Chapter 44

"Zeros!"

As I was catching my breath after the duel, Shuna ran up to me.

"That was amazing, Zeros! I mean, it was really, really amazing!"

Still excited, Shuna's cheeks flushed as she spoke her honest praise. Though she seemed to be at a loss for words, it made me believe even more that her words came from the heart.

"Thank you, Shuna."

Just as I thanked Shuna, Duke's voice echoed.

"Edgar, wake up Dione."

"Yes, sir."

Edgar, who received Duke's instructions, nodded and headed towards Dione. Since Edgar possesses the [Healing Crest], he can use a skill to reduce pain and fatigue, thus healing Dione. As Edgar placed his hand on Dione, a soft light enveloped Dione's body, and the pain on his face gradually eased.

"Huh? What was I...?"

After several seconds, Dione slowly opened his eyes. His expression was one of confusion. He looked around for a while, but the moment he saw me, he froze, and his face twisted as if he had bitten into a bitter bug.

"I lost to that incompetent...? I can't believe it..."

His voice was tinged with regret, but at least he seemed to acknowledge his defeat. Just as I thought that,

"Damn it! I was supposed to protect Miss Shuna, not you..."

"Huh?"

I couldn't help but frown. I didn't understand what he was saying at all, so I sighed and calmly told him,

"I don't understand why you suddenly said that... but Shuna isn't weak enough to need your protection."

"What!?"

For some reason, Dione's face turned red with anger.

"Don't spout nonsense, Zeros! Are you saying I don't have the eyes to see!?"

(You never had them to begin with.)

While silently pointing this out in my mind, I turned my gaze to Duke. I thought it was a good opportunity to get something done.

"Father, since we're here, can we start Shuna's practical test now?"

Duke folded his arms, thought for a moment, and then slowly nodded.

"...Yes, it would be better to conduct the test while the barrier is active. Edgar, prepare the [Magic Crest] immediately."

"Yes, sir."

Edgar bowed deeply and immediately began the preparations. Meanwhile, Dione, for some reason, wore a smug expression and confidently told me,

"Hah, you were distracted, Zeros. There's no way Miss Shuna's skills could surpass mine. Once this is proven, you'll have to apologize to me for lying!"

"...What if it's not a lie?"

"Hmph, that's impossible... but if it is, I'll make you and Miss Shuna bow and apologize to me!"

Dione's confident voice echoed throughout the room—

◇◆◇

"Heavenly Meditation Explosion!"

BOOM!!!

A few minutes later.

With Shuna's powerful cry, the magic she cast struck the scarecrow Edgar had prepared for the test. In an instant, a massive explosion occurred. The flash and the roar enveloped the area, instantly tearing apart the scarecrow's torso.

"..."

The room fell into a moment of silence. Dione's eyes and mouth were wide open, and he wore a bewildered expression. Even Father and Edgar looked as if they couldn't believe what they saw.

A few seconds later, a small murmur escaped Duke's lips.

"What was that magic? I've never seen it before, even though I have the [Magic Crest]."

"W, well, I haven't seen it either. And the magic tool was supposed to have a durability of around level 50, but to destroy it with just one hit..."

As expected, everyone in the room was overwhelmed.

I met Shuna's eyes and smiled, as if sharing the same feeling. Shuna nodded back, looking pleased.

"Father, is that the end of all the tests?"

"...Yes, you've passed without any complaints. Shuna, I entrust Zeros to you from now on."

"Ah, y-yes! I will serve with all my heart!"

Shuna, flustered by the direct request from the Duke, bowed. I watched her with warm feelings and then turned my gaze to Dione.

"Well, Dione, did that prove it? And you said you would bow and apologize to me and Shuna, right?"

"Damn you..."

Dione glared at me with eyes full of frustration. He opened his mouth as if to argue, but then stopped. In the Silphied family, the result of a duel is absolute, and he couldn't afford to be seen defying it by Duke.

Dione, trembling, bowed his head and spoke in a strained voice.

"I'm sorry to both of you... I was wrong..."

His words of apology echoed throughout the room. Thus, the commotion that began with Dione's outburst finally came to a resolution. "Serves you right" complete.

And next time, Chapter 1 Epilogue.

Thank you for reading to the end!