GameDev Reincarnated into His Own Creation

Vol 2 - Chapter 24.2: Hidden Parameters

Her voice trailed off as her expression hardened.

"It's Fairwind—"

"Lysithea's been giving you trouble in class?" Vel guessed.

Celia nodded, jaw tight. "She's been holding grudges after that incident."

"What's she doing?" Vel asked, feeling a protective anger rise in his chest.

"Intentional sabotage during class and training," Celia explained, her fingers curling into fists on her lap. "Yesterday she 'accidentally' bumped into me during practice and nearly made me impale myself on my own rapier."

Vel's eyes widened. That went beyond petty rivalry into dangerous territory.

"I want to give her another lesson," Celia continued, her voice low and intense, "but that would just worsen the situation for me."

"You're right," Vel agreed reluctantly. "The Academy probably wouldn't look kindly on a second confrontation."

Vel frowned, tapping his fingers against his knee. This situation with Lysithea was more complicated than facing a behemoth. At least monsters could be defeated directly with spells and swords.

"Fighting monsters is straightforward," he muttered. "Politics and social sabotage are messier."

His own confrontation with Thornwood hadn't exactly been wise either. Though the duel was stopped when Thornwood's spell grew dangerously powerful, forcing both Lyvenna and Hust to intervene. That gave it a legitimacy the Academy couldn't ignore.

"What I did with Thornwood wasn't exactly better," Vel admitted. "But at least it was a formal challenge with witnesses and rules."

Celia shot him a look. "Are you saying I should challenge her to a duel?"

"No, that's not..." Vel shook his head. "Backstabbing and 'accidents' are more dangerous than direct confrontation. You can't just endure this for years."

The rain continued its steady patter against the cobblestones, matching the rhythm of Vel's thoughts as he considered their options.

"We need evidence," he finally said. "If she's deliberately sabotaging you during class, we need someone to witness it. Someone the instructors would believe."

"Who would that be?" Celia asked, skepticism clear in her voice.

"I'm not sure yet," Vel admitted, running a hand through his hair. "But there has to be a way to expose her behavior without making you look like the aggressor."

He paused, considering another angle. "Or we could try something else. What if you had protection? Not just me, but allies in your class who would watch your back?"

Celia's expression softened slightly. "I've made a few acquaintances, but I don't know if they'd stand against Lysithea."

"Then maybe we need leverage," Vel suggested hesitantly. "Something that would make her think twice about targeting you. Though I'm not sure what that would be against someone with family connections."

Vel let out a long sigh, leaning back against the step behind him. He could mention Landre's status as a Saint, but dragging his sister into Academy politics felt wrong. The rain continued to drum against the ground, creating a soothing rhythm that contrasted with his troubled thoughts.