"You're… Frey?"
Lunaria was stunned by the sudden appearance of one of the strongest students in the entire school in front of her.
Thinking that she was about to request for a duel with her, Lunaria rejected Frey's request in her mind. Right now, she was too tired to have to face-off against her and wanted to go home to a nice relaxing dinner meal with her friends.
"Woah, before you leave, let me state first that I'm not here to request a duel," Frey waved her hands to Lunaria to ensure that she wasn't lying. "I just wanted to talk~"
"Frey-san… can this be held off for tomorrow?" Lunaria asked politely while making a tired sigh. "I'm exhausted from all the duelling today."
"No worries~ this is only going to take a short while~" Frey giggled and pulled Lunaria along.
Without much energy to resist in the first place, Lunaria followed Frey for a bit just to see what she wanted from her. The two moved over to a slightly secluded area with less students. It wasn't hard to find a place like that in school since it was already late and most of the students had returned home.
Once they were away from the students' prying eyes, Frey let go of Lunaria's hand and set up a sound barrier around them along with a powerful illusion magic. Seeing this, Lunaria's gaze instantly sharpened as she prepared for any sudden ambush that would be done towards her.
"Yosh, that should prevent anyone from spotting us," Frey nodded once she confirmed the barrier and magic were in place. "Um, Lunaria-hime? You can stop being so hostile to me. I don't have any intention of kidnapping a royal diplomat you know~?"
"… What do you want with me, Frey-san?" Lunaria asked her cautiously. "I don't believe that it is something simple if you went through all the effort to set up an elaborate anti-spy barrier around us."
"Oh~ its more related to what we will be talking about, I don't want someone to overhear us and spoil the surprise~" Frey smiled innocently. "Lunaria-hime, you know about the upcoming Moon Festival, right?"
"Um, yeah. I'm pretty sure everyone is aware of that," Lunaria nodded, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword just in case. "What about it?"
"You see~ us top 10s are asked to hold a match with each other as part of the entertainment process for the students~" Frey explained. "But then~ we got together and thought it would be boring if it was only us~ Hence, why I suggested to bring you into it as well. How about it? It's not a bad offer~"
At her words, Lunaria froze. What that was suggested to her caused her brain to suddenly enter a hyperspeed processing mode. To be able to fight in front of a giant crowd on the day of a huge festival was exactly what she needed to kick-start Kaze's motivation to fight others. It was a tempting offer, if anything.
"… What are the rules? Are you going to invite all the top 10s of our year?" Lunaria asked softly, trying not to look like she was so easily convinced. "Are we allowed to choose people of our choice?"
"Well~ the reason I proposed this to you is so that you, as the first of the first-years, will be able to find the other 9 yourselves," Frey grinned. "You know your form better than I do, so it makes sense you will handle the recruitment process~ How about it?"
Lunaria's eyes showed signs of hesitation at Frey's words. Surely, things weren't going to be so easy. If there was such a proposal, it was a huge request that not anyone could simply accept. There would be a lot of protests if the students deemed themselves worthy of being one of the few who would be selected to go against the top 10s of the school. Since the top 10s they were talking about involved everyone instead of certain years, age didn't matter anymore.
"Are the second-years involved?"
"We already got enough second-years within the top 10 combatants and decided we need more first-years~ That's why we are having a top 10 consisting of the already predetermined top 10 list while your first-years will be the wild card~"
"So… an existing roster against an undetermined roster of 10 people…" Lunaria muttered to herself.
It was going to be a 1v1, but in the form of 10 different matches. If she were to pick strategically on who would be most likely to win against the top 10 of the school, then it would be harder compared to if she picked them for the sake of entertainment.
"You are part of the student council, right? I trust it wouldn't be hard to put up a selection try-out to determine who would be part of your top 10~" Frey giggled. "I can help, if you want. I know it's unfair to suddenly impose this on you, but please take your time to think."
With a clap of her hands, the barrier around them disappeared. Frey seemed to have ended their talk there since there was not much she could say other than wait for Lunaria's decision. Frey walked past Lunaria, with her still standing silently, and decided to take this chance to agitate Lunaria.
"You know… this is a good chance to make everyone else discover some hidden talent," Frey whispered into Lunaria's ear just as she walked past her. "That way, you can use this match to help display you boyfriend's talent you know~?"
At her words, Lunaria instantly blushed and whipped around to punish the playful Frey. However, Frey had completely disappeared from her view in an instance.
Lunaria was sure she hadn't wrongly heard what Frey said. It was like Frey knew of Kaze's strength and was interested in him too, hence why she proposed her offer to Lunaria. The only few who truly knew about Kaze and his predicament were no one other than the few who lived together plus Noel and Albert.
The only other possible scenario was that somehow, during the day of the examination itself, Frey was able to sense Kaze using pure magic…?
Or was it that she always had a grasp on them this whole time?
A sense of uneasiness sent a tingle down Lunaria's spine, causing her to shiver in response.
