---

Esdeath's sharp eyes bore into Maruti as she scolded her in a low, tense voice, making sure no one else passing by could hear. "What do you mean she didn't get kidnapped?"

Maruti threw up her hands, her tone defensive yet honest. "How should I know? I did my best to distract Ethan, but Violet was still there, even after all that time!" She huffed, clearly annoyed but trying to stay truthful.

Esdeath let out a long sigh, her frustration evident. "Whatever, whatever. There's still the evening, and then the night. Even if she doesn't get kidnapped, there's still a high chance the outcome won't change!" Her words were curt, but there was a hint of determination in her voice, as if she had already calculated the next steps in her mind.

Maruti opened her mouth, ready to protest or perhaps explain further, but Esdeath raised her hand sharply, cutting her off. "Enough. Let's meet at the arena later. I'm going first." With that, she turned on her shoes and strode away, her long hair swaying behind her as she left without another word.

Maruti slumped against the nearby wall, letting out a deep breath of relief. The tension that had built up during their conversation finally eased. "Really? What's the point of me doing all this nonsense if the outcome isn't going to change much anyway?" she muttered to herself, shaking her head in exasperation.

She lingered there for a few moments, letting her mind wander before stretching her limbs with a groan. "Not like I care," she said with a shrug, her tone dismissive. She pushed herself off the wall and made her way toward the weapons rack to grab her bec de corbin.

-------

Meanwhile, in the academy corridors, Kaelith walked with her usual air of confidence, but the whispers around her caught her attention. Students in small groups huddled together, their voices hushed but loud enough to carry.

"You heard about it, right? Ethan lifted Maruti like a princess and carried her to her dorm room! Can you even imagine what might've happened after that?" one girl whispered dramatically, her voice dripping with excitement.

Her friend giggled, her cheeks flushed. "Kyaa~! I wish my knight in shining armor would sweep me off my feet like that! It sounds so dreamy!"

Kaelith's sharp hearing picked up every word, though she kept her face carefully neutral. The rumor was spreading like wildfire, and why wouldn't it? Ethan had carried Maruti in front of the entire cafeteria—dozens of students had seen it firsthand. Both Ethan and Maruti were popular in their own ways, so the story was bound to become the talk of the academy.

Kaelith's mind turned over the information as her shoes clicked softly against the stone floor. "Is that true?" she wondered, a fleeting thought crossing her sharp mind. But she didn't stop or bother to confirm it with the gossiping girls. It wasn't worth her time.

Kaelith's pace quickened, the faint murmurs fading into the background as she turned a corner. Suddenly, a figure collided with her. While Kaelith remained steady, the other person stumbled backward, landing on the ground with a soft thud.

The girl was none other than Maruti.

"Who the fu—" Maruti's frustration flared, but the words died on her lips when she recognized Kaelith. Her expression shifted to an awkward smile. "Oh, it's you…"

Kaelith extended a hand without a word, and Maruti hesitated briefly before taking it. As she helped Maruti to her feet, Kaelith's senses, sharp beyond human comprehension due to her unsealed abilities, caught something peculiar.

Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

A faint, unfamiliar scent clung to Maruti, one that stirred a strange sense of familiarity. Kaelith's brows furrowed slightly as her mind raced. "This scent… I've smelled it before, but where?

Her mind briefly wandered to the rumors about Ethan and Maruti. But she quickly dismissed the thought. She had encountered Ethan before and knew his scent. The same went for Esdeath—it wasn't hers either.

" I've met this person before but who is this person?," she thought, the faint familiarity tugging at her mind like a distant echo.

Maruti dusted herself off, her smirk returning as she teased, "Should I say thanks? But friends don't say thanks, right?"

Kaelith's gaze locked onto Maruti, her usual composure faltering. Her heart thudded in her chest, an unfamiliar rhythm that caught her off guard. For a moment, time seemed to slow.

Her eyes took in every detail—Maruti's long, thick lashes, the curve of her lips, and the natural beauty in her soft, glowing features. Those lips… they looked impossibly inviting, tempting her with thoughts she couldn't understand.

Before she realized what she was doing, Kaelith reached out and placed her hands gently on Maruti's cheeks.

