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"The duel is over."
"The winner is Erend."
When the mechanical sound announcing victory and defeat resounded loudly over the entire stage, no one present could react immediately.
"...Ah?"
Natasha stood there blankly, with a bewildered look on her face, unable to make the next move for a long time.
"...Lost?"
"That Swift Wind Blade Lightning... lost?"
"No way..."
Many spectators seemed unable to accept this abrupt outcome, leaving them staring at each other in shock.
Under such circumstances, Erend took back the Black Furnace Demon Sword, restoring it to its launcher state while speaking.
"In this way, what I promised is done, right?"
At these words, Natasha snapped out of her daze.
"I see..."
Looking at the boy in front of her, Natasha smiled bitterly.
"At the last moment, did the senior not use the hot air to speed himself up?"
Since she did not feel the heat, Natasha couldn't react in time.
"No way," Erend shrugged and said. "Since I know that the hot wind wrapped around my body will be detected first when I get close to my opponent, then continuing to use it like that will only waste my star power."
"If it were against someone like David, it would be fine, but dealing with an opponent like you—who has a keen sense and excellent reflexes—that would be an obvious flaw."
"I want to thank you for making me realize the problem with this move."
If it weren't for Natasha, Erend would never have discovered that using hot wind for acceleration had such a significant flaw.
His thanks were sincere.
Seeing this, Natasha smiled bitterly. But not long after, she felt a sense of relief.
"Congratulations, you are ranked first in Livermorny, senior."
Even though she had lost, and all her previous efforts now seemed meaningless, Natasha was surprised to find that she was not sad at all. Instead, she felt freed from some invisible burden.
Thanks to this, her expression became much more relaxed.
Then—
"—Yes, that's the expression."
Erend suddenly spoke.
"What?"
Natasha was stunned.
Erend smiled and said, "Your expression now is much better than when I first met you."
Hearing this, Natasha's mind flashed back to the moment they first met.
At that time, her expression must have been heavy, burdened. That was probably why the senior had said such words.
"A heavy expression like that doesn't suit you," Erend said. "Especially when I know what you are carrying."
As someone familiar with the original story, Erend had known what Natasha had been enduring from the beginning.
Therefore, seeing the girl before him with such a troubled expression made it impossible for him to ignore it.
Even though she had won countless battles before, she never seemed happy.
She was ranked first in Livermorny, but she could not feel any real pride or joy.
With that in mind, Erend spoke again as they were about to part ways.
Was it sympathy? Or pity?
Erend didn't know. And he didn't want to overthink it.
In the end, he wanted to challenge the strongest, step onto the grandest stage, and experience an extraordinary journey. Challenging Natasha had simply been inevitable.
So, Erend spoke without hesitation.
"Seeing your expression now, I feel much more at ease." Erend smiled. "So, I also want to congratulate you, Natasha."
Hearing this, Natasha's eyes welled up with tears.
She didn't know how to describe what she felt at that moment.
"Senior, I..."
Just when Natasha was about to say something, Erend interrupted her.
"Then, I will formally invite you here."
In front of the entire audience, on Livermorny's largest competitive stage, Erend locked eyes with Natasha.
"Be my partner, Natasha."
The entire stadium fell into stunned silence.
When they processed what Erend was doing, almost everyone widened their eyes.
"Partner...?"
Natasha was flustered and in disbelief.
If she wasn't mistaken, was Erend...?
"Yes, it's exactly what you think."
Erend confirmed her thoughts without hesitation.
"The Phoenix Star Martial Festival is about to begin. In about a month, the summer festival of the first-year students will take place as scheduled."
"I plan to participate."
"For that, I need a partner."
The Phoenix Star Martial Festival was a two-person competition.
To participate, one had to form a team of two.
Erend wanted to make his journey as thrilling as possible, and missing this festival was not an option.
His original intent in approaching Natasha had been to invite her to be his partner from the very start.
"You want to save your father, right?" Erend said seriously. "Then, teaming up with me and winning the Phoenix Star Martial Festival would be the fastest way to fulfill your wish."
The winners of any Star Martial Festival could make a request to the six unified enterprise consortiums, and they would grant it.
With their influence—essentially ruling the world—they could easily help Natasha rescue her father from prison.
Of course, the prerequisite was winning.
"I know it won't be easy."
As he said this, Erend smiled confidently.
"But with our combined strength, I believe we can do it, don't you?"
One was the top-ranked student in Livermorny.
One was the next number one, who had just defeated the former champion.
This partnership would undoubtedly be one of the strongest in the competition.
"So, will you join me?"
Erend extended his hand toward Natasha.
The entire audience held their breath, watching in anticipation.
"Don't agree, Natasha...!"
Somewhere in the crowd, someone shouted anxiously.
But no one, not even Natasha, paid them any attention.
She looked at the outstretched hand in front of her with hesitation.
She had considered joining the Star Martial Festival before.
Just like Erend said, if she wanted to rescue her father, winning the festival would be the fastest method.
But she had always known that winning on her own would be extremely difficult.
After all, this was a competition where the best students from six academies clashed!
Even as the top-ranked student of Livermorny, other schools had their champions too.
Facing such formidable opponents, Natasha couldn't guarantee victory.
So, she had followed her uncle's advice instead.
But now...
"If it's with senior..."
A surge of emotion erupted in her heart.
Before she even realized it, she had already extended her hand.
Then, she carefully placed it in Erend's.
"Ohhhhhhhhhh...!"
A delayed cheer finally exploded across the arena.
This day was destined to cause a sensation.
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