de Crescent.
A prestigious, well-established family whose blessings in archery never run dry.
It’s even said that the magic wielded through arrows transcends the physical limits of a marksman.
Thus, in this world, the background of a family was undeniably essential.
Violet de Crescent was no exception.
As the sole daughter, she had been treated with royal-like respect since infancy, almost exaggeratedly so.
The former captain of the knights, Rezilus, also had nothing but praise for her.
– “Lady Violet must only see good things.”
– “I am confident that you will be the best.”
– “Going to the academy, huh? Haha, top rank is yours for the taking.”
– “Wherever you go, you will stand out.”
…
– “The top freshman is… Violet de Crescent.”
– “That’s her. Violet de Crescent.”
– “Yeah. She was overwhelming in both written and practical exams… It’s a given that everyone acknowledges it.”
No one doubted her talent.
Everyone fluttered around her, smiling as they said,
– “Yeah. You’re amazing, Violet!”
Even the second-best had no rivalrous feelings against her.
Her presence was simply beyond comparison, almost non-existent, as if there was no need for jealousy.
“…”
She, too, was the type not to care about others, nor to show it outwardly or act haughty.
Other than occasionally being told she lacked humanity, she had no reason to hear unpleasant remarks.
Thus, her academy life seemed to pass smoothly without any issues.
But…
Where did everything start to go wrong?
– “Violet, you want to join the raid mainly composed of freshmen?… Really?”
Maybe it was because she took an interest in the outsider, Lev Denec, and decided to follow this raid on her own whims.
Before her, the [Pitbit Jae] was… the strongest entity she had encountered among the monsters so far.
It was an extraordinary strength she had never witnessed despite being in her third year.
Moreover, those around her weren’t veterans with ample practical experience but rather first-year students here for practice.
Yet, if this was indeed a vessel meant to confront the next demon king, she believed they could manage this much…
Her unilateral decision ended up yielding poor results.
…
The [flashes of flame] from the [Pitbit Jae] swept past.
The gray-haired man was gripping Violet’s wrist.
“Just listen to me.”
“!”
As Violet regained her senses, the man’s tone softened somewhat,
but still, it carried a rough, coercive undertone.
Unlike the men who pursued self-interest thus far.
“Are you calm now?”
“…Let go.”
Perhaps it was his goodwill to snap her back to reality.
Violet desperately denied it by shaking off his hand.
Lev looked at the 5,6 party and said,
“When that thing gets close to the 5,6 party, use the sealing strike. Get as close as you can.”
“…?”
It wasn’t a request. It was an order.
Violet responded, incredulously.
“Are you crazy? Why would I listen to you…?”
“Then you might as well die.”
“?!”
“Then the de Crescent family would be done for.”
“…”
“Good luck.”
“………”
The man abruptly turned his head and returned to his spot.
In that instant, Violet, who thought she’d had no emotional turbulence, found herself speechless.
Her lovely lips trembled, but no words came out.
She had never encountered someone who spoke so casually.
No matter how the academy valued equality among students, the family background could not be ignored.
After all, Melissa de Prominence strutted around here and there, and no one said a word because she was a princess of the duchy and would undoubtedly become a key figure in the [Eternal Flame].
To dismiss this casually might be acceptable among academy students, but it would impact her family and associates.
‘Lev Denec, you truly…’
Thank goodness she did her homework beforehand.
He was scum.
Nothing more, nothing less…
“Here it comes!”
At that moment, the [Pitbit Jae], which had ravaged the 1,2 party, began to soar into the sky once more.
According to the order, next would be the 3,4 party, namely Violet’s team.
“E-everyone, let’s prepare…”
Meanwhile, the lone guardian, Raymon’s hand was shaking uncontrollably.
Each position had its role.
Even if Violet was a remarkable talent with practical experience, there was nothing she could currently do for him…
As Violet hesitated, Lev Denec chimed in.
“Isn’t the plan to take down the demon king? Then why would we just sit here and let everyone die?”
“…!”
Her family would absolutely oppose her dream here…
A warrior directly confronting demons would be a much greater risk than simply gaining fame by defending the empire.
‘How did you…?’
But how did he know this secret she held?
*
In truth, this time, there wasn’t much of a strategy.
With so many eyes watching, she wouldn’t be able to use demonization.
And even if I unleashed a powerful strike without sacred power, I would still be limited by the 25 percent damage cap, rendering me unable to defeat it.
That said, I didn’t know what skills Violet possessed.
She would die in Chapter 4, meaning she barely showcased any skills before vanishing.
Thus, what I instructed Violet was…
Simple.
When the Pitbit Jae approached the 5,6 party, I asked her to minimize its movements with a sealing strike.
To comfortably land the finishing blow, I needed to instill confidence in Aveline and Melissa that they could take it down.
Against my thoughts, a retort flew back.
