After the announcement, the students began grading their answers together within their respective groups.
Of course, Group 8 did the same.
And they finished in no time.
[Group 8]
Katarology: 97
Darkness Dynamics: 100
Summonology: 100
Haematology: 93
Necromancy: 98
Toxicology: 96
Magical Combat: 98
Defense Against Holiness: 95
Seeing the results, Group 8 couldn't hide their satisfaction.
"Not bad, guys~ With scores like these, we're basically rank one," Knox said with a grin.
"Hahaha! Look at this! My Necromancy score is 98! Amazing! Praise this great Lady Cindy!" Cindy declared proudly, hands on her hips.
Knox gave her a light clap.
"Bravo, Lady Cindy."
"Hmm… my Katarology score improved too," Merida said quietly, sounding satisfied.
"My Toxicology turned out better than expected as well," Claudia added, adjusting her glasses slightly.
Knox smiled. "Hehe, good job, everyone. Let's celebrate—well, that's what I want to say… but let's save it for after the second duel evaluation."
Claudia nodded in agreement. "Agreed. If we celebrate now, I won't be able to focus during the duel."
Cindy shuddered slightly.
"Yeah… imagining going into the arena with a full stomach after eating Knox's cooking… I don't even want to think about it."
"…Stupid Cindy, You already did," Merida replied flatly.
Cindy froze.
"…Ah."
The four of them exchanged glances—and then laughed lightly, the tension finally easing after the long test.
Because this performance assessment had been a complete success.
Then, as the laughter settled, Cindy suddenly turned to Knox.
"Ah, right. Knox, who's your opponent for the next duel evaluation?"
Knox answered without much thought.
"Jule Vincere."
…
The laughter stopped. Instantly.
It was as if someone had pressed pause on the entire group.
Cindy slowly turned her head toward Knox.
Her movement was stiff.
Almost mechanical.
"Wha… what did you just say…?"
Claudia frowned slightly. "…Did I hear that wrong?"
Knox tilted his head casually.
"Jule Vincere. Special Entry No.6, the magic sword user~"
"…Knox…" Merida muttered, her voice low, tinged with concern.
Cindy's tone rose immediately.
"What did you just say?! Wasn't your previous opponent also a Special Entry?!"
Claudia let out a quiet sigh, rubbing her temple.
"…Another Special Entry opponent? At this point, I'm starting to think this isn't a coincidence."
Knox just laughed lightly.
"Haha, maybe I just have a strange fate with Special Entries~"
***
The next duel featured Simon Polentia against Jessica Kananor.
From the very beginning, the match drew attention for a rather unusual reason.
Even in the middle of the duel, Simon continued holding a book in one hand, flipping through pages as if he were still studying. His calm demeanor and divided focus made it look as though the fight was nothing more than a minor distraction.
For Jessica, however, it was anything but that.
The way Simon treated the duel only made her frustration grow, her attacks becoming sharper as the exchange continued. Even so, Simon maintained the same composed attitude, responding to her movements while still treating the situation like an extension of his study session.
At some point, it became clear that he was not just defending himself.
He was learning.
Using every move Jessica made as material.
Then—
As Simon clenched his fist—
[Simon Polentia's Original – Bone Nail]
Shushushushushuk!
Fragments of bone launched at Jessica from all directions with terrifying speed.
'Ah…
There was no dodging mid-air.
Jessica shut her eyes in resignation as the bones closed in.
PABABABABAM!
[Simon Polentia: 72%]
[Jessica Kananor: 0%]
"Match over!"
Jessica fell to the floor without strength, and the referee shouted out,
"The winner is Class A student, Simon Polentia!"
Then, at the fifth stadium.
Unlike the excitement of last week, the atmosphere in the stands felt noticeably quieter. The seats were not as full, and the crowd was more sparse compared to the previous duel evaluation.
This was because midterm exams were coming up next week, and external scouts had been restricted from entering the academy to help manage student stress during the exam period.
Even so, the number of spectators was far from small.
Because this match—was another major one.
A Special Entry versus Special Entry.
And not just anyone.
The previous Special Entry clash had involved Knox.
And now, once again—it was Knox.
Naturally, this began to raise some suspicion among the students. Some even started to question Kizen's management, wondering if this was truly a coincidence.
Perhaps because their schedules did not overlap this time, all members of Group 7 and Group 8 were present to watch.
In addition, several Special Entries had also gathered.
Among them were Lorain and Serene.
Interestingly, the seating arrangement of Group 7, Group 8, Lorain, and Serene was exactly the same as during Knox's previous duel evaluation.
As if history was repeating itself.
Back to the arena.
Standing at the center were Knox—
and his opponent.
A male student with a white bandage covering one eye, resembling an eyepatch. At his waist hung a long sword, nearly as tall as himself.
Jule Vincere.
Special Entry No.6.
