I stare at the skeleton.
What was his problem?
In the end, what was he after?
I have no idea.
"Did you know him?" I ask Ewa.
She just looks at the skeleton and shakes her head a little.
"…No. I've never seen him before."
"Okay."
Hmm.
If she says so, that's that.
But this skeleton seemed oddly content when he died.
Well, he should be grateful I, the Count, killed him.
Not a bad way to go.
Anyway, that's the end of the intruder.
"Now then, Medusa."
I look at her.
"…What?"
She's in a daze.
"The intruder's gone. Let's get back to the match."
"To the match…?"
"The finals, obviously. Unless you're quitting?"
"… …"
"I don't mind if you do. It won't change anything. I'm winning no matter what. The only question is how."
"…You sure like to talk."
Medusa's eyes regain focus.
"I'll do my best as the Gorgon family's heir.If by some fluke I win, don't complain."
"Heh. Like that's even a possibility. Fine, make this fun for me."
Yes, Medusa. Be the perfect supporting role for my stage.
The more you perform, the more I shine!
◇ ◇ ◇
They restarted the final: Arc vs. Medusa.
Arc took the victory, but Medusa got plenty of praise for her performance. Their fight—far beyond a typical student level—became a legendary match people would talk about for years.
On top of that, Medusa's reputation soared, restoring the Gorgon family's honor.
In the original story, the Gorgon family was ruined by her rampage, but again, Arc changed fate.
Also, no regular citizens were harmed this time.
Something unimaginable in the original story.
All thanks to Arc's influence.
He got the Crystal Aether, prevented the Dark Hand's Zodiac-based attack, and killed Mukuro of the Numbers—
Every sad event was stopped by Arc, who "crushes dark storylines."
Of course, Arc himself never intended to save anyone from misery.
He's just doing whatever he wants.
But those around him see it differently.
People loyal to him become even more loyal, and those who aren't still respect him for his sharp sense.
In the original, all these events were supposed to be tragic.
Arc unknowingly destroys those sad turns of fate.
◇ ◇ ◇
Phew.
Finally, the magic tournament is done.
In the end, everyone praised me—it turned into a super convenient event for me.
I'm so lucky.
This world is way too easy for me.
Being a count rules!
The knights and academy staff asked me about the intruder.
How would I know?
I left it all to Camilla.
Oh, right.
Camilla failed to steal the test. Said she ran into Embra or something.
Oh well.
Tests are such a pain.
Right when I was annoyed, Ratu got me the exam.
Nice job, Ratu.
She's better at intel work than Camilla, huh?
But it's fine. Camilla does her own work well enough.
Ratu also stole some other documents from Embra.
They apparently mention witches and the Dark Hand.
Information about the Dark Hand's leader, Hel, I think.
Not that it matters to me.
Witches, the Dark Hand… As long as I pass my tests, whatever.
Thanks to Ratu's stolen test, I passed with flying colors.
Mwahahaha!
That's the power of authority!
Being a count is the best!
Oh, and Embra quit her job as a teacher, apparently.
No idea why.
Maybe she got sick of dealing with people?
Teaching a bunch of bratty students is stressful, I guess.
Must be tough being a commoner.
Meanwhile, I'm a noble, so I just live off taxes.
I love being noble!
Anyway, my first year's done, so now I have a long vacation.
Mwahahaha!
I'll spend it relaxing without any interruptions!
End of Second Chapter: The Freshman Arc.