Salcedo Household
The bedroom was a disorganized mess—scattered notes, an open laptop still glowing, and an empty snack wrapper sitting on the desk. The curtains were still drawn, the faint morning light barely creeping in through the gaps.
Sallie lay sprawled out on his bed, snoring loudly, a single earbud dangling from his ear. His blanket was half off the bed, his arm dangling over the edge, a controller barely hanging on to his fingers.
Then—BANG.
A loud, metallic clang echoed through the room, followed by a sharp ringing sound that jerked him awake in an instant.
His body twitched violently, arms flailing as he shot upright, eyes wide in panic.
"WHAT THE HELL?!"
His vision blurred, barely making out the silhouette standing at the door—his younger sister, Celeste Marie Salcedo, still dressed in her Fourth High uniform, arms crossed, a smug smirk on her face.
"What the heck, sis?! What the heck was that for?!" Sallie snapped, rubbing his eyes. "It's six in the motherfucking morning! You do know what time it is?! It's still early!"
Celeste grinned, stepping forward and tapping a metal spoon against a tray she was holding.
"It's time to go to school, sleepyhead. I even prepared breakfast for you," she added, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
Sallie stared at her, his brain still trying to process what was happening.
"You… you didn't have to do that shit for me! Ugh, geez!" He flopped back onto the bed, pulling his pillow over his face.
Celeste didn't budge, tapping the spoon against the tray again.
"And you were up all night playing video games again, weren't you? Imperial Duel is happening tonight, right after midterm magic exams."
Sallie groaned, rolling onto his side, half-burying himself under his blanket.
"And yeah, I was up all night because I have a novel to finish! Silly—why would you think I was chasing FPS leaderboards like it's some kind of personal vendetta?!" He peeked out from under the blanket, pouting sarcastically. "The tournament hasn't even started yet!"
Celeste leaned against the doorframe, shaking her head in mock disappointment.
"That's what you get for skipping out on the conquest of ASEAN."
Sallie lifted his head slightly, eyes narrowing.
"And why the hell would I waste my time on that?" He waved a hand lazily. "Taking down ASEAN neighbors? Snooze fest. If I joined, I would've fallen asleep on the battlefield from sheer boredom before anyone knocked me out cold."
Celeste raised an eyebrow, unimpressed.
"That's not the point, lazy ass. You could've at least contributed to the cause."
Sallie crossed his arms, slumping back against the headboard while grumbling. His expression shifted, turning smug as he looked away, feigning arrogance.
"Then tell me this, Sis!" he said dramatically, his voice rising in faux indignation. "I know I let you participate in the conquest while I lounged around the house, doing all the housework—something I absolutely do NOT like, mind you—getting things neat and tidy despite being the very definition of a slouchy older brother."
He gestured vaguely around the messy room, as if his argument had just disproven the laws of the universe.
"Meanwhile, I let you go on all the field trips, while I dedicated my valuable time to the highest form of digital combat—playing FPS games."
Celeste blinked, deadpan, before letting out a mock gasp, clutching her chest like he had just delivered a Shakespearean tragedy.
"Oh, the horror! The sacrifice! My poor brother, slaving away over—what was it again?"
She looked around the disaster zone of a bedroom—the crumpled snack wrappers, the unmade bed, the mountain of clothes thrown over a chair—before raising an eyebrow.
"Right. Housework."
She let out a mock sigh, shaking her head.
"Truly, you have suffered."
Sallie snapped his fingers, nodding. "Finally, you understand. See, I've made the ultimate trade—I let you go off to battle, to claim glory, while I bravely stayed behind and ensured the house didn't collapse into anarchy."
Celeste rolled her eyes, smirking. "You mean you sat on your ass, played video games, and only remembered to clean when Mom threatened to confiscate your CAD?"
Sallie's smug expression twitched, but he held his ground.
"Technicalities."
Celeste walked over, flicking his forehead lightly. "You're so full of it."
Sallie winced, rubbing his forehead, before grinning lazily.
"Hey, full of it or not, I still get to enjoy my peace while you're out there running around, getting sweaty, dodging bullets, slinging spells."
Celeste folded her arms, tilting her head. "Oh? So that's why you're always wide awake when there's an FPS tournament, but half-dead when you have to do literally anything else?"
Sallie scoffed, dramatically flopping back onto the bed.
"Listen, sis, there's a difference between a true battlefield and… whatever nonsense I'd be dealing with in the real world."
Celeste smirked. "Oh, so war's boring, but imaginary internet war is peak entertainment?"
Sallie pointed at her. "Exactly!"
As Sallie finally dragged himself out of bed, Celeste stood by the doorway, arms crossed, watching him halfheartedly stretch like a cat that had been forcibly awakened.
Her gaze drifted to the sleek briefcase CAD sitting on his desk—the infamous "Imperial Haxor."
She tilted her head, her expression mildly unimpressed.
"By the way, why do you call your CAD that ridiculous name?"
Sallie paused mid-yawn, blinking at her. "Huh?"
"Your CAD. 'Imperial Haxor.' Sounds like something a fifteen-year-old esports player would name their account."
Sallie's expression twitched, and he dramatically clutched his chest, as if wounded.
"How dare you."
Celeste raised an eyebrow. "You're not denying it."
Sallie huffed, walking over and placing a protective hand on the briefcase CAD.
"Listen, you just don't appreciate the brilliance of the name. It perfectly embodies what this bad boy does."
Celeste squinted. "Let me guess. Something broken."
Sallie grinned, tapping the CAD. "Oh, sis. 'Broken' is such a harsh word. I prefer… 'unfair advantage.' "
Celeste sighed, rubbing her temples. "So, you made a CAD that literally cheats in magic combat?"
Sallie shrugged, completely unapologetic.
"I mean, if you want to get technical, yeah, sure. It's a combat absorption mechanism—when I make contact with someone else's magic, I can temporarily replicate their spell output and even modify it if I feed it enough mana."
Celeste's brows furrowed, realizing just how ridiculous that sounded.
"You're telling me you basically copied and pasted an opponent's spell, like some kind of software exploit?"
Sallie snapped his fingers, pointing at her.
"Bingo. Thus, 'Imperial Haxor."
Celeste stared at him, unblinking. "…I hate that it makes sense."
Sallie grinned wider. "You love that it makes sense."
Celeste groaned. "I swear, if anyone actually figures out what that thing does, they're gonna call it a game-breaking hack and ban you from the next tournament."
Sallie smirked, folding his arms. "Yeah? Let 'em try. It's not my fault I play on a different level."
Celeste sighed, shaking her head.
"Onii-sama… you are the reason balance patches exist."
Sallie laughed, finally grabbing his uniform. "And yet, they still can't nerf me."
Celeste rolled her eyes, turning away. "Just hurry up and get ready before I actually report you for unfair play."
