16 Before the Tournament: 2

AN: I'm trying to keep Japanese honorifics outside of this story, which is why it's a bit annoying for me addressing characters.

Also, the ages of the characters are not and will not be mentioned much in this story. But as a basis here you go. Noir is 15 right now, while the first-year students are 16. 16 is when you reach adulthood in this story of mine and subsequently also the age you're allowed enrollment into the academy. That is unless you are not just the child of a noble, but a noble head yourself in which case that rule is altered. So yes, everyone is older than Noir lol, that is also why Evelyn is not in the academy this year.

…

"I'll meet up with you after, Lady Angelica wants to see me, for whatever reason." I made it clear that I was completely lying about not knowing why she was calling for me.

Livia in response nodded before with a smile she sent me off. "I'll be in the library, please take your time."

With that, I departed off to the shady ass spot she told me to meet her. She'd stopped me as I was transitioning to my next class, and told me she wanted to talk to me.

The place she chose though was extremely odd as it was behind the academy in a small alleyway-like crevice.

'Did she want to have me jumped.' I entertained that idea as I circled the academy until I saw her.

She wasn't alone, however, with her were two more people. The first was a girl with long flowing blonde-orangish hair and emerald-green eyes.

I recognized her as one of the top scorers in this academy. She had a certain level of grace with everything she did, as well as an ever-present smile.

Well… At least she usually did. Right now she looked as if she had pulled an all-nighter and just rolled out of bed before she got here.

There were clear dark spots below her eyes, her hair wasn't tied up in ponytails like it usually was. Even her uniform wasn't being worn correctly, I could clearly see her cleavage.

Clarice Fia Atlee, the daughter of a prominent Earl, and also, the fiancé of Jilk Fia Marmoria, the same man who had pronounced his lover for another woman the other day.

Behind her, was a man I had seen by her side quite regularly. A tall man with black hair and a red patch. His auburn colored eyes looked shrunken and he had a serious look on his face. Dan Fia Elgar, a devoted lackey of hers.

"I apologize for this poor setting, I was unable to secure a place adequate enough for this meeting." Angelica started as she stepped forward.

"That is fine, though you didn't tell me we were having guests." I looked the two over noticing how their gazes never left me.

"I too was unaware of their arrival here, but they seem intent on staying." Angelica sighed before Clarice seemed to decide to speak.

"Noir Fou Stardia." How confident are you in winning this upcoming duel?"

No pleasantries, no formalities, just straight down to it huh?"

"I will win…easily." I decided to throw that last part in there for an extra layer of verbal confidence.

Her gaze grew more intense as she stared unblinking into my eyes. I returned a blank one wondering why she was staring so intently.

"In that case…MAKE SURE YOU DESTROY THAT SON OF A BITCH, Jilk! MAKE HIM PAY FOR WHAT HE'S DONE TO ME!" Her serious expression from a moment earlier dissolved into tears as she with a crazed look in her eyes cursed the aforementioned man.

Angelica just sighed with a facepalm. Something told me she knew what her involvement was about, well… so did I.

"No," Angelica spoke loud and clear. "I called Lord Stardia here today to request he back out of the duel." Her words reached Clarice even through her rage and she snapped to Angelica.

Before she could say anything Angelica spoke again. "I understand what you wish to gain from this but in the end, you have no involvement in this."

That seemed to shut Clarice up as she bit her lip. She wanted to scream that she had just as much involvement as her, but she couldn't. Even if she was pissed the person in front of her wasn't someone she could do that with.

"So, as I said before, I thank you for volunteering despite the risk, but you should back out of this hopeless endeavor." Her tone was soft, softer than I had ever heard from her.

"Nah, don't think I want to." I'd admit, reading the room, my tone was a bit…way too light-hearted.

"Why?! You surely understand there is no profit to be made from me? I am ruined. I can't do anything for you. Even… Even my family believes this was an act of impudence." There was a strong sense of self-depreciation radiating from her as she spoke.

"Well, that's fine because I'm not looking for anything from you. I believe I said before that I have my own problems with Marie." I spoke flatly.

"What?! Do you know what you're putting in yourself?!"

"Meh, it's worth the consequences, I mean they really do have such punchable faces." I exaggerated.

