Chapter 12: Infinite Eyes—Open.

While Licht also stepped forward and grabbed a training sword, his demeanour barely changed.

Internally, however, he was already sighing.

He was really backed into a corner this time.

His performance during the entrance ceremony had bought him some time, just enough to dodge suspicion. But it had only delayed the inevitable.

And now, just like the original Licht, this duel would expose his fraud-like performance for what it truly was.

Charlotte and Licht stood a few paces apart, and suddenly she did something, Charlotte did something Licht never could have imagined... she... she smiled...

It was breathtaking. Radiant enough to make the other cadets who were watching forget to even breathe. Under different circumstances, Licht might've found it mesmerising.

But he knew better.

That smile wasn't born from joy or excitement—it was the grin of a predator who'd cornered her prey. She was smiling because, to her, this duel wasn't a game. 

It was her final chance.

Her final chance to destroy Licht.

With that, Charlotte drew her sword, and as she did so, something seemed to shift.

Instantly, A suffocating, murderous intent flooded the arena.

The air itself seemed to grow heavier, like it had suddenly been kept away and locked in a blood-soaked chamber.

Just looking at the air around Charlotte would make subconsciously anyone uncomfortable, and several students nearby flinched instinctively, as countless goosebumps popped up all over her skin 

And as for Licht, who had all this murderous intent directed at him...

Ding! 

The trait 「A Valtier's Pride (S)」has been activated 

Licht stood motionless, his expression blank, almost as if this had nothing to do with him. 

Seeing Licht's nonchalant appearance, Charlotte's smile only grew more vicious as her voice sliced through the silence.

"Licht… you don't understand how many times I've thought about this day. How often I've dreamed of it."

Each word hit the air like a blade, sharp and seething with rage. But Licht didn't react.

He didn't flinch.

He didn't speak.

He didn't even reach for his weapon.

To the crowd, it looked like pure, arrogant disdain.

"Is he mocking her?"

"Even for a Valtier, this is a bit…."

The crowd was both awed and sceptical about Licht's confidence

But their murmurs only managed to stoke Charlotte's fury until her expression warped into something feral, and then— then she snapped.

"Kekeke… Even now. Even now you're still the same!"

The sheer madness pouring out from Charlotte's body made the entire crowd step back in horror!

It's as if what was standing there wasn't even a human but instead some frothing, feral beast!

She raised her sword, gripping so hard it bled 

'You haven't changed. Not even a little… not since that day."

The day everything fell apart.

She remembered it vividly—how could she not?

Whether she wanted to or not, that memory had burned itself into her mind, etched there by rage and betrayal.

Licht had walked in without a word, cold as ice, a group of silent men trailing behind him. He'd tossed a stack of documents onto the table like they meant nothing.

And on his lips? That same look of disdain he wore now.

The documents contained False allegations—lies so damning they would've destroyed her parents' careers.

And what had they done to deserve it?

Simple, really:

Her brother's talent had shone too brightly.

That day, Licht had used them as leverage.

He threatened them and forced her brother to kneel… and cripple himself.

Not once did her brother place blame.

Not on her. Not on their parents.

Instead, he begged—over and over—for Licht to show them mercy.

She had watched it all.

Powerless, Furious.

Burning.

"You never take anything seriously," she hissed. 

"To you, it's all just a game."

Her voice trembled now, thick with grief and rage.

"Fine then—go play your games in hell!"

Charlotte lunged forward, sparks of blue lightning crackling at her feet as she called out the name of the sword technique her brother had once taught her:

『 Valemont Sword — Rushing Thunder God! (A) 』

Licht could only watch wide-eyed as the sword crashed towards his body, and he instinctively channelled the mana inside of his body as a last-minute defence 

But how could Licht's half-hearted defence stand up to Charlotte's hate-fuelled attack?

-boom! 

Charlotte's sword tore through Licht's mana guard like a hot knife through butter, crashing into Licht's chest and sending him flying.

With a flash of blue lightning, it happened so fast that it happened before anyone could even react

Not the cadets

Not Licht

Not even the instructor

Silence soon hung in the air

That… that was it?

The Licht, who had talked so much, was ended in just one strike!

Undercurrents and strange thoughts were begiigng ot bumble among the onlookers, but this didn't matter to Licht

His mind was buzzing.

Where am I…?

Oh, right. This stupid fucking duel—again.

Every part of his body ached, and from the fishy taste in his mouth, he knew he was only moments away from coughing up blood.

Fuck. What did I even do to deserve this?

He wasn't the original Licht. He hadn't committed a single sin— not once. And yet, everywhere he went, there were people who hated him. People who wanted him dead.

They didn't speak. They didn't reason.

The moment they saw him, they struck — always aiming to take his life without hesitation.

Only now did Licht finally realise how naive he had been.

Peace.

Freedom.

Choice.

When had those words ever meant anything for the weak?

If he truly wanted peace in this world, then he couldn't afford to care about right or wrong.

Morality was a luxury — one reserved for people who never had to fight just to exist.

"You forced me to do this." 

Licht closed his eyes and activated the only skill that could save him in this moment:

「Infinite Copy Eyes – Lv. 1 (SSS)」

Infinite Eyes—Open.

In that instant, something in the room shifted.

The very air seemed to tremble. As the entire sea of mana—thick and wild—rushed toward Lichr like a tide pulled by a new moon.