Hero's Strength

It was day three of the tournament. Luna was the only one who had to participate, so I planned to go to support her… and scout out Ace. I got out of the shower and got dressed, just to see Lily and the twins sitting on the couch in the living room.

"What you guys doing here?" I raised an eyebrow.

"You gave me an extra key," Lily said.

"I know that. I'm talking about the twins," I sighed.

I gave Lily a spare key in case of an emergency that she needed to get to me or needed a place to hide. Of course, I didn't think she would use it just to wait in my dorm, or invite others.

"I apologize for coming uninvited, Lord Smarus," Aurora bowed her head. Myra did the same thing.

"It's fine. I assume you guys want something?" I looked at them, but they shook their heads.

"Lord Smarus, we just wanted to get breakfast with you!" Myra smiled.

"Indeed, we will be graduating soon after this tournament, so we want to spend as much time with you as possible," Aurora added to Myra's statement.

I nodded my head. I forgot that they will soon be gone. Perhaps I should be a little bit more considerate about their feelings then.

"Very well, let's go then," I opened the door for them

Their faces lit up as I agreed with them. Then gratefully bowed their heads before exiting the room. I closed the door behind us and locked the door. As we walked to the cafe, I tried to focus on meditating. I wanted to learn to use this skill subconsciously so that I would constantly resupply myself with mana. It still took a great deal of concentration, so I ended up tuning out everyone else.

"Smarus!" Lily brought me back to reality.

"Yes, Lily?" I turned to her.

"What are you zoning out for?" Lily pouted. "Did you even hear Aurora's question?

"My apologies. Can you repeat yourself, Aurora?" I turned and nodded my head apologetically. 

"As I was saying, Lord Smarus," She seemed a bit annoyed. "I ran into Arlo, and he was talking about marriage…

That scumbag! Doesn't he know that certain conversations should never be repeated!? I was worried that he told her about what I said when we were in the bathhouse. Arlo was unbearable a little too often. I sighed.

"To be specific he was talking to Vide and Gricelda, and I was walking by. He made a comment about how you must have a lot of possible suitors due to your ambitious dreams. It's not uncommon for people of high status to have multiple spouses…" Aurora stated.

Despite her attempt to keep a flat tone, her cheeks were rosy red. I highly doubted that Arlo was just commenting. From what I knew, he was emotionally intelligent, so he must have made this comment when he saw Aurora. I sighed.

"So you wanted to ask if I was interested in marriage?" I nodded my head in understanding.

"Y-yes… But of course, I'm not saying you have to or should!... but if you don't mind sharing…" Aurora was playing with her fingers. She was unusually indirect about her comment.

Lily and Myra were also blushing while we discussed this topic. I rubbed my neck as I thought of a response. I didn't want to step on their feelings, but at the same time, I didn't want to commit to something that I didn't feel like I was ready for. At the same time, I didn't know how I would feel if they married someone else. I could have been jumping the gun though.

"One day, I do intend to get married. However, I will only marry on my terms. Not out of obligation, nor status, nor even power," I was proud of my answer. Bullet dodged!

"So out of love?" Myra looked at me with sparkling eyes.

She had such high hopes and expectations! I thought she was supposed to be a loyal servant, so why was she looking at me like that? She was so innocent.

"Sure," I picked up my pace to avoid any more questions.

The four of us had breakfast together before heading to the coliseum. Donkor, Sonia, Bodil, and Irene already picked out spots while Arlo and his wives sat in the row in front of us. There were a lot more people here today, so the Board of Education set up monitors. People had to stand outside to watch the fights take place.

"Why is it so damn crowded?" I sighed.

"Everyone wants to see the hero fight. I heard that they switched the order of the fights so Ace and Luna would be the opening fight," Donkor explained.

"Great…" I rubbed my chin.

I hoped that Luna would be able to hold her own. If she displayed her skill well enough, I was sure that she would leave a lasting impression. I couldn't help myself but feel worried.

"Worried for your ex?" Arlo looked back.

"Couldn't you phrase that any better?" I sighed.

Arlo chuckled and Donkor followed suit. It was weird since I also found myself smiling. Arlo managed to calm me down a little bit. All of the girls looked at us confused.

"Donkor, pay close attention. On the off chance you beat me, your opponent will be Ace," I smiled.

"Off chance? You are as confident as ever!" He leaned forward.

My eyes were glued to the center of the stage as the crowd became restless. All of the seats were taken.

"Good morning ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to day three of a mass tournament!" The announcer sounded just as excited as the audience. "Let's skip the formalities. Our first candidate, a saintess, a princess, and an intelligent woman, give it up for Lunafreya Crestiala!"

Roars rose as Luna took the stage. She had two grimores attached to her sides, and she walked with confidence. A smile slowly grew on my face. I looked at her stats.

