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Chapter 23 - The Vain Man (4)

–I, Emilia Vanity, in the name of honor and order, challenge Judas Snakes to a duel.

Just as expected, the big event had finally arrived.

A duel challenge, boldly declared in front of the other students.

The place where the two of us stood had suddenly become a stage.

The white glove that fell to the floor, the tension in the air that seemed ready to explode, the gaze of the audience all focused on one spot.

It was a setup, meticulously crafted by someone.

–The price of defeat… is to leave Gallimard Academy at the victor’s discretion.

The girl who orchestrated everything smiled.

Her lips curl into a twisted grin.

It was a smile tainted by jealousy, malice, and inferiority… but it only made her deadly beauty more pronounced.

Like a flower blooming in ugly defiance.

Her crimson lips were almost too alluring.

Each word she spoke pierced through the air, sharp as a needle.

Like a mesmerizing whisper that sends shivers down your spine.

–Your answer?

Did she know I couldn’t refuse?

There was an odd certainty in her question.

A sweet scent brushed against my nose.

That bewitching allure made it impossible to deny her.

"I accepted it as if I were under a spell."

It was a no-win situation.

The choice was forced upon me.

Refusing the duel would be equivalent to admitting that I was the phoney top student everyone suspected me of being.

Given how many people already doubted me, it would’ve just handed them more fuel.

This had probably been her goal all along.

To irreparably tarnish the image of the top student.

For Emilia, even if the duel didn’t happen, she would still achieve her purpose.

“Clever.”

She had thought this through.

A smile tugged at my lips, impressed by her cunning.

‘A duel with expulsion on the line, huh.’

I knew she was planning something, but I never imagined she’d bring such an entertaining event to the table.

This is what academy life should be like.

There has to be some excitement, some fireworks to make it all worthwhile.

Just imagining it sent a rush of dopamine through me.

As I grinned to myself, Regia, who was walking beside me, spoke up.

"M-My lord… what should we do…?"

"Hmm?"

Her green eyes were filled with worry.

She always had a fragile air about her, but now she looked like she was on the verge of tears.

Her voice trembled with desperation.

"Th-The thought that you have to duel Lady Vanity because of me… I, I can’t bear it."

"Oh dear."

I had noticed that she seemed troubled earlier.

It appeared that our protagonist was worried about me.

Well, of course.

Regia, like the other students, didn’t know the full extent of my power.

She was unsure, unable to make a solid judgment, just like the others.

And then, a bombshell dropped.

–I didn’t expect you to accept… you really don’t know your place.

Emilia Vanity, one of the most elite students in this cohort.

She was a strong contender, ranking third in the year.

The declaration of a duel with expulsion as the penalty must have shaken Regia to her core.

Especially since I had just stepped in to help her, she probably felt it was all her fault.

"I-I’m sorry… I’m always causing trouble… It’s all because of me…"

She was such a kind-hearted protagonist.

She could endure being hurt by others, but she couldn’t forgive herself for causing pain to someone else.

Her overly kind nature was just as it was in the original story.

Thud.

My hand moved on its own.

I gently patted her fluffy pink hair.

Like taming a frightened puppy.

Slowly, gently.

"M-My lord…?"

I appreciated her concern, but...

That smile suits you so much better.

"I’m fine, Miss Regia."

"……"

"In fact, I’m quite pleased with how things turned out. If anything, I feel like I should bow to Lady Vanity in gratitude."

"What…?"

I playfully poke her cheek.

The soft sensation lingers, warming my fingertips.

How could anyone want to make her cry?

"This is a chance to show you my brilliant performance, Miss Regia."

I’ll have to give you a surprise.

A surprise so great that all your sad thoughts will disappear.

‘I can’t wait for tomorrow.’

It was a day full of anticipation.

***

A snake slithers down the corridor.

Its steps are unhurried.

Watching from a short distance, a girl mumbles as if she can’t understand.

“Such a strange person.”

Her calm blue eyes reflect the scene.

Her platinum hair sways lightly in the gentle breeze.

Charlotte, who had been standing by the window, tilts her head as she watches him disappear.

A sign of her confusion.

"I don’t understand what he’s thinking."

It was a pure, straightforward question.

Judas Snakes.

What on earth is he planning?

His peculiar actions only served to deepen Charlotte’s curiosity.

Lately, she found herself thinking about him more often.

"He’s difficult to understand."

He was an enigmatic figure.

He had the power to crush everyone, yet he allowed himself to be bullied by Lady Vanity.

Having witnessed Judas’s strength firsthand, Charlotte found it baffling that he would allow himself to be mistreated.

–Shall I help you?

–If you’re only putting up with Emilia because you’re concerned about the Vanity family… I can step in and stop it.

Was he worried about the power of the Vanity family?

She had even offered her help.

–All I need to do is say the word, and they wouldn’t dare bother you again.

It wasn’t in her nature to get involved in such matters, but this time she made an exception.

After all, he was someone she had taken an interest in.

He had helped her during the class placement exam.

And she was also somewhat concerned about the pink-haired commoner who accompanied him.

But.

–Thank you for your concern, Your Highness.

Judas had firmly refused.

–I already have a plan in mind.

–I’d appreciate it if you would just watch quietly. It’s sure to be enjoyable.

He had answered with a broad smile.

His expression was brimming with anticipation.

There was something ominous about his aura, yet at the same time, his smile was pure, almost childlike.

As always, his demeanor was impeccably clean.

Charlotte decided to respect his wishes.

He must have his reasons.

Perhaps it was strange for her to be worrying about him.

With a mere gesture, he could likely take down everyone in the academy. Who was really the one in need of concern here?

She cleared her mind of distractions.

"I’ll just keep watching a little longer."

The lingering voice of the snake.

