In this situation, there was no way to avoid a duel with Julia.
If I were to refuse to duel in such a heated atmosphere, my reputation would take a nosedive.
'But how can I win against her?'
I stole a glance at Julia.
Her height was roughly around five foot nine.
She was slightly shorter than me, but there was hardly any difference in our builds.
In fact, it felt as if I were the one at a disadvantage.
Her thighs were undoubtedly thicker than mine, and her quads, shoulders, and arm muscles were all more developed.
[Name: Julia Metz] Gender: Female Age: 18 Race: Human Affiliation: Elinia Academy Knight Department / Dry Plains Tribe Strength: 11 Stamina: 11 Mana: 7 Tenacity: 10 Traits: - Barbarian Warrior (Passive effect / Inherent ability) [View Details] - Weapon Master (Passive effect) [View Details] - Spear Expert (Passive effect) [View Details] - Throwing Expert (Passive effect) [View Details] Plus 5 more traits.
‘This seems impossible.’
At this point, Julia is the only one in the Knights Department with a master-level trait, she also has several other useful traits.
The wall was too high.
I've gotten stronger recently, but this would be difficult.
Even if Julia couldn't contend with the top 10 in the Hero Department, her strength alone could place her in the top 30.
"Hey, doesn't he seem weak?"
"The Hero Department isn't all that impressive. As expected from Julia."
"I've never seen a good-looking guy who's also strong!"
Whispers and jeers echoed from the Knight Department students, huddled together in excited anticipation.
Irene glanced at me with a worried expression.
"I've heard your rank in the Hero Department is 181st. That's quite low for a man who supposedly has the qualities of a hero," Julia said.
Instead of her primary weapon, the spear, Julia held a rapier.
"However, I know that heroes usually specialize in either martial or scholarly pursuits. You must be more focused on the latter. I don't like one-sided fights or humiliating my opponents, so I'll use this sword instead. How about that?"
Her biceps flexed as she spoke.
Of course, I'd faced more opponents with swords than any other weapon, but her words didn't bring me much comfort.
The gap between Julia and me was just too great.
"Don't hold back. Fight with all your strength," I said.
If I were to lose to her wielding a spear, it would be somewhat acceptable, but losing to her holding a rapier would be a complete loss.
"No, I'm actually quite good with a sword too. Let's see... I think I could take down everyone here within 30 seconds," Julia shrugged, causing the students who met her gaze to flinch.
Even Irene shot her a frosty look.
Judging by their reactions, her claim was likely true.
"If that's what you wish... so be it."
Well, at least I could be grateful for that.
Moreover, even if I lost to Julia without her using her primary weapon, it wouldn't damage my reputation too much, as she was the top-ranked student in the Knight Department.
That being said, I had no intention of accepting defeat easily. I would give it my all.
"Alright, let's see what you've got," I said.
With a rapier in her right hand, Julia assumed her fighting stance. Her stance resembled that of Siena's.
'She must have practiced after losing to Siena last week.'
The fact that she could reproduce the stance so well, even without the Observer's Eye, made me appreciate the power of her master-level trait, Weapon Master, all the more.
'First, I need to study her movements.'
Although I had already observed her movements and speed, actual combat was a different story.
I took my own fighting stance, holding a practice longsword in my right hand.
"I'll make the first move," I said.
"Come at me whenever you're ready," Julia replied, nodding her head.
Without hesitation, I charged towards her.
***
Raei Translations
***
As I had anticipated, Julia's swordsmanship was strikingly similar to Siena's.
I watched their duel closely just last week, I was quite familiar with it.
'Her precision and skill aren't quite there yet.'
It would have been truly hopeless if she had mastered the rapier in just a week.
Her overall prowess was on par with Noctar.
Whirl, swish─!
As I parried and dodged Julia's rapid sword strikes, I thought to myself.
‘Buy a little more time.’
Until she believes this is the extent of my abilities.
Fortunately, my own swordsmanship was superior.
The [Sword User] trait, enhanced by the [Amplification Orb], significantly increased my understanding and proficiency with swords.
"Ha ha, I'm disappointed... It seems the true warrior that the orcs spoke of, was only of the mental aspect."
