I Possessed The Villain’s Childhood Friend

75 – Duel – 3

Of course, Leona had no intention of breaking up with Reina from the beginning.

Because that’s what an arranged marriage is in the first place.

Even if they don’t have feelings for each other, they get engaged to maintain the family, to raise their honor, and to gain the necessary benefits for each other.

Individual emotions are not included in it.

Simply put, it is no different from the duties of an aristocrat.

So originally, Leon simply tried to return the relationship between Ike and Raina to the way it was before.

I wanted to be a childhood friend where we could meet each other comfortably.

She can go find Ike if she wants to.

She was trying to make a relationship so that Ike could go find Reina if he wanted to.

The resulting scandal was able to be prevented with Leon’s power, so there was no problem.

That was the whole reason Leon investigated Reina’s past.

Knowing that Duke Rickard was restricting Rayna’s actions, she was a negotiator to lift those restrictions.

Leon’s plan ended there.

But as time passed, doubts began to arise about Leon.

What does Ike want?

The fact that Ike likes Reina is probably known to everyone who knows him.

That fact didn’t surprise Leon either.

Because it’s very common among nobles that the person you fall in love with has a fiancé.

But there was something strange about Ike.

To be precise, something was wrong with him.

At least that’s what Leon thought.

So Leon stimulated Ike in many ways.

She asked Sofia, or she herself.

Then Ike definitely started to get better.

But that was it.

The underlying problem didn’t seem to be resolved at all.

Ike was still twisted.

In the finals of the Heros Dance Competition.

It was quite uncomfortable to have a premonition that Ike, who had shown something beautiful enough to change his values so far, would collapse one day.

For Leon, Ike was the first friend he made.

Ike may have a different opinion, but Leon thought so.

And it was when Leon and Sophia had a conversation together that Leon was convinced of that idea.

“I’m glad there are no problems.”

“Yes. I enjoy every day these days.”

After asking Sophia, Leon’s conversations with her increased.

“Studying with Reina-nim and Prince Ike, or having refreshments with Helen-nim and Atal-nim are all precious memories.”

“I’m glad.”

“Ah, including talking to Her Highness like this!”

When Sophia said that and smiled brightly, Leon smiled quietly as well.

“Isn’t it still possible to be dissatisfied? No matter how much you come to Arcana and learn about the etiquette of nobles, there might still be awkward parts for Miss Sophia.”

To Sofia, who tried her best to fulfill her own request, Leon thought he should repay her in his own way.

Leon’s question was also intended to help Sophia if she felt uncomfortable.

But Sofia’s answer was really unexpected.

“Hmm. Rather than complaints, I think I have questions.”

“Any questions?”

“Yes. When you look at Prince Ike, do you sometimes feel like you gave up on everything? There are times when you look like that. Every day is so fun, I wonder why you’re making that face.”

That was something Leon could fully relate to.

It was because of that that Leon felt uncomfortable.

“… It might sound arrogant to say this, but I think it’s really fortunate that I was able to become friends with Highness Leon, Reina-sama, Helen-sama, Atal-sama, and Prince Ike.”

There was no other intention behind Sophia’s words.

She was only grateful to be able to get this time, and Leon knew that too.

“So, I hope that the day will come when we graduate from Arcana and laugh together even after a lot of time has passed. But when I saw Prince Ike’s expression, I felt like he would suddenly disappear. That’s a bit, I don’t like it. After all, imagining a future where everyone is happy is the best.”

After her words, Sophia waved her hand, saying she was sorry for darkening her mood.

But after hearing the whole story, Leon made up his mind and stood up.

“Thank you, Ms. Sophia. I made it thanks to you.”

“Yes? What is that all of a sudden….”

“I’ll tell you when I get everything sorted out. Until then, if there’s anything you want, let me know. I will do my best to make it happen if possible.”

Leon turned his back and ran toward the dormitory at the same time as he said that.

Left alone on her bench, Sophia looked at Leon’s back and stuck out her mouth in displeasure.

