While Althea was away for her reassessment, Regalus and Rohmund were extracting information from Richt, who had been purified. The information they gathered consistently pointed to one ominous conclusion: "The Kingdom of Fulltale has fallen into the hands of monsters."
The news of Fulltale’s fall spread quickly to neighboring nations. In response, these countries fortified their borders, bracing for potential attacks. However, the fallen Fulltale made no aggressive moves; instead, it maintained an eerie silence, cutting off all diplomatic communication.
As tension simmered, life continued, and a new term began at the academy.
Those aware of the current situation—Siegfried, Duke Sivia, Count Norland, Archduke Monclair’s children, their attendants, and Lily Gresha—returned to the academy on high alert. However, they noticed that Miss Persephone and Philip were nowhere to be found. Strangely, students from Fulltale, who should have been affected by the fall, returned and continued their studies as if nothing had happened.
Only nine people remembered Persephone and Philip: Siegfried, Regalus, Origami, Cartlis, Lily, Althea, Jean, Laila, and the recently purified Richt. Yet, the memory of these two began to fade rapidly. Jean and Laila forgot the next day, Origami and Regalus two days later, and within a week, even Siegfried, Althea, Cartlis, and Richt had no recollection. By the end of that week, only Lily Gresha remembered.
Initially, Lily tried to remind everyone about Persephone and Philip, but her efforts were met with confusion. Those who had forgotten could not understand her pleas, leaving Lily feeling increasingly isolated and uncertain about her sanity. Eventually, she stopped mentioning them, fearing for her own mental state.
Life returned to normal, and attention shifted to the upcoming Martial Arts Tournament. The registration period lasted a week, and as the tournament bracket was posted, it became the hot topic across the academy.
The main attraction of this year’s tournament was Althea Monclair. Female students were only allowed to participate in their third year. While a few notable girls had entered in the past, most were already renowned for their martial prowess. However, Althea, previously seen as a delicate beauty, had entered the tournament, surprising everyone.
It made sense, considering she was a lady of beauty, but her gentle appearance led many to think it was a mistake. They repeatedly checked the tournament bracket to confirm her entry.
Althea's friend, Kaera, who was the student representative and aware of Althea’s participation before the brackets were made, decided to confront her.
“Are you sure this isn’t a mistake? Maybe they mixed you up with Laila,” Kaera asked.
Standing beside Althea, Laila shook her head, and Althea smiled.
“It’s no mistake. I’m entering. After all, I am a Monclair,” Althea replied confidently.
“But you’ve never mentioned being able to fight,” Kaera countered.
“Well, no one ever asked,” Althea said with a smile.
Kaera thought for a moment. It was true; no one had asked because they assumed Althea couldn’t fight. They believed her constant companion was a necessity for her protection.
“Alright then, but know this—I’m aiming to win. If we face each other, I won’t hold back,” Kaera said firmly.
“I wouldn’t want it any other way,” Althea responded with her usual serene smile.
Althea Monclair’s participation in the Martial Arts Tournament became a hot topic, even among the magic students.
“Hey, Monclair!” A loud voice called from behind Regalus as he walked down the hallway. It was Yugg Starry Stars.
Regalus wanted to ignore him but realized it was unwise to slight a prince, especially in such turbulent times. Reluctantly, he stopped and turned around, looking irritated. Yugg caught up and remarked, “You’re so obvious. Try not to wear your feelings on your face.”
“I do it on purpose,” Regalus replied.
“Fine. Anyway, I need to talk to you. Come with me,” Yugg said, gesturing for Regalus to follow him.
As soon as they entered an unused classroom, Yugg began to speak rapidly.
"Hey! What's the meaning of this?"
"What do you mean?" Regalus replied with a genuinely puzzled expression.
"The Martial Arts Tournament. Surely, you know about it?"
"Are you referring to my sister Althea's participation?"
"Exactly. You understand, don't you? This isn’t just some casual academy tournament. It’s a high-level competition where a little swordplay won’t cut it. So why is she—"
"Prince Yugg," Regalus interrupted, looking him in the eye. "Have you forgotten that we are the Monclairs? And Althea is one of us. Don’t underestimate her."
Yugg was taken aback by Regalus's resolute gaze.
