After everyone finished the Preliminary match and we were all given our test results, those that didn’t place top 50 were sent packing, and the remaining attendees were given a bit of time to wander around the Palace freely to unwind a bit. This was basically what you would call break time, but it also allowed for the losers to have enough time to leave before the next match started tomorrow morning.

Apparently, the second match is a Joint Operation type deal. Basically, it’s an escape room where we all have to find a way out of the room we’ll be placed in. This is done to test each participant’s willingness to cooperate with their peers. Since the world of science requires a lot of working together, you really won’t make it far in that field if you just do everything alone. This was a bitter pill to swallow for me, but I’ve since learned to accept the help of others.

If anything, I’m more worried about the others. That Silvia girl is seriously annoying, and I definitely think she’ll try something sly or just be an overall pain in the ass. Well, whatever she does can’t be that detrimental to the event, because here if we don’t make it out in time, we all fail. Literally, the entire Mobius Awards end prematurely and everyone is sent home. How embarrassing, let’s try and not let that happen. For the good of not only me, but the other 99 participants as well…

Just then, I noticed Silvia standing right around the corner. She was badmouthing Lune and Cecily to some other participants. Petty of her, but I don’t really care. She was telling them about how Lune cheated on Cecily with “Some other tramp”, and that the only reason he’s back with her is because his new girl died of mysterious causes. It certainly incriminates him, the way she phrased it, but in a way I could call this cosmic karma on his end. Actually, I think he deserves at least a bit of judgment from the other people around him. Infidelity isn’t something he should be brushing off, and the fact that Cecily is allowing him to do so is only making things worse.

“So what’s this about, Silvia?” The other attendees asked.

“Listen to this. I did some digging around and found out some interesting things about that suspicious couple’s past.” Silvia said, “Apparently, that Lune guy is actually the Famed Inventor!”

“The Famed Inventor Sol!?”

“Yeah, and as you know, the Famed Inventor is actually married to a maid from the Grys Royal Family.”

”Well yeah, but that Cecily already said that he cheated on her with the maid. That’s common knowledge.”

“But did you know why exactly that maid isn’t with him right now?” Silvia asked, “Surely, as his new lover, she’d follow him to here, no?”

“Weren’t there talks of her being pregnant? Surely she couldn’t handle taking care of a newborn and sailing the deadly seas all the way from Cardina to Abyssus Solis, right?”

“Wrong!” Silvia interrupted them, “It’s because she’s dead! Mariabelle Pandora is dead! And I have reason to believe that Lune is the one that killed her!”

“…Come on, Silvia, we know you’re mad about not getting first place and all, but don’t you think you’re reaching a bit much with this claim of yours?”

“Shut up and listen!” She yelled, “Think about it! They were both super happy according to eye-witness reports during their period of being newlyweds. Then they went to their honeymoon on a secluded island where no one would be able to hear her scream, and then BAM – She’s suddenly dead.”

“That’s… certainly odd, but I don’t see how this connects to the current set of events.”

“Ugh! Must I spell everything out for you imbeciles! He already had a lover prior to meeting Mariabelle Pandora, and he knew for a fact that she was waiting for him back home. Obviously, a man of such reputation would probably think that killing Miss Pandora would get overlooked, no? Just the fact that he’s allowed to walk freely just as we are is proof that his plan is working out flawlessly for now, but I can see right through his lies!”

“Whoa, that kind of makes sense, now that you think about it!”

What? No it doesn’t! Or wait, does it? Lune never did tell me how exactly his wife died, he would always say stuff like I don’t wanna talk about that day and It brings back bad memories. I still doubt he’s the one behind her death, though, since he would always talk of her with a warm smile on his face. Surely, he cared deeply for Marina. Although, why did Silvia call her Mariabelle just now? Eh, probably a mistake in her research…

I think he should at least own up to the fact that he messed up, personally. It’s a bad idea to just not care about cheating on your lover, especially if he and Cecily share such a special relationship. Y’know what? I’m gonna let Silvia talk, not because I hate Lune or anything like that, but just so others can know that there’s a dumbass womanizer among us.

“So what should we do with this information, Silvia?” The people around her asked.

“Simple! My plan is to…” She then leaned into each and every one of their ears and explained the plan so that no one else could hear. Dang, there goes all the fun.

And so, just when they finally finished their little gossiping session and left the premises, I had started to continue wandering about some more around the Palace, when suddenly…

“Wah!” Nelly’s crying suddenly snapped me out of my train of thought, “Ow! Stop that!”

“Oi, who’s kid is this? Fuck’s wrong with you, huh baby? How the hell’d you get lost in such a place?”

From the voices that were picking on her, I could tell almost immediately what was going on. Nelly probably got separated from her parents, and these punkass teenagers found her and started bullying her. What the hell is wrong with kids these days?

“Hey!” I walked up to the three teens, “What’s going on here?”

“Well, well, well! If it isn’t Mister First Place!” The green haired teen walked up to me, “Why don’t you go mind your own business, bub? Think you’re hot shit because you aced a test?”

“Waah! Uncle Meil, save me!” Nelly sobbed.

