Fatima Academy.

The school founded with the purpose to teach the children of nobles about knowledge, practical skill and combat skill, and preparing them for the aristocratical society.

While not listed in the academy's purpose, a well-known goal for aristocratic families to let their children enroll was to form bonds with other aristocratic figures.

Whatever the relationship it may be, it's an opportunity to strengthen their family's social standing.

The most common form of bond being forged was via marriage.

Even if there's no love involved, a political marriage will strongly tie two families together.

However, this world has the exact same setting of a famous Otome-game I used to play.

The true goal of this game was finding true love and getting married with blessing.

For the 'Main Heroine' that is.

As for me... Cecilia Blackthorn...

I was reincarnated into this world as one of the villainesses, the bad person in the game's story.

Unlike the lovable main heroine, my appearance was not well-liked in this world.

Especially her black hair, which seemed to be a common superstition in an aristocratical sense.

In the game, Cecilia bullies the main heroine out of jealousy and also has done some bad things.

Of course, things does not end well for Cecilia after her actions were exposed.

Either an exile end or dead end awaits her.

There's was nothing but bad end for Cecilia in each route.

That includes even the bad ending for the player.

After-all, Cecilia was just a petty existence in the game and one of the disposables for the story plot.

I felt as if I've drawn the short straw to be reincarnated as her.

However, this will change now.

With my knowledge I have from the game, I've taken actions that will help me break all the death flags.

So here I am now...

I looked up at the sky to cool off my nervousness.

The sky was blue, there were quite an amount of white clouds floating about.

The pacing of the clouds were slow but the wind was present nonetheless.

Ah~ cool breeze reached me. It helped me calmed my racing heart.

Okay, let's face reality.

I looked straight at my opponent in the arena.

That's right, currently, Fatima Academy hosted an interschool tournament.

Here I am, standing on the platform of the arena as one of the representatives of the academy.

Something the Cecilia in the game wouldn't have been able to partake for her bad behaviour.

Standing before me was a male student from a different academy of a different kingdom.

The purpose of this tournament was to allow different cultural exchange for students of different kingdoms.

While strengthing the bond among the kingdoms represented by their respective academy but also help motivate the students in these friendly battle at different field of knowledge and skills.

There were many categories for this tournament, the one I'm representing was the combat category.

As the most popular category, the stands were packed with spectators.

They were excited to watch the display of skill from the participants.

If I remember correctly, the match before mine was really great. The lingering excitement seemed to be carried over to this match.

The crowd have high expectation for this match.

Maybe I should decide on a few flashy skills to use.

The combat category allows the use of any skill; be it magic, weapons or any type of equipment were all allowed to be used.

As long as it won't cause any severe injuries, anything was allowed.

My opponent equipped himself with leather armor layered over his academy uniform, a standard protection that also doesn't sacrifice agility.

The interesting bit about him was the sword he was holding, it was a wooden sword.

Is he serious about this?

Well, I don't suppose the organizers want to let students use real weapons in a friendly match.

Even though it says in the rules that 'anything was allowed' but real weapons seemed to be an overkill in their book.

Now, it does concern me where the boundaries lie.

Was there a rulebook for this... maybe I have seen it lying somewhere in my bedroom before... still untouched...

"Are you making fun of me?!" The male student pointed his sword at me.

Oh?

"How much are you belittling me, coming here with that attire?" He exclaimed.

Looking at my attire, it was a black dress I usually wear during my casual time.

I even did a swirl to check if there was anything wrong with it.

Nope, everything seems fine. That's the message I sent to him with my gesture.

The male student doesn't seemed convinced.

"You don't even have a weapon." He said. "Are you even taking this seriously?"

"Weapon? Ah, this!" I took out a foldable fan from my dress' secret pocket. "This is my weapon."

"Unbelievable... just warning you, even if you are a woman." He stabs the sword into the ground. "I won't go easy on you."

That's a wooden sword... right? This battle platform you stabbed your sword into was made of rock, you know?

The male student somehow got the idea that I'm just here to play around.

But little does he know...

"Hehehe..."

This get-up was my combat costume.

"Stand pround and hold your head up high!" I flicked my long black hair back. "A person once told me that."

I laughed in this Ohohoho manner, just like how those proud ladies in manga and games laugh.

For some reason, it felt really good laughing this way.

"Tsk!" The male student was annoyed. "Don't come crying when I ruin that pretty dress of yours."

"Ara, why, thank you."

"I'm not complimenting you!"

"Well then, there's no need to worry about me if you ruin my dress." I flipped open my fan and covered my smirk with it. "If you can that is."

"Grrr...!"

He looked annoyed.

Good, he has bought into my taunt.

While I'm a little surprised that someone would easily buy into my cheap taunt but this was good news for me. Surely, even if a little, it will affect his performance in this battle.

"...and representing Fatima Academy." The referee at the centre of the platform exclaimed. "Cecilia Blackthorn!"

After calling out both of the participants' names, the referee gave a glance to the both of us.

Then, he threw his hand down.

"Battle start!"

The referee quickly backed out of the platform.

A magic barrier was formed surrounding the platform.

