SWNOVELXO Chapter 94
Facing three women at Jerion Academy.
Eve, of course, had no choice but to put away her sword.
“Eve, what on earth are you doing?”
The president of Rosely Academy, also from the Prelitz Kingdom, scolded her.
“President, that’s…”
Eve looked flustered.
She acted on impulse, thinking she needed to get rid of my dragon remnants immediately, but clearly did not consider the consequences.
Her gaze landed on me.
She was biting her lips tightly.
If I were to reveal that I wielded dragon magic right now, all her actions would make sense.
But not knowing my situation exactly, she certainly wasn’t one to utter anything carelessly for her own position.
Those who handle dragon magic face death.
The moment I’m accused of wielding it here, my life would be over.
Eve didn’t seem intent on killing me.
She just genuinely believed she had to eliminate the dragon magic.
The danger of dragon magic.
And considering the possible loss of life, including my own, she foolishly acted today.
It was reckless, sure.
But essentially, it was an act meant to save lives.
“I guess the protagonist’s common sense is a bit lacking.”
I also knew about the events that Eve experienced, having played her.
The nickname given to Eve, the Unyielding Blue Flame.
This was due to numerous incidents surrounding her.
Reality pushed her down time and again to break her.
Yet, Eve remained unyielded and burned fiercely as the Blue Flame.
These various experiences deeply rooted themselves in her life.
Consequently, when she made a decision, she sometimes acted impulsively.
It would explain why she had difficulties fitting in with those around her.
Her life among others had been too harsh, leaving many voids.
Her Blue Flame ignites when it senses potential danger.
Surely, it flared up when she faced me this time.
“I didn’t expect her to catch on to the dragon magic too.”
Though I was in a defensive position, understanding her circumstances left me with no particular thoughts.
On the contrary, I hoped for this situation and provoked her plenty.
She’s the type who moves if even a stranger has danger written all over them.
And I, the third-rate villain, maliciously exploited that trait.
“Eve, it’s not good to act out just because you rejected my confession.”
“…What?”
It was the first time a sound of confusion slipped from Eve’s lips.
She wasn’t alone.
Everyone present was looking at Eve with wide, startled eyes.
Especially Isabel, whose sudden glance toward me was slightly terrifying.
It seemed she recalled the incident with Hania.
Eve had been asking around about me at the party.
As such, it was floating around that she was interested in me.
At that moment, it was obvious what would ensue after such a statement from me.
“Eve, you…”
“The Blue Flame loves extravagantly, huh?”
“What an unexpected side of you.”
The age where everything burns with love.
At this moment, everyone empathized with Eve.
Eve looked completely stunned by the unexpected turn of events.
Moreover, her face was turning bright red.
“I-I never! That’s slander!”
Eve shouted in denial.
She suddenly became a love-struck woman.
Everyone looked at her with pity.
Regardless, Eve was glaring at me with wide eyes.
“I’ve had enough, everyone stop here.”
Iris, unable to bear it any longer, intervened, looking at me.
“Hania, go treat your wounds.”
“Yes.”
“Wait. We need to clear up the misunderstanding first…”
As Eve tried to grab me, Iris blocked her.
At that moment, a dark intent erupted from Iris.
“I told you to stop.”
Iris warned her that she had crossed the line.
Eve gritted her teeth, watching my retreating figure.
After that, I managed to leave the party without further incident and returned to my room.
Thanks to Eve’s Blue Flame, I did get a slight burn, but a little treatment would fix that.
So I decided to tackle my burnt clothes first.
“Hania.”
“Yikes!?”
As I began to undress hastily, a voice suddenly came from behind.
Startled, I turned around to find Sharine there.
When did she even come in?
That girl, so stealthy.
“That was a lie about him confessing, right?”
Did she catch on?
“Yeah.”
I answered without bothering to hide it.
“Why would you tell such a lie?”
“Because Eve caught me with the remnants of the dragon. To be precise, she caught me with dragon magic.”
Sharine frowned.
She understood very well what would happen if dragon magic was discovered.
“If Hania gets executed, we won’t be able to seal magic using dragon magic.”
So she wasn’t worried about me after all.
While Sharine wore a troubled expression, I started buttoning my shirt.
“Eve discovered the remnants, and she rushed at me to erase them.”
“Hmm, can dragon remnants just be erased on a whim?”
“Maybe if Eve’s Unyielding Blue Flame is involved, it might be possible.”
And in the process, I’d probably get a bit fried.
But still, it was indeed possible.
“So I preemptively acted before Eve revealed anything.”
“You sure have riled her up.”
“That was somewhat intentional.”
Sharine wore an expression that suggested she didn’t get it.
Did I think it was okay to upset someone who had their weakness exposed?
I knew for a fact that if Eve revealed the dragon remnants, it would be game over.
Yet, I also had the conviction that she wouldn’t do that.
“It’s necessary.”
“Is it another thing that serves your purpose?”
“Exactly, and perhaps the most important one.”
I planned to transfer Eve to Jerion Academy.
Only Eve’s Unyielding Blue Flame could substitute the flame of willpower.
The continued absence of that willpower would be a major hindrance.
I was making some efforts, but resolving the events in this scenario was a tough nut to crack.
That’s what Eve’s Unyielding Blue Flame was for.
“If it’s Eve…”
She would undoubtedly come to eliminate my dragon remnants.
After today, I would have undoubtedly etched myself in her mind as a very dangerous person.
