The Annual Royal Academy Tournament.

Every student who wishes to stand out amongst their peers and show off their prowess in magic and combat have been working hard towards this once-in-a-year event. And those who didn't still looked forward to this exciting event since they could watch spectacular magic duels between the best of the best in the royal academy.

It's also one of the biggest events in "Lovely Happenings". Not because of the exciting magic duels, but because this event will decide which route the heroine would enter.

In the game, despite being quite skilled with her magic, she decided not to join the tournament. Instead, she wishes to support the capture target she had chosen after going on "test dates" during the Spring Holiday Festival.

The chosen capture target would then win the tournament, "against all odds", and the heroine would officially enter his route. There's even a whole scene with incredible art and music when the heroine congratulates her chosen capture target and gives them a hug in the midst of her excitement.

It was an extremely important event, but only because it's the event where the heroine would choose which route she'll enter. The tournament itself wasn't that important, and thus, not much regarding the details and rules about the event was explained.

Despite having played the game, the first time I had ever heard about the rules of the tournament was right now, when I would be participating in the tournament in real life.

Essentially an open qualifier would be held a week before the tournament. During that time, students who wished to enter the tournament could participate in the open qualifiers.

The best eight students would then participate in the tournament along with the other eight exemplary students, who were chosen by the teachers for their abilities and skills.

The capture targets and villainesses, except for Alterisa, were of course chosen immediately by the teachers due to their incredible skill with magic and swords.

That's why, the game didn't really elaborate the details about the tournament. After all, it doesn't matter to the heroine's romance story.

Hah... It's like everything related to the heroine is making it harder for me in this life.

Oh well, at least, I won't have to deal with her during this tournament. Just like in the otome game, the heroine didn't participate in the tournament. I don't know if she's just not confident, she's too lazy to do it, or she believes that she needs to stay uninvolved in the tournament and simply support her chosen capture target to win his heart.

I'm a bit glad, since that means she won't be able to play victim and frame me when I crush her. But I'm also a bit disappointed... Since I won't be able to crush her.

But, that doesn't matter. No matter who she chooses... I'll trample them under my feet and Fubuki's cute little paws.

If she chooses Keith, I'll destroy him with melee combat. After all, he's the mage type. He won't be able to handle my spears. The result would be the same if she chooses Wilhelm.

If she chooses Luke, I'll destroy him with magic at range with Fubuki's help. His little sword won't even reach me.

If she chooses Lu-ni... Well, I'm just going to say my condolences for her in advance. Because she won't survive Lily's wrath...

And if she chooses Alex...

My hands unconsciously clenched into fists from the mere thought of it. My chest suddenly felt somehow... tight, and I'm sure it wasn't because of my bra since I just recently bought a bigger one.

"...Kyuu?"

"Hm? Ah, I'm fine, Fubuki. Don't worry..."

"Kyuu..."

I petted Fubuki's little head with my finger as she nuzzled back into my neck, before she returned to resting around my neck.

If she chooses Alex... Then I'll make sure he loses no matter what. I won't let her enter his route... or any other route.

"Risa-sama? Is something wrong?"

My heart skipped a beat when Evelyn suddenly called my name, snapping me out of my daze.

Ah, that's right... I'm currently training with Evelyn and the girls in one of the training grounds in the royal academy.

There were several training grounds that were used for practical classes like magic and physical combat classes. Normally, we'd need an instructor's permission and their presence to use it, but since the tournament was getting close, students can use the training grounds at will by simply reserving it.

One student can only reserve it for an hour, so most reserve it together with their friends so they could use the entire training grounds for several hours and share the space with them.

This way, they could get more time for practice. But of course, there's a downside to it. Since they'll be sharing space with their fellow competitors, others could see what they're preparing for the tournament, which might be disadvantageous for them later on.

But, that doesn't matter to me. I've trained with Evelyn, Valerie-chan, Illya, Noir, Celine, and Ellie often and we already knew each other's strengths and weaknesses. And instead of hiding it from them, we'd share it and help each other improve.

This is what I call a healthy competition between friends!

"Hm? Ah, it's nothing, Evelyn~ I'm just super excited for the tournament~"

"Hm... Is that so...?"

I'm now resting with Evelyn after we just finished sparring for a bit. Now it was Illya and Noir's turn to spar, while Valerie-chan accompanied Celine and Ellie with their training.

