Chapter 94

“The situation with the three women from Jerion Academy is quite the show.”

Of course, Eve had no choice but to sheath her sword.

“Eve, what on earth are you doing!”

The president of Rosley Academy, also from the Prelitz Kingdom, scolded her.

“President, I…”

Eve looked flustered.

She had acted without thinking after being overwhelmed by the urgency to remove my Remnants of the Ice Dragon, clearly not considering the consequences.

Her gaze met mine.

She was biting her lip tightly.

If I were to reveal that I handle the Magic of the Ice Dragon right now, everything she did would suddenly make complete sense.

But without knowing my situation precisely, she wouldn’t dare to speak prematurely.

Those who wield the Magic of the Ice Dragon face execution.

The moment anyone found out I was dabbling in the Magic of the Ice Dragon, my life would be over.

Eve certainly didn’t intend to kill me.

She merely believed that the Magic of the Ice Dragon genuinely had to be erased.

The inherent dangers of the Magic of the Ice Dragon, and the potential casualties that could stem from it—including my own life—drove her to take such reckless action today.

It was like a wild shot in the dark.

Basically, she was just acting out of a desire to save lives.

‘Is the protagonist a bit lacking in common sense?’

The events Eve experienced, I, the player, was all too familiar with.

Her bestowed nickname, the Unyielding Blue Flame.

This stemmed from countless events that surrounded her.

Reality pressed down on her time and again, trying to break her.

Yet, Eve held her ground, blazing fiercely as the Blue Flame.

All those experiences melded into her life, taking deep root.

As a result, there were times when her judgment led her to such impulsive actions.

That aspect likely accounted for her struggles to fit in with others.

Having lived through a harsh life, she was deficient in several ways.

Her Blue Flame flares up when it senses the danger hidden within others.

It must’ve ignited when she faced me this time.

‘I had no idea she’d catch on to the Magic of the Ice Dragon too.’

Though I was the one being attacked, understanding her situation didn’t put me in a particularly foul mood.

On the contrary, I welcomed this scenario and provoked her fiercely.

She’s the type to move on anyone, even if she just met them, if they pose a risk.

And I was that lowly villain, exploiting that trait mercilessly.

“Eve, you can’t go around acting like this just because you got rejected!”

“…What?”

The first sound of surprise slipped from Eve’s lips.

Not just her, but everyone here turned to Eve with astonished looks.

Especially when Isabel whipped her head around to glare at me, it sent chills down my spine.

It seemed I had reminded her of what happened with Hania.

Eve had been digging up information about me at the party.

As a result, the kids were wondering if she had feelings for me.

The moment I made that statement in this situation, the outcome was clear as day.

“Eve, you…!”

“The Blue Flame even passionately loves!”

“Didn’t expect that from you!”

At this age full of fiery infatuation, everyone sympathized with Eve.

She wore a stunned expression at the unexpected situation.

Plus, her face was getting quite red.

“I-I never! That’s slander!”

Eve exclaimed, denying it vehemently.

In an instant, she became a woman madly in love.

Everyone looked at Eve with pitying eyes.

Yet, despite all that, Eve glared at me with her eyes wide open.

“Alright, everyone, enough of this!”

Seeing enough, Iris stepped in to resolve things, looking back at me.

“Hanon, go treat your wounds.”

“Yes.”

“Wait, we should clear up this misunderstanding before….”

As Eve tried to grab me, Iris blocked her.

At that moment, a dark murderous intent radiated from her.

“I think you were told to stop.”

Iris warned her that she was crossing the line.

Eve clenched her teeth as she watched my retreating figure.

After that, I managed to escape to my room from the party.

Thanks to Eve’s Blue Flame, I sustained some burns, but they were minor and could be treated easily.

So, I decided to tackle the burnt clothing first.

“Hanon.”

“Whoa!?”

As I fumbled to take off my top, a voice suddenly called from behind.

Startled, I turned around to find Sharine there.

When did she even come in unnoticed?

This girl was stealthy as a ninja.

“You’re lying about that confession, right?”

Did she catch on?

“Yeah.”

I replied without hiding anything.

“Why would you say such a lie?”

“Eve caught me with the Remnants of the Ice Dragon. More precisely, she caught me using the Magic of the Ice Dragon.”

Sharine frowned.

She knew well the consequences if the Magic of the Ice Dragon was discovered.

“If Hanon gets executed, you won’t be able to use the Magic Seal.”

So, she wasn’t concerned about me.

As she expressed her disapproval, I started buttoning up my shirt.

“The Remnants of the Ice Dragon were discovered, and Eve charged at me to erase it.”

“Hmm, you can erase them just because Eve wants to, huh?”

“I suppose if she wields her Unyielding Blue Flame, it wouldn’t be impossible.”

Though I might end up getting burned in the process.

Still, it was a possibility.

“So, I preemptively acted before she could say anything.”

“Sounds like you just made her really mad.”

“That was somewhat intentional.”

Sharine frowned in confusion.

She seemed to be questioning whether I could provoke someone at such a disadvantage.

Indeed, if Eve exposed the Remnants of the Ice Dragon, it would spell disaster.

But I was also certain Eve wouldn’t go that far.

“It was necessary.”

“Is that necessary for your goals too?”

“Exactly. It might even be the most crucial piece.”

I had plans to transfer Eve to Jerion Academy.

The only thing that could replace the Flames of Will was Eve’s Unyielding Blue Flame.

The absence of the Flames of Will would continually be a hurdle moving forward.

I had been trying my best, but resolving the scenario’s events at their core was no easy feat.

That’s where Eve’s Unyielding Blue Flame came into play.

‘If it’s Eve, she’ll definitely come to eradicate my Remnants of the Ice Dragon.’

Today’s events would surely have left her with a strong impression of me as a very dangerous person.