"So, you're saying she has been hiding her true abilities?"
"Hiding? No. There was simply no reason to flaunt them. She just hasn’t had an opportunity to show her skills."
Indeed... There aren’t many situations where a noblewoman would need to fight at the academy. Maybe during the Exploration Tournament, but even then, how could she possibly match the strength of the male students...?
Yugg thought, casting a glance at Regalus. Despite his usual overprotectiveness, Regalus showed no sign of worry.
He’s not concerned at all...
"Alright. I suppose I should secure a seat for the tournament then," Yugg said hastily, leaving the room.
The tournament venue had limited seating. Each participant could reserve two family seats, but the rest were available on a first-come, first-served basis. Typically, magic students showed little interest in the Martial Arts Tournament, which was primarily for general students. They preferred displays of magical prowess over physical combat. However, this year's excitement was unprecedented.
Two years ago, the competition for seats was five times overbooked. That year, Crown Prince Siegfried of RGC and Regalus Monclair were the main attractions. Both were exceptionally handsome, prompting a surge of interest from the female magic students.
"This year's competition for seats might be even tougher," Yugg mused as he headed to the registration desk.
Since the tournament bracket was announced, Althea's environment changed drastically. Some supported her, while others, worried she might get hurt, urged her to withdraw. Others gossiped, claiming she only wanted attention or that it was unbecoming for a noblewoman to fight.
Althea heard these whispers but dismissed them, focusing on her daily early morning training and sparring with Regalus, honing her combat skills and developing a sense for real battle scenarios.
The days leading up to the tournament passed quickly, and on the eve of the event, Althea and Kaera arrived early at the Monclair Arena.
That night, while the two were chatting on the terrace of the student accommodations, a male student approached them, saying, "Excuse me."
"Forgive my intrusion. I am Lloyd Insula, a noble of the Starry Stars Empire. I apologize for my presumptuousness in addressing Lady Monclair directly."
He took a deep breath and said clearly, "I must ask you to withdraw from the Martial Arts Tournament tomorrow."
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While Althea was away for her reassessment, Regalus and Rohmund were extracting information from Richt, who had been purified. The information they gathered consistently pointed to one ominous conclusion: "The Kingdom of Fulltale has fallen into the hands of monsters."
The news of Fulltale’s fall spread quickly to neighboring nations. In response, these countries fortified their borders, bracing for potential attacks. However, the fallen Fulltale made no aggressive moves; instead, it maintained an eerie silence, cutting off all diplomatic communication.
As tension simmered, life continued, and a new term began at the academy.
Those aware of the current situation—Siegfried, Duke Sivia, Count Norland, Archduke Monclair’s children, their attendants, and Lily Gresha—returned to the academy on high alert. However, they noticed that Miss Persephone and Philip were nowhere to be found. Strangely, students from Fulltale, who should have been affected by the fall, returned and continued their studies as if nothing had happened.
Only nine people remembered Persephone and Philip: Siegfried, Regalus, Origami, Cartlis, Lily, Althea, Jean, Laila, and the recently purified Richt. Yet, the memory of these two began to fade rapidly. Jean and Laila forgot the next day, Origami and Regalus two days later, and within a week, even Siegfried, Althea, Cartlis, and Richt had no recollection. By the end of that week, only Lily Gresha remembered.
Initially, Lily tried to remind everyone about Persephone and Philip, but her efforts were met with confusion. Those who had forgotten could not understand her pleas, leaving Lily feeling increasingly isolated and uncertain about her sanity. Eventually, she stopped mentioning them, fearing for her own mental state.
Life returned to normal, and attention shifted to the upcoming Martial Arts Tournament. The registration period lasted a week, and as the tournament bracket was posted, it became the hot topic across the academy.
The main attraction of this year’s tournament was Althea Monclair. Female students were only allowed to participate in their third year. While a few notable girls had entered in the past, most were already renowned for their martial prowess. However, Althea, previously seen as a delicate beauty, had entered the tournament, surprising everyone.
It made sense, considering she was a lady of beauty, but her gentle appearance led many to think it was a mistake. They repeatedly checked the tournament bracket to confirm her entry.
