Chapter 333: Succession of the Academy Exchange (1)
tYxkXcThe wind was blowing.wpfvd
rhlcP6Whoooooosh.3c1
Uc7TA gust from the other side of the central island. The roar and shockwave from the clash between Chaerina and the Parsy cadet spread through the area.TH7SV
9KacrX“So she really is a descendant of the Heavenly Sword, huh?”GUZQK5I
E2ndOThough Victoria had devised the strategy, she couldn’t help but let out an incredulous laugh.1Bf0
lmbp33Chaerina had pulverized the second-year Parsy student. The Black Knight was Victoria’s half-sister.MwDQZRt
msgQ9Edward, a third-year student from Parsy, was her direct relative—born of the same womb.dYcF0C
wKUKThough not the highest in royal hierarchy, as the representative of Parsy’s second-years, it was undeniable she was an exceptional candidate.afR4Z
v22‘They chose Chaerina as the Knight intending to wear the opponent down.’Ga2nC
Mdq1nWWear down? Chaerina had crushed the Black Knight.cKNw4ha
HsbxBxOn top of that, she was now going toe to toe with Parsy’s Pawn, known for brute strength.oJWDvM
5jtrConsidering she had just come from a direct battle with a second-year Parsy student, it was obvious to anyone that Chaerina had decisively won.242glw
oc3MWhooooosh!YlWROM
c4mteFThe wind blew again. Victoria paid it no mind. It was proof the moment of resolution was drawing near.Bg0Rdo2
DbLHer lashes fluttered in the dust storm. Her scarlet hair—the symbol of imperial lineage—floated faintly in the air.rDFmEUH
ju5x4qd‘Through this inter-academy exchange, I…’2Hua7Pw
NX44mVictoria desired only one thing. Something she had longed for since that day, ten years ago.c1d
iE2itStep. Step.90a
xZfUZGHeavy footsteps echoed. Accompanied by the clank of metal.D7h
p4aL1Victoria squinted. The glow of the setting sun made her pupils shine like twilight.tnjlTp
JHGNmq“The princess is still the same as ever.”Yhf
ruJXZEdward spat blood mixed with saliva on the ground. A broken tooth bounced off the floor.CahA
kK6yZc3Victoria narrowed her eyes. Over Edward’s trembling shoulder, she saw Ji Changhyuk crawling across the ground.qJ2SfV7
jDZF1Ji Changhyuk had fought well against Edward. But the difference in skill was clear.6fqp
04XhOeThough not Parsy’s top cadet, Edward was one of the most promising heirs of the imperial lineage. That was enough.yw9EPa
1CM0a“That disgusting habit of yours—manipulating without getting your hands dirty… That’s why His Majesty never acknowledges you.”s0W
A7bto62Edward spoke while rubbing his jaw.hKl3iec
ozOShiiingaWTn5D
5MPYVictoria raised her sword to her temple and replied coldly.FCSXIdC
434v“…You also have poor taste. If you really wanted to end this, you should’ve finished the match when you eliminated our Queen.”6qbLjx
VLj64l“The princess is still alive and well, isn’t she?”1Fe
ZkU8OEdward was the Queen. Since the White Queen, Ji Changhyuk, had fallen, the game’s outcome was already decided.F4aAw
naJMoreover, their clash had taken place on the central island where the flag was located.U8FC
GwaZH3KEven so, Edward had delayed his guaranteed victory. He had intentionally come to the floating island where Victoria was.EskDYfb
jkeP1NThe clash between Chaerina and Parsy’s first-year student thundered in the distance. Edward noticed it and shook his head with resignation.5Mb9
R38ly8“No way. That can’t be.”SHwZnIx
3MVEdward slammed his gauntlets together at his chest.hbz8Jx
aob5va“I’ll show the whole world. That the princess had no plan. That she just sent others ahead to avoid getting hurt. I’ll expose that pettiness to the world.”A1K
