Ms. Yumi then displayed a video showing the performances of Ramon and Julia, followed by Barbara and Bastian. The four of them were indeed able to awaken two Vassels each—just like Raisa and Kenji—which clearly meant their talents were extraordinary.
"Well, it's not surprising," Ms. Yumi said. "All four of them come from strong backgrounds."
"Do you also know their backgrounds?" Raisa asked curiously.
"Of course. That's not exactly a secret."
Ms. Yumi pointed at Ramon on the screen.
"Ramon—full name Ramon Solaria—is a prince from the Kingdom of Solaris. He's been trained since childhood to lead. As for Julia, though she's from a humble background, the royal family discovered her due to her incredible talent and strong bond with her Vassels."
Ramon became Ignies, a powerful figure who could summon a dragon capable of breathing fire. He could also transform into Ifritt, a being who controls hellfire—flames that could be shaped into writing to support and represent the royal kingdom.
Julia, on the other hand, became Seraphim, a majestic entity with grand wings that allowed her to soar gracefully through the air. She also became Mekaila, a being who could move at the speed of light, leaving luminous trails in her wake.
Raisa and Kenji watched wide-eyed, clearly impressed. While Julia looked shy, Ramon was openly affectionate toward her.
"Well, makes sense," Raisa whispered. "She's just a commoner…"
"And now," continued Ms. Yumi, "don't underestimate the next pair—Barbara and Bastian."
On screen, Barbara appeared in a flowing aristocratic gown, her golden hair braided elegantly. She was the daughter of the Duke of the Northern Coast, heir to one of the richest merchant families in the region. At her side stood Bastian, once a street orphan, now her personal servant, with sharp eyes and a calm expression.
"Barbara chose Bastian herself," said Ms. Yumi. "Out of many children, she found a diamond in the rough. He even awakened his second Vassel two months before Barbara did."
Kenji leaned forward. "What kind of Vassels do they have?"
"Ahem," Ms. Yumi cleared her throat, a little amused.
"Barbara's first Vassel is a female pirate who can summon a massive warship. But unfortunately, it's too big to use in the contest. Her second is a Puppeteer, a seemingly support-type Vassel—but its power depends entirely on the strength of the puppets she controls. Barbara herself is highly skilled in etiquette, noble culture, and refinement—very different from our dear Raisa." Ms. Yumi glanced teasingly at Raisa.
"What's that supposed to mean? I'm not a noble to begin with!" Raisa huffed, frowning.
"Well, that's true," Ms. Yumi replied. "And while your Vassels are more appealing to boys, you're still lacking in grace and poise."
Raisa pouted and turned her face away. "Hmph. I'm still a kind and well-mannered person."
Kenji scratched his head awkwardly, trying not to laugh.
"So… what about Bastian?" he asked, hoping to change the topic.
"Ah, Bastian is… quite unique," Ms. Yumi chuckled. "His first Vassel is an old butler who can brew endless amounts of coffee. The second one is a maid who can instantly clean any clothing."
Raisa stifled a giggle. "So all his Vassels are housekeepers?"
"Exactly," Ms. Yumi nodded. "But don't be fooled. In a couples contest, harmony and chemistry matter just as much as strength. And Bastian complements Barbara perfectly. He never oversteps, knows exactly when to speak, and always maintains perfect composure. Together, they look incredibly refined."
---
The screen turned off.
Ms. Yumi looked at the two students seriously.
"Now you understand. This contest isn't just about flashy powers. It's about your character, your teamwork, and how you present yourselves to the world."
"So basically, our only real competition are those two couples—and they're all high-status individuals," Raisa said with a hint of pride.
"Well, even so, you two have a strong chance of winning—as long as you don't mess up on stage," replied Miss Yumi.
"Oh, is that so?" Raisa responded, raising an eyebrow.
"Don't get too full of yourself," Miss Yumi warned. "Sure, Ramon and Julia may come from royalty and commoner backgrounds, and Barbara and Bastian are from noble lines too, but you two are both commoners who stick together every day. It almost looks like you don't care about the contest at all. Still, that kiss of yours might actually give you an advantage, especially since most of the judges are ordinary people."
Raisa blushed furiously when the kiss was mentioned again. "We are not doing that again."
"Aw, come on! Maybe it'll boost your score and get you that extra million prize," Sakura teased playfully.
"Hmph. I've already earned enough from VWorldVassel. That site made me rich—no need to go overboard just for money," Raisa huffed.
"Well, no harm done. It was spontaneous, after all," Sakura said with a smirk. "But who knows—maybe Kenji will slip up again."
