Justin and Rotsard's classmates really took the request to invite everyone in the Royal Academy to witness the duel to their hearts because not even ten minutes after the end of the last lectures and practical lessons of the day, almost the entire student body gathered at the training grounds.
The crowd wasn't limited only to students, either. It was possible to count on the fingers of one hand the number of faculty and staff members who were absent!
The two opponents were standing in the middle of the field, waiting for a teacher who would be the referee for their fight.
"If you want to back out and admit the results of our last duel and save yourself the humiliation, this is the last moment to do so."
Justin breathed out and said, sending a cold glare at his bleached-blond-haired enemy.
"..."
But Rotsard didn't answer.
He wanted to, but he forced himself to chew on his tongue to stop the words.
If the future hero heard that he actually attacked a half-dead person with shredded internal organs and still tried to boast about besting them, there was a chance he would actually feel bad for Rotsard and might even call off the duel.
…and that couldn't be allowed to happen…
According to the deofol, only if things happen as in the story it read to Rotsard, the world with humanity being safe could continue to exist. The deofol was especially insisting that it was imperative for Rotsard to lose to Justin at every encounter detailed in the first two volumes of the Anthology.
The deofol seemed especially excited about tormenting Rotsard, taking pleasure in the future struggles the boy would have to face.
Actually, it was not just possible, but certain that the deofol was watching him at that very moment.
If Rotsard decides to change, his pride triumphing over the future, and tries to win at all cost…
…it would lead to the destruction of the world…
Knowing that his own future was full of humiliation, but being forced not to change a thing and leave it up to some peasant…
It was enough to make Rotsard's blood boil.
After all, he despised peasants more than any other noble.
Such behavior…
How did that deofol call him?
A third-rate villain?
Yes.
It described him well.
"...are you listening…?"
"Don't talk to me, filthy peasant. Your breath reeks of the rotten scraps you dug out from the bottom of the garbage heap."
Justin spoke to him again, only this time Rotsard responded, choosing to spread the venom of his bitterness around.
"...!"
And it certainly worked the intended way, Justin tensed up and started shaking, even biting his lips just to hold himself back from just attacking Rotsard on the spot.
The teacher who would be the referee and the judge of the duel finally made his way to the middle of the training ground and gathered the attention by enhancing his voice with magic.
Both participants were introduced.
As did the reason for the duel and its stakes.
From the start, the public opinion was heavily on Justin's side, but after the introduction, there was barely anyone who didn't start booing Rotsard.
After silencing the crowd, the teacher went and explained the rules for the duel.
It was just the usual stuff that was universal even outside the Royal Academy, although there were a few additions.
"Use of strengthening or enhancing potions is strictly forbidden! Only training weapons are allowed! They aren't allowed to be pre-enchanted! Disguised artifacts will count as an instant defeat! Spells above Rank 3 are forbidden! Repeatedly targeting the same vital point of your opponent is forbidden! Any lethal attacks will be blocked by me and it's up to me to decide whether it was a result of one of the opponents inability to respond properly, which would count as a win for the participant that used such powerful attack, or if it was a malicious attack purposefully aimed at ending the opponent's life, which would count as instant defeat for the attacker! Understood!?"
"Yes, teacher!"
"Sure."
The teacher announced, and both participants responded accordingly…
"You're both first years, but I'll ask just in case. Besides the blessing from your offering ceremonies, do any of you have a contract with any faefolk?"
The man lowered his voice and inquired, although he was fairly certain about the answers.
"It would be amazing, but no. Not yet, at least."
Justin smiled at the thought, but he shook his head and answered.
"Even if I was forced into a contract with one, I would rather have my soul torn apart by a deofol on the spot than entrust myself to a fae."
"...!?"
"Is that so...? I'll take it as a no…"
But when it was Rotsard's turn, his words were dripping with disgust that took both his opponent and teacher aback. Especially Justin, he seemed even more irked than when Rotsard was insulting him.
"Ekhem! I will be examining your weapons now."
"Here, teacher."
The teacher cleared his throat and reached his hand expectantly, in response to which Justin hurriedly passed him his training sword.
"...?"
The teacher looked over at Rotsard, who didn't move at all, and raised his brow.
"A peasant doesn't deserve to witness Vallhalls' swordsmanship and live to tell the tale. My bare hands are already far more than enough for the likes of him."
Rotsard, still sour-faced, shrugged his shoulders while curling his fingers without actually forming a fist.
"!!!"
The already furious Justin achieved another level of anger, turning pale and glaring at his opponent.
"...putting aside the rudeness of the statement, unarmed combat is allowed…"
The teacher stared at Rotsard for a moment before letting out a disappointed sigh and nodding.
He then appraised Justin's wooden sword and returned it to him with an approving nod.
"Take your spots."
The teacher declared, spreading his arms to indicate the positions that should be assumed by the opponents. The gesture wasn't just an instruction, though. It allowed the teacher to place a dormant defensive spell on each student, one that would activate autonomously and block a lethal attack on the off chance that his own reaction time for danger would be delayed for any reason.