Chapter 99. One-on-One Duel (5)
"Ah... now I have no choice but to take first."
Honestly, I was thinking it might be better to lose to Nam Daeun in the finals.
Jumping into her route too early would complicate things, and I still felt uneasy about going up against the Byer Guild, who held her weakness.
Sure, if I mobilized all my connections, maybe I could pull it off—but is it worth it?
In half a year, my position will be stronger, and my skills will be even more developed.
It'll be easier to deal with everything then.
But... +1 affection with all heroines?
"That's pretty huge."
The current heroines: Lucy, Lumi, Nam Daeun, Elise, Moon Surin, Im Sol, Liliana, Baek A-Young. Eight in total.
That's a quest worth +8 affection.
"Tch... maybe I should just win."
Byer Guild or not, maybe I can figure it out if I just try hard enough.
Charging ahead might not be such a bad option....
[The match between Cadet Elise and Cadet Nam Daeun of Class A will begin shortly! Spectators, please return to your seats.]
Let's just watch the match for now.
On the screen, Elise and Nam Daeun faced each other in the arena.
Looks like they were already done prepping.
[5, 4, 3, 2, 1, match start!]
As soon as the match began, Nam Daeun dashed forward to close the distance with Elise.
With agile movements, she swung her sword first after getting in close.
Elise would prefer to trade a few blows and then create space again.
Because she couldn't win in pure swordsmanship against Nam Daeun.
The match would be decided on whether Elise could buy time to cast proper magic—but Nam Daeun wasn't going to allow that.
Vines burst from the air and wrapped around Nam Daeun's arms, hindering her movement, but she quickly cut through them and closed in on Elise.
Elise deflected the attack, drew a magic circle, and summoned a pillar of flame from the floor, forcing Nam Daeun to leap back.
"That's high level..."
They were clearly in a different league from the other cadets.
The two kept exchanging attacks and counters.
At a glance, it looked even, but I could tell Elise was going to lose again.
Her congenital mana disorder would soon hit its limit.
"..."
Elise's expression froze for a moment mid-fight.
Her mana, charged via mana stones, had run out.
From that point on, she adopted a more defensive strategy.
She tried to fend off Nam Daeun's attacks and look for openings, but Nam Daeun wasn't giving her any.
On the contrary, she increased her speed and pushed even harder.
"Kuh...!"
Nam Daeun's Spatial Domination enhanced her reaction time within her own territory.
The closer they were, the more Elise was pressured, and with fewer spells being cast, she couldn't keep up.
In the end, Elise took more and more wounds until a large slash to her chest sealed her defeat.
[The winner is Cadet Nam Daeun of Class A!]
Elise lowered her head in frustration, trembling slightly, but quickly put on a composed expression as she left the arena.
"She really can't win until her mana disorder is cured."
Of course, I knew how to cure Elise's congenital mana disorder.
It was basically the key to her entire route.
Confronting her sister Irene, and curing the disorder.
Completing those two tasks would practically finish Elise's path.
Her route progressed around the same time as Nam Daeun's.
Since the villain who could cure her mana disorder appeared mid-to-late game, she couldn't be fully cleared before then.
In the game, that was frustrating—but for me, it was better this way.
Getting too close to an un-clearable heroine only added more work and complications.
Though I was a bit surprised at how fast Elise's affection had spiked, it'd be great if I could maintain it until her route properly opened.
[At last, only the grand finale remains in Victoria Academy's First-Year One-on-One Duel Tournament! A big match between Cadet Lee Hoyeon and Cadet Nam Daeun of Class A! We will begin after a break to check the finalists' conditions!]
With the semifinals over, there was now a one-hour break.
"Now what..."
I stepped out of the waiting room—it was getting stuffy being in there the whole time.
Only Nam Daeun and I were using the finalist waiting rooms now.
The other rooms were empty and didn't even have name tags.
In the quiet hallway, a lone vending machine stood awkwardly.
