The Princess's Betting Duel
"Isn't that Lina von Maria from the Maria Count's family? I heard she's a total braggart."
"Oh yeah, I heard too. All that stuff about being close with Her Highness the Crown Princess and the Saintess? Total lies."
"Yeah, yesterday she got an earful from the Saintess, and today the Crown Princess challenged her to a wager duel. Said she'd befriend her if she wins."
The academy was buzzing with rumors about the new students.
And who could ignore it when the stars of the gossip were the Crown Princess and the Saintess, hot topics just from enrolling?
"But yesterday, when the Saintess was laying into that girl, didn't she look way cooler than I expected?"
"Totally badass and full of presence."
Words that might've been called violent from anyone else turned majestic coming from Saintess Estelle.
"Ah! The wager duel's about to start! Let's hurry!"
As I watched, pondering how to deal with Lina next, I felt a surprising relief that the two had handled her for me. It lightened my load more than I'd thought.
Even kids who fought constantly united like this against a common foe—protagonists indeed, I mused.
A wager duel, huh. I hadn't expected to see one so soon.
In the game, these bets popped up often between protagonists. When they wanted something from each other but couldn't just ask outright, they'd wager a duel to claim it.
Usually, the first one hit after they advanced to second year.
And not between rivals, but with a total outsider? Felt oddly intriguing.
"Guess I'll go watch."
Iris and Estelle hadn't bothered telling me directly, but they knew I'd hear through the grapevine.
No effort to hush it up meant they didn't mind me knowing—or maybe wanted me to hear.
"Ah, Theo! There you are!"
On the way to Iris's duel, I ran into the hottest rumor magnet herself: Estelle.
"Estelle, rumors are flying hot."
"Ugh, it just kinda happened. I tried to handle it quietly, but for it to reach even you... embarrassing."
Even without rumors, I'd witnessed yesterday's scene firsthand.
Estelle chewing out Lina was straight out of the game—her rare angry mode, usually aimed at Iris. Fresh and nostalgic; a fun event.
"Actually, I saw you with Lina yesterday."
"Gasp, you saw that?!"
I nodded at her startled yelp.
"You tore her apart verbally."
"Well, she wouldn't listen otherwise. No choice."
"You hammered her mentally so hard, I bet today's duel will be a total blowout."
"Nah, she's still in Class A. No way it'll be that one-sided."
Her words carried barbs—she knew Lina wasn't all that skilled.
I knew it for sure; Lina in Class A was the weird part.
In the game, Lina started in Class C after enrolling, climbing slowly to A later.
"Well, we'll see."
"Right! Oh, Theo—before the duel, wanna grab some snacks?"
"It'll probably end quick, but sure."
Missing popcorn yesterday had sucked. This time, I'd munch properly while spectating.
I grabbed popcorn; Estelle a light drink. Off to the arena together.
"Still, you showed up without running. I'll give you that much praise."
Inside, Iris smirked, tossing shade at Lina right away.
Oho, Iris pulling this side early? In the game, she didn't trash-talk early on—just overwhelmed with skill.
But hanging with Estelle rubbed off; she'd slip in disses unconsciously or blurt hidden thoughts.
"...I don't know why you're doing this to me, but I'll give it my all. Please recognize my effort, Iris...!"
Lina still played victim, but her track record ruined it. No spectators pitied her; they just sneered.
"If you can even touch my sword, you win. For someone skilled enough for Class A, that shouldn't be hard, right?"
"Ugh... O-of course...!"
Her bluster faltered; trembling hands betrayed her.
She looked primed for a one-shot takedown. Murmurs rose, echoing my thoughts.
"Crown Princess's hem untouched? Thousand silver on that."
"Yeah, me too—hem untouched, ten thousand silver."
"Idiot, same bet ruins the odds."
"Betting on her at all's the real madness."
Laughter as they placed wagers.
"Oh dear, you bragged about being so close, I believed you. Disappointing, Lina dear."
"Right? Seems the real friend is someone else."
Even her former believers had flipped.
If she lost—and tanked upcoming exams with demerits—Class A was gone for good.
Could she endure till then? Doubtful.
Expulsion or dropout were dishonorable; most gritted to graduation.
But with everyone against her and her weak mentality? Nah.
Still, game Lina matched looks only—behavior totally off. Unsettling.
No playthroughs had her sidelined while others befriended protagonists.
Lina was Les Mode exclusive; unmentioned elsewhere, and never villainized there.
"Hmm..."
Maybe a hidden hardcore mode. Or my meddling changed things.
Latter seemed likely. I'd scoured it; no missed modes.
"Shall we begin?"
"...Yes, I'm ready."
Lost in thought, the duel started—and ended in one precise turn. Iris's blade sent Lina flying out-of-bounds. Over in a blink.
"Whoa, not even one block?"
"Honestly, I probably couldn't either."
"Crown Princess is seriously strong."
Opinions varied, but Iris's dominance was undisputed.
Though she'd folded instantly against me last time too.
Was I that strong? Or was she holding back?
"Oh my, drink lid's still sealed and it's over. Theo, you at least get some popcorn?"
"Uh, yeah—popcorn's a national law: eat it all pre-start. Mine's gone."
Munching absentmindedly had emptied my bucket.
"A national law? Then from now on, I'll train to finish mine before it starts, like you, Theo!"
"No need for that kinda effort..."
"Hmm, if I chug this drink now, counts as pre-end, right?"
"Nah, it's already done."
"No, Iris hasn't left the stage yet—totally arguable!"
Estelle's absurd stubbornness just made me laugh.
Ha... why do Estelle and Iris keep seeming cute?
Dangerous feelings. Can't catch feelings for protagonists...!
They need to romance without me. What if I like them?!