"Should I be flattered by your description of me like an idiot, then?" Hal sneered in response, before turning to one of the three other students blocking his path.
He stared at the guy coldly.
"Will you move, or do I have to make you?"
Hal had always been confident in his speed, strength, and endurance.
Coming from the outskirts, he and his friends worked much harder and played much rougher than any pampered city boys.
He wouldn't back down from a physical confrontation.
Hal doubted the bastards causing trouble for him could cast spells already, so even if the situation escalated, it would most likely end in a fistfight.
They were welcome to try him.
Agon and his goons were growing increasingly frustrated at how Hal was handling the situation, finding it difficult to believe that he wasn't backing down despite being inferior, and was even daring to press them hard.
At this rate, they would be the ones embarrassed by the lowly trash!
The idiots now have no choice but to escalate the situation.
"Hoh? Make me, then." the young man blocking Hal's way sneered back.
Hal couldn't help but let out a stifled, mocking laugh, scanning the young man from head to toe before bumping his shoulder into the troublemaker's.
The latter staggered back a few steps, opening up a space for Hal to pass through.
The bastard dared block him with such a…scholarly physique?
Laughable.
Agon and his humiliated friend, or subordinate, or whatever, felt the urge to charge Hal and punch him.
However, they were all too aware of how strict the Grand Magic Academy's policy on violence was.
If they laid a hand on Hal first, they'd be kicked out for sure.
There was only one way they could get back at him…
"Hal Fennec!!" Agon roared in utter fury. "Do you dare accept my challenge of a wizard apprentice duel a month from now?!"
Hal froze as thoughts flooded his young mind.
'A…wizard apprentice duel?'
He then began recalling various information about the said challenge from his memories of the opening ceremony.
As per the deputy headmaster, any student could challenge another to a non-lethal but dangerous duel—one that might very well end their careers before it even began.
This system was introduced to prevent all forms of violence on campus and had also drastically reduced cases of bullying in the process.
It was a genius move to allow students to resolve their conflicts through formal, regulated duels.
Killing was strictly prohibited, but inflicting serious injury was allowed.
Of course, accepting a challenge wasn't mandatory, and so, the system was often used more to intimidate than to fight, since the consequences of participating were anything but light.
Not only would the duel be public entertainment for the entire academy, but the participants would also be putting their futures on the line.
Only those with truly irreconcilable differences saw it through.
Hal was somewhat understanding and a few years ahead of his age in terms of wisdom, and this was why he had always been their group's leader in Poporo Village.
He could very well let the insults slide.
However, he couldn't allow such a coveted chaotic situation to pass him by, could he?
Wasn't this what he had been searching for all day?
Turning around, Hal gazed at Agon coldly.
"Fine then, what are the rules of the duel?" he asked.
A month of training would probably allow Agon to learn a spell or two.
However, Hal couldn't care less, given that he could obtain many more spell cards in that time.
He was quite confident that he wouldn't lose.
Plus, if he did win…
It would probably rain Chaos Points!
Or perhaps it would still do even if he lost, so why should he hesitate?
Meanwhile, Agon was slightly taken aback by Hal's response.
The low-mana trash dared push through and fight him in a wizardry duel?
But on second thought, even if Hal did fight him, how could an untalented garbage like Hal even cast spells?
Firing a single spell one or two times would probably be the one-star student's limit in a month of preparation.
In simpler terms, how would he even lose?
Agon's doubt was soon replaced by excitement.
Perhaps after the event, his reputation would increase, even if only slightly, which might then allow him to join the better student unions despite his status as an average three-star student.
Low-mana trash or not, a win's a win.
"Heh, why? You scared? Need rules just to feel safe?" Agon shot back with a smirk.
"Don't worry, I won't take your life. The only rule is that victory has to be decided by spells, that's it. So, do you accept?"
Time slowed to a crawl for the onlookers.
The situation seemed hopeful, as the rather infamous low-mana affinity and home decor student, Hal Fennec, initially showed interest in accepting.
But whether he would actually do so was a different story.
Who didn't want to watch such a spectacle?
Fortunately, Hal didn't disappoint them: "I accept your terms. I trust you'll handle the duel registration?"
"Hahahahaha!" Agon roared with laughter.
At the same time, a notification appeared that made Hal smile:
[Congratulations! You've earned 5 Chaos Points!]
"Sure, sure. Leave the paperwork to me. Just sign it at the disciplinary office a week before the match. You can also skip signing if you want... but just know, I'll be making your cowardice public if you do. See you in the dueling arena, then, Hal Fennec."
With that, Agon urged his goons to follow him to one of the counters to grab food, clearly satisfied with how things had turned out.
It felt good being the center of attention, especially if it was a confrontation that would ultimately end up in his victory.
Hal, on the other hand, simply left, equally pleased.
'Chaotic situations are indeed the way to go!'