[Alisha's PoV]
The moment I mentioned I was Raul's fiancée, for some reason, they were all utterly shocked. Isn't a marriage between nobles supposed to be perfectly normal?
The blond-haired boy wore a foolish expression, while his red-haired friend looked annoyed by the behavior of the guy beside him. The woman named Ariel covered her mouth with both hands in disbelief, and Valeria looked as though she had a thousand questions she wanted to fire at me.
"How could this even happen!? Did he threaten and force you!? Does your family owe—Oucchh!"
The boy named Brian was cut short because Valeria struck his head hard.
"Valeria! What are you doing!?" Brian protested, clutching his head.
"Shut up, you idiot! You're being incredibly rude by questioning Princess Alisha's private life!" Valeria exclaimed, looking thoroughly irritated.
"But I'm right, aren't I? How could a woman as beautiful as Alisha want to marry a man as depraved as Raul!?" Brian said, raising his voice. "He's always hurting women's feelings, looking down on non-noble students, has no honor, and always does whatever he pleases!"
Ahhh... this is interesting. It seems this boy truly despises Raul de Garcia. Do they have a specific history that makes him hate him this much? Fufufu~ Time to find out more about my future husband. It's time to gossip like noble wives during a gathering.
"You're right, Brian. Just the night before last, I found him enjoying himself with an courtesan at night," I revealed, telling them how I first met Raul. "I didn't expect him to choose spending time with a street woman over welcoming his fiancée, hiks."
I tried to put on a fake expression of sadness. Brian's face reddened with renewed anger at my words.
"That damn noble! Even after I beat him in a duel, he still finds it hard to change!" Brian said, revealing unexpected information.
Hoo~ So he defeated Raul once? Judging by the mana aura Brian possesses, his is indeed far greater than Raul's, which is almost imperceptible. However, Brian is indeed a bit abnormal; his mana aura feels even larger than that of a mage like me.
"Cih, truly a useless man," Brian cursed. "Princess Alisha, what if I challenge him again to cancel your marriage plans?" Brian offered.
Hmm... Bold, reckless, and a bit of an idiot—this man has a unique character. This Brian fellow is quite interesting. What if I test him?
"Brian, you want me to cancel my engagement with Raul de Garcia, don't you?" I asked to clarify.
"Of course! A man like him isn't a fit for a graceful woman like you, Princess Alisha!" Brian answered passionately.
"Alright, how about this," I said, looking into Brian's eyes. "If you can defeat me in the main tournament, then I will break off my engagement with Raul de Garcia. How about it, Brian?"
Hearing my challenge, Brian fell silent for a moment as if he couldn't believe what he had just heard.
"But Princess Alisha, why must we fight? Isn't it enough if I just beat that scoundrel?" Brian asked, looking confused.
I let out a small laugh. He knows nothing of this world; he is like a frog in a pond that doesn't know the ocean.
"Naturally, it's because I am a powerful mage," I answered confidently. "My family is the one that planned this engagement; if you can't even defeat me, how could you possibly change their choice?"
Everyone looked shocked. Did they think I was just a weak woman who couldn't fight? How naive. They truly don't know that the world is vast and full of people far greater than them.
"Fine, if that's what you want, Princess Alisha! I'll definitely win against you in the tournament!" Brian shouted, looking fired up.
While this wasn't an engagement I truly wanted, at least I can have some fun here by mentally bullying naive students like Brian, making them realize their immaturity. I often do this to Leon to tame him and ensure he never defies my orders. Previously, Leon had a personality just like Brian's.
"Princess Alisha, so this is where you are."
Suddenly, I heard a voice from behind calling my name. Turning around, I saw the black-haired man with a flat expression walking toward us.
"I've been looking everywhere for you to discuss something, but here you are, busy talking to other men."
Emmm... why does this situation feel so familiar?
"No, Raul, it's not what you think," I replied, so he wouldn't get the wrong idea.
Wait, why am I acting like a wife caught cheating behind her husband's back!? Hold on, what did he actually want to talk to me about?
"Can I borrow Princess Alisha for a moment?" Raul asked the four of them.
They all agreed except for Brian, who suddenly stepped forward to protect me from Raul.
"You have no right to force Princess Alisha to follow you, Raul!" Brian shouted, trying to intimidate the man in front of him.
Seeing Brian's stance, Raul sighed. He then looked at me for an answer.
"Alright," I replied. "Leon, you stay here and chat with our new friends," I commanded.
"But Princess—"
I glared at him sharply before he could finish. It seemed he was worried about leaving me alone with Raul.
The two of us then left the cafeteria to speak in a more private place. I didn't know where he was taking me; it seemed he didn't want this conversation overheard by others.
"Where are you taking me?"
"We'll be there in a moment," he answered casually.
We arrived at a building where many students were active.
"This is the Student Council building; we'll talk in the Disciplinary Committee office," he explained.
Not long after, he opened a door. Several students inside were busy reading. Their attention turned to me.
