[No title provided]

Slave, bite down. Mirai and Iris are fighting.

I was stunned by the utterly random statement. What the hell? Why are those two suddenly fighting? And then. Why the fuck are we going to watch? I couldn't wrap my head around the fact that we were casually heading off to spectate.

I swallowed hard as I eyed the man striding ahead—golden hair flowing, clad in a crimson cape, walking with leisurely grace.

Emperor Lehart.

My favorite character was busy marching forward on those long legs of his. A slender blade hung at his waist, and I could see a faint energy rising along his shoulders.

Mana? No. It didn't feel like mana. You see what you see, but...

It's different from mana.

Same as when I'd seen divine power. Same with Iris.

Just...

Different from Colton.

Colton's energy, and this guy's—they were somehow distinct. Was that the knights' power called Ora?

Has to be.

It was something I'd pieced together from grasping the world's common sense. The folks commonly called knights here wielded a power like mages' mana, known as Ora.

If you could simply manifest Ora, you were a Sword User. If you could channel it into your sword, a Sword Expert. And if you could shape and wield it solidly, a Master?

Masters transcend humanity.

From Sword Expert onward, Ora infused the body and started reinforcing it on its own. At that point, you already ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠had physical abilities beyond human limits, but...

Masters are on another level.

The rare few called Masters—apex predators of the continent, beings who could supposedly cleave the heavens with their blades.

And...

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Two of them right in front of me.

I was face-to-face with Masters: Emperor Lehart and the Empire's Sword, Colton Clay. Both had reached that realm. Colton was top-tier among them, and the Emperor...

The Emperor's a Master too.

A man who'd ascended to Master under Colton's tutelage. Not his disciple, though. Same in the original story. Colton had instructed the then-Crown Prince. Not formal discipleship, just guidance. The Emperor had shown insane talent with the sword as a result.

Which made the male lead, France, jealous as hell.

There were cases where overwhelming talent fueled France's inferiority complex. A near-perfect character. That's how I'd seen the Emperor.

And...

He made it to Master after all.

The Emperor, under guidance, had claimed the Master rank and now...

The greatest Emperor in history.

A Master's Ora. It definitely had a different quality from other knights'. Colton's felt exceptionally refined, but setting that aside, the Emperor's Ora sparkled even more.

How far does a Master go? How would they stack up against a Tower Master? I wasn't sure on that front, but...

Tower Master probably loses.

Judging by the energy and presence, it was clear. Masters had the edge. At least for now, in my eyes.

Anyway.

Why the hell were Iris and Mirai suddenly fighting? We were following the Emperor's words, but the whole situation was bizarre. Plus...

Why do they all look like that?

If you're fighting, fine, but their faces were etched with extreme tension. The Tower Masters and knights too. Was there really need to be that on edge? Fighting was weird enough, but the reactions were overly intense.

I asked about it.

"Slave, why's everyone reacting like that?"

I turned to the busty redhead beside me.

"...What?"

The red-haired beauty walking alongside—Helena—narrowed her eyes at me. She looked seriously pissed.

Why? What was the problem? I stared back like there was none.

"Why the glare? Slave?"

"...You little...!"

Helena bristled at "slave" and opened her mouth to retort, but...

"Hey, a bet's a bet, right? We agreed you'd be my slave, didn't we?"

I just gave her an incredulous look. What was with that attitude after we'd made the deal?

"Is the rule here that once you say something, you can just brush it off? You were going on about mana oaths and all that earlier."

"...Urk..."

Mentioning it made her swallow hard. I noticed something as I watched.

Mana.

Bringing up the mana oath made her mana stir. I saw it tighten around her throat.

So it does work.

Her promise to become my slave had some binding force.

Mages put power into their incantations, huh.

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Did words really hold power? I smirked as I probed her mana.

"Right? Slave?"

Guess I could push her more now?

Grind—!

Helena ground her teeth. Then someone chuckled.

"Kukuku..."

Tom Jenel. The Gold Tower Master laughed, twisting Helena's already fierce glare even more.

"What're you splitting hairs over?"

"Splitting hairs? Can't help it if the words scare you that much. Nah, the situation's just hilarious."

"This is hilarious to you...?"

"Why not? Don't tell me it's not fun for you..."

Tom said it like he couldn't comprehend.

"The mighty Red Tower Master loses to a kid who just hit 3-Circle, binds herself with a mana oath, and becomes his slave. How's that not funny?"

"Wha—!!"

Helena surged with mana at Tom's mockery but stopped short. Remembering who was ahead, probably. The Emperor. No room for rash anger.

And...

"Exactly. If you're a slave, act like one... Still got that fiery temper, huh?"

I'd adapted to the situation faster than anyone. Sassy big-tits slave. Pretty damn hot point, honestly.

Tom eyed me like I was some curiosity.

"...Truly fascinating. You always this fearless?"

"Nah, I'm scared shitless."

"Doesn't show in your attitude. And..."

Tom leaned in closer.

"How'd you do that earlier, anyway?"

"Do what?"

"My doll. How'd you lie to it?"

"...Oh, that."

