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    Chapter 94: The Fake Confession

    I found myself face-to-face with three women from the Zerion Academy.

    As expected, Eve had no choice but to lower her sword.

    “Eve, what on earth are you doing?!”

    The president of Rosley Academy, who belonged to the same Frelliz Kingdom as Eve, reprimanded her.

    “President, it’s just—”

    Eve looked visibly flustered.

    Her actions were driven by a single thought: to immediately eliminate the remnants of the ancient dragon''s magic.

    Clearly, she hadn’t considered the aftermath.

    Eve’s gaze landed on me.

    She bit her lip tightly.

    If I were to reveal here and now that I wielded the ancient dragon''s magic, her actions would make complete sense.

    But without knowing the full extent of my circumstances, she wasn’t the type to make rash statements, especially given her position.

    Wielders of the ancient dragon''s magic face the death penalty.

    The moment it became known that I had used such magic, my life would be over.

    Eve had no intention of killing me.

    She simply, and purely, believed the remnants of the ancient dragon''s magic needed to be eradicated.

    The danger inherent in the ancient dragon''s magic, the potential casualties it could cause, and even my life—these were all factors she likely considered before taking action.

    Her approach was reckless, sure, but at its core, her actions stemmed from a desire to save lives.

    ‘A protagonist who’s missing a bit of common sense, as always.’

    I knew the events that shaped Eve, having played through her story myself.

    Her nickname, The Unyielding Azure Flame, was a testament to her resilience.

    It came from the many ordeals she faced.

    Time and again, reality tried to break her, but Eve never faltered.

    She burned fiercely, like an azure flame.

    Those experiences had deeply rooted themselves in her life.

    As a result, once her mind was set, Eve would often act impulsively.

    This trait was likely why she struggled to connect with others.

    Her life had been too harsh, leaving her lacking in certain areas.

    Her Azure Flame ignites whenever she senses a hidden danger in her opponent.

    This time, it must have flared when she confronted me.

    ‘I didn’t think she’d notice the ancient dragon’s magic, though.’

    Even though I was the one attacked, knowing her circumstances, I didn’t feel particularly upset.

    If anything, this was the outcome I had hoped for.

    I had deliberately provoked her.

    Eve was the type to act against anyone she deemed dangerous, even a complete stranger.

    And I had exploited that part of her, like a third-rate villain.

    “Eve, just because I rejected your confession doesn’t mean you should act like this.”

    “...What?”

    For the first time, a flustered sound escaped Eve’s lips.

    It wasn’t just her.

    Everyone here turned to look at her, their eyes wide with surprise.

    Especially Isabel, who glanced at me sharply.

    She seemed to recall what had happened with Hania.

    Eve had been asking around about me at the party.

    As such, rumors about her interest in me had started to circulate.

    With my statement, the outcome was obvious.

    “Eve, really?”

    “So, Azure Flame burns brightly even in love.”

    “Who would’ve guessed you had this side to you?”

    At this age, when emotions run high, everyone present empathized with Eve.

    Eve stood there, stunned by the unexpected turn of events.

    Her face flushed bright red.

    “N-No! That never happened! It’s a lie!”

    Eve denied it fervently, her voice raised.

    In an instant, she had become the lovestruck fool of the evening.

    The others watched her with pity in their eyes.

    Meanwhile, Eve glared at me with intense fury.

    “All right, that’s enough,”

    Iris intervened, trying to calm things down, before turning to me.

    “Hannon, go get your wounds treated.”

    “Yes.”

    “Wait! We need to clear up this misunderstanding first—”

    Eve tried to grab me, but Iris stepped in her way.

    At the same time, a chilling, murderous aura emanated from her.

    “I said that’s enough.”

    Iris warned her not to cross the line any further.

    Eve could only watch as I walked away, her teeth clenched in frustration.

    After that, I managed to leave the party unscathed and returned to my room.

    Eve’s Azure Flame had left me with a minor burn, but it was nothing a little treatment couldn’t fix.

    For now, I decided to deal with my scorched clothing.