Sallie adjusted his uniform lazily, buttoning the blue coat over his red undershirt as he threw a glance at Celeste, still lingering by the doorway.
"So, what's the deal with this 'Imperial Duel' thing, anyway?"
Celeste, already dressed perfectly for the day, adjusted her glasses, giving him a look that bordered between patience and exasperation.
"It's simple, Onii-sama. Each class will send students into a 2v2 duel against their own classmates. Whoever wins those duels gets to face other sections in the school."
Sallie rubbed his eyes, stifling a yawn, processing the information with the enthusiasm of a man who had been forcibly assigned homework.
"Okay… and then?"
Celeste sighed. "Then, whoever comes out on top in those fights qualifies to face students from other National Magic University-affiliated schools."
Sallie paused, then frowned. "Wait, wait, wait—so this isn't just a glorified school tournament? You're telling me I have to fight against a bunch of kids from other schools too?"
Celeste smirked, tilting her head. "Not just any kids. The top students from every magic university-affiliated school—including those from the military academies."
Sallie's eye twitched slightly, and he exhaled dramatically, slumping into his chair.
"Why do they always make everything so complicated? Can't they just, I don't know, pick the best fighters without making us go through an anime-style tournament arc?"
Celeste rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. "Because, Onii-sama, this is about proving dominance. The Imperial Sea Games are meant to showcase the strongest magicians in the empire—only the best of the best get selected."
Sallie rested his chin on his palm, half-listening. "So, in other words… it's a military recruitment event disguised as a fun sports festival."
Celeste grinned, her tone mockingly sweet. "Now you're getting it."
Sallie groaned, rubbing his temples. "Ughhh. And let me guess—if I win, they're gonna 'recommend' me to participate in the upcoming invasion of Japan, right?"
Celeste shrugged, smirking. "I mean, it wouldn't be the worst outcome, would it? You finally get to fight someone that isn't an AI in an FPS game."
Sallie pointed a finger at her, dead serious. "I'd rather take twenty FPS tournaments over some government-sanctioned war audition."
Celeste grinned wider, her voice mocking yet sweet. "Well, too bad. You don't have a choice."
Sallie let out a suffering groan, rolling his head back like the weight of the world had been placed on his shoulders.
"Ughhhh… I could just throw all my matches and call it a day."
Celeste's smirk didn't fade. In fact, it got sharper. "Sure. You could do that. If you don't mind losing everything you care about."
Sallie froze. His head snapped up, eyes narrowing. "What?"
Celeste tilted her head innocently, adjusting her glasses.
"Oh, you didn't hear? House Salcedo won't allow it. Lose intentionally, and they'll confiscate all your gaming peripherals—the custom mechanical keyboard, the high-end mouse, the motion-synced chair, all of it."
Sallie sat up straight, suddenly feeling a lot more awake. "Hold up—"
"Not just that," Celeste continued, clearly enjoying herself now. "They'll also cancel all your novel deals. The ones you worked so hard for? Gone."
Sallie's face twitched. "You're bluffing."
Celeste smirked. "Am I?"
She leaned forward slightly. "Think about it, Onii-sama. Your precious leaderboards? If you lose your gear, you won't be able to keep your rank. All your drafts, your best-sellers? Wiped from every contract. The only thing they'll let you keep is your briefcase CAD—because that's the only thing they actually care about."
Sallie stared at her, horrified. "Those monsters."
Celeste grinned, tapping her chin. "House Salcedo has an image to uphold. We can't have our 'prized slouchy prodigy' embarrassing the family name."
Sallie dragged a hand down his face, groaning loudly.
"So you're telling me that even if I don't give a damn about this duel, I still have to win—just so they don't take away my entire way of life?"
Celeste clasped her hands behind her back, looking far too pleased with herself. "Exactly. So, tell me, Onii-sama…
"Are you going to fight seriously, or are you going to risk it all?"
Sallie sat there, silent, running the scenarios in his head.
Throw the match → Lose his gaming setup, novels, and everything else.
Win the match → Keep his life intact, but risk getting drafted into a war.
His eye twitched. "You know what? I hate this empire. I hate this system. I hate this school."
Celeste chuckled, walking toward the door. "Oh, Onii-sama. The empire loves you too."
Sallie groaned, running both hands through his hair before grabbing his briefcase CAD and stomping toward the exit.
"Fine! I'll win. But I won't enjoy it!"
Celeste beamed. "That's the spirit!"
Sallie grumbled the whole way out the door.
___
The midterm magical exams were over, and students were flooding out of the testing halls, some relieved, others grumbling about their performance. The air was buzzing with conversation, a mix of celebration and frustration hanging over the school grounds.
Sallie and Celeste made their way toward the school entrance, walking side by side.
Celeste, as usual, looked composed, adjusting her glasses as she scrolled through her test results on her tablet.
"Well, that's that. Another round of exams cleared."
Sallie, hands shoved in his pockets, walked with the posture of a man who had been forced to work overtime. He had a slight scowl on his face, chewing on the results he already knew were coming.
"Ugh… damn algebra."
Celeste smirked, giving him a side glance. "You passed everything else."
"Yeah, because math is useless," Sallie muttered, kicking a stray pebble on the pavement.
"I don't know, Onii-sama. Maybe if you actually studied, you wouldn't have barely scraped by with the minimum passing score." Celeste tilted her head, amused.
Sallie sighed dramatically, throwing his arms up.
"Why the hell do I need to know calculus when I have a CAD that does half the thinking for me? Imperial Haxor doesn't need trigonometry to slap some poor kid in a duel."
Celeste shook her head, chuckling. "You say that now, but wait until you need calculations in real combat situations."
Sallie grumbled something under his breath, still bitter.
They reached the school entrance, where students were gathered in clusters, some chatting, others checking the rankings posted on the digital board.
Sallie took a quick glance, spotting his name comfortably in the top ranks, despite his math failure. Combat scores made up for it.
Celeste crossed her arms, nodding in approval. "At least you didn't completely embarrass yourself."
As Sallie and Celeste reached the entrance, the crowd of students milled about, either checking rankings, complaining about exams, or talking excitedly about the upcoming Imperial Duel.
Before Sallie could even let out another groan about his forced participation, a voice cut through the noise.
"Celeste!"
A short-haired girl with striking blue locks made her way toward them, her pace quick but slightly awkward, as if she wasn't used to moving too fast.
Angela Castillo, Celeste's classmate and best friend. Unlike Celeste, she wasn't particularly athletic, but she had a sharp mind, making up for her lack of physical prowess with solid magical control and tactical awareness.
Celeste perked up, immediately shifting gears into social mode, smiling as Angela approached. "Angela! Finally done suffering through the exams?"
Angela huffed, adjusting the bag slung over her shoulder. "Barely. You know I'd rather stick to magic calculations than physical tests."
