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Chapter 34 - Beginning (2)

After the duel.

Emilia’s standing within the academy had been continuously shaken.

–“Did you guys see yesterday’s duel?”

–“I heard Lady Vanity was completely overwhelmed.”

–“There was just a huge gap in their levels.”

–“It was so bad, I actually felt sorry for her…”

Noble lineage, a reigning genius, the future of this era.

The accolades Emilia had once received now felt meaningless as her lofty reputation crumbled swiftly.

The duel had left a massive impact on the students.

–“No way…”

She had always been an object of admiration.

From her stunning appearance to her haughty demeanor and the skills to back up her arrogance, she radiated an irresistible charm that anyone could easily fall for.

She was like a flower blooming on the edge of a cliff.

However…

–“Keep this between us.”

–“After the duel, Lady Vanity burst into tears… and her pants got soaked…”

–“Shh! What if someone else hears you?”

Ironically, because her reputation had been so high, her devastating defeat only etched itself deeper into the minds of the students.

In front of the entire school, Emilia had been crushed by brute strength, reduced to tears, and even suffered the humiliation of wetting herself.

It was an unsightly fall.

–“Watch what you say.”

–“If you gossip about this and get caught, it’s off with your head.”

–“You could get your whole family wiped out just for mocking the Duke’s daughter.”

–“Be careful.”

Of course, no one dared to say anything publicly.

The name Vanity was still one to be feared, so a hush fell over the students, and they kept their thoughts to themselves.

Especially in front of her, everyone remained on their best behavior.

The expulsion that had been planned for her was put on hold.

And even when Emilia and the Snekes’ heir suddenly began spending time together, suspicion swirled but no one dared to voice it.

Their lives were more valuable than the fleeting pleasure of gossip.

- I ruined everything.

However.

That didn’t mean what had happened simply vanished.

No matter how careful people were, the atmosphere around her felt off, and Emilia wasn’t dull enough not to notice.

Though she pretended to hold her head high.

Inside, she was rotting away.

- I’m sorry, Ruska.

- I just wanted to do better… but I nearly got you involved.

- I’ll handle this on my own.

Out of sight, the noble lady cried.

Her usual arrogance and allure, all a lie.

Emilia stood on shaky ground.

“…Tsk.”

The boy wasn’t pleased with the situation.

Leaning by the window, he clicked his tongue softly.

His distinct blue eyes gleamed faintly, and his deep blue hair resembled the color of the ocean.

It was a look that immediately reminded people of someone else.

His name was Ruska Vanity.

Emilia’s twin brother and, like her, an elite in Class A.

His gaze was fixed on his sister, now slumped over.

She sat at her desk, looking exhausted.

Even so, she seemed to be putting on a front, trying to maintain her fierce and sharp demeanor.

It was a pitiful sight.

“Annoying.”

Ruska muttered under his breath.

As if trying to suppress his anger, a faint frown appeared on his forehead.

The air around him was cold.

- Please, Ruska.

- I’ll take care of this myself… so stay out of it.

At first, he had decided to just watch from the sidelines.

He thought she had brought it on herself.

She was the one who kept provoking the monster.

But…

“Foolish.”

That didn’t mean he felt at ease.

He knew why Emilia had been so obsessed with securing the top spot.

As someone who shared the same wounds, he couldn’t help but side with her in the end.

She was his only remaining family.

And so, Ruska was frustrated with the situation.

The students who avoided her gaze, Emilia’s helpless floundering, and then…

“M-My lord… we, w-we’re still missing one member for our group, aren’t we?”

“Don’t worry, Miss Regia.”

The Snekes’ heir, doing as he pleased.

Ruska quietly glared at the snake. His narrow, slitted eyes looked particularly sinister.

Had he come again?

He could hear the snake’s faint voice, and saw Emilia’s shoulders flinch in response.

The way she trembled made her seem pitiful.

Before he knew it, Ruska had stepped forward to block his approach.

“Lady Vanity.”

“Step aside, Judas Snekes.”

“Hm?”

“I won’t let you continue doing as you please.”

The snake looked at him, intrigued.

A chilling pressure pricked at his skin.

Just standing in front of him made a shiver run down his spine, his legs feeling as if they might give out.

But he refused to show it.

“I will protect Emilia.”

Because he had to protect her.

“Well, this is troubling.”

The snake, who had been standing still, muttered.

Despite his words, he was smiling.

