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The Villainous Noble Who Kept Rewinding After Death: The Story Somehow Changed When I Committed Suicide

Chapter 144: Defeat and Death

It was the third day since entering the academy. Today was the day of the ranking battle to determine class standings.

Perhaps that was why, from the morning, the classroom was filled with enthusiastic students, some even polishing their weapons.

“Good morning, everyone! Looks like you’re all pumped up today. But please wait a bit for the ranking battle! I’ll first explain the rules for the ranking battle, and then we’ll move to another location to conduct it! Now, everyone take your seats! Ride-kun, please put away your weapon!”

Ride, who was honing his sword, glared lightly at Lime as if to say, “Hurry up,” and sheathed his sword back onto the desk.

“Okay, okay, no need to rush. Now, about the ranking battle, it will be divided into combat and support categories.

This S-Class originally comprises the top 10 students excelling in combat and the top 10 in support. Those 10 will compete against each other, and we will decide the ranking from first to tenth based on their performance.

The combat category will be a knockout format due to time constraints. The pairings will be determined by a draw later.

For the support category, I will assess your skills again and determine the order from there. Do you have any questions so far?”

Once Lime finished her explanation, she scanned the classroom for questions.

At that moment, one female student raised her hand, prompting Lime to ask what her question was.

“Will we be using real swords for combat? Also, I think it’s dangerous if magic hits us; what will happen there?”

“That’s a great question! I had planned to explain this shortly, but for everyone participating in the combat ranking battle, you’ll be using this!”

Lime placed a bracelet on the table and began explaining.

“This is called a Substitute Bracelet, and as the name suggests, it will absorb the damage from your attacks for you. So, you’ll never get hurt, and of course, you won’t die!”

At the magic academy of the Magic Kingdom Falmel, there were magical tools that absorbed magic, but they couldn’t prevent damage from swordsmanship.

However, this bracelet absorbs damage instead of magic, meaning it can take on damage from both magic spells and sword strikes.

The only drawback is that it doesn’t block attacks but merely takes the damage, which means your clothes might get torn—still, it’s an outstanding magical tool regardless.

“Any other questions? … Oh, it’s Lewis-kun, right? What’s your question?”

While the other students were relieved to hear they wouldn’t get hurt, I asked Lime the one question I wanted to know the most about the ranking battle.

“Can I withdraw from this ranking battle?”

“………… Huh?”

Lime stared at me, as if she couldn’t quite understand my words. After a good pause, her voice, slightly lower than usual, replied.

“If possible, I’d like to withdraw from the ranking battle and settle for tenth place in the combat category.”

“Um, since there’s no precedent for this, I can’t say for sure, but I think it’s probably possible.”

“That’s good to hear. Then I’d like to….”

“Hey. Wait a minute there.”

At the moment things seemed to settle with Lime, Ride, who had been seated at the front, turned to glare at me with open anger.

“What now?”

“You. Just like on the first day, what’s with that attitude?”

“Attitude? I’m not sure what you’re talking about, but this is who I am. I don’t think I need to be told how to act by you.”

“You’re from the same duke’s house as me, so you should behave in accordance with your status. But you’re just slacking off and now you want to withdraw from the ranking battle? Enough is enough with the mockery!”

It seemed Ride really couldn’t stand me, as his red eyes burned with anger, giving off a heat that felt like it could scorch anyone who met his gaze.

“Appropriate behavior, huh?”

“Exactly. I’ve heard you were studying abroad for about two years. But coming back, all you do is surround yourself with girls and act selfishly and debauchedly. What exactly did you learn while you were away?”

Ride’s mention of “studying abroad” referred to the time I had spent as an adventurer for about two years.

Some nobles despise adventurers, while others look down on the job itself.

So, before leaving the duke’s territory, I discussed with my father and decided to claim I studied abroad during my travels.

However, I couldn’t hide it from everyone, so my father explained it to close friends, like the second princess, Sharueina, and Iris’s parents.

“I’ll kill you.”

I didn’t feel much from Ride’s words, but Fiera, listening from next to me, couldn’t take it any longer and whispered ominously, her killing intent barely restrained.

“Calm down.”

“But…”

“I’ll handle this.”

“…… Okay.”

“Hmph. Being defended by a girl is remarkably pathetic. Just thinking you’re from the same duke’s house makes me want to vomit.”

Seeing our exchange, Ride gave us a look of disdain, seemingly puzzled about what was happening.

“Sigh. First of all, I’ll say this: we’re not in a relationship like you described. And it seems you think of Fiera and the others as just girls, but if they wanted to, they could take you out in an instant, you know?”

“What? Me lose to those girls over there?”

“Not lose. Die. Don’t get that twisted.”

Losing is a mild notion. Losing only means one’s life was spared, but what I meant was something far from that level.

If Fiera and the others really wanted to, current Ride would definitely be easily killed before the notion of losing even came into play.

“Heh. That’s why you should choose your words carefully. Next time, I might not hold back.”

“?!”

With a slight killing intent in my eyes, I smiled, making Ride flinch and reach for the hilt of his sword.

“You…!”

“Alright, alright! That’s enough! Let’s save the rest for the ranking battle!”

Just as Ride seemed poised to draw his sword, Lime clapped her hands to diffuse the situation.

“Lewis-kun, you’re provoking too much. If you want them to recognize the exception, maybe tone it down a bit. And Fiera-chan, you got too heated. You shouldn’t direct your killing intent towards friends in the same academy.”

“Understood.”

“Sorry.”

“Ride-kun, you’re interfering with other people’s decisions too much. Who do you think you are? I told you, S-Class is basically free. As long as it doesn’t go against the rules, it’s an issue between the students and us teachers. So, don’t meddle.”

“… Hmph.”

Lime spoke in an unusually low voice that starkly contrasted her usual cheerful tone and shot Ride a glare that was as cold as ice.

“Okay! Let’s wrap this up! We’ll draw lots to decide pairings next! I’ll get the preparations done right away, so just wait a minute~!”

Lime stated and began working on the desk, while the surrounding students started discussing the upcoming tests.

“El, are you okay?”

“About Ride?”

“Yeah.”

“I was a bit annoyed, honestly. He doesn’t know anything…”

“Calm down. I expected this ever since he started in our class.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, I know his personality well enough.”

“But it’s infuriating.”

“I agree with Fiera. I feel like making him bow on the ground right now.”

The two seemed particularly upset with Ride’s words and radiated a force that was even more emotional than mine, almost ready to leap at him.

“Do whatever you want. After all, we have the ranking battle coming up, so go at it as you please. I won’t stop you.”

“Hehe, I look forward to it.”

“Since he disrespected Lewis, he better be ready. Hehe.”

Hearing my words, the two laughed genuinely, and Fiera lightly snapped her fingers while Shuvina began checking her bowstring and arrows.

(Aah, this is going to be fun.)

Watching the two, I thought about how I had granted permission yet felt detached from the whole situation, as I played with small water orbs while waiting for Lime to finish the preparation for the draw.

 

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