Alex Hambell is lying on his bed, looking up at the ceiling absentmindedly.
"Oh, I almost forgot! Tomorrow is my birthday. Is my sister going to visit me? That is unlikely to happen because, unlike last year when I was still in the Academy dormitory, I am now far away from her."
An image of his aunt appeared in his head.
"I'm not sure if my aunt will come visit me. Did she even know it was my birthday?" I'll most likely be alone tomorrow, as usual.
He is upset because he is experiencing a need for family.
He was an orphan in his past life.
Although he has a family in this world, his parents have died and his sister lives far away.
He also had no recollection of his aunt visiting him on his birthday when he was younger.
Anyway, he chose to ignore the recollections of the past and focus on the present.
"Goodnight."
He said to himself, closing his eyes.
…
Academy city.
A gigantic man-made city that has floated in the Middle Sea for over a millennium.
No one knows how this type of city is formed specifically, although there is a prevalent legend that it is designed to seal off a powerful monster of unknown kind or type.
For a thousand years, every nation in the globe has sent their future generations here to learn.
That is why several factions have emerged here.
Mostly, this place is at war because kids are competing to graduate.
The Nila Kingdom Faction currently has around 500 students pursuing various careers.
Only a few kids, however, have the opportunity to be the "New Diamond" of this period.
Two of the New Diamonds are currently at the SGKS training facility.
Many students have come to witness this show despite the fact that they are on holiday since the two popular beauties are set to face off.
Su Yan from the Imperial Han Faction versus Alicia Hambell from the Nila Kingdom Faction.
They have constantly collided from their first year, which is why they are well-known rivals.
Their battles have always ended in a draw, 10:10, but today, before the final semester begins, they wanted to end their rivalry because they wouldn't see each other until graduation.
/Spell: Seal.
Su Yan employed spell to limit her movements.
Alicia remained motionless and received the spell.
Su Yan begins her attack with her sword.
/Command: Negate.
However, before Su Yan could approach her, Alicia issued a command that negated the spell.
Everyone, including Su Yan, is taken aback by her ability to trace the spell in a matter of seconds, but she does not pause and continues to rush.
/Spell: Booster.
/Command: ×4.
Su Yan performs a spell and a command at the same time.
She was going to slam her wooden sword against her head, when suddenly...
/Technique: Feather Step.
Alicia takes a step back to evade and then moves forward to attack.
/Spell: Dash.
/Command: Backward
Alicia was about to strike when Su Yan utilized her combination to create distance.
/Spell: Dash.
/Command: forward
Alice, on the other hand, refused to let her escape and used a combo to close the gap.
/Spell: Gust.
/Technique: Wind blade.
Alicia wanted end their match with a combination attack, although it appears like Su Yan is considering the latter.
/Spell: Deflect
/Technique: One Break Sword.
Standing steady, she deflects the assault, but it is insufficient, which is when the one-break sword comes in handy.
She used this combo to ruin her famed combo.
Unfortunately, creating this combo required a significant amount of mana and stamina.
Fortunately for her, Alicia is in the same condition as her.
The only thing keeping them up right now is their sheer willpower.
Finally, they couldn't stand it any longer and both passed out.
Meanwhile, rather than assisting them, the students call their present teacher in the faculty.
…
In the infirmary, they both awaken at the same time.
There is an unpleasant mood, but they did not break the stillness and instead looked up at the ceiling.
However, after a few minutes, Su Yan decided to initiate a conversation.
"Tomorrow… will be the last week of our vacation… before our last term started."
"Yeah."
Alicia is perplexed as to why she is making such an obvious comment, but she decides not to worry and responds.
"…"
"…"
They go silent again...
'What are you saying, Su Yan?'
Su Yan responded to her mind, unsure how to start a conversation right now.
However, she chose not to pass up this opportunity.
"I… honestly, I…"
Su Yan wanted to say something, but something was stopping her.
"I…"
However, despite her challenges, Alicia Hambell eagerly awaits her words.
"I-I wanted to be your friend."
Alicia did not respond immediately, and Su Yan did not dare to look at her because she was embarrassed about what she was saying to her.
"Pft~"
Alicia laughed hard.
"Hey, what are you laughing about?" Su Yan retorted and added, "Ugh! I regret saying that!"
Su Yan pouts as she turns back.
"Sorry, sorry… it's just that I thought we were already friends."
"Huh?"
She is confused.
If Alicia thought they were friends for a long time, it's understandable that she's upset because she wasn't treated like one.
However, why is she laughing?
Reading her facial expression, Alicia replied, "Looking back, I understood that the reason you're continuously challenging me to fights is because you want to get close to me, right? You assumed that if you defeated me, I would ask you to be my friend, and you would pretend to be unwillingly to accept it, am I correct?"
"Wha—"
She is too astonished to talk.
"Pft~ Hahahahaha…"
Alicia couldn't stop laughing after realizing her conclusion was right.
Su Yan's face is turning scarlet, and she wishes she could leave this area right now.
'This is humiliating!'
However, despite her desire to flee, neither of their bodies could move much.
After a few seconds, Alicia was able to calm down.
Meanwhile, Su Yan was able to plan revenge for her humiliation.
"I remember her always talking about her brother, in that case..."
She's grinning inwardly as she considers her plan.