NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 103
On the road to the international individual competition finals.
I was continuously wearing a blank expression because of Seron’s unexpected actions.
I already knew that Seron liked Bickamon.
But I never anticipated being touched like this.
No matter how much I tried to forget, Seron’s soft lips that had brushed against my cheek lingered in my mind.
‘Is this, okay?’
My thoughts have become unnecessarily complicated.
With such thoughts in mind, I headed to the finals conference room.
There weren’t many people out yet, probably because it was still morning.
Soon, this road would be bustling with people.
The autumn morning breeze felt quite pleasant.
Clack—
Then, for some reason, I noticed a familiar figure walking towards me.
My gaze naturally followed upward.
Soon, my eyes widened in surprise.
The inside of the robe was revealed in the morning sunlight.
I saw dark brown hair altered with tools to look different.
But I clearly recognized the face that emerged from within the robe.
“…Nikita?”
I called that name.
It felt like ages since I’d spoken it.
Before I knew it, she ran towards me.
My arm instinctively extended forward.
Boom—
She dashed into my arms.
She was still the small, light figure I remembered.
What was Nikita doing here?
I didn’t know.
I thought I’d never see her again.
Nikita had tried to assassinate Iris.
Because of that, she couldn’t show her face publicly anymore.
So, I thought I would never see her again, yet here she was before me.
“…Senior.”
Her voice trembled slightly.
It was a voice that had held back a lot until now.
“I missed you.”
At those words, I came to a realization.
“Indeed.”
A smile had unknowingly spread across my lips.
Perhaps this smile was meant only for Nikita.
“I felt the same way.”
Seeing her, who steadfastly moves forward no matter the situation, gave me great solace.
However, Nikita could never escape her destined death.
In the scenario, she was meant to die.
I hated that.
So I fought tooth and nail against it.
I wanted to see her live on even after the scenario.
Nikita was right there in front of me.
That fact brought me a joy I could not compare to anything else.
So I longed to see her.
Nikita opened her eyes wide and looked slightly down, hesitant.
Then she peeked up at me from time to time.
What is this cuteness?
Nikita looked at me with a face that seemed to have many things she wanted to say.
But eventually, she bit her lip as if to say it wasn’t the right time.
“Actually, I shouldn’t have come here, but I couldn’t help myself.”
Nikita carefully opened her mouth, her ears turning red.
“I… missed you a lot.”
It seemed she was embarrassed to utter such unfamiliar words.
Now, the image of the Disaster Dragon Maiden was nowhere to be seen.
I felt a sense of relief in that.
“Senior, no, Bickamon, there’s something I need to tell you.”
At that moment, she grabbed my collar tightly.
“The Bandage of the Veil should not be used anymore. You’ll lose all three emotions you possess.”
I sensed the urgency in Nikita’s eyes.
Her tightly closed lips were trembling, revealing the extent of her concern.
She seemed to know just how dire my situation was.
It must be the 1st Prince’s information network.
“…You knew.”
She grasped the meaning behind my bitter smile.
She probably also guessed that I couldn’t take off the Bandage of the Veil.
“It’s okay.”
Nikita’s eyes shone resolutely.
“I’ll help you regain the emotions you’ve lost completely.”
Just then, faint footsteps were heard from behind us.
People were starting to appear.
Nikita took a step back from me.
While I felt a pang of disappointment at her warmth leaving, it was fine.
Just seeing that Nikita was doing well was enough for me.
“Nikita, is magic fun?”
Upon hearing my question, Nikita slowly smiled.
“Yeah, it’s more enjoyable than ever before.”
That bright smile was reward enough for my efforts.
“So, Bickamon, wait for me.”
With that, Nikita turned her body around.
“I’ll be back next year.”
Next year.
How exactly would she return?
I wasn’t sure.
But I hoped she could live freely, doing what she wanted.
Having lived a constrained life without freedom, I didn’t want to restrict her freedom.
“I’ll be looking forward to it.”
Doing everything she wants.
That was the freedom I wished to give Nikita.
Nikita looked at my face as if to engrave it in her memory and then shook her head.
It seemed there were things she wanted to say but was holding back.
“I’ll see you next year.”
And with that, Nikita swiftly left.
Her movements were still as agile as ever.
I was looking forward to next year.
For next year’s sake, I’d have to progress through the scenario well.
‘That gave me strength.’
And a very reliable strength at that.
＊＊＊
At the entrance of the finals.
“Senior, is something the matter?”
Upon hearing a familiar voice, I looked up.
