The Villainess Who Was Dumped Got Married into My Family, a Mob Noble from the Frontier, and Turns Out, She's an Amazing Capable Wife? - Chapter 93: The Sage Festival and Those Getting Excited

Chapter 93: The Sage Festival and Those Getting Excited

The Sage Festival is essentially like a cultural festival. 

Among various events like the Handsome Grand Prix and theater performances, the most popular one is the Magic Tournament. 

As students of a magic nation, it’s a chance to showcase their daily achievements. 

The coliseum-like circular facility, often seen in battles, radiates an impressive presence as if it had always been there.

Inside the coliseum, in the individual waiting room for participants:

“Ragna, I’m sorry. It’s my fault for not supervising properly.”

Alicia stood in front of me, looking extremely apologetic.

“It was just a momentary lapse.”

Alicia said, pressing her forehead.

“I never thought Clive would enter the Handsome Grand Prix on his own… and that guy has been acting normal lately…”

On the surface, at least.

In reality, he was enjoying shadow roleplay and even started gathering his own subordinates without permission, making him unmanageable.

I mean, even if he was diligently performing his student council duties, it’s not normal to wear a mask and robe so openly.

Everyone had gotten used to his antics. As a result, even our common sense seemed to be getting twisted.

“Even if he acts serious, he’s not normal. He’s in the realm of being unreasonable.”

Edward, freed from various constraints, has become a completely different person from before.

“You’re kind of similar to him, you know.”

“Eh!?”

It’s troubling to be compared to that idiot!

From Alicia’s perspective, though, we seem the same.

Ugh, I don’t get it.

“You might as well just kill him, yeah, just do it quickly.”

“Ehh…”

I never expected to hear such words from Alicia.

Behind her apologetic expression lurked a demon.

Though it’s not out of the question, if Patricia’s scheme succeeds, he’ll probably end up dead anyway, so why bother?

Well, since Alicia’s not serious, I’ll just give him a mild punishment.

Oh, and Patricia’s scheme killing him isn’t a joke—it’s pretty much a real possibility.

In the game, repelling the principality always happened after restoring the barrier. 

Breaking the barrier allows the principality’s evil forces to creep in, ending it all.

Not breaking the barrier means Mariana could become a sacrifice, and if Patricia doesn’t break it, I’ll end up doing it… same result.

Poor Edward.

No matter how it goes, his chances of dying are high.

He’s basically entered into a ridiculous contract, and now I feel sorry for Wendy.

“By the way, what happened to Clive?”

“He’s been progressing smoothly and should be in the finals by now.”

Alicia said this with a sigh, pressing her forehead again.

“What’s wrong?”

“Treiza, who was always so serious, went to cheer for Clive as soon as it was decided he would participate… It’s like something she had been holding back just came out…”

I understand her wanting to support him since she’s Clive’s fiancée.

Abandoning her student council duties isn’t like her, but is it really worth all these sighs?

“Is it really something to sigh about—”

“—I’m back, Aliciaaa.”

Mariana staggered into the room, looking utterly exhausted.

“Welcome back, Mariana.”

“Alicia, Miss Treiza is… beyond help now.”

“I see…”

Both of them had sad eyes.

“What is this? What’s going on?”

“Sir Ragna, actually…”

When I tilted my head in confusion, Mariana started explaining with a look of horror.

“Miss Treiza organized a group called Sir Clive’s Honor Guard, and they all wore the same flashy robes and secured the front row seats.”

“Seriously?”

When I asked for details, I found out she had a headband on her forehead and was holding spear flags in both hands.

It’s common for a usually serious person to be a secret hardcore otaku, but this level is just comical.

“I couldn’t do anything about it…”

“Mariana, I’m sorry for giving you such a tough job.”

Everything’s a bit chaotic, everywhere you look.

The Sage Festival, which is like a cultural festival, seems to make us students overly excited. It feels like there’s some kind of magic at play, like the spirit of Koshien.

I can’t deny it.

“Alright, I’m off.”

With Mariana meowing at Alicia’s lap, it was time for me to head to the match.

“Oh, Ragna. I know you’ll be fine, but I’m cheering for you!”

“Thanks, I’ll win for sure.”

I had no intention of losing to anyone, but hearing such encouragement really boosted my motivation.

This feels nice, like a real youthful experience.

◇

“The first-year division for this tournament will have substitutes from the first-year student council, as both participants from Aetherdam Academy and Continent Academy are absent due to illness.”

As I headed to the venue, I heard this announcement through a magical loudspeaker. 

The matches are held in the order of first-year, second-year, and third-year students, so Edward and I were up first. 

It’s standard for the first-years, who have just enrolled, to be the opening act since this stage is to showcase our skills to the nation’s dignitaries.

However, the audience didn’t seem bored at all.

“In the first-year division, the substitute player is Edward gran Aetherdam!”

The fact that Edward, who also competes in the general division, was participating as a substitute drew interest. 

Despite his foolish antics, Edward is highly regarded as an exceptional magician among students. 

I agree with this assessment.

Originally, Edward was skilled at chanting and fighting at a high level, truly someone entrusted with the nation’s future.

“In the first-year division, the substitute player is Ragna vel Brave!”

As my name was called, I walked to the center of the colosseum, but compared to Edward, the gazes directed at me were much colder.

“Looks like no one really knows you.”

Edward said, standing in front of me with a smirk.

“As popular as ever, huh?”

“They don’t like me; they like my bloodline. The hopeful gazes aren’t for my efforts but for the talents my lineage brings.”

I thought it was impossible to achieve such combat skills as a student without extraordinary effort, but he must have faced constant dismissal of his efforts due to his status.

Growing up in the royal family, it’s expected that you can do things like this.

“Hehe! The weather is clear, perfect for a fight.”

“You’re so reckless that Alicia told me to kill you if necessary. Is that okay with you?”

“Of course, I’d be disappointed otherwise.”

Edward said, staring me in the eyes.

“I arranged this stage because I wanted a serious fight with you. Come at me with the intent to kill. I will do the same.”