"Continue your reading; we just want to talk for a moment in my office," Raul said to them.
He then opened a door labeled Captain and stepped inside. I followed him; his desk was covered in documents. What exactly has he been doing to have this many papers?
"Sorry, it's a bit messy. Have a seat," he said, sitting in a chair. I did as he instructed.
"So, what did you want to talk about, Raul?" I asked.
"It's about the details of my father's cooperation with your family," Raul answered, his expression looking different this time. "He didn't tell me the details of our marriage agreement. Do you know anything about this?"
Is that so? So he doesn't know about the deal with Duke Alvaro at all. But is it alright to reveal this without his father's knowledge?
"We are going to be a couple, Princess Alisha," Raul said in a lower tone than usual. "At the very least, I want to know why I have to marry someone I don't know at all."
"Fine, I'll tell you," I replied. I figured there was no harm in letting him know. "Duke Alvaro will build production sites in our country, and he will also send his people to carry out the work."
Hearing my answer, Raul looked thoughtful. "Your government isn't involved in this construction at all?"
"Yes... we only provide the land and let them build it themselves."
Thinking back on it, for some reason, I feel we might have been wrong to let Duke Alvaro build things in our country without supervision.
"Is that so...?" Raul muttered softly. "Can I get a map of the construction locations?"
"I can't. I need my father's permission if I'm to give it to you," I answered. We can't just reveal the locations of our nation's vital assets to anyone.
"I understand," he said casually. "I think I'll visit your country someday, Princess Alisha."
Visit my country, huh? But... right now, my country is still devastated by the waves of non-stop monster attacks. Thinking about it makes my heart heavy again for leaving them during such difficult times.
***
[Raul's PoV]
The next day, the qualifying rounds for the year-end tournament began. Students would compete every afternoon to determine who would qualify for the main event. Currently, a second-year student of the Brawler club was fighting a first-year student of the Swordsman club.
"Cih, look at that idiot! He's going to embarrass our club again!"
"How shameful to be beaten to a pulp by a first-year!"
The students gathered at the arena watched as the first-year student continuously attacked his senior without giving him a single chance to strike back. The second-year's body was covered in wounds; he was reaching his limit.
—Brak!
With that final strike, the fight ended. The first-year student defeated his senior in the first round of the qualifiers. A student from the Priest class ran over to treat the defeated second-year's wounds.
"Weakling Thomas ruined the Brawler club's reputation by losing to a junior!"
"We have to teach him a lesson after this."
A few students from the Brawler class followed as the defeated student left the arena. I also left to see where they were going. Soon, they forced Thomas to a certain spot. I followed them secretly using the Featherstep technique, ensuring my footsteps made no sound.
They entered the Eldwood Forest—the same forest where Brian, Ariel, and Sephira's brother fought the monster that killed my servant. They stopped and threw Thomas against a tree; the poor student's face twisted in pain. I quickly hid in the trees.
"Ughhh... why do you always bother me! What do you want!?" Thomas cried out, on the verge of tears.
"Listen here, moron," one of the bullies said, stepping on Thomas's head. "Your loss to that junior tarnished the Brawler club's name, you know?"
"That's right. It's only fitting we teach you a lesson, isn't it?" another bully said, kicking Thomas in the stomach.
He groaned in pain, tears streaming down his face. It was a pitiful sight; humiliated by his junior in a fight, and now tormented by his own club members.
"I'm sorry! Please, stop this!" Thomas cried, prostrating himself without a shred of dignity.
"Cih, just get out of our club, you weakling!"
Leave the club? With Thomas's current abilities, he could never pass the exams on his own. He needed a club to teach him to master his chosen fighting style.
"Please! Give me a chance! I'll be useful this time! I'll do anything, just don't kick me out!" Thomas pleaded desperately.
He seemed to be a student from a less-privileged background. Some from outside the capital receive recommendations from local elementary schools, but the quality of those schools lags far behind those in the Imperial Capital.
"Look at this pathetic fool with no self-respect," one bully said. "Just looking at him makes me sick!"
"From now on, you're our slave if you don't want to be kicked out of the club, understand?"
Hearing their words, Thomas could only nod. He had no choice but to obey if he wanted to stay. The bullies then unzipped their pants and began to urinate on Thomas.
"Wahahaha!"
"Gyahahahah!"
They laughed at him, defiling him, ensuring Thomas knew his position was far below theirs. After they were satisfied trampling the poor student's dignity, they left him alone in the forest. Thomas hugged his knees, weeping over his grim fate.
But then, something unexpected happened. A student suddenly appeared and walked toward the still-crying Thomas.
"Hey, want me to teach you how to become strong?" the man asked.
"Huh? Wh-who are you? I've never seen your face at the academy before?" Thomas asked with a trembling voice.
"Of course you haven't," the man said with a sadistic smile. "That's because I only just joined this academy."
Indeed... the man appearing before Thomas was Prince Vlad mel Dracus. The student who had just entered Grunbelt Academy a few days ago.