SvGO1hI“That will only work if you defeat me, brother.”S0Iz
zBCnsThey were both of royal blood and the same age—nineteen.pMk6z3
CFshTpHowever, Victoria always used honorifics with him. In royalty, position depended not just on age, but also on maternal lineage.cfqf
b1pNF“Hahahahaha!”jQvXX
TMKUqEdward’s laughter stopped abruptly.OCQqrN
oiN“Don’t worry about that, princess. I, Edward, will prove to this body that I’m worthy of representing House Victoria. I’ll gladly take that oversized throne.”XQyG
vMiV“…Brother Edward… You still don’t understand what I desire.”Rw6p
p6V“And what more could the princess want? Eliminate all enemies and siblings standing in your way, and ascend the throne without obstacle, isn’t that it?”PIqkA08
cJUSVictoria didn’t answer.4w5O2
HzN3L0‘No.’tCk
sOD5qYou’re wrong, brother.HxdEdJ
Ila9Edward had been correct in saying she sought the throne. But that was only her short-term goal.ksXp
87hYD3What she truly desired came after.EvD5UYe
La5OWiyVictoria raised her sword close to her eye. In her peripheral vision, a black speck reflected on the blade caught her attention.oBYc
adT1tDown below, he was watching her.wEZxIm
Jr6Yb‘To claim imperial power.’yo8
PmLcyAnd with it, to abolish the caste system in Europe. To set the world right under her banner.6Pj
YUeJAt7‘I’ll bear what you cannot.’AayfoHY
PyzYvuCSince the day he saved her. It was a vow that had never wavered, not even once.xpM
6BSThe first heir to the throne of the Kingdom of Victoria.aoqNmFD
rLjPShe was participating in a battle outside the social system.aqXg
svlWhile most royalty entered Parsy, she had chosen Joaquin as part of her grand plan.cWHde
YbN‘All of it is for you.’gX5
6LuVictoria’s eyes opened wide.WQmwh
vFnjSBOOM!Jh0Vv
0Svc2A thunderous roar.HDixV
hf0RpcLike an arrow loosed from a bowstring, she launched forward, and Edward hurled himself to meet her.Jisv
b1FThere was no way to tell who moved first.9WNoM2R
I3YOZndThe two royals dashed with all their might, centered around the sunset that gently lit a part of the Alps.wMwgw
XFx***WTgB
nqVbQv⬜jbt
ewn|♜(X)|3AgzQ
7O0⬜ ⬜ ♟♝♚♞, ♟(X)|D4rva
cWAd“This… is turning out way bloodier than I expected.”Fro1c
scB5YWAt some point, Speedweapon joined us and murmured while watching the battlefield from our vantage point.548FL8
pijU45And they were right.CiOLr
tB57HAll of us, myself included, were secretly expecting a victory for Joaquin.2x8uMa
tKFeSo5When Chaerina started her solo display, we thought victory was assured.3Yt2o
uBaN5But with Edward’s emergence, the situation shifted. Not completely overturned, but the balance—tipped in Joaquin’s favor—leveled out.K4ZVNa
y9CmRhYMoreover, despite clearly holding the advantage, he used Bifröst again to move toward Victoria’s base.uIDSPb
SUpPThat decision, which at first seemed reckless, kept the tension high. His reputation would be sealed by the outcome of this duel.zEK2
mrr22If he won, he’d demonstrate the courage to risk being hated.pLiE
HYSOIf he lost, his image would suffer a significant blow.zZXl
0eJxD4T“It’s not just a simple interacademy exchange; this is a global event. In the long run, showcasing this kind of showmanship will be more beneficial than a clean but boring win.”k4Q
tHb4YXRyozo said.audwR9h
9zMXBl“…I don’t want to admit it, but Chaerina’s background is too brutal. After this event, public opinion toward Joaquin will probably worsen.”RaruN
kzV“So lacking in immunity.”pWHE
nz3“Leon, you shouldn’t talk about lacking immunity—you’ve inherited that from your mother’s blood.”bcS7Ed
nUbLeon’s sense of guilt transferred to me.QDD4Gp