This barrier was to ensure the battle would not cause harm to the crowd.

It would bring bad name to the academy if any guest was to get hurt in an event they organized, this was why a strong barrier must be deployed.

The existence of the barrier also tells us, the participants, that we can fight without worrying about the crowd.

"O wind, grant me speed..." The male student held up his sword and chanted.

A green magic circle expanded from below his feet.

Wind manifested and became visible to our eyes, the mana it carries swirled around the male student.

Starting off with a speed buff, I see...

Stolen story; please report.

I maintained my earlier posture with my fan in front of my mouth, I also put up my other hand to make sure my hair doesn't get messed up.

Judging from his attire and the choice of his first spell, I can conclude him to be a close-quarter fighter.

Speed plays a important role for melee combat, and also to gain distance to long distance fighters.

I'm sure, with my attire, I have made him believe I'm a magic user.

A long range one too and have barrier spells that supported my confidence and constant boasts.

Well, the only thing in my hand was a fan, which I called a weapon, so it can't be helped if he thinks like that.

Only if this is indeed the case...

A mischievous smile formed hidden behind my opened fan.

Let's surprise him a little.

The wind died down, the green magic circle disappeared.

The male student held his sword at eye level, a posture that screams he's ready to charge at me.

As expected, he wanted to shorten our distance with that speed buff.

Taking a guess from my taunt that seemed successful...

He's aiming for...

Without any warning, his figure disappeared.

Then he appeared next to me... more-like passing by me.

"H-Huh?!"

The male student made a dumbfounded face as he stares at his sword thrust that hits nothing.

As expected, he aimed at the skirt of my dress.

Holding on to the side of the skirt and a simple twirl easily avoided that attack.

Combat technique? I think this was just a simple dance move.

Perhaps the male student was surprise by my elegant way of dodging... or maybe he was just surprised when his expectation was betrayed.

Hehe, so I was looked down upon.

To only go for my skirt, that was a sign that he was going easy on me.

I suppose my taunt did play a role in his decision as well. But if he went easy on me because he thought I'm just a proud noble lady that knows nothing, then I would be rather irritated.

Well, it's a fact that he went easy on me so maybe I should give him some handicap too.

Following the momentum of the twirl, lifting my dress a little higher and kicked the back of the male student's head.

"Guh!" The male student made a strange sound as he falls forward.

Great, that was a beautifully executed spin kick.

It was a kick high enough to reach his head and low enough to not expose whatever was underneath my skirt.

To top it off, I ended the sequence with an elegant bow.

Nailed it!

"Damn it, that hurts." The male student got back on his feet as he rubs the back of his head.

He glared at me and readied his sword.

I suppose hitting the back of the head was a bit too rude?

Even though his first strike was a failure but our distance was closer than before.

This distance won't be a problem for him with his speed buff...

And for me as well.

"Wha-?!"

The male student was surprised when I closed up on him instead, with my hand extending towards his throat.

Hehe, unexpected, right?

Well, he was not the only one who has used a speed spell.

I also did it... before the referee started the match...

My aim was to get close to him.

He won't be able to swing his sword properly if I'm really up close.

Even with the element of surprise, he still managed to react to my action and tried to counter my approach with a swing of his sword.

I halted just outside his sword range and pulled my hand back, and his counter-attack missed.

My attack failed and he successfully maintained our distance in his sword range.

He did not overlook this opportunity and he struck at me with his follow-up attacks.

Slashes and thrusts, a combination of such attack were launched against me as I back out of his sword range each time.

Each of his action sets up the stance for his next attack, shortening the time between each of his attack.

There were times I tried to make a move but the male student manage to foresee it and seal off my chance with a simple change in his sword path. From the previous kick and my attempt to get close, surely my capability in close-quarters combat isn't a secret to him anymore.

The crowd cheered, they were enjoying the heat of the battle.

Hot-blooded? I suppose close-range combat was more exciting than watching students throwing projectiles at each other over a distance. Unless they show off some flashy spells or weapons.

But haven't they noticed? This was a one-sided battle.

The male student in front of me was doing all of the attacking and I'm just dodging.

There's no exchange at all.

While it does seem like I've easily avoided his attacks but...

It's rather difficult to dodge the current attack while observing and predicting his next move within such a short duration.

Surely, they should've noticed, it's really obvious after-all... ...

...Or is it that?

The crowd were cheering because I'm on the receiving end of the attack?

And judging from the crowd's reaction...

"You go, young man!"

"Keep doing what you are good at! Keep chasing that girlie's skirt!"

"Even better if you tear it! Doesn't matter if it's on purpose or not!!"

"Let's set up a betting pool! I put my money on black!"

"White! She may wear black on the outside but inside she's just an innocent little girl!"

"Then shouldn't you bet your money on pink?"

"Ah~ such is life, such is youth~"

Wow, these people! They really have their priority straight!

Just what are they here for?!

That portion of the crowd was so loud that their discussion has reached even to my opponent's ears.

Look, he even stopped attacking me as a result.

Probably he just realized he was pretty much aiming for my skirt, even though it was due to my taunt.

Ah, ah~ the male student seemed to be hesitant to attack, his eyes were swimming all over the place...

