Execution (1)
Meanwhile, the faculty members watched the duel with keen interest. Each of them looked utterly spellbound.
“······What an terrifyingly exceptional talent.”
A muttered remark slipped out. Under normal circumstances, it would have drawn mocking laughter meant to dismiss any exaggeration. But this time, not even the slightest sound emerged. They simply sat in silence.
“······.”
They say silence is sometimes the truest form of agreement. The professors couldn’t bring themselves to speak lightly. Yet every one of them was thinking the exact same thing.
Genius.
A talent the likes of which had never existed in history. Having observed today’s duel, the entire faculty could only marvel once again at the boy’s existence. It had been that overwhelming a performance.
The professors swallowed unconsciously.
— I didn’t expect much from the Serpent’s son… but what an intriguing talent.
— To think there could be a genius who surpasses even Her Highness the Imperial Princess.
— “Impressive” doesn’t even begin to cover it. His skill already surpasses most of our teaching assistants.
— To reach such a realm at that age… The future looks incredibly promising.
The placement exam had delivered quite a shock. Thanks to that, the faculty already knew the extent of the boy’s potential. Naturally, when news of this duel reached them, their expectations had been sky-high.
But the boy had done more than meet those expectations.
He had shattered them completely.
With a single casual wave of his hand, he had nullified the secret spell Lady Vanity had unleashed as her trump card. It was an endlessly beautiful motion.
The professors froze, robbed of speech.
“······Hah.”
“Incredible.”
“Perfect.”
“I never imagined he could go this far… He’s completely exceeded all predictions.”
“What was I even doing at that age?”
Each of them let out a helpless chuckle. The more their reactions—admiration, acknowledgment, awe—varied, the more intensely the aftertaste lingered. A fleeting thrill raced down their spines. The professors could only shiver and smile.
“We have no choice but to acknowledge it.”
“He has no equal among his peers…”
“There are still a few immature aspects because of his youth, but… in just a few years, he’ll leave even us in the dust, won’t he?”
“Where on earth did a monster like that come from?”
Pure wonder colored every voice. Even the professors who had been rather harsh during the placement exam were now clapping as if enchanted. Overwhelming talent always had that kind of irresistible charm.
“What a student I’d love to claim.”
“I’d like to teach him personally… I wonder how brilliantly he’ll grow.”
“I want to take him as my assistant.”
“Heh heh… Is that all? I was thinking of offering him the position of head teaching assistant.”
“Is the bidding war already beginning?”
“Please include me as well.”
A strangely heated war of nerves crackled through the room. The professors were already completely captivated by the boy. Each openly declared their intent to scout him. Their desire to bring the boy under their own wing was laid bare without shame.
Amid the ongoing commotion, one woman remained perfectly still.
Long, flowing purple hair. Crimson eyes that held a strange allure. Selena was staring blankly at the arena.
Clatter.
Startled by something, she had even dropped the liquor bottle she’d been holding. The woman stood frozen as if time itself had stopped.
“······Found you.”
The single murmur that followed was so faint it was barely audible, yet it carried an oddly heated tone. Selena lowered her head, her shoulders trembling.
Then—
“I must have him. No matter what.”
A twisted smile spread across her lips. Her body twitched as if burning with fever. But she quickly returned to her usual icy demeanor. It was a puzzling reaction.
“······.”
The dean watched the drunkard in silence. But he asked no questions. He never did.
■■■ simply turned his gaze away without a word.
The duel has ended.
📍 Result: Emilia Vanity — Defeat by Judgment
🏆 Winner: Yuda Snakers
The fierce duel had finally come to an end. An announcement echoed across the arena, but a far louder noise filled the stadium right now.
It was the sound of heartbreaking sobs.
“Huaaang! Uhhk, hueee…!”
Emilia was crying her eyes out, looking utterly pitiful. Her wails echoed throughout the arena. The girl’s pants were completely soaked. A puddle of yellow liquid had formed beneath her. It was a scene too painful to describe. It felt as though her human dignity had been utterly destroyed.
I deliberately looked away and spoke.
“U-um, Lady Vanity?”
“Sniffle, uhhhk…!”
“I didn’t do it on purpose.”
“Huaaaaaang!!”
Emilia only cried harder. I had meant it as a way to comfort her, but to her ears it must have sounded like taunting. What the hell am I supposed to do now?
No matter how I thought about it, there was no good answer. I decided to just keep my mouth shut.
I removed the outer robe I had been wearing like a cloak and gently draped it over Emilia’s legs. It was meant to cover her.
Of all things…
If I could have, I would have used my ability to erase the evidence, but I no longer had the output left for it. I had gotten too excited during the duel and used too much power.
Unique Ability Liar output has been almost entirely exhausted.
Remaining Output: 1.4%
The message felt particularly cruel today. Without my lies, my body was no different from that of an ordinary person. In the end, I couldn’t offer her any real help.
The ones who cleaned up this mess were none other than the medical staff. They had been on standby for injured students and rushed to the center of the arena the moment the duel ended.
“If anyone is injured, please let us know.”
“I’m not particularly hurt, but Lady Vanity…”
“Hic…!”
“Ah.”
The medic let out a faint sigh as she looked around. She quickly grasped the situation and nodded. Her expression showed a rather complicated mix of emotions.
“We will handle the cleanup. Yuda, you may leave now.”