‘That's right, keep thinking that.’
I still had one secret move up my sleeve.
The duel continued, with me seemingly at a slight disadvantage.
“Haah… I guess Julia is going to win, but it's not as exciting as I thought it would be.”
"True. Though that level of skill is still quite impressive."
The students casually watched our duel unfold.
“Let's end this now, Theo.”
Julia's assault became bolder, and her attacks grew rougher.
'Now's the time.'
I immediately activated Overload for ten seconds.
“Oh?”
Julia seemed intrigued by my transformed appearance.
However, being the top-ranked first-year student in the Knight Department, she quickly adapted to my enhanced strength and speed.
‘...Damn it.’
My strength stat should be at least 12 right now, while hers is 11, just barely falling short.
Though I had the advantage in both skill and strength while using Overload, it wasn't enough to take her down.
The moment Overload's duration ended, I would be finished.
And for days afterward, I'd be confined to my bed.
“Huff.”
The ten-second duration of Overload ended.
Fatigue rapidly set in. But I couldn't give up now that I had seen a chance.
‘I'll bear the bedridden fate.’
Julia's guard was completely down.
Without Overload, I wouldn't stand a chance against her for even ten seconds.
As I used Overload for another ten seconds, a translucent window appeared before me.
[Additional Effect Analysis Complete] [You can amplify the additional effect. Do you wish to amplify?]
At the same time, I felt the [Amplification Orb] in my pocket tremble slightly.
‘So, not only magic and traits, but also the special effects of hidden pieces can be enhanced.’
Being a high-level magic artifact, it had an array of diverse effects.
But now was not the time to marvel at it.
What mattered was that I now had a chance to win.
Of course, I'll use it!
Wooong─!
After a brief tremor, the amplified Overload activated.
"Whew."
I exhaled deeply.
At this moment, I felt capable of anything.
My eyes felt like they were about to burst with blood.
My heartbeat raced, loud enough to hear in my ears.
It was as if I had taken some sort of performance-enhancing drug; my muscles screamed in response.
My limbs felt both heavy and light at the same time.
Whoooosh!
I gripped the longsword with both hands and swung it with great force.
"Huh?"
Julia was taken aback.
I continued my assault.
If an opportunity presents itself, I had to seize it.
'I can win!'
With the amplified Overload, I was much stronger.
My mouth hung open, and a vicious grin formed involuntarily.
Perhaps my face looked absolutely deranged right now.
'It doesn't matter.'
Though I could feel a sharp pain from [Twisted Noble's Dignity], it wasn't enough to stop me.
My sole motivation was the pure desire to win.
I swung the longsword relentlessly, as if striking down with an axe.
Crash, crash, crash, crash─!
Now, Julia was left with nothing but defense, her practice sword raised above her head.
Eventually, her practice sword shattered with a splintering crack.
Thump.
She fell to the ground, her rear hitting the earth.
"…Wow."
"What just happened? Did anyone see that?"
"He seemed like a completely different person. Look at his face; I'd believe he was a demon."
The students murmured amongst themselves.
The thrilling 10-second surge of power ended.
My body, once burning hot, cooled rapidly.
I returned to my previous, abysmal stats of 7 in strength and stamina.
"Hmm."
At the same time, I was hit with an immense wave of fatigue.
Although I had only used the power for 20 seconds, it felt as if I had used it for over a minute.
The fatigue amplified just as much as the effect had.
"Get up."
While still seated, I offered my hand to Julia, who looked at me with wide, astonished eyes.
"Theo Lyn Waldeurk… You really are a true warrior. I admit defeat."
Julia took my hand and stood up.
"I've fought many opponents, but I've never faced someone like you before. It was as if you became an entirely different person."
"…It was a good match."
I responded modestly and turned away, feeling dampness under my nose.
I swiped a finger beneath my nose and found blood.
This, too, must be the price of the amplified Overload.
'I mustn't use this recklessly.'
My body felt heavier by the second, as if it were a waterlogged sponge.
After wiping the blood from my nose with a handkerchief, I turned my head to look at Irene, who was seated nearby.
Her eyes were wide as she stared at me.
Within her blue irises, I saw fear.
It was as if she had come face to face with her nightmares.
