Chapter 19: Ranking

“Heh, just starting a fight like this is a bit boring. Miss Vellanna, why don’t we make a bet?”

“What kind of bet?”

“If I win, I’ll kiss Miss Vellanna. If I lose, I’ll let Miss Vellanna kiss me. How about it?”

Vellandelle was speechless.

She should have known better than to expect anything decent from this female lead’s mouth.

Vellandelle raised her hand, and a Silver Moon Beam shot out.

Seleste dodged to the side, the fiery wings behind her flaring as she charged forward, a red light gathering in her hand to form a blazing greatsword.

With a single thought from Vellandelle, four small moons instantly appeared, scattered around the field.

This move was created by combining her own spatial arcane arts with the power of Authority.

She could teleport freely among the moons she formed, somewhat similar to Flying Thunder God.

The Moon Authority was essentially a vague energy, and the specific attacks released depended on the user’s power.

By adding space into it, she created this move; by infusing it with strike force, it became the Silver Moon Beam.

Seleste’s greatsword slashed down, flames erupting in the air, but Vellandelle’s figure had already dissolved into starlight, reappearing on one of the small moons to the side.

“Don’t be so heartless. How about this—if I win, let me see what you look like under your veil. Is that okay?”

Vellandelle hesitated for a moment and nodded.

That was reasonable enough.

She didn’t believe she could lose to this female lead who’d just started out.

Was she joking?

She mastered five entire arcane arts—how could she lose?

Besides, after her bloodline awakened, she gained a move perfect for dealing with Seleste.

No doubt, she’d fall into the trap.

“What if you lose?”

“If I lose? If I lose, I’ll agree to one request from Miss Vellandelle.”

“Any request?”

“Any request!”

Vellandelle was a bit surprised.

She hadn’t expected this stubborn female lead to be so sincere.

Getting a request from her was an absolute win.

She didn’t doubt Seleste’s honesty, since in the game, Seleste was known for keeping her promises.

Once, for the sake of a promise, she destroyed an entire nation alone, even opposing the Church.

“Alright.”

Vellandelle became more serious, placing a hand on her chest, closing her eyes.

Her throat moved slightly, and she began to sing.

The sound was gentle and captivating.

Seleste listened with pleasure, making no move to interrupt Vellandelle or worrying about her attack.

The song was melodious, and even Rosasys, standing far away, was enchanted by it.

Within Vellandelle’s singing was a pure energy, perfectly integrated into every note.

After a while, Vellandelle opened her eyes, a deep smile in them.

“Finished singing? It was lovely. Do you think you can’t beat me, so you tried to move me with your song?”

“If you’re worried, Miss Vellanna, you can surrender. I won’t bully you.”

Seleste maintained her posture, her eyes filled with passion for Vellandelle.

“Hehe, Miss Seleste, you should take a look at your own body.”

“My body?”

Only after Vellandelle’s reminder did Seleste notice something was wrong.

Her body wasn’t responding?

Even the agitation of the Sun Authority had been soothed.

“Voice of the Banshee. This is a song from the purest, ancient bloodline of the Banshees. When I sing, all things harmonize with me. After I finish, obedient children like Miss Seleste who listened from start to finish will be under my control.”

“I see. So I really did fall into Miss Vellanna’s hands.”

A rare bitter smile appeared on Seleste’s usually calm face as the flames around her faded.

This skill was a complete information gap.

If Seleste had moved away or activated her power as soon as Vellandelle began to sing, she wouldn’t have lost so easily.

“Oh? Miss Seleste admits defeat so gracefully? I mean, my victory was a bit underhanded.”

“A loss is a loss.”

Seleste shook her head, not dwelling on victory or defeat, instead watching Vellandelle with greater interest.

“But why doesn’t Miss Vellanna take this chance to eliminate me? Maybe I’m your greatest rival in this Trial.”

“No need.”

Vellandelle turned away, her ponytail swaying, walking with the pride of a swan under Seleste’s gaze.

“Once I defeat you, you’ll only be able to admire my back from then on.”

Seleste looked at Vellandelle’s confident figure, her eyes somewhat wistful, then she laughed softly.

“Let’s go, little sister.”

Vellandelle walked to Rosasys’s side.

At that moment, Rosasys’s gaze sparkled as she looked at her.

“Mm!”

Rosasys hugged Vellandelle’s arm tightly.

“Sis, why did you lie to me?”

“Lie about what?”

“About your identity. You’re so mean—you made me think you were a big brother.”

“Hehe, then sister was wrong.”

“…”

At that moment, the Sun rose high, illuminating the cave entrance.

Vellandelle walked out of the temple, bathed in radiant light.

