Villain: After I died, all the heroines cried themselves to sleep.

Rogge arrived at the training facility.

As soon as he stepped inside, he heard the sound of a sword being swung through the air.

Fiora was there too.

If this were the Holy Race Sword Maiden when she first enrolled, she would have already strictly followed the rules and gone back to her dormitory to sleep by this time.

"It seems you also want to warm up before the martial arts tournament begins."

As Rogge casually remarked, he picked up his practice sword and began to brandish it next to the Sword Maiden.

Then, a few seconds later, he noticed that Fiora had silently distanced herself from him.

"..."

Roger was speechless.

Since the drunken incident that day, Instructor Haina has never given Roger any special training again.

Fiora, too, stopped sparring with Rogue due to a rather comical accident, and even kept her distance from him during training.

"I mean, is it really necessary? We've also signed up for the doubles and team events. Are you planning to continue like this tomorrow?"

"……have no idea."

"..."

Rogge looked at the Sword Maiden helplessly.

It was both infuriating and hilarious.

It's not really a big deal.

During one sparring session, Rogue used a little trick to overpower Fiora.

The Fiora was unconvinced by her loss and said that Rogue was covered in sweat and should get out of the way.

Rogge retorted that practicing swordsmanship would naturally make you sweat, and that the Sword Maiden herself was also covered in sweat.

Upon hearing this, Fiora suddenly realized this and immediately distanced herself from Rogra.

It's been like this ever since.

"I've really had enough."

Rogge finally couldn't stand the strange atmosphere anymore.

He walked directly toward the Sword Maiden.

Upon seeing this, Fiora immediately retreated until she was cornered by Rogue.

Rogge gripped the Fiora's wrist, staring intently at her.

Sword Maiden avoided eye contact with Rogue.

"..."

After thinking for a moment, Rogge simply put his head close to the side of the Fiora's smooth neck.

Take a deep breath.

He then raised his head, still seemingly unsatisfied, and spoke earnestly to the Sword Maiden.

"Okay, it doesn't smell much. If I had to say, even if it did, I'd like it..."

His voice abruptly stopped.

Rogge stared blankly at the Sword Maiden.

The Fiora turned her face to one side, her gaze following suit.

Her previously expressionless face was now flushed with a deep blush.

Like the rosy dawn that dyes the sky red.

Beautiful.

"what……"

Rogge quickly released his grip on the swordswoman and distanced himself from her.

"Um, I didn't mean to."

"..."

Fiora kept her body taut.

After a long while, the blush on her face gradually subsided.

She glanced at Roger discreetly, and her stiff body slowly relaxed.

Roger asked cautiously.

"Practicing swordsmanship?"

"Um."

Fiora nodded slightly.

The atmosphere between the two returned to its previous state.

……

As the sun rose in the east, the martial arts tournament for the school anniversary officially began.

The number of tourists who came to watch the game reached a new high, far exceeding the number of visitors to the stage theater yesterday.

The registered contestants have already entered the venue and are waiting for their turn to be called.

When it was Roger's turn, he stepped into the ring to face his opponent.

He came with a mission today.

[Objective: To win the martial arts tournament championship.]

[Reward: Improved reputation by associating with students from the Royal Academy.]

[Punishment: Associating with students from the Royal Academy will lower your evaluation.]

Now that the plot is almost completely decoupled from predetermined fate, every system task must be cherished.

Roger was unlucky; he ran into the top graduate of the fourth year.

The top graduate then began his pre-battle trash talk.

"Rogge, you are really strong. If you hadn't met me, you might have gone much further."

"Shouldn't I be the one saying that?"

Rogge gave a meaningful smile.

He raised the sword in his hand, his gaze sharpening.

whoosh whoosh—

In an instant, azure flames burst forth on his sword.

"This, this is..."

The top graduate looked astonished.

Not only him, but even the more knowledgeable spectators around him were shocked, their eyes widening and some even standing up.

"Could this be the 'Flame of Retribution' from the Church of Truth?"

【Flame of Punishment】.

