I’m in a Tournament I Never Signed Up For (And Now I’m Out for Revenge?!)

I had one goal when I stepped onto the Academy grounds that morning.

To not get involved in anything stupid.

Simple, right?

And yet, the moment I arrived, I noticed something very, very wrong.

Students were crowding around a giant announcement board. Nobles whispered excitedly, some looking intrigued, others scandalized.

I froze.

A deep, soul-crushing sense of dread settled in my stomach.

No. No, no, no. I don't like this. I don't like this at all.

Slowly—hesitantly—I took a step forward.

I heard the first whispers.

"That's him!"

"The commoner in the tournament!"

"I heard Lady Selene forced him to enter!"

I stopped mid-step.

…What?

I turned my head toward the announcement board.

And there, in bold, fancy noble handwriting, was a name that should NOT have been there.

Kaito Asagiri – Tournament Participant

I stared.

I kept staring.

I kept staring some more.

Finally, I took a deep breath—

And yelled at the top of my lungs.

"SHE WHAT?!"

Heads turned. Nobles whispered louder.

But I didn't care.

Because my name—MY NAME—was on that tournament list.

I marched straight up to the announcement board, as if getting closer would somehow erase the horrifying reality before me.

It didn't.

Kaito Asagiri – Tournament Participant.

No matter how many times I blinked, it didn't disappear.

The nobles behind me continued their absurd speculation.

"Did he actually register?"

"Maybe he's trying to prove himself worthy of Lady Selene's attention!"

"Or maybe he's aiming to challenge Prince Reinhardt directly!"

I turned around so fast I almost dislocated my neck.

"NO," I snapped. "I did NOT sign up for this!"

The noble students stared at me, processing my words.

Then, after a long pause—

"…Then Lady Selene must have done it for him!"

The realization rippled through the crowd.

I stood there, mouth opening and closing like a dying fish.

Because they were right.

Selene.

Of course.

Of course SHE did this.

I clenched my fists, looking up at the sky like a man who had just been personally betrayed by fate itself.

Then I sighed deeply.

"…I need to go commit a murder."

I stormed across the courtyard, my mind burning with righteous fury.

Selene.

Selene von Nachtwald.

I knew she was behind this. Who else had the power, the influence, and the sheer audacity to drag me into a dueling tournament without my consent?!

I ignored the nobles still whispering behind me.

"He looks angry."

"Understandable. He was thrown into battle against his will."

"Or perhaps this is the moment his hidden fighting spirit awakens?"

I nearly tripped.

WHAT hidden fighting spirit?!

But I had no time to yell at their insanity because at that moment—

I spotted her.

Selene stood near the Academy's fountain, looking completely at ease.

She was reading a book. Calmly.

Like she hadn't just ruined my entire existence.

I stomped up to her, eyes blazing.

"YOU!" I declared, pointing a trembling finger.

Selene barely glanced up. "Good morning, Kaito."

"Don't you 'good morning' me! What is the meaning of THIS?!"

I jabbed a finger toward the tournament announcement board.

Selene took a slow sip of tea.

…Wait.

I squinted.

"WHERE DID YOU GET THAT TEA?!"

Selene calmly took another sip of her tea.

I, meanwhile, was losing my mind.

"Where. Did. The. Tea. Come. From?" I demanded.

Selene tilted her head slightly. "Why does that matter?"

"Because every time I see you, you have a cup of tea. Even in situations where tea should be physically impossible."

Selene hummed thoughtfully. "A lady must always be prepared."

I dragged a hand down my face.

"Okay, you know what? Forget the tea. Let's focus on the bigger problem. Namely—" I pointed aggressivelyat the tournament board. "WHY DID YOU SIGN ME UP FOR THIS?!"

Selene finally closed her book and met my gaze.

"It's simple," she said smoothly. "You require training, and competition is the fastest way to improve."

I gawked. "THAT'S NOT HOW TRAINING WORKS!"

Selene sipped her tea again.

I clenched my fists. This woman.

"Selene," I said slowly, painfully, "I am a commoner who barely survived a single duel. And you just entered me in a tournament full of trained noble duelists."

She nodded.

I inhaled.

Exhaled.

Then leaned forward, staring directly into her eyes.

"…Are you TRYING to get me killed?"

Selene smiled.

"Not at all," she said lightly. "If I wanted that, I would have set you up against me."

I choked.

I staggered backward.

"WHAT KIND OF RESPONSE IS THAT?!"

Selene blinked, completely unbothered. "A truthful one."

I clutched my chest. "I—I think I just had a heart attack."

Selene took another calm sip of tea. "Do let me know if you collapse. I'd hate for your training to be delayed."

