“I accept your apology! Please don’t worry about it anymore!”
“But even if you don’t care, I still do.”
Luca muttered sulkily under his breath.
“—In the Strange family, we’re taught that whether it’s wealth or strength, those who hold power must wield it justly to guide the people. Power isn’t meant to be hidden—it should be raised high as a beacon for all. …So honestly, I don’t think it’s right that you’ve been concealing your abilities all this time.”
Seeing Raze nod in acknowledgment, he continued.
“Exceptional talent deserves proper recognition.”
His eyes locked firmly onto hers—any trace of earlier frustration gone.
In those words, spoken with the weight of an unyielding conviction, Raze sensed his core belief.
“—Don’t lose.”
“…I won’t. I won’t lose to anyone.”
His words felt like a firm push at her back.
Raze nodded resolutely, silently vowing to fight her way through the tournament.
Until now, as a soldier, she’d only ever focused on defeating enemies outright. She’d never bothered trying to understand those she couldn’t relate to. Yet through this clash, even if full agreement was impossible, mutual understanding had emerged.
This kind of connection… isn’t so bad after all.
Though their exchange had been one-sided and hardly a proper argument, given her lofty status, few ever confronted her directly like this. That Luca had engaged with her so earnestly filled her with unexpected warmth.
“Ah, Raze-chan! Luca-kun!”
Since Raze and Luca were barely in the same group, they returned together to the spectator seats.
Folia, still buzzing with excitement, greeted them with sparkling eyes.
“You got completely outplayed, Luca.”
“I wasn’t careless, you know…”
Ruben’s comment drew a sigh from Luca as he took his seat.
“As frustrating as it is… Granoli won decisively. At my current level, I don’t stand a chance.”
The others stared at him in astonishment. Given his usual disdain for commoners attending a noble academy, no one expected him to praise Raze so openly.
Ignoring their curious stares, Luca kept his eyes fixed on the ongoing matches.
“To think Luca would say something like that…”
“You really are amazing, Raze!”
Ruben murmured admiringly, while Carne beamed at Raze with pure delight.
Though Raze felt she hadn’t done anything extraordinary, Carne’s goddess-like smile made her blush.
“Raze-chan… you didn’t bring a practice sword because you planned to rely on speed from the start, right?”
“Yep! Strike first, strike hard—instant knockout! Cool, huh?”
Raze answered Folia with a bashful grin.
“…Why are you so unusually motivated this year?”
A calm voice interjected from the side.
It was Addis. His gaze seemed to probe into Raze’s thoughts.
Internally, she flinched.
(He’s way too perceptive…)
Annoying as it was, she had to admit—Addis’s intuition impressed her.
So far, only Raze, Carne, Ruben, and Addis knew about the whole “otome game” situation.
Carne and Ruben were happily wrapped up in their own little world, but Addis remained unusually wary whenever Raze was involved.
Since he clearly saw her as a rival, she needed to tread carefully—but standing out in this tournament was unavoidable.
“I just learned from last year’s mistakes and prepared a proper finishing move this time.”
She offered a casual excuse, but Addis merely replied with a knowing “Hmm.”
(I can’t exactly say it’s to defy the ‘Seeress of Foresight’s’ prophecy…)
She was almost certain the priestess in Magenda Empire was a transmigrator. The fact that she’d specifically prophesied about this academy practically confirmed she was one of those “I got isekai’d into an otome game!” types.
And if that was true, last year’s intruder was very likely an assassin sent by the Empire.
“Finishing move!? That’s so cool! I wanna fight Granoli!”
Ian’s unusually high-energy exclamation snapped Raze back to reality.
Meeting his wide, puppy-like eyes, she couldn’t help but smile.
“If you don’t lose, you’ll get your chance.”
The group around her gasped.
Did she mean she wouldn’t lose—or that Ian wouldn’t?
Anyone who watched Raze closely knew the answer. Her eyes gleamed with fighting spirit, brimming with confidence.
She had no intention of losing this tournament.
“Ghh…! Now I’m fired up!”
Uncharacteristically provoked, Ian’s competitive spirit blazed even brighter.
And he wasn’t the only one inspired by her declaration.
Addis and Claude—those who still couldn’t gauge Raze’s true strength—quietly began watching for their chance to face her.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT gadgetizedpanda.net
[Wowww! In Court Ding, another instant knockout right at the start! Second-year Raze Granoli just won’t slow down!!]
