Christmas Banquet [4]

"I should have known... you were trouble itself."

Azriel suppressed a chuckle hearing his sister grumbling.

He was standing next to Celestina and Caleus, watching the room being readjusted for the duels.

Nol, meanwhile, was enjoying himself, talking to guests and indulging in the food. 

Just like Azriel, Nol hadn't had many opportunities to leave the Crimson estate, and his curiosity about the world was evident.

Varied gazes were directed at Azriel, making him want to run away; it was extremely nerve-wracking, but necessary.

All that was left was this duel, and he would finally be done for the night.

'No, that's wrong...'

He glanced at Freya and Solomon, who were talking to each other.

'If after all of this, she still isn't on board, it will become troublesome.'

Everything he had done was to convince Freya to agree to Azriel and Solomon's plan.

Even his lateness had been intentional—or rather, not entirely.

Azriel had planned to be late to the party, but it turned out Nol had genuinely struggled to wear his tuxedo and had refused help from the servants.

'Still, it worked in my favor... though I'm sure Mom will be mad.'

For some reason, his parents had decided to leave the banquet with Ragnar.

'Speaking of parents...'

"The Nebula and Dusk clans didn't join us, Caelus?"

Azriel turned his attention to Caleus, who was staring at him intently, just as Celestina was.

"...They haven't. My parents and the Dusk clan have decided to cooperate with each other and deal with the sudden issues that have arisen in Europe over the past few months."

Hearing his answer, Azriel nodded, his thoughts racing.

'To think my survival changed so much in Europe...'

"Can I ask you a question...?"

'Hmm?'

Azriel looked at Caleus, who had a complex expression on his face.

"It's true that you were in the Void Realm all along for the past two years, right?"

"That is right," Azriel nodded calmly.

"Then... what is your mana core level now?"

The people who were sneakily listening nearby strained their ears, and even Jasmine was looking at him curiously.

Not once had Azriel revealed his rank to her or his parents, nor did they ask.

'He is curious, huh... not just him,'

Azriel thought, feeling Celestina's piercing stare from his side, almost making his cheek twitch.

'Good...'

Azriel smiled.

"If you are that curious, why don't you find out for yourself?"

Caleus and everyone else looked at him, wide-eyed in surprise.

"You really have changed a lot..."

'Of course I have... the old Azriel died.'

Surprised though he was, Caleus nodded firmly in the end.

"Very well, I shall be your partner. But be warned, I am a Grade 2 Intermediate already. Show me the you who survived the Void Realm on his own, Azriel Crimson."

A fire was now burning in his violet eyes.

Jasmine didn't stop him or Azriel, knowing it was pointless.

Though she did look worried, it wasn't as if they would be fighting to the death.

The rules were simple: no affinities, no sword arts and no skills. The first one to be knocked unconscious or surrender would lose.

"I wish to fight you as well, but..."

Azriel heard a soft murmur and turned to see Celestina.

She pouted slightly, her eyes glistening with disappointment, and her cheeks flushed a gentle pink.

'A-argh! Dammit, how can she look so cute!'

Azriel almost broke character.

'I can see why he fell for her... those eyes...'

They were so bright and innocent! 

Ragnar was right to say she had a line of boys willing to become her boyfriend.

She was just that beautiful!

One of the hardest parts of keeping his composure for Azriel was enduring the gazes of all these people who could be compared to goddesses in his previous world.

'Calm down...'

Taking a deep breath inwardly, Azriel spoke to Celestina.

"It would be rude of me to fight a lady while she is wearing such a beautiful dress..."

"O-oh..."

Both Jasmine and Celestina looked wide-eyed at Azriel, who turned away, scratching his cheek.

"But..."

A soft smile appeared on his face as he looked back at her.

"Once we are both in the academy, I will have a duel with you whenever you want."

Celestina didn't say anything, just stared at him.

'T-that didn't sound weird, did it...? Does she think of me as a creep now?'

Azriel wondered, feeling a pang of anxiety.

'Argh! No point thinking about it; the duel is finally about to start...'

Azriel and Caleus finally moved towards the center while everyone gazed at them in anticipation.

The atmosphere was charged with excitement and curiosity.

The Crimson Prince against the Nebula Prince—this duel was already legendary before it even began.

*****

The guests formed a cautious circle around Azriel and Caleus, careful to give them ample space. No referee was needed for these duels.

They could begin whenever they chose.

Azriel summoned Void Eater, gripping it tightly in his right hand.

Across from him, Caleus twirled his silver spear with fluid grace, its long reach a stark contrast to the close-quarters lethality of Azriel's katana.

They stood still, each waiting for the other to make the first move.

'This is insane...'

Azriel could hardly believe he was here, facing off against a prince from one of the four great clans.

Every action he'd taken today seemed utterly surreal.

No, not just today.

Ever since arriving in EASC, he'd been living a reality that once existed only in his imagination.

He still hadn't adjusted to the fact that he was in a world he'd once only read about.

The weight of every gaze on him felt surreal.

They didn't know... they didn't know how much they truly meant to Azriel.

No, not Azriel, but...

Leo.

The kid who had lost his family.

The only reason he had survived those dark days was because of these people, standing here now.

Not just them, but the protagonist—the one who inspired him to hold on.

They were one of the most important reasons he had made it through.

Since arriving in EASC and the Crimson Estate, one thought kept running through Azriel's mind:

What was he going to do now?

What was his goal?

Was a coffee shop really all he wanted?

'No...'

It wasn't.

He didn't want that.

This world might actually fill the hole inside him.

How could he just settle for a coffee shop?

But being a hero wasn't something he could become either.

Sure, he could join the academy, be a hero in name, but he would never be a true hero.

That wasn't who Azriel—or Leo—was.

He couldn't walk the path of a hero.

'I can never shine as bright as them...'

He could never be as pure as them, have such resolve, such dreams, and...

'I am not worthy...'

He wasn't worthy of being a hero.

So instead...

He would ensure they became even greater heroes, even if they resented him for it, even if their path became more dangerous.

He would do it all to help them reach their dreams, to shine as bright as stars.

Everyone around them watched the two with bated breath.

Azriel narrowed his eyes slightly at Caleus.

And then...

'[Void Mind]'