His lips curled into a sharp, eerie grin, as if amused.

***

“I will protect Emilia.”

The blue-haired boy declared, standing in front of me.

I watched him with interest.

“Well, well… aren’t you Lord Vanity.”

Of course, I knew who he was.

Ruska Vanity.

Emilia’s twin brother, and like her, an extra who served as an antagonist in the middle part of the story.

He was one of the obstacles the protagonist had to face.

‘Strange.’

Why is he showing up so early?

Normally, he wouldn’t appear until a few more episodes had passed. What could have made him step forward now?

I quietly ran through my thoughts.

‘Could it be?’

Did he think I was bullying Emilia?

It seemed like there had been some sort of misunderstanding.

Our relationship was based on a fair deal.

I would protect Emilia’s secret, and in exchange, she would come when I called.

It was something we had both agreed to.

‘I get that he’s worried, but…’

I still had to handle this.

In just two days, the midterms were scheduled.

With such an important episode coming up, I needed as many capable people on my side as possible.

And Emilia had promised to play that role.

“I actually have some business with Lady Vanity… Would you kindly step aside?”

I smiled as kindly as possible.

I was trying to appear harmless, but judging from his reaction, it seemed to have the opposite effect.

Ruska’s pupils visibly trembled.

He swallowed nervously before speaking.

“…And if I refuse?”

“Well.”

That would be unfortunate, wouldn’t it?

I added calmly.

Ruska’s hand moved toward the hilt of his sword, as if preparing to draw it at any moment.

I sighed softly, as if I were genuinely confused.

“I really… do not understand why you’re doing this.”

=I genuinely don’t get why you’re acting like this.

My voice echoed leisurely.

I had meant it sincerely, but it came across as playful due to my inherent traits.

Ruska, eyeing me warily, muttered.

“Step aside. I’m serious about drawing my sword.”

“You’re welcome to draw it anytime you like. But whatever happens afterward… that will be entirely your responsibility.”

=If we get caught fighting by the professors, that’s on you. I’m not taking the blame.

“You’re awfully confident.”

“You would fall with just a flick of the wrist, so wouldn’t it be wiser to hold back?”

=The professors can deduct points with the flick of a pen. Wouldn’t it be smarter to behave?

“Hah… so you really think I’m not even worth a fistful?”

“It’s only natural.”

=Of course the professors could crush you with ease.

“Ha.”

Suddenly, the boy let out a dry laugh.

I wasn’t sure what I’d said to provoke him this time, but there was a clear frown on his face.

“Hm.”

I had been giving him honest advice.

Gallimard’s demerits came with severe penalties, so it was best to live cautiously.

I was doing my best to guide this blue-haired little treasure down the right path.

“Now, be a good boy, alright?”

=You’re a diligent honor student, right? Let’s just have a calm discussion.

“I’m starting to wonder just how much you’re underestimating me.”

“I don’t understand what you’re talking about.”

=I really don’t.

“You keep saying you don’t understand. Should I take that as a provocation?”

“I’m just a little slow, that’s all.”

=Buhh… Bububu! I dunno!

“Such a poor excuse. The top student claiming to be slow.”

Isn’t he right?

The situation was so amusing that I might have provoked him a little more than necessary.

As a dopamine addict with chaos running through my veins, resisting the temptation was difficult.

The tension between us reached a boiling point.

“I can’t leave this as it is.”

“Well, if you insist on drawing your sword, I suppose I should offer my condolences in advance.”

As we reached a point of near explosion.

The tense standoff was broken by a voice from behind us.

A figure with blue hair slipped between us.

“Both of you, stop!”

The villainess stepped in, finally intervening.

Her desperate voice rang out, and the tense atmosphere began to loosen bit by bit.

Ruska lowered his hand from his sword.

“Emilia…?”

Step by step.

Emilia approached her brother without hesitation.

And then—

Smack!

Before anyone could react, she slapped him across the face.

Ruska’s cheek flushed red with pain, and he stared in disbelief.

Before him stood his sister, her expression cold.

“…Why?”

He muttered blankly.

It was a question born purely out of confusion.

The villainess pushed her brother away.

“Ruska.”

“Emilia.”

“I told you. This isn’t something you should interfere with.”

“But…!”

“Mind your own business.”

I can handle this myself.

The girl added curtly.

Perhaps it was because his attempt to help had been met with such harsh rejection, but Ruska stood there speechless.

