-Chapter 2-

Ren chuckled nervously as he questioned, "So, um... why did you bring me to your office, ma'am?"

Seated across from Ren, the teacher sighed, "The entrance exam is a mandatory part of your admission. Whoever fails to make it in time isn't accepted. Understand?"

Ren confidently replied, "I'm pretty sure everyone knows that, ma'am."

"Why weren't you present, then?" The teacher's voice raised. "What should I do with you?"

"Can't I just take the entrance exam now?" Ren inquired.

"It's not that easy. Professors are busy, and the rankings will be messed up," the teacher, now known as Elisa, explained. "Call me Elisa; ma'am makes me sound old."

"Sure thing, Ma'am Elisa!" Ren exclaimed.

"What did I just say?!" Elisa sighed, then had an idea.

"What is it?" Ren asked.

"What if I put you at the bottom of the rankings in the region with the lowest ranking students which is region 6?" Elisa proposed. "It won't mess up the rankings, and you won't be suspected of cheating. Genius, right?"

"Why are you so happy? I'm about to be placed at the depths," Ren remarked skeptically.

"This benefits you too. Not many professors would let you in after missing the entrance exam. You're lucky I saw you first," Elisa said with a smile.

"Why are you letting me in despite missing the exam?" Ren questioned.

"Because I want every student to pass this academy," Elisa smiled. Ren smiled softly in response.

"*Yawns* Well, you better get going now. Don't want to miss your classes, do you?" Elisa added.

"Okay, then. I'll get going now. Thank you, Elisa," Ren expressed his gratitude.

Before Ren left, Elisa called his name. "Wait, I forgot to say. If you want everyone to see your worth, attend the tournament in this region. It happens a week from now."

"Alright, I'll keep that in mind," Ren nodded as he left the room for his class.

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After a while, Ren arrived at region 6 which was quite a far distance from the center of the academy considering it's size. But he arrived quickly because of teleportation portals stationed at the edge of each region. Finally he arrives at the class he was supposed to attend, seemingly late.

"Ah, you must be Ren. Professor Elisa told me about you. Please introduce yourself to the class."

Ren agreed, stepping in front of the class. Although reluctant, he stated his student ranking, necessary for information.

"I'm Ren Verayu, ranked 100,000th. I'm a new student at this academy, and I hope to cooperate well with you."

The class murmured as they were surprised to meet the lowest-ranking student. Despite this, Ren found a seat near the corner and noticed a familiar girl sitting next to him.

"Eri? You're in this class too?" Ren said in shock.

Eri, equally surprised, chuckled. "Ren? I'm surprised we're in the same class."

As the two spoke, the classroom was astonished to see Ren talking to Eri.

"What?? How dare he talk to the Benevolent Princess!" exclaimed one student, angry at Ren's actions.

Ren, confused, asked Eri what was happening.

"It must be because of my student ranking," she said tiredly.

"Your ranking?" Ren asked.

"Yes, I'm the 6th strongest student in this region. They must be concerned why you're talking to me despite your rank. But don't get it wrong, I don't think that way! After all, you saved me," she whispered.

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Ren blushed slightly. "It's not a problem," he said.

Shortly after, the professor stopped the students complaining about Ren.

"Alright, enough. The class is about to start. Today we're testing your close combat capabilities. This is a close combat class," the professor announced.

The students groaned, wondering why they needed another test after the entrance exam.

"The entrance exam tested overall abilities. This will only test close combat skills, no magic, only stigmatas. Your opponent will be the person next to you," the professor explained.

The class moved to the field just outside the classroom.

"First pair, proceed to the middle and prepare your stigmatas! Remember, if you think about causing harm, the match will be stopped," the professor instructed.

Stigmatas, reflecting the wielder's thoughts, couldn't cause physical harm unless the user thought about it. They could only affect the opponent's knowledge.

The first pair dueled, then another, until it was Ren's and Eri's turn.

"I guess it's our turn now, huh?" Eri said, excited to duel Ren.

"Yeah, I guess," Ren replied, supposedly confident. Deep down, he knew he couldn't keep up with Eri in a pure sword fight without magic.

Despite this, Ren and Eri proceeded to the center and prepared for the duel.

Eri pulled out her stigmata, taking the form of a katana. "I won't go easy on you."

Ren pulled out his stigmata. "If that's the case, I'll have to try my best too."

