Chapter 85: The Third Day of the Festival (XIV).
The festival's third day pressed on, the arena still crackling with excitement from the earlier duels.
"Well then, next on our match list- it's none other than His Highness, the Crown Prince, Dereck Louvecroft!" Mr. Wazinki's booming voice rang out, carrying over the cheers of the restless crowd.
The announcement set the stands ablaze. The audience erupted, a deafening wave of cheers rising to greet the prince.
"Your highness! You're amazing!"
"Kyahhh! He's so handsome!"
"That's our future king!"
"Heh." He waves his hand around enjoying the deafening cheers of the crowd but then he frowns and grits his teeth after noticing his fiancé staring at him coldly. The villainess' eyes met his- cold, unflinching stare, cutting through the roar of the crowd.
His smile faltered and his jaw tightened, teeth gritting. "Tch."
One thing was certain: he couldn't wait for the chance to stage an accident today.
"It's an honor to see a royal prince participating in the match! With his attribute of fire! Things are about to get interesting!" Mr. Wazinki's voice boomed across the arena, setting the crowd into a frenzy. The energy surged as the noble spectators shouted and cheered for the Crown Prince. "His opponent Lord Darian Viremont has the water affinity, let's see how this plays out folks! But it's clear- Lord Darian has an advantage against the young prince!"
Crown Prince Dereck wasted no time.
"[Fire Magic: Flame Shot]!" With a sharp flick of his wand, a searing arc of flame shot forward.
"[Water Magic: Tidal Barrier]!" (Lord Darian) countered, raising a wall of water that hissed into steam under the fire's heat. For a moment, it looked as though he could hold his ground.
But the crown prince pressed on- one strike, then another, each fire spell exploding against Lord Darian's defenses.
"[Fire Magic: Flame Shot]!"
"[Fire Magic: Flame Shot!]"
"[Fire Magic: Flame Shot]!"
The crowd erupted with every impact, the steam rising like smoke from a battlefield.
Mr. Wazinki could barely see the battlefield but tries his best to explain what's happening. "O-Oh? This is quite a shock! The prince's fire seems to be pushing Darian back despite the elemental disadvantage!"
Lady Evelyn leaned back in her seat, arms crossed, her eyes sharp.
To her, the rhythm was too neat. Crown Prince Dereck's flames struck in perfect intervals, Lord Darian stumbling just far enough each time to look cornered, but never truly fighting back.
'It feels like a choreographed play,' She thought coldly. 'He's... getting nearer to the edge of the stage each time, and if a duelist falls then it's their loss. '
The crowd was amazed at the skills of the crown prince, well- if only they'd known what was truly happening. Mr. Wazinki was also paid well to be on the crown prince's side. "O-Oh? This is quite a shock! It's only been under a minute but it seems the young lord has been cornered!"
"[Fire Magic: Flame Shot]!"
Another burst of flame roared across the stage. Lord Darian raised his water shield too slowly, his movements sluggish, and staggered toward the edge. The crowd gasped as he windmilled his arms for balance- then his foot slipped against the wet stone.
"Gah!" With a startled cry, Lord Darian tumbled off the stage in a splash of spilled water magic.
"Could it be?! The young lord has fallen!" The crowd gasped in awe as they looked at the young lord who had his butt planted on the ground with a smile on his face. Mr. Wazinki raises his hands to announce the winner, "That means- yes, the winner is Crown Prince Dereck! And in record time, no less!"
Crown Prince Dereck raised a hand with a smug, self-satisfied smile, his posture oozing casual arrogance.
"Ah, thank you, thank you." He basked in the applause, savoring the way the crowd adored him for such an effortless victory. Inside, he couldn't help but feel pleased with himself- he had made it look so easy.
He chuckled softly to himself, imagining how Analissa would look at him now.
She'll be so impressed- who wouldn't be?
He let the thought linger, a smug glimmer in his eyes.
After all, only someone as clever as him could win so elegantly.
Crown Prince Dereck welcomed Lord Darian up on the stage, offering his hand like some good martyr. "It was a good match."
Lady Evelyn's eyes narrowed, her gaze cold and calculating, unamused by the spectacle.
"Tch." She clicked her tongue quietly, the faintest trace of disgust curling at the edges of her thoughts. "Like always... he does it all to get what he wants even if it means someone's hands will get dirty, how uncouth."
Her eyes lingered on Lord Darian Viremont, struggling to regain his composure as he was helped to his feet, water dripping from his clothes, his head bowed in defeat- still with that smile on his face.
