The Transmigrated Author-Chapter 153: L’Institut des Lumières Academy (2)

{Rel's POV}

[Paris, L'Institut des Lumières Academy - Main Arena Grounds]

[Friday, 9:55 AM]

I stood abruptly on my feet, trying to see where she went but she disappeared, slipping out of sight.

Then suddenly, I felt something tugging on my sleeve softly and under my nose, I looked down.

"...!"

My eyes shot open to see her up close, the familiar crimson of a massive red sweater filling my vision.

I took a nervous step back.

"Excuse me..." Her voice softly spoke, "Is there anyone sitting there?"

She pointed towards the empty seat next to mine.

It was Mr. Dubious's spot but he was in and out of the arena.

"Ah, no," I responded, trying to calm my voice.

It's alright... for the time being she doesn't know who I am yet.

It was hard for me not to look, to figure out what she was doing here. I snuck a few glances whenever she wasn't looking.

Just a purse on her lap, and the standard Open Day visitor tag. Not much to go on.

Haah... still baffled as to why she's here, of all places. I wrote up her mercenary missions extensively but never pondered what she did in her free time.

My best guess... visiting a prestigious academy like L'Institut des Lumières means she's likely observing someone specific under orders.

A mission, then. But... there's always the off chance she's just here on a personal visit. Though, I can't imagine her ever wanting to attend a place like this. She wasn't built for the classroom; that's for sure.

The hum of the crowd faded as the next round of the king of the hill was about to begin. Alessandro walked towards the weapon rack, his usual focus laser-sharp.

Then, a flicker – a hesitation so brief I almost missed it. He glanced towards me... towards Vanessa. A brief scan, then he turned away.

What was that about? Curiosity? Something else?

I turned my head, trying to catch Vanessa's reaction. Nothing. Her features remained a mask, her gaze fixed on the empty stage. Disinterested. Or was it just an act?

The instructor's voice cut through my thoughts. "Break time is over! Let the fight resume!"

A ripple ran through the class. "We have... Andre versus Alessandro."

***

[Paris, L'Institut des Lumières Academy - Main Arena Grounds]

The instructor with a deep voice shouted, "Andre versus Alessandro! Begin!"

Andre opened with a desperate lunge, a clumsy overhead cleave aimed at Alessandro's exposed side.

But Alessandro pivoted in a fluid half-circle, deflecting the attack, and retaliated with a disarming riposte. The impact rang through the arena, the force momentarily numbing Andre's fingers.

Andre charged again, frustration fueling a flurry of wild strikes, but Alessandro danced away, each block effortless.

A flash of amusement crossed Alessandro's eyes as he executed a moulinet, his sword tracing a figure eight to redirect Andre's thrust, grazing his cheek and drawing a line of blood.

tch...

His brow furrowed seeing the obvious reaction and suddenly Andre's frenzy turned dangerous.

"...!"

Within the span of a second He unleashed a volley of wild swings, forcing Alessandro to retreat.

Alessandro realising this surprising burst began to slip and lose control – a parry mistimed, a step misplaced, a twist pushed too far.

*SHING!*

Then suddenly his wooden blade was ripped free out of his grasp, hurtling through the air.

It was heading straight for Rel and Vanessa.

In a heartbeat, Vanessa's body tensed, the instinct pushing her hand into a defensive motion...

But Rel was a second faster, his bare hand snatched the sword from the air mere inches from Vanessa's face.

Stunned by the swift intervention, the crowd fell silent. Alessandro, seizing the moment, imbued mana into his fist. In a flash, he lunged, his fist slamming into Andre's exposed abdomen. The impact stole Andre's breath, sending him flying off the stage.

A hush fell over the arena, a silence so thick it felt suffocating. Andre gasped for air. The instructor stared. And Alessandro, for the first time, lost his arrogance – his eyes narrowed, a hint of something darker replacing his usual smirk.

Rel held the wooden sword in his hand. Without a word, he hurled it away, the blade clattering against the stage. "Didn't expect that," he muttered under his breath.

"huh?"

A sound... a soft gasp escaped someone's mouth.

He turned to who it came from and Vanessa, her sculpted mask of indifference finally cracked. Her eyes were wide, pure surprise shining within them.

But it was only a glimpse. Her shoulders straightened, the barest hint of a frown replacing her surprise.

In the span of a breath, she was once again that picture of untouchable cool.

The hush finally broke. The crowd erupted in a buzz, the shock wearing off as conversations resumed.