Celeste chuckled, nudging her lightly. "I told you, if you trained even a little, you wouldn't have to struggle every time we do endurance drills."
Angela waved a dismissive hand. "Yeah, yeah. But that's not important right now. "Did you check who you're pairing up with for the Imperial Duel?"
Celeste's eyes lit up, her competitive side kicking in.
"Not yet, but I was going to. This is, after all, the most culturally important competition in the empire."
Angela sighed dramatically, fixing her glasses. "Yeah, yeah. IFRP tradition and all that. I swear, the only people who care about that are the history teachers and military fanatics."
Celeste smirked. "And me."
The two laughed, chatting like best friends who had just survived a grueling test together—which, technically, they had.
Meanwhile, Sallie stood off to the side, watching their conversation unfold like an NPC character watching two main characters interact.
"Oh, cool, yeah, let's just ignore me, that's fine," he muttered under his breath.
Neither of them acknowledged him.
Sallie crossed his arms, clearly unimpressed.
"So you're just gonna leave me out of the conversation? No 'Hey, Sallie, congrats on passing your exams despite being a slouch'? No 'Wow, you actually made it through math without collapsing'?"
Celeste and Angela continued talking like he wasn't even there.
"I wonder who my partner will be," Celeste mused.
Angela hummed, thinking. "Hopefully not someone reckless. I'd rather not carry anyone tonight."
Sallie snorted, muttering. "Oh, please, you're gonna get someone who does all the work for you."
Angela turned to him, finally acknowledging his existence with a flat stare.
"Aren't you supposed to be worried about who you're getting paired with?"
Sallie shrugged lazily, stuffing his hands into his pockets.
"Nah, I already know the outcome. I'll either get stuck with someone who expects me to try, or I'll get paired with someone who does all the work for me. Either way, I win."
Angela grinned, nudging Celeste.
"Oh! Did you see the latest collection drop from Seraphine Atelier? I swear, their designs get better every season."
Celeste's eyes lit up, her competitive mindset from earlier replaced with excitement.
"Obviously! Their new limited-release jackets? Instant classic. The embroidered detailing alone is enough to justify the price!"
Angela nodded enthusiastically, adjusting her glasses.
"Right?! And don't even get me started on their accessories line. The enchanted fabric enhancement? Subtle but effective."
Celeste sighed dramatically, pressing her hands together.
"If only Fourth High would let us wear them instead of this restrictive school uniform."
Sallie, still walking ahead of them, finally had enough of the conversation. With a deadpan expression, he turned back slightly, hands in his pockets.
"Alright, I gotta ask—who the hell is Seraphine Atelier?"
Celeste and Angela froze mid-step, then whipped their heads toward him so fast it was a miracle they didn't get whiplash.
A brief, stunned silence followed.
Angela was the first to recover, her jaw still half-open in disbelief.
"You… you don't know who Seraphine Atelier is?!"
Celeste's eyes narrowed, as if examining a rare specimen of ignorance.
"Onii-sama, please tell me you're joking."
Sallie shrugged, completely unbothered. "Nope. Never heard of her. Is she some imperial noble or something?"
Angela facepalmed so hard it echoed slightly. "Unbelievable."
Celeste, meanwhile, let out a dramatic sigh, pinching the bridge of her nose.
"Onii-sama, Seraphine Atelier isn't a 'who.' It's a 'what.' It's one of the top fashion brands in the entire empire."
Sallie blinked, unimpressed. "Oh, so it's just clothes? What's the big deal?"
Angela let out a frustrated groan. "'Just clothes'? Oh my god, Celeste, how do you live with this man?"
Celeste shook her head, genuinely embarrassed for him.
"Onii-sama… Seraphine Atelier isn't 'just clothes.' It's the pinnacle of high-class, magically woven fashion. Their enchanted designs are used by nobles, celebrities, even high-ranking military officers."
Angela nodded rapidly. "Right! They integrate magic directly into the fabric—self-repair, elemental resistance, automatic temperature control, the whole deal! And their aesthetic? Timeless."
Sallie, still not getting the hype, rolled his eyes.
"Okay, so it's overpriced fancy magic clothes. Got it."
Celeste looked personally offended. "It's art."
Angela threw her hands up. "It's cultural prestige."
Sallie shrugged again, completely unfazed. "Sounds like a scam."
Celeste exhaled slowly, as if trying to summon the patience of a saint. "I don't know why I'm surprised. You wear the same three hoodies whenever you're not in uniform."
Angela nodded seriously. "Right? This man has zero fashion sense."
Sallie grinned lazily, completely owning it. "And yet, I'm still thriving. Can't argue with results."
Celeste and Angela shared a look, then shook their heads simultaneously.
Celeste sighed, adjusting her glasses. "You're a lost cause, Onii-sama."
Angela grinned, nudging Celeste. "It's okay. Some people are just born fashion disasters."
Sallie stretched his arms behind his head, still unbothered.
"Call it whatever you want. As long as my clothes don't explode, I'm fine."
Celeste muttered under her breath. "…Maybe I should sign you up for a wardrobe overhaul."
Angela snickered. "He'd probably run away first."
Sallie grinned, walking ahead. "Damn right I would."
---
The classroom was alive with chatter, students scattered around, some reviewing their midterm results, others checking their CAD interfaces in preparation for the upcoming Imperial Duel. The holographic screens embedded into each desk hummed softly, displaying various magic formulas, news feeds, and training programs.
In the back, Angela Castillo and Celeste Salcedo were seated together, their voices hushed but excited, whispering as they leaned in toward each other.
Angela's eyes gleamed with curiosity, her tone dripping with intrigue.
"Okay, so get this—have you heard the rumors about that foreigner? The one from the USNA?"
Celeste adjusted her glasses, smirking slightly. "Oh, you mean the one with the insane resume? I've read a few things."
Angela grinned, lowering her voice even further.
"They say she used to be part of their top military unit. Like, not just some regular officer, but a real combat specialist. A full-blown operative."
Celeste raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "You're talking about their elite squad, right? The kind that only a handful of magicians even qualify for?"
Angela nodded eagerly, keeping her voice just above a whisper.
"Exactly. Word is, she was one of their best. And now she's just… hanging around like a regular person."
Celeste chuckled, resting her chin on her hand.
"If she really was one of their best, then that means she's got real combat experience. Not just training, but actual battlefield missions."
Angela smirked, flicking a stray strand of blue hair behind her ear.
"Yup. The kind of experience that makes her probably more dangerous than half the people in this school combined."
Celeste grinned, her analytical mind piecing things together.
"And yet, she's laying low. Interesting."
Angela leaned closer, glancing around as if making sure no one else was listening.
"They say she was on some kind of classified mission before she ended up here. Something big, involving high-level magicians. Whatever it was, it was serious enough that she left her post."
