Chapter 167
On the day of the Sacred Festival, the sky was clear and bright, just as it always had been since ancient times. It was inconceivable for it to rain during the Sacred Festival. Perhaps it was a display of divine power from Altair, the Goddess of the Sun and Sky, as this day always maintained fine weather, regardless of the year.
Although the sun had long ascended in the sky, it showed no signs of moving any time soon, which was undoubtedly a testament to the divine’s influence.
In that bright blue sky, Noel noticed a small, dark cloud forming high above, a place invisible to others. Although it was just a minor cloud, any anomaly is still an anomaly.
Not wanting to attract any unnecessary attention, Noel waved her hands to disperse the cloud. It was clear that if anyone noticed it, it would only heighten their anxiety.
The duel with Damian was about to commence soon, but Altair showed no signs of emerging.
Whether she was searching for answers herself or had gone completely off course, Noel could only feel pity for Altair’s struggle.
There was only today in the entire year to talk comfortably with him, and if she missed this opportunity, Altair would have to wait a long time for another chance. She hoped Altair could arrive at an answer even just a bit earlier.
Setting aside various matters, Noel’s condition was not too bad at the moment.
It was true that she was in a somewhat complicated situation, but those circumstances didn’t ruin her mood. Memories from the past flowed in, and she felt various emotions colliding, but aside from that, the duel ahead was one that Noel had eagerly awaited.
The Sacred Festival attracted many talented individuals, but the number of those who could be the main character was very few. And undoubtedly, Damian Kraus’s name would be on that list.
If one were to seek out the most proficient swordsman among her peers, many would name Reinhardt. However, if asked who the strongest kid was, everyone would unanimously choose Damian. He was skilled with every weapon, and what he wielded best was his own body.
Many believed that being broad and versatile was inferior to mastering one specific skill; however, he shattered that perception completely. Just look at how much Reinhardt, who was known for his swordsmanship, anticipated meeting him at the Sacred Festival, just like Noel.
It was likely that the focus of the students in the Department of Knights was whether Damian would win or Reinhardt.
The duel with Damian had long been something Noel desired.
Altair’s silence was, in some ways, a stroke of luck for her. At least she could stand before Damian as the complete Noel Estellia.
While her simple competitive spirit might be one reason she desired this duel, there was also a wish to gain recognition from the one who first made her aware of what it meant to lose. It was not the heart of a student longing for praise from a teacher but the desire for acknowledgment as a competitor standing at an equal starting line.
Although many other reasons mixed in with that now, Noel decided not to think of them.
As the entrance announcement began, Noel headed towards the venue. During previous matches, she had been indifferent to the gazes and cheers directed at her, but perhaps due to nerves, she found herself focusing unnecessarily on those.
She pressed her hand against her racing heart in rhythm with the cheers and turned to face the approaching Damian. His expression appeared more solemn than usual, but somehow it also seemed familiar.
Looking at his face, he seemed poised with determination, as if he truly believed he would win, even if Altair were to step up as his opponent.
If Altair genuinely decided to step in, no matter how strong Damian was, could he really claim victory? In truth, to him, such probabilities would likely be of no consequence. Once he set his heart on something, his resolve was to see it through, which meant that from the moment he made that decision, the outcome of the duel—and his relationship with Altair—was already predetermined.
For a moment, Damian paused his steps, gazed at Noel, then relaxed his stiff expression into a bright smile as he spoke to her.
“Noel!”
The serious demeanor he had previously vanished, and he returned to the Damian that Noel knew. This sudden change was enough to catch Noel off guard, and she faced him with a surprised expression. She questioned the Damian, who had shifted the atmosphere.
“Damian?! You startled me by shouting like that! But are you really okay now? Just a moment ago, you had that serious face; now you look all soft and fluffy like pudding.”
“No, I was really nervous when I came up here, but the moment I saw you, I felt relaxed… I totally thought Altair would be standing there from the start. Ah, but I didn’t mean to undervalue you, so don’t get me wrong! Okay?”
“I get it. Honestly, I would’ve been nervous too.”
Noel smiled back at Damian, who continued to speak with a grin.
When she first saw Damian approaching her, she expected him to be devoid of any feelings like fear or tension, but perhaps that was not the case. Nevertheless, he managed to suppress those emotions and come here without hesitation, which impressed her.
Seeing Damian’s smiling face made Noel’s own tension seem to dissipate.
The fact that he recognized her as Noel at first glance filled her with a unique joy. It might be partly because he had keen insight, but it also meant he knew her quite well. While a strange feeling of superiority arose within her, her heart felt a tinge of bitterness as Noel smiled and reassured the part of herself that resonated with jealousy.
‘If you’re going to be jealous like that, why don’t you come out and talk?’
‘….’
‘Eh, coward.’
‘@#$%@#%@^%!!!’
Altair was mumbling something, but Noel paid no attention. If it truly bothered her, she could just jump out at any time instead of hiding away. It seemed like being flatly rejected during their first meeting and hearing today’s words had hurt her. However, even Noel understood Damian’s behavior.
He didn’t have any memories of the past like her, so it was inevitable he would misunderstand if forced suddenly into such a situation. She could see why he tried to be cautious around Elena, but in doing so, he had only heightened his sense of wariness toward Damian and missed the chance for a conversation today.
“So, is my opponent Noel now? Is Altair going to suddenly pop out in the middle of this?”
“I’d prefer it that way, but… um, I can’t guarantee that. She’s totally a fickle creature and completely unpredictable.”
‘@#%$^$^@$^#!!!!!’
Oh hush!
When Noel spoke ill of Altair in front of Damian, she reacted dramatically. It was amusing, and it didn’t occur to Noah that she might be just teasing her.
Leaving behind Altair, who was grumbling inside, Noel turned to Damian to ask what he thought of her. Ordinarily, it would be proper to wait until she had the chance to ask questions herself, but since time was really running short, a simple question should be fine.
Not a lot—just one question to resolve Altair’s hesitation. Noel knew what that was, and she also knew what answer Damian would give.
“Damian, Altair has something she wants to tell you. Can I pass it on?”
‘!!!!!!’
To her surprise, Noel’s words drew an immediate silent shout from Altair. While Noel shared some understanding of Altair’s thoughts, she was aware of what message Altair wished to convey to Damian, but having Noel say it out loud was not what she had hoped.
‘Don’t worry, just wait a moment.’
Noel calmed the frantic voice inside and looked at Damian, who seemed to find it amusing. With a playful smile, she watched him, as if she already knew what answer he would provide.
Damian blinked at her words for a moment before responding.
“Really? Hmm… I’m curious, but later. I’ll hear it directly from Altair. I don’t think it’s right to hear it like this, even if it’s from you, Noel! I also have something I want to discuss with her. I feel like I spoke a bit unilaterally and dashed off earlier.”
“Okay, I understand. I’ll pass that on to Altair.”
“Sure. Well… it seems she’s already listening, though.”
Noel laughed at Damian’s remark, for it was undoubtedly true.
Just a moment ago, her strong emotions began to settle down, signaling that his answer had become a resolution. While Altair wished to spring out right away after hearing Damian’s words, Noel held her back and kept her own lead. She still had things to do, after all. Once she confirmed that the issue was resolved, Noel drew her sword from her side and addressed him.
“Then shall we get started now?”