The sight alone spoke volumes.
'He bribed that one. There's no question.' A subtle flicker of something dangerous passed over Lady Evelyn's features as she watched the two talk on stage before waving goodbye to the crowd. She had seen it- the way he had been cornered so effortlessly, as though it was all too rehearsed.
But as the thought lingered, something else pulled her attention. Her mind, sharp as ever, shifted to a different concern- the heroine. The one who had remained hidden, her absence growing more apparent with every passing moment.
"Miss Blanchet... wherever could you be?"
Her heart becomes heavier every second she's gone and swore that after this event she'll tear the whole academy down until she finds her.
===
Academy: Grand Library
===
Meanwhile...
A sudden flash of light pierced the dimly lit corners of the library.
Above, a magic circle materialized, glowing softly with intricate symbols, its edges pulsating with energy. The air around it shimmered, as though reality itself was bending.
The hum of arcane power filled the space, vibrating through the wooden shelves and ancient tomes. The magic circle slowly spun, its light growing brighter, casting eerie reflections on the stone walls of the library.
"Ahhh!"
And two figures come out of it and they land loudly flat on the floor, "Ompf!"
The heroine and the Knight.
Bonk!
"Ow!"
The ancient book falls down on Lord Ein's head who frowns not getting along with it.
The magic spell that they used to teleport into the library, with the condition that as long as it's a place where the light touches they are able to go there.
"Ugh..." (Lord Ein) sees the ancient book resting in his legs, he takes it by his hand and hesitates for a moment wondering if another ceiling will collapse if he touches something he's not supposed to.
He blames himself for what happened.
But then again they're in the library now, it should be safe.
"Your book landed on my head." He says, giving it back to Analissa who just sat up from the fall.
"Ow... ow..." (Analissa) stares at the book who helped them along the way before taking it in her own hands. In the original story of the game, this book was not included to be a used item by the player. "Oh-! Huh, I never expected that it's going to come with us."
The book which had its own consciousness flew into the air, happy to have found its new master and out of the hidden archives.
Lord Ein scoffed, "Me neither, I had enough of that book for one day but I have to give my personal thanks for leading aid when we needed it."
Hundreds of years being stuck doing nothing but roam around in the same place is not thrilling.
"Hi." The Japanese streamer could wonder what good will this sudden change in the story do moving forward. "We're actually in the library... I guess with the wand's and book's help I was able to cast a very high level magic on my own."
'I'm not sure if it's because of sheer luck or the pressure. Hell, maybe it's because my will to live and go home managed to get us back safely.' Paired with the newly obtained wand of light and the ancient book, she places it in her inventory casting the spell.
"[Inventorium]." Once everything is stored she stands up from the floor and offers a hand to Lord Ein. "Now let's get back to the stadium and see Losimer..."
The heroine couldn't finish her words.
A sharp groan tore from her lips as a wave of pain shot through her skull, each pulse of her headache feeling like it was splitting her mind in two. She pressed her hands to her temples, trying to steady herself, but the throbbing only intensified, leaving her breath shallow and uneven.
"Ugh... I ...can't feel my legs." Her voice was weak, almost a whisper, as if each word cost her strength. She collapsed against the wall, hands pressed to the cold stone floor for support.
His eyes widened, worry cutting through his usual composure. He reached out, but stopped himself, unsure if he could help without making things worse. "A-Are you okay?!"
"I... I feel so weak." She admitted, a shiver running through her body. Her breathing was shallow, and sweat dampened her brow. The lingering ache in her head made every blink a sharp sting.
'S-So... this is the consequence of using such a high level spell without practice.' The Japanese streamer struggles to keep herself away.
"That high level spell you used to save us must've depleted all of your mana." He said, kneeling beside her. "Using wands depletes it faster because of the core, if you want to keep using it you'll need to get more stamina and mana."
She let out a shaky breath, trying to steady herself.
"But... at least we're safe now." Her words were faint, yet carried a small spark of relief.
"No, we're not," (Lord Einsel) said firmly, his eyes scanning the quiet library with a sharp edge. If anyone saw them together then it'll cause misunderstandings. "It might be empty now, but if anyone catches us here together... rumors will spread. And you know how dangerous that could be."
He let out a soft sigh, the worry in his gaze softened by a hint of understanding. "...And I know that you and I- we're better off as friends."
The heroine's eyes sparkled with relief hearing him say that.
"Ahahaha!" (Analissa) chuckled, the sound light and teasing as she nudged him slightly. "Right back at you, buddy."
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