"Who are you calling stupid, you jerk!" End yelled at Ray, his voice echoing sharply in the courtyard.
Gasps erupted among the students who had been gathered. The training ground, once filled with light chatter, now fell silent except for low murmurs rippling across the crowd.
"what us happening here now?"
"No way… isn't that Monica Rosewood?"
"They're in bug trouble if they mess with her."
Just as the Oracle and the academy had unified the schools, equality had been declared the highest standard within these walls. No matter a student's bloodline or status, they were bound by those rules. Even though the new Oracle of Sword and Magic had not yet been chosen, the academy held tightly to the values of balance.
"He's doomed," Monica Rosewood sneered, her voice dripping with disdain. She crossed her arms and smirked coldly. "Does he think he'll live peacefully now after saying something like that?"
Her words lit a fire under the crowd.
"Typical Monica…"
"She's trying to escalate things again."
"End better be careful."
"Oh my," Monica suddenly raised her voice, making sure all eyes turned toward her. "Since everyone is so noisy, let us hear from our special guest. If Monica Rosewood allows it, of course." Her lips curled mockingly.
Heads swiveled toward Lilian, who stood quietly at the edge of the crowd. Her silver hair caught the sunlight, her hands clasped nervously in front of her.
"Lilian-nim," Ray said softly, his tone far gentler than Monica's.
"Yes… me?" Lilian answered in a low voice, unsure why she had been dragged into the quarrel.
Ray gave her a reassuring nod. "As the future Oracle, you have the right to make a decision. If you were to awaken even now, no one could stop you."
Murmurs spread again, though this time tinged with awe.
"He acknowledged her future?"
"Only Ray would dare say it so openly."
"She really does have that kind of presence…"
"How dare you look down on royalty like that!" Monica Rosewood snapped, her voice sharp as glass.
Ray raised his hand slightly, calm and collected. "I didn't say anything of the sort. Also, if I recall correctly, your [R Country] already recognized Lilian as the successor of the Sword and Magic Oracle. Doesn't that mean she has the right to make decisions here as well?"
Monica's glare sharpened, but she couldn't deny the truth.
"So then," Ray continued, turning deliberately toward Lilian, "what do you think of the matter, Lilian-nim?"
Lilian hesitated, her eyes darting between the students, End, and Ray. At last, she gathered her courage. "I… I think one-sided violence is wrong. It's basically bullying."
The crowd stirred immediately.
"She said it."
"Future Oracle's judgment…"
"No one can go against that."
"Right," Ray said firmly, his tone carrying weight. "Lilian-nim is the future Oracle. It's only natural that she has the right to protect those under her."
"Ah, thank goodness Ray managed to settle it," Melin thought with relief, placing a hand over her chest.
"Well then, let's stop this here and let everyone return to class," Ray announced, his voice calm but decisive.
But Monica's sharp voice cut through the air again.
"Stop right there!" she shouted, stepping forward. "Who gave you the right to dismiss this?"
The atmosphere tightened once more.
"Jeffrey," Monica commanded, her eyes never leaving Ray's, "challenge him to a duel."
Jeffrey, a tall boy with an imposing frame, froze. "M-me?" he stammered, pointing to himself.
"Yes, you."
"B-but… how can I challenge a commoner to a duel? That's beneath me… he's just a lowlife—"
Monica's cold gaze silenced him at once. Her eyes, sharper than any blade, cut him down before he could finish his excuse.
"Well… it can't be helped then," Jeffrey muttered, scratching the back of his head. "If our Oracle says it's one-sided bullying, then we have to put it right."
The crowd buzzed again, excitement sparking in their eyes.
"A duel?"
"Finally, something worth watching."
"Jeffrey against End, huh…"
End clenched his fists, muttering under his breath. "Fine. If it's a duel, then I can at least blow off some steam."
"Don't hold back," Ray said lightly, patting End's shoulder. His expression was calm, but his eyes glimmered with quiet encouragement.
"End, you can win this," Melin whispered from the side, worried but supportive.
"Hey, hurry it up already!" a student shouted from the back. "We're getting bored!"
Jeffrey hesitated, still calculating. What if End is stronger than he looks? What if I embarrass myself?
Finally, he straightened his back and spoke. "Let's do it. A duel—just the two of us, with no interference."
Gasps spread across the courtyard.
"He actually agreed."
"This will be interesting."
"Jeffrey can't back down now."
"Oh, so you picked him," End said with a grin, eyes locked on his soon-to-be opponent.
Monica stepped forward, her voice commanding. "Then it's settled. By the end of the day, in the training hall, the duel will take place. No excuses."
The air hummed with anticipation as the crowd exploded into chatter.
"That's all. Now let's go," Monica declared, flicking her hair back as she turned away. Her entourage followed closely behind, though several glanced back at End with smirks and sneers.
"Come on, let's go too," Melin urged softly, tugging at End's sleeve.
Ray walked beside him, calm as ever. His gaze, however, was sharp as it lingered on Monica's retreating figure.
End exhaled deeply. I need to play my part well. The day I reveal my true identity will only be when I find the [Oracle]. Until then… patience.
The three of them left the courtyard together, the whispers of students trailing after them. Everyone knew the duel by day's end would not only test End but shake the academy itself.