Maybe I should head to the stands. Kim Younghan or the twins might be there.
I left the waiting room floor and headed toward the audience seats.
"Hey."
Someone slid up to me and spoke.
"Oh... hey. I saw your match. You did great."
"Thanks. Even though I lost."
Elise smiled gently and continued.
She's being so warm now she's even initiating conversations with me? What's going on with her?
★ Heroine Status Screen
[Elise]
- [ Affection: 62 ]
- [ Lust: 25 ]
- [ Appetite: 30 ]
- [ Fatigue: 20 ]
Current Status: I should probably talk to the Saintess too.
'Talk to the Saintess...?'
What kind of talk?
And why is she looking at me with that expression?
I should ask Baek A-Young about this later.
"Where are you headed right now?"
Elise asked first.
"Just thought I'd go check out the stands, maybe see some familiar faces."
"Better not. It's swarming with reporters—super crowded."
"...Then I guess I'll go later."
If I get caught by the reporters and make even one slip-up, it'd be a mess.
"Good luck in the finals. But don't overdo it."
"Yeah. Take care of yourself too."
Elise waved her hand gently and walked off.
A pretty girl being nice was always nice to see.
Though honestly, I kinda missed the snarky charm she used to have.
Since the stands were full of reporters, I decided to head back to the waiting room.
I retraced my steps.
Just as I was about to meditate in the waiting room, I noticed someone standing in front of that lone vending machine in the hallway.
'What the...'
I instinctively ducked behind the wall at the sight of Nam Daeun's profile.
She was staring intently at the vending machine, lips moving as if mumbling to herself.
★ Heroine Status Screen
[Nam Daeun]
- [ Affection: 31 ]
- [ Lust: 20 ]
- [ Appetite: 30 ]
- [ Fatigue: 33 ]
Current Status: I want that sweet mint chocolate drink... but if I drink it, I'll have to walk when I go see Dahee...
Maybe because I acted nice at the supermarket yesterday, her affection jumped from 11 to 31.
Sweet mint chocolate... what's that about?
Ah, whatever. Let's just go talk to her.
"Hey."
"...Hey."
Nam Daeun blinked in surprise at my sudden appearance.
Well, I guess it's a little weird to act friendly with someone I'm about to fight.
I casually tapped my smartwatch on the vending machine's payment reader.
- Please select a beverage.
Among the choices was a drink labeled Sweet Mint Chocolate. I moved my finger toward the banana milk beside it... then "accidentally" hit the mint chocolate one.
"Oh?"
Clunk—
"Oops. Wrong button."
Clunk—
I pressed for banana milk and retrieved the drink, feigning a bit of awkwardness.
"Well, this is awkward. I don't even like mint chocolate. Want it?"
Even I had to admit my acting was smooth as hell.
"Huh...?"
Nam Daeun repeated, clearly unsure how to respond.
"I don't like mint chocolate, but I hit it by mistake."
"...If you're offering, I'll take it."
Nam Daeun blushed slightly and accepted the mint chocolate drink.
Why is she blushing?
★ Heroine Status Screen
[Nam Daeun]
- [ Affection: 31 ]
- [ Lust: 20 ]
- [ Appetite: 30 ]
- [ Fatigue: 33 ]
Current Status: Was it that obvious I wanted it...? He even pretended to get it by mistake...
'How did she figure it out?!'
My acting was flawless... she's sharp.
"Oh, sorry if that bothered you. I just wanted to buy it for you. No other meaning."
If my little ruse got exposed, I had to apologize.
If she thought it was pity, that would definitely feel insulting.
"Thanks. I'll enjoy it."
Thankfully, she didn't seem offended.
"I'm heading back to the waiting room. See you later."
Nam Daeun turned to leave, but I felt a little reluctant.
With only the finals left and our affection level higher than ever, this felt like a rare chance to talk more.
Opportunities like this don't come often.
"Nam Daeun."
