Chapter 68: Sugarcoated

Amphere Harrison

"I-I was just joking!" Exceria quickly added, attempting to defuse any tension that might have arisen. "T-There's no way I could be that old! Ahahahaha."

With a playful gesture, Exceria stuck out her tongue and knocked her forehead as if she had clumsily misspoken. Airi and I exchanged knowing glances, sharing the same thought in our minds. It seemed that Exceria had unintentionally revealed a slip of her tongue. Considering that H.G. was a thousand-year-old granny who could advertise cosmetics, it wasn't entirely implausible for Exceria to be of a similar age, especially considering she was dubbed as the strongest dragonoid.

After the delightful date, we returned to the academy to check our compatibility rate once again. The results left me astonished, almost making me question my own existence. From zero to ninety-four percent compatibility rate! I attempted to synchronize my heartbeats with the beautiful woman, and as I placed my hand on my chest, she mirrored the action. To our surprise, both of our chests emitted a soft, mesmerizing blue glow. It seemed that the date had truly worked its magic!

"It's getting dark already…" Airi groaned, her gaze fixed disapprovingly on Exceria. "You need to go home now. And don't even think about another date with my Amphy! TOTALLY!!!"

"Y-Yes…" Exceria meekly acquiesced, visibly intimidated by the fiery woman.

"I'll escort you," I offered, extending the courtesy to Exceria. Upon glancing at me, Exceria blushed, adding a hint of bashfulness to her demeanor.

"NO! TOTALLY!!!" Airi's frustration seemed to manifest in a puff of imaginary smoke from her brain. "Any more time spent together will result in your compatibility rates rising! I'm letting it slide for now only because it's at 94%. An increase of just one percent might imply that this woman has feelings for you! That's why I'm prohibiting you two from meeting each other without my permission! Totally!"

"T-That's totally unnecessary," I tried to calm Airi down, hoping to defuse the situation. "We don't have that kind of relationship, right?" I turned to Exceria, who quickly agreed with a nod.

Airi huffed, crossing her arms and turning her gaze away from me. "Anyway, just use Vesryn Pulse on me so I can fly Exceria back to the cathedral."

Following her request, I activated the Vesryn Pulse, and Exceria comfortably settled herself on Airi's Chimeratech Dragon form's head as they took flight. Airi boasted the title of the fastest flyer in the Dragon Knight's Academy, so the journey to escort Exceria wouldn't take long—probably just thirty minutes round trip.

Returning to my dormitory room, I found myself still thinking about the compatibility rate results. I had forgotten to test the Vesryn Pulse on Exceria, and I also failed to ask about her dragon form. I could only imagine how beautiful and majestic she must be in that form, perhaps even surpassing Airi's coolness. What a missed opportunity.

Suddenly, there were three knocks on my door, but before I could open it, the wooden door was blasted off its hinges! The culprit? It was Rudolf, but he was no longer in a wheelchair. Thanks to his mechanical legs, he now stood tall. His right arm had also been cybernetically enhanced, suggesting that he might have lost control of it and inadvertently caused the door to be torn apart.

"I'm sorry; I'm still trying to learn how to knock," Rudolf sheepishly scratched his head, offering an oblivious smile.

"Pay for that door later," I replied coldly, suppressing my annoyance. I was about to inquire about his purpose for barging in, but then I noticed he was accompanied by two unfamiliar individuals.

In walked a red-haired man donning the white Dragon Knight Academy uniform, and no matter how I looked at him, he exuded an air of arrogance that irked me. He was none other than my next and final opponent in the finals, Cleru Neos. Accompanying him was a stunning figure with golden blonde hair framing a regal and pretty face. She wore a golden tiara that confirmed her majesty—the Princess Serenity Elkyria herself.

"Sir Amphere Harrison..." the princess tightened her gaze at me. "I need a word with you."

With Rudolf, the honorable Pentagram Knight, standing guard beside the door, I invited Cleru and the princess into my room. I was about to prepare them some tea, but the princess insisted, "We won't take long."

An awkward three-second silence enveloped the room before we finally began. The princess took the lead, her voice carrying an air of authority. "I know that I'm repetitive. But I will say it again. Please lose the tournament."

I glanced at Cleru, who was now lowering his gaze and clenching his fist. While I'm no psychic, it was evident that there was some intimacy between these two. Countless rumors swirled about the Princess favoring this plebeian to be her personal Royal Knight. Additionally, whenever Cleru got hurt during battles, the Princess would react with awe, passionately shouting his name. It seemed like a scene straight out of a clichéd movie. Clearly, these two shared a backstory that had brought them closer together.

"I have seen a glimpse of everything," I replied, choosing my words carefully. Then, I genuflected before the Princess, showing my respect. "Fine. I'll take your command, my princess. However, I do have one condition."

There was a slight smile on the Princess's face as she asked, "What condition would that be?"

"I need the Dragonoid Rights Bill to be passed," I stated firmly, not mincing my words. "Take it, or leave it."

"B-But that-!!!" Cleru attempted to intervene in our discussion, but the princess swiftly cut him off.

"Fine," she declared, a bright smile adorning her face, revealing the full extent of her beauty.

"B-But Seris-!!!" Cleru protested once more, but the princess didn't let him finish.

"This is the only way, Cleru. We'll deal with the other threats later."

Cleru slowly rose to his feet and walked until he stood a meter in front of me. His eyes blazed with fiery intensity as he unleashed his thoughts with no restraint.

"I completely don't trust you, 'Hero of Twilight City'," he spat out the title with disdain. "I've heard rumors that you betrayed your mentor, Estoff Wraith, and killed him with your own hands. You ended the life of someone dear to you just for the sake of glory and false honor. The blood of a traitor runs through your veins. I'm certain that you joined the Dragon Knights Tournament solely to boost your own name. You're nothing more than a normal noble with a noble's mentality. Do you really think we'll fall for your deceit? The Dragonoid Rights Bill is merely an excuse for you to lower my guard. You'll betray the princess and engage me in battle with true malice. But let me assure you, I will crush your deceitful ways and expose your simulated righteousness for what it truly is."

As much as I wanted to retort and give Cleru a piece of my mind, I held my tongue and allowed him to vent his frustrations. He grabbed my collar and bumped foreheads with me, which only made matters worse, especially with his unpleasant odor. It was clear that this hothead was itching for a fight.

The princess tried to intervene and defuse the tension between us, but Cleru's stubbornness seemed to have rendered his ears completely deaf to reason.

"I will defeat you, Amphere Harrison," he declared as he pushed me back and finally let me go. "Let's go, your highness."

The princess bowed, apologizing for Cleru's behavior, and then left my quarters. Rudolf intentionally stayed behind and teased me while fidgeting with the wires in his robot arms.

"Looks like the negotiation failed, Sugarcoated Hero," he mocked.

"Don't talk as if you didn't sell out your own general," I sighed, tired of his taunts.

Rudolf couldn't resist letting out an obnoxious laugh and continued with another cheeky remark.

"What will be your next move now, traitor?"

I took a moment to collect my thoughts, my mind set on a new goal.

"There's something those two won't tell me. That's why I'm going to become the Princess's Knight and make that arrogant peasant beg on his knees for me to resign my position," I vowed, determination flickering in my eyes.