Chapter 45 – The World of Divine Children

“Whew, I really thought Her Highness Felicia might mess up there,” John muttered, wiping imaginary sweat. “But yeah, no surprises from a Zorsha-family Divine Princess. That physical resistance is unreal.”

“…You really didn’t see it?” I asked.

“Huh? See what? What are you talking about?”

“Nothing.” I shook my head and tightened my grip on the Golden Chalice Butterfly.

Perhaps only Felicia on the field and I understood—that had nothing to do with her physical resistance.

Bryn was a Divine Princess himself. Did he not know the Zorsha family’s Domain specialized in physical defense?

Of course he knew. Yet he still went with a physical attack, confident that his own Domain and its fivefold backstab multiplier would turn the tide—or at least cause some serious damage.

What he didn’t expect was for Felicia to come out of it entirely unscathed—not even staggered. That one strike had been like stabbing a mountain with a toothpick: nothing happened.

But the rest of the audience didn’t know any better. They all assumed Felicia had simply tanked it with her maxed-out physical resistance. In truth, it wasn’t the resistance—it was her Domain effect that nullified the blow.

To be fair, Bryn wasn’t weak. His thinking was sharp, and he could fight. His only crime was running into a cheat-level opponent.

So when I overheard people calling Bryn an idiot for daring to challenge the Whiteglass Armor with a physical strike, I could only laugh. If you put one of those keyboard warriors on the field, they’d probably get insta-backstabbed before they even saw Bryn coming.

Now I understood why a capable Divine Child was so essential to any team.

Take this match, for instance—most Divine Children couldn’t perceive the true mechanics behind Felicia’s Domain. They were just as in the dark as any casual spectator. Only I, and Felicia herself, understood what really happened.

“As expected—completely one-sided.”

“If it was so obvious, why’d you drag me here?” I shot John a look.

“Pfft, you think people come here just to watch fights? C’mon, nobody actually cares about combat.” John looked at me with contempt. “I’d bet money that eighty percent of the crowd has other reasons for being here—and we all know what those reasons are.”

As he said this, he sneaked a glance back at the glamorous figure still on the field.

Fair point. Coming to a battle dressed like that, it was more fanservice than actual competition.

And sure enough, just as Felicia—the silver-armored knight princess—gave a knight’s salute to her defeated opponent and left the field, a significant portion of the crowd also left their seats.

After all, the real draw was always the beautiful girl. Most folks came to see their idol. And once the “concert” was over, who’d stick around?

“Let’s go.”

John yawned and stood up, only to notice that I was still sitting there, motionless. “Weren’t you the one who kept whining about leaving? Now that it’s over, why’re you staying?”

“We’re already here,” I said evenly, tugging on his sleeve. “Might as well stay and watch.”

“You’re not seriously into this now, are you? I’m warning you—the next few matches are just a bunch of muscle heads punching each other.”

“That’s fine.”

Having just witnessed the true potential of my upgraded Divine Appraisal, I was eager to keep testing it.

“Ugh, what’s the fun in watching men fight? Girls’ fights are way more interesting.” John pouted.

“Let’s go. Astrid’s match is this afternoon anyw—OW!”

He yelped as I pinched a bit of his waist.

“Hey, what the hell, man? What are you, a woman now, going around pinching people?”

“Shut up.” I didn’t even look at him.

Unlike the first match’s total domination, the following bouts were more balanced. Cases like Felicia or Astrid were rare—most of the freshmen Divine Princesses were more or less evenly matched.

Bryn was probably the only one who left with emotional damage.

Despite being decently strong, he lost in such humiliating fashion that finding a team after this might be tough.

By noon, the morning matches were done. John and I were walking to the cafeteria.

“Astrid’s match is second in the afternoon session. Tch, Felicia and Astrid getting scheduled on the same day? Dude, I guarantee Felicia’s going to watch that match.”

“Why?”

I was still caught up thinking about Domain mechanics and didn’t really focus on what John was saying.

“I told you—Felicia’s head over heels for Astrid. She even wrote her a love letter. Everyone in school knows it.”

“Mm.” I nodded absently. “It’s true, most Domains don’t just offer raw resistance—they usually include one or more effects.”

“Wait, what? Divine Domains? What are you on about? Are we even having the same conversation?”

“Hm? …What were you just saying?”

“Dude, are you actually over her, or just pretending?” John looked at me like I was some kind of saint. “You really don’t care anymore?”

“I’m not making this up, right? You did have feelings for her.”

“The past is the past. Astrid and I were never going to happen.” My voice remained flat.

“Sure, the chances were slim, and letting go’s probably the smart move, but damn—you’re being a little too cool about it.”

“You almost got the Silver Moon Princess’s favor, you know? And she’s an Elf. If an Elf gives you her heart, that’s for life. No one can change that.”

“So what? You want me to throw myself on the floor in despair, wailing and gnashing my teeth? Would that be more ‘normal’ to you?”

“Er… fair point. It wouldn’t help either way.”

“Thanks for worrying about it more than I do.” I gave him a glare.

“Maybe focus your brainpower on what to eat for lunch instead.”

“You—ugh, forget it. Fine. Seeing you really have moved on… I guess that’s good.” John sighed, finally dropping the subject.

“Idiot.” I muttered. “Always getting worked up over pointless stuff.”

“Tch, all these names on the schedule except Astrid’s are total nobodies.”

“Oh? You’re going to watch the afternoon matches too?”

“Of course I am. That arena’s going to be packed. Felicia and Astrid—two of the academy’s brightest stars—both showing up? It’ll be a stampede.”

“Mm. You go. I’m not coming.”

“What? …Lame.”

John grumbled as he flipped through the match list again. “Another bunch of muscle heads… Wait, hold on.”

“Match Three: Irene vs. Teresa? Oh-ho, a girl fight!” John suddenly looked wide awake.

“Teresa… That name sounds kinda unfamiliar. Never heard of her. Must be a Divine Princess though. I wonder if she’s hot…”

Beside him, I stayed silent.

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