The lie detector? Yeah, Tom's thing on me earlier. I'd just blocked his mana from approaching. But it seemed like a big deal to him. Not just him—other Tower Masters' gazes locked on me too.

Feeling the attention, I grinned faintly.

"Curious? Show me some magic first. Then I'll tell you."

"...Ha...?"

Tom let out a hollow laugh.

"...Definitely the witch's son."

"You said that earlier—is it a compliment?"

"Sure is. Highest praise for a mage. Being compared to Elise."

"...Oh..."

Mom's rep was that solid? Made sense.

Everyone shits themselves just hearing her name.

No one in the Empire dared mess with her. Seemed true.

"Fine... Setting aside demon or not. I promise too. Once this wraps smoothly and you're cleared, come to the Gold Tower. I'll show you any magic you want."

"Not bad. Deal."

Got a magic demo promise from Tom Jenel.

...Hmm.

Unlike his lively mana, his presence felt refined. Unusually so.

Bugs me.

Something nagging about that mana. I shifted my gaze.

Back to the Emperor.

He's not even paying attention.

The Emperor ignored us completely. Just dropped the watch-the-fight invite outta nowhere and marched silently toward the destination.

What the...?

Was he always this character? Didn't seem that taciturn.

Maybe 'cause it's real vs. text?

Dunno. Just felt off. The Emperor, the situation—everything.

As I pondered that, trudging along...

Kwarung—!! Boom—!!

A massive rumble hit. At the same time...

Thump.

My heart pounded. Kept racing.

Breathing too.

Breaths coming sharp and ragged. On their own.

What is this?

Kugung—! Boom!

Following the sounds, we reached a vast open arena, clearly built for sparring.

Bang—! Crack—! Clang—!!

Harsh explosions rang out, and in the center stood two figures. Blue hair and silver-white whipped through the air together.

But...

Hard to see.

They moved so fast it was nearly invisible. Insanely quick.

Soon enough, I realized it was Mirai and Iris.

Whoa.

Admiration slipped out. Never properly seen knights fight before, so I didn't know.

Damn impressive.

They fought like that? Way beyond human limits.

No wonder they call 'em superhumans.

Ora-unleashed knights weren't normal. Supposedly could break sound barrier, though...

Not quite that fast, but close.

The issue was...

Why are they fighting?

Why Mirai vs. Iris? No clue. The two were locked in a heated clash, surrounded by spectators—knights, by the look. Watching with keen interest, they murmured.

"Called one of the Gujae for a reason... On another level."

"Hailron Count's daughter, right? Already a Sword Expert."

"Entry-level, but that proficiency... Hailron's shining bright."

"Joint maneuvers, Ora control moment-to-moment... Unbelievably skilled—."

Talking in their knight lingo. Roughly: Iris is badass, pew pew. Even to me.

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I knew Iris was strong, but not this good. I'd only seen her troll-slaying; no other feats, so I'd subtly downgraded her to near-Aria level in my mind.

Better not fuck with her.

Seeing this changed my view. Terrifying woman.

As that sank in...

That's one thing, but...

The other side caught my eye. Matching Iris's ferocious, destructive strikes was the even smaller girl.

Mirai, was it.

Original world's protagonist's daughter. She was parrying Iris's blade every time.

...What?

Something off in her movements. Clang—! Krunch—!!

Swords clashed, sparks flying. Ora tangled in the friction. A feast of Ora.

Iris pressed relentlessly, giving no openings. Mirai just blocked repeatedly—seemed even, but...

That—.

The more I watched, the weirder.

She's moving first?

Just before Iris's sword came, Mirai moved to meet it.

I traced the trajectory. Mirai was reading Iris's Ora.

The path Iris revealed first with her Ora, before the attack fully launched.

Oh, got it.

Realized watching Mirai.

She sees it too?

Same as me. Her world's like mine.

Thump. Thump.

Heart raced again. Whoosh.

My eyes drifted somewhere. To Mirai wielding her sword. Her shoulder area.

What the hell's that?

A spot where energy pooled unusually. Bright, sparkling light.

Vrrr—! Vrrrrrr—!!!

The vibrator at my waist buzzed wildly. What? This thing plotting to get hard? Too bad vibrations don't do it for me.

Why's it horny again...

"Ruin, was it."

"...!"

A heavy voice snapped me from dirty thoughts. I turned.

The golden sun. Emperor Lehart addressed me.

"Uh, y-yeah... Yes?"

Stupidly blurted it out. Who'd expect the Emperor talking to me?

Body went rigid. Eyes twitched. What're the protocols? Never learned. Orphan knowledge gaps.

He spoke like it didn't matter.

"You seem to like bets."

The sun smiled.

"How about one with me?"

"...Pardon? A bet?"

Outta nowhere?

"I couldn't possibly—"

Bet with the Emperor? Before I could finish,

"Refuse, and it's death."

"...Guess I have to. What's the wager?"

This goddamn romance-fantasy world. What bullshit is that? Death penalty?

Got my hopes up for a sec, but no normal people here.

Yeah, figured...

Look left, right, down... No matter how I sliced it, I seemed the most normal in this world.