From my unexpectedly strong ability to Iris defending me, it would all be buzzing in her head.

And on top of that, I demolished my image in her eyes through lies.

I was firmly etched into Eve’s memory.

‘The chance to erase the Remnants of the Ice Dragon today has slipped away.’

The international academy meeting would have everyone returning to their respective academies as soon as the party wraps up.

Eve would likely be under house arrest for this incident, so she wouldn’t be able to approach me today at all.

This means her opportunity to deal with my Remnants of the Ice Dragon would come once and only once.

‘The International Individual Competition.’

At that event, Eve would definitely try to erase my Remnants of the Ice Dragon.

‘Once I get past that…’

She would undoubtedly have to chase after me, crossing over to Jerion Academy.

For that, I needed to be able to withstand Eve’s onslaught.

‘No, I can’t just withstand.’

I absolutely had to defeat her and etch myself into her mind as a risk factor.

To ensure she believes she’d need to transfer over to Jerion Academy just to stop me.

She was a completed protagonist set to end the scenario.

And for that, I needed to become stronger.

With my current level, I wouldn’t be able to best Eve in a confrontation.

“Sharine, remember that date I mentioned?”

So, I decided I’d employ any means necessary.

“We should definitely have it before the International Individual Competition.”

And until then, I would completely manage the Remnants of the Ice Dragon.

＊＊＊

The Unyielding Blue Flame.

Eve.

A hero from the Ordo Academy in the Prelitz Kingdom, and a member of the Six Stars.

She was kicking at her blanket, frustrated over the humiliating events of today.

Having received a reprimand from the Ordo president, she was now confined to her room after leaving the party.

If she were to escape, it would only lead to more trouble.

Thus, Eve had no choice but to stay put.

‘That guy.’

Hanon Irey.

Remembering the humiliation she suffered at his hands, her face turned beet red as she bit her lip.

This was the first time in her life she experienced such a humiliating incident.

Who would’ve thought that after launching an attack, he would counter it so effortlessly?

His brazen lies without a change in expression made her want to scream.

Of course, Eve understood she had brought this on herself.

She recognized her faults for injuring him during her attack.

But the danger posed by the Magic of the Ice Dragon was very real.

During her childhood, she only once witnessed a user of the Magic of the Ice Dragon.

She clearly remembered what became of him.

Before she knew it, she had kicked off the blanket and stood upright.

Then she grabbed her sword.

The image of Hanon from earlier flickered in front of her eyes.

She shook off the humiliation and took a deep breath.

The Hanon she faced was stronger than she anticipated.

He had parried her strike as if ready to finish her off in a single blow.

Yet, he fought her sword without any weapon of his own.

‘The sensation I felt when I hit him before.’

Like swinging her sword against solid steel.

Remembering that feeling, Eve opened her eyes wide.

He certainly possessed some unique power.

It was absurd that magic could trigger without even a staff.

‘He’s a formidable variable.’

If it couldn’t be resolved quickly, things would surely become complicated.

The moment she had failed her first strike, Eve felt as if she had already lost.

Therefore, when they met again, she absolutely had to defeat him.

Eve’s sword swung toward Hanon’s illusion.

Hanon’s illusion evaded her blade, showcasing his nimbleness from before.

But Eve didn’t stop there; she continued pursuing with her blade.

Hanon kept dodging her attacks.

But eventually, Eve cornered him completely and thrust her sword downward.

With a whoosh, Eve cut through the air and took a deep breath.

‘Next time…’

Her blue eyes slowly began to shine with clarity.

She would definitely knock him down and erase the Magic of the Ice Dragon.

The International Academy Meeting.

A moment when new encounters and friendships were about to begin.

＊＊＊

Time flew by like an arrow.

Autumn had ripened, and the International Individual Competition was just around the corner.

Students were relentlessly pushing themselves to train every day.

The International Individual Competition was an opportunity to make their mark on the world.

As such, students had no choice but to put their all into their training.

While everyone was caught up in this fervor, I was holed up in a private training room.

Jerion Academy had private training rooms available on request.

Once inside, I had been training daily in preparation for the International Individual Competition.

This was due to my recent ‘not a date’ outing with Sharine.

Now I had a mark of a new spell etched into my body.

“Prince Sweet Potato, what the heck are you doing all alone? Trying to become burnt sweet potato again?”

Seron asked, perplexed, seeing me emerge charred.

But I just told her to look forward to the individual competition.

“Seriously, don’t hurt your body so much.”

Seron wiped my face with a handkerchief.

Her gentle touch made me blink in surprise, and I asked,

“This isn’t the face you like, is it?”

“S-Shut up. It’s all the same once I start liking it.”

Seron’s face was turning bright red as she said that.

She playfully punched my shoulder and dashed away.

Seron was becoming increasingly shameless.

“Hanon, we’re still in a contract relationship, remember?”

Recently, Seron had been open about her feelings, so Hania shot her a sidelong glance.

It was a look that said to keep things less visible.

It was frustrating for me, but I nodded since I had made a promise to Hania.

I owed her so much.

If she hadn’t helped me with my disguise, I wouldn’t even be able to enter Iris’ room.

I had to maintain this contract relationship for that reason.

“Hanon, can I look forward to the upcoming International Individual Competition?”

During training, as I contemplated, Ban’s voice echoed in my head.

“Ban, what about you?”

“Of course, especially since Isabel.”

Ban had been consistently training with Isabel.

And he was aware of Isabel’s growing competitive spirit toward me.

“She’s preparing something amazing.”

Something amazing, huh?

‘Could it be…’

It was about time for that to happen.

A smile spread across my face.

“Yeah, I’m looking forward to it.”

As I gathered everyone’s expectations, the day finally arrived.

The International Individual Competition was about to begin.