The Demon Prince Goes to The Academy Chapter 294

Chapter 294

"Wow!"

There were cheers from the audience, but among those who had been watching the tournament since yesterday, some were perplexed.

"What! Why did Reinhardt lose?"

Olivia Lanze seemed unable to understand and blurted out loudly.

Most of the Royal Class shared the same reaction. Even the B-Class was no exception.

Reinhardt, who had been on an undefeated march, repeatedly backed off while struggling against Scarlett, eventually losing the first set after being pushed back.

He couldn't use his Magic Body Strengthening, and he was simply forced to retreat helplessly. Of course, Scarlett's swordsmanship was dazzling, swift, and precise at finding openings.

But Reinhardt was unusually powerless.

Everyone present knew that something was off with the situation, but they didn't know exactly what was wrong.

"He can't use his Supernatural abilities."

Everyone except Ellen.

"What?"

"He can't use his Supernatural abilities."

If there was someone who knew, it was Ellen.

Having crossed swords with Reinhardt to the point of exhaustion, Ellen knew everything about his swordsmanship. The times when he used Supernatural abilities, when he didn't, and even when he used temporary enhancements while employing Supernatural abilities – Ellen had a detailed grasp of it all.

So she could tell that Reinhardt, for some reason, wasn't able to use his power of Self-Suggestion.

"Why can't he?"

"I don't know."

It was Harriet who responded to Ellen's words.

"Well... From what I know, her ability is immunity. Could that be related?"

Ellen didn't care much about B-Class affairs, but Harriet was aware of them because of her involvement in the magic research club. Immunity – a very unique, yet potentially very powerful talent, depending on the situation.

At the mention that it might be in effect, Ellen nodded.

"So, Reinhardt could be prevented from using his Supernatural abilities...?"

"What's that? Reinhardt's Supernatural abilities are his specialty! If he can't use them, that's cheating!"

Olivia snapped, and everyone else refrained from discussing whether Supernatural abilities were already unfair or not.

They knew by now that the senior who was extremely biased towards Reinhardt would defend him no matter what, attaching some reason to justify it.

It was best to just let her rant and leave her be, as arguing would only be exhausting.

The conclusion was clear.

The bizarre talent named Immunity.

It was having an absolute influence on Reinhardt.

Upon hearing this, Saviolin Turner watched Reinhardt, who was summoned back to the arena for the second set.

Charlotte observed Scarlett and Reinhardt.

Scarlett, Reinhardt.

Both were precious to her, albeit in different ways.

Their hearts inclined towards one or the other, feeling sorry for the side not favored.

But this time, the opponent was not so innocent.

"What do you think will happen?"

At Charlotte's question, Saviolin Turner shook his head.

"Reinhardt is in a difficult situation."

Although Saviolin Turner didn't know much about Reinhardt's Supernatural abilities, it was clear who would win or lose if he couldn't use his power enhancement.

'If he could summon Tiamata, it might be different.'

However, that was something he couldn't easily reveal.

Saviolin Turner predicted Reinhardt's defeat.

If he had faced Scarlett in the finals, he might have achieved the runner-up or even won the championship if Scarlett had been eliminated in another bracket of the semi-finals.

In the end, Reinhardt was just unlucky with his matchups.

------

He had no choice but to concede the next set as well, just like the first one.

"The current set score is 2:0! If Scarlett takes one more set, her place in the finals will be confirmed!"

The announcer's voice rang sharply in everyone's ears.

The screen alternated between a composed Scarlett and my tense expression. Scarlett had promised to give her best, and she was doing just that.

I had done my best in our practice duels, using my full strength.

Scarlett had faced me without using her own power up until now.

In order to show her respect or admiration for me, she was giving her all in this match.

I wanted to ask her to go easy on me, but I didn't say it out loud. I had my abilities, and Scarlett had hers.

We were just using them against each other.

Scarlett neither laughed at my miserable defeat nor worried about me.

You said I'm your idol?

How can I be your idol when I become so weak in front of you?

