Chapter 95: Chapter 95

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Translator: Vine

Chapter Title: Setting the Stage

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As I stood facing the three women from Zerion Academy.

Eve, naturally, had no choice but to withdraw her sword.

"Eve, what in the world are you doing?!"

The president of Rosley Academy, who was from the same Preliz Kingdom as Eve, reprimanded her.

"President, well…"

Eve revealed a look of embarrassment.

She had acted on the immediate impulse to eliminate the vestiges of the Ancient Dragon within me, clearly without considering the consequences.

Eve's gaze landed on me.

She was biting her lip tightly.

If I were to reveal here that I wielded Ancient Dragon magic, all of her actions would be understood.

But as long as she didn't know my exact circumstances.

She wasn't one to make rash statements, even for her own position.

Anyone who wields Ancient Dragon magic is sentenced to death.

The moment it was revealed here that I wielded Ancient Dragon magic, my life would be over.

Eve didn't particularly intend to kill me.

She merely, and quite genuinely, believed that the Ancient Dragon magic needed to be erased.

The inherent danger of Ancient Dragon magic.

And considering the potential casualties it could cause, along with my own life, she had done this today.

It was just that her method was too reckless.

Fundamentally, it was an act to save a life.

'Just like a protagonist who's missing a bit of common sense.'

I, who had played as Eve, knew the events she had endured.

The moniker given to Eve: The Unyielding Azure Flame.

This was due to the countless incidents that had surrounded her.

A reality that had repeatedly tried to break her.

Yet, within it, Eve remained unbroken until the very end, burning fiercely as the Azure Flame.

Such experiences had melted into Eve's life, deeply embedding themselves.

As a result, Eve would sometimes act impulsively like this when she made a decision.

That aspect was probably why she couldn't get along well with those around her.

Her life had been too harsh compared to others, leaving her lacking in many areas.

Her Azure Flame ignited when it sensed danger within an opponent.

This time, too, her Azure Flame must have ignited when she faced me.

'I didn't expect it to sense Ancient Dragon magic, though.'

Even though I was the one attacked, knowing her circumstances, I didn't have any particular feelings about it.

On the contrary, I had hoped for this situation and provoked her extensively.

She was the type to act if someone, even a stranger she met today, posed a danger.

And I was a third-rate villain who maliciously exploited that very trait.

"Miss Eve, it's problematic if you act like this just because your confession was rejected."

"...What?"

From Eve's lips, for the first time, a sound filled with bewilderment escaped.

She wasn't the only one.

Everyone present turned to look at Eve with surprised eyes.

Especially Isabel, whose eyes, when she sharply turned to me, were a little frightening.

It seemed she was reminded of what happened with Hania.

Eve had been asking around about me at the party.

As such, she had been the subject of whispers among the students, wondering if she was interested in me.

In this situation, it was obvious what would happen the moment I made such a statement.

"Eve, you..."

"The Azure Flame sure loves passionately."

"She had an unexpected side to her."

At an age where love burned brightly.

Children of this age all ended up empathizing with Eve.

Eve's face became dumbfounded by the unexpected turn of events.

Moreover, her face had turned bright red.

"I-I never did! It's a setup!"

Eve denied it, shouting.

She had suddenly become a woman crazed by love.

Everyone looked at Eve with pity.

Separately, Eve glared at me, her eyes wide.

"Alright, everyone, that's enough."

Iris, unable to watch any longer, tidied up the situation and looked back at me.

"Hanun, go inside and get your injuries treated."

"Yes."

"Wait. We need to clear up this misunderstanding before you go—"

As Eve tried to grab me, Iris blocked her way.

At the same time, a jet-black killing intent erupted from her.

"I believe I told you to stop there."

Iris warned her that she was crossing the line.

Eve gritted her teeth, watching my retreating back.

After that, I safely left the party hall and returned to my room.

I had sustained some burns due to Eve's Azure Flame, but this much could be healed with a little treatment.

So, I decided to deal with the burnt sleeve of my clothing first.

"Hanun."

