A duel holds a special meaning.
It is not simply about oppressing someone weaker than oneself or imposing the will of the stronger party.
It is about clashing the time spent honing oneself and the belief in oneself.
Nobles who stand out in a particular field, such as knights, mages, or priests, have confidence in their own strength.
Therefore, even if they lose a duel and have to follow the opponent’s will, it is rare for them to raise objections about its unfairness.
Because as much as they take pride in their own strength, they must acknowledge the opponent who defeated them.
“Are you lacking confidence?”
Evelyn asked the man on the ground.
She was confident.
The House of Rose was originally one of the top-ranking knight families, and she had been recognized for her talent there.
In this year’s entrance exam, there were unusually many outstanding talents, yet she managed to achieve a relatively high-ranking score.
Wade smirked arrogantly.
“Why would I lack confidence when I’m just facing a naive young lady like you?”
“Are you saying that you can easily defeat me?”
“Of course.”
How foolish.
This man really knows nothing and just talks whatever he feels like.
Yes, he must be full of confidence as well. Since he’s been admitted to Arcana, he must always be called a genius outside.
But there is always someone above.
This place is where geniuses from across the continent gather.
Insignificant talents are quickly crushed and shattered.
That is the truth…
This stupid man acts as if he has become a deity just by being admitted to the academy.
Unaware of how easily fragile pride can break.
“But what benefit do I gain by dueling with you, Evelyn? It would be troublesome if I injure you and it escalates into a problem between our families.”
“I don’t see it as a problem if you get hurt in the duel.”
“Someone who is even able to exert force against me here, what couldn’t you do?”
“That depends on whether you believe it, so I won’t say more about it. Rather….”
Evelyn decided to try to cajole him.
Anyway, the outcome of the duel is clear.
She is facing someone from a mediocre family who didn’t particularly stand out in entrance exams.
The problem is to get him to accept the duel.
“Let’s talk about the rewards of the duel. As you said, you must gain something as well. What would you like? Money? Title? Or perhaps a desired office or territory?”
“Well, I have no particular difficulty making a living as things are now.”
His response was unsatisfactory.
As before, does he have no interest in money or titles?
Or is he just pretending not to care?
She could explore which one it is, but she didn’t want to waste any more time with such a low-level man.
“Um… then what about me?” “Yes?”
When Evelyn pointed to herself, Wade looked bewildered.
“If you win the duel, you can do whatever you want with me. I’ll do anything you command.”
“Are you asking me to believe such a joke?”
“It’s not a joke. I swear on the honor of our family.”
She was speaking sincerely.
She was certain she would never lose.
Then Wade hesitated.
“Isn’t that condition too favorable for me? I’m just mediating between Kalian and you, Evelyn.”
“I am winning Kalian’s heart, and you are winning mine. I don’t think it’s different from putting them on the same scale.”
“I see your point.”
“So… will you duel with me? You didn’t come all this way to back out, did you? If you’re scared, you can honestly say so.”
She slightly provoked him, sensing that he was hesitating.
After pondering, Wade said, “There’s something holding me back, so I… it’s not that I’m afraid of losing to you. It’s just that I’m concerned about public opinion.”
“Our family will never bother you. No, no family would dare to cause trouble for you. But if you’re still worried… we could have a secret duel.”
“A secret duel?”
“Without any spectators, just the two of us competing. Then, even if something happens, it would be hard to cover it up, wouldn’t it?”
“I suppose so.”
As she conceded this far, Wade had no more room to back down.
He finally agreed to the duel.
How annoying.
It’s just laughable how a nobody acts as if he could win a duel by nitpicking this and that.
“Are you sure you’re okay with this?”
Inside the carriage returning to the family, the guard officer asked Evelyn.
“Do you think I’ll lose to him?”
“That’s not the case. With your skills, Evelyn, you’ll easily overpower most opponents. It’s just… I have a feeling he’s hiding something.”
“Are you saying he’s prepared some underhanded tactics?”
“That could be possible.”
Evelyn, who was looking out the window, chuckled.
“If I were to fall for such tricks, the techniques our family has built up would have long since disappeared. There’s nothing to worry about.”