Celeste's smile grew sharper, her mind already analyzing the possibilities.
"That means she's either hiding something, or she's waiting for something."
Angela nodded, her excitement barely contained.
"And that's what makes it so interesting. Because if someone like her is hanging around, that means something big is going on behind the scenes."
Celeste tapped her fingers against her desk, her eyes narrowing slightly in thought.
"Or maybe it means Japan has something—or someone—worth keeping an eye on."
Angela let out a low whistle, leaning back. "Now that's a fun theory. You think she's keeping tabs on a magician here?"
Celeste smirked, crossing her arms. "It's a possibility. After all, the USNA doesn't just send people like her around for no reason."
Angela grinned, shaking her head. "God, I love a good mystery."
Celeste chuckled. "Too bad we'll probably never get the full story."
While the rest of the classroom buzzed with discussions about the Imperial Duel, midterms, and military strategy, Sallie Salcedo sat comfortably at his desk, completely disconnected from the noise around him.
The built-in CAD interface of his chair-table setup glowed softly, displaying several holographic windows in front of him. But unlike his classmates, who were either reviewing magic formulas or checking their duel match-ups, Sallie's screen showed something entirely different.
FPS Leaderboards – Search and Destroy Ranked Mode
Sallie's eyes scanned the rankings, his expression a mix of boredom and mild irritation as he flicked through the top players currently dominating the leaderboard.
#1 – ViperEdge (98% Win Rate, 5.6 K/D Ratio, MVP in 22 Consecutive Matches)
#2 – NexusOmega (95% Win Rate, 5.2 K/D Ratio, High-Precision Sniper Class)
#3 – [ImperialHaxor] (94% Win Rate, 4.9 K/D Ratio, Adaptive Loadout Specialist)
Sallie's eyes twitched at his ranking. "Tch. Third place? Again? Seriously?"
He leaned back, exhaling dramatically. "I swear, these guys have way too much free time. Do they even sleep?"
His fingers hovered over the screen, opening a detailed performance log of ViperEdge, his current rival for the top spot.
Recent Matches: Won 22 Consecutive Ranked Games
Accuracy: 94% Headshot Rate (Sniper/Assault Hybrid)
Reflex Time: 0.2 Seconds (Reaction-Based Precision)
Sallie let out a low whistle, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"Damn… dude's cracked."
Still, it wasn't unbeatable. He just needed one good run to bump himself back to the top spot.
He glanced at the time, calculating how many ranked matches he could squeeze in before the Imperial Duel started later that night.
"If I speed-run a few matches after class, I can climb back up before I have to deal with this stupid duel thing."
His mind was already mapping out strategies, loadouts, and map rotations, more invested in this than he had been for midterms.
A notification popped up on the corner of his screen.
[Celeste]: Get off the damn leaderboards, Onii-sama. I KNOW what you're doing.
Sallie grinned, not even looking up. "Damn it, she's too fast."
He sighed, closing the leaderboard tab.
"Fine, fine… I'll focus. But only because I don't want her confiscating my CAD mid-match."
With that, he reluctantly closing his FPS leaderboard tab, Sallie leaned back in his chair, rubbing his chin in thought.
"Might as well check the novel rankings while I'm at it."
With a few taps on his CAD interface, he pulled up the Imperial Literature Network's Bestseller Leaderboards—a ranking system for serialized web novels that had gained massive traction within the IFRP digital literary space.
The list refreshed, and Sallie's eyes quickly scanned down the top rankings.
#1 – Crimson Serenade: A Love That Defied the Kingdom (99 Chapters – 1.2M Readers – 4.8 Stars)
#2 – Requiem of the Fallen Mage (87 Chapters – 1.1M Readers – 4.7 Stars)
#3 – Archive of Forbidden Love (53 Chapters – 950K Readers – 4.9 Stars)
Sallie grinned, seeing his novel still holding strong in the top five.
"Hah. Not bad."
He clicked on his own novel's analytics, scanning the reader engagement stats and the recent comments flooding in from his audience.
Sallie chuckled, running a hand through his hair. "Damn, people really eat this stuff up."
Scrolling further, he noticed an editorial review notification flagged on his dashboard.
[Editorial Board]: 'Your novel has seen a 400% increase in engagement over the last month. Due to its rapid popularity, we are considering a premium contract offer. Expect further communication soon.'
His eyebrows shot up. "Oh? Premium contract, huh? Now that's interesting."
But before he could get too deep into daydreaming about passive income and ranking domination, a sudden gasp cut through the classroom chatter.
"Wait a second—this is YOUR novel?!"
Sallie barely had time to register the voice before Celeste yanked his CAD screen toward her, her eyes scanning the comment section in disbelief.
Her glasses nearly slipped off her nose as she read the reactions from the Imperial Literature Network.
Celeste's eye twitched as her brain processed what she was looking at.
"Onii-sama… this is what you've been writing?!'"**
Before Sallie could snatch his CAD back, Angela leaned over, peering at the screen, her eyes widening in amusement.
"Wait, hold up! This is the trending novel?!"
Then—the worst thing happened.
A few other classmates overheard.
"Yo, is that the novel? The one about the kid falling in love with an older girl?"
"No way—Salcedo wrote that?!"
"Damn, bro, you've got a messed-up imagination, but respect, it's well-written."
"I thought it was some obscure guilty pleasure novel, but it's actually good??"
More students gathered, looking over his shoulder, checking the rankings, the reviews, the outrageously high reader count.
Sallie groaned loudly, rubbing his face in frustration.
"Oh my god. You people have no sense of privacy."
Celeste was too stunned to even scold him properly, still staring at the screen.
"I… I knew you were writing something, but I didn't think it was this! And why is it actually popular?!"
Angela burst out laughing, crossing her arms.
"No wonder you were so secretive. You knew the moment people found out, they'd never let you live it down."
Sallie sighed, slumping further into his chair, glaring at the CAD screen like it had personally betrayed him.
"Can we all just… pretend this didn't happen?"
Celeste slowly looked up at him, still processing. "Onii-sama… how the hell did you make this work?"
Sallie shrugged, grinning despite the embarrassment.
"Simple. I just wrote what came naturally."
Angela laughed even harder. "I don't know what's worse, the fact that you're proud of this, or the fact that people are actually hooked on it."
The classmates who had been looking at the rankings nodded in agreement, some looking weirded out, others genuinely impressed.
"You have some wild ideas, man."
"I thought you were just some lazy FPS addict. Turns out you're also a bestselling degenerate."
"Respect.".
"Onii-sama… how… how the hell did this reach the top four?"
Angela, just as stunned, leaned over the desk, scrolling through the analytics.
"No, seriously. Who the hell is reading this? And why is it this popular?"
Sallie let out a long, suffering sigh, scratching the back of his head.
"I dunno, people just like it, I guess."