Unfazed, Emilia turned her back on him and walked toward me.

She naturally stood by my side.

“I’ve already made a deal with him.”

“What?”

“I’ve already given myself to him. My body is no longer mine, it belongs to him.”

“What foolish thing have you done…?”

“It was for all of us.”

Snap!

I lightly snapped my fingers.

Ensuring that no one else overheard our conversation.

The deal between me and Emilia—her secret, her weakness. It was in my best interest to keep it hidden.

The conversation continued quietly.

“So stop interfering. And don’t antagonize him.”

“Wait, at least explain—”

Ruska tried to ask for an explanation, but Emilia turned her back on him again.

Her blue eyes were devoid of life. All that remained was the dark weight of guilt, slowly consuming her.

The girl began to walk away.

“Let’s go outside.”

“As you wish, my lady.”

I followed her without complaint.

As we walked away calmly, I could feel Ruska’s eyes on my back.

He remained frozen in place until we were completely out of sight.

***

“You didn’t have to be so harsh with him.”

Once we had walked far enough, I casually brought up the topic.

At my comment, Emilia hesitated for a moment before muttering in a weak voice.

“I didn’t want to upset you.”

“Hm?”

“Even if you call it a deal… in the end, you hold all the power in this relationship.”

“You were worried I might break the deal on a whim.”

“…Yes.”

She must have feared the leverage I held over her.

The girl, who had been silent for a while, hurriedly added, as if she had suddenly remembered.

“Not that I didn’t trust you.”

“I understand.”

“It’s just… I grew up never being able to trust anyone. It’s been ingrained in me.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’m not offended.”

I smiled reassuringly.

Knowing the circumstances of the Vanity family, I couldn’t help but feel pity for both of them.

The twins who had appeared as villains in the original story.

I hadn’t yet decided what to do with them.

But I had begun to feel a certain sympathy.

“Hehe.”

I reached out quietly.

The villainess stood there, gloomy. I gently stroked her blue hair.

Carefully, and tenderly.

“As long as you don’t betray me first, I won’t betray you.”

“…I’ll trust you.”

Warmth radiated from my palm.

Perhaps it resembled the warmth of a forgotten childhood.

I spoke leisurely.

“I take it you haven’t explained the deal to your brother?”

“There’s no reason for him to know.”

“A brother unaware of his sister’s sacrifice… that must be frustrating.”

“It’s better this way. I don’t want to burden him. After all, this is a mess I caused.”

“How admirable.”

Emilia was multifaceted.

In public, she was confident and haughty, creating a stifling atmosphere around her.

But in private, she revealed a softer, more vulnerable side.

Which one was her true self?

Was her core made of arrogant pride or fragile desperation?

It was hard to tell.

For now, I left that choice to the future.

“Let’s put the rest of this aside for now.”

“Yes… the midterms start in two days, after all. You came to me today for group selection, didn’t you?”

“You’re quick to notice.”

I nodded.

Giving her a thumbs-up in praise, Emilia replied in a subtle tone.

She had already put her mask back on.

“At least in the written portion, you won’t beat me. I’ve been studying really hard this time.”

“Oh dear… I haven’t prepared at all. This could be a real crisis.”

“Get ready to settle for second place.”

“You seem awfully confident.”

“I’ve put in the effort.”

Had she regained her energy?

As soon as the topic of exams came up, the previously downcast girl returned to life.

That competitive streak of hers was definitely something.

“I’m sorry… but I’m taking the top spot.”

Her usual arrogance was impossible to hide.

Following her innate vanity, the villainess twisted her lips into a sly smile.

I quietly accepted her challenge.

***

The villainess who had so confidently dreamed of taking the top spot.

She didn’t know.

What the future held for her.

“Lady Vanity.”

“Yes?”

“Lady Vanity.”

“…Say it.”

I prodded the gloomy girl.

With a big smile on my face, I glanced around mischievously.

“Are you alright?”

“I’m fine.”

“Are you alright?”

“I said I’m fine… Stop asking me twice.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Okay.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I told you to stop…!”

A faint frown appeared on Emilia’s face.

I let my playful teasing fade, and for the final act, I delivered the highlight.

“Second place is still a remarkable achievement.”

“I’m serious. Stop.”

“Second place is still a remarkable achievement.”

“I said stop!!!!”

Well, of course, she wouldn’t have known.

That I’d beat her by a landslide.

For a while, I continued to enjoy the game.