“You must not let your guard down. Perhaps leading to a secret duel is part of his plan.”
“That’s an overconcern. Haven’t you seen for yourself how foolish he is? He’s just been admitted to Arcana, deluding himself into thinking he can become someone… Isn’t that the typical appearance of a commoner?”
“That may be true, but… I’m still worried. After all, the conditions you proposed are conditions.”
I understood what he was worried about.
He said that if he wins the duel, he could do whatever he wants with her.
Hearing this, the thoughts that men might come up with were so obvious.
However, such a thing would never happen, not even once.
After all, why would she lose to such a vulgar and lowly man?
A few days later, the appointed date arrived.
On the night when the moon was at its fullest, the annexed duel arena of Arcana, with its open ceiling, was clearly illuminated by the moonlight.
Normally, there would be countless spectators and judges, but not a single person could be seen around.
Clatter, clatter.
From the dark corridor, Evelyn, clad in heavy armor, walked out.
Fully armed.
Armor that condensed the skills and magic of masters.
A legendary sword that can even slay dragons, and artifacts that could multiply her physical strength several times over.
Usually slender and fresh in appearance, she now stood ready to face an army alone without any shortcomings.
If she had assumed that an arrogant noble would be careless, that would have been a big mistake.
She was arrogant, but she was not complacent.
On the contrary, she was more sincere than ever in the duel to crush the opponent who had insulted her with all her might.
One strike.
With just one strike, she would destroy him.
She would only harm him enough so he wouldn’t die, leaving an overwhelming force and fear etched into his very soul.
Then he would naturally bow his head, as the weak are expected to do to the strong.
Smiling subtly, she surveyed the interior of the duel arena.
Surely, he didn’t stay hidden out of fear, right?
She had resolved not to leave him alone if he acted like that, but fortunately, the opponent she was supposed to meet had already arrived.
‘……?’
But the atmosphere was strange.
A man sitting cross-legged in the middle of the duel arena…
Turning his back, he looked unusually bright.
It was as if the moonlight was concentrated right there.
All.
Wade blended seamlessly into the night air, becoming one with the silence of the duel arena.
Evelyn felt inexplicably that she shouldn’t break this tranquility.
At the same time, she was puzzled.
Why did it send shivers down her spine?
Just a mediocre man sitting quietly in the duel arena, yet an unknown emotion crawled up from the very depths of her soul.
“Heh heh.”
To understand what that emotion was, she hesitated for a moment before laughing out loud.
Suddenly, a strange thought crossed her mind.
Was he hiding his abilities…?
Such a ridiculous thought.
That couldn’t be.
It was just a trick.
Looking back, it was utterly ridiculous.
What was he doing sitting on the ground at this hour?
He wasn’t even wearing armor and was completely unarmed.
Yes, that’s right.
Now that she thought about it, he wasn’t wearing armor, nor had he brought a sword or spear.
Wade was a student of the Knight Academy, and not preparing his equipment was a foolish move.
“Have you arrived?”
“…Right.”
Evelyn was startled by the sudden question but acted nonchalant as she stepped onto the duel arena.
Wade, who had been sitting with his back turned, slowly stood up from the ground and turned to face her.
“Why aren’t you wearing armor?”
“Because it’s heavy, I came here unarmed.”
“You must be desperate enough to die. Don’t you know this isn’t a wooden sword duel? Or do you think I’m afraid to kill?”
All.
“Neither. You can participate in the duel as comfortably as you like. If I end up dead, there’s nothing I can do about it.”
His bravado was impressive to this extent.
Was it a strategy to intimidate and induce her to forfeit?
Perhaps he was trying to catch her off guard and win with a surprise attack.
Either way, she had chosen the wrong opponent.
Swish.
Without hesitation, she drew her sword.
She didn’t know exactly what he was plotting, but most tricks are powerless against overwhelming strength.
“Draw your weapon.”
“You can start without one if you want.”
“Starting with me already drawing my weapon isn’t fair. Draw it quickly.”
“If you insist that much, then… fine.”
Wade took something out of his cloak.
It was a stick.