"This is not a game! What about your family?!"

"I'm a separate house, my actions will only result in consequences for myself."

"Still, this is just too reckless, do you even understand how politics work?" Ow… that one stung. There was a reason my main method of achieving freedom was through strength building.

"Wait, if you're doing this on your own accord it's fine right? We can team up." Clarice interrupted again and Angelica seemed too tired to rebuke her.

"Well that's more up to her…" I said nodding in Angelica's direction.

All at once all three of us turned to Angelica.

"Whatever, I tried. Do what you want." Angelica said as she gave up.

"Great, then we can add Dan here as a representative and I'm sure I can fill in the other three slots." Clarice with a borderline wicked smirk said in excitement.

"Yeah… no." I didn't want help. And yes it was completely out of arrogance. How satisfied would I be when I 1 vs 5'd these fuckers. "I'll fight alone."

"What?! Why." They simultaneously asked and I'll admit, their reaction was completely was completely warranted.

"I'm beginning to question your intelligence Lord Stardia."

Gee, thanks, Angelica.

"I told you, it's personal." That is all I said before turning my head.

Seeing Angelica wasn't going to say anything Clarice just sucked her teeth before growling.

"Fine! Whatever, all this means is that even if you lose I won't receive any backlash. And if you win I get to watch that dumbass get punished and that home wrecker be dealt with." She was right in a way, she really couldn't lose in this situation.

"Welp if that's all you guys wanted to discuss then I'm going to go. I have someone waiting for me." I said as I left the group.

…

(POV Angelica)

I'm an idiot. This was possibly the dumbest thing I had ever done. I challenged His Highness to a duel.

I just couldn't help it, that… that vile worm laying her disgusting paws all over His Highness. The man I had known since I grew conscious. The man I had dedicated my entire life to.

All that dedication just to be rejected?! And why? Because this trash was 'nice to him'. Had I not been nice? Had I not catered to his interest?

'I'm a failure.'

That word plagued my mind every waking moment as of recently.

To make things worse I was dragging down another in my stupidity.

Noir Fou Stardia. I had heard of his achievements and I was overjoyed to meet such a promising young man. What I didn't expect was for him to so uncaringly throw away his future the way he did.

There has to be a limit to how reckless one man could be.

'He's an idiot, a certified dumb idiot.' That night I found my thoughts oriented more toward Him than His Highness.

'Thank you.' I'd be an even more unredeemable woman if I didn't feel grateful toward him.

'Still, he's an idiot. If we survive this disaster, I'll make sure I drill in every last bit of political knowledge I know into his brain.'

…

(Clarice POV)

Should've just taken the offer dumbass. I pondered over the recent meeting I had oh so uncaringly stuck my head in.

I guess in the end I really didn't achieve anything. We didn't team up and everything I asked him to do would be done anyway. He better not disappoint or I'd kill him along with Jilk.

Jilk… that cheating bastard. After I did so much for him he falls for that miniature slut?

Pedophile. That's what he was. Only pedophiles liked little girls.

When this was over I'd make him beg me to forgive him. I'll make him feel just as much pain as he made me feel.

…

(Livie POV)

'I wonder what Noir's doing, he said he was going to the academy but I didn't think that meant he wouldn't visit me.'

…

(Alice's POV)

'I miss Noir, maybe I should try to get a title too so I can go to the academy.'

…

(Livia POV)

'Magic is very mysterious, it is mystical and magical.'

Yeah, I think whoever wrote this book wasn't very qualified.

…

(Luxion POV)

[Master seems to be very hated as of recent]

…

(Julius POV)

'Marie, oh my Marie.'

…

(Mob #57 POV)

'Why are women so cruel.'

…

(Fish #15266215727352 POV)

'*Fish thoughts*'

…

AN: Yeah I don't know what the hell happened at the end.

Regardless, *cough* *cough*

GIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIiIiIiIiIiIVVVVEVEVWVEVEVWVWVWV MEEEEEWEAAEAAWAAAAAWAaaa PPPPPPPPOPPPPPOOOOOOOOOWOWWWWWEEEERRRRRRREE STONEWSSSSSSSSSSSASASSSSS... please