Pushing aside the confusing thoughts, the Little Prince quietly turned and walked away.

***

The duel was set to take place the very next day.

The open training ground where the class placement exams had been held.

Normally, it was a space so fully booked that it was nearly impossible to reserve, but Selena somehow managed to secure it.

As if she had been waiting for this exact moment.

–Since this happened within my class, I’ll take care of arranging the venue.

–The Dean will serve as the judge.

–The entire faculty will be observing this duel.

There were even reports that other faculty members would be attending.

It seemed the scale of the event was growing larger than expected.

And on top of that...

Who would’ve thought that even the notoriously stationary professors would come flocking in?

Usually, the supervision of a duel was divided among the roles of [Judge, Overseer, Executor], and it was rare for more than three staff members to be present.

This duel was turning out to be an exceptionally unusual case.

‘Well… I can kind of understand.’

These people had witnessed me saving Charlotte.

Although the power I displayed back then was just a fraction of what I’m capable of… it was still far beyond the level of a student.

To overwhelm the Steel Princess.

It was a truly unique talent.

These are educators, after all.

When a brilliantly shining gem catches their eye, how can they not be interested?

So, this duel was a kind of appraisal.

To gauge just how valuable this talent really was.

‘The professors, I can understand… but…’

What surprised me was Selena.

It was completely unexpected.

In the original story, the “Drunkard” never showed any interest in such matters.

–I will be taking the role of ‘Executor’ for this duel.

–Please, I hope both of you will compete safely and fairly.

It was strange to see her taking such an active role.

What exactly was she planning?

I pondered it for a while, but eventually, I brushed it aside.

For now, I had to focus on the task at hand.

"Haah… no matter how many times I see it, the scale of this place is overwhelming."

With a short sigh of admiration, I stopped walking.

At the center of the circular arena.

I leisurely took in my surroundings.

The duel had garnered quite a bit of attention, and despite it being a weekday, the stands were packed with students.

There were more than I expected.

"I’m feeling a bit nervous."

"If you’re scared, you can still forfeit."

A voice suddenly called out.

I looked straight ahead to see the familiar blue buns of hair.

"Lady Vanity."

"I honestly thought you’d run away… but I have to commend you for at least having the courage to show up."

"Thank you."

"Hmph."

Emilia seemed to be in an unusually good mood.

Her expression was twisted into a smirk.

She was brimming with a desire to destroy.

I took a deep breath to steady myself, and then she signaled to the people around us.

"Are you sure you’re okay?"

"Hmm?"

"Humiliating yourself in front of so many people… If it were me, I’d be too ashamed to live."

"Hehe, is that so?"

I’m really looking forward to this.

I struggled to suppress my laughter.

Holding back my bubbling instinct for mischief, I steadied myself.

"It looks like it’s about to start."

I saw a faculty member approaching from the opposite side.

All eyes were on us.

The stage was set for the drama that was about to unfold.

Two actors, standing in the spotlight.

I suddenly opened my mouth to speak.

Before the chaos ensued, there was one question I needed to ask.

For your sake.

"Now that I think about it… may I ask you something?"

"What is it?"

"I just want to know why you’re doing this, Lady Vanity."

"Why…?"

"Yes, why."

Emilia Vanity.

Why do you torment Regia?

What drives you to despise those who are less fortunate, and what pain makes you crave recognition so desperately?

I asked about the wretched background behind it all.

‘The Vain Man.’

What made you this way?

It is true that life is a disease that grows as one ages, but what made you forget your childhood so soon?

What happened on your star?

"Praise is indeed sweet."

Receiving recognition from others.

Being praised for being the prettiest, the best dressed, the richest, the smartest.

But what does it feel like to lose yourself in that obsession?

The girl was always sharp, always hostile.

She tears others down, pushes them away, and hurts them just to be admired.

But when everyone else is erased from your life...

"Why do you desire the top position so much, Lady Vanity? I dare to ask."

When you’re left all alone, what good is the praise then?

"That’s a silly question."

Emilia replied with a disinterested expression.

As if wondering why I was asking something so obvious.

Her twisted lips carried a sneer. A clear mockery.

"I’m exceptional, that’s why."

Her skewed perspective doesn’t allow her to see ahead.

She just blindly charges toward her goal.

That’s the “adult” process.

"Unlike an unworthy fool like you, I’m someone who rightfully belongs in that position."

"So that’s your answer, Lady Vanity."

"So, you should quit while you’re ahead. Unless you want to be utterly humiliated."

"Oh dear… that’s going to be difficult."

Because there’s someone who wants me to win.

In the midst of the crowd, I spotted the pink-haired girl.

She was clasping her hands together in prayer.

I smile softly.

"Well, I’ll do my best."

"How foolish."

"Hehe… maybe so."

Our light conversation came to an end.

The faculty member serving as the judge stepped forward and immediately began the duel proceedings.

I calmly assumed my stance.

{Warriors, please take your positions.}

{The duel will be conducted as a sparring match. The duel ends when one side is subdued or incapacitated.}

{Additionally, the duel ends if one side surrenders.}

The basic rules seemed similar to the class placement exam.

Following the announcement that echoed through the arena, I moved to the designated spot.

Emilia did the same.

"Ready."

The judge gave the signal in a straightforward manner.

A coin glinted as it was flipped into the air.

It was to fairly signal the start of the duel.

The judge flicked the coin with his fingers.

And then—

Smack—!

It shot into the air.

The golden coin spun and spun, gradually losing momentum before finally hitting the ground with a loud clang.

Clang—!

At the same time, the figures of the two standing on the stage vanished.

Like a wisp of smoke, their forms reappeared in the center of the arena.

Two blades clashed.

The first strike collided in an instant.

Shring—!

And so.

The duel began.