There stood Aisha, wearing a worried expression.
The Great Sword Ironclad, Aisha.
The one who always trains with me, she passed the individual competition as expected of the 1st Year Martial Arts Top Student.
After leaving the dorm, I had come across Nikita, and that led me to meet Aisha on the way to the finals venue.
For reference, Seron had vanished without a trace since then.
“No, sorry, it’s nothing much.”
The finals matches were about to start soon.
I couldn’t afford to be dazed like this any longer.
“Oh, Hanon-senpai!”
“Oh, Hanon-senpai, you passed too.”
Just then, I recognized two more faces.
From the Student Council, Poara Silin, the 1st Year Spirit Sovereign Contractor.
And Midra Fenin, the 1st Year Martial Arts Deputy.
It seemed that the 1st Years who passed the finals had gathered together.
“The 1st Year Magic Arts?”
“Heh, none of them passed.”
Midra let out a gloomy laugh.
The rivalry between Magic Arts and Martial Arts has been famous since ancient times.
So, it was no surprise that the 1st Year Magic Arts students had failed.
‘Well, this year’s 1st Year Magic Arts doesn’t have anyone remarkable compared to Martial Arts.’
Of course, that story would change when next year’s 1st Year students arrive.
Next year’s 1st Year Magic Arts will be overwhelmingly better than Martial Arts.
‘I’m currently in 2nd Year, needless to say.’
Just then, a familiar face was walking toward the finals entrance.
One was a decadently beautiful woman with jet-black hair.
The 3rd Princess, Iris Haishirion.
The other was a languid woman with a unique hair color reminiscent of the Milky Way.
The Daughter of Blue Magic Tower Lord, Sharine Sazarith.
Both groups were surrounded by different crowds.
As always, Iris had her team members around her.
When my eyes met with Dorara, the Magic Arts Deputy, I grimaced.
Conversely, looking toward Sharine, there were also familiar members by her side.
The so-called “Standard Hero Team.”
They might not have Lucas with them, but capable individuals were gathered nonetheless.
Among them, I spotted Isabel.
The moment our eyes locked, Isabel abruptly looked away.
I tilted my head, puzzled.
What’s this? Did I unknowingly earn some dislike?
Isabel had been trailing after me a lot recently.
Being shunned like this was a bit surprising.
It felt as if I was back in the days when I was disliked by Isabel.
‘Well, that is how it should be.’
I couldn’t shake off this strange feeling of discomfort.
“Hanon.”
“Hey there.”
In the meantime, Iris and Sharine stood right in front of me.
Iris greeted me with a smile, as if she were used to it.
Sharine had her usual languid expression.
But for some reason, today she looked a little troubled.
More importantly, I didn’t understand why both of them would stop right in front of me.
This final Martial Arts match also had spectators.
Perhaps that’s why, students recognized Iris and Sharine, glancing curiously our way.
The reason was that both Sharine and Iris’s gazes were solely directed at me.
The stares of the crowd probing into me felt piercing.
Don’t try to pry!
“Wow, you’re popular.”
Just then, Card, who had appeared out of nowhere, began whistling beside me.
“Greetings, 3rd Princess.”
“G-Greetings, 3rd Princess!”
Meanwhile, the 1st Years greeted Iris, bowing respectfully.
Unlike the 2nd Years, it was rare for 1st Years to see Iris.
Thus, Iris waved her hand at them.
“Now that we’re academy students, don’t be too formal.”
“Understood.”
The spirited Aisha was the first to comply.
She truly was reliable, as always.
“Hanon, I’m going to keep going up.”
Meanwhile, the lazy genius Ban spoke up to me.
I smiled back at him.
Guess this is just continuing from the last mock battle.
“Hey, all those 1st Year Magic Arts students failed, huh? What embarrassing losers.”
Dorara muttered, filled with dissatisfaction.
“Come on, Dorara, they all put in the effort. It’s just unfortunate, that’s all.”
“What’s unfortunate is a bunch of useless losers.”
As Iris’s battle mage, Joachim spat that out, Dorara scoffed.
I watched that with a smile.
“True, even losers like you made it through.”
“What the—!”
Dorara seemed ready to charge, but Hania blocked the way.
“Dorara, don’t stir up trouble before the finals.”
“Ugh…”
At Hania’s sharp gaze, Dorara lowered the hand that had been switched to her staff.
What a pity.
I could have made it into the 63rd round.
“And Hanon, please don’t provoke anyone before the match. There’s no romance in the arena.”
Hania stared at me with an expression that was a bit blunt.
