''How did this even happen...''

That was exactly my thoughts, too, Kiara. How did this happen...?

Okay, let's turn the time back a bit.

As Rachael's time staying in our manor approached its end, we received an unexpected guest—Penelope de Bourbon. I had assumed that she wouldn't try to visit so as not to stir unnecessary trouble with the princess, but I was so wrong. I even suggested that when I texted her, too, albeit subtly.

Nonetheless, the two immediately clashed the instance they saw each other. The air inside the guest room was so heavy with malice that even Lucy seemed impressed. Unfortunately, before I could interfere, Penelope had already thrown her glove, saying something along the lines of, 'Why not settle this in the arena, you crazy little caracal?'.

Of course, Penelope's words sounded nicer, but that was what she actually meant. I mean, I understood why the usually cold-headed Rachael responded so aggressively. It wouldn't be too pleasant for her when a random girl showed up during her couple's vacation—essentially—and demanded to sleep with her girlfriend.

Still, that didn't mean that they should actually duel it out. What if either of them got injured...?

''Hah...''

Alas, even I couldn't stop them anymore. Should I be thankful that they at least followed some safety protocols?

We were at the Syrus National Academy, after all. The academy wouldn't lend their arena without the participant accepting those conditions, and as for why the academy... well, it was perhaps the only place in the capital that could host such a high-profile duel.

Things like battle power and whatnot weren't what I thought about a lot ever since I became Cecilia, but I always tried to keep myself informed. In this case, not only was it the duel between two of the most politically powerful women in this country, but it was also a rare match between two of the most promising talents known to the public.

Even I, who wasn't all about fighting and didn't really want this to happen, was admittedly curious about the match. And if that were the case... everybody else would inevitably be captivated, too.

''So many people...''

''Right?''

Should I call it fortune within misfortune? I wanted to show Lyra around the academy, within which she would bloom as the true heroine, sometime this year, but this was a convenient excuse.

Kiara was a freshman here, too, so I was able to meet her like this. It was a tad confusing since the academies here were a weird mix of high school and college back in my world. The standard age for student admission is seventeen, a year younger than their Earth counterparts.

In any case, the surrealness I felt at the moment still didn't wane. Because of me, a little nobody, two immense forces clashed, and the stadium, which had thousands of seats, was decently filled within such short notice of the duel.

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

Many of them were young students eager to see the two celebrity-like figures in battle; many were intrigued professors, fighters, even ordinary citizens, and, of course, the media.

Each and every one of them was ready to capture the fight, whether with their eyes or their phones.

Since my appearance was bound to attract attention, I was lucky to be able to sit in the VIP area, thanks to my relationship with the duelers. Well, if not, I could always ask Kiara.

''By the way, how have you been these weeks, Your Highness?''

''It's been boring... but I feel better now.''

Almost as if saying, 'It's because of you,' Kiara contently smiled at me. While I was mesmerized by such a sweet scene, she didn't miss the chance and overlapped my hand with hers as well.

''...''

How should I say this...

Kiara offered a very different kind of romance compared to the other two—an innocent, naive sort of love—and I couldn't help but adore it.

Well, let's ignore the hissing Lyra for a moment—

''Excuse me.''

''...!!''

I nearly jumped.

For some reason, my brain worked quicker than ever before. I felt a touch on my shoulder, and I jerked my body toward Kiara in half a heartbeat. Thankfully, she caught me.

''Are you okay?''

''Yeah...''

Nodding to Kiara, I turned around, and at that moment, I instinctively understood why I reacted that way.

''Erm... did I startled you? If so, I apologize, miss.''

''No, I'm... fine.''

Striking red hair, brilliant golden eyes, and an overwhelming, majestic aura like that of a dragon—there was no mistaking it. This person was Jeanne—Rachael's teacher, and... the former heroine who defeated the demon queen.

''Is this seat taken?''

''No.''

Although flustered, I still mustered a smile, appearing as natural as humanly... no, normally possible. Yet, I could physically sense Jeanne's piercing gaze on me as she sat beside Lyra. Even after she had settled and turned to the arena below, I couldn't shake off the suffocating attention.

It wasn't until a long, awkward period had passed that she appeared to shift her interest toward Lyra instead, striking trivial pleasantries and such.

''I-I think I'll go to the bathroom for a bit.''

''I'll go with you.''

''Ah, can you stay here with Lyra for me, Your Highness?''

''...Okay.''

Such bad timing. It shouldn't have been a big deal, but I felt much worse now—to the point that my throat had begun to burn once again. My 'illness' was quite tame when I stayed beside Rachael, perhaps thanks to the unintentional effects of her sucking my blood, but it seemed that this was the limit.

''Ugh...''

Such a bad, bad day...

*****

On the vast, chillingly empty arena stage.

The moment Rachael and Penelope stepped onto the scared floor of Syrus National Academy, the murmurs extinguished as if they weren't there in the first place.

Clad in armor of mana, wielding blistering weapons of relentless refinement—they seemed no inferior to great warriors who had helped pieced history together.

Yet, they only saw in their eyes a rival.

In truth, neither knew what had fueled their competitiveness to such a degree that they would risk a political scandal of a national scale just to so vainly prove... something to someone. Perhaps it was love. Perhaps it was pride. Nonetheless, it was their choice.

''Yawn... are you guys ready?''

From above, the referee's raspy voice sounded.

It was an unexpectedly young yet persuasively authoritative voice belonging to none other than Mia—the former hero party's archmage. A duel of an otherworldly caliber required an otherworldly judge. Moreover, there was no one more suitable than Mia, for she was Penelope de Bourbon's only magic mentor—the only mentor qualified to teach the magnate lady.

''...''

Being in the position that she was and after everything she had done, Mia only wanted sweeps of quality sleep and sweet dreams. Yet, even she couldn't help but be curious about the outcome of this match.

'Whoever is fueling their motivation... I'll have to thank them for the show.'

Despite hearing no answers, Mia understood that the two were only waiting for her instructions to plunge forward.

''Heh... eager to prove oneself. Such a young mindset.'' The archmage muttered. ''Well, go ahead. Match start!''

*****