──── A constant swirl of inferiority simmered in his heart.

Chronos Chronostaria was a man of mediocrity.

His status, talent, intellect, martial prowess, charisma—none were particularly exceptional. Compared to his older brother, the first prince, he felt like little more than the dregs left behind.

Yet, to an ordinary citizen, he was a man of privileged birth, noble lineage, and destined for a brilliant future. He was admired, envied, and burdened with immense expectations. That weight pressed down upon the fragile core of his self-awareness.

──── It was beyond laughable.

Every time he realized this, he laughed in self-derision.

His mornings always began with a sense of dread, his future seeming nothing but despair. To those who had nothing, his worries might have seemed a luxury. However, for those who were born into privilege—those to whom it was granted unconsciously—there existed a unique anguish and inner turmoil that no one could understand, nor could they voice aloud.

All he could do was uphold his dignity as a chosen one, feigning strength, maintaining the pride of royalty—even if it was a brittle deception, an empty display of bravado.

Chronos Chronostaria had walked a life as precarious as a tightrope. A single misstep, a single misplaced button, and everything could come crashing down in an instant.

Even after entering this cademy of Magic and Swords, nothing changed.

Here, where only the most talented youths were admitted, he doubted whether he could achieve anything worthy of his royal lineage. Compared to his brother, he was always second-rate, always the runner-up. That awareness festered inside him, and the habit of losing had rooted itself deeply.

──── I'm scared. I'm terrified…

The anxiety never left him. He had barely managed to secure the position of head of the Special Advancement class when the rankings were decided upon admission, but it was nothing more than a temporary illusion, a mere title.

His classmates accepted him as royalty and treated him as such. That was only natural—he had never even participated in the duel that determined the class leader. He had won the seat by sending in a substitute. No one saw him as "Chronos," an individual student.

When asked if he had truly desired the position that badly, there was only one answer.

──── I wanted it.

Just as his older brother had attained such a position, he had to do the same. Otherwise, he would be compared once again, and if he failed, he would disappoint expectations yet again. No matter what, he had to secure that title, even if it meant resorting to underhanded means, even if it was a hollow distinction.

──── Or so he had thought…

Even so, the emptiness inside him remained unfilled. Rather, it grew even more profound, as if something within him—something that was already barely there—was being mindlessly consumed.

Each time he realized this, his self-loathing deepened────

"How envious…"

And so, he envied.

Since arriving at this academy—no, since meeting one particular boy—his ugly emotions had only grown.

──── Claym Bradley.

When he looked at him, he saw his older brother.

Overwhelming martial prowess, profound intelligence, flexibility unbound by social status, and most of all, a charisma that drew others to him. A natural leader. A man brimming with talent. In every way, he was just like his brother. And every time Chronos thought so, vile emotions roiled within him.

──── Perhaps this is why I'm always second place, because I wallow in these feelings like a coward.

Even knowing that, he couldn't shake the emotions ingrained in him since childhood.

"Even so…!!"

Even so, he wished to change. Strongly, more than at any other point in his short life, he wanted to break free from his pathetic, loathsome self.

The reason was trivial. Truly insignificant. It was just a single, unwavering attitude from the boy that had moved Chronos.

'I don't believe I could be of any use to Your Highness────'

──── To become strong enough to be acknowledged by him!

It was as if he had been told they were not even on the same level──── So this duel was his declaration. His first true challenge. Today, Chronos Chronostaria would surpass the person he had always been.

"How did it come to this???"

Lately, I feel like I've been thinking this a lot.

At the Academy's training grounds, with the sun just beginning to rise, I found myself standing face to face with His Highness Chronos, about to engage in a duel.

──── Seriously, why???

Freesia had brought potential members for the faction, and they turned out to be His Highness and Lady Gravitell. That much was fine.

I wasn’t particularly surprised that the two of them had advanced to Fourth Rank. If anything, having them join my faction would have been a stroke of good fortune. But then, for some reason, His Highness, looking deeply troubled, had challenged me to a duel. The atmosphere made it impossible to refuse, and before I knew it, we were here────

"I know it is improper after all this, but please forgive my request."

"Uh… okay…"

"For this duel, I ask that you fight me with your full strength—without holding back."

There was no room to ask for a reason. Chronos was clearly prepared to challenge me with absolute resolve, but I had no idea why I had been called out for this in the first place.

──── Did I do something to make him hate me?

That was the only explanation I could think of, yet no matter how much I racked my brain, I couldn’t recall offending him. In fact, I had always made a conscious effort to avoid any unnecessary involvement with him.

And yet, here we were. Had all my efforts been for nothing? Could royalty see through shallow flattery that easily? Seriously, how did it come to this…?

──── Ah, there was one thing…

As regret swirled in my mind, a memory surfaced—his invitation for me to become his retainer. I had turned him down every time. Could that really be the reason? Because, honestly, that was the only thing that even remotely counted as a slight against him.

──── If that’s the case, I’m doomed.

Just when I thought things were going too well, this happens.

Life never goes smoothly, does it? And now, His Highness was insisting on a serious duel. If I fought him at full power like he asked and ended up knocking him out, would I be executed?

──── I’m seriously worried about this.

"I ask this of you."

Seeing my hesitation, His Highness fixed me with a determined gaze.

Clearly, there was no way I could say, "No, thanks!!" now. The duel was going to happen whether I liked it or not────

"… I won’t be charged with treason or punished for offending royalty after this, right?"

"Of course not."

There was no other choice. It was happening.

With a sigh, I summoned my . He had asked me to fight seriously, so I would grant his request.

──── His Highness’s magic is troublesome, but… I might just be able to handle it now.

There were still plenty of unanswered questions, but setting those aside, I was actually somewhat excited. I had been curious to see how well I could counter his royal bloodline magic.

──── I’m getting corrupted.

I chuckled at my own battle-hungry thoughts. Seeing that, His Highness assumed a combat stance.

We were both ready.

"Begin!"

With Freesia’s signal, the duel commenced.