Wellrain had mountains of paperwork and really didn’t want to hold a meeting about his adult son’s education—but the sheer maternal pressure packed into that single “What?” crushed his resistance.
 
Truthfully, Wellrain already felt Addis had grown plenty—thanks to Raze. After all, his son—who’d previously insisted on joining the Knights instead of attending this academy—had sought training from Vanessa and started working hard…
 
Still, he couldn’t help wishing Addis would win this match. Yet his hopes dimmed seeing Raze, who’d only now picked up a weapon for the first time in this tournament.
 
 
And so—the final … Read the rest

[Uh… Uh. Can you hear me?]
 
The waiting room was empty except for Raze—strictly enforced to prevent cheating. Knowing this, someone had just accessed the magic stone’s communication function.
 
The voice, high-pitched yet somehow stiff, belonged to Major Julius Harley, who was assisting with tournament security.
 
After double-checking that no one else was nearby, Raze spoke up.
 
“I can hear you. Is this a private channel?”
 
[Yes. The person you’ve been letting run loose just moved after seeing the match results. Thought you’d want a report.]
 
Julius’s words snapped Raze out of her earlier … Read the rest

All the knives he’d thrown onto the ground had vanished without a trace.
 
Raze smiled sweetly, fanning out the small knives in both hands like playing cards.
 
When had she retrieved them?
 
Claude, who’d been leaping between shadows, hadn’t noticed a thing.
 
All he knew now was that tricks wouldn’t work anymore.
 
In a final desperate move, he leapt toward Raze’s own shadow—but she was one step ahead.
 
Before he knew it, his own hidden blade was pressed against his throat.
 
“That’s enough!!”
 
The referee’s call confirmed Raze’s advancement to the finals.… Read the rest

As the semifinal stage was set, the referee raised a hand, signaling that everything was ready. The arena, now nearing the festival’s climax, fell into a hushed silence as every spectator fixed their burning eyes on the match.
 
Who could have predicted that every single finalist would be a second-year?
 
It wasn’t that the third-years were weak—quite the opposite. These second-years were just freakishly strong. Even knowing this wasn’t a universal truth, they couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy toward those born in the “Year of Seiran (Fine Orchid).”
 
But the one drawing the most attention was Raze … Read the rest

“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 … Read the rest

Once lunch ended, the matches to determine the Top 8 began. The tournament champion would be decided as early as tomorrow. From this point onward, every match would take place in the central arena—“Room C”—drawing the full attention of every spectator.
 
For Raze to face Ruben, who was on the opposite bracket, she absolutely had to make it to the finals.
 
She’d just have to endure being the center of everyone’s—students, parents, all ages—gaze a little while longer.
 
“Granoli. I know it’s weird to say this myself, but… I’m pretty stubborn.”
 
“…? Yes.”
 
Facing Ian in the arena, Raze frowned … Read the rest

 
“Granoli! I’m up next! It’s me you’re fighting!!”
 
The moment Raze appeared in the spectator seats, Ian—who’d already finished his match—rushed over.
 
Her next opponent was Ian Masse Droua.
 
Of the original otome game cast, only Ruben, Ian, Addis, and Claude remained.
 
Unfortunately, Folia had lost in the second round, and Carne fell to a strong third-year candidate in the third round.
 
“I won’t let you win so easily this time!”
 
“I’m looking forward to it.”
 
Raze grinned at Ian. As she advanced, opponents had started drawing weapons early to keep her at bay—but since her high-speed movement wasn’t on … Read the rest

“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 … Read the rest

“To conceal one’s strength so thoroughly from others… Truly, she lives up to her title as a living legend…”
 
“More like ‘not letting others realize’ rather than ‘concealing,’ I’d say. Her specialty being mobility magic makes it inherently hard to notice—unlike flashy, obvious elements like fire or water. Though in her case… she seems to go beyond the very category of ‘mobility’ itself.”
 
Harrens hadn’t seen his friend this happy in ages. He’d long suspected Wellrain had taken quite a liking to Raze.
 
“I never imagined the ‘Reaper’s Toy Maker’ would lend a hand for a student … Read the rest

A line from the Prophecy Book Carne had given her flashed through her mind: “Ruben will win the second-year Battle Festa.” She also knew the book mentioned Ian winning the previous winter tournament—but unless there was actual danger involved, Raze had never cared about match outcomes.
 
(For someone to specifically predict something happening inside the academy… this ‘Seeress of Foresight’ is almost certainly another transmigrator who knows about the otome game…)
 
Normally, she wouldn’t have cared who won as long as the students gave it their all. But now? Facing His Highness with some reverse-harem or hundred-chapter-long plot … Read the rest