I stared at her. "…You're evil."

Selene smirked. "So I've been told."

I dragged my hands down my face. "Alright. Fine. You want me to fight in this stupid tournament? Let's just say, hypothetically, that I don't want to die. What am I supposed to do?"

Selene set down her cup and gracefully rose to her feet.

"You have two options," she said smoothly.

I braced myself. "I'm not going to like either of them, am I?"

Selene smiled.

"One," she said, "you train seriously under my guidance and prepare for your upcoming matches."

I grimaced. "And the second option?"

Selene's smile widened.

"Two," she said, "you run away, disgrace yourself, and become the laughingstock of the entire Academy."

I froze.

Slowly, I turned my head toward the noble students still gathered nearby.

They were watching me intently.

Waiting.

Judging.

I swallowed hard.

…I am so unbelievably screwed.

I sighed deeply, feeling my soul slowly leave my body.

"…Fine," I muttered. "I get it. I have no choice."

Selene nodded, satisfied. "Good. We'll begin training after class."

I gritted my teeth. "I hate this school."

The nobles continued whispering.

"Is he truly going through with it?"

"A commoner participating in a noble tournament… Unheard of!"

"What if he actually wins?"

I snorted.

"What if I actually win?" That was the funniest thing I'd heard all day.

I opened my mouth to tell them that there was a 0% chance of that happening—

But before I could, I heard something else.

A familiar voice.

Soft. Hesitant.

I froze.

Selene raised an eyebrow. "Kaito?"

But I wasn't listening anymore.

Because around the corner, just out of sight—

Iris von Edelweiss was standing in front of Prince Reinhardt.

And the air felt dangerously tense.

My stomach dropped.

Oh no.

Oh, no, no, no.

I recognized this scene.

Iris was about to confess.

Which meant—

I need to get out of here RIGHT NOW.

I slowly turned away, pretending I hadn't seen anything.

Nope. Nope. NOPE.

I knew exactly where this was going.

This was one of those big emotional events—the kind that came with heartbreak, painful dialogue, and an awkward tension so thick you could cut it with a knife.

I wanted no part of it.

So, like the reasonable and mature person that I was, I did the smartest thing possible.

I ran.

Or at least, I tried to.

Because the second I turned—Selene grabbed my wrist.

"Where are you going?" she asked, clearly amused.

I stared at her, panicked. "Away."

Selene tilted her head. "Why?"

I gestured vaguely toward the corner where Iris and Reinhardt stood, oblivious to our presence.

"Because that is about to become a disaster. And I don't want to be anywhere near it when it happens."

Selene blinked, then looked over.

Iris was clenching her fists, clearly trying to gather her courage.

Reinhardt, oblivious as always, was smiling at her like she was his childhood best friend.

Which, unfortunately, was exactly the problem.

Selene's eyes gleamed with curiosity. "Ah. So she's finally confessing."

I whipped my head toward her. "Finally?"

Selene sipped her tea. "It was inevitable."

I stared at her.

"You KNEW this was going to happen?"

Selene smirked. "Of course."

I grabbed my head.

WHY AM I SURROUNDED BY PEOPLE WHO JUST WATCH EVENTS UNFOLD LIKE ENTERTAINMENT?!

I needed to leave.

Immediately.

But Selene's grip on my wrist tightened slightly.

"You should stay," she said, eyes gleaming with amusement.

I gawked at her. "WHY?! This is NOT my business!"

Selene took a slow sip of tea.

(WHERE DID SHE KEEP GETTING TEA?!)

"You were dragged into the tournament without consent," she mused. "It seems only fair that you witness another noble's suffering."

I stared in horror.

"You—" I pointed at her, then at the impending emotional disaster about to unfold. "You just want to WATCH her get rejected!"

Selene did not deny it.

I whipped my head toward Iris.

She was standing straight, taking a deep breath.

I could practically hear the dramatic music swelling in the background.

The moment was happening.

I had seconds before this turned into a full-blown romance drama.

I yanked my arm away from Selene and SPUN AROUND.

"I'M OUT!" I hissed, power-walking away at record speed.

Unfortunately—I wasn't fast enough.

Because just as I turned the corner and bolted down the hall—

I heard Reinhardt's voice.

Soft. Almost confused.

"Iris… I never thought of you that way."

My entire body shuddered.

I broke into a dead sprint.

NOPE. NOPE. NOPE.

I was NOT sticking around for this.

I ran like my life depended on it.

Which, considering how much this world hated me, it probably did.

Reinhardt's words still echoed behind me.

"Iris… I never thought of you that way."

Oh no.

OH NO.

