Igni: So you were here

Igni looked around the school campus, and finally located Elina who was behind a school building in a well hidden spot, and crouching low to cry.

Igni: Were you that hurt about losing?

Elina: ....no.

Elina remains crouched, and buries her face in her thighs.

From the outside, she just looks like an egg.

Elina: I...I rounded up Class C just using strength. I I only have strength.

Igni: I highly doubt anyone would think that you were weak after that fight.

Elina: Its the first time I lost without even drawing my blade

Igni wanted to give her some advice, but resists the urges.

Secret to Popularity No. 9 -- Women hate men who give unsolicited advice.

Igni: Is that why you ran?

Elina: ....uh huh.

Igni: (uh huh? . Shes so cute.!)

Igni is easy to impress.

Elina: I thought I could beat you if I drew my sword, but I never dreamed that I would lose before I got a chance to draw my sword.

Igni: ...but thats

Elina: I know. All that matters is who won and who lost. I was full of myself I didnt believe there was anyone who could match me They told me at the Entrance Exam that I would be the 1st Years Representative.

Igni: Yeah, I know about that.

Elina: Hey...Igni do you know what they call our generation?

Igni: Nope. Sorry. I dont know that one. Could you teach me?

Elina: They call us the Golden Generation. The Dawn of Light Fray. Hurricane Alicia. Warped Erumi. Legion Estea. ..I was . No. 1

Igni: (.Fray?)

Igni thought he heard a familiar word, but Igni was more drawn to Alicias information.

Elina: ...this year, there were more who already had a second name before entering this school than any other year

Igni: I see

Elina: ...And I I was No. 1 but

And as she said this, the atmosphere around Elina darkened and twisted around her.

Igni: (This girl really knows how to be down and depressed.)

Igni did not realize that she would be feeling down this much. His grandfather Lucas did not prepare him for this kind of situation.

.wait! Thats not true!

Did he really not say anything?!

Search deeply, Igni! Search deep within yourself!

<<<<>>>>

[Oye, Igni]

[What is it, gramps? Can you not bother me? I cant see in front of me right now]

This was during his blindfolded training in the Demon Kings realm. He was being cruelly punished... I mean, trained. Yes, this happened during training as he walked blindfolded through the Demon Kings realm.

[What you going to do if a girl is crying in front of you?]

[What~? A girl? Ummm Ill hug her and whisper Its going to be okay in her ear!]

[You sick creep!]

SLAP!! (sfx)

[OW!! I cant see right now so dont slap me in the face!!]

[You can only do that when youre already in a good relationship and the mood is right with the girl! If you do that outside of those circumstances, thats so gross youll make her cry for a different reason!]

[Wh--what. But then what should I.?!?!]

[.....Listen to me]

[..........?]

[Listen to her concerns! And from her concerns, draw out a way to resolve it!

[B--but...thats impossible. Thats too hard.!]

[Dont say its impossible! Dont you want to be popular!]

[I...I do! I do want to be popular!]

[THEN DO IT!!]

[Alright! Ill do it!!]

<<<<>>>>

...I...REMEMBER!!

I think we had something that resembled that kind of conversation in the past.!

But I already heard Elinas concerns!

Shes crying because she was No. 1 but lost.!

Thats it!

Ill have to figure out something from there.!

Igni: Eli. Miss, Elina

Elina: .............

Elina has rolled up into a perfect egg and is now ignoring Ignis words.

But Igni did not flinch and proceeded forward.

Igni: Miss Elina, out of all the opponents I have fought in my life, you were the <STRONGEST>.

Elina jerked slightly at the words.

Igni: Ive fought with Ms. Mila before but. I think Miss Elina is still the <STRONGEST>

Its a downright lie of a lie but it cant be helped.

Its . A WHITE LIE!!

Igni tries to convince himself of this.

Elina: .....Im.No. 1.?

Igni: Y--yes. Thats right. Miss Elina, you are <Number One>

Elina: ....really?! Why am I No. 1?!

Igni: (CRAP! SHES ASKING WHY What should I say?)

Igni had his back against the wall. The long pause is making Elinas expression grow darker by the second.

But!

But, even so..!!

Ignis brain had an epiphany..!!

Igni: Th-thats because. Miss Elina, you are the <Number One> prettiest girl

Elina: Im the <Number One>....

Elina blushes.

Igni no longer knew WHAT he was saying, but his mouth wouldnt stop. IT WOULDNT STOP.

Igni: Yeah, yes. Yup. Youre the <Number One> Prettiest girl so youre also the <Number One> Strongest too.

Igni convinces himself, desperately persuades himself that this is true.

Igni: (I dont even know what Im saying any more...)

Elina: .....I see.

Elina quietly stands up.

And she takes Ignis hand with both hands.

Elina: Am I Am I really <Number One>?!

Igni: Y---YES! Miss Elina, you are <Number One>!

Elina: So I am <Number One>?!

Igni: Of Course! You are <Number One>!

Elina: Thanks, Igni! I feel so much better now!

Igni: Dont worry about me! Because Miss Elina is <Number One>!

None, yes, absolutely NONE of this makes ANY sense.

Elina: Igni! You can just call me Elina! And in return, let me call you Igni from now on!

Igni: Of course!

They both shake hands.

As a side note, Igni is completely pushing through this situation with pure enthusiasm and raw energy, and he no longer knows what he is doing or saying anymore.

Igni: Lets go back, Elina. The schools No. 1 shouldnt be in a place like this.

Elina: Y--yes, youre right. I, the No. 1, should not be in seen a place like this, yes.

Although he has no understanding of it, Igni has now obtained the ultimate master command key to handling Elina.

Igni: Lets go, Elina!

Elina: Of course. Thank you. Igni, Ill beat you there!

Igni: Well, you ARE No. 1!

And Elinas face ripples with laughter.

Igni: (Wow, shes so impressionable and easy to manipulate.)

Without ever glancing a moment to see himself in the mirror, Igni chases after Elina.

So the two came back to the Practice Field.

When they enter the field, Class C and Class D were all doing practice duels.

Mila: Oh, finally~~~. Welcome back~~~. I was starting to get worried because you guys wouldnt come ba~~~ck

Elina: Im so sorry to worry you, Ms. Mila. Im okay now.

Mila: I see. Thats great, thats grea~~~t. I had to find a way to break your arrogance~~~. Im so so~~~rry.

Elina: No, please. I do not mind at all. I know that even if I lose, I am still No. 1.

Mila: Oh good, good. I see that you are able to distinguish and separate confidence and arrogance~~~. Igni must have taken good care of you~~~.

Mila nods understandingly and then says,

Then the penalty game starts from today, right?!

Elina ran away again.