Chapter 70
“Rivals and Friends” [Demon Princess Arc 10]
The day after the incident, the school’s main auditorium was filled with teachers and student representatives.
On the stage stood the headmaster, and beside him, a civil official dispatched from the royal capital.
The atmosphere was heavy, the murmurs subdued.
There was only one agenda: “Regarding the Abnormal Powers of the First-Year Cross Class Students.”
“Last night, a group of masked intruders was captured on school grounds,”
the headmaster announced clearly.
“They seemed intent on spreading the rumor that ‘the new students of the Cross Class are not human’ and creating fabricated evidence to support it.”
Whispers spread throughout the hall.
Some muttered, “I knew it…”
“However!”
Kai stood up and stepped forward onto the stage.
“There’s no evidence at all. The only fact is that these guys fought desperately to protect their friends!”
Luthea raised her voice next.
“The ones who tried to abduct them yesterday were remnants of a conspiratorial faction! I saw with my own eyes how they protected their comrades!”
Lilith also stepped forward.
“We only wish to learn. The rituals, the principles, together—that’s all.”
The hall fell silent, and finally, a teacher spoke.
“…I saw it. How they supported each other and set up protective barriers. Their powers were not used to harm anyone.”
“Same here.”
Another teacher nodded.
“Having power itself isn’t the problem. What matters is how you use it.”
Voices of agreement rose one after another, and eventually, the civil official nodded as well.
“—Monitoring is necessary, but we see no reason to eliminate them immediately.”
The meeting concluded, and the heavy atmosphere slightly lifted.
◆◇◆
As they left the auditorium, Luthea and Lilith naturally walked side by side.
“You… your cooperation yesterday wasn’t bad at all.”
“Likewise. With you at my back, I felt safe.”
They exchanged glances and chuckled softly.
Kai scratched his head awkwardly at the scene.
“Hey—who were the ones saying ‘This is my seat’ just yesterday?”
“My lord belongs to me!”
“The teacher is my master!”
Both shouted at the same time, creating a comedic air again.
Passing students laughed, and some even applauded.
◆◇◆
That evening, the Cross Class classroom was filled with both first- and second-year students, desks pushed together.
Luthea, cleaning her sword, spoke quietly.
“…I don’t think I can completely hate you.”
“Nor can I. It’s because you’re here that I can compete,”
Lilith replied calmly.
“…Well, it seems like things are coming together nicely,”
Kai said with a wry smile, placing two candies on the desk.
“Here. A reward for friendship.”
“Thank you, Kai.”
“Thank you very much, teacher.”
They both reached out and took the candies.
Their eyes met, and they laughed together again.
(In the end… I guess I can’t run away.)
Watching the sunset outside the window, Kai murmured this to himself.
The sparks in those blue and violet eyes were no longer hostility, but competition.
Rivals, yet friends—this strange, wondrous relationship was just beginning to sprout.
