After the fourth day of the tournament officially ended Zoemi was approached by the cheery Ehmi who approached him all bouncy and excited.

”…”

The black-haired boy furrowed his brows and tilted his head deep in thoughts.

Although he started to forgive Grazio for what he did to him and almost did to Miriette when they were children, it did not mean that all of his aversion was gone and he wanted to spend his free time with him – especially in a situation involving combat.

…even the training…

The black-haired boy already made the red-haired capture target say the official tsundere line, but getting rid of all the hatred accumulated over the years required something more than just getting him embarrassed a bit.

”Oh, come on, please? Would you do it for me? Miri isn’t here so you don’t have to hold back for her sake~!”

”…”

Ehmi pointed out and her smile was straight up beaming – but that did not affect the black-haired boy.

|…I was trying not to think about it…|

Zoemi sighed internally, doing his best to not roll his eyes at the crimson-haired girl.

She had to get back to the Academy because of some assignment, right? Isn’t it okay anyway – she will be back tomorrow, just in time to see you win another duel!

|Hey – it’s not like I am grumpy because she had something to do – I am feeling just a bit sad that she is gone right when we would have some time to spend together without being overly suspicious…|

Ludier’s shadow pointed out, trying to cheer up his host – but Zoemi felt that he was thinking too hard about the situation.

Ah, trying to act as mature as she, aren’t you? It’s okay, kid – most of the time girls are the more mature ones.

It wasn’t like the Ludier’s shadow wanted to get Zoemi down – he was supporting his host from the sidelines properly.

”You are overestimating the lengths I’ll go for you.”

”…!”

The black-haired boy shrugged his shoulders and answered Ehmi’s question without a shred of empathy.

”Aww – that line would work only if you didn’t agree to protect me from getting married off to some random stranger~”

Still – that was not enough to dampen the crimson-haired girl’s mood, as she instantly shrugged off Zoemi’s shrugging off…

The black-haired boy made a bitter expression and glared at her in silence.

|That’s how it looks for the outsiders? They think I am protecting her because I want her for myself or something?|

Zoemi sighed internally without breaking eye contact with the crimson-haired girl.

That’s how she made it sound like. So, you’re going to refuse, right?

Ludier’s shadow scoffed sounding almost as annoyed as Zoemi was feeling.

|Yeah – I would like that… but making enemies out of our current allies does not feel like a smart choice…|

Hmm… true.

Zoemi stopped himself from clicking his tongue in annoyance while Ludier’s shadow sighed.

”Oh, come on~, please? You will see how easy and fun it is to tease him! He really is cute when you get to know him better!”

The crimson-haired girl approached the black-haired oy and grabbed his hand, tilting her head while making a cute expression herself.

”…fine… But I bet it’s not as fun to tease him as you suggest…”

Zoemi couldn’t stop himself from rolling his eyes this time but ended up agreeing – after all, training was one of the actual reasons for him participating in the tournament…

——-

It was already getting dark but the training ground in the back of the Victureo’s mansion was still occupied by a very engaged pair…

”Ghhh…!”

A black-haired boy forced the red-haired boy down to the ground making the pinned one let out a short gasp all while smiling diabolically.

”Then how about this? Huh? Think sir Grazio, how will you escape from this?”

Zoemi whispered in Grazio’s ear while wrapped around the red-haired boy like a snake strangling its prey.

”I…! I won’t give in…!”

Grazio gasped, his breath was extremely heavy, unable to free himself he pointlessly struggled but there was seemingly no escape from Zoemi’s grasp.

”That is not what I am asking for~! What move? What spell? Squirming will get you nowhere~!”

The black-haired boy’s diabolical smile grew into a demonic grin as he chuckled over his opponent.

”Lord B-Banemor, please…!”

Grazio tried to struggle, but even though Zoemi was restricting the power of his enchantments to the exact same level as the red-haired boy’s, the red-haired capture target could only groan pitifully and squirm.

”Tsk, tsk, tsk… going from resistance straight into begging? That won’t do ~”

Fro someone who claimed that this will not be fun at all, you are having a whole lot of fun, kid.

Zoemi clicked his tongue and straightened his grip, making it slightly harder to breathe for Grazio – which prompted Ludier’s shadow to comment pointing out the obvious.

|Maybe. Can you blame me though? For a successful alliance I need to get all the hatred out of my system – and seeing the guy I formerly hated the most in the world utterly helpless is certainly working out for me.|

The black-haired boy responded without batting an eye.

Just don’t kill him.

|My only worry is that he will start liking it mid-way.|

The unique shadow sighed, making Zoemi chuckle back.

”I…! I give up…!”

Grazio gasped, attempting to tap out of the training session, but there were no stops on this ride…

”Nah, I believe in you~! Struggle and fight back! I’m doing this for your own good, you know?”

|Hmmm….|

I… I know what you are thinking, kid… You have no shame.

For a moment Zoemi hesitated whether he should bite Grazio’s ear or not, but in the end, Ludier’s shadow turned out to be a voice of reason…

”Fuuuuu~”

…so the black-haired boy only gets closer and breathed lovingly into the red-haired boy’s ear…

”Stoooop iiiiiitttttt!”

Making the crimson-faced Grazio cry out pitifully while struggling really hard.

”That’s more like it! Fight back, no one likes a dead fish as their partner!”

Kid – you mean a training partner, right? RIGHT?!

Zoemi snickered, causing Ludier’s shadow to ask in a worried voice, asking a question he did not receive an answer to.

”Hmm… now that I think about it, our training session doesn’t have enough stakes to really put you at the edge to reach your true potential…”

Zoemi giggled cheerfully leaning his head to the side so Zoemi could see him properly, feeling his victim tens up with worry.

”Wh-what..? What does that suppose to mean…?”

Grazio trembled and his eyes shook from terror because of the look in Zoemi’s eyes.

”Oh, you know… A punishment game for both of us…”

Zoemi’s smile became more sinister… even though Grazio thought that it should not be possible…

”W-what p-punishmenth- GHHH…?!”

The red-haired boy asked before getting choked a bit harder.

”Oh, you know…”

Zoemi hummed playfully…

”For me, it would be something like granting you one wish, if it’s in my power… Whatever you want. I will even concede my territory and title IF you manage to win.”

The black-haired boy laughed but Grazio didn’t find it funny – and not only because he was unable to move – instead he started sweating buckets – if that was what Zoemi was putting on the line then what could equal it…?!