[Raul's POV]
After resting and recovering from my wounds for a few hours, I returned to the participants' stands to witness the final match of this round.
Upon arriving there, it was seen that only Brian, Princess Alisha, and Leon—the participants who had not yet fallen—were present to watch the last match. That meant it was now Elena's turn against one of the third-year seniors. Sitting in one of the remaining empty chairs, I then looked toward the arena field.
Elena and her opponent were already in the middle of the field. If I am not mistaken, his name is Renald de Nerona—the former head of the disciplinary committee whom I replaced. He is a Brawler and, if I recall correctly, he possesses Earth Nature Mana.
"Are both participants ready?" asked the Promoter.
Elena and Senior Renald nodded.
"The eighth and final match of this second round, begins!"
After the Promoter announced the start of the match, Elena immediately unsheathed her sword and then darted toward Senior Renald using a combination of Acceleration magic and a Charging technique, allowing her to appear before the Senior in an instant.
Elena then performed a diagonal upward slash, but her attack was able to be withheld by Senior Renald's left hand. His arm was seen to be enveloped by adhering earth, keeping him safe from the cutting wound caused by Elena's slash. The Senior performed a counter-attack toward Elena, but the blonde-haired woman managed to avoid it by retreating backward.
She then took a deep breath and released it slowly. Elena then held her sword with two hands and displayed a stance. Could it be... she is going to perform her sword dances this time?
Elena again dashed toward Senior Renald; she then launched a ten-slash combo at her opponent. The Senior was seen having difficulty avoiding or withstanding Elena's rapid attacks. The blonde-haired woman then launched one final powerful slash aimed at the Senior's chest.
- Tang!
A loud sound was created when the Senior's earth-enveloped hand was struck by Elena's slash. However, even though the Senior had tried to withstand Elena's attack, his body was still thrown backward due to the strength of that strike. The Senior's body was seen to be covered in cutting wounds as a result of Elena's attack combo earlier.
Elena de Aragon...
In this academy, there is no one who can rival the swordplay she possesses. That is because since she was a child, she was trained directly by one of the Grand Espadas—Raymond de Chatelon. In last year's tournament, she was even able to break the record as a first-year student who successfully reached the final round.
Truly, Elena is an extremely terrifying opponent if you cannot counter the speed she possesses. I wonder who would win if she fought Princess Alisha. The Princess from the northernmost land possesses a terrifying Profound Codex that can halt Elena's speed.
Returning to the fight, Senior Renald was seen murmuring something. Not long after, the earth around him began to envelop his body and then formed an armor to protect him from Elena's attacks. Seeing this, the blonde-haired woman was also seen murmuring an incantation. The sword she gripped was then enveloped by yellow lightning.
Lightning Blade, huh? It seems this is enough to pierce through the Senior's earth magic defense.
Elena again dashed using Acceleration magic; the ground passed by Elena's lightning sword was seen starting to crumble and scatter due to the magical pressure she possessed. Senior Renald also ran toward Elena; it seemed both of them wanted to end this match by clashing attacks.
The distance between the two closed; the Senior's right hand was seen glowing, a sign that he had activated Temper magic.
- Clang!
Elena's slash clashed with the Senior's punch, but the Senior's body was seen collapsing to the ground after clashing attacks with Elena. The armor enveloping his right hand was seen shattered, and blood began to spray out from that hand of his. Not long after, he declared his surrender, and the final match was finished, won by Elena.
After this match, the second round of the Grunbelt Academy tournament had ended. The participants who qualified for the quarter-finals are Leon, Brian, Geralt, Elena, Princess Alisha, Senior Luis, and I. The eight of us will strive to be the best tomorrow.
.
.
.
In the evening, the participants and Nobles in attendance gathered again in the main hall. This is the final night of this Grunbelt Academy tournament event. After this ends, not long after, the academy will hold a graduation ceremony for the third-year students; after that, the students will receive a two-month vacation. I wonder, what will I do during that spare time?
At this moment, I was walking around to find some fresh air. Inside the main hall, it was too noisy for me, as I like a quiet atmosphere. Going upstairs, I wanted to stay still on a balcony of this building to see the beauty of the night sky.
