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“Anna.”

“Yes, Miss. What is it?”

“That person. He’s not my eldest brother, right?”

“Miss. This is the 100th time you’ve asked. It’s definitely Young Master Gilbert.”

Dorothy, who had just returned to her lodgings after watching all the 32-round matches, threw her 100th question at Anna. Normally, she wouldn’t have done something so pointless, but this time was different.

Her brother’s first match in the 32-round was that shocking.

The Colossal Mech Piloting Technique displayed by her eldest brother, whom she had never once thought of as having any remarkable ability, was on a level that could knock the soul out of you. The way the Colossal Mech moved as fluidly as if it were his own body, and the swordsmanship he displayed using the mech, was nothing short of artistry.

Gilbert’s opponent also had a high level of piloting skill, but it was nothing compared to his. In fact, the opponent only served as a benchmark to show just how far Gilbert had reached.

Dorothy sipped the black tea Anna handed her and let out a long sigh. Until now, she had wondered how he could have earned the Knight Title or if he was even worthy of it, but this was not a skill she could assess.

To put it bluntly, he had the skill worthy of the Knight Title.

“Anna. Was I wrong? Was it arrogant of me to try to assess my eldest brother’s skill? His skill is beyond my level of judgment.”

“Miss…”

“I don’t understand what’s going on. He never once piloted a Colossal Mech while we were in the territory. How could he pilot like that? No, no. I shouldn’t belittle my brother’s skill. Especially not me, who aims to become a knight…”

Setting aside all her previous thoughts about Gilbert, if you looked solely at his Colossal Mech piloting skill, he was indeed worthy of the Knight Title. He had protected the cadets and upheld the Academy’s honor with his exceptional piloting skills, not yielding an inch against the terrorists who had invaded the Academy.

For her to doubt such a person was something she could never do. Given his past actions, he was simply too outstanding a talent.

The previous Gilbert had been a troublemaker, surrounded by scandals and lacking any real ability. But the Gilbert she saw today was definitely not that person.

A genius in Colossal Mech piloting, unrivaled by anyone.

Dorothy couldn’t help but think of her eldest brother that way.

“Sigh. I don’t even know what’s real anymore. I thought I only believed what I saw with my own eyes, but maybe that’s not the case. Even with the results right in front of me, I can’t accept them.”

“Anyone would feel that way, Miss.”

Anna watched Dorothy, who was sipping her tea with a confused expression, and felt a pang of sympathy. Her mistress had always been bold and lively. She was the type to never blindly believe rumors and always double-checked things with her own eyes. Yet today, she couldn’t believe what she had seen with her own two eyes.

Anna could understand her feelings. Even she, who had served the Lion Heart Count Family for a long time, was stunned by the piloting skills displayed by the family’s eldest son.

Having watched over Dorothy since childhood and having observed Gilbert up close, Anna remembered Gilbert as a tyrant. He was a selfish person who always had to have his way.

Arrogant, full of bravado, and obsessed with women—that was the eldest son of the Lion Heart Count Family.

But he had changed.

His actions began to carry dignity, and his words began to carry weight. Not only that, but he had also been granted the Knight Title, the most honorable position, and his Colossal Mech piloting skills far surpassed even those of a freshman.

If all this had happened in just a few months, who could believe it?

Anna shook her head.

“Alright. I’ve finally come to accept it.”

“Miss?”

“My brother has changed. If I don’t start with that premise, nothing makes sense.”

“Young Master has changed…?”

“Yes. I actually thought his behavior was just a disgusting act. I’m still suspicious about that part, but… let’s move on. If my brother has truly changed, then it’s possible he could display such piloting skills.”

“Did Young Master… have such talent?”

“What are you talking about, Anna? Originally, my eldest brother was a hopeless person with no abilities at all. Have you already forgotten?”

Dorothy’s eyebrows furrowed as if she had heard something strange while lifting her teacup.

Anna simply smiled without a word. She had only made the comment casually, but she already understood why Dorothy had said that.

“You think Young Master is strange.”

“To be precise, I think he’s not the real eldest brother.”

Dorothy nodded while savoring the fragrant black tea. Having watched Gilbert for as long as she had lived, she could make such a statement. Her earlier comment about accepting it was also made in that context.

Otherwise, there was no way to explain the performance he had shown in the competition.