Celeste narrowed her eyes, grabbing his CAD before he could stop her and reading the title aloud.
"A Nine-Year-Old Girl Fell in Love with a Seventeen-Year-Old Teenage Girl?"
The moment she said it, several classmates turned to look at them, their expressions ranging from curiosity to outright shock.
"Wait, THAT'S the title?"
"Yo, what kind of premise is that?!"
"I saw that on the trending list and thought it was some weird niche story!"
Sallie pinched the bridge of his nose, regretting every decision that led to this moment.
Celeste stared at him, disbelief written all over her face.
"Onii-sama… this… this is the story you've been losing sleep over?!"
Sallie exhaled sharply, grabbing his CAD back.
"Look, I didn't expect it to blow up, alright? I just wrote something that felt… different."
Angela narrowed her eyes, crossing her arms. "You mean controversial."
Sallie grinned lazily. "Controversial sells."
Celeste shook her head, rubbing her temples.
"I seriously don't know how to process this. The title alone is enough to make people stare, but the fact that it's well-written is what's throwing me off."
Angela scrolled through the comment section, her eyes widening as she read through some of the reactions.
"People are emotionally invested in this. There are analysis threads debating the morality and psychological depth of your characters!"
Sallie smirked, leaning back. "Told you. Good writing wins every time."
Celeste exhaled slowly, still visibly disturbed by the entire situation. "I swear, Onii-sama, you somehow manage to be both a genius and a complete idiot at the same time."
Angela chuckled, nudging Celeste. "Hey, at least he's successful. Can't deny the results."
Celeste narrowed her eyes, crossing her arms as she stared directly at Sallie, her expression somewhere between curiosity and frustration.
"Alright, Onii-sama. What's this about the MC falling in love with an older girl?"
Angela perked up, now fully invested. "Yeah, explain. I need to hear this straight from the author himself."
Sallie sighed dramatically, rubbing the back of his neck. "Ugh, fine. Since you two refuse to let this go."
He leaned forward, fingers lazily tapping on his CAD screen, pulling up a brief summary of his novel.
"The main character, Iris, is a nine-year-old girl who grows up in a strict, high-society environment. She's brilliant, but she's constantly dismissed because of her age. The only person who ever acknowledges her is an older girl—Seraphina, a seventeen-year-old noblewoman who's engaged to some rich guy she doesn't love."
Celeste and Angela exchanged looks, then turned back to him.
"Go on." Sallie smirked, enjoying their reactions.
"So, Iris—being the little prodigy rebel that she is—decides that she is going to be the one to marry Seraphina instead. She spends the next several years trying to prove that she's worthy of her love, all while navigating the world of nobility, war, and politics."
Celeste's eyebrow twitched.
"…You wrote a nine-year-old romantically competing against a nobleman?!"
Angela leaned in, covering her mouth in barely contained laughter.
"Oh my god. That's actually hilarious."
Sallie shrugged, completely unfazed.
"What? It's not like they get together right away. Iris grows up, builds her empire, takes down corrupt aristocrats, and slowly becomes an actual rival to Seraphina's fiancé."
Celeste massaged her temples, her brain struggling to process what she just heard. "You really had a nine-year-old planning out a long-term romance like a military campaign?!"
Angela snorted, scrolling through the comments again.
"And people love it. Look at this!"
[User: CrimsonBloom] – 'Iris is LITERALLY ten steps ahead of everyone. The way she negotiated a business contract at age ten just to ruin the fiancé's political standing was genius.'
[User: tearTear] – 'This isn't even a romance story anymore. This is a political war disguised as love.'
[User: NightSerenade] – 'Iris will take over the empire at this rate. And honestly? I'd let her.'
Sallie grinned, flipping his CAD shut. "See? People get it."
Celeste sighed heavily, shaking her head.
"I swear, Onii-sama, you don't just write stories. You create absurd power fantasies and somehow make them compelling."
Angela giggled, nudging Celeste. "I dunno. I think it's kinda brilliant."
Celeste gave her a betrayed look. "Not you too!"
Angela laughed harder, while Sallie leaned back smugly, knowing that despite all the complaints—they were both hooked now.
Before Celeste could recover from her existential crisis, another voice from the classroom chimed in—this time from one of their classmates who had been eavesdropping on the entire conversation.
"So, Sallie… what's next?"
Sallie tilted his head, blinking lazily. "Huh?"
"Your novel's trending, right? Top four, massive reader base, premium contract on the table…"
Another classmate leaned back in their chair, smirking.
"You thinking of taking it further? Maybe an animation deal? Live-action adaptation? A full-blown Cinema release?"
A few other students laughed, clearly enjoying the idea of their lazy classmate's ridiculous novel getting even bigger.
"Oh man, imagine the casting process. 'Alright, we need a nine-year-old girl who can pull off political manipulation while delivering heartfelt monologues about love!'"
"Or better yet, imagine some high-ranking general secretly reading it in their free time, wondering how a fictional child is better at war strategy than them."
The class erupted in laughter, half-mocking, half-impressed, but Sallie barely reacted, his face calm, unreadable.
Then—he grinned. "Oh, I dunno. If they wanna throw money at me, I might let them."
The jokes stopped for a second. Some students blinked, realizing he wasn't even denying it.
"Wait… are you actually considering it?"
Sallie stretched, yawning. "Hey, if some studio wants to animate a nine-year-old fighting the aristocracy for love, who am I to stop them?"
Angela burst out laughing, clapping her hands. "You absolute madman."
Celeste massaged her temples again, already seeing where this was going. "Onii-sama… you cannot be serious."
Sallie grinned wider. "Sis, I am always serious."
The class erupted into laughter again, half-thinking he was joking, half-wondering if they were witnessing the start of an actual entertainment empire.
Sallie shrugged, leaning back in his chair as the classroom's laughter slowly settled.
"Anyway, let's see what's up with this so-called number one novel."
With a few taps on his CAD interface, he pulled up the ranking board again, scrolling to the very top.
#1 – Crimson Serenade: A Love That Defied the Empire
(99 Chapters – 1.2M Readers – 4.8 Stars)
Celeste and Angela leaned in, reading the description alongside him.
[Synopsis: In a world where war separates hearts, a forbidden romance blooms between a revolutionary and an imperial noblewoman. As battlefields stretch across nations, love and loyalty are put to the ultimate test. Can love truly defy destiny?]
Angela raised an eyebrow, tilting her head.
"Wow. They're really going for the tragic romance angle, huh?"
Celeste crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes at the summary.
"It's the kind of story the empire eats up. Forbidden love, war drama, themes about fate versus duty… It's designed to resonate with people."
Sallie snorted, scrolling through the top-rated reviews.
[User: loveyDovey] – 'This novel is an emotional masterpiece. Every chapter feels like poetry, and the tension between the leads is just… breathtaking. I cried at least five times reading this.'