KLQd‘This is unfair.’skody6E
WIVChaerina and I have no relation.Cljo
C4FF‘She’s impersonating my cousin!’PDwgGX0
XdBI had no choice but to swallow the bitterness inside.8MPJJnI
BUKQUMMEven if I were a stranger, it’d be hard to deny the bond between Chaerina and me.Tspj
9UFBoom! Boom!eqhcNCG
xbH0bGooooooo…1Xf
Rxs3HWhile lost in my thoughts, the duel between Chaerina and the Black Pawn ended.jglzq
hvXUnsurprisingly, Chaerina was the victor. The first-year cadet from Parsy writhed in pain at her feet.LT9p
y8RhJWL“Haah… Haah…”kTcCbs
hTzChaerina wasn’t in great shape either.ZvYL
r71Understandable.cNk
6CnBZSShe had fought back-to-back duels against Parsy’s elite cadets.ub0G
3DFYREven more impressive was that Chaerina, who hadn’t received proper training at Joaquin, had performed so well.cpt
oe8MWwI‘It must be thanks to Leon’s excellent teaching.’jO5Q
WdaNG6OThat overwhelming raw diamond named Chaerina had absorbed Leon’s training like it was her own from the very start.ucq
EUvOn the holographic panel, Chaerina panted until she finally collapsed. Her legs no longer supporting her, she stretched one long leg and closed her visor.56IQs63
KfM5b“Haah… Haah…”Bc9y5
ad6PkmHer chest heaved.8mtMtVg
iuitxAround her, chunks of bloody flesh rolled on the ground.AFW
UgasvYet, with her beauty so striking, the entire scene looked like a cruel, lethal painting.3znSE8
XGipBRyozo had warned her ferocity would create many anti-fans, but as a Miracle Blessing M user and a knight, I disagree.4ylksx
HrbTwisted tastes abound more than you’d think.apvZ
2bZlX‘If being ruthless earned haters, I’d be buried in the abyss by now.’tCK
qWMeKI smiled bitterly and turned my head.qO0dJ
CWlqxNxThe bloody duel between the third-years was reaching its peak.aDf
0csBoth were of royal blood, thus their fighting styles shared roots.gQ7LKR
iSmOne wielded a sword, the other gauntlets, and their training programs differed, but their rhythm of attack and retreat was identical.gy5J
gEGSEven the vibe of their Blessings didn’t vary much.TLHbiz
Abps1“Sibling hatred, perhaps?” I remarked. Abel answered.IjDBdXK
Ia0Ju“Victoria and Edward sparred from childhood. That’s royalty. A society of endless competition. Even though the princess is first in line, she can be dethroned anytime.”ND1
xTk5“How curious. Among common nobility, the firstborn inherits, right?”r8V
GOok0“Merit rules there. Royal succession remains steady. Without skill, nothing holds long-term.”bp9n7
FEXXyGIndeed.CCCMG
CoF6WudIf the Nibelung family hadn’t produced talents like the Sword Master or the Holy Sword, they wouldn’t hold such sway. Power stems from strength.ucY
X4YaTHumans fancy themselves supreme rulers. They pretend logic and reason explain everything.C36
19P83eLBut that’s just an illusion.gZD
oOrTn‘Irrationality is part of being human.’tGq
JbCE9cThe more primitive, the more visceral—human excitement grows. Like this situation crafted by the cadets themselves.ilc
1DKDWCkBoth Joaquin and Parsy bet.IlldQ7
LEMpNJoaquin gambled their strongest piece on a mere pawn. Parsy fell for that trap.EJ97mr
hlv4Both sides abandoned safety to stake everything on uncertainty. That’s why everyone was watching so intently.2t03
SnnxClaang!3l5Cx
Opa00sVictoria’s strike clashed with Edward’s counter.TWOE
EyZWhoosh!I0P
X16H2I grasped my chest as the wind split over Victoria’s head dispersed.PPIvi4o
KeH4sA fierce fight at sunset, over thin ice that could break any moment.RrftAYe
mRf9Both royals cast aside their honor and pride. They were desperate to push each other into the abyss.hZFUzo
