"Who... are you?"
Siegfried's voice was so cold it felt like it could freeze the air around him.
"Ah, I see. Well, if you’ve forgotten, it's not my problem. I’m not here to give you a history lesson. But..."
The winged man, standing protectively in front of Althea and glaring at Siegfried and Regalus, let out a sinister smile and leapt into the air. Spotting Thomas running toward them from afar, he muttered, "Seems like the odds are against me," and with a snap of his fingers, vanished.
The arena was still in an uproar. With the finals about to begin, there was no guarantee that the intruder wouldn't return.
To calm the chaos, the event was temporarily halted and the barrier spells were recast. The organizers, aware of Thomas's presence, pleaded for his assistance, and he agreed to help. However, due to the size of the venue, it would take at least an hour to restore the barriers completely.
During this interlude, the participating students were instructed to take a break, and Althea and her companions left the arena.
Althea accompanied a still-trembling Kaera to her dressing room, with Siegfried and Regalus following close behind.
Once inside, Althea had Kaera sit down and fetched her some water.
"Kaera, are you alright? It's just water, but can you drink it?"
Kaera took the cup with both hands, stared at the water for a moment, then downed it in one gulp.
"Ah... Thank you, Althea. And I'm sorry. To think it ended like that... I never imagined part of my body would be controlled. It was truly terrifying..."
Kaera clutched the empty cup, her head bowed, still trembling slightly. Seeing this, Althea sat beside her and gently embraced her.
"It's okay. I'm still here."
"Yes, but... Oh."
"What's wrong?"
"The verdict... It’s not right. I was being controlled. I need to inform the head judge."
Kaera stood up, intent on leaving the room, but Althea held her back.
"No. The result is fair. Honestly, you were gradually gaining the upper hand. Even without the interference, I believe I would have lost. So, the outcome is legitimate."
"But that wasn't my true ability. And I was about to hurt you! I have to correct this..."
As Kaera tried to leave again, Siegfried stepped in front of her.
"Please step aside, Your Highness. I cannot accept this outcome."
"Kaera, I understand how you feel. But announcing that you were controlled could have severe repercussions."
"What do you mean?"
"Just the presence of an intruder in the arena is enough to hold the organizers and security accountable. The fact that no one was injured is a small mercy. If you declare that you were controlled, it won't end with just a reprimand for those involved."
"But... This verdict is unjust..."
Kaera, despite her confusion, insisted on the fairness of her argument.
"I understand your dissatisfaction, Kaera. However, as someone in a leadership position, you must also protect those below you. If you voice your concerns now, the worst-case scenario is that future martial arts tournaments could be canceled. Think about the long-term consequences."
The term "leadership position" made Kaera pause.
As a member of the Uryan family, she was destined to lead her people after graduation. Her hands trembled with the inner conflict, and Althea, who had followed her, gently held them.
Kaera, on the verge of tears, looked back at Althea. Seeing her friend’s concerned expression, Althea spoke softly.
"Kaera, I must admit, I'm quite exhausted. If I were to compete again, I would surely lose. But you still have the strength to fight. Don't you?"
Though it wasn't clear if Althea was truly that fatigued, her tired expression was evident.
"Alright. I don't want to cause trouble for anyone. But I have one condition... Althea, once you’ve recovered, could you spar with me again? It’s the only way I'll be at peace with today."
Kaera's pleading eyes met Althea's, who responded with a smile.
"Of course, I'd love to."
Althea and Kaera were seated in the back of the waiting room, taking a much-needed rest. At the entrance, Siegfried and Regalus conversed in hushed tones.
"What was that? It had wings... a demon, perhaps?"
"Most likely."
"But how did it get into the arena? The barrier is supposed to cover the entire venue, including the airspace above."
"Reports indicate the barrier was intact. However..."
"However?"
"It seems 'authorized personnel' could bypass it. Although no one expected someone to come from above."
"Authorized personnel? Could that intruder be one of them?"
"I don't recognize him."
As the two puzzled over the situation, Lily came rushing in.
