"Are you okay, Carla?!" Jayden worriedly asked Carla who was the most injured of all of us.
She had to fight against Thomas, Tituan and Nisha alone as Jayden in the end helped me.
"I-I'm okay! Move your face away!" Carla palmed Jayden's face with a red face? "I-I'm a Duke's daughter!"
Why are you blushing like a maiden in love then?
"What are you doing?!" Suddenly Thomas grabbed Jayden's scruff and lifted him.
""Hey!"" Carla and Milleia yelled at Thomas' sudden outburst.
Thomas ignored and glared at Jayden who was grabbing the latter's arm. "How dare you…how dare you, miserable commoner!"
I glanced at Alfred and…he was turning a blind eye on that. He must be annoyed by his third place.
"Hey!" Carla stood up and tried to stop Thomas.
"Stay away from this, Carla!" Thomas' loud warning stopped Carla's steps.
"Did you forget? You are my fiancee! I clearly see what's happening and I don't think I need to remind you how the relation between a mere commoner and a high-ranked noble like you is perceived!"
"I-I…!" Carla's face turned slightly pale as she bit her lips. She felt powerless in front of such a situation.
"Enough," suddenly Jayden's grip on Thomas' arm hardened. The latter groaned with a surprised expression. He didn't expect Jayden to be this strong. Of course, he heard about Jayden's powerful Legacy but until now convinced of his superiority against Jayden.
Jayden forcefully got out of Thomas' grip and landed on the ground.
He glanced at Carla's worried expression before clenching his teeth.
"I, Jayden Rayena, ask you Thomas Greenvern to a duel. "
"!"
The remaining people around gasped in pure shock at Jayden's words.
A commoner was defying a High-Ranking noble to a duel…
Of course, it wasn't prohibited but a commoner defying a High Ranking noble was extremely rare as they knew what could be the retaliation. No commoner family wanted to antagonize a high-ranking noble's family and in the case it happened, they would lose most of their friends and support they could have had previously.
"What did you say…? " Thomas narrowed his eyes.
"W-Wait! What are you thinking?!" Carla shouted to Jayden but the latter's eyes were only on Thomas. He also had a determined expression on his face.
An expression I had never seen until the beginning of the year in the academy.
He finally made his choice huh.
He sure took his time.
"You heard me, Sir Thomas. I'm asking for a duel against you." Jayden repeated loudly. "Will you accept or- "
"I accept." Thomas cut off Jayden with a broad smile on his face. "You must have an idea in your mind if you are challenging me, right? Let's hear it. " He scoffed and crossed his arms.
Jayden nodded to Thomas. "Yes. I'm asking only one thing. If I win against you. You will have to break off your engagement with Lady Carla. "
"...…. "
The surroundings entered a state of deathly silence. The situation was becoming even more unbelievable. For commoners, Jayden's words was bordering insanity.
"E-Ehhh…. " Carla's brain short-circuited. Never in her wildest dreams, she would have though Jayden capable of doing something like that.
"J-Jayden… " Next to me, Milleia was so nervous that she was unconsciously grasping my hand with her soft hand. I was too preoccupied by Jayden that I didn't notice it until now.
[<Or maybe, you noticed it but chose to ignore it since you felt really goo->]
Anyway, I was eager to see Thomas' answer.
Thomas was staring at Jayden coldly trying to peer his intentions. Though, it was obvious what Jayden's intention was. But because it seemed really too easy and unbelievable, Thomas was bugging. First because he was convinced of his victory and second, because he was sure that Carla's father wouldn't let a commoner like Jayden marry his precious daughter.
Finally, a smile appeared on Thomas' face before he burst out laughing. "Alright, alright, Jayden! I will take the role of the one humbling copy commoners like you. I can't believe you dared to challenge me, a high-ranking noble and the son of the Royal Guard Commander. "
Don't tell me he is gonna tell his whole biography?
"I will make you regret this but for this to be equal, I should have my say as well, right? " Thomas said.
"Yes. " Jayden nodded.
"Then, if I win… " A smirk appeared on Thomas' face. "You will leave the Royal Eden Academy. "
"! "
Ah.
I didn't expect that.
