The sound of footsteps echoes into the room—Vichel has arrived. Everyone inside quickly drops the topic about Zoi and Zeff.

  “Vicheeel!” Jacelin greets her friend with bright enthusiasm.

  “Sorry, I’m late.”

  “Oh, not at all—the party wouldn’t start without you.”

  Zoi quickly steadies her breath and gathers her thoughts.

  Jacelin leads Vichel to the round table already set with food and drinks. Bertan and Zoi have taken their seats.

  “Hi, Vichella Arleith, it’s nice to finally meet you in person,” Zoi greets.

  “Hi…” Vichel doesn’t recognize the girl.

  Jacelin jumps in with the introduction. “This is Zoi Zirly, a talented artificer—Zeff’s girlfr… ahem, I mean, his friend.”

  Zoi nearly blushes again at the slip. Yanzen steps up to join them, addressing Vichel.

  “Zoi’s the one who upgraded several of Zeff’s elemental orbs to max level. That might’ve caused you some trouble when you faced him in the arena. I’m Yanzen Ummel, Zoi’s teammate.”

  Vichel is pleased to meet them.

  “Come, sit, Vichel,” Bertan invites with his usual warm smile. “Jacelin bought plenty of your favorite foods.”

  Vichel’s appetite is immediately piqued at the sight of the spread on the table.

  “Oh, Jacelin. Thank you so much.”

  “We’re having a party today, so the food has to be something everyone enjoys!”

  Yanzen glances toward the door. “Oi, Zeff. You came too.”

  Zeff appears at the entrance, but with an intensely gloomy aura that everyone in the room can feel.

  “What’s wrong? You look so dark.”

  Even Vichel is puzzled—she didn’t realize Zeff could get so gloomy just because of her words in the elevator.

  “It’s nothing.” Zeff keeps walking in.

  Zoi hopes Zeff will take the empty seat next to her, but he ends up sitting beside Vichel, slightly nudging Yanzen, who had initially wanted that spot. Yanzen reluctantly gives in. Vichel just glances at the electro youth beside her with a hint of curiosity.

  Zoi looks disappointed. Jacelin takes the empty seat next to Zoi, and they continue chatting as if they’ve been close friends for a long time.

  All the invited friends have arrived. Jacelin stands up, officially opening the party she organized.

  “Everyone, thank you for coming to this little gathering. Aside from Senior Bertan, who’s practically a veteran at Verlyn Academy, we’re here to spend our last day at the academy creating happy memories together.”

  Everyone listens to Jacelin with small smiles, except Zeff, who stares at the floor, lost in his own thoughts.

  “Don’t let any feelings linger unsaid—express everything now, so tomorrow we can say goodbye with smiles and take our next steps without any obstacles from the past.”

  Zoi is captivated by Jacelin’s skillful words, and Bertan gazes at the girl with a sparkle of admiration.

  Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

  After Jacelin finishes speaking, Zeff immediately raises his hand. “I want to say something.”

  “Oh, of course, Zeff. Please, go ahead if there’s something you want to say.”

  Everyone watches Zeff with curiosity, wondering what he’s about to say. His face still carries the weight of his thoughts.

  “I want to apologize to Vichella Arleith.”

  The first words surprise Vichel—and everyone else. Zeff looks directly at the blonde girl beside him.

  “During the final match, my behavior apparently upset you, even though that was never my intention. Please forgive my actions back then.”

  Although Zeff sincerely intends to apologize from the heart, a sudden nervousness flares up when he looks at Vichel, and the expression of genuine remorse fails to show on his face.

  What Vichel sees is a man giving a flat, usual-faced apology, unaware that Zeff is actually struggling to hide his nerves. Unmoved, Vichel quickly turns her gaze back to the table.

  “Of course, I forgive you. It’s in the past now,” she replies casually.

  “Vichel, don’t be like that…” Jacelin chides. “If you still can’t forgive Zeff, just let out all the frustration in your heart—that’s what we’re gathered here for.”

