Chapter 74: The Third Day of the Festival (III).
===
Noble Stand: Alarie Family
===
The arena was a vast circle of stone and sand, tiered with rows of spectators. At its heart, the floor where students competed. Surrounding that, an outer ring for the common crowd. But above the center ring- elevated and impossible to miss- stood the noble stands. Not the highest seats, but the most commanding.
And seated at the very front, where shadow and sunlight met, was Grand Duke Vernon Alarie.
His presence didn't need an announcement.
He simply was.
Draped in a dark cloak trimmed with silver, he sat reclined in a throne-like chair- crafted for comfort, designed for dominance. His gloved fingers held a half-burned cigar, the smoke trailing upward like a phantom. Behind him, the banners of House Alarie hung heavy in the breeze.
"...hm."
Lady Evelyn stood on the arena floor, halfway between the center and the noble ring. Her shoes crunched faintly against the gravel. The sun was on her shoulders, but her father's shadow stretched long from above.
She looked up.
He looked down.
For a moment, nothing moved.
Grand Duke Vernon took a slow drag from his cigar. Then, without looking away, he spoke- "You kept me waiting."
Lady Evelyn squared her shoulders. "I wasn't told that you'd be coming to watch the competition."
"That's why I had the knights escort you here." He replied, flicking ash off the cigar with an idle hand. "Hardly the entrance a daughter of House Alarie should make."
She grit her teeth behind a neutral expression. "Perhaps a warning would've been appreciated, father. You didn't even... attend the play... you and mother."
"Your mother couldn't make it, she's busy." He exhaled slowly, the smoke wreathing around him like a crown. "And in my case, plays are a waste of time. Hmph, every noble here has now seen my daughter sitting amongst the common folk and minor nobles."
There was no warmth in his words.
Only calculation.
"Do you think that's a good look for the eldest daughter of the noble house Alarie?" He asked, standing now for the first time- tall, broad, and utterly composed. "We have matters to discuss. And eyes to impress."
A knight at Evelyn's side gave a small bow, gesturing for her to ascend the narrow staircase that led to the noble ring.
She looked up at her father once more.
Then she moved.
Not with obedience.
Not with rebellion.
But with control.
"I'm not one to attend events due to my busy schedule but once I've heard of the magic duel competition's volunteers and faculty selected students. I couldn't believe your name-" He took a look at the poster provided by the faculty and scoffed. "-was not there."
He motioned with two fingers- subtle, sharp.
Lady Evelyn stepped forward without hesitation, shoes quiet on the stone as she approached the edge of the noble ring. She stopped just before him, posture perfect, expression unreadable.
Numb.
Eyes that gave away nothing.
Grand Duke Vernon looked down at her, the faintest trace of disappointment creasing his brow. The arena, once loud with life, seemed to fall into respectful silence again.
He took a moment- just enough to let tension bloom then spoke in a low, pointed voice:
"Do you know how much I've donated to this school?"
Lady Evelyn didn't answer. She knew better.
He leaned forward slightly, cigar smoke drifting between them like a veil.
"Millions in coins. Equipment. Instructors. Even the new dueling wing- built under my name." His voice was smooth, calm- but there was venom beneath the surface. "And still, I can't believe you wouldn't use what your family invested into an opportunity for your advantage. I enrolled you into this school so you could continue the tradition of our family name."
A pause. Heavy. Intentional.
Lady Evelyn's jaw tightened- but she didn't speak.
Not yet.
"..." She stood still but never broke her gaze away from her father.
The Grand Duke drags another puff and blows it into her daughter's face as if testing her. "And all you do is play filly folly. It is your duty to uphold tradition, the symbolism of power into our family name."
"..."
He throws away the still burning cigar on the ground. "Now, do you still need me to tell you what to do?"
"No, father." (Lady Evelyn) answered, getting her mind ready for the worst, knowing her father made up his mind.
She'll be competing in the magic duel competition one way or another. If the daughter of the head general of the kingdom... doesn't participate in something like this then definitely, he'll be the talk in the office.
Grand Duke Vernon takes another cigar from his tin box that was by his pockets, he lights it up with his fire magic and exhales smoke through his nose, the embers of his cigar pulsing faintly like a warning light. "I have arranged to change the match at the last minute. It's the least they could do so I could see my daughter... making me proud."
His eyes didn't leave hers.
"..."
The villainess said nothing back. The silence stretched. Then Grand Duke Vernon's voice dropped lower, colder.
"Oh... and don't you dare use a wand."
"...!" Lady Evelyn's eyes flicked up, just slightly as his father continued.
"It makes you look weak."
A beat passed. Her shoulders didn't move. Her breathing didn't change.
Then- quiet, steady, she resigned.
"Yes, father." She lowered her head waiting to be dismissed.
Grand Duke Vernon waved a hand, dismissing her like a court servant. "You may go."
Evelyn turned, but his voice followed- calm, exacting, and heavy with expectation.
"And get yourself ready for the upcoming matches. I'm sure you haven't been slacking off in your training." She froze for half a heartbeat, then continued walking without reply. These days she's been slacking off with her training...
Because she used some of that time hanging out with Analissa Blanchet.
"And have a change of clothes," He added, as if the detail mattered more than her readiness. "After all... I expect you to win."
The final word echoed faintly as she descended the steps, back straight, pace controlled.
Not a stumble. Not a glance back. But inside her chest, something coiled- tight, cold, and burning all at once.
...
