NOVEL WEB Chapter 28.1
Stage 1-28. Everything Is Clear To Me
“Kyaaa! Prince Arniaaa!”
“Do your best!”
“Take down that guy!”
Shrill cheers were directed toward Arnia.
The man facing him wore a friendly smile and waved.
I wonder what faces those girls would make if they knew that Arnia chose Mashiro and Alice as his reward for winning this match.
A bloodbath? No, everyone knows that Arnia has a reputation for playing around with different girls.
Yet, no ugly fights break out because his legal wife, Karen, keeps order, and the rest just want connections with the royal family.
They’re probably just trying to earn a few points for themselves.
Still, not everyone seems to be on Arnia’s side.
“Get your face smashed in, you jerk who stole my fiancée!”
“He’s broken so many engagements since coming to the academy! Now it’s your turn to suffer!”
“We’re betting on you, Vellet! Avenge us!”
Deep, angry voices filled with resentment echo.
Though status means nothing here, it’s impressive how openly they call the Crown Prince “you”.
The seething rage inside them must be considerable.
And I understand their frustration, their bitterness.
“How many girls have you hit on?”
“Living surrounded by cute girls. Isn’t life fun like that?”
I agree on that point.
I came to this academy, hoping to build my own harem.
But making moves on women who are already spoken for? That’s off-limits.
Guys like that deserve to be kicked by a horse.
“Have you ever thought about how Karen feels?”
“Not really. Without the Revetzenka name, I wouldn’t have bothered with such an unappealing woman.”
“……”
“Haha, don’t get mad. Still, I appreciate her. She’s been supplying me with spending money all this time.”
“And,” Arnia continues.
“She’ll have to keep being my wallet. I can’t afford to lose that.”
“Stop talking. Just shut up already.”
“–!?”
At this point, I have no lofty sense of justice or desire to save people.
I’ve painfully learned that kindness doesn’t come back, and while I won’t call it hypocrisy, it’s a waste of effort.
But that doesn’t mean I’ve discarded my dignity as a human being.
I still have enough decency to get angry when a friend is mocked.
Fury starts to bubble and boil deep in my gut.
…I must make this man repent.
I’ll disgrace him so thoroughly that everyone will turn their backs on him.
I’ll beat him down until that pretty face is unrecognizable.
Break his bones so he can no longer escort a woman.
Reveal to everyone that Arnia can’t protect the weak from the strong.
My name is already dragged through the mud.
What do I have to fear now?
“It doesn’t matter how much you glare! There’s a gap between us from birth!”
Despite his tough words, his knees are shaking, and he’s backing away.
Could there be anything more ridiculous for a man?
He keeps running his mouth, probably trying to hide his fear or trick the girls into cheering him on.
“…Keep up your bluffing. With me not dropping my guard, you have no chance of winning.”
“You’re unarmed! Aren’t you making it even harder to win? That’s just arrogance!”
“Arrogance? No. I’m just pitying you. That’s why I’m not using a weapon.”
I slip on my full-finger white gloves.
I have no desire to dirty my hands with his blood.
With a snap of my fingers, a pure white robe appears above my head.
I grab the falling battle robe and slip it on with a flourish.
“You still don’t understand the difference in our strength, do you?”
“Enough talking…! We’re done here!”
“Are you sure? Even if it cuts short your moment of glory?”
“Referee! Sound the start!”
Annoyed, Arnia calls for the duel to begin, and the sound of a bell echoes through the air.
The voices of the audience grow even louder.
“Kuhaha! You fool! Your only chance was in the opening move! You can’t use magic, so you’re done!”
“Enough talk. Show me your precious magic.”
“You’re good at putting on an act, drop out. Fine! I’ll end this with my strongest magic!”
“……”
I can feel the magic gathering in Arnia’s hands.
The long, long chant begins.
By the way, I could kill him three times over by now.
…Is this guy actually strong?
Still, I don’t think Alice would misjudge her opponent’s strength.
Does he not realize he’s leaving himself exposed while chanting?
It’s as if he’s oblivious to the fact that this isn’t a battle between two mages who need to chant.
He’s only showing his lack of adaptability by sticking to a cookie-cutter approach.
If my only goal were victory, the fight would already be over.
“……”
“What’s wrong? Too scared to speak?”
I stand there, arms crossed, watching as a massive boulder, engulfed in flames, appears above his head.
The scorching heat wavers in the air.
The rock is large enough to easily crush a person.
At least from its appearance, I can tell its power is considerable.
But that’s it.
There’s no fear in such a sloppy spell.
“Don’t worry… We’ve got expert healers standing by. You won’t die… normally.”
“What are you getting at?”
“Still don’t get it? I bribed them! They’re all in my pocket. I’ve already told them to deliberately slow down your healing! Do you understand what I’m saying, Ouga Vellet?”