It's Tough, Ian.

It was tough, Ian. Her eyes... how should I describe them? They reminded me of the look she had when I first saw Edgar. Extremely sharp and frightening. The kind of eyes that seemed ready to start a fight at the slightest misstep.

Our first meeting hadn't been particularly pleasant either.

The phrase come back in... floated through my mind.

For some reason, Lui's face came to mind.

I had heard she was kicked out, and it seemed these students were from her original team.

I wonder if Miss Lui will go back too.

She had looked exhausted, but if she returned, it might ease one of her burdens.

"Calm down, Cale. Getting angry won't solve anything."

The man named Cale, who had been arguing with Ian just moments ago, clicked his tongue in displeasure and shut his mouth. The student who had been skillfully intervening stepped forward and began speaking to Ian.

"Ian, I know you're emotional about this, but how about looking at it a bit more rationally? I understand your performance in the upcoming Sacred Fire Festival is important."

"Then you shouldn't have kicked me out in the first place. Why now?"

"Sorry. We were confused too. But it seems we really do need you after all."

"..."

Ian appeared somewhat calmer, her anger having subsided, yet she still didn't drop her thorny gaze.

"Think about it. We're giving you a chance here. You know that, right? Both Serean and Tirion are participating in this Sacred Fire Festival. Do you honestly think you could reach the upper ranks even if you formed a team?"

The man let out a blatant laugh, but everything he said rang true, so Ian couldn't respond.

There was still plenty of time until the festival, but most teams had likely already been assembled. Considering how relentlessly Lui was running around, it also meant there weren't many people left to recruit.

"We've already got four Alpha Class students, so if you join, that makes exactly five. Not bad, right? At worst we could aim for the middle ranks, and if we're lucky... we might even contend for the upper ranks."

Suddenly, Ian lifted her head.

If you join, exactly five.

Those words were a declaration that they had no intention of calling back Lui, who had been expelled alongside her. At the same time, it was telling Ian to abandon her and cross over.

"This offer is only for you. There's exactly one spot open."

"What are you talking about... What about Lui?"

"It's unfortunate, but we only need one person."

Ian's eyes shook violently.

How cruel.

Watching them betray someone without hesitation and then try to pull her back in just to get what they needed made the thought rise unbidden. It was as if I finally understood what Lui had meant by calling them cold-hearted. Still, it had nothing to do with me. I tried to tune out their conversation and start walking again.

But for some reason, my feet wouldn't move.

The image of Lui's face I had just seen kept resurfacing.

Mr. Lutes, you too... do your best!

That bright smile even though she looked worn out.

The way she kept running around, determined to push forward no matter what.

If she knew about the scheming happening behind her back, how would she feel? It would be incredibly unpleasant.

...

I turned my head again. I found myself curious about what decision Ian would make.

In that brief moment.

The man waiting for her answer studied Ian's trembling eyes, smiled, and extended his hand toward her.

"Anyway, I'll take that as a yes?"

Ian quietly lowered her gaze to the offered hand.

Slap—

"..."

She knocked it away sharply and glared at the man once more.

"Get lost..."

Ian spoke with firm resolve.

"Hmm."

"I'd rather team up with three Beta Class guys than do anything with disgusting bastards like you."

The man's face kept smiling, but his eyebrows twitched.

"Don't do something you'll regret, Ian."

"You're the ones who'll regret it. Just wait. When the Sacred Fire Festival starts, Lui and I will knock you out first."

"...Haha, sure. Think you'll even find a team?"

Ian bumped his shoulder as if she had no interest in talking further and began walking away, heading in my direction.

Yikes.

Before she could make eye contact, I hurriedly grabbed the dummy and slipped away from the area.

When I glanced back, Ian was striding forward without having noticed me.

I wasn't sure whether to call it fortunate, but...

Her retreating figure somehow looked uneasy.

Only after she had completely vanished into the distance did I turn my head and resume walking.

