Chapter 204
Five female students welcomed Gaba in the hallway, cheering for him after he finished the match in no time.
“Gaba! You did great!”
“That was so cool…!”
They showered him with compliments, not caring who spoke first.
Their voices mixed with excitement and flattery, eyes glued to him as if he were a magnet.
Desperately trying to catch his gaze just one more time, some of them even subtly brushed against his arm, showing their affection for him.
“Thanks, everyone.”
Gaba replied with a light smile, handling the situation effortlessly as he moved on, not singling anyone out.
“Let’s go together, Gaba-nim!”
As he walked forward, the group of female students followed suit.
Moving around him like bodyguards, they stuck close to Gaba.
Their conversation flowed with the girls bombarding him with questions as he consolidated his answers, all while keeping a bright smile, even if he seemed to sense something was missing.
As the group strolled down the hallway, they suddenly came to a halt.
They had encountered another group walking from the opposite direction.
Gaba’s face lit up like a sunflower facing the sun.
“Alicia…!”
The one who stood out sharply in his eyes, seemingly on a different refresh rate from everyone else.
Gaba broke away from the group, striding up to stand in front of Alicia.
“Gaba-nim?”
“What a coincidence to run into you here, Alicia. It seems like we are destined to cross paths like this. Oh, wait, that’s not the right tone! Ahem! … Did you see my glorious victory just now?”
“Uh, well…”
“Even if you didn’t, that’s fine. I’ll surely win again in the round of 16 this afternoon and get one step closer to you.”
“……”
Alicia gazed at him with calm eyes.
Unlike when Gaba had first flirted with her, she was no longer flustered, caught off guard.
Her torso slightly tilted as she politely expressed her thoughts.
“Gaba-nim, I’d appreciate it if you’d stop this teasing.”
“Teasing?”
“If you’re trying to gauge my reaction by showing affection to make me flustered, I won’t show any reaction from here on out. And…”
Lifting her head, Alicia spoke firmly while glancing at those behind Gaba.
They looked taken aback, disbelief etched on their faces, and some wore an almost sorrowful expression.
Alicia didn’t want them to suffer due to Gaba’s mischievous antics.
Apologizing silently, she leaned closer to Gaba’s ear and whispered softly.
“Honestly, remaining ambivalent like this doesn’t sit well with me.”
Her voice, chillingly calm, was soft enough that only Gaba could hear, carrying a subtle coldness reminiscent of a breeze in early spring.
Gaba, who was quick to catch on to others’ intentions—especially in matters of romance—fully comprehended Alicia’s intent.
“Ah, so beautiful flowers come with thorns. But that’s what makes them even more alluring.”
“Is it something that’s prepared? But that makes it all the more attractive.”
Gaba smirked slightly. Alicia’s unusual side, he was seeing for the first time, actually made her stand out even more.
Gaba held Alicia’s gaze without flinching.
It was as if he was boldly saying, “Go ahead and read my eyes if you can.”
“Alicia. I think there’s been a misunderstanding, so let me clarify: I am simply being honest with my own feelings.”
“…….”
“I have never treated you lightly, not even for a second. When I first saw you, it was as if my heart would stop from the powerful shock, and after our conversation, I can’t deny the pull I feel towards you, which only grows stronger with time.”
Gaba raised his hand to gently caress Alicia’s cheek, but she subtly moved her head just enough to avoid his touch.
At that moment, Gaba realized that she was aware of Vargan, who was listening to their conversation.
Was it loyalty to her master? Or something else?
Gaba chuckled softly, thinking this wouldn’t be easy.
“If you were to ask me to sever all ties right now, I would gladly do so. That’s how sincere I am.”
“…….”
Alicia remained silent, staring resolutely.
Though she tried not to show it, her expression seemed more like a glare than a gaze.
Seeing her disapproving look, Gaba took a step back.
“It’s unfortunate, but I don’t want to be hated any further, so I will take my leave for today. There’s so much I wish to say…”
Gaba discreetly glanced at Vargan and Erica.
The successful nobleman and his fiancée, who nervously clutched at the ends of his clothing.
And then, the servant who stood somewhat distanced from them…
Turning his gaze back to Alicia, Gaba flashed a bright smile, letting his unspoken words linger in the air.
Then, as if he had prepared it long ago, he took a white rose from his pocket and offered it before starting to withdraw.
But.
“Is this the second time already?”