Lunafreya Crestiala

Age: 16

Title: Child Prodigy

Strength: 2.5

Intelligence: 6

Agility: 3

Charisma: 5

Magic: 6.8

Class: Saint

Mana: 5000/5000

Luna has improved a lot over the last year. She specialized in her stats, but it paid off. I wasn't sure what bonus her title gave her, or how she got it, but I was sure it would help her. Grimores were hard to use, even more so to read, so that surprised me. They also had to choose their user, so the fact she had two spoke volumes.

"And her opponent is none other than the wielder of light and hope. Ladies and gentlemen, please give it up for the HERROOO, ACEEE LIIIOONNHEEAARRT!!" The announcer yelled at the top of his lungs.

The entire stadium, no, the entire area was filled with cheers. Nothing else could be heard for minutes. If only people knew who Ace really was, they would not be cheering like this.

Ace waved his hands and threw kisses at some girls. In addition to the Hero's sword that he had, he also had a short sword strapped on his side. Even in his uniform, his muscles were very apparent.

"What's the big deal about this guy?" Bodil scoffed.

She still had some bandages from her battle from yesterday. She sat with her arms crossed while looking annoyed.

"I agree. Based on what you told us, Smarus, Ace isn't all that good as a person," Irene looked at me.

"It's just the human thing to do. People will pay more attention to his title and status and forget that he's a human at all," A creepy smile spread across my face. "I can't wait to humiliate him in front of everyone!"

They gave me a concerned look before turning their attention back to the stage. I wanted to read Ace's stats, but I didn't have the chance.

"This is a battle of a lifetime! FIIIGGHHT!!!" The announcer started the match.

Immediately, both of Luna's grimores flew open and flipped through the pages. Luna was speaking so fast that it wasn't comprehensible, and her eyes began to glow bright yellow. A series of magic circles formed behind her and on top of her, one larger than the last. It rose beyond the stadium! I felt beads of sweat on my forehead as I read the magic. This power was comparable to a nuclear bomb!

I looked to my side and saw that Aurora and Myra were just as surprised. Their eyes and mouths were wide open. Everything became dimmer, no, Luna's magic circles were just too bright. She was almost finished casting her spell.

As I looked back at the fighters, I saw that Ace wasn't even fazed in the slightest, instead he was just… waiting! He didn't even draw his sword yet. Right before Luna finished her spell, he dashed forward at an indescribable speed.

"Cancel!" He wiped his hand across the air.

Almost as if Luna was never casting, the circles vanished without a trance. There were no magic particles in the air at all! Luna tried to pull a dagger out, but Ace picked her up by the neck. She was gasping for air and flaring her arms. Ace pulled her close and whispered in her ear before throwing her off the stage.

Everyone was shocked by this turn of events. No words could describe the tense mood in the air. I looked at Ace's stats.

Name: Ace Lionheart

Titles: Dragon Slayer, Rising King

Age: 16

Strength: 7.7

Intelligence: 7.7

Agility: 7.7

Charisma: 7.7

Magic: 7.7

Class: Hero

Mana: 10000/10000

So many questions ran through my head, but one thing was above them all. Anger.

"We… we have our first winner…" the announcer was dumbfounded. "And it looks like we have a protester?"

The crowd all turned to me. It took me a moment to realize that I was standing and leaking murderous intent. I was staring at Luna's body on the floor as she cried. For some reason, my emotions were amplified.

Ace looked up at the stadium and smiled. His smile was twisted and sinister which only made me angrier.

"L-lord Smarus?" Aurora looked worried.

I took a deep breath and forced myself to calm down. I shouldn't lose my composure over a tournament match. 

"I'll see you guys on the day of the finals," I began to leave.

"Are you really that mad over your ex?" Bodil smirked.

"I would be just as angry if you were down there," I looked back and saw a vivid purple glow. "I will not tolerate disrespect on my name!" I jumped over the railing and landed on the stage.

Ding! Bodil's character log updated!

I ignored the notification. I walked past Ace and crouched next to Luna. There was a handprint on her neck so I cast Lesser Heal. I picked her up and stood up. I turned and glared at Ace.

"Enjoy your temporary victory. On the day of the finals, I will completely destroy you," I turned around.

Luna wrapped her arms around my neck and cried onto my shirt. She held it tightly as if her life depended on it. I walked out of the stadium and carried Luna to her room.

"Smarus Dragonborne challenged Ace Lionheart! If this plays out, it will be a battle between our school's villain and hero!" I heard the announcer in the distance.

I opened the door to Luna's waiting room and sat her on the couch. She stopped crying, but her eyes were red and puffy.

"Why is it that I always need to be rescued?" she wiped her eyes.

"How could you expect him to cancel your spell? Instead, learn from this experience," I crossed my arms.

"And you? You're still leaking magic," She looked up.

"I will finish what you started. Leave this to me," I walked to the door. "Stay close to everyone for now. I'll see you in two days," I left the room.

Two more days until the semi-finals. There was only so much that I could do, but there was one thing. I pulled out the book of forbidden magic from my inventory. Another all-nighter was the last thing I wanted to do.