A Sinner’s Chance

My silver haired peer only gave me a cold glance before turning their attention towards the remaining three screens. I felt somewhat slighted that I didn't even get a greeting but before I could complain I saw Kalista get defeated as her screen went black and she appeared on the left side of me. She focused in front of her for a moment, probably on the score she had attained before she looked up and glanced around. Upon seeing me she grinned and crossed her arms as she looked at me. "What score did you get?" I could tell she was planning to gloat over her superior performance just as she did whenever she came out on top during our duels.

I didn't care nearly as much as she did. "175." I stated bluntly expecting her to laugh and assert her superiority. However, to my surprise she froze before her expression twisted into a frown. "You're lying, how could you get a higher score than me even though you went out sooner?"

Seeing her reaction I smiled. "Oh my dear sister, what score did you get then? I'm sure there is a way to officially compare scores, so why would I lie?"

I could see and practically hear Kalista grinding her teeth in frustration at having her victory stolen from under her. "163" She mumbled quietly. I was about to gloat just to annoy her when some else suddenly spoke.

"Impossible, how can both of you have a higher score than me?"

Kalista and I turned to see the silver haired kid looking at us frustratedly. This was the first time I was able to get a real good look at them and the only thing I could think about their appearance was that it was androgynous. "I am Taylor Rymiz, fourth prince of the Rymiz Kingdom. Who are you two?" He spoke with arrogant authority, though I suppose that was an attitude fit for royalty, even if they were only the fourth prince.

Me and Kalista looked at each other before glancing back at the prince, a silent acknowledgement passing between us. Confidence in yourself was fine, but arrogance relying on one's status meant little in the academy. During the admission that was a repeated point, your status meant nothing in the academy, only what merits you had. In this case, while it probably wasn't official, I was the highest rank person among the three of us.

"Oh? The fourth prince doesn't even know the faces of the Eldur children, one of the four guardian houses of the kingdom, even with my unique appearance?" I spoke mockingly while Kalista chuckled like a proper noble villainess beside me.

We watched in amusement as the prince flushed embarrassedly. "I kn-knew that." he stuttered. "I was asking your names." He spoke meekly.

Seeing the reaction I'd desired from the once haughty prince I dropped my pretentious act. "Vellithra, and that's Kalista." I said as I gestured at myself and Kalista. Just as the two of us were enjoying the frustration on the prince's face Gabriel's screen went black and she appeared before us.

As usual this caused Kalista to become the needy sister as she shamelessly clung to her. Once Kali finally separated from her, Gabriel gave both me and the prince a greeting. For me she just gave a light nod as she spoke my name, however, as expected of the model daughter and noble, she gave a proper greeting to the prince.

"Prince Taylor, I, Gabriel Eldur, am pleased to meet you." Her voice was soothing as she gave a curtsy. The difference in attitude shocked the prince as he froze a moment before bowing and returning her sentiments. The two continued to talk to each other, though it felt more like Gabriel was directing the prince as she pleased, while Kali was just happy to be near her.

I was somewhat envious of how easily Gabriel was able to engage with other people, but I also knew that she'd probably have the prince and the Hero wrapped around her finger just as father wanted in no time. Still, that gave me plenty of room to study whatever I wanted, especially things I was unable to study openly before, as well as Skills that I previously didn't have access to their training methods.