The one receiving the rose was not Alicia but Vargan, who had approached without anyone noticing.
He forcibly snatched the flower away.
Fwoosh—. With a small flicker, Vargan burned the entire flower to ashes, as if to demonstrate his power.
Even with his eyes covered, his gaze was piercing.
“You never consider the position of those who have to clean up after you. Gaba.”
“Every time?”
‘Are you saying this isn’t the first time this unbelievable act has happened?’
Gaba recalled the first rose he had given to Alicia.
Vargan had precisely noted it was the second time. This meant the first rose he had given was also burned by him.
It implied that his sincere gesture to Alicia had been incinerated.
Gaba’s eyes narrowed in displeasure.
‘Schugenharz Troa Vargan…’
He wanted to challenge him to a duel right then and there but had to hold back.
Thinking of the upcoming round of 16 matches and beyond, he couldn’t act on impulse.
Thus, Gaba retreated, leaving behind only animosity.
After all, if they were to survive the tournament, they would meet someday.
He would win in front of everyone then. That would be the most honorable and righteous way.
“To meet me, you’ll have to make it to the finals. Do you think you can?”
Vargan taunted.
According to the brackets, Gaba had to win all his matches to face Vargan.
“You’ll likely face Leon in the round of 16 and Arterion in the semifinals. Do you think you can handle that?”
The strong opponents from Academia.
Gaba knew them well.
In fact, Arterion was the one he had aimed to impress in front of Alicia.
As he turned to leave, Gaba took one last look at Vargan.
Vargan hadn’t answered yet, but his lips suggested he already knew the response.
“I always have confidence. I will secure first place in this tournament.”
“Is that so… well, give it your best shot.”
Vargan replied dismissively.
Gaba gave a light nod to Alicia but offered no particular greeting to Vargan and Erica.
“Not at all.”
“Hey, wait a minute, Gaba! Come with us!”
“That’s right, Gaba! We have so many questions to ask you!”
As Gaba walked away, the female students who followed him disappeared along with him.
Finally, the commotion had died down.
Tap.
Vargan, leaning on his staff, continued his steps after a brief pause.
He intended to watch others’ matches from the audience seats.
“…….”
“Alicia, stop dawdling and just ask what you want already.”
“Ah, yes, yes…….”
As the distance closed, the cheers gradually amplified.
Noticing Alicia’s strange reaction, Vargan spoke to her, and she cautiously parted her lips.
“Um… Young Master. Did you know that the white rose I was holding that night was a flower given to me by Gaba?”
Just a few dozen minutes before Vargan’s ears had stopped.
Alicia was holding a single rose, and Vargan had burned it without a second thought.
—You’ve brought something ridiculous for an important moment.
In response to her question, Vargan let out a hollow laugh and answered casually.
“Alicia, even if you are quite the fool, I wouldn’t think you’re so clueless as to show up with a flower at a crucial moment.”
Having read the original, Vargan remembered the scene where Gaba had given Alicia the white rose.
Though the timing was different, such a bizarre act was unique to Gaba in Rikeion.
“Since I said to come right after training with Arterion, it’s obvious you took the rose and couldn’t decide whether to give it away or throw it away.”
“…Yes, that’s right.”
Alicia lowered her head as if it were a habit.
Feeling embarrassed that her foolish actions were so transparent, her cheeks gradually flushed a peachy pink from his interest in her.
Vargan didn’t burn the flower because it was brought by Alicia; it was because it was a flower she received.
As the small misunderstanding untangled, his previously cold demeanor transformed into something affectionate.
“…….”
Erica witnessed Alicia’s reaction firsthand.
She seemed to lower her head to avoid being seen by others, but Erica, being shorter than her, could see her clearly.
A woman shyly smiling with her lips twitching.
As the sight filled her with anxiety, a pang shot through her chest, but Erica couldn’t say anything.
She didn’t have the right.
* * *
The matches of the Round of 32 came to an end, and afternoon had arrived.
The second match of the Round of 16.
Just before the match between Leon and Gaba began.
Bell couldn’t stay still in the waiting room and was pacing back and forth.
Muttering and biting his nails, Bell was incredibly tense as if he were about to compete himself, prompting Leon to ask.
“Bell! What’s wrong with you?”
“Ah! You startled me!”
“Speak up, Bell!”
“…Are you really asking me that right now?!”
With all the fierceness of matching Leon’s stature, Bell began to get angry.
