Abnormal Type-Moon

"Enfield...!"

Toudou Kouichirou's expression instantly turned extremely unpleasant.

He quickly rose from his seat and found a secluded corner to answer the incoming call.

"Good evening, Director Kouichirou."

Claudia's smiling face appeared before Toudou Kouichirou.

"I'll get straight to the point. I was the one who sent you that email. I want to ask you, Director Kouichirou—how much longer do you intend to manipulate our precious top-ranked student at Seidoukan Academy?"

"Don't get ahead of yourself, you little brat from the Enfield family!"

Toudou Kouichirou glared at Claudia's image with a dark expression, his face twisting into a cold sneer.

"If your mother had said those words, I might have had no choice but to submit, no matter how unwilling I was. But coming from you? You're nowhere near qualified!"

Toudou Kouichirou was a candidate for executive position in the Integrated Enterprise Foundation, Ginga, serving as the director of the Seventh Investigation Office under the Entertainment Division.

His rank wasn't particularly high, but it wasn't insignificant either.

Currently, every foundation placed great importance on the Festa, and even W&W, the parent organization operating Queenvale Girls' Academy, merely treated it with slightly less emphasis—yet still regarded it as a crucial strategic objective at its core.

The Festa was a global-scale entertainment event, falling directly under the jurisdiction of the Entertainment Division. Thus, the division held considerable authority within the foundation.

If the head of the Entertainment Division were to speak, they would be among the highest-ranking executives of the foundation, capable of determining its operational direction—figures nearly equivalent to presidents of nations in the past.

In comparison, Toudou Kouichirou, as merely the director of the Seventh Investigation Office, wasn't even a full-fledged executive—just a candidate. Yet, in a place like Asterisk, he was already a figure of immense influence.

"You fear my mother, the highest-ranking executive of the foundation, but do you not fear me at all?"

Hearing this, Claudia's smile flickered with a hint of helplessness.

"I may not necessarily become an executive of the foundation, but you're underestimating me far too much. After all these years in the Seventh Investigation Office, you've left behind so many incriminating traces—did you really think I wouldn't be able to gather them?"

"After all, I have the support of this child~!"

With a smile, Claudia placed her hand on the sheath at her waist and drew out a pair of bizarre twin swords. Their guards were adorned with grotesquely large eyeballs, and their blades emitted an eerie glow of red and green—enough to unsettle even Kouichirou through the screen.

"Or perhaps you truly refuse to yield until faced with disaster? In that case, we can have a nice, long discussion about your activities in Okinawa three years ago—"

"Enough!"

Toudou Kouichirou abruptly cut her off, his expression caught between fury and fear, leaving him visibly stifled.

"What the hell do you want?!"

"Agree to the mock battle proposed in the email, along with the conditions stated."

Claudia remained unfazed by his raised voice, instead covering her lips with a light chuckle, exuding composure even in casual conversation.

"I'm being quite lenient, you know. I even gave you the chance for a fair duel through a mock battle... And who knows? I might just be saving your life."

If Roy were truly provoked, a mere mock battle wouldn't be enough to settle things.

That man might appear gentle on the surface, but she could sense it—at his core, he was the same as her.

No, if that person were to truly act ruthlessly, they would likely be far more radical than her.

"...Fine, I accept!"

Toudou Kouichirou's face was icy as he hung up the phone.

In the restaurant.

Toudou Kirin was staring at the spatial window before her, which displayed an email.

It was a different email from the challenge letter.

That's right—only one email had been sent to Toudou Kouichirou.

But in truth, two emails had been sent to Toudou Kirin.

The silver-haired girl gazed at this email, her eyes revealing a trace of longing, though it was unclear what exactly the message contained.

"Kirin!"

Suddenly, her uncle's furious, explosive voice rang out.

Toudou Kirin hurriedly closed the spatial window and sat up straight, turning to face Toudou Kouichirou as he returned from the corner.

"U-Uncle...!"

She wanted to accept this simulated battle.

"Go back and prepare. For this simulated battle, you are only allowed to win—no losing!"

"Huh?"

Toudou Kirin was stunned.

She hadn't even brought it up yet, but her uncle had already agreed?

Since when had he become so accommodating?

"What are you standing around for?! Hurry up and follow me!"

After what had happened, Toudou Kouichirou was so angry he couldn't even eat. He stormed out of the restaurant, barking at Kirin to keep up.

"But... I don't have a partner..."

"I'll find one! Just focus on adjusting your condition. If you can't win this time, I swear I won't let you off easy!"

"...."

A complicated light flickered in Toudou Kirin's eyes.

No wonder her uncle was so furious.

The email hadn't just contained an invitation for a two-on-two challenge—there had been more to it.

And that additional content was the real reason for her uncle's rage.

If she lost this simulated battle... her uncle would no longer have any means to control her. The whole "I won't let you off easy if you lose" threat was completely empty.

But if she won... then she would participate in the Phoenix Festa!

No matter how you looked at it.

Toudou Kouichirou had already lost utterly before the battle had even begun.

***

There were a total of seven cafeterias within Seidoukan Academy.

Among them, Hokuto Dining Hall was renowned for its affordable prices.

Julis had brought Roy to this very Hokuto Dining Hall.

"I seriously doubt your identity as a princess."

"Don't say it. Sometimes, I think the same thing."

While ordering, Julis showed a hint of displeasure.

Her homeland, the Kingdom of Lieseltania, was one of several small nations in modern Europe that had been restored after the Invertia.

But the country's revival hadn't been due to the will of its people. Rather, a massive meteorite had fallen nearby—one that, upon inspection, was confirmed to be a top-tier Beltis meteorite, composed of 95% mana. Such immense profits had drawn greedy predators like blood in the water—the Integrated Enterprise Foundations.

The three major foundations operating primarily in Europe—EP, Solnage, and Frauenlob—revived the historical Kingdom of Lieseltania to more easily control the region, using the puppet state to secure the Beltis meteorite.

In essence, Lieseltania was a tool controlled by the foundations. All political, economic, and diplomatic activities within the country were managed by them. The king—Julis's older brother—lived like a puppet.

As a princess, Julis was essentially just a mascot, bearing the title in name only. The conglomerate provided no financial support for any economic activities unrelated to its interests, and Julis attending school naturally fell into that category. Therefore, Julis lived very frugally in her daily life.

Although becoming one of the Page One students meant she received a substantial monthly stipend—enough to live comfortably—she still maintained her thrifty habits. No one knew where all that money went.

During dinner, an email arrived in Roy's inbox.

"Got the results?"

"Yeah."

Roy skimmed through the message, a pleased smile spreading across his face.

"Toudou Kouichirou has agreed. Claudia really is capable. Let me see... The time is after school tomorrow, and the location is the First Comprehensive Arena."

***

Hey readers!

Want to read ahead? 📖 Join my Patreon for early access to 30+ advance chapters! Your support helps me write more and bring the story to you faster.

🔹patreon.com/aarvan🔹