Finally... It has begun.

This year's annual Royal Academy Tournament and a key event in the otome game had begun.

It was the day I've been anticipating and training so hard for... I need to win this year's tournament. Not only so I can rub it in those boys' faces, but because if one of them win, then that means the heroine is going to enter his route and make their romance bloom.

They might not seem interested in her, but no one knows how they would react if the oh so innocent heroine came to them when they're injured after winning the tournament, heal them with her light magic, and look at them worriedly with her signature puppy eyes.

At the very least, in my experience, all four of those foolish boys had fallen for it every time in the game and in real life when I did it to them.

Whenever I spar against them and accidentally go too far and injure them, I'd always heal them immediately and check to make sure they're fine. It'll be hell for me if I injure these capture targets, after all... The heroine would take the chance to heal them in a heartbeat if I did.

And every time I did, they'd always blush like little girls in front of their idol. Except for Lu-nii of course. He'd just bonked my head for going too far even though he had told me to hold back during training.

That is why, after I've ascertained their defense level against girls, I need to sweep the floor with them in this tournament and not let the heroine fall into any of their routes.

Needless to say, I'm a supreme beauty and this fake heroine couldn't compare to me. But I still need to be careful just in case. No one knew when, if ever, will her plot armor kick in after all. I need to be prepared for everything.

I'm now waiting for my turn in the waiting room.

All 16 contestants who would be fighting in a one on one match against each other in this single elimination tournament had been given a nice, comfy waiting room each to stay in until their turn came. It's to prevent us from seeing what spells and skills each other are using during their match and prepare for it. They want this tournament to be as fair as possible.

It made sense, and I really understand their intention. But I couldn't help but become a bit upset since I couldn't watch my beautiful best friends in action. I especially want to watch Evelyn's figure as she kicks Keith's butt.

Just then, I heard a rousing round of applause from the stadium, loud enough to reach this room.

"Oh? Illya's match must've ended."

And then, she heard the announcement for Illya's victory over her opponent.

"Fufufu~ As expected of her~ I knew she'd win~ Now, I need to win my match as well so that we can meet in the quarter finals!"

I lifted up Fubuki, who had been curled up on my lap, and placed her around my shoulder. She was in her mini form today.

And just as I stood up to my feet, a knock came to my room and a female voice resounded from behind it.

"Alterisa von Lorya-sama, please get ready. Your match will be starting soon."

"Yes. Thank you very much."

I took a deep breath and began petting Fubuki's head with my finger.

"Let's do our best, Fubuki~"

"Kyuu~!!!"

She nuzzled her soft, furry cheeks against mine, giving me encouragement in the cutest way possible. Then, I head out of my room.

--------------------------------X--------------------------------

Soon, after my name was called out by the announcer, I walked out into the arena. The moment I stepped foot into the sand and dirt grounds enchanted by magic, I was welcomed by thunderous applause and cheers as thousands of people had come to watch this massive event hosted by the academy.

I looked around and took a deep breath as a nice cool breeze brushed against my face and my hair. The sky was clear and the sun was shining brightly upon the land.

A perfect day to kick some captured targets' butts.

But not now. That time will come, but not yet.

Now... I need to fight this adorable girl...

Standing before me was a beautiful honey-blonde long haired girl. She was all smiles and her slightly downturned eyes were filled with so much excitement and determination.

For my first match to be against this adorable girl... Kuh, I know I need to win, but I can't make her sad!

"Lorya-sama, it is a pleasure and honor to finally meet you. My name is Marie von Eunice. I have always admired you since I first saw you in the Royal Banquet during the Kingdom's Founding Festival's last day when we were ten. I am very happy to have the chance to fight you in this match. But I won't lose! I will do my best to defeat you with all I have! Please take care of me!"

...

Cute...

S-She's so cute...! Hawawawa! What do I do! She's super cute!

O-Oh no! I can't lose my composure! Not in front of this many people! I need to keep my composure!

I gave her the most courteous and warm smile I could muster and slightly lowered my head to her in a bow.

"It is an honor to meet you as well, Eunice-sama. The feeling is mutual. I am very happy to have you as my first opponent in this grand event. Let us do our best in this match. But after, I hope we can be friends and share tea some time in the near future."

"It would be my pleasure~!"

Fufufu~ What a great day~ It's my first match and instead of an enemy, I got a friend immediately~ And a cute girl to boot!