  Vichel stays silent for a moment, thinking.

  “All right,” she answers finally.

  She takes a deep breath, as if preparing to unleash a torrent of complaints.

  “Zeff Lou Roan! Just saying sorry isn’t enough! Your behavior back then was completely over the line! You hurt my pride! Even though I’m a woman, I trained like crazy to face any opponent in the arena! And yet you defeated me like that! I would’ve preferred being thrown, slammed, or hit by a spear of thunder! And also…”

  Vichel continues, pouring out every grievance she has about Zeff’s actions during the final match with full force, like a long-dormant volcano finally erupting its molten fury to the sky.

  Zeff can only stand there, stunned—this is the first time in his life he’s been scolded so completely. Everyone else is left speechless, merely watching.

  Vichel’s voice carries all the way outside the room. Luckily, the artificer building is quiet at the time, so it doesn’t draw any attention.

  Yanzen starts to worry and leans closer to whisper to Jacelin beside him. “Is it okay to just let this go on?”

  Jacelin chuckles mischievously. “Just let her be. If needed, I’d love for Zeff’s ears to go deaf from Vichel’s rant.”

  Vichel, still far from satisfied, lets out her final complaint. “Just imagine if that protective sheath were like clothing—do you realize how embarrassed I was because of what you did?!”

  Zeff instantly turns beet-red, spontaneously imagining Vichel’s words.

  “D-d-don’t compare a protective sheath to clothing! I-I wouldn’t have torn it if it were!”

  “Where is this debate even going?” Yanzen mutters, his mind wandering to strange places after hearing them.

  “Ah, this is entertaining,” Bertan whispers.

  Jacelin and Zoi stay silent, unable to comment.

  “That’s why your behavior is just like an immoral man!” Vichel snaps.

  “I’m not that kind of man!”

  Zeff slamming his hand on the table and staring sharply at Vichel.

  “Let’s duel again! This time, I’ll make sure to beat you just like I beat my sparring partners.”

  Vichel responds with an equally serious expression.

  “I accept your challenge. Don’t think I’ll let myself be defeated twice, no matter what it takes!”

  .

  In the wide field behind the artificer building, Zeff and Vichel stand facing each other, the air charged with challenge. The duel between the two battlemage finalists is about to begin again.

  Both Zeff and Vichel prepare, loosening their muscles and readying themselves.

  Meanwhile, Jacelin, Bertan, Zoi, and Yanzen watch from the edge of the field. The place is quiet—no one else is around.

  Jacelin pinches her forehead. “If I’d known it would come to this, I’d regret letting them argue.”

  “That’s not your fault,” Bertan replies. “Some problems can only be solved through action.”

  “This is a man-versus-woman issue. Even though Vichel has a steel mindset, she’s still a woman. I can’t bear to see Zeff really hit her.”

  “That’s the interesting part,” Bertan smiles instead. “How will Zeff handle a woman like Vichel?”

  Zeff’s body is already starting to glisten with sweat from a bit of warm-up. He’s wearing a thin, tight-fitting shirt, making the firm muscles of his body stand out clearly. Zoi can’t bear to stare too long—her cheeks flush, and she quickly shifts her gaze elsewhere.

  Vichel, too, is in full battle-ready mode in her white-toned training outfit. Feeling her warm-up is enough, she fixes her focus squarely on her opponent ahead.

  “What kind of duel do you want?” Vichel asks.

  Zeff stands only a few meters away from her.

  “The fairest kind—no elemental powers, no weapons. Pure physical ability.” He clenches his fists. “A barehanded duel. Do you mind?”

  Vichel smiles broadly.

  “Interesting.”

  She shows not a trace of fear.

  This time, it’s Bertan who grows uneasy. “All right, now I’m worried for Vichel if they’re going to fight barehanded.”

  Jacelin, on the other hand, smiles. “Relax, Senior. This is going to be exciting.”

  Her reaction surprises Bertan even more.