When Dorothy said he had changed, she meant it literally—that the current Gilbert was not the original Gilbert.

“I’m thinking he might be a doppelganger or a homunculus. I’m guessing the switch happened on the way to the Demia Empire Academy. Of course, it’s just a suspicion for now, so I’ll have to investigate further.”

“So that’s the conclusion you’ve come to, Miss.”

“I think it’s a rational and logical judgment. Do you have a different opinion, Anna?”

“What does my opinion matter? Your thoughts are what’s important.”

“Not this again. I told you not to say things like that. I have no intention of becoming a tyrant who ignores the opinions of those below me. I’ve seen enough of that.”

Dorothy set down her empty teacup. She could never become like Gilbert, whom she so despised. That had been her resolve since childhood.

“Anyway, it seems you don’t plan to share your thoughts. Fine. This is something I’ll have to figure out on my own. I’ll investigate until the competition ends.”

“Stay strong, Miss.”

“Don’t just cheer me on—help me.”

“I don’t think I can this time.”

As Anna smiled gently, Dorothy felt there was something more to it. Had she made a wrong assumption?

But if that were the case, it would mean Gilbert had always had such terrifying talent. How could she just believe that?

Unfortunately, Dorothy wasn’t the type to believe such things easily. She needed to see uncertain things with her own eyes to be satisfied.

Dorothy’s eyes burned with determination.

***

The competition matches proceeded without any major upsets.

Gilbert, the top contender for the championship, along with Ian, Lily, Angelina, and Hans, all easily advanced to the top 16. The bracket seemed almost scripted, and the audience cheered, delighted to have more opportunities to watch their favorite cadets compete.

However, the next round of top 16 matches was different. Ian, who fought first, secured his spot in the top 8 against a fairly skilled cadet, though not as strong as the other four.

The next match was an interesting one between Angelina and Hans. Their battle was so intense it could have been mistaken for the finals. While Hans had a slight edge in handling the Colossal Mech, Angelina was overwhelmingly superior in reading the flow of battle.

It was as if she knew exactly where Hans would move, tightening her grip on him with precision. Compared to Ian’s flashy techniques, her style might have seemed dull, but the audience felt as if their own breath was being cut off.

Hans, who was on the receiving end, was having a hellish time. When a firebolt pinned his foot, it was a close call.

But in the end, it was Hans’s Colossal Mech piloting skills that secured his spot in the top 8.

He exploited the slightest gap in Angelina’s magic armor and disabled her mech. It was a split-second opportunity, but Hans, who had grown rapidly through his encounters with Gilbert, seized it.

Angelina had given her all in the match, and though it ended in defeat, she accepted the result gracefully. The audience gave both of them a round of applause for the thrilling match.

After their match, the rest of the top 16 matches proceeded in turn. None had the same impact as the previous one, but the skills on display were outstanding, befitting the main stage of the Demia Empire Academy’s competition.

The audience enjoyed the rare spectacle and cheered, and the cadets of the Demia Empire Academy were no different. Regardless of age or gender, everyone enjoyed the top 16 matches.

But there was one match the audience was eagerly waiting for.

– Gilbert! Gilbert!

The match of Gilbert, the top contender for the championship.

That was the match they were waiting for.

Gilbert quietly listened to the cheers calling his name in the arena. It was a stark contrast to the reaction he had received when he first opened his eyes here.

Of course, that didn’t mean his past actions had disappeared. The limited popularity he enjoyed was due to the unique nature of the competition, which was like a festival for the Demia Empire Academy.

And even with this kind of popularity, Gilbert’s accumulated reputation wasn’t going to reverse overnight. Fortunately, the fame he had gained by subduing the Resistance had gradually changed people’s perceptions, but it still felt like a long way off.

Most importantly, the relationships that had already soured couldn’t be fixed. That’s just how people’s hearts worked.

Gilbert let out a long breath at the attendant’s signal to prepare and boarded his Colossal Mech. He briefly wondered if this could be called a stubborn grudge.

If you had to put it that way, it was accurate.

Gilbert sighed again.

Soon, the broadcast announcing the start of the match began.

[Gilbert and Lily, please enter the arena as soon as you’re ready.]

The final match of the top 16, the highlight.

The curtain was rising on the match between Gilbert and Lily.

 

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