Saint, You Should Quit Smoking

[Next will be the friendly duel of Bardishe Academy’s Special Class. Students competing in the first round, please come to the dueling ground.]
The voice of the professor serving as both host and referee echoes throughout the dueling ground. In response, Rinet and Adela step onto the dueling ground.
As Rinet appears from the right side, the audience begins to stir.
-Look at that. Isn’t that the Saint?
-Yes. I saw her near the Special Hall recently.
-She’s beautiful no matter when you see her. Could she really be the daughter born of the Sun God?
-But can she fight? She’s a saint, after all?
-Are you stupid? Don’t you know that in the Sun God Order, there’s a power that only saints can wield?
The Saint. Rinet Michaela.
Though her image as a saint had been diluted due to her smoking habit every time I met her, Rinet was in fact a girl called the greatest saint in name and reality.
In public, she was even rumored to be a holy virgin sent to the world by the Sun God.
In contrast, the spectator stands stirred in a different way when they saw the figure approaching the dueling ground from the left.
A woman who wore a hood pulled deep, hiding her identity. I knew she was the Sage, but for most students, it would be impossible to know who she was.
-Who is that person?
-I don’t know. Why is she wearing a hood?
-Looking at how she appears blurry, it seems she’s applied some magic.
-Ah. Come to think of it, I heard that in the Special Class, besides the Saint and the Sword Star-
[Miss Adela.]
“Yes.”
The professor, who had been silently watching Rinet and Adela walk, opened his mouth.
[I’m sorry, but could you remove your hood for the duel? It’s because we must follow regulations.]
“…”
Adela extended her white, slender fingers to grasp her hood.
After a brief hesitation, she sighed deeply and said.
“It can’t be helped. If those are the rules.”
As she finished speaking and lowered her hood, her black hair flowed down her back. Like a night sky containing a sea of stars.
Exclamations poured out from the audience who saw her splendid beauty.
-Wow. That one is really pretty too?
-Hey. Is that what’s important? Black hair and black eyes with the name Adela. Don’t you know who that person is?
-I told you earlier! The Special Class consists of the Saint, the Sword Star, and the Sage!
The audience murmured among themselves. But Rinet and Adela, paying no attention to them, stepped into the dueling ground.
[For your information, the Special Class students have been enchanted with a measuring magic that will determine defeat if they use more than a certain amount of power.]
When students tilted their heads at the professor’s sudden statement, a supplementary explanation followed.
[This is a result of considering the potential of the Special Class students. It’s a safety measure because the risk of injury is high. Now, both contestants, greet each other.]
I could see them exchanging a few words while greeting each other, but I turned my head away.
Right beside me. The seat corresponding to the left side. I looked at the Sword Star sleeping there.
Snore- snore-
It was headache-inducing to see the Sword Star sleeping so peacefully, as if she had absolutely no interest in what was happening around her.
I wasn’t particularly inclined to wake her up, but I needed to change seats, and if I wanted to propose a draw, I had to tell her before the duel.
I reached out and carefully shook the Sword Star.
“Sword Star.”
Snore- snore-
“Sword Star. Please wake up.”
Snore- snore-
“…”
Only after I shook her somewhat roughly, applying more force than before, did she open her eyes.
Just a little bit.
“Yawn. What is it…?”
A tone dripping with languor. The Sword Star looked at me with half-opened eyes, seemingly very annoyed.
“Sword Star. Please get up. It’s before the duel.”
“…”
“First, please move from that seat. That’s my seat.”
“…”
Is she even listening properly?
The Sword Star stared at me with a blank gaze, staying still, then.
“Don’t want to.”
“Pardon?”
Plop.
She uttered a single word, so firm it could be considered resolute, yet so indifferent.
“This seat was right next to the waiting room entrance. That’s why I sat here.”
“Weren’t you assigned to the right-side seat? You should sit there.”
“Don’t want to. Too troublesome.”