Regardless of what the reason was, it was very likely that Lunaria was going to have to accept this offer. Lunaria herself knew that this was what she had been waiting for for a long time, a chance to allow her to convince Kaze to participate in matches.
Before that though, she was going to have to find out from Kaze why he was so hesitant in taking matches with others.
- - - - -
That night, Kaze received a knock on his room door right before bed. He knew who it was instantly based on the timing and all, since there had only ever been one person who would show up at this time and knock on his door in a specific manner. It was almost like their secret meeting passcode at this point.
Today, Lunaria was dressed in an oversized shirt that barely covered most of her thighs. She was obviously not wearing anything under her shirt other than her panties, which made the situation as awkward as before when she showed up with just her night gown. It was something that Kaze had already gotten used to despite this being the second time Lunaria came over wearing something as risqué as that. This was because he knew that Lunaria wasn't trying to tempt him, but merely chose to be open with him.
"So, what are we talking about tonight?" Kaze asked as she walked over to his bed. "Do we need to be quiet about this too?"
"I plan to announce this to the others tomorrow morning, but yes, we do need to be quiet for the time being," Lunaria casted the sound barrier again, with Kaze sitting next to her.
With that came a moment of silence between the two.
So much had happened since they first met that they didn't know what they should say to each other to start the conversation. It didn't help that they were living together now, making the number of topics they could come up with on the spur of a moment even fewer.
It wasn't so much that the atmosphere had gotten awkward between them, instead it made the two more comfortable with each other's company. They were like best friends who knew each other for so long that they practically didn't need a topic to talk about for them to enjoy the company they provided each other. Currently, Lunaria and Kaze were like this at moments when they were alone. This was rare, especially when living in such a big house with so many members.
"… Frey approached me today," Lunaria spoke first, seeing that it was more suitable since she was the one who came over to his room. "She told me the top 10 had suggested to hold a match exhibiting the first-year's strength for the Moon Festival."
"Oh, that weird girl," Kaze nodded at her words. "What about it?"
"Um… she gave me the choice of selecting the other 9 people who would be facing off against the ten strongest people of our school," Lunaria continued, slower than before as she prepared for an outright rejection from him. "So… I was thinking… if you would be okay… with me selecting you?"
"Sure."
"I know you don't like to duel with people, but we haven't really asked you for your reason why…"
"I'm okay with fighting."
"But it's alright, it's not like we are forcing you to state your personal reason, it's just that we find it weird that you- eh?"
Lunaria froze up when she realized that Kaze had literally confirmed to fighting twice already. Turning her head at him, she had a look of disbelief on her face.
"I said I'm fine," Kaze had a questioning smile on his face. "Why are you so surprised?"
"B-Because you never duelled anyone before!" Lunaria couldn't hold back her surprise anymore and squealed at him. "Why are you suddenly okay with fighting?"
"Ah, it's not that I never duelled anyone before, I 'practiced' with people," Kaze smiled wryly. "I know I never explained it to you all before. The reason my rank never increased is because I only chose the 'practice' function instead of an outright 'duel', so I don't gain or lose points whether I win or not."
"B-But… we never saw you fight before?"
"Of course not. I have been purposely hiding this from you all. When I am ready for a proper duel, I want to be able to take you all on without you knowing what I have been up to."
".... Haaaaaaaaa...…"
At Kaze's words, Lunaria couldn't help but sigh. It was both a mixture of relief and frustration, knowing that he had his reasons but didn't want to admit it. At the same time, it was like she wasted all her time thinking of Kaze for nothing.
"Why don't you want to increase your rank?" Lunaria finally asked after massaging her temples for some time. "I find it weird, all of us, that you duel but don't want to 'duel'."
"The reason for that is…. a little petty," Kaze scratched his cheek in embarrassment. "I can let you know why, but as before, whatever said here stays here, right?"
"Yes, we both promised."
"Alright, that applies to my previous words too then. Um, to be honest, I hate the ranking system."
"You hate it…?"
"I know that you can gain a lot of benefits from it like exchanging points and ranking up and what not, but... I don't like how you get glorified for being strong based on your ranking. Everyone has their own strengths that should be showed in one way or another, so I don't think it is right to compare your rank to everything."
"Kaze…"
"It sounds very petty and I am aware I am missing out a lot, but I made this choice after considering it. You see, everyone is so desperate to increase their points for a hint of luxury that they don't realize the main point of this ranking system is to just promote friendly sportsmanship. Instead, everyone treats it as some sort of system to gain stuff they want. Not that it's wrong, but I don't see the point in participating."
With a bewildered look on her face, Lunaria silently listened to Kaze's explanation.
Kaze wasn't right, but he wasn't wrong either. Lunaria knew that there would be many people who would come to hate Kaze because of his words, but somehow she was convinced by him at the same time. She personally disagreed with him on his point that he shouldn't participate in the ranking system, seeing that it was a great chance to show off to the nobles that someone from the common area could achieve such greatness too. However, she also agreed that it defeated the purpose of the ranking system.
