The Private VVIP Chamber
Rio followed Luna with his usual dragging steps, hands in his pockets like he was being escorted to detention instead of royalty.
The automatic doors slid open.
Lavender. Warm tea. Something soft and expensive that didn't belong in a battlefield arena.
Lylya Minakaya sat by the wide glass window, the arena reflected faintly in her eyes. She didn't look at him.
"Sit, Rio."
Not loud. Not sharp.
Just certain.
Rio dropped into the velvet chair across from her, slouching immediately."Huft… It's freezing in here. Can I just stay? Wake me when the tournament's over."
Luna bowed silently and left.
The door shut.
The room felt smaller.
National Scale – Not a Game
Lylya slowly turned her chair toward him. Her expression was composed, but something in her gaze flickered.
"Do you really think this is just some academy event?"
Rio lifted one brow. "Isn't it?"
She exhaled through her nose.
"This is national scale. Every elite academy sent their worst monsters into that forest. This isn't practice. It's elimination."
Her fingers tightened slightly on the armrest.
"In the finals, only four teams remain. And when that happens—there are no alliances. Same academy or not. If your teammate hesitates to cut you down, they lose."
Silence.
The arena roared faintly beyond the glass.
Rio just stared at the ceiling.
"So dramatic," he muttered. "I just wanted a nap."
Lylya's jaw tightened.
The Princess's Mark
She stood.
Crossed the space between them.
Too fast.
Rio barely had time to process before her hands landed on his shoulders.
"Lylya—"
She leaned down.
Her cheek brushed the side of his neck.
Warm.
Deliberate.
She inhaled softly, then pressed closer. Not rushed. Not shy. Possessive.
Rio froze.
The scent of rare royal perfume seeped into his uniform fabric. Lavender, something floral, something dangerous.
Seconds passed.
Then she pulled back.
Her cheeks were faintly pink, but her eyes were unwavering.
"Now you carry my scent," she said quietly, adjusting his tie. "So no one mistakes where you stand."
Rio blinked. Sniffed his sleeve.
"…Smells nice."
She stared at him.
"That's it?"
He shrugged lazily. "Ellen's a guy. Pretty sure he won't fall for me because I smell expensive."
A flash of irritation crossed her face.
"That's not the point."
Her voice dropped.
"I don't want your scent blending with anyone else's. Especially not his."
There it was.
Not strategy.
Jealousy.
Possession.
Rio tilted his head slightly, studying her like she was a puzzle he was too tired to solve.
"…You're weird."
Lylya smirked faintly. "And you're mine."
The Rival – Ellen
Outside, in the corridor, Ellen stood alone.
The scrape of metal against cloth echoed as he polished his blade slowly.
Gery and Moon walked past—and immediately walked faster.
Ellen's eyes were sharp. Focused.
This wasn't about trophies.
This was about Rio.
He was tired of the lazy mask. The fake yawns. The pretending.
He wanted the real Rio.
The one who stopped holding back.
The one who felt dangerous.
"I'll make you fight," Ellen thought, a grin tugging at his lips. "Burn the forest. Break your hiding spots. Tear down every excuse."
His grip tightened around the blade.
"Show me your fangs."
Toward the Simulation Forest
When Rio stepped out of the VVIP chamber, Luna froze.
The scent was unmistakable.
Heavy. Royal. Claiming.
"…So she marked him," Luna thought.
Back in Team C's area, Gery wrinkled his nose.
"Whoa—why do you smell like luxury dating app advertisement?!"
Rio yawned. "Maybe I fell into a perfume warehouse."
Moon glanced once.
Understood everything.
"Careful, Rio," he said quietly. "That scent is not decoration. It's a warning."
Rio stretched lazily.
"Whatever. Let's finish this. I just want to go home."
He paused.
"…Preferably to a house Ellen hasn't set on fire."
Far away, the arena gates began to open.
The Simulation Forest awaited.