“Looks like someone’s finally woken up from the ‘Good Kids’ Naptime Lariat.’”
“Couldn’t you phrase that better, Harul?”
“Huh? Don’t you get it? I think it’s pretty clear… Besides, if this were a mission, it’d be the kind of ‘nap’ you never wake up from.”
Seeing Cross’s puzzled expression, Harul chuckled wryly.
[Ahaha! I get what you mean. There’s a world of difference between a theatrical lariat that just flips students onto their backs—and the real thing.]
Julia, listening over the radio, laughed cheerfully.
[But it’s nice to see there are some spirited boys around. Truly golden eggs, just as expected.]
“Indeed. I don’t mind people who dive in headfirst without caring how they look.”
When Julia praised Ian for maintaining his fighting spirit even after being knocked down, Cross agreed.
“Is that so? Well, I’d still pass on someone like Zelhide.”
Harul recalled Zelhide Nitt Orsanya, the major who’d led the 302nd Special Assault Battalion—and whom they’d utterly crushed during joint training.
“That’s different. Honestly, I think he’s kinda like you.”
“Huh? Seriously?”
“Yeah. The way he’s eager to fight the Representative—it’s similar. I wonder if he’d ever join us. He’d probably get along with the rest of the team too.”
“…………”
Spot on, Harul fell silent.
[Fufu. Well, she’s probably getting a bit bored by now anyway. A little excitement like this might be good for her. Look—she’s actually surprised!]
“Seems that way.”
Cross glanced at the screen just as Raze’s expression flashed across it—and nodded in agreement.
Though Harul’s “Good Kids’ Naptime Lariat” had been nullified, seeing Raze secure a solid victory, the two exchanged glances.
“Kinda makes you wonder… maybe we’ll finally see the Representative struggle for once.”
“Don’t say ominous things like that…”
“Just kidding! Just kidding!”
But when Harul said it, it didn’t sound like a joke at all—and when Cross glared at him flatly, he just shrugged.
“Well, honestly… I’d love to see something so incredible it makes everyone watching faint from shock.”
Cross grunted thoughtfully. He tried imagining it seriously—but unless something truly extraordinary happened, he couldn’t picture Raze ever causing a scene like that on stage.
“…That might be a bit much, don’t you think?”
“Yeah, probably. Even if it happened, she’s so fast nobody’d even see what occurred.”
“Heh. That’s true enough.”
Since they could both vividly picture it, Harul and Cross burst out laughing.
Unaware her subordinates were talking about her like this, Raze was at that very moment back in the stands, beaming as she happily devoured the leftover tart they’d brought her.
After her match with Ian, the remaining competitors were Raze, Claude, Addis, and Ruben—all second-years. Everyone else left was third-year.
Raze and Claude were on the same side of the bracket, while Addis and Ruben were on the opposite side. That meant she still had two more romanceable characters to face.
(Will His Highness end up against Lord Addis? Well, Lord Addis has been letting His Highness save face so far, and according to otome game logic, His Highness should smoothly advance to the finals.)
Raze studied the tournament bracket, already mentally preparing for the final. Of course, Headmaster Harrens had personally asked her to win—so she had zero intention of losing.
She’d face a third-year in the next round, then clash with Claude in the semifinals.
After that, Ruben and Addis would meet in their own semifinal, competing for the other spot in the final.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT gadgetizedpanda.net
“Semifinals already? And everyone left is second-year…? Truly golden eggs generation. I thought a tournament with all students would be boring, but it’s flown by faster than expected.”
Harul, mingling among the spectators, spoke to Cross seated beside him.
“Yeah. Well, as long as the Representative keeps winning, it’s never dull.”
Cross replied—and Harul grinned.
“Even if she’s been sending everyone off with that ‘Good Kids’ Naptime Lariat.’”
“True—but earlier was different, right? By the semifinals, we might see some new moves.”
Cross looked down at Raze entering the arena.
The stern-faced Lieutenant Colonel Orphan, who fought on the battlefield with unwavering focus and concern for everyone’s safety, wasn’t here. This was just a diligent 17-year-old girl studying at the academy.
How many people here truly understood that this girl possessed the strength to represent their entire nation as a soldier? Most likely, even if they’d heard of the legendary “Wolf Fang,” they’d never connect that title to her.
That was her strength—but the way adults here kept eyeing her, clearly scouting to poach her after graduation, irritated Cross deeply.
“Representative… you will come back to us after graduation, right…?”
The words slipped out softly. Seeing Harul’s stunned expression, Cross realized he’d spoken his thoughts aloud.
“Ah—no, I just—”
Somehow, Cross tried to bluff his way out of the awkward moment, but his tongue tied itself in knots and no coherent words came out. He was pretty sure he hadn’t said anything that warranted scolding—but whatever he’d just blurted out now seemed like something he absolutely shouldn’t have, leaving Cross utterly bewildered by himself.
“How should I know? Beats me, as far as we’re concerned. Representative’s having fun just staying here anyway. Though, I guess if she disappears, that prime seat nobody else can sit in’ll finally open up.”
Harul put on a playful front with his words, but somewhere deep down, he looked bored as he crossed his legs and stared blankly at the screen.
Meanwhile, Raze was just about to face Claude and exchange pleasantries—Claude would say, “Please go easy on me,” and she’d smile sweetly back, “Likewise.”
With those unreadable, faint smiles, they greeted each other briefly before taking their positions. Having faced off against each other on the field so many times already, both stood relaxed and at ease, as if this were just another ordinary day.
“Oh? Looks like we won’t be dozing off this time either, huh?”
Noticing something, Harul leaned forward, shifting his weight off the backrest.
Cross, tearing his gaze away from Harul, followed his line of sight.
“…Seems there’s quite a loophole in the tournament rules, huh?”
Realizing what Harul meant, Cross’s eyes sharpened.
Both of their gazes were fixed on Claude Or Rezaia’s feet.
“Guess nobody’s fought like Representative before. From now on, we’ll probably see more fighters using tactics like hers, right?”
“Amazing. Maybe they’ll even start calling it ‘The Granoli Style’ or something.”
“You’ve got zero naming sense for someone who complains so much about others.”
“…………”
Stung right where it hurt, Cross clamped his mouth shut tight.
“Hah! Well, whatever happens, that person’s bound to make history wherever they go.”
Harul chuckled, shoulders shaking with amusement.
“A shadow user, huh? And the butler chief’s son, no less—bet he handles some shady jobs on the side too. This could turn into a pretty good match.”
“But our Representative’s still the best, no question.”
At Harul’s confident declaration, Cross’s eyes widened in surprise.
“No matter what anyone says,” Harul added proudly, “she’s our Representative now, isn’t she?”
“Yeah… that’s true.”
On this point alone, Cross had no choice but to agree with his partner—and grinned back at him.
Also check out my friend Localizermeerkat for more LN translations!
BUY THE SOURCE MATERIAL TO SUPPORT THE AUTHOR !!!
Kindly click on the green button above and contribute to filling the green bar if you’re interested in having another LN from the request page translated. Also, every donation is being used to purchase the source material and to fund more English translations.
Please consider joining my Ko-Fi membership. By becoming a member, you’ll also gain access to 2-10 additional chapters of all of the novels from this site translated into English. Last but not least your support will also assist me in upholding the translation quality and speed. For more information, please follow the link.
Donation for faster release is always welcome
Additionally, I am now accepting translation requests.
