episode_0057

Although other formidable participants remained, none could stand against Serafina, who had defeated Mark Vesasus.

She displayed techniques never before seen at the academy, with some matches ending in a single exchange.

“Watch carefully and don’t tell anyone, Aaargh!”

“Three Strikes! Revolving Defense Technique! Bring on machine guns or flame-throwing magic.. Ugh I’m hit!”

“Heh Heh Heh.. Thread Clone! What!? Kuaaargh!”

It was a series of consecutive victories.

She was building a new undefeated legend in the sparring trial, unprecedented in the academy’s history.

“Serafina Serion’s incredible consecutive attacks! Thus, Serafina advances to the finals with another victory!”

“Wow, did you see that technique just now? It was truly amazing, wasn’t it?”

“Wow.. Is that really the washed-up Serafina Serion I knew? My chest swells.”

“Wow! You’re amazing Serafina! Wow! Keep winning!”

The spectators and commentators, who had been lukewarm about her initial victories, were gradually becoming closer to her fans, buoyed by her winning streak..

At first glance, it might seem truly brazen, but Serafina herself didn’t pay much attention to this point.

“Splendid swordsmanship.. can be used next time…”

Thud

“Yes! The match is over! Serafina Serion’s beautiful single exchange! With that final move, she seizes victory against Ding Hoilu!”

“Wow! Serafina is the best!”

Soon after, when Ding Hoilu, her opponent in the final match, fell and Serafina won, huge cheers and praises poured out, in contrast to when she had entered the sparring arena.

And soon, only the award ceremony for the victors, marking the conclusion of the sparring trial, remained.

The academy’s headmaster, Lyum Kitocal, approached the students on the platform and personally handed them various colorful gems symbolizing medals.

Bronze Medal, Uji Dokbo. Silver Medal, Ding Hoilu. They approached Serafina, the winner, gradually from the lower ranks.

In truth, Headmaster Lyum Kitocal felt a slight regret that Mark Vesasus, the student he had his eye on, had not won.

However, he did not show the unsightly behavior of revealing this through his expression or actions.

Because for now, he had to bless and be thankful for the birth of the new talent standing before him.

“First Place, Serafina Serion. I sincerely congratulate you on winning this sparring trial.

Therefore, this old man has prepared one gift for you, this year’s sparring trial winner.”

A retainer waiting behind him soon came forward holding a black box and handed it to Serafina.

“Ah, don’t open it yet. If possible, it would be best to check its contents after safely returning home, heh heh heh.”

The numerous spectators watching this stirred for a moment.

To give something to the sparring trial winner yet hide its contents.

What on earth could be inside?

Everyone harbored curiosity but did not pay such deep attention.

This was because for now, it was important to be caught up in the fervor of the award ceremony.

Lyum Kitocal felt a slight regret that the item he had just given to Serafina was originally something he would have given to Mark Vesasus.

However, in a way, isn’t it even better that he gained two immense talents in one year?

With Lyum Kitocal returning with such thoughts, the final award ceremony concluded, and the long sparring trial also came to an end.

Since the sparring trial was now over, Serafina had two individuals she needed to particularly visit.

Namely, Mark Vesasus and her father, Regulus Serion, who had designated him as the family’s successor.

Although the initial terms had changed slightly, ultimately, she had won.

Although it had been done verbally, a duel is a duel; thus, the conditions would have to be fulfilled accordingly.

Worried about what reaction the two would show, yet to bring things to a conclusion, she took Lopel’s hand and went to find them.

Mark still wore a vacant expression, as if he couldn’t believe reality.

It was said he had been in this state continuously since waking up in the infirmary after his defeat by Serafina.

Frankly, she had wanted to give Mark a few sharp words, but she thought it would be meaningless in this state.

She hadn’t expected him to accept it coolly, but since he didn’t struggle uglily, perhaps it was a relief.

At any rate, she decided to leave him in this state for now.

But what was truly important was meeting her father, Regulus Serion.

Upon meeting him, Serafina couldn’t close her mouth at his unexpected appearance.

This was because he knelt directly in front of Serafina, where everyone’s gaze was focused.

He confessed all the wrong choices he had made over time and offered a sincere apology for them.

And he did so while shedding tears from both eyes.

Naturally, everyone around was bewildered by this situation, but the person who found this fact hardest to believe was Serafina.

This was because she could not possibly have imagined the father she had seen throughout her life, since birth, capable of such an action.

Not only did that father bend his stubborn will, but he even knelt, something he would normally call an unsightly spectacle and never do.

Thus, bewildered and stammering, she said she wanted to talk in detail later, and for now, helped her father up and sent him away.

Perhaps having received a lot of shock in many ways, she even wore a vacant expression uncharacteristic of her.

