Chapter 56: The First Letter (56)
Chapter 56: The First Letter (56)
Amber eyes met aquamarine eyes in the air. An untimely cold snap and a sweltering heat were mingling. As the cold front collided with the warm front, the crowd of onlookers scattered around them like a monsoon front.
Celine’s mouth was curved into a smile, but her eyes were nothing short of frigid. Seria’s gaze was equally chilling.
The atmosphere grew taut in an instant as the two women, who had previously maintained a facade of mutual indifference, finally clashed. Celine hung her canteen back on her waist and slowly stepped toward Seria.
Even then, Seria did nothing but stare at Celine in silence. It was impossible to tell if those were the eyes of a predator eyeing its prey or merely an expression of apathy.
No one knew the answer yet—except for Seria herself.
Celine stopped directly in front of her.
She let out a long sigh, rested a hand on her hip, and spoke in a tone that sounded as if she were trying to soothe a child.
“You might not be in the best mood lately, right? I understand… I feel the same way. But if you react so sensitively to every little thing, it makes everyone else uncomfortable, don't you think?”
In a way, she was right—if one ignored the fact that Celine had also been walking around with a gloomy face.
However, no one was in a position to point that out. Instead, the onlookers began to show silent agreement with Celine’s words.
Celine was skilled at this: creating an atmosphere and using it to push her agenda.
This was why she was so adept at interpersonal relationships. Along with her naturally social temperament, Celine possessed an excellent ability to read the room.
Truthfully, Celine didn't want to cause friction with Seria right now.
She still remembered how angry Ian had been not long ago. There would be nothing worse than ruining her relationship with Ian even further by picking a fight with Seria for no reason.
If she were to keep her rival in check, it had to be done covertly, out of Ian’s sight. Above all, Celine disliked airing grievances in public places like this.
It only served to expose her own weaknesses. She wanted to create a scene where, at least on the surface, the conflict appeared resolved.
“So, let’s try to be a bit more understanding, Miss Yurdina… Technically, we’re in similar positions. Ian wouldn't like it if you kept such a long face all the time.”
Celine gave a bitter smile as she spoke.
'In similar positions,' she thought. Who could have guessed that a woman named Delphine Yurdina would suddenly appear?
Still, her attempt to find common ground was a gesture of reconciliation. It was a signal to end the tension here. By doing this, Celine stood to gain several advantages.
First, she framed Seria as an 'overly sensitive woman,' even though Seria had every right to be upset. While Seria’s reaction was indeed sharper than usual, it was within understandable limits. Celine, however, labeled it as 'hypersensitivity' to position herself as the protector of the group's harmony.
Second, even if conflict arose later, she could claim to Ian, 'I tried my best to make peace.' There was no point in fighting Seria if she lost Ian’s heart in the process. She needed a safety net.
Finally, by being the one to offer an olive branch first, she could instill the image of being broad-minded in the minds of the witnesses. This image would be useful in any future disputes.
People naturally root for those they feel closer to, and romance wasn't a solo endeavor. The opinions of those around them exerted a subtle influence.
The more the perception spread that Celine was 'better' than Seria, the more Celine stood to gain. Though, she wasn't sure just how effective it would truly be.
That was the instinctive conclusion Celine had reached. The narrative of her seeking reconciliation favored her in many ways. And since she had been the one to humble herself first, her opponent wouldn't be able to refuse—provided they had at least a modicum of social grace.
Yes, provided they had a modicum of social grace.
Unfortunately, Seria was a person who had no relationship with the word 'social.' She looked away as if contemplating for a moment, then spoke in a low voice.
“……It’s because you don’t understand.”
The words came out after a long silence. Yet, hearing them, Celine’s eyes only flickered with confusion.
What Seria truly wanted to say was, 'It's because you don't know what my sister is like.'
However, Seria was pathologically lacking in conversational experience. In her attempt to be precise, she omitted the very context necessary for communication. It was a situation destined for misunderstanding.
While Celine stood bewildered, unable to grasp Seria’s meaning, the follow-up blow left Seria’s lips.
“At this rate, he’ll be taken from you.”
That was the finishing blow. Celine’s eyes turned fierce in an instant.
This, too, was intended as advice from Seria. A warning to be careful of Delphine—a woman who would use any means necessary to get what she wanted.