"Finally found you! You all went to Althea's waiting room!"
She caught her breath, visibly annoyed.
"What’s the matter?" Siegfried asked.
"That winged man... He’s Philip!" Lily declared.
"Philip? The name sounds familiar... Reg, do you remember?"
"No, but... Lily, I think you've mentioned him before."
"Yes, that's right. Philip and... someone else were missing, you said."
As Siegfried and Regalus tried to recall, Lily interrupted impatiently.
"Not 'someone else'! Her name is Persephone! Before the long break, she used charm magic, and her brother Philip was in the general studies. Their appearances were distinctive; I'm sure it was him. He was quiet back then, not at all like how he acted today."
Despite Lily’s insistence, none of them could quite remember. Seeing their confusion, Lily explained again.
She recounted how Philip enrolled this year, how his sister Persephone transferred into the first year of the magic department, how she used charm magic to enchant nearly all the boys in her class, and how they both disappeared after the break, gradually being forgotten by everyone.
"If he was a student, he'd be considered 'authorized personnel,' but if they're no longer here, they wouldn't be 'authorized' anymore, would they?"
"If they officially withdrew, they wouldn't be. But they might have just erased their presence, leaving their enrollment records intact. Everyone simply forgot about them," Lily theorized.
As they pondered her words, the announcement for the finals echoed through the room.
"The barrier repairs seem to be complete."
"Indeed."
Siegfried and Regalus turned to the two girls resting in the back.
"Kaera, do your best for both of us."
"Of course, Althea. But don’t forget our rematch later, okay?"
"Absolutely. I want to challenge the champion Kaera at my best. So..."
"I’ll win for sure. Cheer for me, alright?"
Kaera gave Althea a quick hug. With their height difference and Kaera's short hair, they looked like a close couple from afar.
"Kaera, you need to go now or you’ll be late," Siegfried reminded her.
"Thank you, Prince Siegfried. Althea, I’ll be off. Wish me luck."
Waving to Althea, Kaera left the waiting room with a confident stride.
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"Who... are you?"
Siegfried's voice was so cold it felt like it could freeze the air around him.
"Ah, I see. Well, if you’ve forgotten, it's not my problem. I’m not here to give you a history lesson. But..."
The winged man, standing protectively in front of Althea and glaring at Siegfried and Regalus, let out a sinister smile and leapt into the air. Spotting Thomas running toward them from afar, he muttered, "Seems like the odds are against me," and with a snap of his fingers, vanished.
The arena was still in an uproar. With the finals about to begin, there was no guarantee that the intruder wouldn't return.
To calm the chaos, the event was temporarily halted and the barrier spells were recast. The organizers, aware of Thomas's presence, pleaded for his assistance, and he agreed to help. However, due to the size of the venue, it would take at least an hour to restore the barriers completely.
During this interlude, the participating students were instructed to take a break, and Althea and her companions left the arena.
Althea accompanied a still-trembling Kaera to her dressing room, with Siegfried and Regalus following close behind.
Once inside, Althea had Kaera sit down and fetched her some water.
"Kaera, are you alright? It's just water, but can you drink it?"
Kaera took the cup with both hands, stared at the water for a moment, then downed it in one gulp.
"Ah... Thank you, Althea. And I'm sorry. To think it ended like that... I never imagined part of my body would be controlled. It was truly terrifying..."
Kaera clutched the empty cup, her head bowed, still trembling slightly. Seeing this, Althea sat beside her and gently embraced her.
"It's okay. I'm still here."
"Yes, but... Oh."
"What's wrong?"
"The verdict... It’s not right. I was being controlled. I need to inform the head judge."
Kaera stood up, intent on leaving the room, but Althea held her back.
"No. The result is fair. Honestly, you were gradually gaining the upper hand. Even without the interference, I believe I would have lost. So, the outcome is legitimate."
"But that wasn't my true ability. And I was about to hurt you! I have to correct this..."
As Kaera tried to leave again, Siegfried stepped in front of her.
"Please step aside, Your Highness. I cannot accept this outcome."
