Chapter 21:

There’s Something About Zoe

The Substitute Heroine Shouldn't Exist

The tournament had continued for a couple of days. Through several elimination rounds, the number of students contending for the title of hero gradually decreased until finally two remained.

The students' fate would be decided the next day.

“Cheers!”

Light streamed gently through one of the long windows in the dining room. The sun was casting its last rays of the day, bathing the scene in soft orange hues.

“I can’t believe it. We actually made it this far,” said the prince, taking a sip of his drink.

“We have to thank our Captain.”

Leif happily pointed to Charlotte.

“I've got to admit it, you’re not doing so badly,” Alysia agreed in her own way.

Charlotte just smiled, feeling a little bit embarrassed.

“Come on, guys, we have done it together.”

“No need to be humble, Miss Charlotte. I'm quite impressed by how you can remember the Magica our opponents use.”

“Well…” she paused for a second. “I like to remember others… Everyone deserves to be remembered.”

“I see, you’re truly a noble person.”

They had advanced with a confident stride through the tournament. Even though they weren't perfect, they were already able to work together. Almost every one of them felt confident.

“What’s wrong with you, Hufgens?” Alysia teased Zoe. “You haven’t said a word.”

Zoe didn’t answer. She was staring blankly at her drink.

“Are you ignoring me? I thought that a noble would have better manners.”

Alysia tried to provoke her again.

"Maybe I should attack Charlotte again..."

No response.

In an instant, everyone's eyes turned to her.

“Hufgens!” Alysia yelled at her.

“E-excuse me…what happened?”

The others turned around to each other.

When she realized everyone was looking at her, she quickly changed her expression and gave a slight smile.

“I apologize. I’m just nervous for tomorrow.”

“Is that really all, Miss Zoe?” Gerald questioned her.

“Yes.”

There was a long silence.

Zoe stood up abruptly.

“I'd b-better get ready for tomorrow. F-for tomorrow we’ll win,” she remarked with a long forced smile.

Charlotte watched as she ran out of the room. A memory tugged at her heart, and she immediately ran after her. She caught up with her in one of those long hallways.

“Zoe, what’s wrong?”

She didn’t say anything.

“Please, you can trust me.”

Zoe kept walking without looking back until Charlotte stopped her by taking one of her hands.

“Please…tell me.”

Her friend simply took a deep breath. She finally turned around and was now standing right in front of her.

“Everything is fine. Tomorrow… I’ll do my best,” she confidently said, with a smile on her face.

Charlotte felt a twinge in her chest because her friend didn't even look her in the eye, and without saying another word, she watched her walk away down the hallways.

Back in her room, she couldn't stop tossing and turning in bed. Her mind kept wandering back to her friend. At one point, she tried to let out what she was feeling inside.

“Hey, Bastion, are you awake?”

No one answered.

“Oh, that's right…”

The day was clear, and the sun was beating down directly on the stadium, illuminating it and filling it with scorching heat. The sky was filled with colors, and the packed stadium roared at the top of its lungs.

“Welcome to the grand finals of the tournament,” the principal announced. “Today is an unforgettable day.”

Charlotte was standing with her team in one of the tunnels leading to the platform. She was jumping up and down to calm her nerves. She was trying to concentrate, but her mind kept thinking about Zoe’s behaviour.

“Let’s give a big round of applause to the group of the Miracles Academy!”

The audience burst into applause.

“And now, let’s receive the local group from the Blueroses Academy!”

The reception was mixed. Many people applauded Arthur. Others booed Charlotte, though there were fewer of them than on the first day.

Both groups climbed onto the platform. They stood facing each other. Charlotte quickly assessed each one.

“A paladin, or is that a mage? I suppose that’s an armor knight…the others looked…pretty normal.”

Her thoughts were interrupted by the principal.

“Remember that the winner will have the honor of becoming the heroes, guardians, and protectors of this world.” He paused. “Good luck, and may the best candidates win!”