[Seriously, what’s incredible about her isn’t just her speed—it’s that even when you know it’s coming, you still can’t stop her!]
Cheers filled the arena. The announcers’ lively commentary. The Battle Festa’s excitement had reached its peak.
“Finally down to the Sweet Sixteen…”
From the entire student body, only sixteen remained.
Raze had won every match so far using the exact same tactic. Not a single opponent had landed a hit on her.
(His Lordship aside, I can’t afford to show my subordinates a sloppy performance. Better stay sharp.)
She glanced briefly toward the spectator seats and spotted “them.” Her eyes softened unconsciously—but only for a split second.
Returning her gaze forward, she walked back to her seat, bearing the weight of countless curious stares.
“Did the Representative just look over here?”
“Ah. I thought so too! Me as well.”
Two men noticed Raze’s fleeting glance.
[Kyaa! Go Raze!! My angel! Did you see that!? Since her opponent was a girl, she skipped the lariat and went straight to a princess carry! I want that too! Did you guys see it!?]
“Whoa—!”
The sudden voice blasting through their earpiece-style magical devices made both men flinch.
“We saw, but please don’t use the comms for unrelated chatter, Major Julia…”
“Oh, come on, Cross. Don’t be so stiff! Julia’s using a private channel just for us!”
Major Julius Harley—affectionately dubbed “the Army Diva”—watched over Raze alongside her subordinates: Representative Cross Bonart and Lieutenant Harul Dicard.
Since Raze needed to focus on her matches, Cross and Harul had volunteered for guard duty.
On the first day, they’d managed to sneak a quick visit—and Raze’s utterly shocked expression was priceless. They’d refrained from further contact (since anyone could be watching), but the fact that Raze always spotted them wherever they hid filled them with quiet joy.
Now, Julia was in the command room overlooking the venue (thanks to his exceptional scouting skills), while Cross and Harul blended into the crowd wearing expensive-looking casual clothes that made them pass as distant relatives of some noble family. Their conversation continued over the comms.
[Exactly! No way she’d miss that! Oh—and did you catch her last line? “Shall we continue, my princess?” Since when did she learn such cheesy lines!?]
Cross and Harul frowned at Julia’s squealing in their ears—but having read Raze’s lips themselves, they had to agree.
“If the Representative were a man, this tournament would’ve been chaos…”
[What are you talking about, Representative? She’s plenty dangerous as a woman! I bet a ton of students fell for her today.]
“…True enough.”
Cross and Harul spoke in unison.
[You two are so lucky to witness Raze’s shining moment live!]
“Shining moment, huh…”
[What? You’ve got something to say?]
Noticing Harul’s hesitation, Julia pressed him. Cross beside him also looked puzzled.
“It’s just… the Representative’s not even serious. I want everyone to see how truly amazing she really is.”
Cross chuckled at Harul’s sulky expression.
“You know, you’re totally head-over-heels for the Representative.”
“Well, sure, I hate getting stuck with all the annoying non-combat tasks—but I’ve never actually disliked her, you know.”
She’s just doing her job, after all, Harul added.
Cross already knew Harul didn’t hate Raze—that’s exactly why he teased him about being “head-over-heels.” But Harul didn’t seem to get it. Though the rest of the 537th Battalion called him “the rabid dog leashed by the Representative,” Harul remained oblivious to how obviously he trusted her—despite fully acknowledging his own battle-hungry nature.
Cross smiled faintly and spoke again.
“Well, I get it. The Representative’s real strength goes way beyond that… But honestly? I’m glad only we know.”
“…I thought I was the troublesome one, but you’re even worse…”
Harul recoiled slightly at Cross’s words.
[Haaah… I’m so jealous. I wish I were in Raze’s unit too.]
Julia sighed, having overheard their exchange.
[You two are off guard duty during lunch today, right? Could one of you come to my room? I need someone to deliver Raze’s bento.]
Cross and Harul snapped to attention.
“You’d let us?”
[I can’t sneak away during lunch today… You should eat with her at least once. I’ve prepared portions for you too. I’ve cleared it with command, and you are properly disguised, right?]
They exchanged glances and chorused, “Thank you very much!”
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