The Long Winter Passes (10)
Although other formidable contestants remained, none of them proved to be a match for Seraphina, who had already defeated Marc Visus.
She showcased techniques never before seen at the academy, ending some matches in a single exchange.
"Watch closely, and don't tell a soul—argh!"
"Three-turn! Spinning Defense! Bring on a machine gun or a flamethrower spell, I'll—gaah, I'm hit!"
"Heh, heh, heh... Thread Clone! Wait, what?! Aaaargh!"
It was a consecutive streak of absolute victories.
She was writing a new legend of undefeated glory in the history of the academy's sparring exams.
"An incredible flurry of strikes from Seraphina Serion! With another victory under her belt, Seraphina advances to the finals!"
"Whoa, did you see that move just now? That was insane!"
"Wow... Is that really the same washed-up Seraphina Serion I used to know? My heart is pounding."
"Yeah! You're amazing, Seraphina! Keep winning!"
The spectators and commentators, who had initially been indifferent to her victories, were gradually turning into her fans as her winning streak continued.
To an outsider, the crowd's sudden shift might have seemed shameless, but Seraphina herself paid it no mind.
"Impressive swordsmanship... Next time, I can use..."
Thud.
"And that's the match! A beautiful single exchange from Seraphina Serion! With that final strike, she claims victory over Ding Hoi-ru!"
"Wow! You're the best, Seraphina!"
When Ding Hoi-ru finally collapsed in the finals and Seraphina's victory was declared, the arena erupted in cheers and praise so deafening it was the polar opposite of the cold reception she had received upon entering.
Soon, only the award ceremony for the victors remained to mark the end of the sparring exams.
The academy's principal, Rium Kitokal, approached the students on the podium to personally present them with various gemstones that served as medals.
Bronze medal, Uji Dokbo. Silver medal, Ding Hoi-ru. Starting from the lower ranks, he gradually made his way toward the champion, Seraphina.
In truth, Principal Rium Kitokal felt a lingering disappointment that Marc Visus, a student he had been keeping an eye on, had not won.
However, he was not so classless as to let his disappointment show in his expression or behavior.
For now, he had to celebrate and be grateful for the birth of the new talent standing before him.
"First place, Seraphina Serion. My sincerest congratulations on winning this year's sparring exam. As such, this old man has prepared a special gift for our champion."
An attendant waiting behind him stepped forward, holding a black box, and handed it to Seraphina.
"Ah, do not open it just yet. It would be best if you checked its contents after you have returned safely to your quarters. Hahaha."
The watching crowd murmured in curiosity.
To give a prize to the champion but hide its contents—what could possibly be inside?
Though everyone harbored curiosity, they did not dwell on it deeply. For now, basking in the excitement of the award ceremony was far more important.
Rium Kitokal felt a slight pang of regret, knowing the item he had just handed to Seraphina was originally meant for Marc Visus.
But looking at it another way, the academy had gained two exceptional talents this year, so wasn't it ultimately a good thing?
With those thoughts, Rium Kitokal stepped back. The final award ceremony concluded, bringing the long sparring exams to an end.
Now that the exams were over, there were two specific people Seraphina needed to visit.
They were Marc Visus, and her father, Regulus Serion, who had designated Marc as the family's successor.
Although the circumstances had shifted slightly from the beginning, the ultimate outcome was her victory.
Even if it had been a verbal agreement, a duel was a duel, and the terms had to be fulfilled.
Anxious about how the two would react but determined to bring things to a close, she took Rofel's hand and went to find them.
Marc still wore a dazed expression, as if he couldn't believe reality.
Apparently, he had been in this state ever since he woke up in the infirmary after his defeat.
Seraphina had wanted to give him a piece of her mind, but she realized it would be pointless to speak to him in this condition.
She hadn't expected him to accept defeat gracefully, but at least he wasn't throwing a pathetic tantrum. Perhaps that was a relief.
In any case, she decided to leave him be for now.
However, the truly important meeting was with her father, Regulus Serion.
When she met him, Seraphina was left utterly speechless by his unexpected behavior.
Right in front of her, under the watchful eyes of everyone present, he dropped to his knees.
He confessed to all the wrong choices he had made and offered a sincere apology.
And he did so with tears streaming down his face.
Naturally, everyone around them was bewildered by the scene, but no one found it harder to believe than Seraphina.
In all her life, she had never imagined her father capable of such an act.
Not only had he swallowed his pride, but he had also knelt—an act he would normally look down upon as utterly disgraceful.
