Chapter 150

“So… you’re saying you rescued this Hellhound and raised her since she was a pup?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

After briefly explaining about Siri to Jason,

he nodded as if he understood.

“You’ve made the contract, right? You know, that thing where you can form a pact with monsters.”

“Yes, that too.”

“I see. So that’s why she’s so gentle.”

Jason gently stroked Siri’s head, and she wagged her tail even more vigorously, clearly pleased.

“If you raised her from a pup and even made a contract, I guess it makes sense she’s this tame. You must’ve raised her with real love, huh?”

“I’d say I did a pretty decent job.”

I replied while feeding Siri a piece of jerky.

“And she’s well worth it.”

“That thing earlier—the Emperor’s chair shaking… you said Siri did that, right?”

“Yes. Siri can move through shadows. What happened earlier was her moving to the shadow behind His Majesty the Emperor’s chair and secretly biting one of the chair’s legs to make it shake.”

“So that’s why the chair wobbled, and the wine spilled onto Lord Rage’s shirt?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

After answering Jason, I looked back at Siri.

“So, Siri. Why were you so hostile toward that man earlier? You’ve never seen him before, right?”

“…Woof?”

“The tall man with black hair. You growled like crazy the moment you saw him.”

“Woof! Woof-woof!”

“…You don’t know why either?”

“Woof!”

“So shaking the chair like that was just… instinct?”

“Woof-woof!”

Honestly, it was absurd, but I just nodded for now.

“…Alright, good girl. Here, have another jerky.”

“Woof-woof-woof! Woof-woof!”

“Geez… stop jumping on me already. You’ve gotten too big for this.”

After calming Siri, who had leapt into my arms, I turned back to Jason.

He was looking at me with genuine curiosity.

“You… can actually talk with a Hellhound?”

“Not every Hellhound, but with Siri, yes. Well, actually… I wouldn’t call it a full conversation. It’s more like… I can kind of tell what she’s trying to say.”

“I’ve heard that kind of thing is possible when you form a soul-level contract… but seeing it in person is fascinating.”

Jason stroked Siri’s head once more, then slowly stood up.

“Anyway, let’s keep Siri a secret for now… I’ll investigate Lord Rage myself. You just focus on the Tournament.”

“Yes, understood. But, Jason.”

“Hmm? What is it?”

“If Lord Rage really is connected to Bedir… it’s possible he’s not the only follower of Bedir within the Isrinbloom Family…”

“They exist. And I’d say it’s a very high possibility.”

Jason nodded at my words.

It seemed he had thought the same thing.

“Of course, nothing’s confirmed yet. But if Rage is really scheming something—and it’s happening within the Isrinbloom Family—then this might be a far bigger problem than we imagined.”

“If it turns out to be more serious than we thought… what will you do?”

“…Then we’ll have to step in at the family level. The Hawkbat Family will likely move first… and maybe even the Balmuth Family will have to get involved.”

“Ugh… ugh…”

“You’re awake, Noona?”

“…Gideon? When did I… fall asleep?”

“About thirty minutes ago. You just drifted off suddenly.”

“…Really? Why’d I fall asleep? Guess I was more tired than I realized.”

Lisa looked confused, clearly unable to recall the moment she fell asleep.

But when I gently held her hand, she leaned her head on my shoulder.

“So you waited next to me for thirty minutes?”

“Well, yeah, something like that.”

I had talked with Jason about a few things, but yes—I’d stayed by Lisa’s side the whole time.

“What about Lady Layla? And Jason?”

“Lady Layla seemed tired too, so Jason said he’d escort her first.”

To be exact, Jason carried the sleeping Layla on his back and left her with the head maid nearby.

“Jason said we should go greet His Majesty the Emperor together later. After that, we can leave early.”

“Yeah, it’s about time to head back.”

Lisa nodded and looked up at me with a faint smile.

“Before we go, how about we spend a little more time in this garden? It’s not every day we get to be alone together… or have a chance to walk in the Imperial Garden.”

“Then… should we stay a bit longer?”

“Yeah, let’s do that.”

Lisa gave me a small kiss on the cheek and smiled.

“Are you nervous about the Tournament?”

“I am, but it’ll be fine. I’ve prepared as best I could.”

“You did your best. And I’m sure you’ll get results that match your effort.”

“Thanks.”

This time, I kissed her cheek softly in return.

Lisa looked at me for a brief moment, then kissed me on the lips.

“…Haa. Gideon, sleep in my room tonight. I—”

“Noona, we promised to sleep separately until after the Tournament.”

“…Tch.”

“Hehe, but after it’s over… I’ll stay with you for a while.”

“Even after we return to the Academy?”

“…As long as I can sneak into your dorm without getting caught…”

“That’s a promise, okay?”

Seeing the hopeful light in Lisa’s eyes, I couldn’t help but chuckle.

Time kept flowing.

And before long, morning came—the opening day of the Tournament.

‘Just like in the game, there’s an insane crowd here.’

The Benetic Stadium, where the Academy Tournament was held.

The massive arena was now filled to the brim.

Not a single seat was empty, as countless people from all across the Empire had gathered to watch.

