{Rel''s POV}


    [Paris, L''Institut des Lumières Academy - Main Arena Grounds]


    "Enough." The voice, calm and resonant, cut through the stunned silence, carrying an undeniable authority.


    As the figure turned, a silver badge shed on his chest – a phoenix rising from mes.


    The symbol of the Miracles Guild, the world''s strongest.


    [Vice Leader Of The Miracles Guild: Chevalier Bastien Luc Foix - Hero Rank: 13]


    Chevalier. Garrick''s right hand, the Vice Leader himself.


    I didn''t expect he would be here watching the Prince, but at least he showed himself at the right moment.


    If he didn''t... then my ability of Mitigation would''ve been questioned without a doubt.


    Thankfully, he used aura just before his fist could fully extend.


    Chevalier strode towards Alessandro, the gold and white of his uniform seeming tomand attention.


    He stopped a few paces away, his posture radiating authority.


    "Your Highness," he began, his voice firm and unwavering.


    "This disy is unfitting of your position. You were meant to be demonstrating your skills, not using this open day as an excuse for a brawl."


    A flicker of anger crossed Alessandro''s face, quickly reced by a forced smile.


    "My apologies, Monsieur Chevalier," he said, defiance remainingin his voice.


    "I merely got a little carried away."


    Chevalier''s gaze remained steady.


    "Indeed. Remember, you represent not only yourself but the crown of France. Conduct yourself with the dignity befitting your position."


    So, if he''s treating the prince this way, then I guess he was hired by the royal family to watch over him.


    That''s the only exnation that makes sense. And of course, my usual bad luck means I just got caught up in the middle of it all.


    Chevalier turned away from the fuming Alessandro.


    The gold and white of his uniform seemed to ripple as he walked towards me, closing the distance with a few long strides.


    "My apologies,"


    Chevalier bowed slightly, and genuine surprise shot through me.


    "It was my oversight that allowed this situation to escte. I wish to speak with you privately after this ss session is over. And you wish not to continue this... spar, correct?"


    A feeling of guilt stunned me seeing his sincerity.


    "It''s fine... I was just–" Wait. "You can have him forfeit?"


    "Yes, I can," Chevalier confirmed, his voice steady.


    Oh my god, this has to be the easiest quest I''ve ever done.


    So, if he just says the words, I win? right? System?


    FWANG!


    [mhm... ?^- ? -^?]


    heh...


    Well, I don''t make the rules... that''s just unfortunate.


    I tried to stifle the grin spreading across my face, forcing a moreposed expression.


    "That would be great... if he apologizes, that is."


    Chevalier nodded and marched towards Alessandro.


    I couldn''t hear their conversation, but watching the prince''s face was a show in itself.


    Shock, surprise, anger, and finally, a simmering hatred.


    "I''m not doing that!" Alessandro''s protest echoed, his face flushed.


    "You must, Your Highness," Chevalier responded, his voice calm yet firm.


    "Argh!"


    Alessandro reluctantly turned towards me.


    He walked with forced purpose, stopping a few paces away.


    "I–I-I''m sorry..." he stuttered. "And... I forfeit this spar..."


    Each word seemed to be ground out of him, his gaze fixed on a point over my shoulder.


    "Okay."


    I struggled not to smirk. Inside, though? This was a celebration.


    That''s what I like to hear, you sorry bastard.


    [Main Story Quest: Pride over humility! - Completed!]


    [Description: The Prince''s pride has been wounded. Humiliate him further by epting his challenge... and either defeat him in a sparring match or draw.]


    [Rewards: 5,000 BP, 1000 QP, Strength: 10.00+, HP: 2.50+, Speed: 1.00+, Stamina: 2.50+]


    [Transferring rewards...25%...50%...75%... 100%]


    [Transfer Complete!]


    FWANG!


    [The following stats have been upgraded:]


    [Strength: 59 >>> 69 (10.00+)]


    [HP: 104 >>> 106.5 (2.50+)]


    [Speed: 73 >>> 74 (1.00+)]


    [Stamina: 74.5 >>> 77 (2.50+)]


    [The following Currencies Have Been Added.]


    [5,000 BP], [1,000 QP], [500 PPP]


    With the whole mess finally over, I slipped away from the crowd and returned to my seat beside Vanessa.


    I fumbled with my ck coat, slipping it back on to cover any signs of the fight.


    A nce towards Vanessa made me wish I''d thought of that earlier.


    "You know how to fight?" she asked, turning towards me.


    Oh, shit. I''d forgotten she was watching.