Look, even when his eyes were met with mine, he immediately looked the other way...

Was he embarrassed by those tease?

Hm, maybe I could...

"Oh, no. Was that the reason why you've been aiming for my dress?" I coiled my arms around my breast, turned to the side as if to hide from his gaze. With a mischievous smile, I said, "What a perv."

"...?!"

My surprise attack hit mark, the male student's face became as red as a tomato.

This also resulted in some laughter from the crowd... and I can't help but to laugh in the inside as well.

While it's a cheap tease but I'm surprised this worked so well.

I took this chance.

Immediately, I pointed my fan at the male student and chanted an attack spell.

"O fire spirit! Heed to m-"

"Won't let you!!"

*Whack*

The male student knocked the fan out of my hand.

He was quick to react to my incantation and stopped me before I could finish.

Even with the tease, his senses were still sharp. He immediately took the opportunity to strike and disarmed me.

He must have received good training.

Part of it was my fault, chanting a spell at a short distance from a close-quarter fighter was just asking to be stopped.

And indeed I'm glad he did, it was a bait set up for him to bite after-all.

Heh.

I raised my foot.

*Step*

A stone pillar grew out from the ground and hits the male student's hand.

"Ack!" He let on a groan as his sword flew out of his hand.

The sudden surprise froze him in place. He didn't expect an attack like this.

His shock state was an opportunity for me.

I stepped in, drove my palm towards his chin.

Even though he was previously shocked, he still managed to react to my attack just in time.

He leaned back and tried to take a step back.

"Uh?!"

He immediately found out my foot was already behind his, and trying to take a step back in that manner only made him lose his balance.

Of course, my palm reached his chin.

"Guh...!" He completely lost his balance from the impact.

I placed my other hand to his side, formed a small orb of pressurized air.

"HAAA!!"

The orb exploded, sending the male student off flying.

The male student bounced on the ground once and immediately rolled to reduced further impact.

He managed to get up on his knee with his hand holding his side.

Ouch, that must have hurt.

"Chantless spells?!" The male student glared at me. "You know chantless spells?!"

Ah, I remembered, using magic without incantations seemed to be rather a high level skill.

"Ara, why, thank you." I bowed politely.

"I'm not complimenting you!" The male student spatted.

The male student stood up, his serious eyes showed no signs of giving up.

More-like, his eyes show even more burning spirit. He's finally going to take this match seriously.

He's determined to win this battle.

The male student saw his wooden sword a distance away from him.

He began taking steps toward it while keeping me in his sight. His mouth was constantly moving, even though I may not be able to hear it but I could tell he was chanting a spell. Possibly one to counter my move if I was able to make one.

His concentration seemed to be very occupied at this moment.

I guess I should warn him.

"Hey." I called out to him. "Just a bit of warning."

"?!" The male student immediately puts up his hand in a fighting posture.

Me suddenly calling out to him seemed to make him tensed up.

It's a good thing to be wary of his opponent but if he gets surprised with every little thing I do then it would be dangerous for him.

"Please mind your step." I pointed at his foot. "Haven't I told you already, that's a weapon."

"Huh?!"

The male student didn't immediately understand my warning, just before he was given time to ponder about it he stepped on something.

He slowly looked down at the object he stepped on.

It was the foldable fan.

Suddenly, the fan opened up on its own.

"H-Huh?!" The male student was yet again surprised by the unexpected.

There was a magic circle drawn on the fan.

I smirked.

Sorry, I used my warning to distract you.

With a slow, soft voice, I spoke these words:

"Caged Bird."

Immediately, a purple thunder came down from the sky, pierced through the magic barrier and landed on the fan.

The sound of impact was accompanied by the shattering sound of the magic barrier.

A blinding light immediately followed.

In a short while, the light died down.

The male student was still standing on the platform and didn't sustain any injury.

But he was trapped inside a cage made of purple lightning.

"What's this?" He dumbfoundedly asked.

"A restraining spell." I answered him as I walked up to him. "Mind returning that to me."

I reached my hand out.

The male student didn't immediately understand me, then he seemed to realize it and he picked up my fan.

"H-Here." He said with a dumbfounded voice.

"Ara, thank you." I gave my brightest smile and happily accepted my fan.

"..."

The male student just simply stood there, still dumbfounded.

Well, suppose he realized there was nothing he could do to the cage made of the lightning that could easily destroy the magic barrier surrounding the platform.

We both knew who the victor was in this match.

"That was a great match." I gave him a polite bow.

Then I turned away and walked off the platform.

The cage surrounding the male student disappeared.

But he remained stationary.

The referee also not move and the crowd was quiet too.

Those people who were betting on the colour of my underwear seemed to have forgotten their desire too.

The only one who was moving was me.

Perfect!!

Leaving the stage after a great display of power, without waiting for the result being announced...

Walking on with confidence, not looking back at the arena...

It's so cool!

After I left the view of all people in the arena, I heard the referee snapping out of his dumbfounded state.

With a loud and clear voice he announced the outcome of the match:

"The Victor goes to---!"

Followed by the surprise and cheering voice of the crowd.