The Academy's Aftermath

"Runner-up...?"

Everyone's attention, including that of the Korean students, focused on me.

After a brief silence, Livi's face lit up and she hugged me, while Kim Chahun congratulated me with one of his usual nauseating lines.

I stood there blankly, staring straight ahead.

'What happened?'

Setting Iroha aside, since she'd been eliminated midway, there were Bella and Rainy. Though Christian from Germany had failed to reach the semifinals, there was also Weixuan, who was stronger than me despite being a healer. Even though he'd been taken out by the crescent-moon attack, he was no opponent to take lightly.

"Go on up first."

At the host's call, I climbed onto the stage.

Ordinary people couldn't enter the academy, but there were specialist reporters who covered news for the nobles. All their cameras were pointed at me, and Aiden held out a hand to escort me.

Unlike before, Aiden wore a gentle social smile. It gave me a slight shiver to think how such a mild-looking person could be so cruel and destructive...