Livermorny, Girls' Dormitory.
Natasha walked into an unusually spacious room.
"... I'm back."
There was no one in the room, but Natasha still habitually said this sentence, as if this could dispel some of the loneliness in her heart.
As a girl who was only thirteen years old and had not even changed her habit of speaking, Natasha had the will to save her father, but everything she had now inevitably put her under great pressure.
Uncle's high-pressure attitude...
The situation without companions...
As the number one, the challenges that needed to be faced at all times...
All of these weighed on Natasha's young mind, making her feel lonely and uncomfortable every time she returned to this room where there was no one except herself.
However, today might be a little different.
"Senior Erend..."
Collapsing on the bed, Natasha kept thinking about what that person had said, and her heart was truly confused.
She didn't even remember what she did or said after that. She just followed him blankly all the way back to Durmstrang until he sent her to the girls' dormitory and they separated.
"What does the senior mean?"
Kane didn't know how many times she had wanted to ask this question.
At first glance, the last words that Erend said didn't seem to be kind.
After all, he wanted to make her fall from the altar and shatter her wishes. This was definitely not a statement worth being happy about.
At least, if her uncle heard those words, he would be furious.
But for some reason, Kane couldn't feel unhappy.
On the contrary, she didn't know why she felt a faint sense of expectation after hearing that sentence.
It was as if she, who was already stuck in the quagmire, had suddenly met someone who was willing to reach out to her...
What exactly was he going to do?
What was in his mind?
Why did he say that?
These questions appeared one after another, filling Kane's heart, making it impossible for her to think about anything else.
Until—
"Ding!"
In front of Natasha, a space window suddenly appeared.
"..."
Looking at the dark window in front of her, waiting for her to connect, Natasha pursed her lips slightly, somewhat reluctant to answer the call.
Not only because she knew very well who the person calling her was, but also because she really didn't want to hear the other person's voice now, so as not to disturb her thoughts.
Unfortunately, Natasha also knew very well that she had not yet resisted her uncle's will.
So, holding back her suppressed emotions, Natasha opened the window and answered the call.
At the same time, Erend, who had just sent Natasha back to the dormitory and had not yet returned to his residence, had already clicked on the designated challenge page of the official ranking battle.
"Designated challenge, ranked first."
Erend found Natasha's name and clicked it without hesitation.
Although it was still early, with more than two weeks before the next official ranking battle, since he had decided, Erend would not hesitate any longer.
After doing all this, Erend closed the window in front of him and walked towards the underground vault.
However, before Erend arrived at his destination, a call came to him.
"President?"
Looking at the beautiful face that appeared in the window, Erend was a little surprised.
"Good afternoon, classmate Erend."
Claudia seemed to be calling Erend from the student union office. A huge glass wall appeared behind her, and her face was as mature as always.
"I heard that Jenni Ortega asked you out. Did you have fun?"
Claudia said this with a chuckle.
"It was okay, just had a meal." Erend answered truthfully, and then smiled, "It's a pity that you didn't go, President."
"There's no way, this season's festivals are about to start, and there's been more and more work recently." Claudia didn't know if she really felt regretful and said, "If possible, I would have liked to go, but I don't know if Jenni would be happy about that."
"That sounds like a lot of work." Erend comforted her for the moment, then said, "But I don't think the President called just to ask about this, right?"
"Why not?" Claudia tilted her head and said, "Everyone went out for dinner happily, and I worked in the student union. Can't I ask you how it was?"
Claudia still said this with a smile, giving the feeling that she was deliberately joking.
But for some reason, Erend always felt that the other person's smile was a bit fake, and he could vaguely glimpse a little resentment...
...No way?
"...If the President is interested, I'll invite you next time?"
Erend asked tentatively.
Claudia was slightly startled, and the smile on her face became a little more genuine.
"Is it classmate Erend who is asking me out?" Claudia seemed to have some bad taste and smiled. "Just me? Or someone else too?"
Erend laughed dryly, not knowing how to answer this question.
He felt a little strange in his heart.
He had a feeling that this student council president's attitude toward him seemed to have changed a little...?
"Okay, I won't joke with you anymore."
Just when Erend felt a little weird, Claudia put away her smile and became serious.
"Is Erend really going to challenge Natasha in the next official ranking battle?"
Claudia had already gotten the news.
But Erend wasn't surprised.
After all, she was the student council president of Beauxbaton. It was normal for Claudia to immediately know that Erend had challenged Natasha.
After a while, this matter would spread quickly. By then, the entire Beauxbaton would know that Erend had challenged Natasha.
That would definitely cause a big sensation, right?
While thinking this, Erend answered Claudia's question with a calm expression.
"I am indeed going to do this." Erend smiled at Claudia and said, "Does the President think I am overestimating my abilities?"
Not long ago, Erend was just an unknown person outside the rankings.
Even though he had defeated the old 13th-ranked player in the last official ranking battle and proved that he had the strength of the top twelve, he was challenging the strongest person in the academy right after he had just emerged. This would undoubtedly make many people think that Erend was arrogant and overconfident.
In this case, Claudia coming to ask immediately after receiving the news showed that she was worried.
"Natasha is very strong." Claudia said bluntly. "Although she is only a freshman in middle school, Natasha's strength is at the top level in the academy."
"Even if Erend has the Black Furnace Demon Sword, you can't defeat Natasha with the strength you showed in the last official ranking battle."
"Even if I say this, do you still plan to challenge her?"
Claudia asked seriously, but Erend's expression did not change.
He had seen Natasha's duels. Even if he hadn't been there in person, it was enough to see how strong she was.
Therefore, Erend knew very well that Claudia was not exaggerating.
But still...
"That was before." Erend said calmly. "When the next official ranking battle comes, everything will be different."
"...Really?" Claudia looked at Erend directly and, after a moment, smiled. "Then I look forward to your performance."
Erend didn't say anything, just nodded and continued walking towards the underground vault.
Time passed quickly.
In the blink of an eye, the day of the official ranking battle arrived.
On this day, the comprehensive arena became lively again.
The news that Erend specifically challenged Natasha spread as expected, heating up this official ranking battle.
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