I knew where this was going.

This wasn't just rejection. This was obliteration.

I turned a corner and nearly slammed into a passing servant.

"Whoa—!"

"Sorry, sorry!" I yelled over my shoulder, not stopping.

I needed to find a safe place. Somewhere far away from this emotional wreckage.

There was only one place I could think of.

The library.

My one sanctuary.

My safe zone.

I burst through the doors, panting, and immediately collapsed into my usual seat.

Silence.

No nobles. No tournament drama. No heartbreak explosions.

Just me and the quiet shelves of books.

I sighed in relief. "Finally… peace."

Then—

The library doors slammed open.

I flinched violently as someone stormed inside.

Footsteps. Heavy, fast, shaking.

I turned my head.

And froze.

Iris stood in the doorway.

Her eyes were red.

Her breathing uneven.

Her fists clenched.

She was crying.

I immediately turned my gaze to the nearest bookshelf.

Nope. Didn't see anything. Don't know anything. I am but a humble background character.

Iris stormed past the entrance, breathing heavily.

She didn't notice me.

Good.

I just had to stay completely still.

Like a wild animal sensing danger, if I didn't move, maybe she'd leave.

Unfortunately—the universe hated me.

Because Iris suddenly spoke.

"…I know you're there, idiot."

I winced.

Busted.

Slowly—very, very slowly—I turned my head toward her.

Iris was standing near one of the windows, gripping her arms tightly.

Her usual sharpness was gone.

She looked… small. Unsteady.

I scratched the back of my neck. "Uh. I can leave, if you want."

A pause.

Then, in a quiet voice—barely above a whisper—

"…No," Iris muttered.

I hesitated.

Then sighed and sank deeper into my chair.

Welp.

Looked like I was involved in yet another disaster.

Silence hung between us.

Not the comfortable kind.

The heavy, crushing kind that made my skin crawl.

Iris stood by the window, her back half-turned to me, arms still crossed.

She wasn't crying anymore. But from the way her fingers dug into her sleeves, she was still barely holding it together.

I had two options.

Option one: Say nothing. Pretend I wasn't here. Avoid all responsibility.

Option two: Make a terrible life choice and open my mouth.

Unfortunately, my brain malfunctioned before I could pick option one.

"So," I said slowly, "that went well."

Iris's head snapped toward me so fast I almost died.

Her red, tear-stained eyes narrowed dangerously.

I immediately regretted everything.

"…What," she said, voice sharp and cold, "did you just say?"

I held up my hands in surrender. "I—Wait! No! That came out wrong!"

Iris marched toward me.

I leaned back in my chair, panicking. "W-Wait, let's just—"

"You think this is funny?" she hissed.

"NO!" I yelped. "I AM A VERY STUPID MAN WHO SPEAKS WITHOUT THINKING!"

Iris stopped inches from my face, eyes burning with fury.

For a moment, I thought she was going to slap me.

Then—

She sank into the chair across from me, burying her face in her hands.

A shaky exhale.

Then, in a barely audible whisper—

"…Why am I such an idiot?"

I blinked.

For a second, I thought I had misheard her.

Iris von Edelweiss—prideful, sharp-tongued, arrogant noble lady—just called herself an idiot?

I hesitated.

Was this a trap?

If I agreed, would she punch me in the face?

Cautiously, I leaned forward. "Uh… I mean. If you're an idiot, what does that make me?"

Iris let out a small, bitter laugh. "A bigger idiot, obviously."

I nodded solemnly. "That's fair."

She rubbed at her eyes, exhaling sharply.

"I already knew," she muttered. "I knew Reinhardt never saw me that way. I knew he was in love with half the kingdom. I knew this was pointless."

I stayed quiet.

Because… yeah.

That was exactly the problem.

Reinhardt wasn't just the "noble hero." He was the prince. The protagonist. The type of guy who saw every girl as a cherished friend but never realized when one of them actually liked him.

He had never considered Iris as anything more than his childhood companion.

And now that he had said it out loud, it had shattered whatever tiny bit of hope she had left.

Iris clenched her fists. "I should have just kept my mouth shut."

I sighed. "Yeah, well. If it makes you feel better, I say stupid things all the time."

She peeked at me through her fingers. "That doesn't make me feel better."

I shrugged. "Didn't think it would, but hey. Worth a shot."

Iris leaned back in her chair, sighing heavily.

For the first time since she stormed into the library, she looked… tired.

Not just from crying.

Not just from Reinhardt's rejection.

But like she had been carrying this weight for a long time.

I wasn't good at this emotional stuff.

I wasn't some wise mentor or charming hero who knew the right things to say.