“…When the Pitbit Jae descends, long-range attacks are prohibited.”
That was true.
In the raid-based [Pitbit Jae] strategy, when the shield knight was blocking the creature’s descent patterns, long-range attacks were temporarily halted.
Since the target was in close proximity to the party, if I launched an attack impulsively, identification of friend or foe would be indistinguishable.
In other words, it was safer—even if slower—to avoid sacrifices.
This was reality, not a game, so prioritizing survival was correct.
However, what I ordered her was akin to violating that rule.
“Enough with the absurdities; we need to halt the next descent…”
“Then what happens to your rash actions?”
“…”
When I asked her back, Violet was once again left speechless.
“Sorry, but you’re not the only outstanding one here. Do you see the 5,6 party? Princess Melissa and Holy Knight Aveline Valantes.”
“…”
Though she didn’t answer, her gaze made it clear.
“Those folks intend to take down the Pitbit Jae, right? So, for us, there’s no option but to assist them.”
“That can’t be…!”
“I trust their skills. I’m telling you because if you don’t take it down when we switch to the 1,2 party or 5,6 party…”
I trailed off, but Violet seemed to sense the outcome of the story that would soon unfold.
“Make a good judgment.”
“Where are you going…!”
Opportunities come but once.
With that last remark, I dashed towards the 5,6 party.
*
Claris Academy.
During sunset, as the day wound down.
“Thank you! I’ll definitely do you a favor later!”
To check his physical condition, Edwin returned to the Restoration Chamber, leaving only Aria and Yeriel in the dining lounge.
The view of the academy from the small balcony was rather beautiful.
A crimson world. The gentle autumn breeze.
“How lovely…”
Yeriel closed her eyes and felt the wind’s flow.
On such days, spirit sensitivity was heightened.
Looking at Lev, who had joined the raid practice right after recovering,
Yeriel felt she couldn’t just sit idle.
She had to work hard to protect him.
With her thoughts cleared, Yeriel cheerfully opened her mouth.
“The second semester is starting soon…”
“Yeah. Yeriel, will you be heading back home?”
“Yeah…! I probably need to visit by the end of this week. How about you, Aria?”
“I’m the same. I have some matters to take care of…”
“Oh right. You’re going to be an adult soon, so it’s good to sort things out…!”
“…That’s true.”
Aria answered quietly.
She suspected that what Yeriel was referring to was… marriage talks.
As someone who entered the Bluebell family as an adopted daughter, discussing marriage was challenging for her.
Moreover, since her adoptive parents were aware of how she lost her biological ones, they would vehemently oppose her dangerous quest for revenge against Andras.
As Aria’s expression began to darken with worry,
“…!”
Yeriel sought to change the mood and quickly searched for a topic.
“Speaking of which… Wasn’t the raid practice supposed to be a day trip? It seems like it’s getting late…”
“Sorry?”
When Aria asked back, Yeriel realized the situation.
‘…Oh no…’
It would be obviously interpreted as ‘I’m conscious of Lev’ to anyone.
Especially in front of Aria, it was a quite risky statement.
Yeriel began adding more words.
“Hmm, I guess I’m worried…! It seems like he just recovered not long ago?”
At that, Aria immediately began responding.
“Right…! If he gets injured again…! I won’t just sit still.”
Little fists clenched tight in Aria’s grip.
Thankfully, it seemed she hadn’t caught on to other matters.
“But… isn’t Selena with him? So it should be okay…?”
-……
Selena.
At the mention of her name, a hush fell.
Aria shifted her gaze back to the outside scenery and cautiously asked.
“…About what Lady Selena said…”
“Wh-what about that…?”
“Yes. What did it mean?”
– “I’ll use it well.”
Somehow, upon hearing those words, she felt a bit angry and her chest tightened.
Yeriel began pondering deeply.
Using something meant employing it for a purpose.
Could it mean that Selena would do something utilizing Lev?
Or perhaps…
‘The two of them share… the common trait of being marksmen…’
Every time Yeriel visited the personal training room to assist her juniors, there was a frequently displayed scene.
Edwin training solo, and Lev practicing shooting with Selena at Saro.
Originally, Lev Denec belonged to the Magic Department, but even after he switched to Marksman, his victory over Gaelon Sharptie was likely due to Selena’s support.
Perhaps their relationship had progressed more than Yeriel anticipated.
‘M-my guard was down…’
She had been too complacent.
But then again, it was only natural for Lev to be popular…
Yeriel subtly glanced at Aria’s expression.
-…
Towards her too, it seemed like she was lost in deep thoughts about ‘someone.’
Though usually calm, Aria’s tone always seemed to rise when Lev’s name came up.
Yeriel faintly smiled.
‘…’
Surely she must be having similar thoughts to her own, right?
Her heart raced once more.
With carefulness and slowness, she asked Aria.
“Is there someone at the academy you are interested in…?”