“It’s because Leon’s leg isn’t fully healed yet!”
“I see!”
“What do you mean, ‘I see!’? Why are you stupidly following your opponent’s words so literally…!”
On the arena of the Round of 32, a student from Rikeion had made a request saying he’d heard of Leon’s reputation.
—I want to clash your full power strike against the maximum of my hammer.
He wished to engage in the first bout with all his might.
Leon accepted the suggestion with gusto, thinking it was a good idea.
However, as expected, it was a trap, and while unleashing a spell, Leon injured his leg.
It was a tactic from his opponent, who had simply read Leon’s nature in advance.
“Oh, seriously! Thinking about it makes me furious! Who the heck just listens to their opponent’s words about going all out and dumps all their power into a punch! That’s why my leg is wide open!”
Leon had concentrated all his Protectors and mana solely into his punch.
By the time he noticed the spell and tried to defend himself, it was too late, as the spell had already been activated.
“Hahaha—! Bell, you’re right. I’ve done something foolish!”
“Do you really know…?! You’re just pretending to know again, right?! Listen up, you can’t fall into that shameless guy’s trap again!”
“I definitely understand! But, Bell! It’s also a skill, and it’s my fault for falling into the trap!”
“Excuse me?”
“The opponent’s strategy was that impressive! Hahaha!”
‘What nonsense is that? It’s just that you, Leon, are too dumb for this!’
Bell held back the urge to say that and pressed his temples.
There was no time left to blame him. It was better to provide information about their current opponent, Gaba.
“Leon, please listen carefully to what I’m going to say.”
“Mm?”
“We need to defeat Gaba. To win under unfavorable conditions, we need to know our opponent well.”
Bell began to explain step by step so that even Leon could understand.
“…So Gaba is a martial artist like you, but he prioritizes speed. It’s a bit different from you.”
If Gaba is speed, then Leon is strength.
Gaba is an out-fighter, while Leon is an in-fighter.
Their styles are different.
“I found out while researching Gaba that he’s not just a scoundrel who only targets women. He’s as hardworking as Erlich, who is ranked 3rd, and as you saw in the top 32, he truly possesses amazing skills.”
Gaba didn’t earn his 2nd place spot for nothing.
His strength is recognized by everyone, which is why he stands there.
“I’ve heard that Gaba originally came from a famous martial arts family in the Laban Kingdom. It’s said that he was the most outstanding talent among his peers in that family, but for some reason, he abandoned his family’s name and started wandering the world.”
Gaba, who didn’t want to be bound by family, honed his skills while roaming the world.
From street thugs to veteran hunters who come and go in dungeons as if they were their own homes.
He has increased his real battle experience by fighting many different types of people and has raised his martial achievements.
“The martial arts he has now are a mix of both the righteous way and the evil way that he has combined. He enrolled in Rikeion to check and further refine his skills, so you can see how serious he is about martial arts.”
While their true skills would only be confirmed in battle, Bell anticipated that there wouldn’t be a huge gap.
However, in that case, Leon, who had a leg injury, would be at a disadvantage.
Bell pondered deeply, trying to find a way to win.
“Leon, I have a thought…”
He hadn’t seen the opponent’s full power yet. But there must be a way to turn the situation in their favor.
Bell shared the optimal strategy he had come up with.
He sincerely hoped for Leon’s victory.
Even if Leon winning wouldn’t benefit Bell, who had already been eliminated in the qualifiers, he wished for his efforts to be rewarded.
“…Do you understand?”
But Leon either didn’t know his eagerness or was just clueless.
“I didn’t understand at all.”
“What?”
“Hahaha—!”
Leon stood up, ruffling Bell’s hair.
Just then, the announcement for the players’ entrance came on, and he said he had to go.
All the explanation Bell had given was now in vain.
His head ached, but he let out a long sigh and said, “I kind of expected this. What can I do? I’ll just have to trust your animal instincts, Leon.”
“Mm! But thank you, Bell!”
“Thank you?”
“You gathered information about the opponent for me! I’m glad to have you in my class!”
“Well… I’m just glad you know it.”
Bell smiled slightly.
Yeah, Leon is not the type to think things through or analyze.
He’s a guy with great intuition and spontaneous adaptability.
“Leon, come back victorious.”
“Mm! I’ll go and return!”
Ocell Bantel, Leon.
He always steps onto the arena with confidence.
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