While it certainly wasn't wrong for one to want to be the top achiever at fighting or gain promotions, this wasn't why the ranking system was created. It was just something to spark the competition in the students, but evidently it was being mistreated. This was something that couldn't be outright controlled, since it was human nature.
Wanting to win, wanting to show off, wanting to achieve greatness, wanting to become stronger…
One way or another, everyone has thought of that before.
In a meritocrat society where status and power were everything, it was easy to get drunk in the face of such overwhelming temptation to allow one to achieve excellence.
Perhaps, if this was applied someway else like with academics, that the system wouldn't be as bad and mistreated. However, there were too many great things to be gained from the invisible ranking system itself that it sort-of blindsided the very reason the duelling system was created. Part of this was also the school's fault for allowing the parents and noble to provide so much sponsorship that they were indirectly involved in the way the system functioned.
With more money invested, naturally there should be the benefits and rewards given to the students. From an outsider perspective and an idealistic view, it was something that was very effective. Reality rarely functioned that way, for the ranking system itself almost acted as a way for nobles to gain the clout they needed. Even between noble houses, in-school ranking was treated equally with their school grades.
Kaze never had that problem since he wasn't affiliated with any house, but what about everyone else? Did Chris and Irene face such a problem? Did the King want Yuuji to excel and show to everyone the might of the royal house?
Lunaria felt like she was starting to see from Kaze's perspective even better after this short conversation with him. This wasn't her main goal at first, but now it was something that was starting to develop in her mind.
She was a royalty, someone who lived for a hundred more years than most of the people who studied in this school. It was natural that she had come to unconsciously accept a system that classified people without questioning its true nature. That only made it all the more ironic since it was her job to question such things. The prolonged exposure to these matters had made Lunaria weak, weak at seeing from another person's view. Kaze was the true example of that.
Kaze might not have much, nor did he come from a good place. He could have been abandoned and probably left to die on his own right from the moment he was given birth to. Based on how he grew up and the way he educated, his view of things was different and unique. This point can be backed up with how Kaze never chose to go after status or the fanciest equipment just to fit in with the rest of his classmates. He never fought back against the negligence and stares he faced when he was alone or with her.
All Kaze did was accept it and moved on, where most nobles would have probably reacted at the pettiest of things.
He was willing to forfeit things that would benefit him easily and chose the hard route instead. Not that winning matches and gaining ranks were a bad thing since it was too good to let go of, but this was Kaze's way of going against the system built to help them.
Some call it naïve; some call it stupid.
Perhaps they were the naïve one for not seeing beyond Kaze's actions.
This was what reflected Kaze's values, making up who he is.
"…. Mou… you are really stupid…"
"Eh? Why?"
Kaze blinked as Lunaria gave him a tearful smile. Thinking that he had done something wrong, he reached over to her head and stroked it gently to soothe her. This only made Lunaria giggle as she wiped off the tears from her eyes.
"No… I was just thinking of how different you are," she muttered softly and gave him a big hug from the side. "Thank you Kaze…"
"Um… you are welcome?" Kaze blushed, for he could feel her breasts pressing against him once more.
"… Alright then," Lunaria let go of him after a bit and nodded. "So, we will be holding a small match soon to decide the rest of the members. I don't want to impose the role you have onto Yuuji and the others because I want them to make the choice themselves."
"Ohh, you mean a demonstration with all the people who are interested to choose the 10 most suitable?" Kaze asked with a smile. "That sounds good. I have my own doubts on why you never gave me a choice in the first place, but I am glad that you picked me."
"Oh no, you will be helping me too," Lunaria's smile turned into a cheeky one. "Don't tell me you expected me to do all the work myself?"
"You have the student council to help. Frey probably offered you a hand too."
"I trust you to be with me as my consultant."
"Hmm…. Alright then. I can't guarantee that I can do much though."
"Hehe, that's fine."
After this, they talked a little more about irrelevant stuff like school and work.
It didn't take long for them to have reached the end of their time together due to how late it was starting to get.
"I should go," Lunaria giggled and stood up. "It's funny how time passes so quickly every time we talk."
"Yeah," Kaze glanced at the clock by his table side. "Lunaria, why did you ask me about everything we talked about at the start in private? I would have been fine if you asked me when everyone was around if they were just as confused as you were."
At his question, Lunaria paused for a bit to think of an answer before turning around to respond.
"Because… I didn't want you to feel uncomfortable, like we were imposing you all the time," Lunaria answered with a small smile. "I know that some of us must have posed the question to you many times before."
"Yeah, that is true," Kaze returned the smile with a huge grin. "But I wouldn't mind if it was you asking."
"Hm? Why is that so?"
"Because if you are okay showing up to my room wearing practically nothing each time, then I would be fine with trusting you too."
Lunaria blushed brightly when she realized what he meant after having a brief flashback to her previous conduct. She had gotten so in the mood with him to realize she was dressed in an inappropriate way each time she had gone to meet him in private. In response, she tugged her shirt down in an attempt to hide her already-exposed thighs.
"… Idiot," Lunaria pouted at him before slamming the door on her way out.