“I wanted to talk to Your Highness more now….”

Sophia quietly expressed her displeasure, but eventually she looked at Leon’s back with a kind smile.

“Still, I will pray that Your Highness’ wishes come true.”

Of course, Leon, who was running to the dormitory, couldn’t see Sofia like that.

★

“Ike, he wants you to be happy. So he must have said he wanted to be your knight.”

“Yes.”

“But there is no happiness of oneself, Ike, in it.”

Reina couldn’t refute Leon’s assertion. She

She was averting her eyes, but she was already aware of it to some extent, even Reina.

The fact that Ike always moves for you.

Even at Heros’ dance competition, when she found out about Anna’s work, when she heard Sofia’s request, and when she came back to Heros this time.

All of Ike’s actions were for his own sake.

But once the incident was over, Ike had taken a step back.

Reina was happy that Ike was giving it for herself, but she hated that part so much that it hurt her heart.

“If you were to duel, what would you do?”

“… I intend to win at least with all my might.”

Ike is strong.

Ike mocks himself for being weak, but looking at it objectively, his skill is amazing.

Although he graduates from the Arcana and immediately joins the Knights, he usually spends more than 5 years as a probationary period.

However, Ike was skilled enough to skip probation and immediately be put into service as a low-level knight.

“You won’t be able to win if you fight halfway, and it’ll be hard to hear Ike’s sincerity.”

At Leon’s words, Reina quietly nodded her head.

“If he really doesn’t know what his problem is, then you should teach him.”

Reina also wanted to hear Ike’s sincerity, so she didn’t think to stop her.

But.

“By the way, Your Highness, why are you acting like this?”

I couldn’t help but wonder.

Why did Leon, who didn’t have a long relationship like Reina, try to help Ike even while breaking up his engagement?

At that question, Leon covered his mouth and pondered for a moment before speaking out.

“At least from my side, I consider him a close friend.”

“….”

“At first, I had no intention of breaking up the marriage either. They say an arranged marriage can easily lead to a breakup, but it’s never easy when you reach the level of the royal family or the Roselia duchy.”

“Yes.”

“But if he can realize it by breaking up the engagement, I think it would be okay to sacrifice this much. Well, it might be a bit annoying to have to find a new engagement partner.”

What a troublesome guy, Leon grumbled.

“If you’re going to imagine it anyway, it’s best to imagine a future where everyone is happy.”

But when Leon said that, he had a smile similar to Sophia’s.

★

“Haaa!”

“Oohhhhh!”

Different cheering sounds resonate throughout the arena.

Me and Leon didn’t have the same delicate movements as before.

It was a simple and crude bump.

You can never lose.

We win unconditionally.

Swinging the sword at the opponent with all his might, with only such a mindset.

The shallow wounds on each other began to increase.

Even so, I didn’t lose my strength.

On the contrary, it felt like heat all over my body.

Cuts Neia horizontally.

Leon stepped back slightly to avoid it, and immediately stabbed her in the shoulder.

I spun around to let go of the sting and continued the attack.

Chang!

The swords collide and bounce off each other.

My wrist was numb, but I couldn’t stop it.

Because I already knew that whoever stops first loses.

“Haaa!”

Leon was still smiling fiercely.

What will my expression look like?

What kind of expression would I make if I thought I would beat you no matter what?

“Oohhhhh!”

I lowered my stance slightly and dug into Leon without hesitation.

It was about giving up on Richie, but it was okay.

Because it was a move I came up with to win the game as quickly as possible.

Slash Neia horizontally again.

Leon didn’t back down this time either.

Since I dug deep enough to cut you off even if I backed away a little anyway.

Instead, he strikes the sword from above to force Neia to fall to the floor.

Now.

“Huh!”

I forcibly bent my body to stop the slashing, and avoided his attack by a single margin.

Leon’s eyes were stained with bewilderment.

Then his sword cut through the air and crashed into the floor.

I went straight ahead and hit his stomach with my elbow.

“Keah!”

Leon exhaled and flew backwards at the same time.

