Hikaru and Jesse went up on stage together. Professor Paladin divided the items on the podium into two groups and had them inspect and put on each piece.
Hikaru checked everything over and confirmed that despite all the clattering, these were really just performance costumes.
Theatrical props, essentially.
They were heavy in his hands, but far from genuine "armor."
"All right, you two, go ahead and suit up." Professor Paladin clapped his hands, gesturing for them to get dressed.
The two exchanged a glance. Jesse laughed. "How fun! Professor, are you going to have us duel wearing these?"
"Impressive intuition. But let's go over the details in a moment." Professor Paladin motioned for them to get suited up first.
Hikaru wasn't entirely sure what was going on, but since it was part of the lesson, putting on some armor was no big deal. He donned the suit and helmet, feeling like he had transformed from Hikaru into some kind of Arcana Knight.
"Good."
Once both were armored up, Professor Paladin had them stand in position, then began his lecture. "You should all be familiar with the traditional concepts of 'chivalry' and 'knightly virtue.'
Things like protecting the elderly, women, and children. Fighting for justice against injustice and evil. Love of homeland. Risking one's life to defend the Church.
Of course, that last one has lost much of its meaning due to the times. But the first three remain decisions that any just and righteous person would make, even today."
"And among knights, there is one particularly traditional practice: the duel."
Finally, the main point.
Every student waited curiously for what came next.
"Having attended the previous professors' classes, you should already understand that improving your spirit power can be achieved through learning the stories behind spirits, increasing your affinity and interest in certain things, or even directly summoning powerful spirits in exchange for power.
But some of these require extensive accumulated knowledge, while others involve considerable risk.
So is there a relatively easy method to improve your abilities?"
Professor Paladin didn't keep them in suspense. He extended both hands, pointing at Hikaru and Jesse. "Exactly. Under these circumstances, I've discovered an entirely different approach.
And that is: roleplay dueling!"
Roleplay dueling?!
Quite a few students couldn't help repeating the phrase with curiosity.
Professor Paladin chuckled and continued his explanation. "In this day and age, maintaining the eight virtues of knighthood and practicing chivalric spirit is simply too difficult. The opportunities and environment don't exist.
So even if a student truly possessed the outstanding talent to earn the recognition of justice, they would have no way to put it into practice.
However!
I believe every one of you has experienced this.
When you were children, you must have roleplayed as heroes or other characters with your friends. Maybe a protagonist or villain from a cartoon you watched, or a character from a game, or a historical figure.
I myself once played the famous Child of Light, Cu Chulainn, from my homeland."
Many students nodded.
That was true.
Looking back on their childhoods, most could recall some unforgettable, cherished memories born from that kind of admiration for heroes and characters.
Jaden leaned back slightly, hands behind his head, looking both nostalgic and slightly troubled.
Of course he had roleplayed as characters from his favorite cartoons as a child, roughhousing with other kids. But later, the children who had "fought" him all ended up hurt or even unconscious, so he had stopped that kind of play altogether.
"Professor, can this really strengthen us?!" A student raised their hand and asked directly.
Professor Paladin laughed. "Students, you need to understand something. Many of the things you do now are, at their root, shaped by what you encountered during childhood. It's the influence of those experiences that gradually led you to the lives you have today."
"Your love of monsters, your love of certain cards, all stems from this same source.
So this kind of roleplay dueling, this 'Knight's Duel,' is actually my way of encouraging everyone to rediscover your inner childhood through roleplaying, alongside your studies. This way, you can more easily identify your own preferences, and slightly improve your spirit power.
Of course, it's only a slight improvement. If you want to advance your spirit power further, you'll still need the courses from yesterday's two professors. This class is more about teaching you how to relax your mind through roleplay during your free time, while incidentally improving your abilities. Think of it as a supplementary technique."
Professor Paladin wasn't an overly serious person, nor did he have ulterior motives. He encouraged students to attend multiple classes so their growth would be well-balanced.
He pulled two cards from his Deck, flipped them over, and showed them to the students. "This time, the roles for our two volunteers are simple. They should be characters you're all very familiar with."
He held up the two cards, which the display equipment behind him projected for all to see.
Noble Knight Artorigus. Ignoble Knight of Black Laundsallyn.
True knights, indeed.
"Oh! It's the story of the legendary Knight King!" Jesse recognized the cards' protagonists. "So, Professor, the characters we'll be playing are these two? Then I absolutely have to be the Knight King! I've loved playing the champion of justice since I was little!"
He laughed as he joked.
"I'm the strongest knight, Lancelot? I suppose that's not bad." Hikaru's entire impression of Lancelot came from FGO. He didn't have a strong image of the dueling Lancelot at all.
"Ha ha ha, no need to rush, you two. Since this is your first roleplay duel, we'll start with a fair and random assignment. Everyone has a 50% chance of being the hero and a 50% chance of being the villain. That's what makes roleplay fun. After all, quite a few of you probably deeply resented always being stuck playing the villain as children, right?"
As he spoke, he adjusted the projection screen. A large scoreboard suddenly appeared, with Hikaru's and Jesse's portraits on either side. A coin spun slowly on the display, and Professor Paladin said, "Once the duel begins, everyone can choose to support the Knight King or support Lancelot. Become a righteous knight, or the strongest knight who betrayed the King. You only get one choice. The final results will be shown on screen.
Remember, once the duel starts, they are no longer Hikaru or Jesse. They are Artorigus or Lancelot, and what you're supporting isn't them personally, but their faction!"
"Wow!" "Ooh!"
After two days of intensive studying, many students were a bit worn out from absorbing so much new knowledge. Seeing this kind of activity, they couldn't help cheering with excitement.
This professor was really fun!
Sitting through regular lectures was definitely not as entertaining as this.
Ding.
The coin landed.
A card suddenly flew out and landed before Hikaru.
Ignoble Knight of Black Laundsallyn.
He really was playing Lancelot?
He shook his head. Compared to someone with Jesse's kind of luck, he was apparently destined to always play the villain.
"Duel!" As supporters for both sides surged on the projection screen, the unified shout echoed through the conference hall.
Both players' Duel Disks opened automatically, extending like blades alongside their arms. Simultaneously, both drew five cards.
Artorigus Jesse, LP: 4000.
Lancelot Amagi Hikaru, LP: 4000.