Elise left Seidoukan's Student Council. By now, the front gate was swarming with students. If she took the main entrance, she'd be surrounded like some rare exotic creature.
So she decided to take a side path out of Seidoukan. This route would pass only by the girls' dormitory and was far less likely to draw attention.
Or so she thought…
"What a coincidence, Wordweaving Strega!"
The sharp female voice behind her made Elise stiffen. Not another bizarre encounter…
"And you are…?"
Turning toward the voice, Elise saw a familiar pink-haired girl standing not far away.
"My name is Julis—Julis-Alexia von Riessfeld! A student of Seidoukan Academy!"
That's a long name… Elise thought. If she weren't the heroine of the original story, no one would bother remembering it.
Julis glared at her like she wanted to devour her whole.
"Then, Miss Julis, may I ask what you want from me?" Elise still offered the proper courtesy—after all, the girl was technically a princess, even if of a puppet state.
"Don't call me Julis—call me Riessfeld!" Julis's commanding voice cut her off. "I never expected to run into a Saint Galahadworth student here. Why are you at Seidoukan, Elise Holiness?"
"You're not here to steal Seidoukan secrets, are you?" Her eyes sharpened dangerously.
Sigh.
"I was invited by Student Council President Claudia. I've finished my business and am on my way out," Elise explained patiently.
"And the president?"
"She offered to see me out, but I declined."
"Hah, is that so?" Julis's smile suddenly turned into a glare. "Do you think I'm that easy to fool? That I'd believe such a story?"
"But it's the truth." Elise's tone carried weary resignation. I'm telling you the truth—if you don't believe me, there's nothing I can do.
"Hmph!" Julis snorted. "Finding a student from another academy here—I can't just ignore that. If I catch a spy, maybe the academy will even reward me!"
Placing her hand over her school badge, she declared, "I, Julis-Alexia von Riessfeld, invoke the name of my Unbending Proof, Scarlet Lotus, to challenge you, Elise Holiness, to a duel!"
"…" Elise pressed her lips together. "I must decline."
This was a trap, and she knew it. She didn't fear dueling Julis—she feared the trouble it would cause. Win or lose, the duel would be recorded and news of her visit to Seidoukan would spread even further. Julis could easily exploit it.
Other conglomerates would certainly take notice.
For now, Elise wasn't planning to alter the plot drastically—she wasn't ready to take that risk.
"So you are here to infiltrate Seidoukan?" Seeing her ploy fail, Julis realized Elise wouldn't take the bait. She drew her Lux without hesitation.
"No matter what I say, you won't believe me, will you?" Elise sighed. "Then I'll just have to quiet you down first."
"Try it! I'm one of Seidoukan's Page One—I won't be beaten so easily!"
"Bloom! Longiflorum!"
At Julis's command, massive flames bloomed like a fiery flower, surging toward Elise. It was only a single fire blossom—easy enough for her to dodge.
As Elise sidestepped the attack, Julis smirked. "I've seen your matches, Wordweaving Strega! Your close combat is strong, but against wide-range attacks like this… you can't dodge forever."
Julis had, thanks to certain circumstances, thoroughly studied the Lindvolus tournament and its participants. And especially Elise—how could she ignore the one who defeated Orphelia, the reigning champion?
"Scatter!" Julis commanded.
The massive fire flower swelled rapidly, exploding into blinding white light.
Sigh. Elise had lost track of how many times she'd sighed today. Her patience was wearing thin.
So what if you're the heroine of the original story?
This Saintess has no problem beating the heroine!
Faith surged quietly within her, and she invoked her Sacred Speech.
"Flames—cease!"
The fire blossom, on the verge of exploding, vanished instantly.
Julis's eyes narrowed—she'd never encountered anything like this before. Quickly, she tried a different move.
"Scatter—Ninefold Dance of Blazing Wheels!" With her Lux, she traced a pentagram in the air… but nothing happened, despite channeling her prana.
"What's going on?" she muttered in shock.
"That would be me. You can't use fire right now. Why don't we just call it here? It'll be better for both of us." Elise's calm voice made Julis's expression tighten.
She can even do that?
"Hmph! As expected of the Wordweaving Strega… but don't think this alone will let you defeat me!" Julis tried to maintain her pride—until Elise spoke again.
"In a few days, I might pay Orphelia a visit. There's something I need her to do."
Julis's composed expression immediately cracked.
"What do you intend to do to Orphelia?!" she demanded, visibly tense.
"Sorry, I can't tell you that."
"Then I'll beat it out of you!" Julis moved to attack—only to feel her limbs grow heavy and her vision blur.
What's happening to me?
Sacred Speech.
"Sleep."
With a single word, Julis's eyes went vacant.
"Lucky for you it's me. In another kind of story, you might not get off so lightly…" Elise murmured. "Now, go back to your dorm room, Julis. You'll wake up in an hour."
Vacant-eyed, Julis turned and began walking toward her dorm, like a lifeless doll.
Elise finally left Seidoukan without further trouble—but a passing black cat saw everything.