But because those words were uttered without explanation, Celine could only hear them one way:
'If you keep acting like that, I'm going to take Senior Ian away from you.'
It was a blatant provocation. It would be abnormal to remain rational after hearing that.
This was the man she had loved unilaterally for over ten years. It was bad enough that a sudden rival had appeared, but now she was being mocked in public.
A surge of emotion made Celine bite her lip. Intense fury coalesced in her eyes. Her amber gaze now radiated cold hostility.
“……Oh, is that so?”
Her voice was like frost, embedded with sharp shards of ice. The smile vanished from Celine’s face, replaced only by irritation and rage.
The surrounding students fell silent. A few signaled with their eyes that someone should step in, but Celine was faster.
With a single step, she closed the distance between them. At point-blank range, Celine twisted her lips into a sneer.
"I guess you've had a lot taken from you by your sister? And now even a man… Your sisterly devotion in stepping aside for her is truly touching."
It was at that moment that Seria’s eyes sank into a murky depth. Celine’s mockery had pierced Seria’s most hidden weakness.
And it touched upon the possibility she feared most of all. Seria never wanted to lose Ian—not to anyone, but especially not to Delphine.
It began as a mere misunderstanding. But for two women whose emotional rift was already deep, there was no better opportunity to vent their long-standing resentment.
Cold words flowed from Seria’s mouth as well. Her voice was so frigid it felt as if it would sear the skin.
”Don't worry, Senior Ian isn't the type of person to leave without a word. He made a promise to me last time. It seems you don't trust him very much.“
”I trust Ian. But sometimes he’s too kind for his own good… He wastes so much time playing along with some pathetic loner.“
Celine snorted. Her sharp gaze swept over Seria’s face. Seria’s expression had long since turned stone-cold.
”Actually, it’s funny. Why do you look so miserable? You’re just getting back exactly what you did to others, aren't you?“
”I have no idea what you’re talking about…….“
Seria truly didn't understand what Celine meant. For someone without a single friend, understanding the complex world of romance was impossible. Seria was still defining her own feelings as 'friendship.'
But sometimes, only the ignorant can discover the truth. Seria thought very simply, and thus, she could easily touch the heart of the matter.
”If you don't like me spending time with Senior Ian, tell him yourself. Don't whine to me about it.“
”……What?“
Celine’s brow furrowed. It was a reaction of clear flusteredness. Seria didn't miss it.
She had no talent for rhetoric, but she possessed the instincts of a competitor honed through hunting demonic beasts. She knew instinctively what her opponent's weakness was, and that once she struck it, she had to be relentless.
Seria’s cold voice poured out without hesitation. Since she had no intention of befriending her opponent, she was surprisingly eloquent; she simply had to translate her thoughts into words without a filter.
”Go argue with Senior Ian. Tell him not to meet me, or else you won't meet him… Or do you lack the courage for that?“
”I’m not saying I want Ian to cut ties with you…….“
”Then what?“
Silence. Celine’s mouth snapped shut. She just stared at Seria, speechless.
”Because to my ears, that’s exactly what it sounded like.“
Celine lowered her gaze slightly. There was no way out of the narrative Seria had constructed. In her heart, she truly did wish Ian wouldn't even look at another woman.
But Celine knew that was an excessive desire. Even so, she couldn't hide the fact that she wished he wouldn't meet with a rival like Seria.
Admitting it would only make her look like a stubborn person interfering in a friendship. Crucially, Celine was not yet in an official relationship with Ian.
That fact robbed Celine of her words. She quietly bit her lip.
Watching the silence, Seria let out a deep sigh. Her attitude suggested that if Celine had nothing more to say, there was no point in fighting further.
She left only one final remark.
”If you keep this up, he’ll be taken from you, Celine Haster.“
Just like I was.
Seria swallowed the last part. But those words were certainly enough to snap the final thread of Celine’s patience.
Celine’s amber eyes glared fiercely at Seria. Her hand instinctively moved toward her waist. She didn't intend to draw her sword, but every swordsman reaches for their blade when they feel hostility. It was merely a reflex.
However, in a situation like this, even that was enough to be held against her. In the next moment, Celine heard a cold warning.