Seleste, deliberately keeping her distance from Vellandelle, found her back dazzling to behold.

Carrying the unconscious Gloria on her back, Seleste’s lips curled into a smile.

Once, she had stood in that position, proud and domineering.

Now, it was someone else’s turn…

“Can the Moon be dazzling too?”

***

“Alright, sis, there’s no one around now. Can you tell me why you lied to me?”

“Ah, well, actually, sister had her reasons.”

Seeing that things had come to this, and her Banshee identity was already exposed, Vellandelle had no choice but to reveal some truths to her.

However, she kept silent about being the only male Banshee of the Banshee Clan.

After all, Vellandelle felt Rosasys wouldn’t believe her anyway, so she might as well just say she was a girl.

“Reasons?”

“Yes… I’m the Princess of the Banshee Tribe. But because of some villains’ schemes, rebellion broke out in the family, and Mother sacrificed herself. I was forced to disguise myself and go to Aurora Academy alone.”

Vellandelle’s calm voice trembled slightly.

She spoke with her head lowered, and when she looked up, she saw Rosasys staring at her with teary, sympathetic pink eyes.

Vellandelle was suddenly hugged tightly.

“Uuu… Sister is so pitiful. Let me hug you.”

“Alright, I’m not even crying—why are you?”

“I just… Sister seemed so pitiful, I couldn’t help it.”

Rosasys wiped her tears, a shy look on her face.

She boldly buried her head in Vellandelle’s neck, her voice muffled.

“From now on, I’m your family, sister.”

“Mm, you’ll always be my little sister.”

Vellandelle gently stroked Rosasys’s pink hair.

“D-don’t want to be a little sister…”

A tiny voice escaped Rosasys, so soft that Vellandelle didn’t quite catch it.

She asked, “What did you just say?”

“N-nothing!”

Rosasys immediately shook her head.

Although Vellandelle felt a bit suspicious, she didn’t press further.

She patted Rosasys, signaling her to let go, then stretched her arms.

“Time to keep going.”

“Mm!”

In Vellandelle’s mind, Seleste was definitely scrambling to collect Fragments and compete for first place with her.

She couldn’t let her succeed.

In the time that followed, Vellandelle swept through the Trial Ground, defeating new students with overwhelming force.

Rosasys was in charge of healing her.

Over the next two days, aside from the silly wolf girl Kelosha constantly causing trouble and Gloria appearing out of nowhere begging for blood, there were no other hassles.

Even when they ran into Seleste mid-way, that stubborn female lead only waved from afar in greeting.

On the last day, Vellandelle was lucky enough to find a set of robes and quickly changed into them, revealing her true face.

She also learned from Rosasys’s reaction that the Mother’s Veil had the power to distort perception.

Although the veil let others see Vellandelle’s general features and beauty, once it was removed, her appearance felt entirely different—unrecognizable as the same person.

That was the distortion effect.

No wonder Mother always wore it; so that was its purpose.

Having resolved most of the issues she might face upon leaving, only one thing remained: swapping the number of Certificate Fragments between herself and Rosasys.

Vellandelle’s previous enrollment under the name Vellanna wasn’t a problem, and the Academy wouldn’t care.

Only those who passed the trial would have their information officially registered.

When exiting, they’d report their name, and their Certificate Fragments would be matched accordingly.

There was no way she’d be dumb enough to take first place herself.

Surpassing Seleste was just an obsession, but being number one in the end absolutely couldn’t be Vellandelle.

Otherwise, everyone in the world would know who the Banshee Princess was.

“Little sister, let’s redistribute our Certificate Fragments. You take first place.”

“Eh? Why? That’s not my achievement, and I can’t steal sister’s glory!”

“It’s not that. I have to stay in disguise. If I take first, everyone will know I’m the Banshee Princess.”

“Sister is right.”

“So, please help me take the first spot. We’ll share in the top rewards together.”

“…”

And so, Vellandelle successfully convinced Rosasys.

By the end of the Trial, the ranking list was released.

“Those ranked in the top three hundred may enter the Academy!”

With the Academy teacher’s announcement, everyone not only checked their own ranking but also looked to see who the Banshee Princess was.

“First place, Rosasys Pamé? So that’s the name of the Banshee Princess.”

“Sounds nice, but the surname seems off. Never heard of it—sounds like a commoner.”

“Yeah, I thought the royal surname of the Banshee was Glaitia.”

“Rosasys? I know her. She was in my team before. What Banshee Princess? She’s just a five-star swordsman from the countryside.”

“…”

Amidst the commotion, Vellandelle and Rosasys looked at their own rankings.

“Really first…”

Rosasys said shyly.

Vellandelle also found her own name.

Seventeenth place, Vellandelle Melo.