e2luPI7“Has your sword gone dull from disuse?!”BivYQLB
gjBRxEdward shouted as he threw a punch.ZuvgT2
wZbSMA“…No matter how hard you try, you’ll never gain Majesty’s favor. And even if you take the throne, no one will truly serve you.”C23
Tof“I don’t care.”LDP
VjillOVictoria turned her face. The glancing blow nicked her cheek, opening a bleeding line.v0pERYX
qbGr8R8“Still, I will inherit the throne.”wez
ubR7VVHaving narrowly dodged, Victoria turned and stabbed with her sword.GJP
AMnagiIts trajectory had changed—once elegant, now murderous. A precise thrust aimed at Edward’s vital points.vZwS
qodThud!X1ag
u0SThe blade shuddered. Victoria’s feet lifted off the ground. Edward had landed a punch to her abdomen.PNRE
U1f4Victoria gritted her teeth. Blood pouring from her mouth, she held the sword in reverse, poised to stab his trapezius.kF4
6EgboLCrunch!OkT0vtY
m3xEdward’s raised knee drove into her belly again.lbZJL
kXNFKpHer internal organs ruptured. Victoria’s sword barely grazed his shoulder, weak and shallow. In that instant, the duel was decided.p0sIZ
uKhaZyClinging to her body, Edward whispered contemptuously into her ear.1lluU
aGXDJl“Your mistake was wielding a sword not suited to you, Victoria.”PTw2
FOoY1A“Ha, ha… cough! ha, ha ha…”rzg2lb
uwC5UZuVictoria coughed blood repeatedly but still cracked a smile.0feFm
5MU1zb“…What’s so funny?”LtRN
0AZZH9“With this… cough this is enough for everyone to forget that our dear junior turned your little sister into a mound of flesh.”9yL00O
pOeqv0e“…What?”1FgN
JcSXVEdward’s eyes widened.Hg2aLjV
i3sH5bG“No way…?!”R0gKWcf
wdvelz“You were so drunk on victory that… cough you didn’t feel the discomfort, right…? Edward-oppa, doesn’t it seem odd? When we were kids, I always beat you. Why did I fall so easily today…?”9FK
Iz19pVictoria sneered, drops of blood dripping onto her gauntlet.A4Qr6xX
FXMm“It doesn’t matter if I lose one-on-one. What he wants is ‘Joaquin’s perfect victory.’”6TieW
KbN3YhA unilateral win wouldn’t satisfy the crowd. What’s important is the narrative.nEi
MFsnJoaquin was supposed to win easily, but they fought longer than expected, and even nearly lost. Thanks to that, now nobody could predict the next two duels.to3uZo
75AZd“…Or so everyone will think, right?”CbAfrI
Btl“You… you damn…!”cuK
jTFEdward tried to retreat immediately.IV8qtD
xEL5s“The perfect victory… also means Parsy’s perfect defeat…”bRVuI
67psbiMVictoria spoke with a bloody grin.e9DmCV
Shqn“Edward, it’s time to show the world how reckless you’ve been.”cW8qmDe
OskcEdward barely turned, and Victoria grabbed him by the neck and lifted his face.doNr7dU
tgQ0“I, the Black Pawn, use one Bifröst charge to send the Black Queen back to the front.”nnjZm9n
w1TctN9The turn was instant. Green light particles enveloped Ji Changhyuk’s fallen body.30Dd
VgbyU“Noooo!”e3BZWgK
iUOyKDVEdward screamed in desperation. Too late. Ji Changhyuk staggered to his feet, bewildered.TnGSF
8UQHe gazed at his palm, confused. Victoria shouted.2eT
0LZC5z“Run!”FI7
i3p3b1The spark returned to Ji Changhyuk’s eyes.9d0
uOGCyHBefore he could nod, he was already running.0g36VV
KB8qsu“You son of a biiiiitch!”HWm0
gVbnLfEdward screamed obscenely, reaching out desperately. No time for dignity.5tImkq7
1PzS7U“Now!”tn6yE
gLpY“It’s over!”OhEzhu
bUiThe blow struck.gOEa
9qUJi Changhyuk raised the flag high. “Joaquin” rippled in the wind.nLRN
L5dlyNg[Flag War has ended.]JpITxu
457zJdc[Victoria of Joaquin Academy.]71qSGA
040GNU[All participants survived.]xznt
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