The Sword Star lightly dismissed my opinion and closed her eyes again.
And she quickly fell asleep.
Snore- snore-
“…”
It was quite absurd.
The Sword Star speaking informally to me, a prince. Does she not know I’m a prince? Even if that’s the case, speaking informally to someone you’ve just met?
The Sword Angle couldn’t possibly have failed to teach Silvia manners.
Of course, as with the Special Class classmates I had met so far, I had expected the Sword Star to be eccentric. I did expect that, but.
‘This is serious.’
If the quirks of Rinet and Adela were at a level that could be somewhat tolerated.
In the case of the Sword Star, it was far too excessive.
“Hmph.”
After releasing my flustered feelings in a sigh, I turned my gaze to the dueling ground.
There, Rinet and Adela, who had already entered the duel, were testing their strength against each other.
Behind Adela were several sharp rods with electricity flowing through them.
Crack, crack. The ominous sound of electricity sparking. When Adela lowered her hand, the rods advanced to strike Rinet at the speed of light.
Pitch-Black Tower Master’s Secret Art
Lightning Arrows
Rumble, boom!
Like lightning striking and thunder following belatedly. The lightning arrows that struck where Rinet was standing subsequently created a noise that shook the entire dueling ground.
However.
Sun God Order Saint’s Transmission
Divine Protection Barrier
A shield of brilliance firmly protecting the area around Rinet. It admirably fulfilled its role, protecting Rinet from Adela’s attack.
Crackle, crackle-!
The lightning that hit the barrier and bounced off scratched the dueling ground floor.
It was as if a wild animal had clawed the earth with its talons, leaving scars on the ground.
‘They’re aiming for a draw as I said.’
If the Saint and the Sage were to clash in earnest, it wouldn’t be at this level. There would be a much greater commotion in the dueling ground.
After confirming that both were following my intention, I felt reassured and decided to try speaking to the Sword Star again.
“Sword Star.”
“…”
Only after her body was shaken fiercely again did the Sword Star open her eyes.
“Yawn… What is it, you. From earlier.”
A drowsy gaze glaring at me.
My hands dusted off my clothes, and a polite greeting followed. Even if the other party is impolite, I mustn’t forget my manners.
“Pleased to meet you. I am Loran, the prince who has transferred to the Special Class. I also serve as the class representative.”
“…”
“Since time is short, I’ll get straight to the point. Sword Star. We need to aim for a draw.”
“…”
The Sword Star with silver hair and eyes. Silvia, showing an insincere attitude as if half-listening, briefly questioned.
“Will it end quickly if we do that?”
“…”
She’s asking if it will end quickly if we aim for a draw?
My brow naturally furrowed. Interpreting her statement, it seemed she wanted the duel not to drag on.
Could there be a reason why the Sword Star needs to wrap this duel up urgently?
Silvia added a follow-up that seemed to resolve my question.
“I need to sleep more… Yawn.”
And, she fell into slumber again.
Snore- snore-
‘I see.’
All her behaviors since the moment I first met her.
Sleeping, sleeping, and sleeping more. And the expression of finding it extremely troublesome when her sleep is disturbed.
In simple terms, it means she wants to end it quickly because she needs to sleep.
I shook my head. It would be meaningless to try conversing with this girl any further.
When the other party has no intention of listening to me. It’s like reading scriptures to a cow’s ear.
In the end, my head turns back to the dueling ground. There, the duel between the Saint and the Sage was reaching its final stage.
Tower Master’s Secret Art
Frost Downpour
Crack, crackle.
Numerous ice spears forming on the ceiling of the dueling ground.
The number of the sharply carved, frozen fangs was in the tens, hundreds.
“That’s impressive.”
Rinet’s voice, protecting herself inside a sacred barrier, was heard.
“Did you draw a magic circle using the scars left on the dueling ground floor?”
Just as she said.
The ground scratched by the lightning that bounced off the barrier now formed a geometric pattern.
