Sera and Iria finished their discussion and confronted the Saint who had thrown the academy into chaos. They saw themselves as defenders of justice, arriving just in time to stop a villain from disrupting the academy’s peace.
“Saint Clana, that’s enough,” Sera declared, striking her best heroic pose.
Beside her, Iria nodded solemnly, completely misreading the situation. As they blocked Clana’s path, students began gathering around them. Though all three were well-known figures at the academy, the onlookers didn’t see the heroic confrontation Sera imagined.
To the other students, this was a nightmare scenario: Sera, the infamous troublemaker, had teamed up with Iria, who was even more unhinged. This combination was far more terrifying than anything Clana had done.
They were arguably the most feared duo in the academy’s history—though neither seemed aware of their reputation, both being remarkably oblivious to their surroundings.
“Y-you…” Clana sputtered upon seeing them. Her eyes fixed on Iria with particular intensity.
“The root of all evil! Pure white! Unreasonable kindness! How dare you torment me and then show your face?”
“…What is she talking about?” Sera asked, bewildered.
“I don’t know,” Iria replied flatly. Unlike Sera, she understood perfectly well—she just didn’t care. Her face might as well have been carved from stone for all her guilt over the past week’s events.
Clana’s anger peaked at Iria’s nonchalant response. The memory of her recent humiliations and lost wallets burned fresh in her mind. She jabbed a finger at Iria. “I challenge you to a duel! This time, I’ll have my revenge!”
“This person will fight you instead,” Iria said, casually shoving Sera forward.
“Wait, what?” Sera stumbled, suddenly finding herself face-to-face with Clana.
“Have you come to steal my wallet too?” Clana demanded.
“No, that’s not—”
“Yes, that’s exactly why we’re here,” Iria interrupted. “But she’ll be your opponent instead of me.”
“Hey! You can’t just—”
“I didn’t say anything incorrect.”
Having maneuvered Sera into position, Iria smoothly retreated into the crowd of spectators. This had been her plan all along—now she could enjoy the show from a safe distance. Sometimes, the best view was from the sidelines.
Finding herself the center of attention, Sera’s initial flustered expression gave way to her usual confident demeanor. Though she’d been manipulated into this position, it aligned with her desires.
“Fine then. I accept your challenge. I’ve wanted to test myself against the Saint anyway.”
And so, true to her nature as a Seed of the Demon King, Iria had successfully sown chaos within the academy once again.
***
The duel was scheduled for the academy’s largest arena—the only venue suitable after Sera and Iria’s last fight had demolished a smaller one.
The professors remembered that incident all too well. Sera’s raw power matched their own, and during the monster invasion, she’d accomplished what they couldn’t.
For a human to catch and reflect the flames of a Demon King’s Seed once was remarkable—Sera had done it twice, in front of witnesses. The professors had unanimously declared there was nothing left to teach her about fire magic. She had surpassed them all.
“Ready when you are,” Sera announced, taking her position.
Across the arena stood Clana, her silver hair catching the wind—just like Iria’s. The similarity reminded Sera of her previous defeat.
Perhaps silver hair was a sign of strength in this world. She could sense unusual power emanating from her opponent.
But Sera had grown stronger, too.
Those who had witnessed her performance during the monster invasion were confident in her victory. Watching from the sidelines, even Iria thought Clana stood little chance without combat experience.
This fight would be a learning opportunity for the Saint.
Clana, however, had her own perspective.
“The white-haired woman who tormented me must be the Demon King from the scriptures, which makes you their loyal servant,” she declared solemnly, fixing Sera with an intense stare.
“Evil demons, I won’t fall for your temptations! In the name of the Saint, I shall purify you!”
Sera could only stare in confusion as Clana brought her hands together in prayer. Holy energy poured from her body, filling the arena with sacred light.
She channeled holy magic and her unique Blessing into a single point.
“Light!” Clana cried, releasing a brilliant beam.
“Ugh!” Sera braced herself—only to blink in surprise. “This… doesn’t hurt at all?”
If anything, she felt better. The holy energy coursed through her body like a healing spring. Clana’s assumption about Sera being a demon couldn’t have been more wrong—she was perfectly human, immune to purification.
Clana scratched her cheek sheepishly when nothing happened. She’d never actually attacked anyone with holy energy before. It wasn’t meant for offense.
“Well then,” Sera said, brushing off lingering particles of golden light. Flames burst from her hands with a roar. She’d waited to see what the Saint could do, but now it was her turn.
Fire engulfed the arena. Though it might have been excessive against a normal student, Sera didn’t hold back against the legendary Saint. Clana squeezed her eyes shut as the inferno washed over her.
When the flames cleared, Sera stood ready—and stared in shock. Clana remained standing, her hair and clothes slightly singed but otherwise unharmed.
“That was hot,” Clana remarked.
If Sera had the highest offensive power among students, Clana possessed the strongest defense in the empire. Her Blessing made her nearly invulnerable.
“Well…” Sera’s surprise gave way to a grin. This wouldn’t be the quick fight she’d expected.
Fresh flames began to dance around the arena.