[User: RedMoonSeraph] – 'The writing is flawless, the political drama is gripping, and the romance? Absolutely heartbreaking. I'm scared for the ending.'
[User: Starweaver] – 'This novel doesn't just tell a story—it makes you feel the weight of love in a cruel world. The best romance of our time.'
Sallie squinted at the screen, unimpressed.
"So basically, it's a slow-burn tragedy with a war backdrop. A classic 'love vs. duty' story."
Angela grinned, nudging Celeste. "Think he's jealous?"
Celeste smirked, adjusting her glasses. "Obviously. He hates losing."
Sallie rolled his eyes, waving them off. "Please. My story is more entertaining."
Angela chuckled, shaking her head. "Yeah, because your MC treats romance like conquering a kingdom."
Celeste sighed, scrolling through more comments.
"Still, this novel is dominating for a reason. The author knows how to hit people where it hurts emotionally."
Sallie folded his arms, clicking into the first few chapters, skimming the writing style.
His expression remained neutral, though his eyes sharpened slightly, recognizing the tight prose and emotional weight behind the words.
After a moment, he closed the screen. "It's good."
Angela and Celeste exchanged glances.
Celeste raised an eyebrow. "That's it?"
Sallie shrugged, stretching. "Yeah. It's good. But not better."
Angela laughed, shaking her head. "Spoken like a true sore loser."
Sallie grinned lazily, opening up his own novel's draft.
"Nah, I'm just saying—I'll take the top spot eventually."
Celeste rolled her eyes, but smirked slightly.
"I swear, Onii-sama… You turn everything into a competition."
Sallie leaned back, completely unbothered. "Damn right I do."
Just as Sallie was about to pull up his next novel draft, the sharp chime of the school's announcement system echoed through the classroom speakers, silencing the ongoing conversations.
A calm yet authoritative voice—the school's administration—spoke through the intercom.
"Attention, all students. The preparation phase for the Imperial Duel will now commence. All participants are required to report to the practice arena immediately."
"This is a mandatory event. Any absence will be considered an act of defiance against school tradition."
The message ended with a final tone, leaving no room for debate.
Sallie sighed heavily, slamming his head onto the desk.
"Oh, great. Here we go."
Angela stretched, cracking her neck.
"Welp, no backing out now. The empire demands entertainment."
Celeste adjusted her glasses, standing up.
"Come on, Onii-sama. If you slack off, you'll get your privileges revoked."
Sallie groaned, dragging himself up with the energy of a man walking to his own execution.
"Ugh… yeah, yeah, I'm moving."
---
The practice arena was filled with the murmur of students, voices overlapping in gossip and speculation. All sections of Fourth High were lined up in formation, the air buzzing with a mixture of anticipation, rivalry, and nervous energy.
Some students adjusted their CADs, others whispered theories about potential matchups in the upcoming Imperial Duel.
Standing near the front of the formation, a group of students wearing armbands marked with the Student Council insignia stood stoic and disciplined, their sailor hats neatly placed atop their heads. They were members of the Disciplinary Committee, their presence serving as a reminder of order and control.
Behind them, another distinct group stood apart—the student soldiers. Though they still wore school uniforms, their attire was different in one crucial way—each of them donned a salakot, a traditional military-style helmet, symbolizing their status as combat-ready cadets.
Their posture was rigid, disciplined, exuding an aura of trained professionalism. These weren't just students preparing for a school event—they were future soldiers of the empire, and for them, the Imperial Duel was more than a tradition—it was a proving ground.
Sallie stood somewhere in the middle, his hands stuffed in his pockets, eyes half-lidded with boredom.
"Ugh… all this standing around. If they're going to make us do this, they could at least speed it up."
Celeste, standing beside him, gave him a sharp nudge.
"Onii-sama, stop complaining. This is the most important event of the year."
Angela, standing on Celeste's other side, grinned, looking around at the sheer scale of the gathering.
"Gotta admit, though… seeing everyone here at once makes it feel huge."
Sallie sighed, rolling his shoulders. "Yeah, yeah. Huge, important, whatever. Let's just get this over with."
Before Celeste could scold him again, a hush spread over the arena, followed by the sharp sound of marching footsteps.
The principal had arrived.
All conversation died instantly as every student straightened, eyes turning toward the stage, where the official announcement would soon begin.
As the marching footsteps ceased, the principal stepped onto the elevated stage, a figure of authority and discipline. Their uniform was pristine, adorned with the insignia of the Imperial Education Department, signifying their role not just as an academic head, but as a key figure in shaping the future soldiers of the empire.
The discussions and whispers among the students faded, leaving only the quiet hum of the practice arena's magical interface systems in the background.
With hands behind their back, the principal surveyed the gathered students, their gaze sharp yet filled with pride. Then, they spoke—their voice steady, authoritative, and unmistakably imperial.
"The Imperial Duel is more than just competition. It is our culture. Our legacy. Our duty."
A brief silence followed, the weight of their words settling over the students.
"For decades, we have honed our strength through combat, through discipline, through trials that forge the finest magicians and warriors of the empire. This event is not merely about victory—it is about proving one's worth. It is about demonstrating to the world what it means to be a part of the Imperial Federal Republic."
Several students nodded in silent agreement, standing even straighter as if to embody the imperial image the principal spoke of.
Sallie, however, remained unmoved, his arms still lazily crossed, his expression unchanged. He had heard speeches like this a dozen times before—it was always the same.
"This duel is not just for sport—it is a stage where we shape the finest combatants who will one day expand the reach of our empire. Many before you have fought in this arena, and many have gone on to become the very magicians leading our great conquests today."
The mention of past champions now serving in the military made some students stiffen, their focus sharpening. This wasn't just about school prestige—it was a stepping stone to the front lines of the empire's wars.
"Every school within the National Magic University System participates, and each year, we demonstrate to the world that our students are the strongest, the most capable, the most disciplined."
"This is what defines you as students of the empire."
Sallie inwardly sighed, resisting the urge to yawn.
"Blah, blah, blah. Empire this, legacy that. We get it."
Celeste, standing beside him, shot him a quick glare, as if sensing his lack of enthusiasm.
Angela, meanwhile, leaned slightly toward Celeste, whispering under her breath.
"I swear, they make it sound like we're being prepped for the battlefield instead of a school tournament."
"Tonight, the preparations begin. Your duel pairings will be announced, and you will train, refine, and prove yourselves worthy of representing this institution. This is your chance to prove you belong among the best."
The principal remained on stage, waiting for the murmuring among the students to settle before continuing. The large holographic screens above the practice arena shifted, now displaying a structured bracket format, detailing the Imperial Duel's qualification process.
The principal raised a hand, ensuring every student was paying attention.
"Now that the stage has been set, let me explain how this year's Imperial Duel will proceed."