Maruti froze, her teasing words forgotten as confusion flickered in her wide eyes. "What are you—"

Kaelith leaned in slowly, her thumb brushing against Maruti's lips, the soft texture making her breath hitch. The touch was tender, almost reverent, as Kaelith's thumb traced the edge of Maruti's lips, her gaze lingering on them like they held a secret only she could unlock.

The moment felt impossibly intimate, as though the rest of the world had faded away, leaving only the two of them suspended in that delicate stillness.

Maruti's breath hitched, her heart racing in her chest. She couldn't move, couldn't think, completely overwhelmed by the unexpected closeness.

Then, as if waking from a dream, Kaelith blinked, her hands suddenly retreating. She stepped back, her face flushing as she clenched her fists at her sides.

She turned back so Maruti couldn't see her flushed face.

"What the hell was I thinking?" she muttered under her breath, her voice barely audible. Her heart pounded erratically, confusion and embarrassment warring within her.

"I must be going insane! ",She thought unable to meet Maruti's wide-eyed gaze any longer.

"Hey! Were you trying to hypnotize me again?" Maruti's tone was sharp, annoyance clear on her face.

Kaelith blinked, quickly regaining her composure. Turning back, her usual confidence shone through. "I saw something in your mouth. You didn't brush your teeth today, did you?"

Maruti froze, her face flushing with embarrassment. "How did you—"

She clenched her teeth, Kaelith's observation striking true.

"I was busy fighting that zombie boss in my dream and didn't got the time to brush my teeth! How did she notice with just a glance?" Maruti thought, frustration bubbling up. "No wonder fable created Selene to counter her."

But Kaelith's sharp gaze caught something else. As Maruti gritted her teeth, her mouth exposed for a moment, Kaelith stepped forward without hesitation.

"Wait, what are you—" Maruti's words were cut off as Kaelith gently slipped her index finger into her mouth.

Maruti tried to back away, but Kaelith calmly retrieved a small drop of saliva, studying it intently.

"Hey! Are you playing scientist today?" Maruti snapped, her cheeks reddening.

Kaelith didn't respond, her focus fixed on the saliva. Her expression shifted subtly, her eyes narrowing as her face turned unreadable, the usual confidence replaced with a solemn neutrality.

Without a word, Kaelith wiped her finger clean and stood still for a moment.

Maruti sighed, crossing her arms. "Cough..cough....Whatever. Let's just go to the arena together now, okay?"

But Kaelith shook her head, her tone oddly firm. "No. You go first. I'll join later."

She didn't wait for Maruti's reply, turning on her heel and walking away briskly.

Maruti shrugged, dismissing the interaction and heading toward the arena.

Meanwhile, Kaelith's calm exterior hid a storm brewing inside. A single thought echoed in her mind, shaking her composure.

"She kissed someone."

-------------

The arena was bustling with energy, packed with more spectators than usual. Today was the final day of the competition, and most people preferred to watch the decisive matches. Despite the entrance fee being higher than usual, the arena was completely full, showing just how popular the event was.

All the competitors and important figures arrived early. However, two special guests stood out: Elara, the academy's principal, and Princess Ravenna. Special seats were arranged for them, emphasizing their importance.

There was, however, a notable issue. The competition had five participants, but the matches were one-on-one. This meant one person would be left without an opponent in the first round.

To solve this, the higher-ups decided beforehand that Kaelith, known as the strongest competitor, would advance directly to the semi-finals without needing to fight in the first round.

This left the remaining four to compete in the quarter-finals, and one of them would face an extra challenge. That unlucky person was Maruti.

Why Maruti? The reason was clear to everyone. Her strained relationship with Princess Ravenna played a role. This decision seemed like another way to make things harder for her.

Here's how the matches would proceed:

1. In the first round, Maruti would fight Violet Vandarion, both from Class A.

2. If Maruti won, she would face one of the remaining three competitors: Esdeath, Ethan, or Kaelith, in the semi-finals. The other two would fight each other.

3. If Violet won instead, she would follow the same path as Maruti, fighting one of the three and aiming for the finals.

The referee entered the arena, and all eyes turned to her. Raising her hand to quiet the crowd, she announced the first match:

"The first match is between—Maruti from Class A versus Violet Vandarion from Class A!"