Chapter 11: Inflated Rumors (3)

The sparring arena was heating up with the enthusiasm of the crowd.

Not only were students present, but a few professors had also joined the event.

“Haha, what brings someone who’s always holed up in the lab out here today?”

“I’m just here because a student I know asked for a favor.”

“Not a parent’s request, then?”

“Your assumptions are excessive.”

The professor in charge of judging and mediating today’s duel was a second-tier professor specializing in magical engineering, Ferra Illidan.

“Who knew Professor Illidan cared so much about the students?”

“Exactly. Known for being eccentric, he’s unmatched in Arcane studies.”

“…..”

The other professors in attendance were not particularly fond of him.

Given his history of constant incidents, he was used to such mockery and ridicule wherever he went.

‘They said it’d be simple…’

Ferra, who had no interest in anything beyond his own research, received a certain proposal:

“No matter what happens, just turn a blind eye to it.”

In exchange for overlooking foul play in the duel, they promised to fund the research he had always dreamed of pursuing.

‘Once this is over, I can finally put my theoretical research into practice.’

As the mediator representing his name, Ferra could not afford for anything to happen to the students.

If something did occur, it would all fall on his shoulders.

But he didn’t care.

As long as he secured the funding, the academy would mean nothing to him.

‘I’ll even be able to focus more on my research. That’s better for me.’

All he had to do was watch.

Any dishonor from students getting injured could be compensated for with research achievements.

‘Besides, the opponent is just a commoner.’

Even if they were injured, they had no backing or connections.

Although there were trivial rumors about close relationships, at the end of the day, they were still commoners.

In the Lumiere Empire, status was like a shackle.

“Oh, it looks like it’s starting soon.”

“I came to watch because of all the rumors, but the skill gap is quite apparent.”

“Exactly. That one looks like a freshman.”

The two students began to enter the arena, warming up.

One was the second son of the Marquis Rasmut household.

The other was a commoner with no patronage whatsoever.

The outcome of the duel was more or less predetermined.

The audience thought so, and the professors shared a similar sentiment.

Nevertheless, the large turnout was likely due to one particular individual.

‘It’s probably because of her.’

The eldest daughter of the Empire’s only ducal family, the Winstreds.

With her stunning beauty and exceptional talent, she had garnered attention not only in Arcane studies but across the entire Empire.

Anything surrounding her naturally became a hot topic.

‘Who knows what the duke’s family is thinking.’

Unlike the quick responses from the marquis household, the duke’s family remained unbothered and indifferent.

‘It was once called the engagement of the century.’

Although it was a story from their childhood, a union between the duke’s and marquis’s families was unprecedented in history.

‘Even the imperial family, which approved it, had questionable intentions…’

Alliances between high-ranking nobles could threaten even the imperial family.

If those nobles gathered their armies with intent, it would surely cause headaches for the empire.

Yet, instead of preventing it, the imperial family seemed to encourage the union with joy.

‘Whatever. I just need to get what I’m owed.’

The duel was about to begin.

If it concluded without issue, Ferra could finally proceed with the research he had longed for.

Casting aside the complex relationships, he let his imagination run wild with ideas on how to proceed with his studies, watching the scene with delight.

“This duel will be conducted under the supervision of second-tier Professor Ferra Illidan. It is a light, non-lethal sparring session. Remember that the duel can end if a participant concedes, loses consciousness, or at the professor’s discretion,” 

Ferra announced as the duel commenced.

The first few minutes went as everyone expected.

“Oh, Kairak is dominating!”

“What are you doing, commoner? Put up a fight!”

“Oh, Kairak is pushing hard!”

“What are you doing, commoner? Put some effort into it!”

“Ah, maybe I should’ve just gone with the obvious bet…”

Kairak relentlessly pressed forward, while Theonar struggle just to block his attacks.

Some spectators, who might have illegally bet on the duel’s outcome, hurled insults and jeers at Theonar.

‘Predictable.’

Cheating or not, at this rate, it seemed certain that Kairak would secure the victory.

However—

“That student has a deeper understanding of swordsmanship than expected.”

“Hmm, even though it’s an unfamiliar style, it’s highly practical.”

“It feels like he’s not wasting any of his mana either…”

As time went on, the flow of the battle began to shift in unexpected ways.

It had seemed that Kairak’s relentless offense would bring a quick end, but the commoner student they had underestimated was holding his ground surprisingly well.

.