Here’s a fun fact: Fighting or committing any other crime within the Palace not only results in you getting kicked out and banned, but it also gives you a pretty hefty amount of jail time. Thankfully, I’m not one to solve issues with fists (unlike Lune), but if these guys start to attack me, then I’ll still be kicked for “Participating in a fight”. This is a dangerous situation, so I’d like to solve it as peacefully as possible.

“Shut it, brat!” The fatter teen suddenly kicked Nelly, leading to her rolling over onto the floor.

Okay, scratch that, I’ll smear the marble floor with you guys. Ah, but I’ll get kicked out! I can’t do that, but Nelly…! Wait, I know!

“What the hell are you guys doing to this poor defenseless child!?”

“Eh?” The three boys stared at me with empty expressions.

At this, I showed them the three pant buttons I had stolen from them using Materialize. And in the very next moment, all three of their pants flew to the ground.

“H-Hey, what?!”

“Are there any officials here?! I just caught three guys trying to do some fishy stuff with a four year old!” I yelled aloud, my voice echoing throughout the halls.

“Oh shi-!” The lanky one finally understood my intentions, “Everyone, run! This guy’s trying to frame us! Ugh, I don’t know how you did this, but we’ll get back at you soon!”

And so, the three stooges ran away with their figurative tails tucked between their depanted legs. Truly, what a spectacular sight this is. But never mind that, I should check back on how Nelly’s doing. Oh, looks like she’s laughing at them as well. How cute.

“Sewves you guys wight!” She cackled.

Whoa, she really takes after both of her parents…

***

“Alright, Nelly, where are your parents? And why aren’t they with you right now?”

“I uhh… I don’t know.”

Wait, why did they take their eyes off of her in the first place? What the hell is wrong with these guys? Is this really how they treat their child? Lousy, good for nothing parents…

“Actually, that’s a lie.” Nelly came clean, “Mommy and daddy were with me, I just wanted to explowe a bit is all. I’m sowwy…”

“…” I had to refrain from giving her headpats, “Ugh, you’re just like your father when it comes to your curiosity! But at least you’re honest, so I’ll give you just one headpat as a reward.”

“Yaaay! Hehe…!”

Softly brushing her ginger hair, I had only just now noticed how soft it is. I hadn’t noticed this before, but it seems a habit has grown of me giving her headpats. I never intended for this to be a thing, but I guess there’s no harm in it, plus it seems like she enjoys it as well.

“Mommy said that I should always be honest and come clean when I mess something up.”

Ah, that’s probably because of Lune…

“Right, you should always be honest! Just like your good ol’ Uncle Meil!” I said as I noticed a large crowd forming in front of us, “Oh, looks like something’s happening over there. Nelly, gimme your hand, I don’t want you getting lost again.”

Making our way through the crowd, I was just barely quick enough to cover Nelly’s eyes after I realized what was happening. The crowd was forming around two people – Cecily and Lune. Lune was being beaten up repeatedly by the other attendees without mercy, and Cecily was being stripped forcefully while Lune had to watch.

“Yo, fucker!” One of the attackers kicked Lune in the face while he was down, “You cheatin’ on this hottie? If you don’t want her, we’ll gladly take her, har har!”

“Ptu!” Lune spit out some blood, “You fucks…! I’ll beat all of you up! Don’t you dare lay a finger on her!”

I wanted to jump in, but if I did that, then I’d have to stop covering Nelly’s eyes, and she’d see this traumatic scene unfold in front of her very eyes. While I was busy thinking of a way to step in, out of the corner of my eye I saw Silvia snickering to herself proudly. Could it be? Were her rumors the reason this is happening!? Did I make a mistake in not stopping her!?

“Hey! Stop, don’t touch me there!” Cecily tried to kick away the people trying to force themselves onto her, “Lune! Help!”

“Heheh, this scrawny guy?” The attacker said, “All it took was one hit with a steel rod to the back of the head and he’s already unable to get up, much less fight! I will hand it to him though, it’s impressive he’s still conscious. Oh well, guess that means he gets to witness his dear lover cheat on him just like he did to her!”

“No!” Lune shouted, only to get his head stomped on by the attackers’ boots.

I winced at the sight. I didn’t wanna look, but I had to save them somehow! Think, think…! Argh, I can’t save both of them! I’m gonna need to choose! Recall what Lune told you! He said if there’s ever a choice between picking someone else or yourself, you choose you! Right, Lune would want me to save him…! That’s it, I’ve decided!

“Haa!” I cast Materialize from the crowd, creating a thick marble wall around Cecily.

“What?!” The attacker stood aghast, “What’s this?!”

I did it. I picked Cecily over Lune. I know he said what he said, but I’m sure that Lune will be able to recover with enough time. But if Cecily lost her maidenhood, then that’s something he would never forgive me for. I’m sorry Lune, but now at least I can run up to you and…!

*SPLAT*

The sound of a bloodied boot stomping Lune’s head to the ground echoed throughout the halls. After this chilling sound, Lune stopped writhing in pain, and the only thing that could be heard was Cecily screaming out for him.