He was known as one of the strongest first-year students in Kizen in terms of pure combat power, especially when in peak condition, despite his rather unique circumstances.
Knox quietly observed him.
Then his gaze shifted slightly—toward the sword at Jule' waist.
Hmm… a magic sword user.
Or more precisely… a cursed sword user.
A magic sword.
In essence, it was a cursed weapon. One that granted immense power to its wielder, but in return brought blood, death, and all kinds of misfortune.
If one were to borrow a term from alchemy—
it was an equivalent exchange.
In the past, no knight or swordsman would willingly wield such a weapon.
Knox's gaze lingered on the sword at Jule' waist. Then, slowly, something surfaced in his mind.
According to Rick's explanation before, Jule' attacks were not something that could be followed by the eye.
Or rather, it was not that they could not be seen.
It was that the very act of attacking seemed to be missing.
Jule would swing his sword.
A clean, complete motion.
From draw to slash, and then back to the sheath.
But to everyone else, that entire sequence simply did not exist.
No swing.
No movement.
No transition.
Only the result.
To an outside observer, Jule appeared to be standing still, his hand resting calmly on the hilt of his sword.
And yet, the slash had already been delivered.
This was not an illusion. Not a trick of the eyes, nor a hallucination. It was something far more abnormal.
A phenomenon that felt closer to the reversal of causality itself. Or perhaps, a direct interference with reality.
Knox's eyes narrowed slightly. He remembered how surprised he had been when he first heard about it.
A power like that was not just dangerous. It was fascinating. Enough to make him want to analyze it personally.
Then there was the sword itself. The so-called King of Curses. A blade said to inflict a curse simply by cutting its target.
Considering that the very nature of the sword was a curse, that part made perfect sense.
Still, everything he knew so far was secondhand. Something he had only heard. Something he had yet to truly witness.
Knox's lips curved faintly.
If he wanted to understand it properly—
he would have to see it for himself.
Before the match officially began, the two of them stepped closer.
Jule extended his hand first.
"Nice to meet you. My name is Jule Vincere."
Knox took it with an easy smile.
"Knox Aznable. Nice to meet you~"
Their handshake was brief.
But even in that short moment, Knox had already taken in everything he needed.
His gaze lingered for a split second on Jule' covered eye.
Then—
"Hmm~"
Knox tilted his head slightly, as if he had just noticed something interesting.
"You're under a curse, huh?"
Jule' expression stiffened.
Knox continued casually, like he was just making small talk.
"Lost an eye, no sense of taste… and your mental state's kinda unstable too, right?"
He tapped his chin lightly.
"Ah, and nightmares every night?"
"…What are you talking about?" Jule' voice sharpened.
Knox just smiled. "Eh? I got it right?"
He leaned back slightly, completely relaxed.
"Don't worry, I'm not judging you or anything~ Just curious."
Then, suddenly—
"Is life fun for you?"
Jule frowned. "…That's a strange question to ask before a duel."
"Really?" Knox chuckled. "Feels like a pretty normal question to me."
He shrugged lightly.
"I mean, you're carrying something that heavy. I figured I'd ask."
For a moment, Knox studied him again.
Up close, Jule didn't feel like a necromancer at all.
More like a swordsman. A warrior. Someone who lived for battle.
Knox hummed softly.
"Anyway…"
His eyes flicked toward the sword.
"That thing's eating you, isn't it?"
Jule' gaze sharpened. "You've already paid quite a bit for it. Eye, senses… probably more."
Knox's tone stayed light, almost playful. "Power in exchange for something important. Classic deal~"
Then, he smiled a little wider.
"But you know…"
He raised a finger slightly.
"There's a limit to that kind of trade."
Knox looked straight at him.
"The moment you've got nothing left to give…"
A brief pause.
"…that power stops growing."
Then he added, almost teasingly—
"Or what? You planning to let the sword take over completely?"
"…."
Jule didn't answer.
Knox just let out a small laugh.
"Hehe… now I'm actually looking forward to this fight~"
"…."
Jule suddenly glared at him, then fell silent.
Knox blinked once.
Hmm… did I poke too far?
He scratched his cheek lightly, still smiling, though a bit sheepish now.
"Ah, sorry~ If that came off as rude."
He lifted one hand casually.
"I wasn't trying to dig into your business or anything."
A small pause.
Then, more lightly—
"I just don't really like watching people slowly break down, you know?"
Jule didn't respond. For a brief moment, it felt like he was about to say something.
His lips parted slightly—
Then stopped.
"…No."
His voice came out low. "Anyway… how am I doing?"
Before Knox could answer—
"Two students! Is it okay to start the match now?"
The referee's voice cut in.
Both of them turned slightly.
Jule closed his mouth again, whatever he had been about to say disappearing completely.
Knox just let out a small chuckle. "Well… guess we'll continue this after the fight~"
Then he stepped back, posture relaxing as if nothing had happened.
But his eyes—
were already focused.