"Kaera, I understand how you feel. But announcing that you were controlled could have severe repercussions."
"What do you mean?"
"Just the presence of an intruder in the arena is enough to hold the organizers and security accountable. The fact that no one was injured is a small mercy. If you declare that you were controlled, it won't end with just a reprimand for those involved."
"But... This verdict is unjust..."
Kaera, despite her confusion, insisted on the fairness of her argument.
"I understand your dissatisfaction, Kaera. However, as someone in a leadership position, you must also protect those below you. If you voice your concerns now, the worst-case scenario is that future martial arts tournaments could be canceled. Think about the long-term consequences."
The term "leadership position" made Kaera pause.
As a member of the Uryan family, she was destined to lead her people after graduation. Her hands trembled with the inner conflict, and Althea, who had followed her, gently held them.
Kaera, on the verge of tears, looked back at Althea. Seeing her friend’s concerned expression, Althea spoke softly.
"Kaera, I must admit, I'm quite exhausted. If I were to compete again, I would surely lose. But you still have the strength to fight. Don't you?"
Though it wasn't clear if Althea was truly that fatigued, her tired expression was evident.
"Alright. I don't want to cause trouble for anyone. But I have one condition... Althea, once you’ve recovered, could you spar with me again? It’s the only way I'll be at peace with today."
Kaera's pleading eyes met Althea's, who responded with a smile.
"Of course, I'd love to."
Althea and Kaera were seated in the back of the waiting room, taking a much-needed rest. At the entrance, Siegfried and Regalus conversed in hushed tones.
"What was that? It had wings... a demon, perhaps?"
"Most likely."
"But how did it get into the arena? The barrier is supposed to cover the entire venue, including the airspace above."
"Reports indicate the barrier was intact. However..."
"However?"
"It seems 'authorized personnel' could bypass it. Although no one expected someone to come from above."
"Authorized personnel? Could that intruder be one of them?"
"I don't recognize him."
As the two puzzled over the situation, Lily came rushing in.
"Finally found you! You all went to Althea's waiting room!"
She caught her breath, visibly annoyed.
"What’s the matter?" Siegfried asked.
"That winged man... He’s Philip!" Lily declared.
"Philip? The name sounds familiar... Reg, do you remember?"
"No, but... Lily, I think you've mentioned him before."
"Yes, that's right. Philip and... someone else were missing, you said."
As Siegfried and Regalus tried to recall, Lily interrupted impatiently.
"Not 'someone else'! Her name is Persephone! Before the long break, she used charm magic, and her brother Philip was in the general studies. Their appearances were distinctive; I'm sure it was him. He was quiet back then, not at all like how he acted today."
Despite Lily’s insistence, none of them could quite remember. Seeing their confusion, Lily explained again.
She recounted how Philip enrolled this year, how his sister Persephone transferred into the first year of the magic department, how she used charm magic to enchant nearly all the boys in her class, and how they both disappeared after the break, gradually being forgotten by everyone.
"If he was a student, he'd be considered 'authorized personnel,' but if they're no longer here, they wouldn't be 'authorized' anymore, would they?"
"If they officially withdrew, they wouldn't be. But they might have just erased their presence, leaving their enrollment records intact. Everyone simply forgot about them," Lily theorized.
As they pondered her words, the announcement for the finals echoed through the room.
"The barrier repairs seem to be complete."
"Indeed."
Siegfried and Regalus turned to the two girls resting in the back.
"Kaera, do your best for both of us."
"Of course, Althea. But don’t forget our rematch later, okay?"
"Absolutely. I want to challenge the champion Kaera at my best. So..."
"I’ll win for sure. Cheer for me, alright?"
Kaera gave Althea a quick hug. With their height difference and Kaera's short hair, they looked like a close couple from afar.
"Kaera, you need to go now or you’ll be late," Siegfried reminded her.
"Thank you, Prince Siegfried. Althea, I’ll be off. Wish me luck."
Waving to Althea, Kaera left the waiting room with a confident stride.
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