Chapter 8

  Sera’s new attack left the entire training hall in stunned silence. Even the instructor stood frozen for a moment, eyes wide in disbelief at the move he had just witnessed. Then, snapping out of it, he raised his hand and announced,

  “Th-The winner is... Sera Adyn!”

  Luise, still dazed and holding his bruised cheek, couldn’t believe it.

  “I lost… to a first-year…?”

  Sera calmly stepped out of the sparring ring, glancing at him one last time.

  “You were good, Luise,” she said. “But you overestimated yourself. Next time—keep your cool. And don’t pity your opponents.”

  With that, she walked off confidently, her name shooting to the top of the point table with 10 points.

  Returning to Rei, she subtly slowed her steps, almost… waiting for him to say something. A part of her was hoping—just maybe—for praise.

  Rei, of course, smirked.

  “Already keeping an eye on your future husband’s opinion, huh?”

  “I-I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Sera replied, flustered, cheeks turning pink.

  Rei patted her head gently.

  “That move still needs work,” he said, “but... very good.”

  Sera smiled—just a little—but enough for Rei to notice.

  The rest of the 14 matches went on, but none of them could match the heat and intensity of the first battle.The afternoon sparring session finally came to an end as the bell rang through the massive hall.

  “Ahhh, why didn’t I get to battle?” Rei pouted, slouching forward dramatically. “I wanted to show off in front of you.”

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  Sera patted his back with a teasing grin.

  “Aww, don’t worry. You’ll get your chance next time. But might I remind you, I am the daughter of the general. I don’t get impressed that easily.”

  She flashed a smug smile.

  As their usual “flirting” routine kicked off again, a loud, gruff voice cut through the air.

  “Stop this flirting, you dumb couple!” yelled a student with spiked hair, bandaged hands, and a scowl sharp enough to cut glass. He had a rebellious aura, like someone who’d fought more brawls in alleys than exams in class.

  Sera immediately blushed, flailing her arms.

  “W-We’re not a couple! And for the record, that goes for everyone who thinks we are!”

  Rei chimed in without missing a beat, a smirk playing on his lips.

  “You forgot to add ‘yet,’ princess.”

  Sera shot him a deadly look. Classic Rei.

  But the delinquent wasn’t done. He growled, pointing at Rei.

  “Rei Archlight… the so-called war hero? Don’t make me laugh. You’re just a show-off and a playboy!”

  Gasps echoed throughout the crowd. Everyone turned to Rei, wondering how he’d respond.

  The usual lazy daze in Rei’s eyes didn’t change as he slowly stood up and faced the guy.

  Sera instantly got up too, worried.

  “Rei, don’t fight someone over something this small!” she said quickly. “I’m sorry, but you’ve got it wrong. He didn’t mean to offend anyone.”

  Rei paused, blinked, and tilted his head.

  “Wait... who said anything about fighting?”

  Sera blinked, confused. “Huh?”

  Rei pointed at the delinquent calmly.

  “This guy here isn’t actually mad about the flirting. That’s just a cover. He came here for something else entirely.”

  The delinquent stiffened. “Wha-What are you even saying?!”

  “With all my battlefield experience, I’ve learned how to tell when someone’s lying.” Rei said casually. “And buddy, you’re lying.”

  The crowd murmured in surprise.

  Sera raised an eyebrow. “So... what does he actually want?”

  All eyes turned to the spiked-hair student, who suddenly looked like a deer caught in headlights.

  Backed into a corner by Rei’s words, the delinquent’s tough act crumbled. He scratched the back of his head and murmured under his breath:

  “…I just wanted your autograph.”

  “HUUUUUUUH?!”

  The entire student body shouted in disbelief—even Sera’s eyes widened.

  “You just wanted his autograph?!” she asked. “Then why did you badmouth him like that?!”

  The delinquent flailed his arms in panic. “W-What could I do?! I suck at expressing myself! Every time I try, I end up misunderstood! This time, I finally gathered the courage to speak up—but I still messed it up. But somehow… Rei saw through it all. And he didn’t get mad at me…”

  He looked up with eyes full of admiration. “You really are Rei Archlight… the Ray of Hope for our continent!”

  “Wha—No! No no, what kind of nickname is that? Please don’t call me that ever again,” Rei groaned, burying his face in his palm.

  Sera burst into laughter. “But Mr. Ray of Hope for the Continent, what he said is true!”

  Rei glanced at her with a half-annoyed, half-defeated look.

  “Ahhh, stop teasing me.”

  He sighed and handed the autograph over.

  “Here. Take it and go.”

  “T-Thank you so much!” the delinquent beamed, clutching the paper like it was a national treasure.

  Then he added, almost shyly, “So… if you don’t mind… can I stick with you two for the next period? It’s a four-person group activity.”

  Sera smiled warmly. “Sure, why not?”

  Then she smirked playfully at Rei.

  “And while we walk, why don’t you come up with more fancy nicknames for our hero?”

  Rei groaned again. “Stooop it, Sera…”

  “This is your retribution, Rei,” she said with a chuckle. “For all the teasing you’ve done to me.”