The Goddess Is Obsessed With Me

"What?"

A sharp gaze paired with an equally cutting voice. A voice expressing more than just displeasure, one of sheer disbelief, reached me.

Immediately, regret filled me at the hostile tone. But, trying to maintain composure, I mustered up the courage to face him.

"Who are you to intervene in Marika's affairs?"

I genuinely didn't know who he was, but the looming sense of identity intensified the tension.

"Hmm... Quite bold, aren't you? I can't tell if it's bravery... or sheer stupidity."

The male student looked down on me with clear disdain. The vast space fell silent, and soon most students paused their activities to turn their attention our way.

"Harold...!"

Marika seemed flustered by my actions and tried to intervene, but it seemed the situation was beyond salvage.

With a mocking smile and an air of provocation, he began, his voice resonating with authority throughout the area.

"I am Avram Ari Bion Constera, Marika's elder brother and the crown prince, first in line for the throne."

At this declaration, everyone seemed to shrink back, an indescribable aura of power emanating from him.

Crown prince...

I had sensed earlier that he was of higher status than Marika, but I hadn't expected him to be of such high stature. His arrogance now seemed grounded in this newfound information.

"I'm Harold Wicker, a first-year transfer student."

Given his royal status, it seemed only right to introduce myself with some formality. However...

"Heh..."

For some reason, Avram chuckled at my introduction, seemingly amused.

"Is that all?"

I couldn't discern what he meant by 'all'. His subtle laugh, followed by an intense glare, bore into me.

"You have the audacity to intervene in royal family matters, and yet, you're no member of the esteemed Ruby Aes family... It's astonishing, even considering the academy's rules."

The academy had regulations in place to prevent discrimination based on social standing, ensuring all students were treated equally.

"Why, as an outsider, are you intruding on a family matter?"

His voice, laden with displeasure, was directed at me, and honestly, I had no answer.

I had acted impulsively to protect Marika from a potentially harmful situation, without thinking logically. As a result, I couldn't counter even an obvious question.

"I'm an acquaintance of Marika's, and I couldn't overlook an unpleasant conversation involving her."

I tried to play down our relationship, merely mentioning our acquaintance, but...

"No matter the academy rules, to think she'd mingle with a commoner, one with faded blood..."

One phrase from his words triggered a suspicion in me.

The term 'faded blood'... what did he mean by that?

I remembered how Marika had introduced herself when we first met.

The future heir to the kingdom, the first follower...

From Avram's words, it seemed...

"Exactly as I said. Marika is considered weak, even by royal blood standards. She's a disappointment to the family and is the last in line for the throne."

It seemed she was treated as an inferior, even amongst her own kin.

"Huh..."

Though the revelation seemed true, Marika bit her lip, her eyes darting away, not meeting his.

Was Marika truly considered the weakest amongst the royalty?

But she had outperformed Aris, the top student in our year, during the power assessment...

"What do you mean? Marika herself introduced herself to me as the primary follower."

I pushed back, seeking clarity. While he seemed to acknowledge my point with a subtle nod, his opinion remained unchanged. "That's right. But she merely framed it in a way to say she's the eldest daughter... If you consider talent, she's pathetic, even falling behind her younger siblings."

Upon hearing this, Marika could no longer remain silent and exclaimed with a strong voice.

"I've changed since then, brother... I'm not the same as before; I've become much stronger."

Even though Marika's voice had hints of fear, she tried to assert herself. In response, Avram made an audacious proposal.

"Then how about competing with me right now? The loser gives up their right to the throne... How about it?"

It was clear to anyone that he was proposing this duel with the confidence of winning.

"?! "

Marika's eyes widened in shock, finding his proposal unfair.

"But... That's..."

Although I wasn’t sure how much stronger Marika had become, the difference in abilities between the last rank and the top rank must be vast. It was understandable why she hesitated to accept Avram's challenge.

"You said yourself that you've become stronger, didn't you? Surely, a princess of a country won't avoid responsibility for her own words?"

With a twisted logic, he cornered her, coercing her into a duel.

"Then defeat me, the top student of the entire academy. If you do, I promise to cede my position to you."

His arrogance was infuriating. He was already certain of his victory and saw this as an opportunity to eliminate his rival.

"But I..."

Marika's voice wavered more and more. Seemingly out of frustration, Avram changed his offer.

"Are you scared? In that case, fight against my second-in-command. Defeat my most trusted subordinate, and I'll let this go."

Perhaps reading Marika's expression, he snapped his fingers.

"Did you summon me, Your Highness?"

At his signal, a second-year student with a solemn voice appeared. Just by his presence, he exuded an aura that was no less intimidating than Avram's.

Avram, in what seemed like a gesture of mercy, changed the terms. But on closer inspection, this was even more devious. Making Marika fight his subordinate, essentially a lower-ranked individual, meant that regardless of the outcome, it would be a humiliation for her. If she lost, her reputation and honor would be tarnished. And even if she won, it would be a mere victory over a non-royal, which wouldn’t grant her much. Avoiding responsibility himself, Avram had set terms where Marika stood to lose everything.

"Uh..."

Whether Marika anticipated this or not, she hesitated to respond to the harsher terms.

"How will you proceed, Princess?"

"It seems the situation isn't good..."

Whispers of concern for Marika echoed around.

"But brother... Even though I said it, to duel with both you and your second-in-command..."

She mustered the strength to voice the unfairness, but...

"So, are you admitting defeat?"

At his words, Marika's newly found voice faded again.

"Even if she duels with Avram's subordinate, with a first-year's abilities, it's still challenging..."

"That person is the second-ranked student, senior Valen... and just like Marika, he majors in magic. It really is a duel of pure ability difference..." "It's such an unfair fight, but... considering the opponent..."

The other students recognized the unfairness of the situation posed to Marika. However, the person she was confronting was the crown prince. Probably the only one in this country who could challenge his decision was the king, so all the students could do was offer sympathetic glances.

"No, that's not it..."

From Marika's perspective, she was cornered with all paths of retreat closed off. There was no other option but to fight.

"I understand..."

Reluctantly, Marika nodded her agreement. It was painfully pitiable.

"Good, then Valen? Face Marika right now."

At Marika's reluctant acceptance, Avram, with a smirk that made it seem like everything was going according to his plan, ordered his second-in-command.

"As you command."

Valen, in a concise and serious tone, responded without hesitation and stepped into the dueling arena.

Following him, Marika, with heavy steps full of reluctance, slowly entered the dueling grounds.

A suppressed groan escaped her lips. The expression on her face, one I hadn't seen before, weighed heavily on my heart.

Looking at her face right now, one could tell she was desperately hoping for something - someone to intervene, someone to throw a lifeline in this situation.

"Wait a moment!"

Echoing through the silent expansive space was another voice.

"I'll stand as Marika's second and fight on her behalf."

Drawing everyone's attention, the person confidently raised a hand and declared with conviction.