Just as I'd smoothly defeated Lena, my mind full of the promised feast and completely off guard, a strange wind magic suddenly blew me away. I slammed hard into the wooden post behind me.

A little girl, slightly taller than me, pointed her sword arrogantly and taunted me.

Ow, that really hurt—not as bad as a giant bear swatting me, but seriously, blond brat, is it okay to casually use such dangerous magic? An ordinary girl would be bedridden for a week after that.

Still, how could I refuse a fight that came knocking? An eye for an eye is one of my principles. Let me teach you, weird little brat, what respect for elders means.

I grabbed my wooden sword and charged, unleashing the merciless "Eight-Hit Mother Rabbit Ambush Combo." My opponent, hindered by her ridiculously lavish dress, fumbled to block my strikes.

Her defense cracked on the seventh hit. I seized the chance to smack her twice, then sidestepped and kicked her stomach hard enough to send her flying skyward.

But this blond brat proved more capable than a wild rabbit. Mid-air, she muttered incantations, using the same wind magic to adjust her balance and land gracefully.

Tch, not bad—that weird spell. Honestly, my first time seeing human magic. So it really needs chanting? So chuunibyou. Yet somehow, I grasped its principle—it felt like precise mana manipulation, unlike my flint-fire tricks. Like different programming languages, I guess.

"Not bad, Crimson-Eyed Wild Rabbit," the blond miss said pretentiously, waving her wooden sword. "Your beastly, tasteless fighting style."

"Show off that magic again, little magician," I shot back. Out of the corner of my eye, Lem moved to stop us. I’d gotten my revenge—we were even—but I couldn’t lose face.

Lem’s mediation was halted by a woman in a cosplay-like maid outfit. She wore white hair accessories, her dark brown hair tied in twin tails with purple ribbons. Her gothic maid dress had an outrageously tight corset, a tiny apron bow on her slender waist, and a daringly low-cut chest design. Though it covered her modest yet alluring bust and a scarf hid her neck, it radiated indescribable allure. The shortened skirt resembled a mini-skirt, paired with white thigh-high stockings and fluffy gloves—an even wilder look than the blond brat’s.

The maid had quietly carried the fallen Lena to Lem’s side while I fought. "Long time no see, senior Lem!" she greeted cheerfully. "This must be little Lena you mention at the academy!" She gently set Lena down.

"Aren’t you Elaina, the noble lady from lower grades?" Lem asked, squinting as if unsure.

"Ah, you remember me."

"But didn’t you get engaged to the kingdom’s strongest and drop out?"

Her smile vanished. "A nasty breach happened. I’m Miss Yulia’s maid now."

"Ah, I see," Lem laughed awkwardly. "We should stop them—your young lady might get hurt by Alice."

Elaine Maid objected. "Sparring with a peer is essential for Miss Yulia’s growth. Besides, it’s your silver-haired girl who’ll get hurt."

"Huh. Years later, your outfit’s still exaggerated, and your arrogance unchanged. Care to bet on it?"

"You’re the humorous one, senior Lem. I’ll play along." Elaina pulled a ring from her pocket. "A custom magic tool with three circuits—worth something. I’ll bet this."

"Confident! I’ll wager these Fire Bear crystals!" Lem declared, using my hunt spoils without asking. He cheered, "Alice, beat her into a pulp!"

I sighed at him. Of course I knew—I’d lose my entire livelihood. No spare underwear if I failed. I turned, raising my wooden sword seriously.

Seriously, I planned to end this fast. How did it come to this? I pointed my sword at chanting Yulia and silently complained.