''L-Lucy, is there anyone in the restroom...?''

[Three. You'd better go somewhere else. I'll lead the way. Come on.]

''Thanks...''

Following the flying little lamb, I eventually arrived at an empty corner behind the main arena building. There were many bushes and large trees nearby, and the area itself was under shade, which meant nobody would really bother me here.

''Ugh...!''

As the searing pain enveloped my throat, I quickly ran behind a tree and leaned on it. Then... it was the usual coughs. For a few excruciating moments, I felt my lungs throbbed, my organs squeezing as if wanting to burst. Out of the five senses, I could only use my sight—half of it, to be exact.

Everything was a blurry, shaky mess in the color of deep red.

It was hard to even come up with a coherent thought. My head was filled with pain, and... nothing but pain. Gradually, I began to regain my senses. Even as the pain gradually went away, I thought there was still a kind of trauma engrained deep within my psyche. Otherwise, I wouldn't feel this cold and scared at the same time.

''Hah... hah...''

Somehow, I prevented myself from falling into my own blood, but that was it. Since my leg muscles protested so much, I obediently flopped down the grass, gasping for breaths.

''Hah...''

I stared blankly forward, mulling over my choices as Lucy cleaned up the mess.

Sometimes, I genuinely thought of complying with my fate, but... I couldn't bring myself to do it. Not even a single time. Perhaps somewhere in my head, I was deluding myself into thinking that there would be a light at the end of the tunnel. Nonetheless, deep down... I...

I...

I nearly tore myself over the choices.

But really, should I even have these choices? Someone like me...

[Hey. You'd better get going. They'll start looking for you at this stage.]

''...Ah, okay. Thanks.''

Not really knowing what to feel, I took my time getting back on my feet, carefully erasing any and all evidence of anything ever happened. Thankfully, the only one who could smell something on me even after I cleaned was dueling, so everything should be fine.

Oh, I guess there was another one—Jeanne. That woman was quite dangerous.

Well, it wasn't as though I didn't think of introducing Lyra to her anyway, so—

''Hm? You are...''

On the way back, there was another surprise. It wasn't anything big—literally.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

Standing before me at this moment was a curious-looking young lady whose molten blond hair reminded me of Rachael. But unlike the vampire, this girl had some big, round blue eyes, which made her even more endearing.

''Greetings, Your Highness, the Fourth Imperial Princess.''

Valerie de La Fayette, ten years old. Imperial princess. She was a pretty notable character much later on in the story, but for now, she was just a mere young girl, one that I wouldn't care much about.

''Wait a moment.''

''...?''

However, Valerie apparently did care about me. Right when I was about to walk past her, she tugged on my dress, ''Your complexion doesn't seem good. Did something happen?''

''I'm merely like this all the time, Your Highness. Thank you for your consideration.'' I replied.

''...Really? All the time?''

''Yes.''

Although the young princess still looked worried, there was nothing else for her to grab on. Eventually, she only told me to take care before walking away.

Minding the time I was away, I hurried back to where Lyra and Kiara were.

''Cecilia. You're back.''

''Big sis.''

''Sorry. I got lost for a bit...''

Flashing an apologetic smile, I settled on my seat. This time, Jeanne, who was watching me every step, was about to open her mouth when the referee below announced the match's start.

Naturally, attention went there.

This was something that concerned me, too, so I could only watch it with a racing heart. The two didn't bet on anything before this—not 'she will be mine if I win!' or any kind of similar slop, but it sure could be a big indication of who was stronger.

Still, didn't they look too serious...? I was a bit worried they might fatally injure one another, but once again, if the referee was the legendary archmage, things should be fine.

''Watch closely, Lyra. They're good fighters.'' I whispered right as they charged at their opponent.

''Mhm.''

Although I couldn't exactly feel the impacts up here in this state, the fight between Rachael and Penelope was visually impressive. On one side, Rachael wielded the immense fire element through her sword, amplifying the slender longsword into a claymore the size of a person.

Despite the sword's dimensions, Rachael swung it with so much force and control that I thought I was watching a show of neon fencing for a moment. Each stroke, broad and vivid, created half-rings of fire densely lingering in the air, and perhaps that immense heat was needed to fight off the extreme cold she was encountering.

On the other side of the arena.

Standing behind the fortress of ice was Penelope, who held an ever-so-impassive face of hers so sternly one might think she wasn't a human but a machine. Each time her elegant staff knocked the ground, another burst of ice would be shot at Rachael, who rapidly approached the mage—a textbook strategy.

Rachael confidently slashed through all of the otherwise fatal shards coming her way, even piercing through the thick walls arranged as though a maze with her blazing greatsword. But even such efforts weren't enough for the princess to tilt the match in her favor.

The issue wasn't with two opposite elements and whatnot—it simply was that the heiress of Bourbon had just as much talent and education as Rachael—the imperial family's ace.

It was a constant stalemate, with one side trying to push whilst the other defended.

This made me even more torn. Should any of them win, it will be a close call. Trying to take a breather before the main show, I tapped Lyra's shoulder.

''They both are really good, right?''

''Mhm.''

Fire and ice. Ice and fire.

Two opposite poles pushing against one another. Was it a war of attrition? Of course, the fight would still be a spectacle for the viewer... but did the two really want this kind of development?

Naturally not.

And so, the final weapons were called after a few minutes of stalemate. Both Rachael and Penelope fell back, cautiously channeling their mana in particular patterns.

''It feels like ages ago that I saw that girl's Soul Guardian...'' I heard Jeanne mutter.

The audience let out an excited roar as two overwhelming presences descended onto the arena. Heeding their owners' wish, the formidable Soul Guardians began to take on their true form, towering over everything humane.

A majestic dragon of golden scales, bearing heavenly blessings.

A colossal snake of obsidian fortification, trailing out of the abyss.

After a brief stare at one another, the two plunged ahead once again.