“······Understood.”
I nodded reluctantly. I wanted to stay by her side out of guilt, but the current Emilia clearly needed space to calm down.
She probably doesn’t want to be in the same place as the cause of her lemonade incident.
In the end, I let out a sigh and stepped back. A bit of regret lingered. I should have held back just a little. I had gotten carried away and gone too far. To think I couldn’t even recall the character’s setting. Me—the one once called an authority on The World Seen by the Little Prince…
“Time really is merciless.”
It had already been three years. It wasn’t even mentioned in the main story—just a single line in an extra booklet. Even remembering it this late was impressive, I suppose. I repeated the excuse to myself.
As I was leaving the public training grounds, someone called my name and approached. It was a bright, refreshing voice.
“Young Master Snakers…!”
I lifted my lowered head. What entered my vision was long, fluttering pink hair and sparkling green eyes.
I murmured softly.
“······Miss Legia?”
“Young Master!”
Legia came running quickly. The girl closed the distance and then spread her arms wide, embracing me tightly. A sudden warmth enveloped me.
“I’m so glad! It turned out so well…!”
“Hm?”
“I never imagined you would actually defeat Lady Vanity! I’m truly relieved!”
Her pure cry of joy was as dazzling as sunlight brushing across spring fields. A smile naturally rose to my lips.
“Hehe.”
“You said you’d be expelled if you lost to Lady Vanity! I’ve been so anxious for days…”
Her green eyes curved vividly like fresh leaves. She hadn’t shown it, but she must have been worried deep down. The girl kept expressing her relief and offering congratulations. Perhaps this was her own way of showing happiness. Legia held me in a tight hug. The warm body heat coloring my chest felt strangely ticklish.
In return for the embrace, I gently stroked the girl’s hair.
“······Ah.”
Only then did the girl seem to realize what she was doing. Legia froze for a moment as if glitching, then awkwardly pulled away with a creak. A faint flush rose on her pure white cheeks.
“S-sorry! I got too excited…!”
She hurriedly offered an excuse. Perhaps embarrassed by the belated rush of shame, the girl covered her face with her hands. She really was the same protagonist I knew. Clumsy and foolish, yet warm enough. Someone who could sincerely rejoice in another’s happiness and sometimes shed tears out of worry. Perhaps a foolishly kind person.
“To receive such an enthusiastic celebration… I can only feel happy.”
“Y-you can’t tease me like that…”
“I mean it.”
I gave her a light smile. It was admirable. She must have suffered from the bullying over the past few days, yet even in that situation she had still tried to look after others. I stroked her pink hair once more.
“Eep… Y-Young Master?”
“It will be fine now.”
“Pardon?”
“The bullying, I mean. You were having a hard time because Lady Vanity had marked you, right?”
I spoke in a gentle tone.
“Since Lady Vanity has lost the duel… no one will dare treat Miss Legia poorly anymore.”
“······.”
“Because I will be by your side.”
Friends are supposed to help each other, aren’t they? I added playfully. Legia stood frozen, as if she had heard something completely unexpected. I winked lightly with one eye.
“So you don’t have to be afraid anymore.”
That was why I had come to the academy in the first place. I hadn’t wanted your stories to be sad. I wanted you to laugh, chat, be happy, fall in love… and ultimately reach a beautiful ending. That was my only lowly reason for existing.
Perhaps moved by the sincere encouragement, Legia remained silent for a long time. Maybe it was the sunset in the background, but the girl’s face looked especially red. Almost as if she were shy.
“······Thank you. Always.”
“Hehe, we’re friends. There’s no need for thanks, is there?”
“S-still, I wanted to say it.”
“You really are a good child.”
Our gazes briefly drifted elsewhere. After sharing a moment of laughter, we finally began to walk. Footsteps heading toward the end of a long day.
“Well then~ Now that your worries are gone, a joyful daily life awaits starting tomorrow, right?”
“Yes…!”
The puppeteer and the serpent walked side by side, matching their steps.
The very next day, the aftermath of the duel came for me swiftly.
“······.”
An awkward silence filled the room. Before me stood a girl with blue drill-roll hair. Just how much had she cried yesterday? The area around her eyes was still red. I felt like a criminal.
This was our first meeting since the lemonade incident.
This isn’t going to be easy.
I turned my head with a quiet groan. On the opposite desk sat Selena. Her crimson eyes watched us with a strange gaze. She flipped through several documents in her hand. She was the one who had served as the Executioner for yesterday’s duel.
“Then, we shall begin the execution.”
Her tone was extremely businesslike. Today was the day to carry out the promised conditions based on yesterday’s results. It could be called the final stage.
But—
“My dear Head Professor.”
“What is it?”
“I apologize for interrupting, but may I make a few remarks before we begin the execution?”
My plan was only just beginning. I subtly shifted my gaze. The blue-haired girl sat there in a pitiful state. She was now a villainess who had lost everything and stood on the brink of expulsion. I lightly licked my lips.
“I have a proposal I would like to offer Lady Vanity.”
“A proposal?”
“It concerns the execution. I would like to speak with her privately.”
“Permission granted.”
“Thank you.”
My lips twisted into a sinister smile. I covered my mouth. People, after all, tend to have weaker ears when they are desperate. Emilia was no exception. This was an opportunity to shake her.
“Hehe.”
Now. It was time for gaslighting.