Starting from my unexpected abilities to Iris standing up for me, it would be troubling her for sure.
Moreover, I had shattered her image of me with a lie.
I would have deeply imprinted myself in Eve’s mind.
“I missed the opportunity to erase the dragon remnants today.”
The international academy meeting would return to their respective academies as soon as the party ended.
Eve would face consequences from this incident, so she wouldn’t be able to approach me for a while.
Thus, Eve would only have one chance to deal with my dragon remnants moving forward.
“The international individual competition.”
In that competition, Eve would certainly try to eliminate my dragon remnants.
“If I can get past that…”
She would have no choice but to chase after me, even beyond Jerion Academy.
To prepare for that, I had to be capable of enduring Eve’s onslaught.
“No, simply enduring isn’t enough.”
I had to win against her and ensure I was branded as a threat in her mind.
Making sure she thought I had to stop her from coming after me even after transferring to Jerion Academy.
She was a complete protagonist who had finished her scenario.
For that purpose, I needed to grow stronger.
At this level, I couldn’t win against Eve.
“Sharine, remember that talk about a date?”
So I resolved not to spare any means to achieve my goal.
“I want to do that before the international individual competition.”
By the international competition, I would completely manage the dragon remnants.
＊＊＊
The Unyielding Blue Flame.
Eve.
A hero from Ordo Academy in the Prelitz Kingdom and a member of the Six Stars.
She was kicking her blanket violently, recalling the shame she suffered today.
Having been reprimanded by the president of Ordo, she exited the party and locked herself in her room.
If she managed to escape here, it would only make things difficult for her.
Thus, she had no choice but to remain quiet.
“That man.”
Hanon Irey.
Remembering the humiliation she faced, her face flushed red as she bit her lip.
It was the first time in her life she had gone through something so humiliating.
She never expected the attack she initiated to backfire so spectacularly.
The boldness of his lying without a change in expression sent a shiver down her spine.
Of course, Eve also recognized she had brought this on herself.
She realized she had hurt him when she’d attacked.
But dragon magic was inherently dangerous.
When she was young, she had seen a user of dragon magic just once.
She remembered clearly how that ended for him.
Before she knew it, she had kicked off the blankets and stood up.
Then, she grasped her endless sword.
The image of Hanon from earlier flickered in front of Eve’s eyes.
She shook off the humiliation and took a steady breath.
Hanon, who faced her, had been stronger than she had thought.
She had swung her sword with the intent to finish him in one blow.
But without any weapon, he had blocked her sword.
“That feeling when I struck.”
Like swinging a sword against solid steel.
Recalling that sensation, Eve opened her eyes wide.
He definitely possessed some special power.
As for how he could activate magic without a staff, it was utterly ridiculous.
“He’s a wild card.”
She had anticipated that if she couldn’t finish it quickly, things would get troublesome.
When she failed her first attack against him, it was as good as defeat.
Thus, she had to defeat him the next time they met.
Eve swung her sword at Hanon’s illusion.
Hanon’s illusion demonstrated the same movements as before and evaded Eve’s sword.
But Eve didn’t stop there and continued her assault.
Hanon also kept evading her strikes.
But at some point, Eve completely cornered Hanon and struck down with her sword.
As Eve cut through the air, she took a breath.
“Next time…”
Slowly, Eve’s blue eyes shone brightly.
I will surely defeat him and erase the dragon magic.
The international academy meeting.
It was the moment where new encounters and bonds would begin.
＊＊＊
Time flew by.
Autumn had ripened, and the international individual competition was right around the corner.
As a result, students were training fervently every day.
The international competition was an opportunity to establish themselves in the world.
Naturally, everyone was pouring their effort into their training.
During this time of intense practicing, I had holed myself up in the personal training room.
Jerion Academy had personal training rooms available for those who applied.
Inside, I was training daily in preparation for the international competition.
Why, you ask? Because I had recently gone on a not-date with Sharine.
Thanks to that, a new magic seal had been inscribed on my body.
“Prince Sweet Potato, what exactly are you doing by yourself? Are you trying to become a burnt sweet potato again?”
Seron asked, puzzled, as she watched me emerge from the training all charred.
I told her to look forward to the competition.
“Come on, stop pushing your body so hard.”
Seron gently wiped my face with a handkerchief.
I blinked at her tender touch and asked.
“This isn’t the face you like, is it?”
“Shut up! Once you like someone, it all looks the same.”
Seron’s face turned bright red as she said that.
Then she punched my shoulder and dashed off.
She was becoming bolder by the day.
“Hanon, you remember our contract relationship, right?”
With Seron recently displaying her feelings so openly, Hania shot her a sidelong glance.
It was a glance suggesting to keep our romance discreet at least.
It was unfair for me, but I nodded since I had made a promise to Hania.
I owe her a lot.
Without her help with my disguise, I wouldn’t even be able to visit Iris’s room.
To keep this arrangement with her, I had to maintain my contract relationship.
“Hanon, you can expect a lot from the upcoming international individual competition.”
Hearing Ban’s words during our training, I tilted my head.
“Ban, you?”
“Of course, and Isabel too.”
Ban was continuously training with Isabel.
Moreover, I knew well that Isabel felt competitive against me.
“She’s preparing something impressive.”
Something impressive, huh.
“Could it be…?”
It was probably about time for that.
A smile spread across my lips.
“Yeah, I guess I should look forward to it.”
With everyone’s expectations gathered.
Finally, today.
The curtain was about to rise on the international individual competition.