Chapter 5: Role-Playing End

Role-Playing

One year has passed since Nina's defeat.

The feared retaliation from the Empire was sporadic and easily repelled by the Royal Knights.

This was likely due to the great confusion on the Empire's side caused by the destruction of their top fighting force, the Omega Relic.

Since that day when she nearly lost her life, the academy has been shrouded in silence.

The girl who had been "running wild" until then was no longer seen.

Zem Kairos, a combat instructor at the academy, still occasionally recalls that day.

After evading the Empire's surveillance network and conducting a strenuous investigation, he finally arrived at the battlefield on the brink of collapse.

He narrowly dodged an attack while holding the unconscious Nina, and retreated as soon as Omega Relic stopped moving.

Thanks to the swift treatment from the medical unit that was waiting outside as a precaution, her life was saved.

However, even after completing several months of treatment, she never regained the strength she once possessed when she was known as the "Strongest."

★

In a corner of the academy, in the library bathed in gentle sunlight, a girl quietly read a book.

Placing a thick book on magical theory on a wooden desk, the girl—Nina—turned the pages with a calm expression.

She had the demeanor of a sheltered young lady.

Looking at her like this, it was impossible to believe she was "that" Nina.

"Nina's been so quiet lately,"

One of Nina's classmates murmured.

"No, it's not just a matter of being quiet; she's practically a different person!"

Another shrugged.

"Hmm, she was knitting in the courtyard just now. And she was even letting a cat rest its head on her lap."

"I... I kinda wanted to see that."

"Hmm, she's taking classes seriously and talking to the teacher normally. She hasn't provoking anybody. She hasn't been bothering the monsters lately either."

They felt something was off, but they decided it was probably okay since it wasn't a bad change.

★

On a mild, sunny day...

Elna Lilie, Nina's personal maid, found a thick diary while cleaning the room.

Normally, she wouldn't touch Nina's personal belongings, but... for some reason, she was tempted this time.

—□ Month △ Day

Lately, my days are spent just going back and forth between the academy and the dorm.

On my days off, I drink tea with Elna, read books... It's the peace I've always longed for, but it's a little boring.

.....

—◇ Month □ Day

I had a dream about that day. The village was burning.

I never want to remember it again.

.....

—△ Month ◇ Day

I accessed the database from Professor Zem's terminal and looked up what happened that day.

The village was attacked by the Empire.

It seems they were targeting nearby villages as part of an experiment with artificial stampedes.

.....

—□ Month ◎ Day

Why am I the only one who survived?

Even though I couldn't save anyone.

.....

—◇ Month □ Day

I changed the way I spoke.

But it didn't work.

......

On the last page.

—★ Month ● Day

Even though I left the academy without permission and caused trouble, neither the teachers nor my classmates blamed me.

Maybe it doesn't matter to them after all.

I don't matter.

.....

— □ Month ※ Day

I want to fight that Omega again.

....

— △ Month ★ Day

I want someone to reject me.

Like what I always did to everyone.

At first, Elna didn't understand. But as she continued reading, she came to understand. Nina's actions up until then had their own meaning.

After much hesitation, Elna decided to show the diary to Nina's best friend—Claire Asterio.

"This is Nina's?... What is this? What does it mean...?"

Claire was stunned and immediately questioned Nina.

However, Nina didn't seem angry that her diary had been seen; instead, she reacted with confusion.

"Ah, you saw it. How embarrassing..."

"Embarrassing, you say..."

"Huh? Did I write something weird?"

"......"

Elna was speechless.

Nina didn't even understand the meaning of the entries herself. Or perhaps she didn't trust Claire enough to confide her true feelings.

In any case, nothing could begin without repeated dialogue.

After that, Claire visited Nina's dorm room many times to continue the conversations. She tried to find a way for Nina to find happiness without rejecting herself.

★

However, the true feelings Claire had finally elicited from Nina over months were, in a sense, "hopeless."

"Actually, you don't really care about me at all, don't you, Claire?"

The moment Claire realized that her kindness was being rejected, something snapped inside her.

"Stop messing around!!"

Claire screamed.

Anger, sadness, despair... all sorts of emotions mixed together, and tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.

And in Nina's eyes, she watched... the light had vanished.

★

Eventually, Claire made a decision.

"Nina... duel me."

The girl who was once the strongest.

Even in her weakened state, she still boasted an undefeated record within the academy. Claire challenged her to a serious combat training session.

Nina, overwhelmed by Claire's extraordinary intensity, reluctantly agreed.

★

..... The moment of the destined day has arrived.

The old Nina would have manipulated space itself, instantly breaking through Claire's barrier and dominating the battlefield.

But the current Nina—

"Hmph... not bad..."

She desperately moves her body to counterattack Claire.

Even so, her magic is much "calmer" than before, and she is being cornered by Claire's fierce attack.

She uses the field's reflection to disrupt Claire's vision.

She uses the reversal of the gravity field, using a mirrored image of magic as a decoy to charge—a move that replicates her battle with Omega Relic.

However, Claire was always one step ahead.

'I can read it... everything...!'

She counters, negating gravity and reversing the flow of magic. She shatters the magic barrier and freezes the ground beneath her feet.

—A tiny opening has appeared...

"Now—!"

Claire's fist slammed into Nina's stomach, and Nina groaned in pain, her beautiful face contorted in pain. It was the moment she was defeated by her former "loser."

"Uh, uh...!"

—And then.

Claire leaned her lips softly to Nina's ear.

"Now, you are the loser ♡ Ni~na~ ♡"

She smirked, a smile playing on her lips, whispering mockingly... and at that moment,

Nina's lips also slowly turned into a smile.

"...♡ Ahaha...ahahaha ♡"

She looked genuinely happy.

A radiant, mischievous smile.

—The former "Mesugaki" was there.

★★★

From that day on, Nina and Claire's relationship reversed.

In combat training, Claire mercilessly defeated Nina, and in magic practice, she overwhelmed her with powerful spells.

"Oh, you lost again? Maybe you weren't even trying?"

"Shut up! ♡ I'll definitely win next time!"

"Sure sure, but until then, you're my loser ♡ You're mine, Nina~ ♡"

"....."

"....."

Then laughter erupted.

A smile that seemed a little happier than before...

There it was, a smile completely genuine and without lies.

A perfect happy ending for everyone