Chapter 20: Aftermath

The girl’s blushing face said more than any words could.

Elena lay on the ground, nearly biting through her lower lip, violet eyes swirling with humiliation and unwillingness.

All her life, she had been a favored daughter of heaven—when had she ever experienced such a crushing defeat?

“You…”

She opened her mouth, wanting to say something to salvage her dignity, only to find her throat was dry—she couldn’t utter a single word.

Up in the stands, Princess Lillian slowly lowered her hand from her mouth. The shock in her pale golden eyes had not yet fully faded, replaced now by a profound curiosity and evaluation.

“The Bardia Family’s ‘Thunder Rose’… was broken through so easily… This Ophelia Viellet is truly… extraordinary.”

She muttered softly to herself, eyes narrowing as if deep in thought.

Camilla, on the other hand, was in excellent spirits. She hurried down from the stands, barely able to contain her broad smile.

But before approaching the two, she reined in her grin, putting on a look of concern.

“Sis! Are you alright?”

She first rushed to Ophelia’s side, pretending to check on her, then “timidly” glanced at Elena lying on the ground.

“Miss Elena, a-are you okay? My sister was just… just worried about me, so she might’ve been a bit rough… Please, don’t take it to heart!”

This insincere remark finally broke Elena’s composure. Gritting her teeth, she scrambled to her feet, her graceful figure trembling with rage.

“Rice—Stealing—Glutton!”

“Eh-he~”

Camilla hid behind Ophelia with a bright smile, sticking her tongue out at Elena.

Ophelia ignored her sister’s antics. Looking at Elena’s clenched fists, she spoke up again.

“As agreed, you lost.”

Elena’s body went rigid. In the end, she let her hands fall limp, head lowered, her voice muffled.

“…I know, I… concede.”

Saying the word “concede” seemed to drain all her strength. For someone as proud as her, to bow her head to reality… a tear seemed to slip from the corner of her eye.

“Then.

” Ophelia took a step forward, her tone brooking no argument.

“From this moment on, you are not to coerce or harass Camilla in any way. As for that novel, the matter ends here. You are not to make further demands for revisions, set unreasonable update requirements, or reveal Camilla’s identity as the author. Do you have any objections?”

Each word struck Elena’s heart like a hammer. It meant her hopes for a Happy End were dashed—she could no longer “legally” use this as an excuse to pester that annoying author.

“…No objections. The Bardia Family always keeps its word.”

Elena’s voice was barely audible, thick with the sound of tears. Clearly, she was far from pleased with this outcome.

But that was none of Ophelia’s concern.

“Very good.”

She nodded and turned to Camilla.

“It’s settled. Let’s go. I’ll buy you new clothes on the way.”

“Huh? Wait, Sis!”

Camilla quickly grabbed her, hugging Ophelia’s arm and whispering into her ear.

“Look at Miss Elena… she seems pretty hurt. It doesn’t feel right to just leave her here, does it? Besides… a duel is a duel, but we’re all classmates. We’ll be seeing each other at the academy…”

Ophelia frowned slightly, looking at her sister in confusion. With her personality, now that the outcome was clear and the terms settled, she saw no reason to linger.

“Sis, the Bardia Family is pretty influential. We may not be afraid of them, but if things turn completely sour, it could be troublesome…”

“It’s fine. I’ll inform the Headmaster.”

“Tch.”

Camilla scrunched her brows, completely exasperated by her blockheaded sister.

Wasn’t this the classic “give a slap, then offer a sweet date” scenario, perfect for creating subtle bonds? At times like these, wasn’t she supposed to help treat the defeated girl and use the chance to improve their relationship?

Seeing Ophelia make no move at all, Camilla sighed, walked over to Elena, and crouched down.

Elena shrank back instinctively, eyeing her warily.

“What? Here to mock me?”

Her tone was prickly, wishing she could pin this girl down and hug her tightly in revenge. But with Ophelia watching, Elena lost her nerve.

Camilla said nothing more. She simply reached out her right hand, her palm blooming with a gentle, pure white light—Third Tier Light Magic: Greater Healing.

A warm glow enveloped Elena, especially over her aching abdomen and bruised elbow.

The light wasn’t dazzling, but it radiated a strangely soothing power. It quickly eased her pain and even calmed her tumultuous emotions a little.

She stared blankly at Camilla, so close at hand, as a strange sensation rose in her chest—her mind involuntarily filled with blush-worthy, forbidden images.

Damn it, it’s just a low-level healing spell… why does it feel so nice…

Moments later, her wounds were completely healed. Camilla withdrew her hand, the light fading away.

“Alright, can you let go of my hand now?”

“Huh? O-oh…”

Only then did Elena realize she was still holding Camilla’s hand, their fingers interlaced. She had no idea why she made such an ambiguous move or why, during the treatment, inappropriate thoughts had crossed her mind.

Mm, I must be sick—the illness being not seeing a Happy End for .

She comforted herself this way, completely missing the brief change in Camilla’s eye color.

Meanwhile, Lillian was already speaking to Ophelia.

She lifted her skirt hem and gave a slight curtsey, her face shy yet earnest.

“That was a truly splendid duel—I’ve never seen anything like it. I… I dabble a bit in Alchemy, and I’ve recently been trying to improve an Alchemical Potion, but I can’t seem to solve some energy stability issues… If you have time at the academy, may I ask your advice?”

Her posture was humble, and her reason reasonable—it was hard to refuse.

Ophelia glanced at her. She didn’t seem interested in Alchemy, but out of courtesy, she nodded slightly.

“You may.”

“Thank you so much!”

Lillian’s smile grew even brighter.

The sisters finally left the Bardia Family’s villa. On the way back, Camilla was in high spirits, feeling as though even the sky was a more brilliant blue.

“Sis, you’re amazing! You solved my biggest problem with just one move!”

Camilla clung to Ophelia’s arm. The soft sensation made Ophelia daze for a moment. Sensing her sister’s dependence, she reached out and patted Camilla’s head, smiling faintly.

“If she dares to bother you again, tell me.”

“Mhm! But…”

Camilla grinned slyly, like a mischievous little fox.

“I think after this, Miss Elena won’t dare anymore. Maybe… she’ll even see you differently?”

“See me differently?”

“Like… think you’re not just strong, but also, um, really magnanimous!”

Camilla fumbled for words, secretly adding: And then slowly develop all kinds of odd longings and admiration!

Ophelia didn’t comment. She didn’t care what Elena thought, as long as she left Camilla alone.

But Camilla was already imagining the future: the update crisis resolved, and a brick laid on the road to her sister’s harem… Haha, today is a bountiful harvest! Now she could finally nap in peace!

Meanwhile, up on the terrace, Lillian watched the Viellet sisters depart. Her pale golden eyes narrowed, and her lips curled into a playful smile, entirely unlike her usual timid self.

“Ophelia Viellet… Camilla Viellet… Interesting. It looks like life at the academy won’t be dull after all.”