Rivals' Forbidden Romance
Organizations locked in hostile rivalry. Yet a love story that transcends it all. Just hearing the setup would drive women wild—a time-honored cliché. They clash due to some specific reason, but at some point, mutual affection blooms. Tiresome if you're sick of it. But it's always fresh and thrilling, a setup you never truly tire of. No wonder it boasts such steady popularity.
"It's uncomfortable, so could you hurry up and leave?"
"How brazen. Who broke the rules first?"
"That's why I came first—because I hate this kind of thing."
"If that were true, you should've yielded to me first. Isn't that right?"
Gloria, evoking the grace of a swan, and Chronos, reminiscent of a ferocious bear. The two sat side by side, exuding a tense, cutthroat atmosphere as they conversed.
Luna, standing opposite them, was overwhelmed by the vibe and visibly stiff with tension, while Kara watched with an intrigued expression.
"Sorry, but I absolutely can't yield on this. Not even for the Empire."
"Oh my. What a surprise—we're thinking the same thing."
A battle with not an inch of compromise. They were locked in a war of nerves, each vying to claim Luna for their own nation.
From rival nations known far and wide, and representatives clashing head-on no less. They usually avoided outright conflict, so this open brawl was a rare sight.
They're building up the tension so meticulously.
But I knew the whole story. In truth, those two had already sealed their lips together in private. Meaning, it was all an act.
Outwardly, they were like water and oil. But the reality was the opposite.
Though their personalities, ideologies, and fighting styles did make them water and oil. They'd just mixed those two liquids through intense physicality.
No one knew, but they'd probably done everything lovers do in secret. Enjoying the thrill of their clandestine romance.
Was it that they each coveted what the other had?
Chronos yearned for the elegance he lacked; Gloria for the unyielding strength she didn't possess.
Chronos, born a commoner, had forged his own path forward. Gloria, from nobility, walked a road already paved.
Their ideologies, personalities, and life stories were polar opposites—yet ironically, each was the other's ideal type.
Of course, conflicts arose along the way, including armed clashes. But those didn't last long.
"This could drag on forever. We should settle on a clear method."
"A clear method?"
"A duel. That's the only thing we can do, isn't it?"
At Chronos's mention of a duel, Gloria flashed a deep smile. As if she'd been waiting for that exact response, her face lit up with satisfaction.
"Here we go again."
"Don't you ever get tired of it?"
"I have no idea why I even bother with that bear of a man."
But unlike Gloria, the reactions around them weren't positive. Her attendants were the first to grumble. They'd positioned themselves a bit away to prevent direct clashes, but I could hear everything.
"Shouldn't we stop them?"
"Let it be. Whenever she comes to the Academy, she picks a fight with that woman. Interfering just gives us headaches."
"What can we do? They're sworn enemies. It'll end when one of them dies."
Next came Chronos's attendants. Familiar with these incidents, they brushed it off nonchalantly. Whether from Matra or Granada, no one intervened—they were all mere spectators. As if trying would be pointless.
To them, it must feel like an annual event. Familiar enough to endure without fuss.
"Excellent. Nothing more decisive than that. Luna?"
"Y-yes?"
Luna stammered in response to Gloria's call. She couldn't keep up with the lightning-fast developments.
Gloria found her adorable and gave a soft smile before speaking in her signature clear voice.
"Our duel will decide the consultation order. That's all you need to know."
"······Does it have to be a duel?"
"No choice. It's essential, even for the student's sake."
Chronos answered Luna's question. On the surface, it sounded reasonable. Luna was in a position where any faction would covet her. Better to settle it cleanly like this.
That's just an excuse, though.
Of course, their real motives were different. To them, Luna was merely a means to an end.
The part about deciding consultation order wasn't a lie, though. Just not the priority.
"Well then, no more delays. Shall we? It's been ages since I loosened up."
"Same here."
The pair rose as if there was no need to tarry further. Luna, caught off guard by the thunderbolt pace, asked in a flustered tone.
"Wh-where are you going? You said a duel, so the arena...?"
"No, not there. This is between us, so somewhere else. Like the forest near the Academy."
Gloria replied with a charming smile. It was so beautiful even Luna blanked out for a moment.
"If you want, you can watch. But..."
"······But?"
"We can't take responsibility if you get hurt~?"
"··· ···"
Luna's face went utterly blank. It was like saying, We'll handle it ourselves, so wait here.
If Gloria and Chronos dueled, the surrounding terrain would take a beating. Not quite Hector-and-me levels of devastation, but a few trees would snap for sure.
"Just wait a bit. It'll be over soon."
"Indeed. Results by tomorrow."
"Hm? You're not thinking you'll win, are you?"
