The final test was about to begin.
It was the personal family interview, the last hurdle standing between Elena and her scholarship. With one hundred families still competing for admission and nobody willing to withdraw, the judges faced the difficult task of determining which children deserved a place at the academy.
The Konuari family was escorted to Classroom D.
The hallway leading to it was lined with portraits of former students, many of whom had grown into influential figures across the world. Yuuta recognized a few faces from newspapers and television, though seeing them displayed along the walls only reminded him how different his own childhood had been from the lives of those who attended this prestigious academy.
He held Elena's hand as they approached the classroom.
*Just one more test. We only have to get through this one.*
When the door opened, Yuuta stopped to admire the interior. Tall, arched windows allowed sunlight to fall across beautifully polished oak desks, while elaborate wooden panels decorated the walls. Everything appeared carefully maintained, from the carved benches to the paintings hanging above the cabinets.
It felt less like a classroom and more like a chamber inside an ancient palace.
"Wow!"
Elena's eyes widened with excitement. Her little wings fluttered as she released Yuuta's hand and hurried toward the nearest desk.
"Papa! Papa, look! It's so beautiful!"
She ran her fingers across the intricate carvings, examining them with the fascination of a child discovering something entirely new.
Yuuta smiled at her excitement. However, when he turned toward Erza, he noticed something unexpected.
They were holding hands.
Somewhere between the Dancing Hall and this classroom, their fingers had become intertwined. He couldn't remember who had reached for the other first, but neither had made any attempt to let go.
Erza noticed his stare.
"What are you looking at, mortal?"
"N-Nothing!"
Her expression remained cold as she followed his gaze toward their joined hands.
"Don't misunderstand. I'm only doing this because we must appear convincing before the judges. If I show even the slightest sign of hostility toward you, they may suspect our marriage is false, and Elena could lose her opportunity."
"R-Right. Of course."
Yuuta nodded, accepting her explanation, though he couldn't help noticing how comfortably her fingers rested against his.
*Her hand is surprisingly soft...*
He glanced at her again.
*And why hasn't she let go? Could it be that she actually—*
He immediately dismissed the thought.
*Don't be ridiculous, Yuuta. She'd probably kill you before she'd ever consider kissing you.*
Despite reminding himself of that unpleasant possibility, he made no attempt to withdraw his hand either.
***
The family eventually took their seats before the judges.
Elena climbed onto the chair between her parents, her little legs swinging beneath the table as she continued admiring the room.
Three judges sat opposite them. The woman in the center had gray hair and a gentle expression, while the other two reviewed the documents placed before them.
Yuuta straightened his back and recalled everything Erza had taught him over the past few days.
*Sit properly. Don't fidget. Answer politely. Don't say anything stupid.*
That last instruction was particularly difficult.
The lead judge smiled at Elena.
"Well then, Elena. Shall we begin?"
"Yes!"
"Wonderful. First, can you tell us what your favorite toy is?"
Elena immediately raised both hands.
"Squishy!"
The judge chuckled.
"Squishy?"
"Yes! He's a dragon! He's very small, and Elena carries him everywhere. He sleeps with Elena, and when Elena feels sad, Squishy makes Elena happy!"
"That sounds like a wonderful friend."
"Squishy is Elena's best friend!" she declared proudly. "Mama gave him to Elena. He's very old. Even older than Elena!"
The judge smiled and wrote something on her paper before continuing with the next question.
"Now, Elena, I have another question. Who do you like more, your papa or your mama?"
Yuuta glanced toward his daughter with interest, while Erza maintained her usual composed expression.
Elena tilted her head, considering the question seriously.
"Elena likes Papa more!"
Yuuta almost smiled.
*That's my girl!*
"But Elena is more scared of Mama," she continued innocently. "So Elena is nicer to Mama. That way, Mama doesn't get angry!"
The judges burst into laughter.
Yuuta, however, suddenly felt Erza's grip tighten around his hand.
*O-Ouch! My hand!*
He glanced at his wife, but she continued looking straight ahead with an expression of perfect composure, as though nothing had happened.
