Kai's days had been filled with rigorous training, performances, and quiet moments where he'd steal glances at Lady Seraphina, his thoughts centered on finding ways to win her respect. But on an ordinary afternoon, as he was wandering the Academy gardens, he saw someone who wasn't his usual focus—Mireille, the female protagonist of the game world.
Mireille sat alone on a stone bench, her shoulders slumped, her usual bright demeanor replaced with a downcast expression. It was strange to see her like this; in the game, she was always cheerful, the light in everyone's lives. Kai hesitated for a moment, but his instinct to comfort others took over, and he approached her.
"Hey, are you alright?" he asked softly.
Startled, Mireille looked up at him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Oh… it's nothing, really," she replied, quickly trying to mask her sadness with a forced smile. "I just… I had a disagreement with someone close to me."
Kai could sense her reluctance to share more, but he offered a reassuring smile. "Sometimes it helps to talk, you know? I may be just a commoner, but I'm a good listener."
Mireille's expression softened, and she nodded. For the next few minutes, she talked, sharing her worries and struggles. Kai listened intently, his heart warming as he saw her spirits lift. He'd only meant to be kind, to help ease her burden. But as they laughed together, he realized that Mireille looked… relieved.
The moment, however, was interrupted by a tense silence that fell over the garden. Kai looked up to see Cedric—the game's main character—standing nearby, his expression a storm of anger and jealousy. Cedric had always been possessive of Mireille, but Kai hadn't expected him to react so strongly to a simple conversation.
"What do you think you're doing?" Cedric demanded, his tone laced with contempt.
Kai blinked, confused. "I was just talking to her."
Cedric's eyes narrowed. "Someone like you doesn't get to 'just talk' to Mireille. She's not someone you can simply approach. This is a warning, Kai—stay away from her."
Kai opened his mouth to protest, but Mireille stood up, her expression filled with hurt. "Cedric, that's enough. Kai was only trying to help me."
Cedric shot her a sharp look, dismissing her words. "Mireille, you're too kind-hearted. You don't understand that people like him will take advantage of your kindness."
Before Kai could respond, a crowd started to gather around them, attracted by Cedric's raised voice. Nobles, commoners, and even a few Academy instructors were drawn to the commotion. Among them were members of both Cedric's family and Kai's family, the latter group shocked and concerned to see Kai involved in such a confrontation.
Cedric raised his voice, addressing the crowd. "Since you seem so confident, Kai, let's settle this right here and now. A duel, in front of everyone. Let's see if you're brave enough to defend whatever honor you think you have."
Kai's heart pounded in his chest. A duel against Cedric was no small matter—Cedric was powerful, skilled in both swordsmanship and magic, and a noble. But the idea of backing down in front of the crowd, of letting Cedric intimidate him, was unbearable.
"Fine," Kai replied, his voice steady. "If it'll prove my intentions, I accept."
---
As the crowd buzzed with excitement, Lady Seraphina arrived at the scene, her eyes narrowing as she assessed the situation. She moved closer, her gaze locked on Cedric with an intensity that caused the crowd to hush.
"What is going on here?" she asked, her tone cold.
Cedric's irritation flared. "Nothing that concerns you, Seraphina. This is between me and the commoner."
Seraphina's gaze flicked to Kai, and a flash of surprise crossed her face. She took a step closer, her voice quieter but filled with tension. "Why are you doing this, Cedric? Are you truly this threatened by him?"
Cedric's jaw tightened, his pride wounded. "This has nothing to do with you, Seraphina."
But Seraphina's expression shifted, a faint smirk forming as she crossed her arms. "Perhaps you're afraid, Cedric. You act possessive over Mireille, yet you cannot handle someone else giving her the kindness you lack."
Cedric's composure slipped, and he snapped, "Stay out of it, Seraphina! You don't understand anything about this."
Kai watched as Seraphina held her ground, her eyes gleaming with amusement, as if Cedric's frustration was precisely what she'd wanted to expose. It was clear she knew how to get under his skin, and she wasn't afraid to push.
Finally, Cedric turned his back on Seraphina, dismissing her with a wave. "Enough. If you care so much about this commoner, then by all means, keep him. It's nothing to me."
The crowd murmured, surprised by Cedric's harshness. But Seraphina only smiled, unfazed, and turned to Kai.
"Is that so, Cedric?" she murmured, her gaze cold. "Then perhaps I'll support Kai in this duel, and we'll see who stands victorious."
Cedric scoffed, clearly dismissive of both Seraphina and Kai. But Kai's heart burned with a fierce determination. He glanced at Seraphina, who offered him a nod of encouragement.
He took a deep breath and addressed the crowd. "I accept this duel, and I'll fight with everything I have, not just for myself, but for the honor Seraphina has shown me."
The crowd fell silent, sensing the gravity of Kai's words. Cedric's expression twisted with contempt, and he drew his sword, gesturing for Kai to do the same.
---
The duel was arranged for later that day, in the grand courtyard where all Academy duels took place. It was an impressive, open arena with spectators gathered on all sides, including Kai's family, who had come in hopes of stopping him but were forced to accept his decision.
Before the duel began, Seraphina approached him, her expression unreadable. "You're putting yourself in danger for my sake," she said softly.
Kai met her gaze, his voice steady. "I'm doing this because I believe in my own strength. And because I won't let Cedric dictate who deserves respect."
For a moment, a flicker of emotion crossed Seraphina's face, something close to admiration. She nodded. "Then fight well, Kai."
The duel commenced with a thunderous cheer from the crowd, but Kai focused solely on his opponent. Cedric was a formidable foe, skilled and powerful, and the clash of their weapons echoed through the arena. Cedric's attacks were relentless, his fury barely concealed behind each blow. But Kai held his ground, his training paying off as he dodged, parried, and countered each move.
The battle was intense, a blur of speed and strength. But as Cedric lunged forward, attempting to land a finishing blow, Kai saw his chance. Using a move he'd practiced countless times, he deflected Cedric's strike, causing him to lose balance. Kai seized the opportunity, delivering a decisive counter that left Cedric stumbling.
A hush fell over the crowd as Cedric dropped his weapon, defeated. Kai's heart raced as he realized what he'd done—he had stood up to the main character, the noble, and won.
As the duel ended, Lady Seraphina stepped forward, her voice ringing out across the courtyard. "Let this serve as a reminder to all that strength is not solely the privilege of the nobility. Kai has proven his worth, and his honor stands above petty pride."
Kai looked at her, a mixture of gratitude and admiration filling him. He had done this for himself, for his family, and for the possibility of something more.
---
After the duel, as the crowd dispersed, Seraphina approached him, her expression softening. "You did well, Kai. More than well."
He smiled, feeling a sense of accomplishment he'd never known before. "Thank you, Lady Seraphina. I'll keep proving myself, to you and to everyone."
She regarded him thoughtfully. "Then I look forward to seeing what you'll achieve. Perhaps the world underestimated you, Kai. But I won't make that mistake again."
With those words, she turned and walked away, leaving him with a heart full of determination and a soul ready to face whatever came next.