"... sloppy from the start, lucky Alessandro likes to toy with..."

"... did you see that punch? Sent that idiot flying..."

"... think she got hit? That sword was close..."

The noise swallowed everything else. Then, amidst the chatter, Vanessa cleared her throat. "Um... thank you." She tried for sincere, reserved.

Rel glanced at her, confused. "Did you say something?" His voice barely carried over the ongoing din of conversations.

Vanessa, already turning away, began, "I said –"

"...?"

"...!"

Suddenly, there he was. Alessandro. Mere inches from Rel, a silent challenge in his narrowed eyes.

"You reacted pretty quickly back there." His smirk was subtle, but the arrogance lingered in his voice.

Rel, caught off-guard, managed a noncommittal, "Thanks?"

"Not a problem..." Alessandro let the words hang. "Most people aren't that fast. Or that accurate." His gaze flickered towards Vanessa, a hint of a challenge in his eyes. "Lucky for her, huh?"

He tilted his head, smirk widening. "Though, something tells me you weren't expecting that sword, were you? A bit too convenient... almost like you were waiting for trouble..."

Rel blinked, his expression a mask of indifference. He didn't rise to the bait.

"Maybe," he said flatly.

"Or maybe I'm just observant." He glanced at Alessandro. "Is this going somewhere?"

"Wait I thin-"

Vanessa, who'd opened her mouth to speak, shut it abruptly as Rel raised a hand towards her.

A single gesture, barely noticeable, but it held a quiet authority that made her pause.

"Don't insult me!" Alessandro hissed. The crowd was an indistinct buzz, their attention slowly shifting towards the simmering tension.

"... someone got the Prince angry," a voice muttered nearby."Who's that guy talking to him?" another asked, curiosity piqued.

"The Academy wouldn't let someone like you in the gates. You came here specifically to see me."

"Is that so?" Rel's tone remained level, almost bored. "And why would I bother with that?"

Alessandro drew himself up to his full height, arrogance dripping from his voice.

"Because I am Alessandro, and you are no one. A nameless speck, desperate for a glimpse of greatness. You saw me fight, you saw her," his gaze flickered towards Vanessa with disdain, "and like a moth to a flame... pathetic."

"She doesn't even know your name." Rel's voice was a low murmur, barely audible, yet it pierced through Alessandro's tirade.

Confusion flickered across Alessandro's face, then anger.

"What does that matter? Why defend a stranger, a woman who wouldn't give you the time of day?"

Rel fell silent for a moment. Then, his gaze hardening, he said, "...Maybe... you should just shut the fuck up."

Alessandro's face flushed crimson. "shut the fuck up?" he spat. "You dare –" He took a threatening step forward.

"You swear in my presence, gutter rat? Challenge me!"

His voice echoed across the hushed crowd. "Or are you all talk, just like I thought?"

A ripple of shock ran through the onlookers.

"He's gonna lose if they fight..." someone whispered fearfully.

Suddenly, Vanessa stepped forward. "Stop," she commanded, her voice surprisingly strong in the tense silence.

"I'm not sure why you're doing this, Your Highness, but I believe you've got it mixed up."

Rel, taken aback by Vanessa's intervention, could only manage a sly smile.

But then, something unexpected happened.

His eyes widened abruptly, a flicker of surprise replacing his amusement.

In a flash, a translucent screen materialized before him, obscuring his vision of the furious prince and the concerned Vanessa.

***

{Rel's POV}

FWANG!

[Main Story Quest: Pride over humility!]

Seriously? Was this a joke? My fingers twitched the urge to swipe the damn thing away was almost overwhelming.

I saw his thoughts, his posturing... the way he eyed Vanessa like she was a prize. It was all an act...

[Description: The Prince's pride has been wounded. Humiliate him further by accepting his challenge...]

The crowd muttered, hungry for a show. Alessandro practically vibrated with rage. Did I want to wipe that arrogant smirk right off his face? A tempting idea. But...

[Rewards: 5,000 BP, 1000 QP, Strength: 10.00+, HP: 5.00+, Speed: 1.00+, Stamina: 2.50+]

[Special Condition: These rewards cannot be enhanced.]

Oh never mind... I'll teach that fucker a lesson.

_____________

Authors Notes:

- The lengths of core classes depend on how many units a student is doing for their semester.

- The reason for teachers not being able to interfere is that Alessandro cannot be held down regardless of his blood.

- Vanessa's appearance was truly appealing to the prince.