"Yeah?"
In the end, I stopped Nam Daeun just as she was about to enter the waiting room.
"We still have some time before the finals... Want to talk for a bit?"
I doubt she'll say yes, but it can't hurt to try.
"...Should we? Then come to my waiting room."
Huh? She agreed?
Nam Daeun entered first, and I followed behind.
Unsurprisingly, it was identical in layout to my own waiting room.
"...."
"...."
Now what do I say?
"Uh, I watched your match with Elise. You were good."
"Thanks. You did well too."
"...."
What was her hobby again? Housework? Bargain shopping?
'No way I can bring that up now.'
Beep—
Her smartwatch chimed. Must've gotten a message.
She glanced at me sideways—was I making her uncomfortable? Maybe it was time with her sister or something.
"If it's urgent, I can go. See you later."
"Lee Hoyeon. You want to win, right?"
Just as I was stepping out to not bother her, Nam Daeun stopped me with her words.
She called me by name for the first time. It must be important.
"Uh... Yeah. I mean, it'd be nice to win."
Can't say no to that. Otherwise, it'd make all this effort getting to the finals look weird.
"I've never told anyone this but... sigh."
She suddenly started a video call on her smartwatch.
"Uh...?"
- Sis!
A cheerful little sister's voice came through the smartwatch. I shut my mouth.
I was sitting next to Nam Daeun, but out of frame and off-camera.
It wasn't wrong for me to be there, but it still felt like I shouldn't be seen.
"How have you been?"
- Good! I watched your semifinals! You were so strong!
"Already saw it, huh?"
Nam Daeun continued the call, paying no mind to me.
- Want to see? I drew you winning the finals!
"Hehe. Cute. That guy lying down—he's my opponent?"
- Yeah! The handsome guy! But no match for you!
"...."
A crooked drawing showed a girl cheering and a boy with Xs over his eyes lying flat.
That's supposed to be me?
The call went on for over ten minutes.
"I should get going now. I'll call you again after the finals."
- Okay! You have to win! Love you!
"Love you too, Dahee."
Beep—
Ending the call, Nam Daeun closed her eyes for a moment, then looked at me.
"That's my sister. To keep supporting her hospital bills, I need to win this practical exam. That's why I have to be first."
"...I see."
"Sorry for not helping with the group project. I just... yeah. Sorry."
For her to open up like this already... maybe that lucky image boost I got really did the trick.
She hasn't shared everything yet, but this was a big step.
"So... even if I win, don't hate me for it."
Maybe she's already at her limit?
People's hearts are complex. A small trigger can cause a big change.
Like a butterfly flapping its wings and causing a storm, something like that may have happened to her.
Man, what should I even say?
I don't want to say something dumb and ruin this.
Knock knock.
Just then, a knock saved me from overthinking.
"Nam Daeun cadet~. Time for your final medical check before the finals."
"Yes, come in."
Click—
"Oh?"
"Hello, school nurse."
Baek A-Young's eyes widened when she saw me inside Nam Daeun's waiting room.
"Oh, so you were here, Lee Hoyeon cadet."
★ Heroine Status Screen
[Baek A-Young]
- [ Affection: 87 ] (+0.4)
- [ Lust: 73 ]
- [ Appetite: 30 ]
- [ Fatigue: 35 ]
Current Status: I was gonna go find him right after this... why is he here?
She was planning to come again.
Trying to make up for earlier, when Im Sol interrupted?
"Nurse, since it's a medical check, we can just do it here, right?"
"Uh...? It'd be better to do it separately..."
Baek A-Young wore a face that screamed, "This isn't how it was supposed to go."
Welp. Can't tease her too much with Nam Daeun watching.
"Just kidding. I'll wait in my room."
"Y-Yeah. I'll come right after this."
'I'd really appreciate it if she took it easy before the finals.'
I need to manage my condition, too.
If she comes to my room, I'll mess with her a bit then send her off.