The sun has risen, signaling a new day has begun. Today is exactly a month since Lichtalia and I challenged Desmond and Teradein to a two-on-two duel. Today, whoever loses will leave the academy and they cannot refuse the decision because Merlin is the person who oversees and judges directly in the duel that will take place today.
After having breakfast with my teacher, I prepared myself and my mind for today's fight.
On my back was sheathed a sword that would play a vital role in today's duel.
After the transaction I made a week ago, of course I told everything that happened to my teacher, Charles.
As I expected, my teacher also agreed with my decision. The combat technique that I showed to Vivianne was one of thousands of techniques owned by the Hall of Combat. My teacher was a walking library when it came to combat techniques. He didn't mind it at all. Also, the giant robot named Mega Thunder Super Metal Armstrong helped me to awaken the elements inside my body, and that was much more valuable than the technique that I showed to Vivianne.
"You didn't forget anything, right? I will also watch your fight when the duel starts."
I gave my teacher a thumbs up and headed towards the Hall of Conjure.
There was still a lot of time before the duel began. That was why I decided to meet Lichtalia at her residence, in the female dormitory of the Hall of Conjure. Of course, the goal was to pick her up and discuss tactics to fight Desmond and Teradein along the way.
When I arrived at the Hall of Conjure, many students looked at me as if they couldn't believe what they were seeing. Bad news about me had been circulating for a long time and information about the duel had also long reached the ears of the students.
Now seeing me coming to the Hall of Conjure, they immediately knew the purpose of my arrival at the hall that used to be my place of study.
Incidentally, one of the old faces who recognized me was Professor Edward who saw my presence from afar.
Even though Professor Edward often got mad at me, it was because of my incompetence in his lessons. Of course I was not angry or resentful. On the contrary, if it wasn't for Professor Edward who kicked me out of his class, I probably wouldn't have thought of visiting the Hall of Combat and becoming teacher Charles' student on the same day.
"Good morning, Professor Edward."
There is no reason not to greet him especially after our eyes have met. If I don't greet him then I will look arrogant or hate him.
"I've heard the rumors. If it's true that you can defeat fifty people alone, then you have quite the ability. But to fight against elites and former elites, that's very reckless. I assure you one thing, if you make a genius girl like Lichtalia leave this academy because you guys lost, then I will kill you with my own hands."
Okay, I guess the one who harbors hatred here is not me but the professor. However, the professor's concern for Lichtalia shows how much hope he has for the girl who is still in her first year at the academy.
I let out an optimistic smile and said, "Don't worry, you just need to come and enjoy the show. That's because the ones who will be leaving the academy are not us, but Teradein and Desmond."
Not wanting to spend any more time with the professor, I continued my steps until I arrived at the corridor area that connected the Hall of Conjure to the girl's dormitory.
Just as I was about to walk in, Lichtalia had already shown herself from a distance. When our eyes met, a genuine smile became the first step of our conversation.
"Ace, did you come to pick me up?"
"It's because you always come to the Hall of Combat, so I thought of pick you up before you are the one who pick me up for today's event."
"Hmm, it turns out you're the type of person who doesn't want to lose in anything, huh, Ace."
I feel like there's something off about this conversation, but I still replied to her words while walking side by side.
"Hey, I'm not that petty, Class Prefect. I just wanted to make today different from usual. Besides, a guy picking up a girl is more normal than a girl picking up a guy, right?"
A few moments after I said that sentence, the atmosphere suddenly became silent. I, who was confused, immediately turned to Lichtalia to find out what made her suddenly silent. For the first time, I saw Lichtalia's face suddenly turn red. At first, I thought she was sick, but when I moved my hand to her forehead, I realized a fatal mistake.
Our conversation initially sounded normal, but I don't know when it started to feel ambiguous. Replaying the conversation in my mind, I realized that it sounded like we had a certain kind of relationship.
Lichtalia is a girl, of course she would think about details like this, unlike me.
I kept thinking about everything and didn't realize that my hand was still on her forehead.
"A-Ace, why are you holding my forehead?" Lichtalia asked in an embarrassed voice.
"E-eh? Sorry, I thought you were sick, my bad." I said while looking left and right, after making sure no one saw what just happened, I breathed a sigh of relief. I didn't want Lichtalia to become the subject of gossip because of something that wasn't true.
My initial goal in picking up Lichtalia was to talk a bit about the enemy while devising a strategy, but after what just happened, for some reason that was hard to explain, we suddenly felt awkward.
Thinking that all this awkwardness had to end, I don't know what came over me, but my hand already moved to hold Lichtalia's hand.
Lichtalia looked shocked and I was also shocked by what I had just done. But the more nervous I felt, the tighter my grip on Lichtalia's hand.
"A-ace?"
I didn't dare to look at Lichtalia right now, but I dared to say what just came into my mind, "Class Prefect, no, Lichtalia. Soon we will face a life-and-death duel in the arena. I want to tell you that I am very happy because you always help me and continue to support me even though you have to face your fellow elites. Let's show them our true strength and beat both of them to submission."
Lichtalia, who was previously embarrassed, now regained her fighting spirit after hearing my words. Smiling widely, she replied, "Of course, let's show them all the combination of the two of us!"
Neither Lichtalia nor I realized that not only did we not let go of each other's hands as we walked side by side towards the arena, but Lichtalia also returned my tight grip with her warm touch.