Of course, I knew she wasn't talking about my skills, but in front of Scarlett's emotionless expression, I couldn't find a way to break through.

I had been using Supernatural abilities as a tool to overcome the glaring skill gap between us.

Now that those tools were unavailable, I had no chance of overpowering Scarlett.

I hadn't anticipated being stopped by Scarlett.

I never considered the possibility that her talent could block my Supernatural abilities. I thought it was impossible because it was impossible in the original story.

For example, in the original story, when Liana's lightning struck Scarlett, it wouldn't harm her.

Now, Liana wouldn't even be able to use her lightning in front of Scarlett.

I had to admit it.

I was arrogant.

I was thinking about the finals after Scarlett, not about Scarlett herself.

However, reality demanded that I struggle here, conceding two sets and now accepting defeat.

There was no way to win.

In the end, Supernatural powers were the majority of my strength. I had a bad matchup against Scarlett.

The only consolation was that there was only one person in the world with such a level of immunity ability, and that was Scarlett.

Should I accept defeat as the price of my arrogance? While pondering, a voice spoke up.

"Have you given up?"

The start of the third set had already been announced, but Scarlett did not approach, instead asking a question.

"..."

"Is this all there is to it? Relying solely on the chance awakening of your Supernatural powers? Without them, are you just a powerless, pathetic person incapable of Magic Body Strengthening or doing anything else?"

Scarlett calmly uttered those words. Were they meant to criticize me?

Did they imply that I was pathetic, that my credibility had vanished, and that I was nothing more than a dog running away with its tail between its legs?

It didn't quite sound like that.

"No, that's not true."

Scarlett spoke while pointing a sword at me.

"When you fought the third-year students, even though you knew nobody would help you and that standing up would only lead to more hardships, you continued... you continued to rise."

Scarlett took a step toward me.

"I remember the look in your eyes back then."

What was I thinking at that time?

I couldn't recall it well, as it had been a long time ago. However, sometimes others remember our experiences more clearly than we do.

It seemed that way with Scarlett.

That memory was intense for me, but it seemed even more so for Scarlett.

With nothing to my name and everyone eagerly anticipating my defeat, I struggled to stand up, getting knocked down, thrown about, and falling repeatedly, but I always got back up.

I had no allies.

Still, in the end, I managed to land a blow on Meiatun, and eventually awakened my Supernatural powers.

As for the look in my eyes at that time, I wouldn't know since those were my own eyes.

But Scarlett remembered.

"Show me that look again."

Scarlett slowly approached me.

Not to hold my hand, but to aim the sword at me.

Emotions are inherently imbalanced between two people.

Scarlett wasn't important to me, but I was important to Scarlett. I didn't do anything for Scarlett, but Scarlett had gained something from me. Through interpreting that meaning and striving to change, Scarlett had become a different person, acquiring different abilities.

That's why Scarlett called me an idol.

Scarlett didn't want me to give up here.

Scarlett didn't want to see their idol running away with a tail between their legs just because their Supernatural powers were sealed.

Scarlett wanted to see me, like back then, gritting my teeth, rising up, and accomplishing something.

Scarlett didn't know me. She only idolized me. Within that idolization, Scarlett had expectations of me, which were different from the real me.

They magnified certain parts of me, self-defining and even deifying me in some ways.

Scarlett wanted something from me.

I had no reason to fulfill that desire.

This was coercion.

You can do it.

So, show me.

Show me that I'm no match for someone like you.

In Scarlett's calm, quiet gaze, I could see the intense desire they had for me.

To remain forever as my hero, to become an even greater person and continue to stand before me, a certain...

Obsession.

The painful experiences of one's childhood can twist a person. Scarlett was no exception.

From her memories of wandering the streets to the torment at the temple, Scarlett had become twisted. Though she managed to escape the quagmire, she had no choice but to entrust herself to a new distortion.

Scarlett found salvation in me, not in Charlotte.

Thus, I, who have found salvation, wish to persist in my way of life.