The two looked at each other until Eri sprinted forward, attacking Ren. Barely managing to block, Ren stepped back to strategize.

Ren thought, "That strike was quick, but expected from a Rank 6. I'll observe her moves and play passively."

Assuming a defensive stance, Ren tried to parry Eri's rapid attacks. Time passed, and Ren planned to counter.

"Her moves leave too many openings. I'll put her in a position to counter effectively," Ren thought.

Ren prepared, but Eri swung her sword rapidly. Ren blocked, and Eri prepared another attack.

She struck, Ren blocked, and Eri continued until Ren found the perfect position. As Eri aimed for a low swing, Ren initiated his counter.

"I caught you now. This won't miss!" Ren thought, ready to strike her vulnerable right hand.

Victory seemed certain until...

"Match end! Winner is Eri!"

Unbeknownst to Ren, Eri's blade had already reached toward his neck, stopping before hitting him.

With the match over and Ren defeated, students criticized him further. Despite this, Eri congratulated Ren for trying his best, and they exchanged bows.

The professor ended the class, stating that this practice would continue until the end of the week, with the same opponents.

Feeling defeated, Ren said to himself, "I'll try my hardest to surpass Eri. If I can't defeat her, how will I win the tournament? How will I defeat my brother?" Ren was now motivated to become better.

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Tomorrow arrived, and another duel between Eri and Ren concluded.

"Match end! Winner is Eri!" the professor announced.

"You're really strong, Ren! I almost fumbled that one!" Eri said in an exhausted but happy voice.

"Thanks," Ren said dissatisfied.

Several duels occurred, with Ren losing each time.

"Damn it. Eri, let's duel again," Ren declared.

"Are you sure? This practice isn't mandatory, you know? I think you should res—"

"No, I have to," Ren interrupted.

"Alright, then," Eri sighed, concerned.

Day after day, Ren and Eri dueled. Eri won every time, and Ren's determination waned. But he kept on until the 7th day came.

"Ren! That was a great match!" Eri said, congratulating him. Ren, however, wasn't satisfied.

"Yeah, it was," Ren replied exhaustedly, leaving the field early, dissatisfied with his lack of improvement.

Unaccustomed to Ren acting like this, Eri ran to him before he left.

"Ren! What's wrong? Are you alright? You don't seem like yourself lately," Eri said, concerned.

"I'm fine," Ren lied, knowing he couldn't reveal the real reason.

"Is it about the duels? They don't mean anything, you know. If students bully you, I'll shut them up!" Eri assured.

"It's not about that at all!" Ren raised his voice.

After hesitating, Ren spoke his thoughts. "It's because I'm weak. How am I supposed to achieve my goal if I fail every time I try?"

"You're wrong; I don't think you're weak at all," Eri replied.

"Every time I try, the results are the same. In what way does that seem strong to you?" Ren questioned.

"You didn't give up. Every time you lost, you still had the will to fight again. Every time you got pushed back, you still went forward without hesitation. And every time you were pushed down, you still got back up. Not many people can do what you did. I don't even think I can hold on that long without breaking down. That's why I think you're strong. And that's why I fell in love with you."

Ren was completely surprised, unable to believe things would progress this fast. Despite this, Ren calmed down.

"Are you sure you're making the right decision believing in me?" Ren asked concernedly.

"I don't need correct decisions. I follow what I want and what I think is correct," Eri replied.

"That isn't enough reason for you to go after me," Ren said.

Eri chuckled. "That isn't the only reason, of course. Even when people treated me differently, you still treated me the same when you first met me. You might say that's unreasonable, but for me, I've been looking for that feeling—the feeling of not being seen as special. You gave that to me. And I'm grateful for it," Eri explained.

Ren was touched but knew he couldn't accept her feelings, not thinking himself worthy.

"I'm not worthy enough to stand by you, and others know it too. That's why I can't accept your feelings yet. But I promise I'll prove it, not just to others but to myself as well. That's why I must win the tournament," Ren said.

Although reluctant, Eri agreed. "That's okay; I'll wait for when that time comes."

"Thank you for understanding," Ren said relieved.

Eri chuckled again. " *Sigh* looks like I just got rejected. But I won't be giving up, you know!" Eri said determinedly and happily.

Ren smiled and chuckled as well. "Really, thank you, Eri. You don't know how much you saved me here."

"Oh, trust me, I know," Eri laughed softly.

-Chapter End-