"I should have known… you were trouble itself."
Azriel suppressed a chuckle at his sister's grumbling.
He stood beside Celestina and Caleus, watching as the ballroom was hastily rearranged for the duels.
Meanwhile, Nol was living his best life—chatting with guests and piling food onto his plate as though the banquet existed purely for him.
Like Azriel, Nol had barely left the Crimson estate in two months, and his curiosity about the world was as blatant as a child at their first fair.
Dozens of gazes followed Azriel, heavy and unrelenting, making him want to bolt. Still, he forced himself to stand tall. It was nerve‑wracking, but necessary.
Just one duel left, and he could finally call the night over.
'No, that's wrong…'
His eyes drifted to Freya and Solomon, deep in conversation.
'If she still isn't convinced after this, things will get messy.'
Everything tonight had been calculated to sway Freya into agreeing with his and Solomon's plan.
Even his lateness hadn't been entirely accidental—though Nol genuinely had taken twenty minutes to wrestle with his tuxedo while stubbornly refusing the servants' help.
'Still, worked in my favor. Mom's probably going to murder me later, though.'
As if summoned by the thought, he remembered his parents had left the banquet earlier with Ragnar.
'Speaking of parents…'
"The Nebula and Dusk clans didn't join us, Caelus?" Azriel asked casually, turning toward the prince, who was already staring at him with unnerving intensity. Celestina's gaze was no less piercing.
"…They haven't," Caleus replied. "My parents and the Dusk Clan are working together, handling the sudden issues that have cropped up in Europe these past few months."
Azriel nodded, thoughts racing.
'So even that changed because I survived…'
"Can I ask you a question?" Caleus said suddenly, his expression shifting into something more complex.
Azriel arched a brow.
'Here we go.'
"It's true you were in the Void Realm all along? For the past two years?"
"That's right," Azriel answered evenly.
Caleus hesitated, then leaned in slightly.
"Then… what is your mana core level now?"
Nearby eavesdroppers nearly tripped over themselves straining to hear. Even Jasmine's eyes sharpened in interest.
Not once had Azriel revealed his level—to her, or anyone.
'Curious, are we? Not just him either…' He felt Celestina's gaze burn into the side of his face. His cheek almost twitched.
'Good.'
Azriel smiled faintly.
"If you're that curious, why not find out yourself?"
Gasps and murmurs rippled through the surrounding crowd. Caleus himself blinked in surprise before nodding firmly.
"You really have changed a lot…"
'Of course I have. The old Azriel died.'
Caleus's violet eyes flared with determination.
"Very well. I shall be your opponent. But be warned—I'm already a Grade 2 Intermediate. Show me the strength of the prince who survived the Void Realm alone, Azriel Crimson."
Excitement crackled in the air. Jasmine didn't intervene; she knew it was pointless. She only watched, resigned.
The rules were simple: no affinities, no combat arts, no skills. The duel would end when one was knocked out or surrendered.
"I'd like to fight you as well, but…"
The soft murmur pulled Azriel's attention. He turned to Celestina.
She pouted, her grey eyes glistening with disappointment, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.
Azriel nearly broke character.
'No wonder the protagonist fell for her. Those eyes…'
They were so bright. So pure. So dangerously… innocent. Ragnar hadn't been exaggerating—there really would be a line of boys fighting for her hand.
He gave Celestina a polite smile.
"It would be rude of me to duel a lady while she's wearing such a beautiful dress."
"O‑oh…"
Both Jasmine and Celestina froze, eyes wide. Azriel quickly turned away, scratching his cheek.
"But…" He allowed a softer smile.
"Once we're both at the Academy, I'll duel you whenever you like."
Celestina only stared, silent.
'That didn't sound creepy, did it? She doesn't think I'm a creep now, right?'
Azriel forced himself to focus.
'No point dwelling on it. The duel's about to start.'
He and Caleus stepped into the center, the crowd parting to form a wide circle.
The atmosphere was electric, thick with anticipation.
The Crimson Prince versus the Nebula Prince—legendary before the first strike.
*****
The guests held their breath, giving them space. No referee was needed. The duel would begin the moment one of them moved.
Azriel summoned Void Eater, the katana gleaming faintly as he gripped it with steady hands.
Across from him, Caleus twirled his silver spear with easy grace, its long reach promising danger.
They stood motionless, the tension tightening like a drawn bowstring.
'This is insane…'
Azriel could barely believe it himself. Facing off against one of the great clan princes—every moment of tonight felt surreal.
Not just tonight.
Since arriving in EASC, he had been living a life that once existed only on the pages of a novel.
Every gaze now fixed on him carried weight. More than they knew.
Because they weren't just strangers.
They were the people Leo Karumi had clung to in the dark.
Not just them—him too. The protagonist. The hero whose story had given Leo the strength to keep living.
They were one of the biggest reasons he was still alive.
So what now?
What was his goal?
A coffee shop? That had been his dream once.
'No…'
That wasn't enough anymore.
This world could fill the hollow inside him. How could he just settle for a quiet shop?
But a hero? No. That path wasn't his.
He could play the part at the Academy, but he would never truly be one.
He couldn't shine like them. Couldn't be as pure, as resolute.
'I'm not worthy.'
He never would be.
So instead—
He would make sure they shone brighter. Even if it meant they resented him. Even if it made their path more dangerous. He would push them higher. Help them become legends.
So that the stars of this world would burn all the brighter.
Azriel narrowed his eyes at Caleus.
The air between them pulsed.
And then—
'[Void Mind]'