We followed the director—Elithia and I—until we reached a large dueling hall, shaped like a Roman coliseum.
Elithia told me she was going to change clothes and prepare for her match. She'd be going first.
"Alright then. Go, and don't lose hope. You are the Blade Maiden, after all."
"Stop embarrassing me, Klo."
Her face turned red as she walked away.
I looked toward the stands, searching for a place to be alone. I found it—high up, far from everyone. The outcast zone.
No one was there... or so I thought. Someone showed up—someone not welcome.
The director.
Elithia told me not to cause trouble, but he's the one who stirs it up.
"Hello, Coach."
I waved a hand as a silent greeting.
He sat beside me, staring down at the arena.
Could you not... sit elsewhere?
"You still haven't introduced yourself, Coach. What's your name?"
I waved again—denying.
"I see... Klo Yuthnir."
I froze in place. Time felt like it stopped the moment he said my name.
I raised my hand, trembling, pointing at myself as if to say: I'm not Klo, just a normal coach.
"Relax, Klo. I'm not like the other heroes chasing glory and treasure from the kingdom. I'm different. I just want to soar—fly higher."
Your words won't fool me. I pulled down the mask from my mouth and spoke.
"What do you want?"
"I want you to enroll in my school. That's all."
"Hah. Trying to trick me? All you really want is to make your academy famous, to chase fame and glory, to get your name in lights. You're just like the rest of the heroes."
"Oh? So little Klo has a brain that actually works."
"Talk all the crap you want."
"Do you want to know who killed your old servant?"
Those words jolted through me without warning. If I could find the one who did it... I'd avenge Lynette and the Andro family.
But revenge isn't what I seek. All I want... is to stay alive and return to my world.
"I'm not interested."
"Then convincing you will be harder than I thought."
Before I could react, his hand gripped my throat—trying to crush it. He was too fast.
"Well? I don't want talent like yours to rot away unused. You've got it all, Klo Yuthnir."
I have no choice, huh? Damn you.
"...Fine. I'll accept."
I grabbed his arm and lowered it.
The director smiled at me, eyes closed.
"Welcome to the Academy of Magic and Swordsmanship, Klo Yuthnir."
You'll regret that.
Suddenly, we were interrupted by a loud voice—like a commentator's.
"Good day, ladies and gentlemen! I'm your beloved announcer! Please remain silent to witness the light and strength of our future knights, who will glorify this kingdom!
Let's not delay any further. First up, we have Virellen Elithia going against—"
Doesn't matter. All I want to see is how far Elithia has come since my advice.
She entered the arena in her usual dueling attire. Her eyes sharp, serious. She waved her sword in the air, drawing a few circular slashes.
From the other side came a boy in heavy armor. I couldn't see his face, but he carried a giant axe like some sort of lumberjack.
What a joke.
They both stepped to the center. The judge approached and flipped a coin into the air.
The moment it hit the ground, the armored boy lunged at Elithia with his axe.
She dodged the strike and moved like a shadow—graceful and unseen.
That technique allowed its user to move smoothly and so fast that the eye couldn't follow—unless one trained their aura to a high level.
Elithia moved slowly toward him and kicked his ankles, sending him sliding onto his back. She pointed her sword at his face, daring him to try and rise.
Damn, Elithia. You've really improved since the last time.
The audience gasped—then erupted into madness.
"Did you see what she just did?!"
"I didn't see anything... but her title says it all. She's the Blade Maiden!"
"Really?!"
What the hell is wrong with these people? Gross.
The director interrupted my eavesdropping on the boys sitting in front of me.
"Seems Elithia's gotten stronger since last time."
I raised my hand with a casual shrug—playing dumb.
"You didn't cheat, did you, Klo Yuthnir?"
"..."
"Virellen Elithia!"
Her name kept echoing through the crowd. Looks like she's got herself a fanbase now.
"The winner is Elithia!" the announcer declared.
She waved at me with a smile as she left.
Everyone turned to glare at me with hate.
Thanks, you idiot. Now both sides hate me.
Elithia headed inside to rest in the changing room. I stayed where I was—getting roasted by the sun.
Then, a boy and a girl stepped into the ring.
The boy had blonde hair, blue eyes, and wore expensive-looking armor. The girl had black hair and red eyes.
"We're back, dear viewers, continuing the sword trial for our academy! Up next, we have a clash between the heir of House Vythiar and the heir of House Yuthnir!"
Yuthnir?
They stepped to the center, and the judge did his thing—flipping a coin.
"See that girl? I heard she has a bastard brother."
"Me too. They say she's the strongest one to enter this academy."
A bastard brother? Strongest in the academy?
As the coin touched the ground, the girl didn't move. The boy charged, sword drawn, shouting—
"Don't underestimate me, Yuthnir!"
Before he could even touch a hair on her head, he collapsed, unconscious.
She hadn't even moved.
"I don't waste time on spoiled brats."
She turned to walk away, but suddenly stopped and glared up at me with eyes that could kill.
Anyone else would've fainted.
I waved at her like I was cheering.
She kept walking.
"Your sister seems to hate you."
I shrugged both arms like: Who knows?
"You have a sister?"
...Does Klo have a sister?