Flustered and stammering, she managed to help him up and sent him away, saying they would speak in detail later.
She was so deeply shocked that she wore a blank, uncharacteristic expression.
After everything was settled, they arrived at a high hill on one side of the academy.
Since they hadn't prepared a carriage, this was the only path to walk back to the Serion family's estate.
Having spent what was arguably the most exhausting day of her life, she paused at the top of the hill and gazed out into the distance.
Reflecting on the day's events, it still didn't feel real.
Not only had she reached a realm the Serion family had never achieved before, but she had also triumphed over Marc Visus.
She would have believed it even if someone told her it was a dream.
"It all turned out well in the end."
The voice that made her turn around belonged to Rofel Teufel, the man who had believed in her and followed her without a single word of complaint.
A foolishly simple and kind man who had supported her and helped her stand, even when there was absolutely nothing in it for him.
No matter how she chose to thank him, it wouldn't be enough.
Even if it was... that strange reward of letting him do whatever he wanted with her body.
Just then, the setting sun painted the sky in a dreamlike shade of orange, creating a breathtaking view.
Sensing a perfect opportunity, she took a deep breath and spoke to Rofel, who was captivated by the scenery.
"Ahem. By the way, Rofel... do you have any interest in... dating someone?"
"Huh? Where is this coming from all of a sudden?"
"Well... this is the academy, after all. A place where talented young men and women from all over the continent gather.
"I've noticed some of the freshmen who entered this year are already starting to date.
"Some are even choosing partners to spend the rest of their lives with after graduation.
"So... do you have any thoughts on the matter?
"Or... do you perhaps already have someone you are seeing...?"
"Ah, I see what you mean.
"Well... for now, I don't have anyone I'm dating.
"Actually, it's more accurate to say I haven't had a girlfriend since before I even entered the academy."
Ah, as expected.
Seraphina rejoiced inwardly at his words.
Not only was he single now, but he had also been single in the past.
To be honest, she had felt anxious because of the many women surrounding him.
Lilit, Elisio, and Me... that one female student whose name she couldn't quite recall.
They had all visited him constantly during her training period, offering help and showing concern.
Since there were nobles who lived loose, degenerate lives and placed no value on chastity, she had worried that Rofel might have shared an improper relationship with one of them.
But to think he had absolutely no experience with women.
If what he said was true, he was still guarding his pure chastity.
He was a pure, innocent virgin.
Gulp. ♡
...Ah!
Seraphina suddenly shook her head vigorously from side to side.
She had just indulged in a dark, wicked delusion of being the first one to defile his body.
To have such filthy thoughts with him standing right in front of her...
He remained oblivious, but she couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt.
Still, this might be her chance.
The atmosphere was perfect, so wouldn't it be a good time to confess?
"In... in that case, how would you feel about dating someone now?"
"Ah, I don't think I can do that."
Huh? She was taken aback by his unexpected response.
"It might sound a bit strange, but... I'm scared.
"Of confessing to someone, and of someone confessing to me.
"The very idea of becoming someone's boyfriend... it terrifies me.
"I don't really know why, either.
"I spent my childhood studying at my family's estate.
"But it feels as though I have some kind of deep-seated trauma.
"If anyone were to confess to me right now, no matter who it was... I'd probably end up rejecting them."
So that was it...
Now that she thought about it, the behavior of the women hovering around him made sense.
They were women of high standing, including those from ducal families, with backgrounds and abilities second to none. She hadn't understood why they hadn't officially started dating him yet, but she never imagined this was the reason.
Then again, since she had just asked him this herself, the other girls had likely tried the same.
"What about you?"
"...?! You mean me?"
"Yeah, Seraphina. What do you think?
"Now that the exams are over, your reputation in the academy is going to skyrocket.
"Do you have someone in mind?
"With your standing now, you could probably choose whoever you want to marry.
"No matter their status or ability."
She could answer that question easily.
Unfortunately, it seemed now was not the time.
"Haha, perhaps. But... I think I will wait a little longer."
"Wait?"
"Exactly what it means. I will work on myself while trying to open the other person's heart. Even if it takes a long time, I intend to be patient and wait. Until they choose to take the leap themselves."
"Hahaha, that's pretty romantic. Whoever it is, they're going to be one lucky person."
"Fufufu, you can look forward to it."
Thus, Seraphina made a vow.
That one day, she would win over this upright, pure man with her own hands.
That she would make him her partner for life, no matter what.