Kenji broke into a cold sweat as Raisa shot him a deadly glare.
The next day, the top 100 couples were officially announced. Unsurprisingly, Kenji and Raisa secured first place.
Ramon and Julia followed closely in second, while Bastian and Barbara took third.
Despite their victory, Raisa and Kenji were still lying around lazily in their room. Tired of playing at the beach, they had decided to spend the day cultivating together.
By noon, two familiar pairs knocked on their door—the noble couples: Ramon and Julia, and Barbara and Bastian.
Ramon stood there in an elegant, princely outfit, exuding charisma, while Julia wore a graceful yet modest dress that highlighted her natural charm. The sight made Raisa feel a bit self-conscious, especially when she compared it to her and Kenji's disheveled appearance—both of them still wearing the same clothes from yesterday.
Barbara, meanwhile, looked every bit like the villainous noble lady straight out of a romance novel, dressed in a lavish gown. Beside her stood Bastian, sharp and composed in a classic butler-style uniform.
Ramon (smiling politely): Sorry to disturb you, but... Julia really wanted to see you.
Julia (blushing, softly): I hope we're not bothering you...
(Raisa eyes Julia curiously. A mischievous grin forms—finally, she's not the one being teased for once.)
Raisa (smirking): Oh, hello there, future princess…
Julia's face instantly turns red, almost steaming. Ramon stays silent while Raisa presses on gleefully.
Raisa: Sooo… when's the wedding? Or wait—do you already have baby names picked out?
Ramon lets out a tired sigh. Julia hides her face in embarrassment.
Ramon: If it were up to me, I'd marry Julia right now. But my parents already arranged a noble engagement for me… Honestly, I might just run away with her someday.
Barbara's eyes widen in disbelief.
Barbara: Oh my… did I just overhear a royal secret?
Ramon (casually): It's fine. The Northern Coast and Solaris are worlds apart anyway. And I trust you won't spread it around.
He looks at Kenji and Raisa.
Ramon: Truth is… I'm jealous of you two. If I were a commoner, I could love and marry whoever I wanted—just like you.
Kenji scratches his head awkwardly.
Kenji: Uh… well, we're not exactly—
Raisa also looks a bit stunned. Jealous? But we're just… friends. Even if our parents are trying to match us up.
Ramon sits down with a sigh. Julia quietly moves behind him and begins to massage his shoulders.
Kenji watches, brow twitching.
Kenji (grumbling): Man, I should be the one jealous of you, Prince…
Raisa smirks, her eyes gleaming.
Raisa: Oh? Feeling jealous, huh? Come here.
She pulls Kenji toward the bed.
Kenji: Huh? Raisa? What are you—?
Raisa (firmly): Face down.
Confused but obedient, Kenji lies on his stomach. Raisa climbs on the bed and steps on his back, mimicking a massage.
Kenji: Ow! Raisa! Agh—not so hard!
Barbara watches the scene with a blank stare, then glances at Bastian, who is clearly sweating bullets. But before he can react, Barbara casually sits down and points to her own back.
Barbara (coolly): Massage.
Understanding immediately, Bastian begins massaging her shoulders in silence. Barbara then observes the whole group and comments.
Barbara: You know… out of everyone here, Kenji seems to be the one suffering the most.
Raisa instantly stomps down harder on Kenji's back.
Raisa: What was that?!
Kenji (screaming): AAAAGH! RAI-SA!!
Ramon: So… Julia, are you happy now that you've seen them?
Julia (smiling softly): Yeah… they seem to match really well.
Barbara (brightly, hands on her hips): Since we're all here, how about taking a look at my merchandise?
With a swift gesture, Barbara tapped her dimensional ring. A soft glow appeared, and several elegant items floated mid-air.
Barbara: These are outfits from the coastal regions—very stylish.
This is an accessory from the same place…
And these? Lovely souvenirs straight from the Northern Coast.
Raisa finally climbed off Kenji, who was groaning and nearly unconscious from the massage.
Raisa (muttering): Hm… pirate-style clothes, huh? Kinda cute.
She walked over and picked up a few pieces, admiring the patterns. Kenji, despite his sore back, joined her and ended up buying a few items too—including some coastal trinkets.
Barbara (smiling like a businesswoman): A pleasure doing business with you both!
If you ever have time, do visit the Northern Coast. I'll treat you to a real merchant tour.
With a graceful wave, she turned and walked out with Bastian, who followed her silently like a loyal shadow.
Now only Ramon remained in the room, still seated with a relaxed face while Julia gently massaged his back.