"Whoa!?"

As I was fumbling to take off my top, a voice suddenly spoke from behind me.

Startled, I turned around to find Sharin there.

When did she follow me in?

That girl, not a sound.

"That thing about her confessing, it was a lie, wasn't it?"

Did she notice?

"Yes."

I answered without trying to hide it.

"Why did you tell such a lie?"

"Eve discovered the vestiges of the Ancient Dragon. More precisely, she discovered Ancient Dragon magic."

Sharin's eyes narrowed.

Sharin also knew very well what would happen if Ancient Dragon magic was discovered.

"If Hanun gets executed, then I won't be able to imprint magic with Ancient Dragon magic."

It wasn't my well-being she was worried about.

While Sharin made a troubled expression, I began buttoning my shirt.

"The vestiges of the Ancient Dragon were exposed, and Eve came at me, intending to erase them."

"Hmm, can the vestiges of the Ancient Dragon be erased just because someone wants to?"

"Perhaps with Eve's Unyielding Azure Flame, it wouldn't be impossible."

Though, I'd probably get a bit burned in the process.

In any case, it was true that it was possible.

"So, before Eve could reveal anything there, I made my move first."

"It just seems like you thoroughly angered her."

"That, I intended to some extent."

Sharin wore an expression that showed she couldn't understand.

It meant, 'Is it really okay to provoke an opponent whose weakness you've exposed so much?'

Indeed, if Eve were to reveal the vestiges of the Ancient Dragon, I would be finished.

However, I also had a certainty that Eve wouldn't do that.

"It's necessary."

"Is it necessary for Hanun's goal again?"

"Exactly. Perhaps it's even the most important thing."

I intend to have Eve transfer to Zerion Academy.

The only thing that can replace the Flame of Valor is Eve's Unyielding Azure Flame.

Going forward, the absence of the Flame of Valor will continue to be an obstacle.

Although I'm putting in some effort, it's difficult to fundamentally resolve the scenario's events.

That's what Eve's Unyielding Azure Flame is for.

'If it's Eve...'

She will definitely come to remove the vestiges of the Ancient Dragon from me.

Because of today's incident, I must have been branded as a very dangerous individual in her eyes.

From my unexpected skill to Iris defending me, all of it must be very unsettling to her.

Furthermore, I completely shattered my image in front of her with that lie.

I must have made a strong impression on Eve.

'Today's chance to erase the vestiges of the Ancient Dragon is gone.'

As soon as the party ends, the International Academy Conference participants will return to their respective academies.

Eve must have received disciplinary probation for this incident, so she can no longer approach me today.

Therefore, Eve will only have one more chance to deal with the vestiges of the Ancient Dragon within me.

'The International Individual Competition.'

There, Eve will definitely try to eliminate the vestiges of the Ancient Dragon from me.

'If I can just get past that...'

Eve will have no choice but to follow me, even transferring to Zerion Academy.

For this, I must be able to withstand Eve's assault.

'No, merely withstanding isn't enough.'

I must definitively defeat Eve and be branded as a dangerous element by her.

So definitively that she feels compelled to transfer to Zerion Academy just to stop me.

She is the completed protagonist who finished the scenario.

For that, I needed to become stronger.

At my current level, I cannot confront Eve and win.

"Sharin, remember when you mentioned that date?"

So, I decided to use any means necessary.

"That, we should do it before the International Individual Competition begins."

To completely control the vestiges of the Ancient Dragon by the International Individual Competition.

***

The Unyielding Azure Flame.

Eve.

A hero of Ordo Academy in the Preliz Kingdom and a member of the Six Stars.

She was furiously kicking her bedsheets, recalling the humiliating incident she had endured today.

Having received disciplinary probation from the Ordo President, she had left the party hall and was confined to her room.

If she were to slip out of here, even she would be in trouble.

So, Eve had no choice but to remain quiet.

'That man.'

Hanun Airey.

Recalling the humiliation she had suffered at his hands, her face flushed crimson as she bit her lip.