"Of course. You won last time, but today will be different."
They burned with fighting spirit and rivalry toward each other. No one could stop them now.
Their relationship was infamous even publicly. Over ten years strong—odd if anyone didn't know.
And they'd clashed that many times. Every Academy visit ended in a fight, so their attendants suffered most.
Seeing it firsthand, it does feel a bit rushed.
To an outsider, the seamless flow might seem absurdly abrupt. But knowing the truth, even I found it a tad hasty.
Full of plausibility, yet the pacing was too quick—enough to feel off.
But the attendants treated it like routine, never daring to suspect.
"If you're ready, let's go."
"Always am."
They rose without hesitation, faces eager—for the duel ahead, or perhaps their alone time?
To the clueless, they'd look thrilled for the impending battle.
"Fighting that man again?"
"What can I do? I need to check my skills anyway—perfect timing."
"Haa······"
Gloria's attendant handed over her thin sword with a deep sigh.
"Win for sure, General. Lose, and we'll spread rumors."
"Spread them, and I'll pawn your gold tooth. Got it?"
"Hahaha! Tough joke. Anyway, your weapon."
Chronos's attendant burst into hearty laughter while handing over the battle axe.
One might wonder if no one suspects their closeness. Love-hate relationships and all that.
But suspicion hovered at 0%. Their reputations shattered any such doubts.
"Shall we?"
"Mm."
Gloria and Chronos glided out of the buffet like flowing water.
It felt like a storm had swept through.
Luna sensed it too, staring blankly before slumping into her chair, soul half-drained—properly cowed.
"Fun. Wanna watch the fight? Mind if I tag along?"
"······No thanks, sis. Don't wanna get dragged in."
"Got it. I'm off to the training grounds once I'm done eating. Gotta change."
"Sure."
Kara, who'd watched like it was a fire across the river, left first.
Now, only Luna and I remained in the buffet. She still looked dazed.
"Luna."
"··· ···"
"Luna."
"Uh, yeah? Wh-what?"
So out of it, I had to call twice. Luna flailed at my voice, eyes wide in panic.
I stared at her, then pointed where the pair had gone.
"Follow."
"······Follow? What?"
"Go."
Her confusion deepened at my suggestion to tail them. She glanced where I pointed.
Chronos and Gloria were already outside.
She looked back at me.
"Follow Kara sis? No way—she's changing."
No. Not Kara. I shook my head firmly.
Luna looked even more puzzled. Fair, since Kara had just left.
But I meant someone else.
"Who then?"
"Man. Woman."
"······You mean Chronos and Gloria?"
Finally catching on. Short phrases were tough to explain with.
Anyway, she reacted with disbelief as I nodded.
"Why suddenly? Wanna watch the duel?"
"No."
"Then?"
For you. And this girl. Plus, a lesson for me too.
Hard to raise. I swallowed it down and spoke.
"Weird."
"Weird? Them?"
"Yeah."
"What's weird?"
Ugh. Frustrating. Kara would've agreed instantly.
I tamped down my impatience and explained.
"Just."
Couldn't really articulate. I knew the secret; she didn't.
Luna blinked blankly at my curt reply, then eyed the door the secret couple had exited.
We'd lose them at this rate. Hurry and decide.
Plenty of chances later, but now was prime time.
"······Fine. But if they duel, we leave right away? We'd just be in the way."
"Yeah."
Not totally clueless. She trusted me for now.
Luna rose, shoveled food hastily, and headed out. I followed.
Thankfully, spotting Gloria and Chronos was easy—their styles stood out.
"Ah, there. Hurry..."
But she moved to charge ahead cluelessly. Can't get closer.
In Soul World, getting too near guarantees detection. Then it'd be a real duel.
As secret lovers, they had to be cautious. Any suspicion spelled doom.
Grab—
"Huh? Wha—Sivar?"
I seized her arm as she stepped forward, dragging her into an alley between buildings.
Luna got hauled along by my strength. No resisting the physical gap.
"What the hell! People will misunderstand!"
Once in the alley and released, Luna exploded.
I let it go in one ear, out the other. Priority: shadow the pair quietly.
Alone, fine. But with Luna, straight method it was.
Soul World's go-to: rooftops.
Grab—
"What now—eek!"
I gripped her arm and leaped high. Luna shrieked shrilly.
Roof was high, but one jump sufficed. Scary for her, sure.
Once up, I located them. Event spot was close.
"Ugh······my heart..."
Meanwhile, Luna collapsed, clutching her chest. My sudden move had jolted her.
I blinked at her, felt vaguely sorry, and murmured quietly.
"Sorry."
