As the sun had risen once again, the students of the academy started their second day of duel.
While the way the duels had worked was mostly people challenging each other in front of each other, there was one single thing that could be exploited by others.
It was the fact that people hid themselves all the time and escaped from the duels. However, the Academy had already thought about all those things beforehand. And the solution was pretty simple.
Students actually didn't need to be face to face while challenging each other to a duel. You could mumble the name of the student you want to challenge, and they would get the message via their bracelets, and if they don't cancel the duel using their tickets, they would need to attend the fight.
That was the way the academy worked, and I was reminded of that by the message before me.
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Duel Challenge: Declan Blackwood
Type: Blue
Student Rank: 4
Remaining time until the duel commences: 48:25
Do you wish to commerce with duel now?
Yes No
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Seeing this, I knew that guy was waiting for me to appear. After all, I heard the rumors that were surrounding the academy.
He actually probably wanted to duel with me yesterday, but because Diana also challenged me, her challenge was accepted thanks to her rank being higher, or he was late.
In any case, seeing the name before me, I couldn't help but chuckle.
'You really want to learn a lesson, huh?'
If someone wanted to use me as a stepping stone, they were welcome to try. But, if they also need to take the risk…After all, not everyone stone is small…Sometimes they might be a mountain….????????????????????????????????.????????????
<Ding! New quest [Way of Magician] generated.>
Just as I was about to prepare myself, I heard the system notification coming.
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Quest – Way of Magician
Description – No matter how much you have used your sword, you are also a magician that had the destiny to stand above on the top.
Conditions – Defeat Declan Blackwood in the duel of Magic
Rewards – Increased understanding of [Wind Magic]
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Looking at the panel, it was just as I had expected. Most of the time system would issue a quest when it was related to the villains in the game.
But they would only be males for some reason. The author must be a crowd-pleaser.
Aside from the jokes, I started getting ready for the action; after all, with this duel, I would only need to do one more duel, and the exams would be over for me.
Just like that, I left my room for the duel location shown on the bracelet….
********
The academy was abuzz with anticipation as the duels continued. Declan Blackwood, known as the ranked-fourth student, stood in the courtyard all alone, as no one had tried to approach him.
After all, there were some that tried to do that and lick his boots, but almost all of them met with an immense amount of pressure and could only leave with their backs bent. He was not interested in those who were below him, after all.
However, while he was waiting, suddenly, he saw people's attention turned elsewhere. A place where the students would enter the dueling grounds.
As Declan's gaze followed the direction of the crowd's attention, his eyes fell upon a striking figure that entered the dueling grounds. It was Callius Augustride, the top-ranked student of the academy, walking with confidence and poise. The sight of him drew gasps from the onlookers, and the murmurs among the students intensified.
"He's here!" "Callius Augustride!" "He looks even more handsome up close!" "He's so cool!"
Callius had a magnetic presence that seemed to demand attention. His tall and well-built frame exuded an aura of strength and power, and his blood-like crimson, sharp and intense eyes made him look even more commanding. As he walked, his steps were deliberate and filled with grace, and his every movement seemed to have a purpose.
Some of the girls in the crowd couldn't help but mumble amongst themselves, their faces flushed with excitement. "He's even more attractive than I imagined!" "I heard he's not interested in dating anyone. What a shame!" "I don't care; just watching him fight is enough for me."
However, even the boys couldn't help but feel the awe. Though they were annoyed at the attention he was receiving, they also knew the performance he had put on the duels, and they couldn't help but only appreciate it.I think you should take a look at
As Callius approached the dueling grounds, his eyes locked with Declan's for a brief moment. There was a spark of tension between the two top-ranked students, each sizing up the other. The atmosphere around them crackled with anticipation.
Declan's lips curved into a smug smirk, feeling a mixture of annoyance and curiosity at the sight of Callius. He had heard of the famed top-ranked student, and the fact that Callius was captivating the attention of the crowd only fueled his arrogance. He couldn't help but see it as a challenge.
'What the fuck is this guy thinking? How dare you look at me like that, like you are above me?' There was something in the eyes of Callius that made Declan annoyed the most.