The screen updated, now showcasing the breakdown of the qualification process.
Phase 1 – Internal School Pairings (2v2 Matches)
"Each class will first hold internal 2v2 duels, where students will be paired up based on combat compatibility, skill level, and performance in past examinations. Your first task is to defeat your classmates and emerge as the top-ranked pair within your section."
Sallie let out a slow exhale, his hands still in his pockets.
"So basically, I gotta beat up some people I already see every day. Easy."
Celeste nudged him before he could get too relaxed. "You do realize that if you don't win, you get eliminated immediately, right?"
Angela chuckled, shaking her head. "Yeah, Sallie, imagine if you lost first round. That'd be hilarious."
Sallie rolled his eyes, unimpressed. "Yeah, yeah. Not happening."
The principal continued, ignoring the low murmurs among the crowd.
Phase 2 – Inter-Class Battles
"Once the top pairs from each section have been determined, they will face off against students from other sections within Fourth High. This will further determine which teams are truly worthy of representing our school in the next stage."
Some students glanced around, already sizing up potential rivals from other classes.
"If I have to fight those guys in Class 2, this is gonna be brutal. We better hope our pairings aren't mismatched."
Sallie tilted his head slightly, unimpressed.
"Alright, so beat our classmates, then beat some other random students. Got it."
The screen updated once more, showing the real challenge ahead.
Phase 3 – Inter-School Qualifiers (Against Other Magic University Schools)
"The final 16 pairs from Fourth High will advance to the National Magic University Affiliated School Tournament, where they will compete against other schools, including the Military Academy."
A wave of murmurs rippled through the students.
Sallie's expression shifted slightly, his usual laziness momentarily interrupted.
"Wait—against the military academy? You're telling me we have to fight soldiers?"
Celeste nodded, adjusting her glasses. "Of course. The empire considers them equals to us, if not superior."
Angela whistled, glancing up at the screen. "Oh man, I bet those guys don't hold back."
Sallie scratched his head, a small smirk creeping in. "Well, at least they're giving me a reason to try now."
Celeste sighed, ignoring his antics, as the principal moved on to the final stage.
Phase 4 – Imperial Sea Games Selection
"The top-performing magicians from the inter-school qualifiers will receive the ultimate honor—the chance to represent the empire in the Imperial Sea Games. Only the strongest from each school will be chosen for this final stage, where they will compete against the best magicians from across the IFRP."
For a moment, the practice arena was silent, students processing the gravity of the event.
The Imperial Sea Games weren't just a tournament—they were a showcase of power. Those who excelled weren't just given glory and recognition—they were often fast-tracked into elite military divisions, handpicked to serve the imperial war effort.
Sallie exhaled, shaking his head.
"Tch. So if I win too much, I get drafted? Sounds like a punishment."
Celeste gave him a look, clearly expecting that response.
"You could always lose on purpose—but then you lose everything else, remember?"
Sallie clicked his tongue, muttering. "Damn it. They really forced my hand on this one."
Angela grinned, nudging Celeste. "I think he secretly likes the challenge."
Celeste smirked slightly, watching as the holographic displays faded. "We'll see soon enough."
The principal gave one final look across the arena, before stepping back.
"Your pairings and duel schedules will now be displayed. Prepare accordingly."
With that, the students turned toward the screens, the energy shifting from anticipation to focused determination.
As the crowds gathered around the holographic screens, checking their pairings and schedules, the energy in the practice arena remained focused on competition. But even with the intensity of the Imperial Duel and the prestige of the Imperial Southeast Asia Games, there was an undeniable truth lingering beneath it all—this wasn't the endgame.
He watched the rankings flash across the screens, students whispering about who they'd have to face, who the favorites to win were, and who would make it to the national stage.
He could already hear some of the more ambitious students talking about how the best performers would get priority selection for the Japan invasion force.
"I heard the military scouts the winners directly."
"Yeah, the empire's got a list of 'high-value candidates'—if you stand out, you're on it."
"Imagine being chosen for the first wave… that's historic."
"Japan's just another hurdle. The empire already crushed ASEAN—it's only a matter of time."
Sallie exhaled sharply, hands still in his pockets, watching the way his classmates spoke about war like it was just another extension of competition.
"Of course. No matter how much they frame this as tradition, it's all leading to the same place."
Celeste glanced at him, reading his expression.
"Onii-sama… you already knew this, didn't you?"
Sallie shrugged lazily, his voice dry. "Yeah, but that doesn't make it any less annoying."
Angela, standing beside them, folded her arms.
"Well, that's the empire for you. They don't waste talent."
Sallie snorted, shaking his head.
"Yeah, well, they're about to waste a lot of good players if they think Japan's gonna roll over like ASEAN did."
Celeste adjusted her glasses, her sharp mind already processing the implications.
"Do you think Japan is stronger?"
Sallie tilted his head, thinking, before replying in a tone of certainty. "No Strategic-Class Magician, no chance."
Angela let out a low whistle, rubbing her chin. "So basically, you think Japan's magic power is overhyped?"
Sallie grinned lazily, but his voice carried an edge of realism.
"I think people are underestimating how much of a numbers game this is. Doesn't matter how 'skilled' their magicians are—without overwhelming firepower, they can't win."
Celeste remained silent, thinking about his words.
"Then, Onii-sama, what would make this war difficult?"
Sallie's grin faded slightly, his tone turning more serious.
"If they actually had a magician on the level of Gabriella Aurelia Mendez."
Angela narrowed her eyes, glancing at Celeste. "You think Japan has someone like her?
Sallie shrugged, looking toward the sky above the practice arena, as if searching for an answer he already knew.
"If they did… we'd already know their name by now."
The holographic displays continued updating, but in the background of all the tournament excitement, the reality remained unchanged.
Even if they won the Imperial Duel, even if they became champions of the Imperial Southeast Asia Games—
Just as the students were about to begin choosing their duel partners, the principal's communicator buzzed, its sharp chime cutting through the murmuring crowd.
A direct call from one of the Imperial Family Households.
The principal hesitated for only a moment before picking up the line.
"This is Principal A—"
Before he could finish, whatever he heard on the other end made his expression freeze.
His eyes widened, his posture stiffening, his hand gripping the device tighter as he processed the information. A single nod followed, his voice suddenly composed but forced.
"Understood."
The call ended abruptly, and for a brief second, the principal simply stood there, as if piecing together what had just been handed to him.
Then, without hesitation, he stepped forward to the announcement podium, his voice booming through the arena speakers.
"Attention, all students. The administration will now assign your duel pairings instead of allowing self-selection."
A wave of confusion rippled through the students.
"Wait, what? We don't get to pick?"
"Why would they change it last minute?"
"This isn't normal—what's going on?"
Sallie, who had been leaning lazily against the railing, barely reacted. He simply raised an eyebrow.
"Huh. Guess someone up top wanted to shake things up."