This is an acquired talent that only the Templar Knights of the Truth Cult or the Inquisitors of Heresy can learn.

Furthermore, the level of Punishment Flame that each person learns varies depending on their individual aptitude.

The chief judge's pale flame is the purest.

It has reached a level that surpasses S-class.

Regardless of how Rogge learned the Flame of Punishment, the azure flames he displayed were undoubtedly second only to the Chief Inquisitor's S-rank.

"Now, show the world your talent and gifts, Roger."

In a secluded corner where no one could find them, Chief Judge Hena gazed with satisfaction at Roger on the ring.

This is the only disciple she has trained, and the one she is most proud of.

On the arena, the battle didn't last long at all.

With a similar skill level, Roger easily overwhelmed the top graduate with his exceptional talent and swordsmanship.

"The victor is Rogge!"

The referee quickly declared Rogge the winner.

Roger curled the corners of his mouth.

He glanced at the system status panel without making a sound.

……

Name: Roger

[Personality: Competitive, unruly, and tenacious]

[Talent: Unawakened, Natural Vitality (A+), Flame of Punishment (S), Unyielding Will (A+)]

[Realm Level: Peak of Level 5]

[Spiritual Skill: Pseudo-Heavenly Punishment Sword Style (S)]

……

After receiving special talent training from Instructor Haina and swordsmanship guidance from the Holy Sword Maiden, even without entering Dragon Phoenix Mode, Rogge's strength reached one of the top levels among the students.

Only the Holy Race Sword Maiden, when unleashing her full power, can overpower him.

Wait for Rogge to step down.

It wasn't long before it was Fiora's turn.

The Fiora didn't use the Holy Sword; she simply used a casual sword technique to send her opponent off the stage.

The individual competition then entered garbage time.

It basically became a stage where Rogue and Fiora took turns stealing the spotlight.

Until the finals, Rogge and Fiora stepped onto the stage.

All eyes are on us.

"Is the final battle finally about to begin?"

Even the Second Princess, sitting in the VIP room, couldn't help but straighten her body and stare intently at the arena.

She has actually been attending the celebration for the past two days.

She simply followed the advice of her best friend, teacher Lan Su, and kept her distance from Roger.

Then, under the expectant gaze of everyone.

The final match has begun.

Rogue and the Sword Maiden locked eyes.

Fiora raised her hand.

"Abstain".

After saying that, she left the ring without waiting for the referee's announcement.

"..."

The entire room fell silent.

Only Rogge raised his fist.

"I won!"

This is a victory for off-field factors!

……

Without even a moment to mourn the abrupt end of the individual competition, the next event immediately began: the doubles competition.

However, when Rogue appeared on the same team as Fiora, everyone in the audience knew it.

The match is over.

And that is indeed the case.

Rogge and the Sword Maiden are not only powerful, but also work together seamlessly, even using the same set of sword techniques.

What exactly is their relationship?

"No wonder Fiora forfeited; there must be something going on between them."

click!

In a VIP room, the King of Ling Kingdom crushed the armrest of his chair.

The veins on his forehead bulged.

"You little rascal, how dare you two-time me and deceive my little darling's feelings..."

Meanwhile, in the VIP room next door.

"I never expected that my junior, Rogue, would have such a close relationship with the Holy Sword Maiden. Now I want him even more."

The second princess had a faint smile on her lips.

Suddenly, she felt a chill in the air.

Turning her head, she saw her teacher, Lan Su, staring intently at Rogge and Sword Maiden on the arena.

His expression was quite complex.

……

In the doubles competition, the duo of Rogue and Fiora won the championship with an absolute advantage.

However, before Rogge could even feel happy, a system notification suddenly sounded in his mind.

[A turning point in fate has been detected!]

Unbeknownst to you, a crisis that will determine the fate of humanity is quietly brewing.

[The task has been updated.]

[Objective: Make your choice before the school anniversary celebration ends.]

[Reward: Rating will be boosted based on the selections made.]

[Penalty: Depending on the choices made, the corresponding rating will be lowered, which will greatly affect the final overall score.]

It's all the world's fault. —Anonymous