Thanks to Ellie's hard work, she had won her qualifier matches and is now qualified to join the main tournament. So, she has been doubling her efforts in her training.

Fufu~ At this rate, she might become Valerie-chan's close assistant when she becomes the next leader of the royal court magicians after her mother.

They're all so talented... I can't lose!

"Risa-sama, are you still troubled by that pes- I mean, that commoner girl?"

My hand flinched when Evelyn suddenly brought up the heroine...

I looked up to her slowly and let out a helpless smile.

"A bit... I don't think she has given up on pursuing Keith-sama, Luke, Lucas-niisama, and Alexus-sama. And I think she will use this tournament as a way to appeal to them by supporting one or all of them wholeheartedly."

"Eh? Support them? How?"

"She's the wielder of the extremely rare healing magic that is known for its healing capabilities... She may use that fact to approach them after their match and offer to heal them."

At least, that's how she put the nail in the coffin and captured her chosen capture target's heart.

Her chosen capture target would always be injured after winning the match. And in the game, the heroine would immediately jump down from the spectators' seat into the arena and run over to him to heal him.

I could still remember the artwork displaying her pained and worried expression as she healed her beloved. It was the expression that cemented the capture target's feeling for her.

It was quite the touching scene... But now, I can only see it as a scary one. If that really happened... then one of my best friends or myself would be hurt and be consumed by our fate as a villainess...

I can't let that happen!

"Fufufu~ You're so funny, Risa-sama~"

Huh? Funny? This is a serious matter, Evelyn!!! Although you're supposed to be the easy going, aloof, and gentle onee-sama character, you can't take this matter too easily!!!

"W-Why do you say that, Evleyn? Did I really say something funny?"

"Of course~ Why would anyone ever receive help from someone who can't even use her magic properly when there's someone who wields even greater healing magic~?"

Even greater healing magic? Evelyn, the light element healing magic is the greatest form of healing magic!!!

"Fufu~ It seems like you are clueless about your greatness still, Risa-sama~"

"Eh? What do you mean?"

Evelyn giggled and grabbed my hand with hers and brought it towards her chest.

"Your hearing magic is far superior than any healing magic known to man, Risa-sama. Even light element healing magic could only close wounds and stop bleedings. None had ever managed to cure even the diseases and infection that might be caused by those wounds.

But your water element healing magic can. It doesn't only heal superficial wounds, but truly heals a person back to health, superior to any known healing magic."

Eh? I-Is it really that big of a deal? I only used super pure water infused with my mana to disinfect and heal wounds at the same time. It's like using alcohol and medicine on a wound and increasing its effectiveness and healing time to an instant.

A high level light element healing magic can also do this with less mana.

Wait... Is that it? Could the heroine not do it too because she never practiced her magic?

If I'm not wrong, she could do the same thing as my healing spell by the time the tournament arc happens. Although she needed to concentrate a lot more and used a bunch of mana since she just learned it, it was still impressive. Normally, mages with affinity to the light element would need years, if not, decades to get to that level. But because the heroine often practiced, her natural talent let her master it by the time she entered her third year in the academy.

But now... Since Aria almost never practiced her magic, she might only be able to heal small wounds...

I don't know if it's true, but considering she's been busy seducing guys as far as I know, it might be true...

"I-I see... Thank you for your praise, Evelyn."

"I am just simply stating facts, Risa-sama~ Your healing magic is amazing~ My father often says that he wouldn't need to worry about any diseases or injuries as long as you are there~"

"That's not good, Evelyn! Tell your father to take care of his health. Although I might be able to cure him, it's still better to be healthy than sick!"

"Fufufu~ I'm sure he knows, Risa-sama. But I will relay your words to him the next time I write to him. I'm sure he will follow your advice to the letter~"

"That's good... His majesty often says the same thing, and it has been giving me headaches."

"Fufu~ That just means his majesty has a great amount of confidence for your abilities~"

"I am grateful for that, but he still needs to watch his health as the ruler of this kingdom... Well, enough about this. I'm sure Seara-sama would reprimand him as well if he ever does something foolish with his health.

Shall we continue our training, then?"

"Yes~ It will be my pleasure~ Oh, if possible, may I test myself against you and Fubuki together?"

"Of course~ You can practice your aiming skill while I practice my dodging skills!"

"Yes~ Thank you very much~"









AN: I hope you guys enjoy this chapter~! Please vote and comment your thoughts~!