Fantasy Libary 20

Title: The Troubled Girl

“Next month’s official ranking match—I’ll challenge you.” When these words reached Kirin’s ears, she froze.

“I didn’t come to see you just to chat, but also to tell you this.” Ark said with an unchanged expression. “If I manage to defeat you, your expression might not look as heavy as it does now.”

Those words snapped Kirin out of her frozen state, and she quickly turned around. “Senpai, you...”

Unfortunately, by the time she turned, Ark had already started walking away.

“Be prepared. Don’t accuse me of bullying the younger generation when the time comes.”

Leaving those words behind, Ark strode off.

Kirin was left standing there, watching his retreating figure with a confused expression, as if she wanted to call out to him but didn’t know how.

A moment later, she walked away, burdened by her thoughts.

At the back exit of the multipurpose arena, Kirin left through this quieter route.

After exiting the arena, she immediately followed a tree-lined path, where she found someone waiting for her.

The person seemed to have come from the same arena, standing not far from the back exit. Judging by their demeanor, they had been waiting for quite some time and were growing increasingly impatient.

“Uncle...” Kirin called out timidly.

Given the physical difference between the two, her fear seemed justified.

The man was a broad-shouldered middle-aged figure wearing a suit. Despite his attire, his fierce expression made him resemble a member of the underworld more than a corporate elite.

However, the man didn’t seem to be a Genestella. There was no trace of Prana emanating from him. Though physically strong, if it came to an actual fight, he would likely be subdued by Kirin in an instant.

Yet, despite this, Kirin approached him with a shy and fearful demeanor, as if deeply intimidated.

The man showed no signs of softening his rough expression toward the sweet-looking girl standing before him. He glared at her coldly and spoke sharply. “Why did you take so long? Didn’t I tell you to come to me immediately after your duel ended?”

This wasn’t just dominance—it bordered on intimidation.

“I-I’m sorry.” Kirin lowered her head, her voice trembling as she stammered, “I-I was just chatting with a senpai for a bit...”

“A senpai?” The man’s thick eyebrows furrowed. “Which senpai? Someone from the high school division?”

“Yes.” Kirin answered honestly. “The one who just defeated the thirteenth rank.”

“Oh?” The man narrowed his eyes. “The one who uses Ser-Veresta?”

Kirin carefully observed the man’s expression before nodding slightly.

“What did he say to you?” The man pressed relentlessly.

“He...” Kirin hesitated, unsure whether to speak.

“Just say it!” The man’s tone grew impatient and annoyed. “Are you trying to defy me? Think about your father!”

Kirin’s body trembled softly, as if an invisible blade had pierced her heart, causing her to shrink inward.

“...He said that in next month’s official ranking match, he would challenge me.” Kirin managed to say with difficulty.

“What?” The man’s expression shifted slightly.

This wasn’t good news.

He had been present at the previous ranking match, sitting in one of the VIP boxes. He had personally witnessed Ark’s match.

Recalling the power Ark had unleashed at the end of his duel, the man clicked his tongue. “Just climbed to the thirteenth rank and already aiming for the top? This is why these Genestella kids are so annoying!”

As he muttered this, he seemed unaware that the girl standing before him was also a Genestella.

However, Kirin seemed accustomed to such remarks, lowering her head further without protest.

The man either didn’t notice her reaction or didn’t care. After calming his thoughts, he spoke to her again. “Well, it’s not all bad. At least we know who your opponent will be next time. That boy might be somewhat capable, and Ser-Veresta isn’t something to be taken lightly, but a month is enough time to plan a countermeasure.”

“It’s fine. He’s only ranked thirteenth. Even with that sword, he won’t be a match for you.”

The man’s confidence in Kirin’s strength was evident, though his tone grew increasingly condescending.

“Take care of him quickly when the time comes. Don’t let this drag on. Understood?”

Hearing this, Kirin couldn’t help but speak up.

“Senpai isn’t just some trivial opponent.” She argued softly. “His swordsmanship is unique. Even without set techniques, he adapts seamlessly to situations, as if flawless. It’s very hard to—”

She couldn’t finish the word “handle.”

“No matter how good he is, you must win!” The man interrupted firmly, his tone brooking no argument. “He’s still ranked thirteenth. If you lose to someone like that, your reputation will plummet! That’s unacceptable!”

It sounded less like advice and more like an order.

“I’ll gather all the information about him. Over the next month, focus solely on studying him. When the ranking match comes, finish him decisively. Don’t drag it out. Do you understand?”

The man’s unreasonable demands made Kirin lower her gaze even further.

“...Yes.” After a long silence, Kirin answered in a soft, reluctant voice.

The man finally relaxed his furrowed brow but didn’t stop his sharp words.

“Listen, Kirin. You must remain number one. Not just the top rank at Seidoukan Academy—you must become an unprecedented number one, one that will be recorded in history, never to be surpassed. Only then can I achieve my ambitions, and only then can you fulfill your desires.”

The man’s face twisted into an expression of disgust mixed with mockery as he continued. “If you want to save your father, you have no choice but to obey me. Do you understand?”

Kirin’s body trembled again at his words, as if struck by another invisible blade.

“...Yes, Uncle.” Her reply remained calm and tense as before.

“Let’s go.”

The burly man no longer paid attention to Kirin and turned to leave.

Her steps heavier than before, Kirin followed behind him, her head still bowed.

However, as they passed a fountain, Kirin accidentally caught sight of her reflection in the water.

Her smooth, undeniably beautiful face was filled with a sorrowful, tearful expression.

For no particular reason, Ark’s words echoed in her mind.

“If I manage to defeat you, your expression might not look as heavy as it does now, right?”

Somehow, that sentence lingered in her heart, refusing to fade...

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

Night fell quickly.

At Seidoukan Academy, the students didn’t seem particularly interested in nightlife. Whether due to classes the next day or other reasons, the school became quiet after dark, with no one wandering around.

Curfew also played a role. Once night fell, many parts of the academy automatically locked their doors. Even if students wanted to roam, they couldn’t.

Of course, for Genestella students, such restrictions were far from absolute. If someone was determined to defy the rules, locked areas wouldn’t pose much of an obstacle.

Just like tonight...

“So this is the place, huh...”

A boy suddenly appeared in front of a classic-looking building.

It was Ark.

Under the cover of night, he stood before the building, observing it quietly for a few moments before sighing.

“I hope this goes smoothly.”

Lowering his footsteps to avoid making noise, Ark approached the classic building—the girls’ dormitory.