This was the first time in her life she had experienced such a humiliating incident.

To think he would turn her own summoned attack back on her like that.

His shamelessness, lying without a single change in expression, made her teeth grind.

Of course, Eve knew she had brought it upon herself.

She was also aware that attacking him and injuring his arm was her own fault.

But Ancient Dragon magic was just that dangerous.

Once, in her childhood, she had seen a user of Ancient Dragon magic.

She clearly remembered what had become of him.

Before she knew it, she had kicked off her blanket and gotten up.

Then she grasped her Infinite Sword.

Before Eve's eyes, Hanun's image from earlier began to shimmer.

She shook off the humiliation she had recalled and steadied her breathing.

The Hanun Eve had faced was stronger than she expected.

It was a sword she had swung with the intention of ending him in a single strike.

Yet, he had parried Eve's sword without any weapon.

'That sensation when I struck him.'

It was like swinging a sword at solid steel.

Recalling that sensation, Eve's eyes narrowed slightly.

He definitely possessed a special power.

What in the world had he done to his body? The magic that activated without a staff was utterly preposterous.

'He's a strong variable.'

She had anticipated that if she couldn't finish it quickly, things would become troublesome.

From the moment her first attack on him failed, Eve had all but lost.

Therefore, the next time they met, she absolutely had to defeat him.

Eve's sword swung towards Hanun's illusion.

Hanun's illusion demonstrated its earlier movements, evading Eve's sword.

Eve didn't stop there, continuing her sword path.

Hanun also continued to evade her sword path.

But at one point, Eve completely cornered Hanun and brought her sword down.

Eve, who had cleaved the air, took a deep breath.

'Next time...'

Eve's slowly opening blue eyes shone brightly.

I will definitely defeat him and erase the Ancient Dragon magic.

The International Academy Conference.

It was the moment new encounters and destinies began.

***

Time flew by like an arrow.

Autumn had matured, and the International Individual Competition was just around the corner.

Thanks to this, students were training passionately every day.

The International Individual Competition was an opportunity to announce one's prestige to the world.

As such, students had no choice but to intensify their training one after another.

As everyone was in the midst of their fervent training.

I was holed up in a private training room.

Zerion Academy had private training rooms that could be used upon application.

Having entered one, I was training daily in preparation for the International Individual Competition.

This was because I had recently gone on a 'not-a-date' date with Sharin.

Thanks to that, a magic imprint I hadn't seen before was etched onto my body.

"Prince Sweet Potato, what in the world are you doing by yourself? Are you trying to become a burnt sweet potato again?"

Seron asked me with curiosity, seeing me emerge charred black every now and then.

I told her to look forward to the individual competition.

"Honestly, stop abusing your body so much."

Seron wiped my face with a handkerchief.

At her gentle touch, I blinked and asked.

"This isn't the face you like, is it?"

"Sh-shut up. Once I started liking you, it's all the same."

As she said that, Seron's face was flushed crimson.

Seron hit my shoulder with a thump and then scurried away.

Seron was growing bolder by the day.

"Hanun, you remember we're in a contract relationship, right?"

Perhaps because Seron had been openly showing her feelings recently, Hania gave me a slight glare.

It was a glare telling me to at least keep our 'relationship' discreet.

It was unfair to me, but since I had a promise with Hania, I nodded.

I was always indebted to Hania.

If she hadn't done my disguise, I wouldn't have been able to go to Iris's room.

For this reason alone, I had to maintain our contract relationship well.

"Hanun, you can look forward to this International Individual Competition."

Hearing Ban's words during training, I tilted my head.

"Ban, you mean you?"

"Me, of course, but also Isabel."

Ban had been consistently training with Isabel.

Furthermore, I knew very well that Isabel felt a strong competitive spirit towards me.

"She's prepared something incredible."

Something incredible, huh.

'Could it be...'

Indeed, it was about time for that.

A smile formed on my lips.

"Right, I'll have to look forward to it."

Thus, with the expectations of many gathered.

Finally, today.

The curtain rose on the International Individual Competition.