"How adorable," the judge said, still smiling. "Now, what about your hobbies? What do you enjoy doing?"
"Elena likes playing chess!"
"Chess? That's quite impressive for someone your age."
"Elena beat the Headmaster!" she announced proudly. "He was very surprised, and he gave Elena chocolate!"
The judge raised her eyebrows before examining the Headmaster's recommendation attached to Elena's file. The unusual chess match had already been mentioned in his report.
"I see. That certainly explains his recommendation."
She turned another page.
"And what do you do when you're angry, Elena?"
Elena immediately puffed out her cheeks. She crossed her little arms, curled her tail around her leg, and pressed her wings tightly against her back.
Yuuta recognized the expression.
*Oh, she's demonstrating it.*
"I hold Squishy!" Elena explained, still puffing her cheeks. "Very, very tight! Until Elena isn't angry anymore!"
The judges exchanged amused glances.
"That's a good way to calm yourself," the woman replied. "Now, one last question. What would you do if you got lost somewhere?"
"Elena finds an old man!"
The judges blinked, clearly surprised by her answer.
"An old man?"
"Yes! Old men are nice! They give Elena chocolate, teach Elena games, and help Elena find Papa!"
Yuuta lowered his head, suddenly regretting how easily his daughter trusted elderly strangers.
*Elena, sweetheart... Please don't tell them you approach random strangers for chocolate.*
Fortunately, the judges appeared more amused than concerned. The Headmaster's report had already described how Elena had approached him without hesitation and challenged him to a game of chess.
The lead judge finished writing her observations before looking toward Yuuta and Erza.
"Mr. and Mrs. Kounari, would either of you like to add anything?"
Yuuta considered the question and looked toward Elena. She was sitting happily between them, completely unaware of how much this scholarship meant to him. To her, the academy was simply a beautiful place filled with interesting people and exciting things to discover.
But to Yuuta, it represented the future he desperately wanted to provide.
He briefly remembered the year Erza had given him. Whether he would still be alive to watch Elena grow older remained uncertain, but he wanted to leave her with something meaningful before that time came.
He gently squeezed Erza's hand.
"She's everything to us," he said.
The judges looked up as Yuuta continued with a sincere smile.
"Elena is everything we never knew we needed. I know we're not a perfect family, and I know there are things we still have to learn. But we'll do whatever we can to give her a happy life."
He looked at his daughter.
"That's all I want for her."
The lead judge watched him for a moment before smiling.
"Thank you, Mr. Kounari."
She reviewed the documents in front of her.
"Regarding Elena's evaluation, I'm pleased to inform you that she has passed."
Yuuta's eyes widened in surprise.
"R-Really?!"
"Yes. Despite being only four years old, her cognitive abilities are exceptionally well developed. Based on our observations, we would estimate her intellectual development to be comparable to that of a nine-year-old child."
The judge glanced toward Elena.
"We also received a recommendation from the Headmaster, who described her as unusually observant and confident for her age. Our own evaluation supports his findings."
She smiled.
"Although I must admit, her complete lack of nervousness around strangers is rather remarkable."
Elena beamed proudly.
"Elena is brave!"
"That you certainly are, dear."
Yuuta finally relaxed. After everything they had experienced that day, hearing that Elena had passed her evaluation brought him genuine relief.
*She passed...*
Unfortunately, the interview wasn't finished.
The judge placed Elena's evaluation papers aside and folded her hands.
"Now, Mr. and Mrs. Kounari, we'll proceed with the parent interview."
Yuuta's smile faded as he remembered the part he had been trying not to think about.
*Ah. Right. There's still that part.*
He glanced toward Erza, who sat with her back straight and her expression perfectly composed. Unlike him, she appeared completely unconcerned by the three judges sitting across from them.
Then again, she was the White Dragon Queen. Compared to the enemies she had faced throughout her life, a school interview probably seemed insignificant.
The lead judge cleared her throat.
"Before we continue, we'd like to apologize for something. As part of our admission procedure, we conducted a background investigation into your family."
Yuuta hadn't expected that.
"An investigation?"