Hm... Come to think of it, I think I've heard about her before. She seemed to be very famous for having fire and wind elemental affinity and amazing skill in utilizing both elements.

Considering the amount of mana she's giving off right now, she could've gone quite far into the tournament as long as she doesn't face the girls or those boys.

After all, they're this generation's geniuses. And it's quite unfair for her to fight against these OP people.

That said, I'm also quite confident in my victory. After all, not only have I been training my ass off since I was young to reach this level, I'm also allowed to bring Fubuki as well for this tournament.

It seems like "familiars" are considered an extension of my "Spirit" elemental affinity. Meaning, it's just the same as someone with lightning or fire elemental affinity to use lightning or fire spells.

This adds so much into my arsenal that I've been training since I'll be able to use wind magic in addition to water and ice.

"We shall now start the elimination match between Lady Alterisa von Lorya and Lady Marie von Eunice! Are you ready?"

Alterisa nodded towards the referee and Marie nodded in suit.

"Then... BEGIN!"

The moment the word that signaled the start of the match came out of the referee's mouth, Marie immediately opened the match by conjuring three massive fire lances around her.

"Burn and pierce my enemies! <>!!!"

All three massive lances launched towards me at immense speed, spiraling as they traveled through the air.

It was impressive. The speed in which she cast it and the magic power behind all three of these lances were amazing.

But it was still manageable for me.

I waved my hand, using wind and ice magic to create a powerful, momentary blizzard that instantly extinguished the flame lances like candles.

A look of shock flashed across her cute face, but I didn't intend on holding back.

I conjured a spear of ice instantly in my right hand and dashed at her. And the moment I arrived before her, she looked even more surprised.

Fufu, in her eyes, I must've suddenly appeared in front of her.

I swing my spear, making a wide arc directly towards her neck. But to my surprise, she reacted extremely quickly and used wind magic to cushion my strike and jumped back, creating distance.

"As expected of Lorya-sama... I intend to make this match last, but I realize how naive that thought was. If I hold back, then I will immediately lose. So I shall give you my all right now!"

A large red magic circle and green magic circle appeared on her right and left hand respectively, glowing brighter and brighter with every word. And after a few moments, the two magic circles glowed in brilliant red and green light and powerful winds began to whirl around her as magic rose within her.

"Please witness my strongest spell! Gather, oh flames that devours everything in its path. Gather, oh winds that tear and destroy all that stood in its way. Together, bring down all the enemies before me! <>!"

A massive blast of raging red flames and powerful winds that expanded and strengthened her flames even further exploded outwards in a cone right towards me.

My eyes widened in surprise and my lips curled into a pleasant smile.

Wow~! This is really amazing!!! I didn't expect this level of magic from anyone other than the girls or those boys~!

I extended my right hand, the hand I was holding my ice spear in, and let the spear float in front of me. Then, I made it spin in a circle and created a thick layer of wind and ice barrier in front of it.

Marie's spell clashed against my spear and overflowed to my sides. But since I was protected by my barrier, I was fine.

Soon, the combination spell of fire and wind died down and I took my spear back into my hand.

"That was impressive, Eunice-sama. It was certainly an extremely powerful spell, especially when used against a large number of enemies.

However, when going against a single enemy, I would recommend concentrating that fire power into a point while still maintaining its power. It will be an even stronger spell that could pierce even a high level magic barrier."

Marie looked at me in shock, stunned after seeing that I was totally unhurt by her spell.

But after hearing my advice, her expression of shock quickly turned into a brilliant smile.

"Thank you for your advice, Lorya-sama! I shall keep those words in mind and apply it into my training in the future!"

I nodded and smiled at her.

That's a great attitude. Instead of being upset or angered because someone stopped your stronger spell, people should accept the fact and instead try to think of a way to improve it.

Marie, instead of being offended when I gave her advice, accepted it with a beautiful smile. People like her will grow into an amazing person in the future, because they will never stop trying to improve themselves.

"It is an honor. Then, shall we continue?"

"Yes!"

Afterwards, we traded a few spells, and in the end, I won after placing the tip of my spear right in front of her neck.

And after my victory was announce, we bowed at each other.

"Thank you very much for the match!"

"Likewise. Please continue to do your best. I look forward to our next match."

"Yes! And uhm... M-May I ask for your advice next time as well?"

"Of course. It would be my pleasure." "T-Thank you very much!!!"

Mm~ What a good girl~ Fufufu~

"You are welcome~"



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