Althea's friend, Kaera, who was the student representative and aware of Althea’s participation before the brackets were made, decided to confront her.
“Are you sure this isn’t a mistake? Maybe they mixed you up with Laila,” Kaera asked.
Standing beside Althea, Laila shook her head, and Althea smiled.
“It’s no mistake. I’m entering. After all, I am a Monclair,” Althea replied confidently.
“But you’ve never mentioned being able to fight,” Kaera countered.
“Well, no one ever asked,” Althea said with a smile.
Kaera thought for a moment. It was true; no one had asked because they assumed Althea couldn’t fight. They believed her constant companion was a necessity for her protection.
“Alright then, but know this—I’m aiming to win. If we face each other, I won’t hold back,” Kaera said firmly.
“I wouldn’t want it any other way,” Althea responded with her usual serene smile.
Althea Monclair’s participation in the Martial Arts Tournament became a hot topic, even among the magic students.
“Hey, Monclair!” A loud voice called from behind Regalus as he walked down the hallway. It was Yugg Starry Stars.
Regalus wanted to ignore him but realized it was unwise to slight a prince, especially in such turbulent times. Reluctantly, he stopped and turned around, looking irritated. Yugg caught up and remarked, “You’re so obvious. Try not to wear your feelings on your face.”
“I do it on purpose,” Regalus replied.
“Fine. Anyway, I need to talk to you. Come with me,” Yugg said, gesturing for Regalus to follow him.
As soon as they entered an unused classroom, Yugg began to speak rapidly.
"Hey! What's the meaning of this?"
"What do you mean?" Regalus replied with a genuinely puzzled expression.
"The Martial Arts Tournament. Surely, you know about it?"
"Are you referring to my sister Althea's participation?"
"Exactly. You understand, don't you? This isn’t just some casual academy tournament. It’s a high-level competition where a little swordplay won’t cut it. So why is she—"
"Prince Yugg," Regalus interrupted, looking him in the eye. "Have you forgotten that we are the Monclairs? And Althea is one of us. Don’t underestimate her."
Yugg was taken aback by Regalus's resolute gaze.
"So, you're saying she has been hiding her true abilities?"
"Hiding? No. There was simply no reason to flaunt them. She just hasn’t had an opportunity to show her skills."
Indeed... There aren’t many situations where a noblewoman would need to fight at the academy. Maybe during the Exploration Tournament, but even then, how could she possibly match the strength of the male students...?
Yugg thought, casting a glance at Regalus. Despite his usual overprotectiveness, Regalus showed no sign of worry.
He’s not concerned at all...
"Alright. I suppose I should secure a seat for the tournament then," Yugg said hastily, leaving the room.
The tournament venue had limited seating. Each participant could reserve two family seats, but the rest were available on a first-come, first-served basis. Typically, magic students showed little interest in the Martial Arts Tournament, which was primarily for general students. They preferred displays of magical prowess over physical combat. However, this year's excitement was unprecedented.
Two years ago, the competition for seats was five times overbooked. That year, Crown Prince Siegfried of RGC and Regalus Monclair were the main attractions. Both were exceptionally handsome, prompting a surge of interest from the female magic students.
"This year's competition for seats might be even tougher," Yugg mused as he headed to the registration desk.
Since the tournament bracket was announced, Althea's environment changed drastically. Some supported her, while others, worried she might get hurt, urged her to withdraw. Others gossiped, claiming she only wanted attention or that it was unbecoming for a noblewoman to fight.
Althea heard these whispers but dismissed them, focusing on her daily early morning training and sparring with Regalus, honing her combat skills and developing a sense for real battle scenarios.
The days leading up to the tournament passed quickly, and on the eve of the event, Althea and Kaera arrived early at the Monclair Arena.
That night, while the two were chatting on the terrace of the student accommodations, a male student approached them, saying, "Excuse me."
"Forgive my intrusion. I am Lloyd Insula, a noble of the Starry Stars Empire. I apologize for my presumptuousness in addressing Lady Monclair directly."
He took a deep breath and said clearly, "I must ask you to withdraw from the Martial Arts Tournament tomorrow."
ShoujoDirector Share your thoughts down below and click the heart icon if you enjoy the content! (～￣▽￣)～