That do? Luna glared sharply at my apology, muttering.
"······You'll see later."
Scary words.
*****
Luna had witnessed plenty of Sivar's antics up close. Just yesterday, he'd nearly headbutted Ragnarok.
But nothing baffled her like today. Changes came too fast to comprehend.
Tailing strangers we'd just met because they're "weird." Right or wrong? Who knew.
Still, curiosity gnawed. Why was Sivar stalking them? And why bring her?
Mysteries everywhere.
Come to think of it, didn't Grace warn me about Professor Delphoi?
Luna glanced at Sivar while hopping rooftops. His pure, pretty profile caught her eye.
His raw wild actions clashed with that face, creating dissonance.
If he had Hector or Chronos's rugged look, it'd be easier. But that face pulling stunts? Hard to get used to.
Is it really wild instinct?
Warning about Delphoi, certainty she'd lose to Kara. Future sight? Or pure instinct? Confusing.
Cave paintings suggested foresight, but uncertain. The more she learned, the more enigmatic he became.
There...
How long had they tailed? Luna spotted them entering the forest.
A woods far from the Academy, ringed by tall walls specially treated against monsters.
Gloria and Chronos opened the gate and slipped in. Entry was free for herb gathering or hunting.
Looks like dueling inside. Arena brawl might draw unwanted attention.
Fwsh—
"S-Sivar? What're you—"
As they entered, Sivar scooped Luna up princess-style.
She panicked, but he leaped down from the building.
"Eeeek!"
High drop, long fall. Instinctively, Luna clung tight.
She could've landed fine, but he was too abrupt.
Thud!
Sivar's feet hit ground. Luna loosened her grip slightly upon landing.
But what? He didn't let go. Even as she squirmed to be set down, no dice.
Naturally, she panicked.
"S-Sivar? You can put me down now..."
"Quiet."
Before she finished, curt reply.
"Caught."
"······Caught?"
"Quiet."
"··· ···"
Just shut up and hold on, basically. Absurd, but she obeyed.
Yelling now would alert them. Scold later; stay silent.
Am I heavy?
Embarrassing though. Luna tilted her head up in his arms.
His forward-gazing face: porcelain skin, striking beauty. Her cheeks burned.
Seen many handsome guys at the Academy, but none like Sivar.
What if someone dates him just for his looks?
What happens when he adapts to civilization, takes interest in romance? The thought struck.
Ellie would guide him, but worry lingered.
No, what am I thinking?
Focus: tailing. Luna shook it off, turned away.
Sivar wove through the forest silently, leaves not crunching. Eerily absent despite his presence. Senses deceived.
That's why he carried me.
She couldn't mask presence like him. Thief class specialty, probably.
Everything clicking, Sivar halted abruptly. Stared intently somewhere.
Luna followed his gaze.
"Safe here? No one's around?"
"Yeah. No tails."
Gloria and Chronos. But tone off. Stiff in the restaurant; now... intimate.
"Know how much I missed you? Bought a huge bear plush 'cause I wanted you so bad."
"Ahem. Not a bear."
"Act like a cute bear cub though."
No, beyond intimate—dripping honey.
Luna doubted her ears at the content. Voices matched, but tones light-years apart.
Were these the same people bickering murderously? Same empires growling at each other?
Everything suspect. Luna craned her neck further from behind the tree. Barely glimpsed them.
Then—
Mmwah—
Smack—
The pair locked lips lovingly, like lovers.
Gloria and Chronos, deep in passionate affection.
"······Ah?"
Too shocked for words, as they say. Luna embodied it.
Why were they kissing? Kisses are for lovers.
But sworn enemies. Aura screamed imminent fight.
Thoughts swirled chaotically, but realization hit: Sivar was watching too.
She whipped her head up urgently.
"··· ···"
Sivar gawked curiously at the first kiss he'd witnessed. Poker face, but slack jaw screamed shock.
Who knew what changes this might spark in his innocent(?) heart. Too fast.
Desperate, Luna covered his eyes and yelled to defuse.
"D-don't look! Close your eyes!"
"······Wh-who's there!"
The deep-kissing duo startled, bellowing.
Killing intent surged. Luna thrashed in Sivar's arms amid the mess.
Understanding, he gently set her down.
"Who dares······ L-Luna?"
"Ah."
Gloria approached meantime. Shock at seeing Luna and Sivar.
Chronos behind her, same expression: What're you doing here?
Wh-what now...!
Secret she shouldn't know. Could go south fast.
Luna racked her brain, eyed Gloria, and cried with max innocence.
"I-I didn't see anything!"
Defense fell flat. Backfired.
"Saw."
And Sivar delivered the finisher.
"Kiss."