At that moment between life and death, Yavi suddenly twisted his right hand backward at an impossible angle. Rather than meet the blow head-on, he tilted his blade forty-five degrees and precisely intercepted Hill's descending edge.
Screeech!
The instant the two longswords met, a piercing scrape of metal erupted. Brilliant sparks burst like fireworks, illuminating their taut faces. With exquisitely controlled force in his wrist, Yavi guided Hill's sword, letting that thunderous blow slide diagonally along his blade.
Hill's pupils contracted sharply. She felt as though her sword had struck smooth ice, unable to gain any purchase. More terrifying still, Yavi had deftly redirected the tremendous force of her downward strike, making her body pitch forward involuntarily.
How could Yavi let that opening slip?
He spun like a phantom, his golden hair tracing a dazzling arc through the air. His longsword sliced through the air with a sharp whistle, heading straight for Hill's off-balance body.
Hill felt a chill sweep over her back, and the fear of death made her instinctively shut her eyes. Yet the searing pain she expected never came. Instead, there was a crisp crack-a deft blow suddenly struck the longsword in her hand, shattering it beneath Yavi's blade.
When she shakily opened her eyes, the tip of Yavi's sword was already resting steadily against her throat. Sunlight danced along the blade, reflecting the boy's cold, resolute blue eyes.
"It's over." Yavi's voice was frighteningly calm.
The entire great hall fell deathly silent. Everyone held their breath, staring in disbelief at the scene in the center-the top student of the swordsmanship school had actually lost to a freshman.
Yavi slowly withdrew his longsword, its blade tracing a cold arc through the air. Hill felt her legs give way. No longer able to support her weight, she collapsed into a sitting position. Her trembling fingers loosened, and the broken sword clattered to the floor, the sound especially grating in the silent great hall.
She raised her head, her pupils quivering slightly as her gaze shifted from the broken sword on the floor to Yavi's face. The boy stood against the light, his silhouette edged in gold by the sun, yet it could not conceal the unfathomable chill in his eyes.
The crowd below the platform seemed to have been frozen by a spell. Only when Loriess stood did crisp applause break the stagnant air.
"The outcome is decided." Her voice carried unquestionable authority. "The Popular Election Faction wins, taking a one-point lead over the Royal Election Faction."
As the figure in billowing black robes disappeared through the side door, the entire great hall seemed to be released from a spell. Cheers erupted like a tsunami, making the stained-glass windows hum. Mel's red hair stood out in the crowd. She practically bounded onto the dueling platform and hugged Yavi tightly, but soon let go, cupping his face in both hands as she urgently looked him up and down.
"Are you all right? Are you hurt?" Her voice held unconcealable worry, and her fingers brushed gently over his arms and shoulders, afraid of missing any possible wound.
Yavi shook his head slightly and said quietly, "I'm fine. Just a little tired." His voice remained calm, but his taut muscles finally relaxed a little.
At that moment, the other officers of the Popular Election Faction rushed onto the platform one after another, surrounding Yavi excitedly. Some clapped him on the shoulder, while others laughed and praised his swordsmanship. In their midst, Yavi remained composed, but some of the chill had faded from his expression.
Outside the crowd, Hill held her injured shoulder and slowly stood. Her face was somewhat pale, her expression somewhat dazed. With her head lowered, she prepared to leave the dueling platform in silence.
"Hill," Yavi suddenly called.
She stopped and turned to look at him.
Yavi took a bottle of pale pink potion from his waist and held it out. "Drink this. Your injury will heal a little faster."
Hill stared at the potion in silence for a moment before finally reaching out to accept it. Her fingertips trembled slightly, but her voice was unusually calm. "...Thank you."
With that, she turned and stepped down from the platform. Her back remained straight, though her steps were a little heavy.
Yavi withdrew his gaze and looked around the jubilant great hall, suddenly noticing that Vivian and her Royal Election Faction members were not among the crowd.
He frowned slightly, then understood. She had probably left long ago.
Night fell, and the Oak Restaurant blazed with light. The long tables were laden with sumptuous food and foaming mead. Members of the Popular Election Faction packed the entire dining hall, their laughter, clinking glasses, and cheers mingling in an atmosphere so boisterous it nearly lifted the roof.
"Cheers!" someone called loudly, raising a glass.
"To victory!" everyone answered in unison, the crisp clink of glasses ringing out all around.
Yavi sat at the head of the long table, his expression calm. The cold sternness had faded from his face, leaving only his usual gentleness. Mel sat beside him, her cheeks slightly flushed from alcohol, enthusiastically recounting the highlights of the day's duel to those around her.
"You should've seen it! That backhand strike of Yavi's was absolutely godlike!" She waved her arms excitedly, nearly knocking over her glass. "Hill didn't even have a chance to react!"
Everyone burst into laughter, and someone slapped the table in agreement. "Those Royal Election Faction people must be green with anger right now!"
On the other side of the restaurant, several senior-year officers had gathered, drinking as they quietly discussed their next strategy. One raised her glass toward Yavi. "This win gives us an even bigger advantage. Now we just need to win one more match to become the student council's dominant faction!"
Yavi nodded slightly and raised his glass for a sip. His gaze swept across the restaurant, taking in the faces alight with excitement over their victory, yet for some reason, the image of Hill's stubborn back as she left surfaced in his mind.
Mel rose unsteadily, the glass in her hand refracting amber light beneath the lamps. She cleared her throat softly, and the noise in the restaurant gradually subsided as everyone turned toward her with smiles.
"Today-" Her voice trembled slightly with excitement, but soon grew firm. "This victory belongs to all of us! Without the hard work of everyone here, our Popular Election Faction could never have come this far!"
She looked around, her gaze passing over every familiar face before finally settling on Yavi.
"But the one we have to thank most," her voice suddenly softened, sincerity shining in her eyes, "is our Yavi."
Fervent applause erupted throughout the restaurant. Yavi was briefly taken aback and looked up at Mel, only to find her cheeks crimson, whether from alcohol or excitement.
"Without him," Mel continued, her voice gradually rising, "we could never have won this match, much less come within a single step of becoming the student council's dominant faction! So-"
She raised her glass high. The liquor swayed inside, reflecting the lamplight like flowing gold.
"To Yavi! To all of us! To victory!"
"To Yavi! To victory!" everyone echoed. Glasses clinked in a crisp, pleasant chorus, and laughter once again filled the restaurant.
Watching the scene before him, Yavi unconsciously let the faintest smile lift the corners of his mouth. He raised his glass, clinked it with the others, then drained it in one gulp.
Mel sat back down beside him, a mischievous smile in her eyes. "Well, great hero? Are you touched?"
Yavi grinned and said mildly, "You've had too much."
Mel burst out laughing and slung an arm around his shoulders. "No, I haven't! I can drink a thousand cups without getting drunk!"
The atmosphere in the restaurant grew livelier once more. Some began singing, while others broke into impromptu dances. Waves of celebration rolled on, seemingly without end.
Yet amid the clamor, Yavi's gaze unconsciously drifted toward the window again. Stars dotted the night sky, and the distant clock tower's silhouette stood out with particular clarity in the moonlight.