"Yes. It's standard practice for families applying for admission. However, we discovered several inconsistencies in your records."
She looked down at the documents.
"Firstly, Mr. Kounari, you're currently twenty-one years old, while your daughter is four. That would mean you became a father at seventeen."
Yuuta hesitated before answering.
"Y-Yes..."
"Secondly, we couldn't find any official record of your marriage in this country."
The judge continued in a professional tone, apparently unaware of how uncomfortable the conversation had become for him.
"Ordinarily, these circumstances wouldn't be enough to disqualify a child. However, this academy has strict requirements concerning parental responsibility and the stability of a student's home environment."
She leaned forward slightly.
"Given the unusual circumstances surrounding your family, the admission committee has requested clarification."
Yuuta looked toward Erza, hoping she might offer some explanation. However, she remained silent, her arms crossed and her gaze directed toward the judges.
"W-Well, you see..."
He tried to think of an answer that wouldn't create further complications.
"It's... a little complicated."
The judge raised her hand.
"Please understand, Mr. Konuari. We believe that a child's development is shaped by their parents—their stability, their commitment to each other, and the environment they create for their child. Without documentation of your marriage or a clear timeline of your relationship, we have concerns about whether that foundation exists. We are not trying to pry into your private life, but we need to understand how your family came to be."
She paused, leaning forward slightly.
"If you cannot answer our questions, we will have no choice but to assume that your daughter was conceived under circumstances that do not align with the values of this academy. We will have to reject her application."
Yuuta fell silent.
The judge's words had brought back memories he had spent the past two weeks trying to bury. Since Erza appeared in his apartment, he had struggled with the possibility that he had committed something unforgivable.
He remembered that strange night, the dream he could barely recall, and the way Erza had confronted him years later with a daughter he hadn't known existed.
He still didn't understand exactly what had happened.
But he had spent every day fearing the worst about himself.
*I assaulted her.*
*I don't remember it, but I did it. I'm a monster.*
He had believed that Erza possessed every right to hate him, perhaps even to kill him. Yet instead of carrying out her punishment immediately, she had given him a year.
During that time, she had taught him to dance, allowed him to wash her hair, and even held his hand. Those small moments had begun to mean something to him, though they couldn't erase the guilt he carried.
Now the judges were demanding an explanation.
What could he possibly tell them?
If he admitted what he believed had happened, Elena would lose her opportunity. She would be punished for something she had never chosen and couldn't possibly understand.
He couldn't allow that.
Yuuta lowered his gaze toward the table, searching desperately for an answer that wouldn't harm his daughter.
Across from him, the judges waited patiently, while Elena watched her father's expression change.
The lead judge eventually sighed.
"Mr. Konuari, we cannot move forward if you do not answer. We understand that this is difficult, but we need to know your family's situation. If you continue to remain silent, we will have no choice but to assume the worst and reject your daughter's application."
Yuuta remained silent.
He wanted to explain everything, but every possible answer seemed to lead toward the same terrible conclusion. The truth he believed he knew would only make the judges question whether Elena deserved to remain at the academy.
And that was something he couldn't bear.
He stared at the table, struggling to reconcile his desire to protect Elena with the guilt he felt toward Erza.
A tear slipped down his cheek.
He didn't wipe it away.
The judge's voice softened, though her decision remained firm.
"We are sorry, Mr. Konuari. If this continues, I'm afraid your daughter will be rejected."
Yuuta immediately looked up.
"No. No, wait. Please. She did nothing wrong. She's perfect. She is—"
His voice broke before he could finish.
He looked at Elena, at her red eyes and silver hair, at the little girl who had changed his entire world without even realizing it. She was sitting quietly beside him, unaware that the adults around her were discussing whether she deserved to remain at the academy.
Whatever had happened between him and Erza, Elena was innocent.
He wanted to explain that to the judges. He wanted them to understand that their daughter had done nothing wrong and shouldn't lose this opportunity because of her father's past.
But he couldn't find the words.
Then Erza moved.
**BANG!**
She slammed her palm against the table, the sharp sound cracking through the classroom like thunder. The judges flinched, Elena looked up in surprise, and Yuuta turned toward her.
