Yavi pulled Suge through the crowd with difficulty, turning sideways now and then to avoid the press of people. His keen witcher senses soon pinpointed the area where the Popular Election Faction had gathered.
"Make way!" Suge followed behind him, nearly getting hit by an upperclassman excitedly waving his arms.
Just then, Maxim suddenly poked his head out of the crowd. "Yavi! Over here!" He waved vigorously, a look of delighted surprise on his face.
Yavi squeezed over with Suge, and Maxim immediately led them both toward the Popular Election Faction's position. "Great, you're finally here!" Maxim said in a low voice. "Mel keeps asking whether you've arrived..."
Before he had finished, Yavi spotted Mel standing at the front. She kept looking back to scan the crowd, her brows slightly knitted. When she finally saw Yavi, her tense expression visibly relaxed, and a relieved smile lifted the corners of her mouth.
"Sorry I'm late." Yavi squeezed in beside Mel and noticed the fine beads of sweat on her temples. "Are you all right?"
Mel nodded lightly, her gaze continually sweeping the auditorium.
"Who are you looking for?" Yavi followed her gaze around the room and asked in a low voice.
Mel bit her lower lip, looking anxious. "I used the crowns you gave me to hire outside help... Hill Lorenst, the top student in the swordsmanship school. She agreed to come support us today, but there's still no sign of her..."
"What did you tell her?" Though Yavi had never met Hill, he kept scanning the room along with Mel.
"I promised her an appearance fee of five hundred crowns as long as she helped us win today's competition. She agreed the day before yesterday, but she still hasn't shown up. I'm a little worried something might have happened..." Mel clenched her hands.
Just then, a commotion suddenly rose at the auditorium's main entrance. The crowd parted of its own accord, revealing a pink-haired girl strolling in with languid steps, accompanied by quite a few members of the Royal Election Faction.
Maxim suddenly sucked in a sharp breath and grabbed Yavi's arm. "This is bad! That's Aphelios!" He pointed at the handsome boy with short brown hair behind Vivian. "The second-ranked student in the swordsmanship school. Senior Mel specifically invited Hill to deal with him..."
Yavi looked where he pointed and saw Aphelios arrogantly surveying the room, the silver sword at his waist gleaming coldly under the lights. Just then, the last person in the Royal Election Faction's group stepped slowly into the auditorium-snow-white silver hair, a tall, straight figure. It was Hill Lorenst, the top student in the swordsmanship school.
Mel's body abruptly stiffened. Her eyes widened, her lips trembling slightly, as though she had witnessed something inconceivable. Yavi could clearly feel her body temperature drop in an instant, her fingers spasming uncontrollably as they clutched his sleeve.
"How could..." Mel's voice was as soft as a feather falling to the ground. As though all her strength had been drained away, she staggered half a step backward. Yavi immediately reached out to steady her, feeling her slender body trembling violently.
Maxim slammed a fist onto a seat's armrest, gritting his teeth. "Senior Hill! You promised us!" His furious shout sounded especially grating in the suddenly silent auditorium.
Hill merely gave them an indifferent glance, no emotion discernible in her silver-gray eyes. She stood quietly at the rear of the Royal Election Faction, her slender fingers resting lightly on her sword hilt, exuding an unapproachable air like a sharp, unsheathed blade.
Vivian smugly flicked her long pink hair, her syrupy voice ringing throughout the room. "Oh my, Mel, don't tell me you were waiting for Senior Hill?" She covered her mouth in feigned surprise. "What unfortunate timing. I offered Senior Hill a thousand crowns today to... do absolutely nothing~"
Vivian's shrill laughter echoed beneath the great auditorium's vaulted ceiling, piercing Mel's eardrums like a sharp dagger. The Royal Election Faction's members burst into laughter, some even whistling, filling the entire auditorium with their triumphant clamor.
"Looks like someone's little scheme has fallen through~" a lackey behind Vivian said with a shrill laugh, drawing more laughter in agreement.
Yavi felt Mel growing heavier against him. Her breathing became quick and shallow, and fine beads of cold sweat appeared on her forehead. He discreetly tightened his arm to support his sister, his blue pupils contracting slightly as he scanned their surroundings warily.
On the dais, Headmistress Loriess rested her chin on one hand, a playful glint in her silver-gray eyes. Her gaze wandered between Vivian and Mel, the faintest hint of a smile on her lips. On this campus where strength reigned supreme, even as headmistress, she had no reason to interfere in student council struggles in which each side relied on its own abilities. Besides, at this moment, she was more like an engrossed spectator, looking forward to what would happen next.
"Senior Mel..." Maxim hurried over anxiously, his short hair almost standing on end with anger. "What do we do now? Without Senior Hill, we..."
Kent, Pep, and Sena also exchanged looks, at a complete loss.
The color drained from Mel's lips. She shook her head weakly, her gaze unfocused. Vivian's move to pull the rug out from under her seemed to have drained her last ounce of strength, leaving her swaying on her feet.
Just then, Yavi suddenly released his hold on Mel and took a step forward. The movement was small, yet it instantly silenced the entire auditorium. Everyone's gaze involuntarily converged on the blond boy.
"Who said we needed Hill?" Yavi's voice was remarkably calm, yet carried an unquestionable force. He slowly picked up the training sword on the competition platform and pointed its tip straight at Vivian. "A swordsmanship match, right? I'll do it."
The auditorium erupted into an uproar. Vivian froze for a moment, then gave a contemptuous smile. "You're Mel's long-lost younger brother? What? Did spending all those years away from home damage your brain? This swordsmanship competition is best of five. Don't tell me you plan to take on all five by yourself?"
On the dais, Headmistress Loriess suddenly sat up straight, a flash of surprise crossing her eyes. She looked thoughtfully at Yavi, then at Hill, who stood at the rear of the Royal Election Faction, her expression as indifferent as ever.
Mel weakly caught the hem of Yavi's clothes. "No... there are too many of them. You definitely can't handle five people alone. Even without Hill's help, we still have four other students from the swordsmanship school here. Besides, Aphelios is ranked second in the swordsmanship school..."
Yavi turned back and gave his sister a reassuring look, his golden eyes gleaming under the lights. "Trust me." Those two simple words miraculously steadied Mel.