There was a broad avenue on campus known as Main Street.
This thoroughfare was the main artery connecting the various lecture halls, dormitories, and cafeteria. During breaks, it would get so crowded with students that not a drop of water could trickle through.
Charlotte was walking along this road, slowly making her way back to the dorms.
As the girl advanced, the crowd ahead gradually split in two, like the legendary parting of the Red Sea.
"This effect is almost on par with Magnus's," Sigmund remarked, his deep voice tinged with a note of awe as he watched the crowd instantly divide before them.
It seemed the huge commotion that night, along with the traces left after the battle, had boosted Charlotte's crowd-clearing ability by more than a few notches.
Holding a small box tied with a golden ribbon, Charlotte lifted her head like a tyrannosaurus rex looking down on all rivals, her gaze sweeping over the surrounding students.
Those who met her eyes quickly averted their faces in a fluster.
"...Isn't this a bit much?" Sigmund said, somewhat helplessly, noting the students' reactions.
"Hmph, this is for the best. All these students are just obstacles standing between me and the title of Demon King."
Charlotte lightly tossed her hair and stepped forward with a light tread.
Just then, the sound of footsteps approached rapidly from the opposite direction.
A girl with long, off-white hair was walking quickly with her head down, a black wolf-like dog running beside her.
"Frey?"
Noticing her anxious expression, Charlotte stopped and asked softly, "Is something wrong?"
Sigmund also waved a paw in greeting.
After spending time together recently, Charlotte and Frey weren't exactly close, but they did exchange words now and then.
For her to be in such a hurry... had something happened?
Hearing her name, Frey looked up blankly at Charlotte and whispered, "It's nothing."
Her gaze shifted away from Charlotte toward the main gate, and she hung her head again.
"I have to go."
Charlotte stared, taken aback, as Frey walked past, a worried look inevitably creeping into her eyes.
"If you're worried, why not go after her and see?"
Just as she was watching Frey's retreating figure, Sigmund's voice sounded by her ear.
"I-I'm not worried!" Charlotte snapped her gaze back, but still stole a concerned glance.
The direction Frey was headed was the school's entrance—the heavily guarded main gate.
She walked steadily into the gatehouse, where there was a reception room specifically for outside visitors.
Was someone here to see her?
"I'll mention it to Alice later..."
A soft murmur escaped Charlotte's lips as she started walking again.
--+--
Inside the dorm room, Trimmau was setting out the tea set for Charlotte. Warm black tea was gently poured into the cups.
Steam rose, carrying the tea's fragrance and warmth throughout the room.
But the golden-haired girl didn't take her seat right away. She stood before Alice with her hands behind her back.
Charlotte swayed slightly, her fingers trembling nervously.
Alice, holding Kirakishou, looked puzzled at Charlotte's suspicious behavior.
"Um... well..." A faint blush spread across Charlotte's cheeks, her gaze darting uneasily.
After fidgeting for a moment, she brought her hands forward from behind her back.
"It's... a thank-you gift."
Alice blinked, reached out to accept the small box, and placed it gently on the table.
Kirakishou, in her arms, lifted her little head curiously to look at the gift.
"Um... Aren't you going to open it?"
Charlotte tilted her head, peeking at Alice's expression.
Seeing her like this, Alice gave a slight smile, untied the ribbon, and revealed a silver pendant lying at the bottom of the box.
"A charm?"
"Charlotte thought for a long time before choosing this gift," Sigmund said, wagging his tail.
"Wha— Th-That's not true! Don't talk nonsense!" Charlotte's face instantly turned bright red as she glared at Sigmund in embarrassment.
She lowered her voice and hissed threateningly, "I'll replace your chicken tomorrow with eggshells, you know!"
Then she immediately turned away, crossing her arms, and muttered softly.
"It's... just to thank you for helping me with that, you know, the Cannibal Candy incident."
A textbook tsundere.
Alice traced the patterns on the charm, then carefully put it away. "Thank you."
"Don't... don't mention it." Seeing Alice's pleased expression, Charlotte sat down opposite her, picking up her teacup to hide her face, feeling somewhat shy.
Kirakishou giggled silently in Alice's arms.
Sigmund, perched on Charlotte's head, chuckled softly too. It was good to see Charlotte making friends.
But a strange, sudden chill ran through him, breaking his sentimental moment.
This feeling... it was like being summoned.
Somewhere very close by, there was a being of the same kind as him.
Sigmund snapped his gaze toward the window just as a familiar figure cut through the sky and landed steadily on the windowsill.
Its body was covered in metallic crimson dragon scales, with four wings and prominent horns. By all appearances, it should be called a 'young dragon'—identical to Sigmund.
The two young dragons stared at each other through the glass. The crimson dragon outside curled its lips into a smile and tapped lightly on the window.
Charlotte glanced covertly at Sigmund. Alice gave a slight nod, signaling Suigintou by the window to open it.
A biting cold wind instantly swept into the room. The chill clearly displeased Alice.
The crimson young dragon, however, stepped into the room without hesitation, and the window closed immediately.
Though surprised by this sudden reunion, Sigmund greeted the other with a warm smile.
"That's a face I haven't seen in a long time, Thor."
"Likewise. It must have been seventy years."
"Seventy-two, actually."
"You haven't changed, still the meticulous one."
The crimson young dragon laughed heartily, then turned his eyes to the golden-haired girl in the room. "So that's your master... what was the name again? Belew?"
"Ah, yes."
"I heard the rumors. The Belew family fell on hard times. Can you still get enough meat these days?"
"We have enough in that regard," Sigmund replied softly. "If things got tough, I could always catch my own wild birds."
"Hah! The world-renowned 'Cursed Sword' reduced to hunting birds and beasts."
Thor laughed mockingly, yet Sigmund found himself strangely unangered.
For another 'Cursed Sword' to appear at this school... the implications were obvious.
"When one 'Cursed Sword' crosses another, one must break. Even knowing that, you still intend to participate in the Night Party, Thor?"
"Of course." Thor narrowed his eyes and grinned. "Watch your back, brother."
As if he'd only come for old times' sake, the crimson young dragon flew toward the window, opened it, and left the dorm.
Now things were getting interesting.
The barrier instantly dispelled the cold air that had intruded. Alice's lips curved into a slight smile.
"Charlotte, are you confident you can win against another 'Cursed Sword'?"
"Of course." The girl's resolute voice echoed through the room.
Charlotte lifted her head, her gaze firm and steady as she looked in the direction Thor had departed.
"By the name of Belew, I will not lose to any other 'Cursed Sword'."
--+--
T/N: Classroom of the Elite Fanfic Up!
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T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
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