I Thought Your Friend's Sibling Wasn't a Girl? - Chapter 79

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 79
“I’ve always lacked justification. I knew unfair things were happening, but I had no grounds to intervene. They were clever enough. And now Olivia has finally given me that justification—how could I stand in her way?”
“But why entrust this to an Intern who hasn’t even completed official enrollment yet? Don’t you think there’s something suspicious about this picture?”
“Is it the first time we’ve done something strange? By that logic, you grabbing me right now and shouting is plenty strange itself.”
Aiden’s outcry was met with Yugin’s calm reply. There was something faintly amusing about it, and Olivia couldn’t help but let out a quiet laugh.
In any case, there was nothing left to hesitate about now. Olivia clenched both fists firmly, straightened her back, and answered Yugin with spirited determination.
“I will return victorious, Commander!”
“If you need anything at all, tell me. It’s late, but… I’ll do my best from this moment on.”
Yugin furrowed his brow as if his thoughts were tangled, then let out a weary sigh and smiled.
For a moment, it occurred to Olivia that there must have been some reason he’d had to leave the situation alone all this time. But she didn’t press him on it.
If the information was necessary, she would learn it. If it wasn’t, there was no need to strain herself seeking it out.
What mattered now was simply that she had gained one more supporter to back her in this Duel.
“Commander, I hope you’ll also oversee my training.”
“Olivia. Are you really going through with this? Let me do it instead. I’m doing it!”
“You’re not involved, senior. I’m definitely doing this.”
“What, what? How can you say such harsh words to me…?”
“Mm, training? You only need to oversee your training?”
“No. I’d like you to watch the other seniors’ training as well.”
“Olivia!”
She had to win. A spark kindled in Olivia’s chest—a flame that went by the name of fighting spirit.
She would win without fail and ease the worries of many people.
“Olivia.”
“Yes, Commander!”
“Still, I hope you don’t get hurt. Your health matters too.”
Olivia gave a quiet, obedient nod to his unwavering concern. At last, a smile of satisfaction crossed Yugin’s face.
Of course, seeing that, Aiden threw another fit—though that was rather a minor detail.
At any rate, the preparations for the Duel were underway in earnest.
* * *
Whether Aiden fretted or not, the day of the Duel dawned.
News of the Duel between the Lux Knight Brigade and the Lumen Knights Order spread far and wide. Thanks to that, not only the people at the Imperial Palace, but even common folk in the streets found themselves talking about it whenever they gathered.
A clash between Knight Orders! It was exactly the sort of thrilling spectacle to capture the attention of bored people.
“Did you hear? The Lux Knight Brigade and the Lumen Knights Order are having a Duel!”
“Who in this place hasn’t heard? They say it’s today. I was just heading out to watch it—want to come along?”
“Oh, absolutely! I can’t miss a show like this.”
Friendly Matches do happen from time to time, but those are ultimately just that—friendly. Everyone involved holds back, never fully displaying their skill during the Sparring.
But this was no Sparring. This was a Duel.
“But I heard they’re using Wooden Swords?”
“Ah, well… the person who requested this Duel is an Intern from the Lux Knight Brigade. Still a student, so to speak.”
“An Intern? An Intern challenged senior Knights to a Duel? Talk about guts!”
“What was it again? Something about being insulted? The Lumen Knights insulted the seniors, apparently.”
“Huh.”
“It’s reckless, sure, but honestly… it’s gutsy, you know? It’s the most impressive thing kids that age can do!”
“That’s true! Come on, let’s go before we can’t get a good spot!”
People made their way to the Public Training Ground where the Duel would take place, eager to witness it. The place was already packed with gathered crowds.
“Oh, there they are!”
“Where, where? Oh. Is that brown-haired Knight the Intern? Then those standing beside her must be the Lux Knight Brigade members.”
“The ones in red uniforms on the other side are the Lumen Knights Order. Hmm, who’ll win?”
