“So, Celine, will you stay with me? Until we graduate from this academy… No, even after graduation.”
“…! Bryden… Pfft… Do you even know how long I’ve been waiting for you to say that?”
“Celine..! Then, does that mean…?”
“Yes, I’ll stay with you. Until we graduate, and even after that, forever.”
Finally becoming a couple, Bryden and Celine embraced each other tightly, confessing their feelings.
The two, who had been tiptoeing around each other, unsure whether their relationship would blossom, finally reached their happy ending…
But.
“What are you two… doing here? Don’t tell me… You’re seriously part of the Black Shadow Mercenaries? That’s a disgusting joke!”
Five years later, now defeated in battle and bound, Celine knelt on the ground, staring in shock at the friends who once competed with Bryden back in the academy.
“Celine…”
“Celine, just listen to us—”
“Shut up! You filthy traitors! When I first heard the rumors, I refused to believe them. I told myself there was no way my friends would ever do such a thing! I trusted you! And yet… You dare raise your blades against our homeland?!”
“You know who the commander of the army you’ve been fighting against is, don’t you?! It’s Bryden! You’re pointing your swords at Bryden! How could you do this?!”
“Celine, calm down—”
“Don’t tell me…! Is this some pathetic attempt at revenge because I ended up with Bryden?! We all promised back then that no matter who ended up with him, we’d support them!”
“Answer me! Why are you doing this?! Why are you turning your swords against me and Bryden?!”
“Because you wield your blade blindly, without even knowing what’s truly worth protecting.”
At the voice coming from inside the tent, Celine sharply turned her head.
A tall, somewhat laid-back-looking young man with brown hair stepped out from the tent and approached her.
The moment she recognized him, Celine’s expression twisted in anger.
“Alvis…!”
“And one thing you seem to have misunderstood—these guys are with me because they understand and agree with my ideals. Not because they’re jealous of you and Bryden, or anything ridiculous like that. Because…”
As he spoke, Alvis casually walked over to Celine’s old academy friends.
He smacked one lightly on the backside, slung his arms around two others, and slipped a hand inside his shirt.
“Ah…♡”
“Because they already belong to me.”
“Now then, Celine, why don’t we finally have a nice little chat? We never really got to talk much back in the academy, did we?”
“I…! There’s nothing I want to say to a bastard like you!”
“That would be a problem.”
Despite his smug demeanor as he casually groped the women beside him, Alvis wasn’t as composed as he seemed on the surface.
â–¶ Due to failing to secure a conversation with Celine, the fate of the “One Who Resists Destiny” has been delayed.
A Level 2 backlash will be incurred.
Thud—
“Damn it, this is seriously bad!”