Ayal stood silently among the students.
Everyone around him was lined up, tense and ready.
Behind him, Alya gently held his hand—her grip tight, as if she was afraid something terrible was about to happen.
All the students were staring at Ayal.
Not with curiosity.
Not with respect.
But with killing intent.
It felt like the air itself had changed.
Like a fight could break out at any moment.
One of the students even held a sword in his hand.
Yet—
Ayal showed no emotion.
His face was calm… empty.
He already understood.
A fight is coming.
From behind, Alya whispered softly,
"Ayal… let's leave this place."
But Ayal didn't respond.
Among the crowd, one student couldn't understand the situation.
What is this…?
I only came to see him…
What makes him so different from the others?
He remembered what a teacher once said—
"That boy is different. Completely different from the rest."
Not only that—
Ayal possessed seven mana cores.
Something that should be impossible.
And yet, just a few days ago, he had fought against a group of S-Rank fighters…
And survived.
No injuries.
No scars.
As if nothing had ever happened.
How… is that even possible?
Then suddenly—
A voice echoed through the crowd.
"You… want to become the Moon God, don't you?"
"The one who betrayed everyone…"
"I cannot accept that."
The crowd parted.
A boy stepped forward with a smile.
"Hello… my name is Kazuki."
His presence felt… different.
A faint light seemed to surround him, as if his very existence inspired belief.
He came from a lineage tied to faith—
a bloodline that could turn belief into power.
And on top of that—
He was an exceptional swordsman.
When Ayal looked at him—
He saw golden eyes.
Bright. Calm. Smiling.
Kazuki spoke again.
"So… you're going to become the Moon God, right?"
"Honestly, I don't care."
"But since you're here to learn the sword…"
He raised his hand toward Ayal.
"Let's have a Sword Duel."
The moment those words fell—
Everyone froze.
A duel?
With him?
The entire class was shocked.
But Ayal…
Didn't react at all.
He simply stared at Kazuki.
Silently.
"Ayal, you don't have to do this," Alya said, worried.
"We came here to learn, not to fight."
Ayal finally spoke.
"Alya… if I don't accept this… it will hurt my pride."
His words made her freeze.
Because when she looked at him—
His face had changed.
A faint, terrifying smile.
His eyes…
As if he wanted to kill someone.
Frightened, Alya grabbed his arm tightly.
Kazuki looked surprised for a moment—
Then smiled.
"Alright… if that's what you want."
Suddenly—
A voice interrupted.
"You cannot do anything without my permission."
Everyone turned.
And then—
They froze.
"…Professor Li Wei…?!"
The one who had been speaking with them—
Was actually their professor.
Kazuki immediately said,
"Professor Li Wei, I request your permission for a duel."
Ayal remained silent, staring at him.
Inside Ayal's mind—
A realization formed.
Li Wei…
One of the legendary Sword Gods.
A man who had slain countless monsters and demons.
Li Wei hesitated.
If these two fight… what will happen?
One had seven mana cores—
An unknown monster.
The other—
A genius swordsman.
If they clashed…
He couldn't predict the outcome.
Suddenly, a student shouted—
"Professor! Please allow the duel!"
"He needs to learn what true power is!"
Then others joined—
"Yes! Let them fight!"
"Teach him what a god really is!"
Li Wei fell silent.
He couldn't decide.
Then—
A voice cut through everything.
"Professor… give permission."
Everyone turned—
Shocked.
It was Ayal.
"Ayal, stop," Alya pleaded.
But when she looked at him—
That terrifying smile was still there.
"I want to fight him."
Kazuki smiled again.
"Professor Li Wei… I'm ready."
After a long silence—
Li Wei finally spoke.
"…Fine."
"You may duel."
The moment he said it—
The crowd erupted.
"Show him!"
"Teach him what a god is!"
Ayal tightened his grip.
His eyes darkened.
Inside his mind, only one thought remained—
Before me stands a god…
And he wants to kill me.