Due to his personality, Jas was disliked everywhere...

When I defeated Jas, everyone cheered and celebrated.

It reminded me of Justina's reaction back then—quite opportunistic, I thought.

Well, by defeating Jas, I was able to reduce the number of people who would go through what I did.

That's good enough.

Let's leave it at that.

"Alto!" "Alto-kun!" "Gran! Genie!"

After classes ended, I managed to meet up with Gran and Genie.

We reunited in the hallway and began talking right there.

As I listened to their story, it turned out they had been kidnapped by Jas's men in the morning.

They had been locked up in an abandoned house on the outskirts.

However, Justina, predicting that Jas would do something, had secured her dragon allies in advance.

She had them on standby, ready to move at any time...

And it seems she rescued Gran and Genie.

Justina... she never ceases to amaze me.

I thought I needed to become much stronger.

"Are you two alright?"

Both of them looked like they had fallen multiple times, covered in injuries.

They weren't seriously hurt, but seeing them bleed made me feel concerned.

However, Gran and Genie smiled as if to say it was nothing.

"Oh, this is nothing." "Actually, we feel bad for causing you trouble, Alto-kun. Did Lakstin do something to you? Like, telling you to lose on purpose...?"

Since that was exactly what happened, I couldn't help but nod reflexively.

"I see, as I thought... I'm really sorry!"

Genie bowed her head, and Gran followed suit.

"We're really sorry for dragging you down at the last moment, Alto!" "As an apology, we'll do anything you need!" "You don't need to go that far..." "But we won't be satisfied unless we do!" "Just tell us anything! Of course, there are things we can't do... but we'll try our best to meet your demands!"

At this rate, they seemed ready to prostrate themselves.

Honestly, I didn't mind...

Rather, they had helped me so much.

They listened to me, helped with my training...

And they became my friends.

Justina... she's more than a friend, but not quite a lover, so it's hard to describe our relationship.

Gran and Genie were my first true friends at the academy.

Their presence was a great comfort and warmth to me.

Even though our friendship was still short...

I could say that with certainty.

"Then... I'd be happy if you both stay friends with me."

"Is that... all?" "That's all. That's more than enough for me."

"That's so like you, Alto-kun." "Same here, looking forward to it!" "Me too, Alto-kun!"

We exchanged smiles...

And then we shook hands one by one.

This whole incident with Jas was a pain, but...

I think it was worth it, as it deepened my friendship with Gran and Genie.

Well, maybe that's just a way to cope.

"By the way... what happened to Eltr'selk-san?"

"I was wondering that too. In the end, you won, right, Alto-kun? I thought Eltr'selk-san would be celebrating your victory by sticking close to you."

Gran asked curiously, and Genie followed up.

I averted my eyes slightly, sweating as I spoke.

"Ah... she said she was taking care of the aftermath."

==========

After the mock battle... the practical training, Jas left the academy early.

Even though he lost the match, fortunately, he wasn't seriously injured.

With only bruises, he would recover in a few days.

However, those bruises ached.

They throbbed with each step he took, irritating him endlessly.

"Damn... damn damn damn!"

He cursed out loud.

People passing by glanced at him, but Jas had no time to worry about their stares.

He cursed, sometimes kicking trash along the road as he walked.

His destination... home.

"How could someone like me lose to Estenia...! This should never have happened! No, it must not happen!!!"

He had lost in a fair fight...

And even using cowardly tricks, he still lost...

Jas had been utterly defeated by Alto.

This fact gnawed at his mind and shattered his pride.

His wounded pride only fueled his hatred for Alto...

Creating an endless cycle of negative thoughts.

"This false reality must be corrected immediately... There's no way I could lose to someone like Estenia! I'll make sure he never dares to defy me again...!"

Jas contemplated various ways to exact his revenge.

But he didn't forget not to provoke Justina.

Although consumed by anger...

Cunning as ever, Jas made sure not to repeat Cedric's mistake.

Never antagonize a dragon.

Especially a divine dragon like Justina.

With immeasurable power and influence.

Facing her head-on was out of the question.

He would use underhanded tactics, find loopholes, and act discreetly.

However, he failed to realize...

That thinking like that was now pointless.

"By the way, where did that robed man go... Following his plan led to this mess. I have many questions for him, but... that can wait. First, I need to use my family's power to..."

"Who are you planning to corner?"

Jas's back stiffened.

A chilling sensation, as if ice was shoved down his spine, surged through him.

He turned around slowly...

"Hello."

And saw Justina, smiling warmly.

"E-Eltr'selk...! Why are you here...?!"

"I wanted to talk to you, so I followed you. Do you have time?"

"...Sure, I don't mind."

Internally panicking, Jas answered calmly on the surface.

There's no need to panic.

It's fine.

Although he had schemed behind the scenes, there was no evidence left.

The subordinates who kidnapped Gran and Genie hadn't shown their faces.

He might have said too much to Alto, but it wouldn't serve as solid proof.

It's fine.

That's what Jas thought...

But he made one critical error.

That error was... Justina wouldn't follow proper procedures requiring evidence.

"You... tried to ruin Alto's match with some lousy scheme, right? You kidnapped Gran and Genie to threaten Alto, right? No, you did threaten him, right?"

"...I did no such thing. Whoever told you that is lying. I faced Estenia fairly and squarely."

"Hmm... I see. If you say so."

Justina backed off surprisingly easily, and Jas frowned.

"Well, there's no evidence, so I'll let that slide."

"You'll let that slide...?"

Justina's words carried an ominous tone, causing Jas to flinch.

"Yes. As for bullying Alto... and trying to do so again... can you tell me about that? Also, I'm curious about the robed man you mentioned earlier. Care to explain? If you talk willingly, I'll only half-kill you. But if you resist, be prepared for a more severe punishment."

Justina's smile never wavered as she said this, causing Jas to panic.

"W-What are you...!? Besides, didn't we agree that all matters between Estenia and me would be settled by the match!? Why bring it up now...?"

"Oh, that was a lie."

"...What?"

"It was a lie. The part about leaving everything to you two and not intervening."

Justina said it casually, still smiling.

"Don't you understand? Do you think I'd overlook someone hurting Alto... the boy I like? Of course not. Well, I understand that boys have their own battles to fight, so I didn't interfere back then... but regardless of the match's outcome, I intended to settle everything myself."

"What...!?"

"Because, you see... I've learned from Cedric that people like you won't understand unless they truly suffer."

Justina took a step forward.

Instinctively, Jas stepped back.

"You bullied him, so you should be prepared to be bullied in return, right?"

"That's... wait...!"

"Be prepared. My punishments are quite painful, both physically and mentally."

Justina transformed into her dragon form.

Ignoring the startled townspeople, she grabbed the fleeing Jas in her jaws and soared into the sky.

Then, she performed a high-altitude, near-supersonic flight maneuver.

Naturally, Jas's body couldn't withstand it and was battered.

But the real terror was being held in a dragon's jaws, flying through the sky.

His mind screamed in fear, causing him to faint quickly.

Justina, however, lightly bit him to wake him up.

Jas repeatedly experienced the terror and pain of being flown around and bitten...

This continued for three hours.

When finally released, Jas's hair had turned white.

Justina later said she might have overdone it a bit.