Hearing Rinet’s words, Adela smiled gently.
“Well. It’s basic. If I couldn’t do this much, I’d have to surrender the name of Sage.”
“Is that so?”
Wobble, wobble.
The spears of frost were precariously targeting Rinet, as if they would fall at any moment.
However, the fact that they didn’t attack immediately clearly meant that Adela was giving Rinet time to respond.
It was for a draw.
“Then I should also show a Saint-like appearance.”
Holy power greatly concentrates around Rinet’s body.
Bright light begins to flash around her.
Simultaneously with Adela flicking her finger, the frost rain fell upon Rinet.
At that moment.
Sun God Order Saint’s Transmission
Holy Fire Explosion
The bright light soon becomes a white-burning fire.
The holy fire exploded.
Boom!
The magical reaction caused by the meeting of ice rain and fire pit fills the dueling ground with steam.
Whoosh!
As the steam cleared, what remained were two girls standing perfectly fine.
Rinet and Adela.
After a brief silence.
-Clap clap clap!
The sound of applause from the audience, amazed by the magnificence of the two prodigies, echoed through the dueling ground.
-Wow, incredible! Are they really first-years?
-As expected, those admitted without exams are different.
-Who’s winning this?
While they exchanged conversations about which side would claim victory.
[Enough.]
The professor’s voice echoed, and the noise subsided.
[This is sufficient. I’ve confirmed that both students simultaneously exceeded the measuring magic’s threshold with their recent techniques.]
Then the professor announced the result of the first round.
[The first round is a draw. Well done, Miss Rinet, Miss Adela.]
“Haaa-”
At the professor’s words, Rinet slumped, relieving the tension in her body. She must have been quite nervous.
Adela didn’t show any particular reaction and just smiled leisurely. Just like when I first met her.
[Now. Students who have finished their duel, please exit, and students competing in the next second round, please come to the dueling ground.]
While watching Rinet and Adela leaving the dueling ground, I also tidied my appearance.
“Ugh… How troublesome.”
Somehow the professor’s words must have pierced her ears. The Sword Star woke from her sleep and muttered while rubbing her eyes.
“Huaaam.”
The Sword Star opened her small mouth and stretched out a yawn. I addressed her one last time as she sluggishly moved her body and advanced to the left side of the dueling ground.
“Sword Star. Don’t forget. We must aim for a draw. Since there’s measuring magic in place, we should utilize that.”
I conveyed my intention to her: not to try to win quickly, but to drag out the time and just meet the threshold. But.
No answer came back.
I couldn’t confirm whether the Sword Star properly heard my words, but there’s nothing I can do. I just have to wait and hope she follows my intention.

As I passed through the right entrance of the dueling ground, the noise of regular students whispering in the stands reached my ears.
-Look. Isn’t that the prince?
-Yeah. I heard he transferred to the Special Class, so it must be true?
-But didn’t he lose all his power? How did he get in?
-Well, it’s obvious, isn’t it? The imperial family must have pulled some strings.
-No. Haven’t you heard that rumor? The prince completely trashed that guy at Bardishe Bar.
-Who?
-You know, that annoying guy from the North.
The noise filled with wariness and a bit of mockery upon seeing me emerge from the right side.
Immediately changed its atmosphere when they saw the small-framed girl appearing from the left.
-Wow. It’s the Sword Star…!
-So she really enrolled in the Academy. I thought it was a lie since I never saw her.
-I’ve seen her occasionally. She was sleeping on a cafe bench.
-Huh? Sleeping? Why?
-How would I know?
Half-opened eyes. Silver pupils lazily watched me.
“…”
In that brief moment, I observed the Sword Star nodding her head, trying to withstand her drowsiness.
‘Indeed.’
Whether she will move according to my intention.
I prepared for the duel while loosening my body. Whether the Sword Star heard my words or not, to lead to a draw, I need to drag out the time. And for that, my body needs to endure.