    Never in her life had she experienced such disgrace.

    To think he would turn her own attack back on her like that.

    To think he would do so with such a shamelessly composed expression while lying through his teeth—it made her seethe.

    Of course, Eve knew it was her own fault.

    She was fully aware that it was wrong of her to attack him and injure his arm.

    But the danger of ancient dragon magic was undeniable.

    She’d seen a user of ancient dragon magic once when she was younger.

    She vividly remembered how that person had met their end.

    Before she knew it, Eve kicked off her blanket and rose from her bed, gripping her infinite blade.

    Hannon’s figure from earlier appeared before her eyes, and she steadied her breathing to shake off the bitter memory.

    Hannon had been stronger than expected.

    The sword she swung with the intent to end it in a single blow—he had deflected it without a weapon.

    ‘That sensation from earlier...’

    It felt as though she had struck solid steel with her blade.

    Recalling that feeling, Eve slowly opened her eyes.

    It was certain he possessed a unique power.

    Whatever he’d done to his body, the magic he wielded without a staff was nothing short of outrageous.

    ‘He’s unpredictable.’

    If the fight wasn’t over quickly, she knew things could go south.

    From the moment she failed her first attack, Eve had essentially lost.

    The next time they crossed paths, she had to ensure his defeat.

    Eve swung her sword at the illusion of Hannon before her.

    The illusion mimicked Hannon’s earlier movements, evading her blade.

    Unfazed, Eve continued her relentless strikes.

    The illusion continued dodging until Eve cornered it and brought her sword down in a decisive strike.

    Her blade cut through empty air.

    Breathing heavily, Eve refocused herself.

    ‘Next time...’

    Her piercing blue eyes glimmered with determination.

    She would bring him down and erase the ancient dragon magic from existence.

    The International Academy Meeting marked the beginning of new encounters and fateful connections.

    * * *

    Time flew by in the blink of an eye.

    Autumn had deepened, and the International Individual Tournament was just around the corner.

    The students, brimming with anticipation, were training relentlessly.

    The tournament was an opportunity to showcase one’s prowess to the world.

    Naturally, the students threw themselves into preparation with fervor.

    While everyone else trained out in the open, I locked myself away in a private training room.

    At Zerion Academy, you can apply for and use private training rooms.

    I had been using one every day to prepare for the tournament.

    My determination stemmed from a recent not-quite-a-date I’d had with Sharin.

    Thanks to her, a new magic sigil had appeared on my body.

    “Prince Sweet Potato, what are you even doing in there by yourself? Trying to roast yourself into charcoal again?”

    Seron had asked, puzzled, as she saw me emerge from training, charred black.

    I had simply told her to look forward to the tournament.

    “Don’t overdo it, will you?”

    Seron gently wiped my face with a handkerchief.

    Her caring touch made me blink and ask:

    “This isn’t the face you like, is it?”

    “S-Shut up. If I like you, it doesn’t matter.”

    Seron’s face turned bright red as she spoke, lightly smacking my shoulder before running off.

    She was becoming bolder by the day.

    “Hannon, don’t forget we’re only in a contract relationship.”

    Lately, Seron had been wearing her heart on her sleeve, which earned me a disapproving glance from Hania.

    It was a subtle warning to keep our relationship under wraps.

    Though I felt wronged, I nodded, knowing I owed her.

    Without her help with my disguises, I wouldn’t have been able to infiltrate Iris’s chamber.

    For that reason, I needed to maintain my agreement with her.

    “Hannon, the International Individual Tournament... we can expect great things, can’t we?”

    Hearing Ban’s comment mid-training, I tilted my head.

    “You mean from you?”

    “Of course, but also Isabel.”

    Ban had been training with Isabel diligently.

    I also knew Isabel harbored a competitive spirit toward me.

    “She’s been preparing something big.”

    Something big?

    ‘Could it be...’

    It was the right time for it.

    A smile formed on my lips.

    “Alright, I’ll look forward to it.”

    With everyone’s anticipation mounting, the day finally arrived.

    The curtain rose on the International Individual Tournament.

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