”Don't draw that sword.“
The sword hanging at Celine's waist was a live blade, sharp and lethal. It was on a different level from a wooden practice sword. Despite this, Seria, who was issuing the warning, didn't even place her hand on her own hilt. As if there were no need.
”……Because you’ll regret it.“
Her voice was calm, as if stating a simple truth. It was an insult that went beyond mere rudeness. Even the onlookers, who weren't the targets, momentarily caught their breath.
The moment she heard those words, sparks flew in Celine’s eyes.
She already harbored an inferiority complex toward high-ranking nobles. She could not endure such a blatant insult from the very object of her resentment.
A flash of light pierced the air.
Celine, who possessed an exceptional amount of mana, drew her sword in an instant. Her subsequent chain of attacks was fast enough that, with the advantage of a surprise attack, she could have suppressed an opponent several levels above her. But her opponent was Seria.
With a strange clack, Celine’s blade sparked and slid away. Seria’s sword, drawn in the blink of an eye, had parried Celine’s strike.
The crowd finally erupted in a clamor as the unthinkable happened: an actual sword fight. Voices called out to stop them, but the practical question followed: who on earth could stop Seria once she had drawn her blade?
Normally, since 'Swordsmanship Training' was a class, a supervising professor should have been present. However, today was a self-study session due to the professor's personal circumstances. The teaching assistant, who had left after checking attendance, wasn't due back for some time.
The sound of someone sprinting out of the training hall echoed. They were going to find help. A professor, a senior—anyone would do.
They had to prevent blood from being spilled. Causing injury was a serious offense that could lead to expulsion.
The commotion drew even more attention to the training hall. Celine and Seria, having exchanged several blows, were now standing a few paces apart, glaring at each other.
In that brief interval, the outcome seemed clear. Celine had delivered a full-power strike but failed to even graze Seria’s collar. In contrast, marks from Seria’s counter-strikes were etched all over Celine’s body.
”I admire the courage it took to draw your sword with that level of skill, but…….“
Seria spoke in her usual nonchalant tone. It was the excessively blunt way of speaking that had earned her the nickname, 'The Rude Brat of Yurdina.'
”……Stop. The match is already decided.“
Celine, once again overcome with emotion, lunged forward. Seria let out a small sigh as if she had no choice and adjusted her stance. And at that moment—
”Hey!“
A man’s shout caused the two women’s blades, which were closing the distance, to falter. However, the difference in their skill was the problem.
Seria had plenty of leeway to recover her sword. Her blade was braked immediately and returned to its scabbard in an instant.
But Celine was different. Her blade, unable to overcome its own momentum, faltered but continued forward. Celine gritted her teeth and tried to stop the blade, but it narrowly grazed Seria’s forearm.
Blood bloomed. It was a shallow wound. But when the crowd parted and a man appeared—
The scene he saw was singular.
Celine holding a sword, and Seria bleeding from her arm.
At least in that moment, it was clear who the assailant was and who the victim was.
The man with black hair and golden eyes—Ian—placed a hand on his forehead. He walked forward, his expression one of pure irritation.
Celine hurriedly sheathed her sword. She looked dazed, as if she still hadn't fully grasped the situation. Seria, who had suddenly gained a wound on her arm, was the same.
Celine’s lips trembled as if she wanted to say something to Ian, but he passed her by with a frigid indifference.
Ian arrived at Seria’s side, who was kneeling blankly while clutching her wounded arm. He let out a deep sigh and pulled a bandage from his pocket.
I can't let it end like this. That instinctive sense of crisis struck Celine’s mind. She stammered as she spoke.
”I-Ian… I, I…….“
”Celine.“
Ian spoke in a cold voice without even looking back at her. It was the first time in her life that Ian had treated her with such chilling detachment.
Shocked further, Celine lost her ability to speak. When Ian glanced back, the golden eyes looking at her were utterly frigid.
”……Please, let’s talk later.“
Celine froze on the spot.
Seria also seemed to be desperately searching for words, but there was no way she, who usually struggled to choose her words, could respond to such a sudden situation.
”Are you okay, Seria? Let’s go to the temple just in case.“
She simply allowed herself to be led away, supported by Ian as they left the hall.
The only one left behind was Celine.
Standing alone, staring at the ground with eyes filled with despair.