After everything was over, the place they reached was a high hill on one side of the academy.

Since they hadn’t prepared a carriage, this was the only way to walk to the basin owned by the Serion family.

In a way, she had had a more exhausting day than ever before, so she stopped for a moment on the hill and gazed into the distant empty space.

Recalling the events of today, she still didn’t quite feel it was reality.

Not only had the Serion family reached a level they hadn’t achieved before, but she had even defeated that Mark Vesasus.

She could believe it was a dream.

“Looks like it ended well, after all.”

What made her turn around was the voice of the man who had trusted and followed her without complaint until now, Lopel Teufel.

A man so simple-minded and kind that he supported and raised her up, even though there was absolutely no benefit for himself.

There would be nothing strange about expressing gratitude to him in any way.

Even if it was… the strange reward of letting her do whatever she wanted with his body.

Just then, a magnificent scene unfolded as the setting sun dyed the sky in a dreamy orange light.

Thinking it was a good opportunity, she took a deep breath internally and spoke to Lopel, who was absorbed in the scenery.

“Ahem. By the way, Lopel, do you.. have any thoughts on dating someone of the opposite sex?”

“Huh? What are you suddenly talking about?”

“Well.. the thing is… this is the academy, isn’t it? It’s a place where capable men and women from good backgrounds gather from all over the continent, you see.

Among the freshmen who entered this year, I’ve started seeing students developing into romantic relationships.

Furthermore, there were also those choosing partners for after graduation.

So.. do you.. have any particular thoughts regarding that?

Or.. are you already dating someone…”

“Ah~ So that’s what you mean~

Well.. first of all, someone I’m currently dating.. I’d have to say there isn’t anyone.

To be accurate, I’d say I haven’t had a girlfriend continuously since before entering the academy until now.”

Ah, as expected.

Hearing this fact, she rejoiced greatly internally.

Not only did he not have anyone he was currently dating, but he also said he hadn’t in the past.

Actually, she had felt uneasy because there were many women around him.

Lilith and Eligio, and Me… a female student whose name she couldn’t quite remember.

All of them frequently visited him during the sparring preparation period, offering help and showing concern.

Since there were occasionally nobles who led debauched or vulgar lives and didn’t value their chastity, she worried if Lopel might have had an unsavory relationship with one of them.

But who would have thought he would say he had no experience with women whatsoever until now.

If his words were true, he was still preserving that pure chastity.

That he was a chaste, chaste virgin.

Gulp ♡

..Hot!

Serafina suddenly shook her head vigorously from side to side.

This was because she had fallen into a morbid fantasy that she might be the first to defile his body.

To have such vulgar thoughts with him right in front of her…

He in front of her didn’t know, but she felt guilty.

Anyway, this might be an opportunity.

Since the atmosphere was also good, wouldn’t it be good to confess to him?

“Well.. then what do you think about dating right now?”

“Ah, I think that would be difficult.”

Huh? She was surprised by the unexpected answer.

“It might sound a bit strange, but I’m.. afraid.

Of confessing to someone, and of being confessed to by someone.

..The fact of becoming boyfriend/girlfriend with someone.. is just too scary.

Hmm.. but I really don’t know why.

During my childhood, I stayed and received education continuously at the main family house.

It feels as if there was some bad trauma or something.

Perhaps if I were to receive a confession right now, no matter who it was… I would probably end up refusing.”

Is that so…

Thinking about it, she understood the women who had been circling around him.

They were women from ducal families, with backgrounds and abilities that were second to none, so she hadn’t understood why they weren’t officially dating him yet, but she couldn’t have imagined there was such a reason.

Indeed, since she herself had just asked him such a question, it wouldn’t have been different for them.

“Then what about you?”

“..!? Are you talking about myself?”

“Yes, Serafina. What do you think?

Come to think of it, your reputation within the academy will rise significantly now, won’t it.

Do you have anyone in mind?

If it’s you now, you could choose your marriage partner freely, couldn’t you?

No matter what status or ability the person has.”

She could answer that question any number of times.

But unfortunately, it didn’t seem to be the right time.

“Haha, perhaps so.

But.. for now, I am still, indeed, thinking of waiting a little longer.”

“Wait?”

“Exactly as the word means.

While cultivating myself a little more, and to open the other person’s heart.

Even if it takes a long time, I plan to take time with patience.

Until someday, they themselves leap in directly.”

“Hahaha, that’s quite romantic.

Whoever it is, that person must be a truly happy fellow.”

“Heh heh heh, you can look forward to it”

Thus, Serafina resolved.

That someday, she would personally seize this upright and pure man standing before her with her own hands.

That she would definitely make him her life partner.