The sun barely peeked over the academy grounds, casting long shadows across the arena. Students shuffled in, sleepy and murmuring, the weight of anticipation heavy in the morning air. Today wasn't just any day—it was the Teachers' Contest, a prelude to the upcoming test, designed to both inspire and warn the students.
Rich sauntered into the arena, hands stuffed in his pockets, looking like he hadn't slept a wink. A faint yawn escaped him as he scanned the Crimson Class. "You lot awake yet?" he asked casually, leaning on the edge of the platform.
A few students grumbled, others smirked, accustomed to his laid-back demeanor. Yet even in that lazy posture, there was an undeniable aura of power that made some of them instinctively step back.
"Today," Rich said, scratching the back of his head, "you're going to watch something interesting. Teachers' duel. Don't fall asleep—it might save your lives later."
From the far side of the arena, Thane, the Sovereignty Class teacher, appeared. His presence was sharp, calculated, and commanding, a stark contrast to Rich's relaxed swagger. Students whispered nervously; Thane radiated the kind of aura that made the air feel heavier, almost like a storm was pressing down on them.
Rich smirked lazily, tilting his head. "He's all shiny and perfect-looking as usual. Should be fun."
With no further warning, the two teachers moved. Rich barely shifted his posture, but in the next instant, he was blurring through space, dashing with light-speed precision. Thane met him blade-to-blade, the clash sending a shockwave that rattled the arena walls.
Students gasped, some stumbling back. Even with Rich's casual expression, every strike was calculated and deadly. He wasn't screaming, shouting, or showing strain—he simply moved as if he had all the time in the world, while every action pushed Thane to his limits.
"Whoa…" Ard muttered. "He's… lazy, but every strike is perfect."
"Exactly," Mia whispered. "It's like he's barely trying, and yet he's… unreal."
Rich yawned mid-strike, lazily flicking his blade to redirect Thane's attack. Sparks and mana arcs flew around him as if he were casually swatting away mosquitoes, while Thane's attacks grew faster, more precise, desperate to find a weakness in the seemingly careless teacher.
"See? Told you this would be fun," Rich muttered under his breath, twirling his blade with a grin. Then, suddenly, his expression sharpened for a single moment—a flash of focus—and he countered a lethal strike from Thane with minimal movement, sending his opponent skidding back.
The students' eyes widened. "Even when he's lazy… he's untouchable," Raya murmured.
The duel continued, a storm of blades, mana, and speed, but Rich's demeanor remained mostly casual. He yawned, leaned on his sword for a second, and then casually deflected another high-speed strike, making it look effortless. Yet every block, every parry, and every step carried a lesson in timing, control, and adaptability.
Finally, Rich stepped back, resting one hand on his hip and letting out a long, lazy stretch. "Alright, Thane, you've improved. But you still try too hard. Power is useless without control, don't forget that."
Thane's smirk mirrored Rich's tired grin. "And you… may appear lazy, but your control is insane. Fun match, Rich."
The arena had grown silent in anticipation, the students holding their breath as the two teachers faced off.
Rich lounged casually, one hand in his pocket, the other twirling his blade with a faint smirk. "You ready, Thane?" he asked, yawning slightly.
Thane didn't answer. He raised his hand and whispered a word. Shadows swirled around him, forming mirrored clones of himself that moved independently, their weapons reflecting the light in eerie patterns.
The students gasped. "What… what is that?" Mia whispered, clutching Ard's arm.
Rich's eyes narrowed just a fraction, though his posture didn't change. "He's serious already… huh," he muttered under his breath.
The clones lunged simultaneously, their speed far exceeding normal limits. Thane's voice cut through the air. "Phantom Strike Array!" Each clone attacked from multiple directions, forcing Rich to dodge in near-impossible patterns. Sparks flew as his blade intercepted multiple strikes at once, though he deliberately let a few hits graze him, the faintest glances showing mana flaring only slightly—just enough to make him appear reactive, not overwhelming.
"Not bad," Rich muttered under his breath, twirling his blade lazily. I can end this in a second… but let's see how far he can push it.
Thane's next move: the ground beneath Rich shattered into spectral blades, spinning in a deadly storm. "Spectral Guillotine!" The students froze.
Rich tilted his head, his expression unreadable. He activated a subtle mana shield, deflecting most of the blades while letting a few barely graze him, sending sparks and smoke into the air. Just enough to make it look close, he thought. His movements were fast, precise, and calculated, but he never fully unleashed his power.
Every strike he made against Thane's clones seemed casual, yet it cut through the illusions with ease. One swing here, a tap there—perfectly timed, almost teasing, as if saying, I could finish this any moment, but why spoil the show?
Thane's eyes narrowed. "So… you can keep up. Let's see how you handle this." He combined clones and spectral blades, forcing Rich into a tight weave of attack and defense.
Rich's aura flared slightly brighter, his lazy grin intact, as he performed a series of blindingly fast counter-strikes, destroying clones and deflecting spectral blades almost effortlessly. I could've ended him already… he thought, letting just enough go to make it appear balanced.
Finally, Rich stepped back, letting the clones vanish and the blades collapse. He yawned, stretching slightly. "Alright, lesson over for now. Don't get caught off guard tomorrow, or you'll have a rude awakening."
Thane lowered his hand, a faint smirk on his face. "You… you're worse than I thought. Casual, but deadly."
Rich waved lazily, already turning to leave. "Yep. Don't overthink it. Sometimes, the lazy guy wins… without even trying."
The students were left in stunned silence, their hearts pounding. Today they had seen just a glimpse of their teacher's true strength—and even in his casual, lazy demeanor, Rich had shown what raw talent and experience could accomplish, while holding back just enough to let Thane shine as well.