.

.

.

.

The duel dragged on.

Even after more than ten minutes, no clear winner had emerged.

Kairak continued to press, but Theonar slipped away like an eel, and Kairak’s once-abundant mana was nearing depletion.

As Kairak’s fierce momentum waned and Theonar’s counter attacks began to land, the previously rowdy crowd fell silent, and even the professors watched their exchange with bated breath.

After a few more exchanges—

“It seems the winner has been decided.”

Kairak, exhausted, failed to block one of Theonar’s strikes.

With the tide turned, Theonar seized the momentum to unleash an offensive, leading to an outcome no one had anticipated.

Yet—

“…What is that?”

“Professor Illidan! Stop this immediately!”

Kairak, who had appeared to be out of mana, suddenly unleashed a torrent of explosive magical energy.

‘These lunatics! Is this what they brought me here for?’ 

The Marquis’s request to turn a blind eye to cheating… 

I had assumed it meant overlooking minor injuries.

But this?

Using an artifact that hadn’t been approved for the duel?

And that artifact…

“That level of output is impossible to possess within the academy! Stop this at once!”

It was a powerful artifact that shouldn’t even be allowed within the academy’s grounds.

‘This is complete madness…’

Rationally, stopping the duel was the correct action.

This had crossed far beyond acceptable boundaries.

‘But… I can’t give up just like this.’

The duel could only be stopped by the presiding professor,

which meant that none of the other professors had the authority to intervene.

“…Let’s observe for a bit longer.”

***

‘This crazy bastard.’

Victory had been so close.

That damned earring ruined everything.

‘I thought things were going according to plan.’

Who could’ve expected an artifact of that level to appear?

Using an unapproved artifact was more than enough reason to halt the duel.

I glanced at Illidan, the professor in charge today, standing on the podium.

But seeing him sit silently with his lips tightly shut, it was clear he had no intention of stopping it.

‘I knew it.’

Hearing that Kairak had personally requested the duel and recruited the professor,

I had suspected as much.

It seemed he had struck a deal with the Marquis’s family.

‘Tsk, if I stay passive, I might end up seriously hurt here.’

The violent storm of mana swirling around Kairak was overwhelming.

It was far too powerful for me to handle.

‘Well, at least I’ve confirmed my abilities.’

If I kept calm and composed, I was confident I could defeat someone like Kairak.

The Altheia swordsmanship proved more practical in real combat than expected,

and the residual mana from the Tears of Brekteia had been quite useful.

“Wow, why would you go and use something like that?”

“…Shut up.”

Immediately after using the artifact, Kairak’s face turned red as if it was about to burst.

It seemed his pride was hurt, having to use something like that against a commoner like me.

“Hmm, should I just admit defeat?”

“Go ahead and shout your surrender.”

Feeling the overwhelming pressure from the intense magic, I had no interest in the outcome of the fight itself.

I was about to surrender.

But.

“Ugh, you brute!”

I was stopped by Kairak, who suddenly charged at me.

“Are you mocking me, the second son of a marquis?”

“When did I ever? I was just going to surrender because I knew I’d lose.”

“You disgrace my honor and now you’re trying to cowardly escape?”

“Oh, great, now you’re resorting to false accusations.”

“Shut up!”

Watching Kairak continue his savage attacks, I gave up on declaring my surrender.

‘Even if I did, this guy wouldn’t listen.’

From the start, he’s the type to resort to petty and underhanded tactics, so I prepared for situations like this.

[Strength Potion]

Temporarily increases strength.

EXP Cost: 300

[Health Potion]

Temporarily increases health.

EXP Cost: 300

[Agility Potion]

Temporarily increases agility.

EXP Cost: 300

[Magic Potion]

Temporarily increases magic power.

EXP Cost: 500

Buff potions sold in the extra shop.

Though the effect lasts only a brief 5 minutes, the exorbitant point cost is worth considering.

Their performance is undeniably excellent.

“You started this, remember?”

An eye for an eye.

If the opponent cheats, it’s only fair to return the favor.

Quickly pulling out four potions from my pocket, I uncapped them in an instant.

Gulp.

I downed them all in one go, draining the bottles.

“Ah, what a nice flavor.”

Operation ‘Doping Warrior.’

A strategy of overwhelming the opponent with enhanced physical abilities.

“Alright, let’s get started.”

Now, it’s just a matter of seeing which is better: overpowered equipment or boosted stats.