===
Academy: The Grand Stadium
Twenty Minutes Later
===
The audience was wondering why the festival's start seemed a little late. The time for the start should've been a little later before, "Ugh... why is everything taking so long? This is rather strange. Why are they almost twenty minutes late? It wasn't like this last year."
"Mommy, is big brother going to be participating in the duel?" A little girl asks her mother as she pulls onto her sleeve.
"Yes he will. I hope he does his best. Though I'm not sure what time they'll start. We'll cheer for your big brother when it's time. Though it is getting a bit late." She pats her head and everyone else in the arena starts getting more impatient.
Until they heard a loud voice coming from the center of the arena.
"Announcement everyone, there have been some minor changes in our list of contestants!" Using magic the chosen host of the magic duel competition uses his affinity of wind to amplify the volume of his voice. "The faculty selected students of the first year high section, Lady Brightmoor has a health emergency and will now be resting in the sidelines!"
Lady Mary Brightmoor chuckles nervously, acting sick in the sidelines looking a bit worried. She had been selected by the faculty after Lady Evelyn Alarie had rejected the professor's offer.
She's the fourth best in their class when it comes to magic duels.
"Fear not! Thankfully someone has volunteered to take her place! The competition will now resume and everyone I am grateful for your understanding and patience!" The host signals for the fireworks to be released. "My name is Mr. Wazinki! Your host for today and I just have one question to ask the crowd! Are you ready?!"
A sudden crack split the sky.
Then came the roar.
Fireworks exploded above the arena in a brilliant display- gold, crimson, and violet ribbons unfurled like celestial serpents, coiling and blooming against the afternoon sky. Sparks rained down like blessings from the gods, their echoing booms sending tremors through the very seats.
The crowd erupted.
Cheers rang out from every level of the circular coliseum. Students jumped to their feet, nobles stood with polite applause, and even the guards couldn't help but glance skyward, eyes wide.
"Look! Look at that one!" A boy shouted, pointing as a firework burst into the shape of a glowing sword, its hilt wrapped in light.
"It's House Alarie's crest! They shaped it with magic!" Another voice gasped.
"Ladies and gentlemen!" Mr. Wazinki's voice thundered through the enchanted speakers, loud and clear across the arena. "Welcome to the Grand Exhibition of Magic Duels! We begin this year's trials with our top contenders- students handpicked, trained, and hungry for victory!"
Another round of fireworks lit up the sky, this time casting sparkling rain in silver and blue. The smoke caught in the wind and danced above the crowd like spirits.
"I can't believe it's finally starting!" A girl whispered breathlessly, clutching her friend's sleeve. "I've been waiting for this all year!"
Below them, the arena floor glistened with runes that pulsed in anticipation. Each line of magic, dormant seconds ago, now shimmered alive beneath the sand.
From her place in the arching tunnel, the villainess watched the sky light up. The crowd's cheers poured into the chamber like a crashing tide.
Her fingers twitched.
It had begun.
"The first duel of the first year's high section! Let me present to you the students from the first year high section!" (Mr. Wazinki) points at the two who walk out of the tunnel and reveal themselves.
"Lord Owen Makedon-!"
Lord Owen forces a smile looking nervous, it was one thing to fight someone like Mary Brightmoor because their skills are up to par... he could easily win-
"And Lady Evelyn Alarie!" (Mr. Wazinki) continues, the crowd cheers even louder after hearing who volunteered.
"Lady Evelyn Alarie?! THE eldest daughter and heir to the main branch?! I can't believe we're going to see her compete in the magic duel!"
"Goodness me! I can't wait to see what kind of magic prowess she'll show after all- she's the daughter of a powerful general!"
"Her dueling outfit looks so wonderful on her too! I've never seen her with tight fit pants."
Lord Owen could tell the crowd was not on his side.
Everyone was cheering for the ever so popular Lady Evelyn Alarie.
"So... Lady Alarie! Seeing that we're classmates I hope you go easy on me!" He tries making small talk, these days she's been hanging out with Miss Analissa Blanchet and the result was her smiling more often. "Ahaha...?"
Becoming a much more approachable person but-
"..."
Lady Evelyn's aura seemed much different.
"I intend to win." She exhaled slowly, the noise of the crowd fading to a distant hum as she drew her hand through the air. Water shimmered into existence- summoned from the moisture in the air, coiling like a living ribbon around her arm. It twisted and danced, responding to her will, her focus unshakable.
She closed her eyes.
Then- snap.
Mana surged through her veins as she compressed the water, shaping it with absolute control. The liquid stilled, sharpened-then gleamed with a sudden weight. In an instant, it solidified into a spear.
Sleek. Lethal. Beautiful.
Its shaft was clear as crystal, but held the strength of steel; its tip glinted with frost, vapor curling at the edge where magic still clung.
Lady Evelyn spun it once in her hand with practiced ease.
"..."
Then she opened her eyes.
Cold. Ready.
'She's not going to use a wand? That's crazy... Everyone else is going to be using wands. Then again... it might be a good thing that she's going easy on me.' He laughs, taking his wand from his inventory, needing all the help he could get. "[Inventorium]. Even with a wand in hand... I know I'm screwed. I'm no match with a monster like her."
Thank you to my patreon! These are the awesome people that help us make better quality chapters and art!
Agr701
Demi
Seralp
SharkByte
Ryder
Asteria
Niko ride
BalleyGregory
AriQwerty
Luis
You can join Patreon to check out the latest chapters, art and many more! We are in need for your financial help! Please support us by voting on the story, sharing it or if you want to donate please do tell me! Thank you so much for reading otome game!