Erza rose from her chair, the legs scraping against the polished floor. Her white-and-gold dress caught the sunlight streaming through the windows, while her long silver hair fell around her shoulders.
Her expression had grown colder than at any other moment during the interview.
"Silence," she said.
The room went still.
Erza's voice carried none of the uncontrolled anger Yuuta had grown accustomed to whenever he irritated her. It was colder than that, filled with the authority of someone who had already made a decision and would not tolerate being questioned.
The judges sat motionless, their attention fixed on the silver-haired woman who had remained almost entirely silent throughout her husband's questioning. She had watched Yuuta struggle to answer, lower his head, and eventually reach the point where he could no longer defend himself.
But she had no intention of remaining a spectator.
"You want to know about our relationship?" Erza asked coldly. "Fine. I will tell you."
Yuuta looked up sharply.
*This is it. She's going to tell them everything.*
His thoughts returned to the night he couldn't remember, the accusations he had never been able to escape, and the reason Erza had given him only one year to live.
If she revealed everything, Elena would be rejected. All his efforts to secure her admission would have been for nothing, and he would have no one to blame but himself.
He lowered his gaze, unable to look at the judges or the little girl sitting between them. Elena glanced between her parents, confused by the sudden change in atmosphere.
Then Erza turned toward him.
Their eyes met.
For a brief moment, something in her expression changed. The coldness in her violet eyes softened slightly as she noticed the tears he had failed to hide.
She had seen him behave foolishly countless times. He could be irritating, overly apologetic, and far too willing to accept whatever insults she directed at him.
But the man sitting before her now was different.
He wasn't trying to defend himself or argue against her accusations. He had simply accepted the possibility of punishment, even when it meant losing something precious to him.
And despite everything, his greatest concern remained Elena.
Erza regarded him silently before returning her attention to the judges.
The judge named Disha leaned forward, her pen resting above the documents. She had spent years examining family backgrounds, identifying inconsistencies, and questioning applicants whose records failed to provide clear answers.
Yuuta Konuari's history had troubled her from the beginning.
He had grown up in an orphanage, but there was no birth certificate, no information about his biological parents, and almost nothing documenting his life before entering the institution.
His past contained too many unanswered questions.
"We would like to hear from Mrs. Konuari," Disha said. "Particularly about the circumstances of your daughter's birth."
Yuuta remained silent.
*Please...*
He wasn't even certain which god he was praying to anymore.
*Please let this pass. Please let her be merciful. I will accept whatever punishment she decides. I won't complain. I won't run away.*
*Just let Elena have this chance.*
Erza faced the judges with her usual composure.
"It is true that we are not officially married," she said.
Yuuta closed his eyes.
He had expected those words, but hearing them spoken aloud still hurt. For four years, Erza had raised Elena alone while he lived an ordinary life, completely unaware that he had a daughter somewhere beyond his world.
"But it is also true," Erza continued, "that Elena is our daughter. We had her five years ago."
Disha leaned forward.
"May I ask how? And why there are no records?"
Yuuta opened his eyes.
Erza stood before the judges without the slightest hesitation. Her posture remained straight, and her expression revealed nothing of what she intended to say.
"Let me tell you from the beginning," she said. "How I met him. How he became the father of my child."
The judges prepared their pens, giving her their full attention.
Yuuta watched her, uncertain whether he wanted her to continue.
When Erza spoke again, her voice was different. It lacked the sharp irritation she usually directed toward him, sounding almost as though she were recalling a distant memory.
"Yuuta and I met long ago," she said. "In an orphanage."
Yuuta stared at her.
*What? What is she saying?*
"We were children then," Erza continued. "We played together. We studied together. We grew up together."
She paused, and her voice softened just slightly.
"We fell in love."
Yuuta nearly forgot where he was.
*Love?!*
He looked at Erza, wondering whether he had somehow misunderstood her words. He had expected her to expose the terrible circumstances surrounding Elena's birth, yet she was describing a childhood they had never shared.
A childhood in which they had grown up together.
