Ding.
The unsheathed sword clashed against the incoming spear; the figures of the two girls briefly crossed paths before separating once more.
That single sound seemed to press the pause button on the entire examination ground.
All conversations stopped instantly, and countless eyes fixated on the two girls standing in the center, holding their breath and focusing intently, waiting for the next clash.
Though it was only a fleeting contact, anyone with even a bit of skill could tell there was something extraordinary behind this simple exchange.
For Momoka, the person involved, the feeling was the most direct.
She had underestimated Rita.
But underestimating or looking down on her wasn’t why Rita could block that spear thrust.
Rita blocked it simply because she could.
Judging by Rita’s movements just now, even without the various unexpected events from a few days ago, she deserved to stand here.
What if… Rita hadn’t just passively blocked her attack but launched the fiercest counterattack when Momoka showed a hint of arrogance?
Momoka knew Rita was capable of it.
Even if that wouldn’t have outright defeated her, she would definitely suffer a heavy loss.
But Rita didn’t do that.
Maybe she didn’t think of it.
Or maybe… Rita simply looked down on doing so.
At least, after blocking Momoka’s strike, Rita didn’t move an inch, as if she were waiting for Momoka to regroup and continue the fight.
Despite Rita’s reputation having plummeted these past few days, now hitting rock bottom, at least today on the examination ground, she fought openly and honestly.
Momoka lowered her body again, gripping her spear tighter in her palm.
“Sorry.”
“Sorry for what?”
“For what I said to you before. I’m really sorry.”
“It’s fine, I’m used to it. After all, I have indeed advanced this far without fighting. It’s normal to be misunderstood.”
“Phew.” Momoka took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, her gaze sharpening. “Alright then, I’m going in.”
“Please, go ahead~”
The venomous spear tip struck again, only to be flicked aside in the blink of an eye.
A fiery red spear in Momoka’s hands suddenly blossomed into several afterimages, thrusting upward, sweeping horizontally, chopping downward, and stabbing straight ahead, like a blooming cluster amaryllis.
The deadly spear dance dazzled onlookers.
Sparks flew with the clang of metal, but they could never touch even an inch of Rita’s body.
That’s right—it wasn’t an illusion.
Rita’s movements were actually all over the place.
Anyone who had studied even a little swordsmanship systematically wouldn’t fight like this.
But Rita could deliver her sword to the right place at the right moment and block every single attack.
Moreover, she still had strength to spare.
As Momoka pondered, her assault grew more intense.
The flashing spear tips were like a sudden downpour, but the raindrops didn’t fall to the ground—they all aimed for the girl’s vital points.
The girl without an umbrella wielded her sword, dancing amid the oncoming steel rain, yet not a single drop grazed her.
“W-what is this? Has the Red Spear ever had such a hard time in any fight before?”
“No way! That’s Rita? Are you sure someone isn’t fighting for her?”
“But… has anyone seen Rita’s true strength? Could it be that this is…”
Some had seen it.
At the Lord Mayor’s Mansion, in that Back Garden, they had caught a brief glimpse of power far beyond their reach.
With each collision, Rita’s sword was being worn down.
That very sword, once proudly displayed in the Weapons Shop’s most prominent spot just days ago, a Store Treasure worth Ten Gold Coins, was now riddled with dents and scratches.
Rita’s weapon couldn’t hold out much longer—victory was already within Momoka’s grasp.
That thought flashed through Momoka’s mind, instantly filling her with shame.
Momoka wanted to win with dignity, but to rely on the difference in weapons to win—that wasn’t dignified at all.
More so, if Rita was truly someone of the Fourth Princess’s household…
Would someone of the Fourth Princess’s house even fight with such poor equipment?
Clang.
Rita’s sword finally gave way, breaking with a sharp snap.
“Such a pity.” Albert, the twin swordsman, sighed. “If their weapons had been equal, the match wouldn’t have ended so trivially. Let’s just say it’s the backlash from her lucky streak in the previous rounds.”
Losing your weapon on the battlefield was akin to death.
Even though this was an exam and not an actual battlefield, to everyone watching, Rita’s defeat was certain.
Momoka shook her spear, took a few steps back, and stood firm on the ground, clearly unwilling to attack further.
The last round sealed the victory, but not a trace of joy appeared on Momoka’s face—only regret for Rita.
“Rita, the outcome is decided.”
Rita lifted the broken sword before her eyes, then casually dropped it to the ground.
It seemed she really had been pushed to a dead end.
Last night, Cecilia’s room.
“Rita, your opponent tomorrow will be very strong.”
Cecilia, after a long time, called Rita to her chamber.
Her first words after Rita entered were exactly this.
“Uh, um, what if… I mean, what if my opponent gets attacked by the Dream Demon again?”
Rita scratched her head, then realized both her question and her gesture might be a bit rude.
After not seeing Cecilia for two days, Rita had almost forgotten the invisible pressure she carried.
But Cecilia’s calm gaze, tinged with some anger, immediately awakened Rita’s dormant memory, making her straighten up sharply.
“Uh, uh! I didn’t mean it like that…”
“She won’t.” Cecilia was somewhat helpless. “Your opponent is no ordinary person. The Dream Demon isn’t stupid either. If you were in its place, you wouldn’t do such a foolish thing.”
Re-really? She herself had even done the stupid act of attacking a princess.
“Then… Your Highness…”
“Hmm?”
Cecilia looked at her again, making Rita quickly correct herself.
“No, no, Your Highness Cecilia, aren’t you going to ask if I was the one who did it?”
“Was it you?” Cecilia’s tone grew even more helpless, like she was coaxing a child.
“No.”
Rita answered honestly, earning Cecilia’s ‘you’re an idiot’ look, as if saying: “Well, that settles it, then.”
Cecilia rolled her eyes and continued: “There are rumors going around town saying it was on my orders. Rita, I have one thing I need you to do.”
Rita’s mind spun, then she looked enlightened.
“I get it. You want me to take them all out! But I’ve never taken someone out before!”
“Don’t be foolish, and don’t even think about taking anyone out. That will only put you and me at a disadvantage.” Cecilia really was a little afraid that Rita would just grab her sword and rush out on impulse.
If she were to take out everyone spreading the rumors, given the current situation, Rita might have to slaughter half the city.
After a long silence, Cecilia couldn’t help but ask, “Rita, have you never gone to school?”
“I have! I graduated from the University of Nine Villages River!”
“University of…?” Cecilia looked confused.
“Nothing, nothing!” Rita waved her hands vigorously, looking as serious as if she had just returned from the Childrens’ Military Summer Camp. “Your Highness Cecilia, what do you mean?”
Cecilia cleared her throat and didn’t keep her answer secret: “There’s only one thing you have to do—win tomorrow’s match, and win convincingly. Use your actions to refute the rumors without saying a word.”
“But you said… my opponent is very strong.”
“You’ve already come to take the exam. If you can’t even do this, how can you even continue?”
“Then, can you at least tell me who my opponent is…”
“No way.”
Looking at it now, Cecilia really had given her a tough challenge.