The dummy was heavier than expected, so I had to stop and rest several times while carrying it, which ended up wasting a lot of time. By the time I finally managed to bring it to the classroom, I was drenched in sweat.

"...You said ten minutes... ten minutes."

"Sorry. I didn't think it would take this long either."

When I checked the clock, it looked like there wouldn't be time to read even if I factored in lunch.

"Thanks. I'll definitely pay you back, Lutes. Next time you have to move something, call me."

"Yeah, I'll definitely call you then... I'm heading off to eat."

"Okay, see you later...!"

Moltz gave a polite bow and then dashed off again at full speed.

He didn't seem to accomplish much, yet he was always running around like that. It was a small curiosity, but nothing I was particularly invested in, so I set it aside. I wiped away my sweat and headed off to eat lunch belatedly.

Since an unintentional good deed had ruined my lunch plans, I decided I might as well eat something delicious.

After class, I'll head back to the library and read...

Thump—

As I was lost in thought, I felt someone lightly tap my back.

"You look busy these days."

At the familiar voice, I turned to find Valrod standing there.

"Where are you headed?"

"To eat lunch."

Valrod gave my shoulder a friendly pat and started walking alongside me.

"Don't you usually eat somewhere else?"

"The place I usually go didn't look appetizing today, so I came this way."

Well, this guy was serious about his food.

Of course, the way he inhaled it made it hard to tell whether he was savoring the meal or simply eating to survive.

Either way, from my perspective, it wasn't bad to suddenly have company instead of eating alone.

"Are you getting along with Eline?"

"Yeah... I think so."

Valrod's lips twitched as if he were holding back a smile, before he finally let out a quiet chuckle.

"What is that weird smile for?"

"It's just interesting. Since it's my friend's romance, of course I'm rooting for you. Don't misunderstand."

"Thanks, I appreciate it."

We kept walking, leaving his smile behind, when a question suddenly occurred to me.

"Valrod, aren't you participating in the Sacred Fire Festival tournament?"

Come to think of it, I had never seen him take part in it over the past two years.

The same went for Eline. If grades mattered that much, shouldn't they be joining such competitions?

"Nope."

"Any reason?"

"No particular reason. I just don't feel like clashing with other guys even during the festival."

It was a very him kind of answer.

"You must fight a lot, then?"

"It's a tournament, so yeah, we go at it pretty hard. Some people even cut ties completely."

The idea that it could go as far as severing relationships sent a slight chill through me. Was it really that desperate?

"Still, a lot of people join because of the grades."

"I've managed mine well enough, so it's fine."

"Oh."

His claim about managing things well somehow sounded impressive.

For someone like me who had only just started studying again, even reading books felt overwhelming. But when I thought about it, he had survived in the Alpha Class for two full years.

"So why the sudden questions about the Sacred Fire Festival? Out of nowhere."

The situation with Lui and Ian came to mind, but I decided it would be rude to bring up someone else's affairs to a third party.

"It just seems more extravagant this time."

"It's because of Serean and Tirion, right?"

"Well... yeah?"

Fortunately my vague response ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠worked; Valrod made a different assumption.

Serean and Tirion.

The two greatest prospects in the academy, both tied to Eline.

Now that I thought about it, the news was definitely intriguing.

As Valrod had said, the Sacred Fire Festival treated the festival itself as the main event and the tournament as secondary, which lowered its overall interest and importance.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

Yet now, in their third year, the fact that these two—who hadn't participated for two years—had suddenly announced their intention to compete was quite unusual.

Why were they joining?

Since it was their final year, maybe they wanted to add a championship to their records?

It probably wasn't for the memories.

"From what I hear, a high-ranking member of the imperial family will be observing in person this time."

As if sensing my curiosity, Valrod gave a clear answer.

"Really?"

"It's just a rumor, but that seems likely. The Second Prince has always been deeply interested in magic."

"Ah."

I had heard the story before.

If the First Prince was aggressive and focused on swords and politics, the Second Prince was said to possess profound knowledge in magic and the pursuit of wisdom.

