The training grounds within the academy.

There was a stage like one used for a martial arts tournament to determine the best under heaven.

It was made by assembling square stones.

Each side was roughly about twenty meters.

There were even spectator seats arranged around it.

On top of the stage stood the male instructor, rubbing his stomach area.

“There’s no need to even see the result,” the Headmaster had said before heading to the Royal Castle.

As a result, the male instructor ended up standing here.

Quite the misfortune.

Then Li and the members of Rosenkreuz of the Rose Maiden Cross appeared.

Along the wall opposite them, the male students—excluding the Crown Prince’s entourage—had gathered.

“Lady Li, is it really alright for you to go as you are?”

At Lady Alberta’s question, Li gave a small nod.

“If it doesn’t hit me, then it’s nothing at all.”

Li was still in her uniform.

She wasn’t wearing any armor, nor did she carry any kind of weapon.

She looked exactly as she normally did.

“If you hurt Big Sister Li, Patty will deal with you!”

You couldn’t exactly ask what she meant by that.

‘Were all daughters of military nobles this aggressive?’

Thinking that, Li gently patted Lady Patricia’s head.

It was meant to calm her down.

“It’s alright, Patty.”

“Big Sister…”

At that moment, someone moved smoothly.

It was Lady Alberta.

She lined up behind Lady Patricia, waiting her turn.

And then, naturally, others followed suit.

Li had ended up patting Lady Patricia’s head like she would a younger sister, but there was always something she wondered.

‘Was it really that pleasant? Was it something worth lining up for?’

By the time Li finished patting everyone’s heads, the Crown Prince and his group appeared.

He wore what looked like an expensive set of metal armor and had a blunted wooden training sword at his side.

With golden hair, blue eyes and a tall stature, the Crown Prince looked dignified.

There were even those casting disappointed looks, as if thinking ‘if only his personality matched.’

Li and the Crown Prince faced each other on the stage.

“Li! You—just how far are you going to mock me!?”

The Crown Prince’s gaze was so intense it seemed like he was wishing for her soul to shatter.

Ignoring him completely, Li approached the male instructor and took out a small bottle from the pouch at her waist.

“Professor Barman, this is the stomach medicine I promised you.”

It was from the end of the second dungeon training session.

At the time, when the male instructor had said there would be no next participation, Li had offered to bring him stomach medicine.

“That helps a lot… can I drink it now?”

“Of course.”

With a pop as the stopper was opened, the male instructor didn’t hesitate to put it to his lips.

Then he downed it all in one go.

“Ahh…” he let out a breath, and his expression seemed just a little sharper.

The male instructor looked between Li and the Crown Prince.

“We’re about to begin the mock battle. Lethal attack magic is prohibited. If it gets dangerous, I’ll step in and stop it. And don’t forget, this is only a mock battle.”

The Crown Prince had already taken his stance with the wooden sword.

“Li! Don’t you dare underestimate me!”

With about five meters between them, the male instructor called out.

“Begin!”

At that signal, the Crown Prince rushed straight in.

He raised the wooden sword high overhead, likely intending to bring it down in a powerful strike.

‘Was it Jigen-ryu, I wonder,’ Li thought calmly.

She maintained a relaxed, natural stance.

A posture ready to respond to anything, adapting freely to any change.

“Kiiiiiii!”

With a sharp cry, the Crown Prince brought his sword down.

The trajectory was straight.

It wasn’t slow, but it didn’t feel particularly fast either.

As Li turned slightly sideways, she lightly struck his side with the heel of her palm.

That alone sent the Crown Prince’s wooden sword veering far off to the side.

Though he lost his balance, he managed to hold his footing and swung horizontally.

But Li was already gone.

She had stepped back at the same time she evaded to the side, creating distance.

“Hmph, are you afraid!?”

Even if it was just a wooden sword, a clean hit could break bones.

If struck badly, it could even kill.

In other words, since Li was unarmed, evasion was her foundation.

Afraid? There was no reason for that, she thought.

“But I’m not done yet!”

Thrusts, slashes, and even incorporating body techniques, the Crown Prince continued his attacks.

The sequence of movements could only be described as excellent.

His movements were refined.

However, Li avoided all of it with ease.

Lightly, lightly, like a feather drifting through the air.

Using only footwork and body movement, it looked like a dance tracing circles.

It was as if she knew exactly what attack would come next.

“Li is… amazing.”

The saint watching from outside the ring murmured.

“There is nothing Big Sister Li cannot do!”

“Erika, can you explain that movement of Lady Li?”

At Lady Alberta’s question, the saint tilted her head.

“Maybe… but…”

After trailing off, the saint spoke.

“I think she’s luring him in. She deliberately creates just the slightest opening, then makes him attack it. That’s why it looks like she’s predicting everything ahead of time… maybe?”

She didn’t seem confident in her own words.

Her voice tapered off at the end.

“Li! Why won’t you attack!?”

‘Well then… shall we begin the counterattack?’

At the Crown Prince’s words, Li formed a light, airy smile.