A childhood in which they had fallen in love.
The judges listened attentively. They had heard countless stories of arranged marriages, inherited fortunes, and family obligations, but the woman before them was describing something entirely different.
"As the years passed," Erza continued, "we came of age. We left the orphanage together and rented an apartment."
She glanced toward Yuuta.
For a fleeting moment, something almost tender appeared in her violet eyes.
"We were young. We were in love. We thought we had the rest of our lives to figure out the rest."
Yuuta could barely believe what he was hearing.
He sat in a classroom filled with strangers, wearing a borrowed suit, while the woman he called his wife told them about a life they had never lived.
He knew every word was false.
And yet, somewhere deep inside, he found himself wishing it had been true.
The judges exchanged glances, their expressions gradually softening as Erza continued her account.
"One night," Erza said, her voice becoming quieter and more careful, "there was a full moon. I was young and foolish. I drank too much. I gave him a sign I did not mean to give. And he..."
She paused.
"He misunderstood."
The classroom fell silent.
"He crossed a boundary," she continued. "One night. One mistake. And that was how Elena was born."
Nobody spoke.
Disha slowly lowered her pen, while the other judges exchanged uncertain glances.
Yuuta stared at Erza.
She had just told a room full of strangers that he had crossed a boundary, that Elena had been born from a mistake neither of them had intended.
She hadn't erased what happened or pretended that their past had been perfect. But she had presented it in a way that made him appear like a foolish young man rather than the monster he believed himself to be.
More importantly, she had given the judges an explanation that might allow Elena to remain at the academy.
Yuuta pinched his arm beneath the table, making himself wince.
He wasn't dreaming.
Erza was still standing there, calmly facing the judges as though she hadn't just changed everything.
*Why? Why would she do something like this for me?*
Suddenly, a familiar voice interrupted his thoughts.
*Do not get it wrong.*
Yuuta recognized it immediately.
Erza.
Her voice echoed inside his head, cold and sharp, while her outward expression remained perfectly composed.
*You disgusting, pathetic human. I am doing this because a queen's reputation matters. If they reject Elena, it reflects on me. I will not allow your foolishness to cost my daughter her future.*
She paused.
*And do not even think that I love you. The thought disgusts me.*
Yuuta looked toward her.
She continued facing the judges, giving no indication that she had just spoken directly into his mind.
Yet despite her harsh words, he found himself smiling.
It was a small, grateful smile that appeared before he could think to hide it. He knew Erza still despised him, and he had no reason to believe her feelings had changed.
But she had protected him.
She had stood before the judges and given them an explanation when he had been unable to offer one himself.
Perhaps she had done it entirely for Elena's sake. Perhaps she truly cared only about protecting her reputation as queen.
Yuuta didn't know.
And for once, he didn't need to.
He was simply grateful that she had chosen to help.
Erza noticed his smile.
Her violet eyes narrowed as she recognized the familiar expression that appeared on his face whenever she did something he considered kind.
She had just insulted him, reminded him of his position, and made it perfectly clear that her actions had nothing to do with affection.
Yet the foolish mortal was smiling again.
She looked away.
*Idiot mortal.*
But this time, even she couldn't quite summon the contempt that usually accompanied those words.
The judges remained silent for another moment before Disha returned her attention to the documents.
She glanced at Yuuta, then at Erza, and finally at Elena, who sat quietly between her parents with her little wings folded behind her chair.
Whatever circumstances had brought these three together, the child clearly loved both of them.
Disha nodded.
The interview continued.
The judges asked about the family's daily life, how Yuuta and Erza shared responsibilities, and what they intended to do for Elena's future.
This time, Yuuta answered without difficulty. He explained that he cooked for the family, worked to earn money, and handled the ordinary responsibilities that kept their household functioning.
Erza answered as well, her voice cold but steady.
When asked what she contributed, she didn't attempt to embellish her answer.
She simply said, "I am learning."
And for once, that was the truth.
Perhaps the only truth she had given them throughout the entire interview.
Now the Konuari family stood outside the Grand Hall, waiting alongside the other applicants for the final results.