    "Kind of..." I scratched my head, trying to y it off. "Honestly, I''m not that good."


    A smile yed on her lips.


    "It''s still pretty impressive, going up against the royal prince like that. It made me wonder... do you perhaps attend–"


    "Attention, students!" The instructor''s booming voice cut through Vanessa''s question.


    "The practical portion of the ss is now over. If you''d like, we''ve arranged a breakfast buffet in the academy''s main hall!"


    I shot Vanessa a quick look and she couldn''t help but feel surprised herself.


    This interruption felt almost too convenient.


    It wasn''t the best time to get into any deeper conversation.


    I''m walking on a tightrope here - if she figured out I was Axel from the mercenary corps, things outside of work would get...plicated.


    She tilted her head, her eyes sparkling.


    "Heading to the breakfast buffet too?"


    She gestured towards the exit, where a stream of open-day visitors were departing.


    I nced towards the opposite exit, to see Chevalier waiting, his uniform a ssh of gold and white against the drab hallway.


    haah... I don''t really have a choice... do I?


    I guess as an author, I needed to spend more quality time with my other characters...


    This whole day was starting to feel like a hassle.


    "Actually," I turned back to Vanessa, forcing a smile, "I need to speak with someone I just saw. I''ll catch up with youter, alright?"


    She nodded, the cute kind of nod that makes perfectly rational thoughts take a nosedive.


    "Okay, I guess I''ll see you around then." Her smile widened.


    "Right,"


    I managed to say, my voice sounding a little off even to my own ears.


    As I walked away, a traitorous part of me couldn''t help but think it was a bit of a shame.


    Her casual, no-makeup look was already pretty appealing.


    I wondered just how many guys had tried to hit on her during her trip here.


    I turned away from the main exit and made my way towards Chevalier.


    He stood leaning against the worn academy wall, hands tucked into the pockets of his impably tailored trousers.


    A forced cheerfulness tinged my greeting. "Hello..."


    Chevalier turned, his measured steps closing the distance between us.


    "Once again, my apologies. I should have intervened far sooner."


    His voice was calm, formal, yet held an underlying intensity.


    "It''s fine," I mumbled. Honestly, just let this whole situation be over.


    Chevalier paused, his gaze appraising me. Then, with deliberate rity, he asked.


    "So. What do you want? Money? A schrship into this academy? Name your price."


    A flicker of surprise coursed through me.


    I already got what I wanted – the questpletion. What else could I even ask for?


    "Actually," I began, forcing myself to meet his gaze, "could you... keep today''s events quiet?" My throat felt dry.


    If word got back to the royal family that I was the one who shed with Alessandro... well, a public execution would be considered merciful.


    A knowing look crossed Chevalier''s face. "I will see to it," he replied, the formality now tinged with amusement.


    He turned to walk away, then paused.


    "But that was not a wish. Consider it a favour. the next time we meet, you may ask for something truly beneficial to yourself."


    A reluctant smile tugged at my lips. "Thanks," I managed.


    With a final nod, Chevalier strode away, his gold and white uniform dissolving into the drab academy hallway.


    ...


    ...


    ...


    I exited the academy arena with a sigh of relief, a mental checklist buzzing in my head.


    First things first: scout out the Louvre Museum.


    That''s where the first demi-human would make their appearance, I was sure of it.


    Luckily for the ride there, it wasn''t too far from the hotel either, a 20-minute drive at most.


    A quick nce at my watch – maybe I could still snag an Uber on the way out – and I headed towards the main campus. The taxi stand should be there in no time.


    "Hey..."


    "...?"


    The voice made me jump, but I recovered quickly.


    I turned to find Vanessa standing just inside the exit, a half-amused expression on her face.


    "What are you doing here?"I tried to keep my voice casual.


    "Had a feeling you were the type to run," Vanessa replied, a yful glint in her eyes.


    She was on point...


    I let out a shortugh. "Really?"


    "Yes, really!" She stepped closer, her smile widening.


    "Now, about that buffet, we should go before they eat everything else..."


    Fuck... I cursed myself for this rookie mistake, forgetting the most basic rule of any interaction and that was to always secure a clean exit.


    Now I was trapped – well, trapped in a breakfast buffet with a my own teammate, which wasn''t the worst fate imaginable.


    But I also wanted to leave this ce...


    ___________


    Authors Notes:


    - To rify these characters'' positions Fredrick Bronze and Chevalier Bastien Luc Foix. Fredrick is the third captain of the Miracles Guild and Chevalier is the Vice (2nd Captain). Chapter reference (47 - Scouting Invitational Tournament)