"… " Carla stayed silent and just looked at Jayden. She was probably resigned.
In the game, in Carla's route, the latter indeed fell in love with Jayden but in the case, it doesn't work, she wouldn't fall into depression. I mean she was a Duke's daughter. Her upbringing was top class. The only thing she wanted was to spend most of the time possible with Jayden happily before abandoning herself to her life with Thomas. Right now, though she must be a little disappointed by the course of events but despite that she might feel a lingering hope.
If Jayden wins against Thomas, she would be freed of her engagement with Thomas who she didn't really appreciate.
But what about after?
A fight like that wouldn't go unnoticed.
Carla's father will eventually learn about the fight and the reasons…And at that time, Jayden will have to deal with Carla's father.
"Do you agree? Or are you scared of the outcome? " Thomas snickered. "Well, I already know the winner so I can understand if you come back to you words- "
"No. " Jayden shook his head with a smile. "I accept the terms. If you win, I will leave the academy. "
"Jayden?! " Milleia was dumbfounded that Jayden accepted, thus she grasped harder my hands. Her nails nearly pierced my skin.
"Then, it's done. You are the witness, Professor Jeremiah. " Thomas asked Professor Jeremiah who was until now looking at the dispute like a show.
"Yes…I can be. " Professor Jeremiah nodded but he gave a conflicted look at Jayden. He also seemed uncertain about Jayden's victory. "The match will be held in the stadium n°5 tomorrow morning. "
Tomorrow morning, the first year didn't have class so it was a good schedule. I'm sure a lot of second year students and third year students will skip classes for the match though.
"Good luck, commoner, " Thomas snorted and left with Alfred who was…grinning to me?
He probably wanted to get revenge on me by indirectly sending out my friend, Jayden. That prince really has stooped low…
"A-Ah! I'm sorry! " Milleia, finally noticing that she was grabbing my hand, let out with flushed cheeks.
"I-It's okay? " Milleia stuttered when she saw hand red.
"Yeah, " I nodded to her.
"B-But… "
"Wow. " Milleia, without hesitation, took my hand gently and touched the reddened part.
"I'm sorry, Edward…I was too focused on their discussion… "
"It's nothing, I'm saying. It will be gone in an hour, " I said to her.
She was reacting too much for something like that.
We, with our body strengthened with mana, had a faster recovery than ordinary humans of Earth, for example.
"What are you still doing here, Milleia, Edward? "
"Aah! " Milleia immediately let go of my hand and moved away until reaching the other end of the bench.
Fast…
Should I be distraught at that blatant act of denial?
"J-Jayden! What have you done! " Milleia quickly recovered and glared—or more like sulked since she didn't know how to glare, at Jayden.
"C-Calm down, Milleia…I just wanted to help…Carla, " Jayden said as he glanced at Carla who was approaching us with quick steps.
Oh, good luck Jayden.
"Why did you do that? " Carla glared at Jayden.
Jayden looked back at Carla with a serious expression. "To help you, Lady Carla. "
"Help me? For what? And when did I ask for your help? " Carla's tone was laced with anger.
Was she feeling frustrated by what was happening?
It was understandable.
Even if Jayden ends up winning, her father would be furious and would be even more adamant on her and more importantly…what she was fearing was her father's reaction to Jayden. She was afraid of her father still using his power to fire Jayden out of the academy. He was capable of that…but only I knew that Jayden wouldn't be fired that easily.
Yeah, that old man wouldn't let someone with so much potential as Jayden leave his academy.
"I know you don't like your engagement, Carla, and that's why I'm trying to- "Jayden said.
"Shut up! I didn't ask for your help! Who are you to help me?! " Carla shouted angrily. "I'm fine with engagement and you don't have any say on this! Even if you win, I will still be married to- "
"No. " Jayden cut off Carla and looked straight at her with green eyes. "I wouldn't let that happen. "
"… " Carla's mouth opened and closed several times before she clenched her teeth and stormed out.
Man, he really has matured a lot.
Pretty sure, Carla fell again head over heels for Jayden.
[<Somehow I find him more charismatic than you.>]
[He is also a lot more modest.]
How am I supposed to be calm and collected with those guys around?