The doors of the Grand Hall remained closed while the judges deliberated. Beyond them, the futures of the children who had participated in the examinations were being decided.
Yuuta waited alongside the other families, unable to settle his thoughts. They had completed three examinations, a dance, a meal, and a difficult interview. After everything they had endured, the final decision now rested entirely in the judges' hands.
Around him, parents gathered with their children while grandparents whispered prayers. Some families spoke quietly among themselves, attempting to reassure one another, while others watched the enormous screen hanging above the stage.
Yuuta, however, found himself looking at Erza.
He had never truly understood what love felt like.
There had been crushes during his younger years, when he was still learning the difference between admiring someone and wanting to be loved. There had also been Fiona, a girl from his past, though he now wondered whether what he had felt for her had ever been love.
What he was experiencing now seemed different.
It wasn't simply Erza's beauty or the extraordinary power she possessed. He had admired those things from the beginning, but neither explained why he kept remembering what she had done during the interview.
She had stood before the judges and protected him when he couldn't defend himself.
Even afterward, she had insisted that her actions meant nothing beyond protecting Elena's future and her own reputation.
Yet Yuuta couldn't forget it.
He looked at her silver hair, her composed expression, and the familiar way she stood with her hands folded before her.
*Is this what love feels like?*
He didn't know.
He only knew that the woman he had once feared more than anyone else was slowly becoming someone he wanted to understand.
Before he could dwell on the thought, the Headmaster stepped onto the stage.
The enormous screen behind him illuminated, drawing the attention of every family in the hall. Conversations gradually ceased as the Headmaster approached the microphone.
"Good evening," he began, his voice calm and practiced. "This year, we received more qualified applicants than ever before. The interviews were difficult, and the decisions were even harder. After careful consideration, we have selected sixty families for admission."
A tense silence followed.
Sixty families would be accepted out of the hundred who had reached the final stage.
The Headmaster turned toward the screen.
The first name appeared.
**Nakamura Family.**
A woman wearing a silk kimono immediately burst into tears. Her husband wrapped an arm around her shoulders while their seven-year-old daughter stared at the screen, seemingly unable to understand why her parents were so emotional.
The second name appeared shortly afterward.
**Patel Family.**
A father in an expensive suit raised his fist triumphantly, while his wife laughed through her tears. Their son tried to maintain a dignified expression, though the smile spreading across his face betrayed his excitement.
The announcements continued.
Ten families.
Then twenty.
Thirty.
With each name, another family celebrated while those still waiting grew increasingly anxious.
The Okafor family erupted in joy when their name appeared. The father, who had traveled from Nigeria and sold his car to afford the application fee, lifted his daughter onto his shoulders.
The García family followed, their mother holding her son's hand as she struggled to contain her relief. Then came the Chen family, whose grandmother bowed her head and whispered a prayer of gratitude.
More names appeared.
The Kim family.
The Williams family.
The Singh family.
The Rossi family.
Soon, fifty-eight families had been selected.
Yuuta watched the screen carefully, counting each announcement. He had been trying to remain optimistic, but with so few places remaining, he could no longer ignore the possibility that Elena might not be chosen.
He glanced toward his daughter.
She was standing beside Erza, watching the celebrations around them with innocent curiosity.
For Elena, this was simply another exciting day.
For him, it was the opportunity he had spent so much effort trying to secure.
He lowered his head and began praying.
He had never been entirely certain which gods existed or whether any of them would listen to someone like him. Still, he found himself appealing to whatever power might be willing to hear his request.
*Please let her in.*
*I'll do anything. I'll be anything. Just let her have this chance.*
Another name appeared.
Fifty-nine.
The screen went dark.
Only one place remained.
Several families whose names hadn't appeared began losing hope. Some parents quietly comforted their children, while others looked away from the stage, unwilling to face another disappointment.
Yuuta remained where he was.
He closed his eyes and continued praying, determined to wait until the final name was announced.
Beside him, Erza watched in silence.
She had noticed his growing anxiety throughout the announcements. With every family selected, his chances had diminished, yet he continued clinging to the possibility that Elena's name might still appear.