It seemed I would need to talk to her about our contract relationship soon.
But I was unsure when that would be.
“Poara Silin!”
Just then, a voice resonated from Isabel’s team.
Turning my gaze over there, I noticed a woman with brown hair pointing aggressively at Poara.
Beakiring Monem, the one contracted with the highest-ranked Spirit.
Before Poara appeared, she was at the peak of Special Studies and Spirit Studies.
“Yeah, yeah?”
Poara, who was being pointed at, looked flustered.
Beakiring’s face twisted menacingly.
“I’ll make sure you won’t escape if you run from me again.”
Beakiring shot a fierce glare at Poara.
Relatively weaker, Poara shrank back.
“Answer me!”
“Y-Yes!”
Looks like Poara is in deep trouble.
Beakiring’s unique trait is [Persistence].
Apparently, Poara has become her target this time.
‘In the original route, the target would normally be Lucas.’
Even though the main plotline seems the same, I feel like many details are changing dramatically.
And it’s my role to lead that change.
My eyes fell upon those present here.
These individuals would continue to play significant roles in the canon going forward.
I sincerely wished for the scenario to end without any mishaps.
“Is this all the members from Jerion Academy?”
“Seems like the 3rd Year students are missing.”
As they mentioned, the 3rd Years, unfortunately, all got eliminated.
With Nikita gone, there are no remarkable figures among the 3rd Years.
They couldn’t survive the intense preliminaries.
So, the ones here would be the representatives from Jerion Academy.
“There’s one more.”
I walked toward a figure sneaking through the bushes.
Then, I reached out into the shrub and grabbed her.
“Gah!”
With a strange sound, a small girl was pulled out from the bushes.
It was Seron Parmia.
She was the one who had snuck a quick peck on my cheek this morning and then ran off.
“Where were you trying to sneak away?”
“Wah, Prince, let me go!”
“No way! After doing something like that, why would I let you go?”
“Because what I did warrants needing to be released even more!”
Despite her own actions, Seron’s face was bright red from embarrassment.
Honestly, I felt like all my worries faded when I looked at her.
Just then, I turned my head as if I felt an intense gaze on me.
However, as I looked over, that gaze vanished instantly.
In the direction my gaze had landed, there stood Isabel and Sharine.
Sharine, upon meeting my eyes, turned her nose up as if saying she wasn’t looking.
Isabel was still turned away, looking elsewhere.
What’s going on?
I felt as if I’d been shot in the back of the head.
I rubbed the back of my head and spoke to Seron.
“Shouldn’t we stick together as members of Jerion Academy?
That way, the audience will see Jerion Academy as a good academy that doesn’t leave anyone out.”
I hoped Seron would befriend others.
“I want you, and you only.”
Seron pouted and turned her head away.
Why do you act cute when you’re frustrated?
‘Oh no, what did I just think for a moment?’
Oh God, no!
Thinking for just a moment that Seron is cute!
My brain must be malfunctioning.
“Grantoni, open my brain and check it right now!”
“Really?”
Grantoni’s eyes sparked as if he was going to genuinely check my brain.
“Just kidding.”
“Such a pity.”
That sight sent shivers down my spine.
“Hanon Irey.”
At that moment, I heard the voice I had also heard in the morning.
A woman with blue hair appeared, flowing like an unyielding blue flame.
Eve was back.
“Prepare yourself for today’s match.”
Eve didn’t elaborate.
Just that brief declaration was all she said.
With that declaration, Eve proudly stepped away from me.
Implying that was all she had to say.
Her confident stride was filled with strength.
I could sense her intent to teach me a lesson.
‘Honestly, I thought she’d jump me right after erasing the dragon’s remnants earlier.’
Yesterday had been remarkably quiet.
‘Well, I was with Iris after fainting, so…’
Eve likely didn’t have a chance to confront me then.
I wish it could be the same this time around, but that seems unlikely.
‘I guess it’s possible in the finals.’
Eve would certainly try to erase the remnants of the dragon that I hold.
With Eve’s unyielding blue flame, she could do so without being noticed by the crowd.
Meanwhile, I had to avoid revealing the dragon’s remnants to the audience, so I couldn’t use them.
Eve must have aimed for that.
However, Eve didn’t know one important fact.
There’s one prerequisite for me to face off against her.
I must win every match leading up to that confrontation.
I glanced at the blonde-haired girl standing before me and smirked.
“Isabel.”
The first match of the 64-man finals.
My opponent was the main heroine of the Butterfly Flames.
Isabel Luna.