I had no intention of staring at it.

I immediately followed and tried to continue the attack.

But.

“Ooh!”

“As expected, it is impossible to defeat you without using magic.”

A chunk of ice flew in before I knew it and hit my stomach.

As I caught my breath and looked forward, a sphere of water was floating in the prince’s left hand.

“… It’s not even the second phase of the boss fight.”

It couldn’t be helped that such dissatisfaction came out naturally.

But it’s okay.

Because I already know that Leon can’t fight like Reina.

As long as you don’t get ambushed, you can win.

After spitting out the blood that had pooled in my mouth before I knew it, I took a step back.

How much time has passed.

The sky has completely turned to dusk.

“Haaa!”

But we were still swinging our swords.

Leon’s magic attack wasn’t perfect yet.

It was to the extent that I could clearly see that gaps had begun to increase in the posture of handling the sword.

But that didn’t mean Leon was weak.

My whole body was already complaining of pain from the sudden magic.

I am short of breath.

My injured left shoulder creaks, and my left foot throbs with every step.

Even running or swinging a sword feels burdensome.

From nob le mt l dot com

Perhaps the same goes for Leon.

I didn’t think he was normal, with blood clearly visible all over his body.

Now the game will be over soon.

Intuition taught me that.

“Shall we finish soon?”

“Yes.”

After taking a short distance from each other, slowly adjust your posture.

Leon lowered his stance and slowly pulled his right arm back.

I can’t help but say that I’m used to it now.

He was a stinger who said he would break through at once.

“You really like ending it.”

“Well, it’s the only technique I admired the first time I saw it.”

I took a halting position.

If I’m going to break through and finish it, I’ll just smash it from the front.

That was the intention.

“Go.”

At the same time, the prince began to close the distance.

He must have been tired, but the speed was suspiciously fast.

The moment we bump into each other from the front, wouldn’t I be pushed back?

Suddenly, that kind of anxiety began to eat away at me.

And before I knew it, Leon’s sword was piercing my left shoulder.

Should I swing Neia?

No, it’s pierced.

What about stepping back?

Catch up.

Dodging sideways?

You must be reading.

A lot of thoughts come and go in an instant.

And at the end, the story came to mind.

‘If I can parry perfectly against the rapier, I think anyone will have a chance to counterattack at least once.’

The moment I remembered those words, I was unconsciously changing my posture.

I bring Neia’s side to his stab, and with the right timing, I push through.

“What?!”

Leon’s right hand bounced back with a great impact.

“Keuugh!”

But I also missed Neia because my creaking left shoulder couldn’t fully withstand the force of the thrust.

“Ice Prison!”

Leon’s judgment after seeing me like that was quick and accurate.

He chanted magic while extending his left arm.

It was Blizzard, a grade B water magic that defeated me during the last final exam.

“Lock up the guilty!”

But I already expected you to.

If you are cornered, if you find an opportunity to turn the tables, you will surely use magic again.

I believed in you.

I immediately stepped forward.

A blue beam of light flies towards me.

But I didn’t dodge it, I went ahead while being hit from the front.

“… !”

Then, surprise settled in Leon’s eyes, and he soon smiled.

The body begins to stiffen, starting with the legs.

But my right hand was already grabbing Leon’s neck and forcibly knocking him down.

And in her left hand was Diana, which she had taken out at the same time as she ran.

I aimed Diana at Leon’s neck without hesitation.

“I won.”

“… Okay. I’m completely lost No, I lost.”

Leon slowly raised his right hand and declared defeat.

My body, which had begun to harden, became free before I knew it, probably because Leon had undone the magic.

“Wow, the winner of the duel is Ike Axus!”

After listening to the referee’s declaration, I stood up and walked towards Reina.

Then slowly stretched out his right hand and raised his thumb.

Like when I won Heros’ Dancing Competition in the past.

Reina, who was looking at me, had a kind smile different from that time.

“I won, Reina.”

And with that said, I passed out.

Somehow, the ending is the same as that time.