“Either way, this is going to be one hell of a match, don’t you think?”
A rookie Knight who couldn’t bear the insults directed at her seniors and challenged them to a Duel, and her fellow Lux Knight Brigade members who couldn’t send her out alone and chose to fight alongside her.
Most of the people gathered here knew full well what treatment the Lux Knight Brigade received, and so uncomfortable indignation and cathartic relief mingled throughout the crowd.
“It was harsh. That fellow Peter from the Lumen Knights Order—he was itching to pick fights with our people, wasn’t he?”
“Well… they might not like us, sure enough, but it was over the line.”
“Lux won’t win. You can tell just by how they’ve performed so far. Those Lumen bastards are actually pretty skilled.”
“True. But still, the very fact that this Duel is happening publicly—isn’t that an insult to them? Everyone here knows the reason for it.”
Yet no one among the gathered crowd predicted a victory for the Lux Knight Brigade. After all, they had never won even once—the weakest and most unskilled of all the Knight Orders.
Still, it would be a meaningful defeat this time, or so they expected as they awaited the Duel to unfold.
Ding.
A short bell rang out.
“Spectators, please maintain order. The Duel between the Lux Knight Brigade and the Lumen Knights Order will now commence. All witnesses for both sides, please come forward and be seated.”
The witnesses took their places, and shortly after, the referee announced the start of the Duel.
“Olivia Kishear of the Lux Knight Brigade and Thomson Bricks of the Lumen Knights Order. Step forward.”
People predicted a loss for the Lux Knight Brigade.
But as it is with all things in this world, not everything unfolds as expected.
It wasn’t long before the eyes of all gathered widened in shock.
* * *
Olivia stepped up onto the Training Ground and exhaled a long, steadying breath.
Since she had been the one to request the Duel, it was only natural that she should go first.
She glanced briefly at her seniors sitting far away.
Some she’d grown close to, others she’d seen only a handful of times—all of them were here with her now.
“You’re really going through with a Duel? Why on earth?”
“The seniors were insulted. It’s only natural.”
“You could just let it slide. It would’ve ended if you’d just let it go!”
“Why should we just let it slide? What’s lacking in the seniors?”
Olivia had repeated variations of this conversation—not quite excuses—every time she’d encountered her comrades since today.
It seemed strange to them that someone was angry on their behalf, that someone was fighting for them.
Especially that it was not even one of their own, but merely an Intern student who’d spent only a few months with them—everyone had felt compelled to grasp the back of their necks at that realization.
That was why Kunta and several others had stepped forward to participate in this Duel.
“This is our matter. How could we let you shoulder this alone, Olivia?”
“But this is something I caused.”
“That’s what seniors do—they clean up the mess their juniors make. By the way, that’s what Aiden said. Remember it.”
Olivia took another deep breath.
The preparations were thorough. Of course, that wasn’t to say she’d win on skill alone. Her abilities weren’t yet honed to that level.
Aiden had come to her that day and launched into a long speech, but once he realized she wouldn’t give up, he’d changed his approach entirely.
Working her relentlessly.
She could see Aiden in the distance, eyes blazing, his gaze boring into this very spot.
His intent was clear: if she was injured or lost, he’d come charging up here and beat her opponent half to death. Olivia had to emerge victorious from this Sparring without a scratch, if only to spare her opponent’s life.
That’s when the man called Thomson or Thomson—whatever his name was—spoke with a taunting air.
“What are you staring at? There’s no shame in forfeiting now. I’m not exactly keen on crossing blades with a delicate young lady either.”
But why did these bastards insist on tacking “young lady” to the end of everything?
Heat rose to Olivia’s forehead as she nearly lost herself in thought. Unaware of the tremendous resolve she was summoning just to keep his life intact.
“I don’t suppose you’ve heard, senior—I ranked first in this year’s class at Veritas Academy.”
I’ve heard enough pointless talk. Olivia spoke with a sharp, cutting laugh.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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