Seprate them

Chapter 3

"The proctor announces, 'Can Sir Nicolás Montes and Lady Luciana Carreira come down to battle?'" Luciana's fists clench as Nicolás hasn't taken a sip from the tea offered to him, indicating she will have to face him at his full strength.

"It appears it's my turn to enter the arena," Nicolás declares, rising from his chair. The Emperor watches him depart before his gaze shifts to the teacup Nicolás has left behind. Detecting an odd aroma, he picks up the cup for another sniff. Realization dawns on him as he discovers the poison, and his expression becomes a scowl.

His eyes narrow in anger how dare someone poison Nicolás! He is already recognized by many to be the general. If Nicolás were to die by someone there would be a revolt. He understood that there shouldn't be someone like that other than the Emperor but the Montes have always been loyal. Many Montes have fallen dying to protect the royal family. Nicolás parents died to protect him and his family the only thing he can do is protect their son.

"Gaurd find out who handled Nicolás tea and find out who poisoned it. Also, serve him a new cup of tea" orders the Emperor lowly as he hands the guard the cup. The Emperor looks at the battle that is about to start with interest.

Nicolás looks at Luciana with disinterest and sighs. Making it seem like he thought this battle was useless to him. Luciana fist clenches and glares at him not even trying to hide it.

"Come at me with your best moves" Nicolás declares coldly.  Luciana tries to attack him with her sword. Nicolás just blocks it as her speed is very slow compared to him.

"Your speed isn't that impressive and you need it. Your fighting style is based on speed. The sword you are using is more for heavy fighters you should get a lighter one as that one is slowing you down. You shame your ancestors who were masters of speed" Nicolás coldly points out. He only said the first couple sentences loud enough to be heard but the last one he whispered so only she heard. Luciana grates her teeth since she can't even hit him once.

"You shut it, you thief" she hisses out lowly. Still not losing it to the point of losing her innocent mask.

"Thief? My family won fair and square; it's not our fault that they were weak. They couldn't defend their noble status and failed the Emperor, resulting in their demotion," Nicolás whispers back. Luciana posed no threat to him; she was far too weak. With that, he finally launches his attack, sword in hand.

"Gah" Luciana screams as the sword hits her stomach. She is lucky that Nicolás didn't use his full power.

"You are the weakest girl I have ever fought you're a disgrace to those who called themselves female warriors. I know of three females who are stronger than most men to gain a spot on top. They deserve respect unlike you who bring disgrace to female warriors. It's females like you who bring disgrace" Nicolás whispers for her only to hear. He wanted her to hate him more than anything. So it's easier for her to make a mistake when she is plotting against him.

"Please get a medic here I didn't control my strength enough. I did not want her to get this hurt" Nicolás loudly asks. A medic quickly comes down to attend to  Luciana. Whispers are heard in the audience couldn't believe that one of the top 10 females of the academy was so weak. Nicolás heads back to his seat once they declare him the winner of the battle.

"Congratulations future General Nicolás" the Emperor congratulates with a smile.

"Thank you, Emperor" Nicolás answers softly well the softest he could. He takes a sip of his tea as he notices that it has changed. At the corner of his eye, he sees Lance looking worriedly at Luciana. The Emperor stood up and left as the guard found out the guilty party. 

"Do not worry Prince Lance my attack on her was only forty percent of my strength. The damage she took was mostly absorbed by the armor she wore. She should be fine as it was a light attack and not meant to harm her" Nicolás explains to Lance. Making it seem like he was a nice person but his words damaged Luciana as a warrior.

"I see" Lance answers.

"You know Lady Merissa can help Lady Luciana in her speed. Lady Merissa is very talented and can almost compete with me" Nicolás suggestions as he turns around to leave. He only had to battle one person and no one else had challenged him.

"I will bring it up to her thank you" Lance thanks him as Nicolás leaves. Lance looks as Nicolás leaves and can't help but smile. Nicolás may come off as cold but he is very kind.
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Nicolás finally arrived at his home and lay down in his bed exhausted. Who knew acting was so exhausting he also had to keep himself from slouching from being bored and tired.

"I'm taking a nap for an hour don't let anyone bother me unless it's the royal family" Nicolás announces loudly. The guards shut the door so he is alone in his room.

[You already caused the male lead to doubt the heroine you are very good. The people also started to see the heroine in a bad light because of her terrible performance in the battle. Especially since she is a potential candidate to be married to Prince Lance. They do not want someone so weak to lead beside Prince Lance]

"Prince Lance wouldn't want a weak Empress since the beginning of Linux. Every Empress has been strong and fearless and could compete with their husbands in battle. If he chooses a weak Empress he will be looked down upon by the people" Nicolás explains to the system. That's why in the battle he emphasized how weak she was.

[Makes sense if you need assistance do not be afraid to ask]

"Hm I will ask when need be right now I have everything handled" Nicolás states as he dozes off to sleep.