Both teams took their places at opposite ends of the platform, each in a different formation.

“Start!”

“Let’s do as—”

Before Charlotte could finish, a Sphere of Fire Magica was hurled at them.

Alysia could barely counter it with a Magica Water Sphere.

“Sorry about that. We thought you were ready,” said a young man from the other party.

He stood there with his arms crossed and a cynical smile on his face.

“G-Gerald, we’ll protect them.”

“Understood!”

“Zoe…two cards as always.”

She didn’t answer.

“Zoe…?”

“O-on it.”

Alysia started charging her Magica Spell.

“Pure Magica—”

A knight in armor charged toward them, brandishing a long sword.

Charlotte and her group were forced to dodge the attack, scattering.

“Do you think we’re playing chess and we’ll let you play your attack?”

The same student made fun of them.

Without giving them a moment to catch their breath, a barrage of Fire Spheres swept in to attack them.

Charlotte was able to sprout root barriers to protect everyone.

“One for each!”

The knight was heading straight for the prince, but Gerald cut him off.

Gerald tried to keep his distance while firing, but the knight followed him very closely.

In a split second, everyone had someone on top of them.

“What should we do, Charlotte?”

“I-I…”

Her mind went completely blank. She was under the attacks of Air Magica, which went through her root walls.

During one of her attacks, she was sent flying by a whirlwind.

Lying on the ground, she caught a glimpse of one of her opponents in the background. His eyes were closed, and he was standing completely apart from the others.

“Never leave a teammate alone.”

For a second, she saw a glimmer of hope.

“I have something,” Charlotte yelled.

“What is it, Captain?”

Charlotte kept dodging the attacks, though clumsily.

“Zoe, two cards.”

There was no response.

“Alysia, I need you to use a quicker Magica!”

“I’ll try it.”

“Gerald, let’s change!”

“Understood.”

“Leif, big, big, big distraction.”

“Yes, Captain!”

Leif scattered his glittering dust all over the arena.

“Mirage Magica. Lure!”

In a split second, the dust turned into a huge red dragon.

All the rivals turned their gaze toward the illusion.

“Arthur, to the background.”

Arthur noticed the lone member and rushed toward him.

The rival who had mocked him earlier was still following him.

“The dragon is not real!” he screamed. “Protect Dean!”

The others turned their attention back to their teammate.

“Gerald to the left, Alysia to the right.”

Her teammates followed the instructions.

“Pure Aqua Magica. Snake!”

“Electric Magica. Thunder.”

Both launched an attack on the opponent down the flanks.

Arthur was about to strike with his sword.

The opposing team barely managed to deflect the attacks.

Arthur's sword clashed with the mocking young man's carbon sword.

The rival team was forced to huddle together.

Without realizing it, many roots sprouted from the ground, immobilizing their legs.

“Zoe, the cards!”

Without hesitation, she pulled out her pocket watch, and the hands began to move clockwise.

“Arthur, Alysia, prepare now!”

“Pure Aqua Magica. Upside rain.”

“Pure Light Magica. Divine Sword.”

Although they tried to get rid of the roots, they found it impossible.

“Zoe now!”

Her pocket watch dispensed two cards and tossed them to her teammates.

As soon as they received them, both began to glow purple.

“Now!”

Alysia fell to the ground, and her spell faded away.

The prince, already running toward his opponents, collapsed.

“W-what?”

Unable to take it anymore, Charlotte let go of the roots and fell to the ground.

Without waiting just a second, their opponents broke free.

Before he could react, Gerald was struck by the knight's sword, which sent him crashing into the arena wall.

Meanwhile, a whirlwind swept Leif up, hurling him into the air and slamming him into the ground.

“It’s over. The Miracles students are the new heroes!”

The stadium erupted in celebration.

Charlotte scanned the arena. Zoe was the only one who was conscious, slumped over on her knees.