But I had been in her position before.

Maybe not as dramatic, but I knew what it was like to hope for something that was never going to happen.

I leaned forward, resting my arms on the table. "Look. I'm not gonna give you some fake, inspirational speech. You're pissed. You're hurt. And honestly? You have every right to be."

Iris stayed silent.

I scratched the back of my head. "So… if you wanna punch something, I won't stop you. If you wanna scream into a pillow, be my guest. If you wanna throw Prince Dumbass into a river, I'll hold your coat."

That got a small, breathy laugh out of her.

A short, fleeting thing.

But it was real.

She wiped at her eyes again, shaking her head.

"…You're an idiot," she muttered.

I smirked. "That's the second time you've said that in the last five minutes."

"Because it's true," she deadpanned.

For a few seconds, we just sat there.

No dramatic speeches. No forced encouragement.

Just silence.

A quiet, shared understanding between two idiots who were both having a really bad day.

Then, without thinking, I muttered, "You know… since I'm already in this stupid tournament, I should make the prince pay for this."

The moment the words left my mouth, I froze.

Iris slowly turned to look at me.

I felt my soul leave my body.

Wait. WAIT.

WHAT DID I JUST SAY?!

I waved my hands wildly. "NO, WAIT—THAT WASN'T A SERIOUS STATEMENT—"

Iris suddenly grinned.

Not a normal grin.

A terrifying, noblewoman grin.

Like a scheming aristocrat who had just discovered a new entertainment for the season.

"Oh?" she mused. "Now that's interesting."

I choked. "NO. NO, IT'S NOT. IGNORE ME."

Iris leaned forward, eyes gleaming. "So you want revenge against the prince?"

"I NEVER SAID THAT—"

"You literally just said that."

I grabbed my head, internally screaming.

OH NO.

OH NO, NO, NO.

I JUST MADE A HORRIBLE MISTAKE.

I waved my hands frantically.

"Wait! No! Forget I said anything!"

Iris tapped her chin thoughtfully. "But how could I possibly forget such an interesting statement?"

I groaned. "Because it wasn't serious! I was just—talking!"

She smirked. "So you don't actually want to humiliate Reinhardt in the tournament?"

"Of course not!" I snapped.

Iris's smirk widened.

"So you'd rather lose to him instead?"

I froze.

Wait.

HOLD ON.

That was a trap question.

If I said yes, I looked pathetic.

If I said no, I was declaring war.

Iris leaned back, watching my internal breakdown with visible amusement.

"Interesting," she mused.

I slammed my head against the table.

I hate my life.

Iris grinned. "Well, now I have a reason to watch the tournament."

I groaned. "Please don't."

She tilted her head playfully. "Oh? Afraid I'll cheer too loudly?"

"I'M AFRAID YOU'LL MAKE THIS WORSE!"

Iris laughed.

I sighed, rubbing my temples. This was a disaster.

And unfortunately, it was only going to get worse.

Iris rested her chin on her hand, smirking.

"You know," she mused, "it's very bold for a commoner to try romancing a noble lady right after she's been rejected."

I froze.

My entire brain blue-screened.

"…What," I said flatly.

Iris shrugged casually. "You sat with me during my lowest moment. You comforted me. You made a grand promise of revenge against the prince."

She smiled innocently. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were trying to win my heart."

My soul left my body.

"NO. NO, NO, NO. THAT'S NOT—THAT'S NOT WHAT THIS IS—"

Iris leaned forward slightly, clearly enjoying my suffering.

"Oh? So you don't find me attractive?"

I made a strangled noise.

"WAIT—THAT'S NOT—THERE'S NO WINNING ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION!"

Iris rested her chin on her palm. "Oh? You seem flustered, Kaito. Could it be that you—"

I bolted out of my chair.

"I AM LEAVING. GOODBYE."

And just like that, I sprinted out of the library at full speed.

Iris called after me. "Be careful not to trip!"

I NEARLY DID.

The moment Kaito was out of sight, Iris let out a small sigh.

For the first time since Reinhardt rejected her, she felt…

Not good.

Not better.

But lighter.

She tapped her fingers idly against the wooden table, her smirk fading into something softer.

"…Who even is that weird commoner?" she murmured to herself.

He wasn't a knight. He wasn't a noble. He wasn't some political schemer.

So why did he bother staying?

It wasn't out of duty.

It wasn't out of romantic interest.

…It was just dumb, stupid kindness.

She shook her head, a small, amused chuckle escaping her lips.

"Idiot," she muttered.

Then, leaning back in her chair, she glanced at the tournament announcement list.

And smiled.

"This might actually be fun to watch."