Real champion
Real champion
"Many of the students are dissatisfied with that, but is that even important now?" Rea asked him after slicing a piece of meat.
Yman was about to bring the spoon towards his mouth, but pause when he heard Rea's question.
"Well. With the world competition coming up, I understand their decision. That inside competition was, after all, to just test our fighting skills and to see who can lead the coming World Competition."
"I see. Then, there's no problem with it, right? So how come so many students dislike the result?"
"Aha-ha…" Yman laughed wryly as he returned the spoon on his plate. Well. Could he tell her that he was the most hated person in the academy?
Nevermind.
"Well. It can't be helped. Almina and Maena are both favorites to win. Also, that decision seems unfair to both of them."
"There's nothing that can be done about it because no one anticipated the invasion."
"You're right. Regardless, you're awfully happy. Did something good happen?" Yman asked when he noticed that Rea seemed to be in a good mood.
"Eh? How can you tell?" She asked.
"Well… I can't explain how."
"Maybe because of familiarity, brother," Yana interjected.
"Hmm… yes. That might be the reason…"
'Wait. Doesn't this sound like I am used to Rea's presence? We're not even together that long,' Yman thought.
Rea looked away. Her face was slightly red.
"A-anyway… ahem! I won the betting poll in your competition. That's the reason," she said.
"Eh? So that's how it is."
"Brother, brother… the princess betted 100 imperial coins on you," Yana whispered in his ears again.
"O-one hundred imperial coins?!" Yman exclaimed in shock. "Isn't that a million gold coins if converted?" His jaw almost dropped to the floor.
Honestly, when he heard that he got the highest betting poll, he suspected that Rea might have bet on him. But it still surprised him after knowing that she actually bet such a huge amount of money.
Yman looked at her and smiled. "Rea, I think you're the real champion in that competition," he said with a wry smile.
"I know right, hehe," Yana chuckled.
"It's thanks to your efforts. And please do better again next time," Rea replied then brought the glass of juice towards her mouth.
"Why do I feel like you have become my manager? Wait. Don't make it sound like I am your pet," he said with blank eyes. "Also, can you increase my salary?"
"No."
"That's a fast reply!"
The three of them were having dinner. Sistela on the other hand was playing with the bee fire doll.
Yana looked at Rea. "By the way, princess, it might be unnecessary to say, but still congratulations for being admitted into the academy," she said.
Rea smiled and nodded. "Yes. Thank you, Yana."
Inside their house, Rea didn't need to use her cover. Yman decided to only use it when they go out, but if they were in the house and if it was only them, she could reveal her real face. So, at the moment, what they were seeing was the real face of Rea.
Yana couldn't help but admire Rea's beauty.
Meanwhile, Yman was sighing. If only he knew there would be a betting poll, he would be betting on himself.
How come he missed such a great opportunity to earn such a huge amount of money?
Damn!
The next morning, along with Rea, they rode on his Hell Chaser Bird.
They needed to go to the academy early to get Rea's result. And also, she needed to form a contract with a System Deity, like Sistela, as her partner. With it, she would be much more secure.
While Yman and Rea headed to the academy, Yana was left in their house.
He wasn't so worried about leaving her alone there because she had many bodyguards. He left some of his Enhanced Fire Dolls to guard their house and his sister. Also, if anything happened, he would know right away.
His sister's recovery was also going smoothly. So, Yman's goals in life were on the right path and going smoothly.
Upon arriving at the town, the Hell Chaser Bird landed in an open area. They would be walking from hereon.
Some people took some glances at them, especially at the huge gigantic bird.
"Your mount seems to attract a lot of attention," Rea mentioned when she noticed it.
"Yeah. It's because of his size," Yman was also aware of it.
"How did you make him grow to that size?"
"That baffled me as well. He used to be an ordinary Hell Chaser Bird at first, but he suddenly grew that big when I went to the empire."
"Hmm…"
"Don't think about it. Even I — had no idea of it as well."
"Okay. So, are we going straight to the academy?"
"I wish to visit the barracks first. But that's if you don't mind."
"That's fine with me. I also want to go to the shop."
"Let's do that after the training."
"Okay."
"It's decided then."
The two of them walked towards the carriage terminal. As they passed by on some streets, they could see more and more posters of the Black Magician everywhere.
Rea looked at him.
"Why won't you reveal yourself?"
From that question. Yman gawked. "Eh? Did you say something?"
Rea sighed and looked away. "No, nevermind."
Yman blinked his eyes in wonder of what Rea meant.
In some other streets, they noticed the remnants of the invasion. Wreckage buildings could be seen to their left and right. Some of them were already in the initial stage of rebuilding and restoration. But some still untouched.
They could also see some army on every corner of the streets.
"Are you two going on a date?" The coachman suddenly asked out of the blue.
"Uh…" Rea was about to say something but found herself unable to say a thing.
"Yes. We are," Yman was the one who replied.
"Eh?!" Rea exclaimed. Her face was red.
But soon, she heard his chuckle. "Kuku. Just kidding. We're going to visit the barracks," Yman said while smiling daintily.
"Oh is that so? I thought you were going on a date."
Yman squinted. "Ah, is there a problem?"
"There seem to be sightings of vigilante members in the town."
Hmm… no wonder he saw some armies roaming the street.