He was not present at the entrance exam since he was busy with his mother's assignment, but when he heard about Callius' speech in the entrance exam, he cringed.
'Do you think you are better than me? Let me show you your place.' He continuously glared at Callius while secretly imbuing his aura with his gaze, trying to overbear him.
In contrast, Callius remained unfazed by the gazes and whispers around him. After all, he had come across a lot stronger presences than this pathetic guy before him.
However, the rumors that Declan had spread started showing its effects as the students started mumbling amongst themselves about the challenge Declan had made.
"He doesn't stand a chance against Callius."
"Yeah, Callius is on a whole different level."
"Did you see the way he defeated his opponents in the previous duels?"
However, different from what he was expecting, rather than supporting Declan, they supported Callius.
And it was pretty normal considering Declan's attitude towards the commoners and those with lower rank in the nobility.
Declan couldn't stand the attention Callius was receiving any longer, and his arrogance pushed him to take action.
With a sudden surge of frustration, Declan stood up from his seat, drawing the eyes of the crowd upon himself. His voice rang out with a cold and condescending tone as he directed his words at Callius.
"Callius or whatever, don't think for a moment that you can look down on me with your self-righteous attitude and grand speeches," Declan sneered, his tone cutting like a blade. "You're just a commoner who got lucky and crawled your way up the rankings. It's pathetic how the academy is so infatuated with a nobody like you. After all, this is not a place for a child of whore."
'Speeches? What does this guy mean?' Callius thought though it didn't take too long for him to connect the dots.
'It seems my words triggered a bunch of incels….'
The murmurs in the crowd grew louder as they witnessed Declan's boldness and insolence. The words he had chosen even made others uncomfortable. The boys who had secretly admired Callius were taken aback, while the girls who had been swooning over him just moments ago were now glaring at Declan with displeasure.
Callius remained calm and composed, refusing to be goaded by Declan's provocation. If it was before, he would maybe get angry and would have a hard time controlling original Callius' emotions, but that was not the case now.
After all, both he and the original grew together….
"So. You are saying I was lucky?" Callius asked, looking at the boy with his crimson gaze. He was about to lose his composure and laugh like a madman, but his traits didn't allow him to do so.
'Lucky, huh? I am pretty sure you would piss yourself if you had dealt with the things I have done.'
Declan's smirk widened, clearly enjoying the attention he was receiving from the confrontation. "Indeed. After all, there is just no way that a son of a whore like you could be a rank one." With a sneer, he added, as he waved his hands.
"I challenge you, Callius, to a duel right here and now," Declan declared, his voice filled with superiority. "Let's see if you really deserve that top rank or if it's just a fluke."
Callius regarded Declan with a calm expression, not allowing his emotions to get the better of him. "You're free to challenge me if you wish," he replied evenly. "But be warned, I never hold back."
"Oh, I'm not afraid of you," Declan retorted his arrogance still on full display. "You may have impressed some of these fools, but I see through your act. You're nothing but a pretender, a commoner who somehow got lucky and came here. I'll show everyone here that you don't belong at the top."
Hearing this, Callius fought the biggest fight in his life inside.
The fight for his smile not to leak.
After all, he was about to do the thing that he loved the most….
Callius and Declan stepped onto the dueling grounds, their eyes locked in a fierce stare. The atmosphere around them crackled with energy, and the anticipation in the air was palpable.
"I hope you're ready to lose," Declan taunted, a smirk still playing on his lips.
However, Callius didn't reply as he only looked at the boy before him. At this point, he entered his serious mode. After all, even though Declan was a bastard, Callius knew his strength was no joke….
After all, he, too, came from a lineage of magicians.
The referee stepped forward, sensing the intensity of the moment. Looking at the contestants, he saw both of them put their bracelets on. Since this was a duel of magic, both of their aura were sealed.
"Let the duel between Declan Blackwood and Callius Augustride begin!" he announced, and the crowd erupted in cheers.
-------------------------A/N------------------------------
You can check my discord if you want. You will be able to see the illustrations here and engage in a conversation with me if I am available.
The link to the discord server is in the description of the book.