Even when I know it is not possible, just as I have always managed to do.

This time, to become my own trial, to surpass even this.

Now, with my supernatural powers rendered powerless, I am not much different from my situation during the first semester at Meiatun.

Scarlett had turned me into a reckless novice like I was in the first semester.

As if to challenge me to overcome it.

If I were to be defeated, if I were to fail to find the answer, what would become of me?

Would Scarlett be disappointed in me?

If disappointment were to follow, what would come next?

Would she despair, knowing that I could no longer be her idol?

There is no reason for me to be responsible for all those emotions. Scarlett merely idolizes me as she pleases and puts me to the test.

However, all I have come to know is the real reason Scarlett participated in the tournament.

It wasn't to prove something.

It was for an entirely different reason than in the original work.

Scarlett entered the tournament to make me prove myself, not her.

Knowing that she is her own greatest enemy, she wanted to see me surpass her and so she entered.

I cannot fulfill all her desires, nor do I have any reason to do so.

I never said I wanted to be her idol, nor is there any reason for me to be.

Scarlett hasn't improved.

The fellow hasn't improved, but rather changed.

Having lived a life that was inevitably twisted, meeting me only caused her to become twisted in a different way.

Scarlett.

I have never been able to face that person comfortably.

She is a victim of a strange circumstance, being ostracized for having red hair and red eyes, even in my opinion.

Every time I faced her, I felt uncomfortable and strange, as if my mistakes were walking around in reality. So when Charlotte protected Scarlett, my guilt was somewhat alleviated.

Somehow, it was resolved.

I felt a peculiar mixture of guilt and relief, as if someone else had solved my mistake.

Wasn't I hoping someone else would take care of it because I couldn't ruin the original plot? Even knowing that it was a way to avoid responsibility, I might have just left it alone.

But in reality, Scarlett sought answers not from Charlotte, but from me.

I don't know what would happen if Scarlett could no longer idolize me. However, Scarlett, who idolizes me, gets along with everyone and tries to be confident in herself.

All the problems arising from idolizing me only affect me.

She might force something upon me, she might expect and disappoint as she pleases.

If so, that would be the rightful price I should pay for creating such contrived misfortune for her.

"Yes, Scarlett."

My mind has cleared, rather.

I grip my sword and face Scarlett, who approaches me step by step.

Self-Suggestion does not respond.

"I don't know what you expect from me."

However, the experience of trying is not gone.

The answer lies only there.

"I'll show you something more."

Magic Body Strengthening.

Even without the assistance of Self-Suggestion, I must do it.

I might get hurt or injured.

If I fall, there will be no victory.

But that's okay. The fellow, who is my classmate and calls me his idol, says something to me. It's too late to fix and she wants to live well while still broken.

She was the one who lived solely through the misfortune I had described.

I can't fix her, but I can make sure she can live on even while broken.

I don't feel it, but I have felt it before.

It seems impossible, but I have done it before.

Like switching from a four-wheeled bike to a two-wheeled one.

I may not be able to ride for long and fall.

But, believing I can go at least a little.

Faith doesn't generate as much power as belief, but isn't that what faith is in the first place?

It's rather strange that faith has been generating power so far.

Originally, faith is nothing but an echo without an answer.

Therefore, like all humans, I regress to a primordial state of faith and believe.

I can do it.

There is no reason I can't do it this time since I once used the power that flows through my body.

I move the things I feel little by little.

Scarlett watches me.

-Wooong

The boiling sensation throughout my body was an entirely new sensation.

Without the aid of Self-Suggestion, I am now truly stepping onto the path of a superhuman.

"...You did it."

"Yes."

Scarlett was even more delighted than if she had become stronger herself, even though it was only I who had become stronger.

You are broken.

Just like everyone else in the world.

As if all the bad things you've gone through are my responsibility.

If you've overcome all your problems by idolizing me, and if I must always be in front of you for you to live as you do now.

"Let's go."

Forever, I will remain your idol.