"Oh! I didn't expect any less from Her Highness."
Rajin chuckled as he observed Carol, his sharp gaze gleaming with mock admiration.
"To see through me with just a glance... I guess I shouldn't expect anything less from a member of the Royal Family—raised under the constant watch of masters their entire life."
A wide grin stretched across Rajin's face as he stepped forward, his footsteps echoing with false humility. But Carol remained as calm as ice. Her posture didn't shift, her gaze didn't waver. She knew well enough that this flattery was nothing more than a veil—a petty trick to bait her into dropping her guard.
"Why don't you use your hands instead of your mouth?"
Carol's voice was composed, but her eyes held a chilling glint of warning.
Rajin's grin faltered. He narrowed his eyes, a flicker of fury dancing within, but he quickly reined it in.
(Tch… It's always the same with these dignified, high-born types. That self-righteous composure… That smug, unwavering tone… It makes my skin crawl! But today—today I'll make them regret the worst sin they ever committed… looking down on us!)
"Well, well. It seems Her Highness doesn't enjoy our little conversation, huh?"
Rajin's voice lowered, laced with venomous amusement.
"Very well then… allow me to fulfill Her Highness's wish and move my arms instead of my tongue!"
Psh!!
In an instant, Rajin exploded forward. His speed was overwhelming—his form almost floating as he blurred across the battlefield like a wraith.
"Now, Your Highness! Take responsibility for making me move these arms! Aha-ha-ha!"
With a wild grin, Rajin closed the distance in a blink, his fist cocked back, aimed straight at Carol's face. Carol stood still, watching his approach, her gaze intense yet unreadable.
Rajin was now inches away. He swung his arm.
"HER HIGHNESS!!"
Miyuki cried out from the sidelines as the fist barreled down toward Carol.
And then—
Whoosh.
Rajin's fist passed clean through—through thin air. Carol vanished.
"She used the same technique she used against me!!"
Taguchi roared from the back, his fists clenched as veins bulged on his temple.
He hadn't forgotten. Not that technique—not the humiliation it brought him.
Rajin stood frozen, staring in disbelief at the space where Carol once stood.
(Fast!!)
"What happened?"
Carol's voice came cold and sharp from behind him.
"I believe I told you to move your arms, didn't I?"
Rajin whirled around. Carol stood there, calm and collected, a faintly mocking smile on her lips.
(S-she… She's looking down on me…!)
"You damn witch! Today, I'll kill you with my own hands!"
Taguchi suddenly shouted, stepping forward, his aura flaring.
"Taguchi, STOP!"
Rajin snapped, his voice thunderous. Taguchi halted, stunned.
Rajin lowered his gaze, the air around him beginning to distort. A suffocating pressure radiated outward.
Slowly, he lifted his head. A wide, savage smirk stretched across his face.
"Taguchi… stay out of it. This is my fight!"
He locked eyes with Taguchi. A deadly intensity shimmered in his pupils. The bloodlust was unmistakable. Even Taguchi, aggressive as he was, took a step back.
Carol tilted her head and smiled.
"Finally getting serious, huh? Le—"
Boom!
Before she could finish, Rajin appeared in front of her like a ghost. Carol's eyes widened.
(H-how!?)
She didn't have time to react.
Boom!!
Rajin's punch collided with her face, and she was launched across the field like a cannonball.
Crash!!
Carol's body slammed into a towering rock pillar, cracking it upon impact.
"HER HIGHNESS!!!"
The First Division members cried out in horror, rushing toward her. Her body was lodged in the cracked rock, blood trailing down her cheek.
Rajin turned, the anger fading from his face, replaced by indifference.
"My work is done. The rest of you… finish th—"
"STOP!!"
A commanding voice pierced the tension. Rajin's eyes widened. He turned slowly.
Carol stepped out of the pillar, her body scratched and battered, but her presence—unchanged. No, stronger.
(S-she survived my direct attack…!?)
A radiant golden light began to emit from Carol's body, wrapping her like a second skin.
The crowd fell silent, stunned. Even Shinju Hayato, watching from above, narrowed his eyes.
(W-what is that light? W-what's happening to her…?)
"You got me there—for a moment. I underestimated you," Carol said, her voice even, glowing eyes locked on Rajin.
"But now that I understand your limits… there's no way I'll lose."
Rajin's face twisted with fury. Veins popped across his forehead, fumes of mana rising.
"I see… Her Highness has some interesting tricks."
He chuckled darkly, lifting his arm.
"Your unique techniques might've worked against anyone else. But against me? That was your biggest mistake."
Crackling sparks danced across his skin. Purple thunder surged from his palms.
The crowd gasped.
"Th-thunder element!?"
This was the first time anyone besides the Board of Education had seen Rajin use elemental magic. Until now, he had relied purely on brute force.
But today, he had been pushed.
Rajin took a step forward, lightning coiling around him like living serpents.
"No one's ever pissed me off this much before. You're the first one, Your Highness… to make me use this power."
He raised his hand. The sky darkened. Black thunderclouds swirled above the arena. The air buzzed with raw electricity.
Carol took a step back, readying herself.
But—
"STOP!"
The First Division suddenly jumped in front of her. Miyuki stood at the front, her arms wide.
"Before you get to Her Highness… you'll have to face all of us!"
Carol blinked, stunned.
"What are you all doing!? This is my fight!"
Miyuki turned and smiled.
"We're just doing what a team does—fighting by each other's side."
All of them smiled, standing together, shoulder to shoulder. They had never spoken much to Carol before this. She had trained alone… distanced herself.
But now they stood with her.
Carol's chest tightened.
(Why…?)
Rajin scoffed, amused.
"Huh. I guess even insects can bark. Wasting time, are we?"
A voice interrupted him.
"Then let us waste time together. After all, we're a team too."
Taguchi and Rajin's comrades stepped forward, joining him. Rajin raised an eyebrow, then let out a sharp laugh.
"Ara… I didn't expect that."
He clenched his fist, thunder roaring in the sky above.
"Let the action… BEGIN!"