85 Demon Queen

"The Midgar Royal Academy congratulates all the graduates for..."

As the principal of Midgar Royal Academy droned on about the achievements of the graduating classes, I found myself tuning out his monotonous voice.

I had heard it all before, the same clichéd phrases and empty platitudes that were trotted out.

But just as I was starting to lose myself in my own thoughts, I heard him say something that caught my attention.

"...and now, a few words from this year's honor student, Alexia Midgar-sama" the principal announced, his voice ringing out clearly through the auditorium followed by a round of applause.

Once she started training with me, the days of people casually dubbing her the Fencing Ordinaire quickly came to an end.

Instead, she boldly took on anyone who whispered that nickname behind her back, promptly beating them into submission until they were too intimidated to even exchange glances.

Her reign of terror extended beyond fellow students, reaching even the professors who found themselves on the receiving end.

For that reason, she was given a new title.

Demon Queen.

The girl in question casually rose from her seat, striding confidently to the podium, a mischievous grin directed my way.

Flashback to three years ago, and she wouldn't have dreamt of tarnishing her image as a prim and proper young lady. However, somewhere along the journey, she ceased caring about that.

In this world, strength equals respect. Weakness, regardless of one's birth, reduces you to nothing more than refuse.

While she never plummeted to a level deserving such disdain, the nobility, despite their courtesy, failed to truly respect her.

They never bothered to hide the disdain they held in their hearts for her.

Once she gained the strength to stand on her own, the need to conform to the expectations of a proper lady faded away.

Now, she's doing as she pleases, and I find it oddly satisfying.

It's like she's finally spreading her wings.

"...Frankly speaking, I am grateful I was able to enter this Academy," 

She began in a low voice, her words carrying a weight that made everyone listen intently.

Her voice was amplified by magical power, allowing it to reach every corner of the room.

"I met someone important to me in this place, after all."

She stared at me, smiling, before continuing.

"If it wasn't for that, I would be up here giving you all the usual bullshit about how grateful we should be to our professors and how this is just the beginning of our journey..."

She paused, a sardonic smile playing at the corners of her lips as she looked out over the sea of faces.

The professors shifted uncomfortably in their seats, while the other graduates exchanged uneasy glances.

I personally thought it was funny.

"But I won't do that," she continued. "Instead, I'll give you all a warning. Be wary of the offers you receive at the banquet tonight. Not all that glitters is gold. Most of those offers will be traps, designed to lure you in with promises of wealth and power, only to ensnare you in unfair contracts."

Her voice carried a newfound strength, and her gaze swept across the crowd with an intensity that sent shivers down the spines of even the boldest graduates. Yet, there was an undeniable truth in her words, resonating with many and eliciting nods of agreement.

"The Royal Family has prepared a proper area for contract negotiations, where our best officials will review the terms and ensure they are fair. I personally have no interest in recruiting any of you, but I will not stand by and watch as you are taken advantage of. That is all I can promise you."

She concluded her speech, allowing the weight of her words to settle among the audience.

A brief silence lingered before I initiated the applause. Slowly, others joined in until the entire space resonated with the sound of clapping. 

Surprisingly, even those who had previously been afraid of her joined in, demonstrating a newfound respect. While some may have dismissed her words, the majority appeared genuinely moved by her sincerity.

The Kingdom has no obligation to do this, after all.

---

The night had fallen, and as expected, the banquet hall was bustling with people. Honestly, the crowd didn't bother me much, but...

"Alexia-sama, thanks for the warning. I think I will choose to stay in Midgar, after all."

"You are the brightest moon of this Kingdom, Alexia-sama. None can compare to your beauty..."

I couldn't help but feel these men were asking for a taste of my fists.

But as soon as she felt my presence, everything changed. She turned away from those men, her eyes scanning the crowd until they landed on me. And then, with a look of pure joy on her face, she excused herself and made her way towards me.

She was dressed in a stunning gown of shimmering silver that perfectly complemented her silver hair and red eyes, she looked captivating. The necklace I had gifted her for her last birthday sparkled around her neck, adding to her already radiant beauty.

As she approached, I couldn't help but notice the way her dress swayed around her, the light catching her hair, making it seem as though she was glowing.

No, even without her wearing this fancy dress, even when she was covered in dirt and grime from a long day of training, I always felt that way.

For some reason, I ended up remembering a certain blacksmith's words.

"Brat, listen up. I have no clue why you're so fixated on shutting everyone out of your life, and frankly, I won't pry. But let me tell you something, the emotions you harbor for her—they're there, and they ain't going anywhere."

He paused, raising his hammer high, before delivering a powerful strike on the heated metal, the resounding clang echoing through the forge.

"Suppressing them? That'll drive you insane, man. My advice? Let 'em out. Experience all that love has to offer, and then, when you've had your fill, you can distance yourself before things go south again."

I think I will take that advice, old man.

--- Alexia ---

"I was looking for you, where did you go?"

He had no idea the amount of effort I put into dressing up for today.

Why did I, even though I didn't really care about the graduates?

Because I want to attack him.

Even though we've been 'engaged' in an official setting since the Bunshin Festival three years ago, nothing substantial changed between us, and I'm fed up with that.

Occasionally, we went on dates.

He brought me gifts once or twice, and made me some new, better things to protect myself, but overall, we've just...trained, fought enemies, and relaxed?

There was never a time to understand what we were.

He always won our 'fights' and as such, there was no room for me to ask about that, too.

Before we separated, I noticed several noble ladies flirting subtly with him. 

I thought those women might've wanted a taste of my fist.

How dare they even try, when I have claimed this man as mine long ago?

He did not leave me alone to talk with them, didn't he?

The music played softly in the background, a gentle melody that seemed to float through the air, mingling with the sound of laughter and conversation from the nobles around us.

I was lost in my own thoughts that when I looked up, I saw him standing there not uttering a single word in response to my question, his red eyes fixed on me with an intensity that made my heart skip a beat.

To my surprise, he sank down onto one knee, extending his hand as his gaze never left mine.

"May I have this dance, Alexia?" he asked, his voice low and husky.

I blinked in surprise, looking around at the sea of people before realizing that they were all watching us, not uttering another word as they all gave us space.

Eh...? Wait, why?

But as I looked back at him, I felt a warmth spread through my chest, so I decided to ignore all my questions.

It was such a simple gesture, but it felt like the most special thing in the world.

And so, with a smile, I nodded my head, placing my hand on his and allowing him to lead me out onto the dance floor.

---

Author's Note:

This author deeply apologizes. I was not able to fit everything in one chapter again...

Please, bear with me, it's worth it.

Lemme cook.

Anyway, about Gideon the Blacksmith, I think I'll introduce him in a special chapter after the 2nd Trial is over.

For Patrons only, I will share several stories which got us to this point, since I got no real space to put his entire backstory in at the moment, nor do I want to keep delaying the ending to focus on that, to be honest.

If you have any opinion, though, please feel free to tell me.

I'm open to any promising idea :)