“You ready?”

“I’ve memorized the entire oath script.”

I smiled faintly at Lisa’s question.

About an hour before the opening ceremony.

In the waiting room for the Lysquare Academy representatives, I was waiting along with the other representatives from our academy.

“Don’t be too nervous, just be confident. Do as you always do.”

“Alright, Noona, I got it. I’ll do well like always, so don’t worry too much.”

“…Right. I know I shouldn’t worry, but… I can’t help it. You always make me anxious.”

I smiled lightly and replied in a teasing tone.

“Maybe it’s because you like me too much?”

“Hehe. Wow… you’ve really become quite the sly guy now, huh? Saying stuff like that.”

Lisa gave me a quick kiss, then slowly stood up.

“I’ll go first. There are too many people right now, and they keep asking me to help with crowd control.”

“Go ahead. We’ll meet here again after the opening ceremony, right?”

“Yeah, come back to this waiting room.”

“Alright. See you after the ceremony.”

After Lisa left the waiting room,

Sara came up to me and spoke.

“So it’s finally the opening ceremony. You said you’re all prepared?”

“Yes, I believe I’ve done all the preparation I can.”

“…I see.”

“Is there something you wanted to tell me?”

“…You met my family a few days ago, didn’t you?”

“I did meet Lord Rage, Lord Eisen, and the Duke of Isrinbloom.”

Sara nodded slowly at my answer.

There was a complex mixture of emotions in her eyes.

“What did you think of Eisen oppa? Do you think you can win against him?”

“Well… I’m not sure. He barely spoke, so it was hard to get a read on him.”

“Yeah, that’s true. He’s always been quiet.”

Sara nodded as if she understood.

Then she awkwardly placed a hand on my shoulder.

“Anyway, let’s both do our best. And… good luck with the opening ceremony.”

“Yes, I’ll do my best.”

Well, the opening ceremony wasn’t exactly a big deal anyway.

Time passed, and before long, the opening ceremony began.

Brilliant songs and dances, the arrival of His Majesty the Emperor, the Imperial Princes, and other members of the Imperial Family.

Then, the appearance of other nobles—such as the three dukes.

At that moment, I finally understood why this Academy Tournament was called the Empire’s annual festival.

‘Yeah, with this scale, it really is a festival for the entire Empire.’

People from all across the Empire had gathered, and His Majesty the Emperor himself appeared to deliver the opening speech.

And outside the stadium, there were countless street vendors lined up…

It truly was a festival of the Empire.

Anyway, after the Emperor’s brief address and congratulations, followed by a few formalities—

“Representatives of Plagus Academy, Luca Janis and seventeen others. Here, for the glory of the Empire…”

The oath ceremony for each academy began.

If I remembered correctly, the ceremony would end once all oaths were complete.

Each academy’s representative came forward and recited the oath before the Emperor and the spectators.

Then the students’ oaths continued…

“Representatives of Muktaba Academy, Eisen Isrinbloom and sixteen others. Here, for the glory of the Empire…”

Eisen’s oath was next.

And a few minutes later, the final representative it was my turn.

“Representatives of Lysquare Academy, Gideon Kyrgram and seventeen others. Here, for the glory of the Empire…”

The Emperor, the dukes, and other nobles.

Not to mention the countless spectators.

I never imagined I’d be the one standing before this many people, reciting the oath for the Tournament.

“Phew… finally over.”

After the long, drawn-out opening ceremony ended, I took a deep breath and headed back to the waiting room.

All the other students had dispersed to go their own ways, but I had promised to meet Lisa there.

‘There’s nothing else scheduled for today, so… maybe I’ll take Lisa out for a walk or something.’

As I mentioned earlier, thanks to the Academy Tournament, the area around Benetic Stadium was in full festival mode.

There were food stalls everywhere, huge crowds—

the perfect atmosphere for a date.

‘Besides, my representative match is scheduled last… so I can relax for a while.’

Still, I couldn’t afford to let my guard down completely, so I thought about asking Sara and Luke to spar with me later.

As I was lost in thought, walking toward the waiting room…

“…Hm?”

“You’re here.”

“…Lord Eisen?”

I ran into the representative of Muktaba Academy in the hallway.

No—rather, it felt more like Eisen had been waiting for me.

“I thought you’d be heading this way. So I came early to wait and speak with you.”

“I see… may I ask, did you want to tell me something?”

“…Do you think you can defeat me?”

Eisen’s straightforward question caught me off guard for a moment.

But I quickly composed myself and answered.

“…I intend to do my best to win.”

“I’ve heard a lot about you. Everyone speaks highly of your skills. That’s why… I’m looking forward to it. I’m really hoping you’ll defeat me.”

I quietly listened to what Eisen said.

Even though I heard every word clearly, I couldn’t figure out what he truly meant.

“Make sure you defeat me, Gideon. You have to win—so that I can tell you my secret. Only then can I speak freely. So please… win, so that I can tell you everything.”

“…What do you mean by that?”

At my question, Eisen glanced around.

After confirming no one else was nearby, he spoke in a low voice.

“Defeat me, hear my secret… and help me. I don’t want to see my family end up like this.”

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