But there seemed no need to specifically ask about that.

“Of course, it’s not an ordinary duel!”

The student immediately added.

What followed was something neither could have imagined.

“They say the daughter of the Great Chieftain and that crazy playboy are going to fight! The rumor has spread throughout the entire academy!”

“…?”

“…?”

Eliya and Elnore’s expressions went blank simultaneously.

●

The Elphante student cafeteria is a place that’s surprisingly accommodating for people who eat alone.

In other words, there’s plenty of opportunity to sit in a rather secluded spot and gaze out the window, lost in thought.

< Skill Info >

[ Seal of the Fallen Sky: Modified ]

[ .

.

.

Currently stored demonic energy

Violet Demon ( 95% )

Brown Demon ( 5% )

Red Demon ( 5% )

White Demon ( 0% )

C̵̡̹̖̙̭͖̈́͐¾̸̧̥̬͈͇̹̘͕̠̮̩̙̎ð̸̞͖̋¾̶͕̻́̊̇î̸̙̪͎̥͎͍̲͔̔̈́̀̃͗́̚̚͠͠͝͠ ̵̨̛̠̟̲͔̟̔̍͛̈́°̶̨̙̠͆͋̔͛̒̀̾̆̉̏̕³̶̟̝̙͔̥̖̯̠̒̈̋̃̇̾̃̽̆̅͊͆̋̋ ( 0% )

.

.

. ]

I stroke my chin while looking at the window displayed before me.

It shows the demonic energy stored in the Seal of the Fallen Sky from contact with demons.

‘…Almost nothing except violet.’

Especially the white and grey ones were completely drained during my recent entanglement with Victoria, so there’s hardly anything left.

“…”

And, probably.

This is likely to become quite problematic.

“Calivan.”

Saying that, I turn my head toward the large calendar hanging on the wall.

The time remaining until the school festival is now just a few days at most.

[Hmm?]

“…Do you think I can fight each of those people once within a few days? We don’t have much time.”

[Well. From the beginning, your talk about competing with them was ultimately to gather all the different colors of demonic energy in that seal, right?]

That’s right.

Contact with demons absorbs more demonic energy when it’s intense and emotions are turbulent. I thought a “competition” would be optimal for that kind of exchange.

I had anticipated that something would happen at the upcoming school festival one way or another, so I was preparing for that.

Thanks to what His Majesty and the Minister said earlier, my sense of vigilance has intensified.

I had anticipated that something would happen at the upcoming school festival one way or another, so I was preparing for that.

Thanks to what His Majesty and the Minister said earlier, my sense of vigilance has intensified.

[…There are plenty of people you could pick fights with?]

“Among them, there’s someone both of them specifically named.”

Count Nicholas. Commonly known as the Butcher.

With Serath and Victoria by my side, it’s clear that I’ll clash significantly with him at some point.

Given that such a person has been directly mentioned, I’m aware that some form of “provocation” could occur even before the school festival.

So to prepare for that, I need to improve my specs as quickly as possible…

“…This won’t end if everyone just keeps testing the waters like this.”

Except for Victoria who confronted me directly, the rest of them have been surprisingly slow to approach me.

His Majesty the Emperor was relatively quick, but the situation fizzled out.

[…Well, that’s because it’s you they’re dealing with. They probably think ordinary methods won’t work. Won’t they come at you fully prepared?]

“That’s exactly what shouldn’t happen. We won’t make it in time.”

I’d prefer something quick and straightforward, even if it’s ridiculously absurd, just some kind of competition that could end quickly.

As I was sighing with these thoughts…

“Hey.”

Such worries were dispelled much faster than expected.

Suddenly, I look toward the voice coming from in front of me.

“Oh, Riru?”

I tilt my head at the sight of someone I hadn’t expected to clash with recently.

“…What’s with that appearance?”

Indeed, her condition is far from normal.

This person, while giving off strong athletic vibes, had always maintained a neat appearance.

Her brown skin, which always had a healthy glow, somehow looks dry and lifeless, and her hair is a mess too. As if she’s been through extreme hardship these past few days.

Riru opened her mouth with a composed expression.

“…I’ve been training hard.”

“Training?”

“Well, you’ll soon find out what kind of training. I have something to say about that too.”

Riru shrugged and changed the subject instead of answering my question.

“I’ve been looking for you.”

“Something to say? Then should we move somewhere—”

“No. I need to say it right now. I’ve been thinking about this for days. If I don’t say it now, I might lose my courage.”

“…”

At her rather serious demeanor, my expression becomes serious as well.

What kind of topic could it be?

“…Go ahead. I’ll listen to whatever you have to say—”

“Let’s have a fight.”

“…”

“If I win, I’m going to fuck you.”

“…”

Is this crazy bitch for real?

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