But to think he would come in person.

As far as I remembered, imperial family members only visited the academy for graduation ceremonies.

That explained why those two prospects had decided to compete.

"Everyone really is living busy lives."

Of course, I was busy too.

I had to finish the book Eline gave me within a month.

"Sigh."

A sigh escaped me naturally.

Evening.

My head was burning up.

Reading the book for the roughly two hours until Eline arrived was incredibly difficult.

"Ugh..."

A strange groan slipped out as I turned page after page.

I couldn't even tell if I was reading with my eyes, my nose, or my mouth.

Since it was basic first-year theory, giving up on even this would leave me with no hope at all, so I pressed on with pure determination.

Wait, didn't I at least keep up with studying during my first year...?

It had only been until the first semester of first year, I realized.

Still, I had thought I possessed some confidence since I had memorized various spells even before entering the academy. Yet here I was, struggling this much with theory.

Climbing into the Alpha Class.

I had expected it to be hard, but even after only two days it was already starting to feel overwhelming.

"Lutes."

Eline's voice.

When I snapped back to my senses and turned my head, she was gazing at me intently from the side.

"Ah, you're here."

Just seeing Eline's face felt like it cooled my overheated mind somewhat.

"Did you get through a lot?"

She naturally took the book and began flipping through the pages one by one.

Quite a few pages passed by, and Eline nodded as if impressed.

"You've worked hard."

"What hard work."

That's what I said, but in truth I had struggled tremendously.

Resuming studies I had long abandoned was brutal.

Still, hearing her praise filled me with a sense of pride.

And then.

"It's a promise, after all."

"...Huh?"

Ah. Right.

After those words, she slowly approached me, and I closed my eyes.

Last time I had been caught completely off guard and hadn't fully registered it.

As she drew closer, the feeling of her breath and warmth made my hairs stand on end.

Once,

A warm, soft touch brushed my cheek and then withdrew.

It had been a fleeting moment, yet it felt like an eternity. She slowly pulled away again.

At some point I let out the breath I had been holding and opened my eyes.

Whew...

Next time, I wished she would give me a moment to mentally prepare.

"You've worked hard."

"...Uh, yeah."

Was my face red?

It probably was.

I could feel it burning.

My head ached, and all other noise seemed to have vanished; only the sound of her breathing remained.

Calm down. Calm down.

With trembling hands, I began turning the pages again.

"Lutes."

"Why?"

When I answered in a shaky voice, Eline was still covering her mouth as she looked at me.

"Your face is red."

"..."

I know that already.

Don't point it out.

Eline, why had she suddenly become so aggressive?

In the beginning she had simply enjoyed walks... and even when we held hands she had seemed like the quiet type.

...It felt like everything had changed after that game of chess.

But she paid it no mind and simply brushed her hair back.

"Is the book easy to read?"

Right. The book.

Snapped back to reality, I barely managed to grab it while stuttering.

Easy to read...?

To be honest, it wasn't.

"I'm reading it as hard as I can, but I'm not sure how much is actually sticking... It feels like I'm just staring at the letters."

"..."

"It's too difficult... Even though it's first-year material, I can't understand it properly."

This book probably wasn't a simplified explanation of the magic basics taught in first year, but the original text itself.

The content was so detailed and vast that it was no wonder it felt difficult for someone like me who hadn't studied seriously in a long time.

...

Her hand came to rest gently on top of mine.

"That's understandable, Lutes."

Eline comforted me softly, as if she understood just how slow I was.

"Thanks, Eline."

The unexpected kindness brought a stinging emotion, but—

"That's not what I meant. This book is difficult."

It seemed Eline had meant something else entirely.

"Huh?"

When I looked up, Eline calmly closed the book.

The title caught my eye.

Magic theory and fundamentals, yet it was difficult? What did that even mean?

When I raised my head to meet her gaze, she gave a faint smile as if the situation amused her.

"This is an ancient tome that mages from the Magic Tower read."

"....Ah?"