However, upon arriving there, I found a beautiful blonde-haired woman spending time alone on the building's balcony.
"Hey, Raul," she greeted me. "Looking for some air as well?"
I walked closer and then stood beside her.
"Exactly, it is too noisy in there for me," I answered her. "Then, what are you doing here, President? Are you not usually accompanying that Prince in this academy?"
Hearing my question, for some reason, her face turned into a pout.
"I told you, didn't I? If there are only the two of us, call me by my name properly," she said, appearing annoyed. "Besides, accompanying Prince Vlad is not my wish, but rather a task given by my father."
Speaking about the Prince, I remembered his words to me before the match. The Kingdom of Draconia did not plan to conduct a marriage between him and Elena to form an alliance against the Republic of Venetia. However, after the Empire lost the war, the Kingdom of Draconia, working together with the Republic, requested the Empire to marry Elena to Vlad as one of the peace treaties.
However, before this marriage could be realized, Elena was first killed by the scheme of Duke Alvaro—the father of Raul de Garcia. Remembering the events that existed in the game, I stared at Elena's beautiful face, which looked confused by my attitude.
"What is it, Raul?"
There were so many factions targeting Elena in the power struggle within the Empire later. How can I save this woman from the enemy plots that threaten her?
"Hey..."
My daydreaming was broken when Elena's smooth hand touched my cheek.
"Exactly what are you thinking about that you didn't hear my words, Raul?" Elena asked.
Her face was very close; the warmth of her hand on my cheek somehow made me very comfortable.
"It is nothing, Elena," I answered her. "I was only thinking about what will await us when the election period has come."
After saying that, suddenly Elena's hand that was touching my cheek pinched it hard.
"Elena, it hurts," I complained to her.
"Do not think about that too much for now," Elena said, responding to my previous words with a very beautiful smile. "We will face it together, won't we? So do not worry."
Seeing Elena's smile, somehow my intention to follow her to protect this land felt as if it had changed. Initially, my motivation to want to make Elena the Emperor was to make this land better. However, now it seems that has changed. I want to protect that beautiful smile of hers no matter what.
"Besides, what you should be worried about now is this tournament," Elena said, looking happy. "Our two fights at that time always ended in a draw, you know; now is the time to settle that, isn't it?"
Ah... At the time of the survival exam, huh? It is true; our duel at that time always ended in a draw because it was interrupted by other people.
"This is the time to enjoy our fight without anyone else interfering, Raul," Elena said. "I hope to fight you in this tournament."
Fighting Elena in an open arena field will be very difficult. I do not have anything to counter the crazy speed she possesses. She also already knows about Reject Impact from when I used this magic on her that time.
While we were talking, suddenly I heard the strain of music coming from the main hall. It seems they have started the dance event on this final night.
"Hey, Raul," Elena called. "This is the final night of this event; do you want to dance with me?"
These past two nights, Elena always danced with Vlad because that man always followed her everywhere. I think only this once has she been free from him; that man seemingly did not come to this place at all after losing to me.
"I am not skilled at dancing, Elena," I answered her.
"Don't worry, I will guide you," Elena said while holding my left hand and then placing it on her waist. "You feel so stiff; hold my body more tightly."
Following her instructions, I tightened my grip on Elena's waist. Her body was getting closer to mine; I could also smell the scent of her perfume, which was very refreshing.
My right hand was grabbed by her left hand; we crossed our fingers together. Elena then placed her right hand on my shoulder.
"Let us begin," she said while smiling at me. "Follow my movements."
We began to step; I followed Elena's foot movement pattern slowly. Her blue gaze was seen focused on my eyes, making me want to turn my gaze away from her.
"Hey, it is an etiquette in dancing to look into your partner's eyes, you know," Elena said, correcting my attitude.
Hearing her reprimand, I went back to looking into her eyes. A beautiful face like an angel, her eyes as beautiful as the blue ocean, and her smile which was very enchanting. It seems I cannot blame Vlad if he was crazy about a woman this beautiful.
On that last night, Elena and I danced under the night sky decorated with stars and the beautiful moonlight without a single person interfering at all.
"Let us enjoy this night together, just the two of us, Raul..."