Before this duel began, Farao had always believed that Linen Norton was strong.
But he, Farao Oss, had never lost to anyone!
Both were [One-Ring Arcana Mages], and now that he'd also mastered [Weave Meditation], combined with years of rigorous battle training, Farao saw no possibility of defeat.
But when Linen's [Wind Blade], three times larger than his own, effortlessly shattered his attack and barreled towards him, casting a massive shadow across his stunned face—
Farao stopped thinking.
Why…why is it so huge—?
BOOM!
An explosive roar echoed as wind surged outward, buffeting nearby students and sending Farao hurtling backward, tumbling several meters before nearly flattening a group of unlucky bystanders.
As the dust settled, everyone saw that Teacher Milian had intervened just in time, standing between them to dissipate most of the wind blade's force.
She might lack teaching experience, but as a substitute combat instructor at Eden Academy, Milian's abilities were unquestionably solid.
"That's enough—I declare Linen the winner," she announced, carefully watching Linen's expression.
She desperately hoped the prince would be satisfied—otherwise, resolving the aftermath could become troublesome.
Farao might be foolish, but surely they couldn't have the son of Duke Draco Oss be beheaded by a [Wind Blade] here?
Indeed, Linen felt somewhat disappointed that his fun had been cut short. However, as the blade had exploded, and the winds raged, he'd caught a fleeting glimpse of something intriguing—
A brief flash of a tail, horns, and wings. It made Linen ponder certain possibilities.
"Well, I'll follow Teacher Milian's judgment," Linen finally agreed. "But punishment should still follow, right?"
"That's correct." Milian let out a relieved sigh. "According to the rules of team battles, each member of the winning group can claim three credits from the losing side."
Linen nodded, his cold gaze falling directly onto Farao. He had no intention of sparing this nuisance who repeatedly picked fights with him.
"Then thank you, Teacher Milian. But if I recall correctly, when a student's credits become negative, they enter probation. And if the negative score exceeds ten, isn't that grounds for expulsion?"
Farao instantly paled. Already in negative points from his earlier disciplinary issues, he would be immediately expelled if all three of Linen's group members chose him as their target.
He could vividly imagine his future.
Farao was the eldest son of the Duke of the Northlands, but not the only child. He'd become the family pride when accepted into Eden Academy, but if expelled at the start of his first semester, that disgrace would instantly strip him of his inheritance rights, effectively ending his life.
No—this couldn't happen!
"Wait—wait, Linen! Please, let me explain. I was misguided! There's someone who—"
"Shh."
Linen raised a finger to his lips, coldly silencing Farao's pleas.
"You see, Farao, it's everyone's first time living life—I regret not hearing your tragic story. You repeatedly targeted me, yet now you beg my forgiveness?"
"It's pathetic. Better to leave with dignity and say nothing."
"No…no!"
Farao frantically shook his head, unwilling to accept his fate. But Linen's unwavering gaze pushed him to the brink of despair.
I never should've tangled with this demon in the first place—!
"Well…" Linen suddenly softened, "My mother once taught me not to make enemies but to turn enemies into friends. You haven't caused me significant harm, so giving you a chance isn't impossible."
Is he giving me... a way out?
Farao trembled, lifting his gaze in hopeful disbelief.
"How about this? We can split the credits taken from your team evenly—this way, you won't be expelled immediately. But as compensation, you'll owe my group nine credits, payable next month. How about it?"
This essentially meant Farao alone owed Linen's group nine points while his teammates still lost three each, doubling Linen's gain. Other students observing shuddered at Linen's ruthless maneuvering.
But Farao didn't care—staying enrolled was all that mattered.
Yet Linen wasn't finished. He pulled out a [Contract Scroll] from his storage ring, magically inscribing terms before placing it before Farao.
"To prevent any future misunderstandings, here's a [Contract Scroll]. If you accept, Young Master Farao, please sign."
Farao nodded, about to sign when he suddenly paused, staring at a clause at the bottom.
"Your Highness…what's this...? Why does it say thirteen credits now?"
Linen simply shrugged.
"My dear Farao, surely you realize these aren't your credits—you're borrowing from us. Since it's a loan, charging a little interest is reasonable, right?"
"Plainly put, you borrow nine credits now, you repay thirteen next month. And if you delay repayment, another credit in interest is added monthly. Of course, you can refuse—if you're prepared for expulsion."
"Oh, and since it's your debt, only your credits count. Borrowing from others won't be accepted."
"I agree—no objections!"
Farao hastily nodded. To avoid expulsion, he'd agree to anything. Nine credits or thirteen, it didn't matter now. Preserving his student status was paramount.
Each month's perfect attendance alone provided five credits—two months gave him ten. Add a few extra-credit activities, and repaying it quickly seemed manageable. Even the interest wouldn't pose too much trouble.
To think Linen Norton would let him off so lightly—he retracted his earlier thought. How could this boy be a demon? He was clearly an angel!
Other students murmured softly upon seeing Linen grant Farao mercy.
"Prince Linen is unexpectedly generous, letting Farao go just like that."
"It seems that way, but isn't the debt quite steep?"
"Who cares? Not getting expelled is already generous—he's lucky Linen didn't demand more!"
"Exactly! None of you understand His Highness's kindness!"
"That settles it! Tomorrow's school newspaper headline: 'Prince Linen Shows Mercy to Farao Oss!'"
Linen felt entirely satisfied with this outcome that made everyone happy.
First Linda, then Farao—too many troubles had found him recently. He wasn't naive enough to believe this was random.
In fact, Linen already had a good guess who'd been behind all this.
He wasn't about to quietly suffer their schemes. Farao clearly intended to sell out his teammates earlier, but given Farao's intellect, the accuracy of any information he provided was questionable. Rather than trust unreliable intel, Linen preferred draining the boy's credits instead.
Yet unintentionally stumbling onto a solution that benefited everyone was beyond Linen's expectations.
In truth, most of these young, affluent students barely understood the concept of debt. But two people grasped the true nature of the contract immediately: Elena, who'd risen from humble origins, and Milian, who understood business practices from her family background.
Borrow nine, repay thirteen—initially it sounded reasonable, considering perfect attendance alone could earn five points monthly.
But Farao had overlooked one detail—he was already at minus five points, meaning his total debt was effectively eighteen. Repaying this within two or three months was virtually impossible.
Moreover, could Farao really avoid spending any credits in the meantime?
Even if he incurred no penalties, many academy facilities required payment in credits, not money.
Should repayment be delayed, that seemingly harmless one-credit monthly interest would quickly spiral out of control. Milian shuddered at the thought.
Even if, by some miracle, Farao cleared the debt promptly through sheer frugality, Linen had already profited immensely.
She stole another glance at Linen, involuntarily shivering as she adjusted the black-framed glasses covering her violet eyes.
She seriously needed to confirm this student wasn't hiding wings and horns…
For the first time as a teacher, Milian felt genuine fear toward a student younger than herself.
It seemed best to keep her distance from this prince from now on…
"Now then, Teacher Milian~"
Linen suddenly turned, smiling warmly.
"Y-yes? What is it, Linen?" Milian asked nervously.
Linen paused, then chuckled softly:
"I just wanted to discuss something briefly—you don't need to be so nervous."
He tilted his head innocently, his smile bright and angelic.
"After all, it's not like I'm some sort of demon or anything~"
Gulp!
Milian swallowed hard, completely unable to resist a shudder at that deceptively sunny smile.