Back in his room, William stared at the blade he had recently acquired.

Wrapped in thin white fabric that covered its blade, it was nestled in the corner of the room.

While the mode of payment was a bit strange, he was satisfied that the shop owner didn't create trouble after William got fond of the blade.

There was no doubt that carrying it would gather attention, but if something fulfilled all his requirements, what was the issue in being a little flashy?

As he sat with his back pressed against the wall, staring at the blade, a voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Does Miss Emma know?" The pink-haired boy sitting across from William asked, his eyes still fixated on the book.

William hummed before asking, "What do you mean?"

The boy smiled faintly and said, "That she has a rival now."

William rolled his eyes. "There is nothing wrong with marveling at such a beautiful piece of art."

Loid couldn't hold himself back from chuckling. "I have never seen you so attached to something like this before. That's why it's a bit shocking."

William heaved a sigh before asking, "What happened to your trials?"

Loid's shoulders fell as he said, "It didn't go well."

William could tell that the boy was depressed and a little fearful. The way his hand trembled and the pinch on his book grew firmer made it apparent that he was nervous more than regretful.

"Being the son of the Emperor isn't easy, huh?" William commented casually.

Loid smiled faintly in response. "Well, Father himself never forces me to do anything or keeps his expectations high. He just wants me to live how I want."

William tilted his head, his legs curling as he rested his hands on his knees, and asked, "I have been wondering—how did you get a seat in the first class when I don't hear much about your achievements?"

Loid winced. "That's quite a cruel thing to say."

William shrugged. "Don't worry. I am no different from you. If you take away these past few weeks from the equation, I am a much worse loser than you."

Loid blinked in surprise. But then again, William was like that—always straightforward, never running away from blame or criticizing himself when he was at fault.

The pink-haired boy thought for a moment before responding. "My ability is something that can power up a whole battalion, but as an individual, I don't belong to that class."

William tilted his head. "So you are not in the first class because of your designation as a Prince?"

Loid smiled wryly. "As shocking as it may seem, I have earned my place there."

William nodded slowly. "I won't say that it didn't surprise me."

Loid just smiled sheepishly before hearing William ask, "What exactly is your skill?"

Loid shrugged. "I can change the class of anyone within a certain range. Like <Healer>, which allows people to regenerate ten times faster than usual. <Hunter> enhances reflexes and speed, and there are <Tank> and <Scout> too."

William was genuinely baffled at the moment.

"You can actually change the class of an entire group, buff them, help them heal, and much more? That's… the first time I am hearing about such a skill."

Loid nodded. "I have come across a few people who can benefit their partner individually."

"What about you? What's your limit?" William wondered.

Loid hummed. "The last I remember, when I was forced to use all my energy, I could heal over twelve people to the point where they could stand and restart the battle."

William was impressed. "You are quite an assurance to have on a team."

Loid rubbed the back of his head, a sheepish grin on his face.

William sat upright and asked, "Then why did you fail to score 'Good' during the trial?"

If he was in the first class with a skill that made him strong only when working with a team, why did he fail this time?

Loid exhaled a sigh, his shoulders relaxing. "I… was not selected by my usual team members to participate in the raid."

William frowned. "What do you mean?"

"They decided to take someone else this time—someone who can actually fight from the front rather than hide behind cover and just support them."

It wasn't Loid's own words, but something he had overheard accidentally from his group leader.

Later, when he was asked whether he wanted to participate with them, Loid, knowing their intentions, decided to leave respectfully.

William scoffed. "In the end, being a Prince and possibly the best support-class warrior didn't help, huh?"

Loid quietly muttered. "I guess it all comes down to what you can achieve with your own two arms."

William didn't comment further and got off the bed.

Approaching his wardrobe, he took out a black shirt and grey pants to change into.

It was close to dinner time, and he had promised Emma to make a good meal for her.

As he was about to enter the bathroom, Loid called out, "William."

The blond hummed, his hand still on the doorknob.

With his head tilted, Loid asked, "Can I ever be as strong as you?"

William didn't have to think long. "No."

*Click*

Loid blinked in surprise as he heard William step into the bathroom, not a single moment of thought spent on his response.

The pink-haired boy, however, didn't feel depressed. Rather, a smile etched itself onto his lips as he shook his head and picked up his book again.

…

Emma was inside her room, thinking about what she should do for dinner.

She had a few dresses she wanted to wear—slightly revealing and bold. But the fact was, William wouldn't be the only one in the common hall…it made her hesitate.

'Guess I'll wait until we get married and start living together.'

Just then, the door parted and a familiar girl stepped inside.

With her shoulders slumped, Dorothy fell onto the bed.

"What's with the long face?" Emma asked, her eyes still searching for the best dress.

Covering her eyes with her arm, Dorothy responded, "I got rejected…"

Emma paused and peeked at the girl. "Daven?"

The girl slowly nodded.

Emma rolled her eyes. "I believe he saved you from getting into a mess."

Dorothy huffed. "Can't you stop sounding logical sometimes and console me?"

Emma shrugged. "What's there to console? He is a flashy playboy who changes partners more often than you cut your nails."

Dorothy sat up straight. "He just needs someone to set his head straight."

Emma hummed. "And you're going to do that? What are you, a disciplinarian or his mother?"

Dorothy tilted her head. "Didn't you do the same with William?"

Emma narrowed her eyes. "William was never a playboy."

"But he was a difficult person. And you changed him."

Dorothy now had Emma's full attention as the silver-haired girl cleared the misunderstanding. "William was always like that. He just couldn't trust someone easily after what happened to him. Don't compare these two situations without knowing the whole story."

Dorothy blinked in surprise. "I… am sorry if I offended you."

Emma shook her head. "No. I am just saying that you should observe someone in silence and see what they do when they believe no one is watching—that reveals their true nature. And if you think you still like that person, make an effort."

Dorothy tilted her head. "Wouldn't that be regarded as stalking?"

Emma rolled her eyes once again and said, "You clearly don't understand love language." Leaving those words behind, Emma entered the bathroom.

She chose a white dress for dinner, hoping it would match her man.

…

Well, it didn't.

"You look pretty," he said, his compliment ringing sweetly in her ear.

"Why do you look like a Casanova out on a hunt?" Emma asked with her arms crossed.

Wearing a loose black shirt with waist-high pants, he appeared different today. The top two buttons of his shirt were undone, allowing just a hint of his chiseled chest to show. He had left his hair slightly damp, a few curls falling over his eyes, adding a charm to his appearance that had Emma's heart racing.

Grinning, William drew closer to her and asked, "Why would I need to hunt someone else when I already have a gorgeous girl beside me?"

Emma raised her hands and buttoned his shirt, whispering, "I refrained from wearing anything revealing. I demand the same from you."

William, with a thin smirk, asked, "Why? Did I get you all riled up?"

Emma looked up at him, her pouty red lips thinning in complaint as she said, "You are not supposed to make anyone else feel this way, Mister Delimore, or your wife would be mad."

William's brows rose. "Is that so?"

Emma nodded, then lightly pulled his collar and pressed her lips against his.

The command was clear, and the intensity was conveyed.

°°°°°°°°

A/N:- Nothing much happened in these chapters, but I believe some slice-of-life moments from time to time are good.

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