She couldn't understand it.
Throughout the past two weeks, Yuuta had repeatedly placed his hopes in circumstances that seemed unlikely to work in his favor.
He had hoped she would spare his life.
He had hoped Elena would accept him as her father.
And despite his unfamiliarity with wealthy society, he had convinced himself that he could learn to dance, master proper dining etiquette, and somehow secure a place for their daughter at the world's most prestigious academy.
He had embarrassed himself along the way and made mistakes that would have discouraged most people.
Yet he continued trying.
Erza found that persistence difficult to comprehend.
She had lived for centuries, long enough to understand that the world rarely cared about someone's wishes. No amount of hope could restore the dead, undo past mistakes, or guarantee that a person's efforts would be rewarded.
She had learned those lessons through experiences she had no desire to repeat.
To her, hope was often little more than another path toward disappointment.
And yet this foolish mortal continued holding on to it.
He stood among families whose wealth and influence far exceeded anything he possessed, waiting for a name that might never appear.
Still, he refused to give up.
Erza finally broke the silence.
"What is the point?"
Yuuta stopped praying, though he kept his eyes closed.
"There is only one name left. Fifty-nine families have already been selected. The chances of that final name belonging to us are..."
She paused, considering the situation.
She didn't know the exact probability, nor did she particularly care.
"It is useless. You are hoping for something that will not happen."
Yuuta remained silent for a moment before answering.
"No, my queen."
His voice was quiet, but his answer carried none of the uncertainty Erza had expected.
"Even if I am going to lose, I still want to hold on. To the last hope. So that even if I lose, I can still say I held on. Until the very end."
Erza looked at him.
She had expected him to acknowledge the situation and accept that nothing more could be done. Instead, he had answered without denying the possibility of failure.
He knew they might lose.
He simply refused to surrender before the final result.
For some reason, that distinction troubled her.
Erza glanced around the hall. Several families had already turned away from the stage, while others were preparing to leave.
Yuuta remained beside her, his hands clasped together as he resumed his silent prayer.
He wasn't pretending that everything would work out.
He was choosing to hold on while there was still a chance.
Erza turned her attention toward the stage.
The Headmaster had taken the final paper into his hands. He examined the name written upon it and adjusted his glasses before preparing to address the audience.
Then Erza noticed something.
A faint reflection appeared across the lenses of his glasses.
Her extraordinary eyesight allowed her to distinguish the writing reflected upon their surface.
And there, clearly visible, was the final name.
Erza stared.
For a moment, she wondered whether she had read it correctly.
Then she looked toward Yuuta.
He was still praying, unaware of what she had just discovered.
Only moments earlier, she had told him that continuing to hope was pointless. She had insisted that he was clinging to something that would never happen.
Yet the name reflected in the Headmaster's glasses proved otherwise.
There had still been a chance.
And Yuuta had refused to abandon it.
Erza opened her mouth, intending to tell him.
She could end his uncertainty immediately. She could tell him that Elena had been selected and that everything they had endured throughout the day hadn't been for nothing.
But then she remembered his words.
*Even if I lose, I can still say I held on. Until the very end.*
Erza slowly closed her mouth.
He had chosen to wait until the final announcement, regardless of the outcome.
She would allow him to hear it for himself.
Turning back toward the stage, Erza found herself reflecting on something she hadn't considered in centuries.
She had always regarded hope as foolish, something people clung to because they hadn't yet experienced enough suffering to understand the world's cruelty.
But Yuuta hadn't claimed that hope guaranteed success.
He had simply refused to abandon it while the possibility remained.
Perhaps that was why his answer had affected her.
For the first time that evening, Erza found herself looking forward to the announcement.
She already knew what the Headmaster was about to say.
What she wanted to see was Yuuta's reaction.
And as she stood beside him, waiting for the final name, she realized something unexpected.
**For the first time in centuries, she was allowing herself to hope again.**
The Headmaster looked at the paper, then toward the families gathered before him.
He smiled.
"The last name," he announced, "is the Konuari family."
To Be Continued...