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Ruvahn, as if not wanting to waste a single moment, spread out a map and began speaking with an enthusiastic attitude.
“We’ll get higher scores if we go deeper into the forest, right? What do you all think?”
At that, Cedric shook his head coldly, as if there was no room for reconsideration.
“We can’t go too deep. It’s dangerous.”
“What?”
“And we have a fragile girl here, too.”
While Ruvahn frowned as if he had heard something absurd, Felix chimed in from the side.
“That’s right. Ayla’s stamina isn’t good, so long-distance travel will be difficult for her.”
Ruvahn’s face showed irritation at the two men’s successive rebuttals.
“But the rule of the Subjugation Contest is that the more difficult Monsters you defeat, the higher the score you get. As for stamina problems, we can use Reinforcement Magic.”
But Cedric only snorted at his words.
“Well, I’m not as obsessed with scores as you are. I don’t see the need to go that far.”
“…Ah, I see. Felix, what about you?”
Ruvahn suppressed his annoyance and looked at Felix. But Felix was just staring blankly at Ayla’s face instead of answering.
“What does Ayla think? I’ll do whatever Ayla tells me to do.”
“Ah, well, I…”
However, Ayla’s words were cut short. It was because Cedric interrupted with a displeased look.
“I’ve been wondering since earlier, why do you keep saying Ayla, Ayla, every time you speak? Isn’t Ayla clearly your senior?”
At those words, Felix narrowed his eyes. He stared at Cedric’s pink hair for a moment, then opened his mouth with as much patience as he could muster.
“I thought everyone here knew that Ayla and I are dating.”
“It’s fine if you do that when you’re alone, but this is a public setting, isn’t it?”
“…If my senior is that uncomfortable, I’ll use honorifics only during the Subjugation Contest.”
“I wish you would.”
Seeing the atmosphere turn hostile before it even started, Ayla already felt a headache coming on.
She hurriedly opened her mouth to defuse the situation.
“I’m fine with anywhere. I want to get a good score in this Subjugation Contest too. It’ll be fine if I use Reinforcement Magic, as you said.”
At her words, Cedric and Felix simultaneously gave her worried looks.
This was because Reinforcement Magic put a considerable strain on the user’s body. Especially for someone who wasn’t in good shape to begin with.
Perhaps that was why both of them spoke up at the same time.
“What if you overdo it and collapse, Ayla?”
“Are you really going to be okay, senior?”
Ayla wore a flustered expression. She seemed speechless at the outpouring of concern.
“Of course, I’m fine. I’m one of the participants, after all. …And please focus more on the strategy meeting right now.”
At her firm words, Ruvahn looked delighted, as if he had gained an ally.
“Haa, well said. It’s a relief that at least one person is motivated.”
He pointed to the map and continued the meeting.
“If we want to get a high score, we have to go deep inside anyway. That’s where rare Superior Magical Creatures will be.”
“That’s true, but… Ruvahn, what kind of Magic are you good at?”
“Me? I’m pretty good at Fire Magic. Other Magic is still stuck at the 3rd stage, but I can go beyond that with Fire.”
Ayla was a little surprised. She could understand why Ruvahn was selected for the Subjugation Contest; he was skilled.
To be able to use Magic above the 4th stage without even graduating from the academy yet.
“Then I have a better idea.”
Ayla looked around at the three men and spoke clearly.
“Our group happens to have two knights and two Mages, so the balance is good. And since Ruvahn is specialized in Fire Magic, it won’t be difficult to carry out wide-area subjugation in the forest.”
“That’s right.”
“So, instead of searching for hidden Superior Magical Creatures, I think it would be safer and more efficient to wipe out groups of Monsters that travel together.”
“Hmm.”
Ayla pointed her finger at the map showing the terrain of the forest and continued her explanation.
“Belvain and Little grouch, vine-type Monsters, happen to inhabit this area. They have more numbers than most Monsters, and they reproduce to the point of affecting private houses when the weather gets warmer.”
“Umm…”
“Other groups won’t be interested in plant-type Monsters, so if we focus on wiping them out, we might get more points than facing a few Superior Magical Creatures.”
By the time Ayla finished speaking coherently, Ruvahn looked quite persuaded.
“Hmm, okay. Pushing through with numbers doesn’t sound bad either.”
“Yes, and it seems to fit well with the purpose of this Subjugation Contest.”
Cedric watched Ayla enthusiastically expressing her opinion and smiled bitterly.
‘As expected, Ayla is sharp.’
He admired and respected her for continuing on her path without wavering, even after being betrayed by the family she had trusted and followed.
‘Maybe it was better for Ayla to leave the Noble house.’
Cedric sincerely thought so. The atmosphere of the Blanche Noble house had been at its worst lately.
After the Monster egg incident, Irene went to a villa to recuperate, perhaps because she was uncomfortable even facing Rosia.
Because of that, Rosia’s condition had also become strange.
As soon as the confinement imposed by Calios was over, she locked herself in her room as if she had given up on everything.
Of course, she didn’t do what she had to do as a Princess Consort, neglected the management of the Noble house, and didn’t even show her face in social circles.
Recalling that situation, Cedric let out a soft sigh.
‘I have no idea what Rosia is thinking.’
Of course, it wasn’t that he wasn’t worried about Rosia. Her reputation at the academy had deteriorated as much as it could due to a series of incidents.
Perhaps that was why Freya seemed to be the only person left who could be called a friend.
But he didn’t feel like actively stepping up for her.
That was because he couldn’t stand Rosia ever since the Monster egg incident.
‘Of course, I know that my real younger sister is Rosia…’
Even knowing that, whenever he remembered her spewing harsh words at Ayla, he resented Rosia so much.
How pitiful Ayla looked, unable to show that she was in pain and turning away, telling him not to interfere.
Was that why?
Lately, it had become difficult for him to face Rosia. He was beginning to understand Irene’s feelings.
The even more ridiculous fact was that he wasn’t the only one feeling that way right now.
Gerard was also overly silent and sparing with his words, perhaps feeling the same way.
‘My brother must be feeling uneasy too.’
Cedric stared blankly ahead.
He could see Ayla and Felix talking affectionately.
The atmosphere was so full of affection that he could tell they were both very fond of each other.
Seeing that, Ayla came to mind, defending Felix in front of him, who had looked down on Felix for being a commoner.
She had said that he was the only person who had helped her when no one was by her side.
‘But now that guy has been revealed to be the son of a Duke.’
Now Cedric could no longer oppose their relationship.
As Ayla had said, Felix was a very good person.
Even though he had gained a high status, he hadn’t changed his attitude at all and was still maintaining a good relationship with Ayla.
Someone like him would continue to be a reliable supporter for Ayla in the future.
‘Maybe Ayla recognized his true value, unlike me and my brother.’
Thinking that far, Cedric lowered his head as if blaming himself.
It was fortunate that Ayla had become happy, but the fact that she would never return to her family again pained his heart.
A cold smile lingered on Rosia’s lips as she watched this scene from afar.
‘Look at him, unable to take his eyes off Ayla for even a moment.’
Seeing this, she could be even more certain. Cedric would no longer be on her side.
Her insides were twisted, but Rosia tried to act nonchalant.
‘It’s better this way. This is an opportunity to get rid of both of them at once.’
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