The blood flowing through my entire body accelerates. My body was lightly heated.
[Third Prince. Student Loran von Welert. Are you ready?]
“Yes.”
[Sword Star. Miss Silvia Isolde. Are you ready?]
“…”
[Miss Silvia?]
“…Yawn. Yes.”
An insincere answer.
The Sword Star gave a small response and.
Opened her eyes completely.
‘Hmm.’
At that moment, I saw the airflow around the Sword Star change its momentum.
Putting strength into my optic nerves, I could tell she was completely dominating the space around her.
Silver hair like falling snow. Beneath it, silver pupils barely distinguishable from the whites of her eyes gaze at me.
Seeing that, I tensed my body.
[Now. Then.]
It was to immediately respond to whatever the Sword Star might do.
[Second round, begin.]
Simultaneously with the conclusion of the professor’s words.
Sword Star Style
Wind Moon Slash
Slash-!
A blade of wind was shot right in front of me.
“…!”
I quickly ducked to avoid the sword energy.
Crash-! A large sword mark formed on the back wall of the dueling ground where the sword energy hit.
‘That was dangerous.’
If I hadn’t put strength into my optic nerves to closely observe the Sword Star’s movements.
I would have been struck by the wind blade that just flew and been knocked out.
“…”
The Sword Star’s blank gaze seemed to be throwing a single word at me.
You dodged that? it seemed to say.
“…”
The Sword Star silently swung her sword again.
Slash-!
Consecutive wind blades flying in. This time there were two. The speed of her sword swing was so fast that it created an illusion of them flying simultaneously.
I quickly threw my body to avoid the sword energy.
“What’s with you.”
Only then did the Sword Star briefly open her mouth.
In her silver pupils, a slightly irritated emotion beyond annoyance was visible.
“Don’t be troublesome.”
“…”
“I need to end this quickly and sleep.”
As she finished speaking, this time the sword was swung three times. Having seen two flying earlier, I could clearly confirm the count in preparation.
“Hup!”
I hurriedly threw my body to slip past the sword energy coming from all directions.
My body rolled on the dueling ground floor. Due to Adela’s scraping of the ground in the first round, dust and dirt were thickly caked on my clothes.
That was quite uncomfortable.
“Phew…”
I stood up, dusting off my body. Then, standing face to face with the Sword Star, I captured her in the center of my vision.
Drowsy eyes. Annoyed eyes. Irritated eyes.
And.
‘Indifferent eyes.’
To the Sword Star, I was just anyone passing by.
No. To be precise, a trifle. Like a flying insect buzzing around her.
Because she recognized me only to that extent, she was firing sword energy in such a simple manner.
‘The thought of going for a draw.’
She clearly had none.
I need to end this quickly and sleep, she said.
That made me smile bitterly.
‘I see.’
So it means we have to determine a winner.
Well. I didn’t particularly dislike it. To be honest, I wasn’t without displeasure at the Sword Star’s attitude.
I deeply sighed and closed my eyes. Then I began to gather the conditions that could lead this duel to my victory.
The Sword Star’s indifference. Me having to avoid sword energy. Me appearing from the right side when I was supposed to be on the left. The traces of ground destroyed by Adela’s magic on the dueling ground floor. Adela’s residual magic power flowing on top of it.
“Hmph.”
With this.
The conditions seemed sufficiently met.
As my pupils felt as if they were being vertically split.
My eyelids opened wide, and the Sword Star was captured in my vision.
The mana flowing through the silver girl’s body. The emotion visible there was just one.
Complete indifference. An appearance not even imagining that she might lose.
“…”
It was truly an arrogant expression.
An emotion that humans shouldn’t dare harbor before a dragon.
The Sword Star’s hand begins to draw a semicircle again. Preparing to run in response, my mouth softly declared.
From now on, I will breathe emotion into that face.
“You brought this upon yourself.”
The emotion of defeat.