"This cocky behavior of yours will be your demise."
---
"Unshattering rocks, used by everyone to protect whatever we perceive as precious to us. Grant me an advantage by creating pillars that are able to defend me and all my allies from attacks.
[Rock Pillars]"
Multiple pillars emerged from the ground, giving this plain arena some much-needed dynamism.
"So many pillars..."
"I can only do the quick form of that spell... Class S is truly something else."
"But I'm more curious to see what Alen's gonna do."
"Yeah, letting your opponent cast a spell like that... he must have a trick up his sleeve."
"Burn my enemies—all of them." A quick incantation of a Tier Two fire spell.
[Fire Rain]
Multiple fireballs were catapulted toward me by Herdon. With only a simple fireball spell, he wouldn't be able to hit me, so this was a decent strategy.
Sadly for him, I can easily protect myself. The pillars Herdon manifested also serve as my defense.
As long as I can sneak up next to him, I'll have this duel won in no time.
I peek out from behind my protective pillar, scanning the area. It seems he followed my same thought process of hiding behind the pillars and waiting for an opening.
The problem is that, since we both have no idea where the other one is.
I don't know how much longer I can hold on to my secret technique. Even though I'd prefer to keep it hidden, it's bound to come out eventually.
"Burn my enemy."
[Fireball]
A fireball strikes my defensive structure.
"You were all talk before, but as soon as I show my superiority, you hide like a coward!" I won't fall for such simple provocation.
"It seems you really are a rat who snuck into the academy with dirty little tricks!!"
Just keep talking. That'll only reveal your position even more.
He should be at my seven... or is it five..? I was always a bit slow with that way of referring to enemy positions.
What I mean is, he's behind me to my right... so that would be my five?
"If this is the guy who fought on equal terms with Cecil Treyaro, then the standard must be way lower than I expected!"
You really do love to talk, don't you?
"Scorching flames that burn all they touch, incinerate my—"
"A strong fireball??"
"Everyone can cast the quick and neutral version of that spell, but using the strong version now... he really does belong in Class S."
"But he's only ranked nineteenth. That makes him one of the weakest, right?"
"Is he truly the weakest if Alen, who's ranked higher, is having trouble with him?"
"I wouldn't say Alen's having trouble right now."
"Yeah. If you look closely, he's still had that same calm expression since the fight started."
I guess there's no point in hiding my secret any longer.
I step out from behind my pillar and find Herdon chanting his spell.
"...enemies with your never—"
[Wind Ram]
!!!
My spell shot from my hand, successfully hitting my opponent mid-chant.
Thanks to it being the strong version, it sent him flying near the edge of the ring, dealing massive damage.
I'm guessing a strong Wind Ram could easily shatter these pillars. I may have overdone it.
But it doesn't seem like I did. Herdon slowly stood up, breathing heavily.
"Wha–what did you do!? You didn't chant the incanta—" His glasses fell off, and he looked clearly desperate.
[Sandstorm]
I don't have time to waste. He's probably already activated his unique passive.
A powerful sandstorm engulfed the ring, Herdon's screams echoing through the chaos.
I quickly dashed through the arena, reached my target, and launched my assault.
"That's a huge sandstorm!!"
"Who cares about that mediocre spell?! He didn't chant any incantation for either spell!"
"The director's the only one who's ever gone incantationless—and even then, only with quick versions."
"But it's obvious he used the strong version for both spells."
"So this is why he was placed in Class S?"
"Hah. Hahaha..." Every spectator turned to the princess of the Montanev Kingdom who stood up and laughed proudly. "As I suspected, no one without talent would be admitted into our academy—especially not into Class S."
Fran crossed her arms proudly and looked upward, silently vowing to make me explain what I'd just done.
Back in the ring, Herdon didn't stand a chance. Blinded by my spell, he couldn't even defend himself.
I threw him outside the ring, and considering he passed out after my final strike, my win was undeniable.
Ptuh
Did... did the teacher just spit on the ground as soon as I won?
"The winner of this duel is Alen! Celebrate or whatever," the referee said.
Instead of applause or congratulations, the crowd looked stunned—uncertain what to make of what they had just seen.
sigh
More labels for me. How fun...
"As a result of your victory, student Alen moves up one rank, while student Pedro Drepo drops to rank eighteen," Tramer announced.
At least now I'll have a much-needed break from constant duels. I'm still ranked low, but I'm safer than I was before.
I left the ring and changed back into my regular uniform. With my third school day finally over, it's time to start preparing for the game's first major event:
"Underground Bandits' Clash"
It'll begin this weekend and likely end by the third week.
...
I can start by—
A knock interrupts me from the other side of the changing room door.
"How long are you going to make me wait?" Fran's muffled voice comes through.
Guess this isn't the time to be thinking about the future.
I open the door and see Fran standing alone, arms crossed, cheeks puffed out.
"Why did you make me wait so long?"
"It wasn't that long."
"I came all the way here to congratulate my friend on his win, where he showed off to the entire first-year batch..." she turns away.
"And as the only one who came to congratulate you, you made me wait outside?! Am I not even allowed into the changing room for a quick celebration?"
I wouldn't have let you into the changing room regardless of what the reason was, since I needed to get changed first.
"I'm sorry." I couldn't help but laugh at how tsundere she's gotten around me.
"You better be! Or else, forget about me ever doing something like this for you again!" We both started walking out of the arena.
"I'll keep that in mind, haha. I wouldn't want my only friend to stop being one."
"You made that painfully clear yesterday," she whispered, thinking I wouldn't hear—but I did. "I guess I can forgive you... and maybe a few more slip-ups."
"You really are kind, princess. Thanks," I teased the main villainess of the game, silently hoping this friendship might be her salvation.
"Of co—" She abruptly stopped. "What are you doing here?" Her tone turned cold. She was clearly pissed at whoever was in front of us.
"I-I'm s-sorry..." She was trembling. "I just wanted to congratulate Alen for his win... and promotion."
Pink hair. Yellow eyes.
"You're tempting fate by showing your disgus—by showing your face around me, sinner." Fran was clearly trying to hold back because I was present.
The girl looked down, gripping her uniform tightly.
"I-I'm sorry, Princess Von Themys..." she said, almost in tears.
sigh
You're still far from becoming a reliable leader, but I believe you can do it. After all, you're this world's main character.
"Raise your head."
She obeyed, and I gave her a warm smile. "Thank you."
Right now, this is all I can offer—but I hope it's enough.
She blushed and immediately ran off.
At first, I thought I charmed her with my looks...
Not even I believe that.
Then I noticed Fran's looming, murderous aura.
"Hmph." She looked away and resumed walking.
"I know you hate her, so thanks for holding back." I tried to calm her down.
"At least you understand the lengths I go for you." She muttered, almost too softly to hear.
"How about I treat you to something as a thank-you?"
Though honestly, I should be the one receiving something for winning.
"I... would like that." Her stomach growled as her cheeks turned rosy and she pouted cutely.
I couldn't stop myself from laughing.
---
The pink-haired girl kept running, trying to get as far away from them as possible.
While she was scared of what the mean princess might've done or said, that didn't matter now.
Right now, she was happy—happy enough not to care about running in the halls of the academy.
Images of that calm smile kept flashing through her mind. A face, and expression she hadn't seen in what felt like a lifetime.
Slamming the door to her dorm, she threw herself onto her bouncy bed.
Breathing heavily—from both the sprint and the embarrassment of being unable to hold a proper conversation—she buried her face into her pillow.