Celeste, however, wasn't as indifferent. "This isn't standard procedure… Something's wrong."
Angela crossed her arms, also picking up on the strangeness of the situation.
"I don't like the sound of this. Someone from the Imperial Households made this decision, right? That means they're handpicking the teams."
Before they could speculate further, the principal continued, the arena screens flashing with new duel pairings.
"For Section A, the assigned pair is… Sallie Mae Salcedo and Celeste Marie Salcedo."
A beat of silence followed.
Then—
"WHAT?!"
Celeste snapped her head toward the stage, eyes twitching in disbelief.
Sallie, meanwhile, simply grinned lazily, stuffing his hands into his pockets.
"Welp. Guess we're stuck together, sis."
Celeste turned toward him, her expression filled with frustration.
"This has to be a mistake. There's no way they paired us together on purpose!"
Angela, equally shocked, tilted her head.
"I mean, it makes some sense—you two are strong, but still… pairing siblings? That's rare, right?"
Celeste gritted her teeth, trying to piece together the reasoning behind this decision.
"This isn't just rare—this is intentional. Someone specifically chose us for this."
Sallie, on the other hand, couldn't care less, already accepting reality.
"Eh, works for me. I don't have to deal with some random tryhard who takes this duel too seriously."
Celeste facepalmed, frustrated beyond words. "You're part of the problem, Onii-sama."
Sallie shrugged, looking up at the stage where the principal was still reading off other pairings.
"Relax. Just think of it this way—if we lose, at least we go down as a family."
Celeste's eye twitched harder.
"That is not helping."
Angela chuckled, clearly enjoying the drama.
"Well, one thing's for sure—this is gonna be interesting."
Sallie stretched his arms, completely unbothered.
"Yep. Now, let's go see who we're gonna be up against."
Celeste let out a deep sigh, knowing that there was no way out of this now. "I swear, if we lose because of you, Onii-sama…"
After finalizing Sallie and Celeste's pairing, the principal stepped back, adjusting his stance before making another announcement.
"The remaining students are now permitted to select their own partners. Choose wisely—your performance in this duel will reflect on your standing within the empire."
A wave of movement spread across the practice arena, students immediately turning to one another, locking in their choices. The buzz of conversation filled the air as students discussed strategies, strengths, and possible matchups.
But as this happened, another topic started surfacing within the murmuring crowd.
"Did you hear? Someone from the Imperial Households personally arranged that pairing."
"Yeah, why them? Why the Salcedo siblings?"
"What does the Imperial Family want with them?"
Sallie, still standing unbothered, stuffed his hands into his pockets as the murmurs became louder. He could feel several eyes shifting toward him and Celeste, speculating, whispering, analyzing.
Celeste, however, was still too frustrated to care about the gossip. She crossed her arms tightly, glaring at her brother.
"I'm still mad about this, Onii-sama."
Angela, who had just finished securing her own partner, grinned as she approached them again.
"Oh, trust me, Celeste—you two are the hottest topic in this arena right now."
Celeste blinked, then finally noticed the way some students were glancing at them, discussing their pairing in hushed voices.
"Wait… they're actually making this a big deal?"
Angela chuckled, gesturing toward one of the gossiping groups.
"Of course they are. Someone from the Imperial Households literally made a direct call to the principal just to pair you two together. That's not normal."
Sallie finally let out a lazy sigh, tilting his head.
"Yep. Definitely not normal. But hey, I don't mind being famous."
Celeste groaned, rubbing her temples.
"Onii-sama, this is serious. Why would they care about us? We're strong, but we're not exactly the empire's top priority."
Angela's expression shifted slightly, her usual playful tone replaced with mild curiosity.
"Unless… they want to see how you two perform together. Maybe as a test for something bigger?"
Sallie raised an eyebrow, his usual laid-back demeanor unchanged.
"Oh, great. Now we're part of some imperial science experiment."
Angela laughed. "Or maybe they just want to see if you two can actually work together without killing each other."
Celeste sighed deeply, still unsettled.
She didn't like this. The Imperial Family didn't randomly interfere in school affairs. If they were involved, it meant there was a reason behind it.
"We'll find out eventually," she muttered, adjusting her glasses.
Sallie grinned, stretching lazily. "Until then, let's just put on a good show."
As the last pairings were finalized, the principal stepped forward once again, their voice cutting through the arena's lingering murmurs.
"With your partners selected, the stage is now set."
The holographic displays above adjusted, now showcasing the full bracket lineup, revealing who would be facing who in the first round.
The students straightened, some whispering excitedly, others nervously glancing at the names flashing on the screen.
The principal's expression remained firm and unwavering, radiating the imperial discipline expected of them.
"This duel is not just a test of skill—it is a symbol of our unity, our strength, and our unwavering commitment to the empire. Each battle fought here reflects the power that has made the Imperial Federal Republic of the Philippines unstoppable."
A wave of approval rippled through the crowd, some students even clenching their fists in pride, fueled by the principal's words.
Sallie, meanwhile, suppressed a yawn, only half-listening.
"Empire this, empire that. We get it already."
Celeste, standing beside him, remained composed, though her eyes still held traces of suspicion from the earlier pairing decision.
"Tonight marks the beginning of the Imperial Duel, where you will prove your worth—not just as students, but as future magicians of the empire. Fight with honor, with strength, and with the knowledge that you represent the might of our nation."
The students gave nods of acknowledgment, some visibly fired up, others keeping their expressions unreadable.
Then, the principal concluded with a sharp nod, giving the final directive.
"The first round begins in the Combat Simulation Rooms. All students, proceed to your designated training stations and prepare. Your battle awaits."
With that, the crowd broke into motion, students moving toward their assigned areas, some already discussing strategies with their partners, others heading toward the simulation room entrances.
As the arena began to empty, Angela Castillo lingered by the Salcedo siblings, her usual cheerful smirk present.
"Welp, looks like this is it. Guess we won't see each other again until the matches start."
Celeste adjusted her glasses, giving Angela a confident nod.
"You better not lose before we get a chance to fight."
Angela grinned, crossing her arms.
"Oh please, Celeste. If anything, you two better keep up."
She then turned to Sallie, tilting her head slightly with amusement.
"And you—try not to sleep through your match, yeah?"
Sallie grinned lazily, waving a hand dismissively.
"No promises."
Angela chuckled, turning to walk off toward the simulation rooms, but not before tossing them one last remark.
"Good luck, you two. You're gonna need it."
And with that, she disappeared into the crowd of students, leaving the Salcedo siblings standing in place, their own first battle drawing near.
Sallie exhaled deeply, stretching his arms behind his head.
"Well, guess we better get moving, huh?"
Celeste sighed, already preparing herself mentally. "I swear, Onii-sama, if you don't take this seriously—"
"Relax, relax. I got this."