Although it appeared lengthy, the whole realization didn't last more than a fraction of a second in real time.
"...n-no…! Already…!?"
"...?"
Rotsard stopped grinning and let out a bitter groan, stopping an attack and leaning down to appear as if he deflated, causing Justin to furrow his brows and hesitate.
The act didn't escape the attention of the teacher overseeing the duel, and although the performance was shoddy at best, it did its job.
From the outside perspective, Rotsard had no reason to act in that way, after all.
"HAA! HA!"
While cautious, Justin attacked, and the strike connected, causing a cry of pain from Rotsard. Encouraged by the success, the future hero regained some of his vigor and kept attacking.
"...! Ghh..! Ugh…! U-ura-ough…!"
The bleached-haired boy made only a feeble attempt at counting him, but it was honestly miserable.
All of Rotsard's strength and viciousness was gone, replaced with…well… laughable flailing that everyone expected out of him in the first place.
*WHAM*
"UGWUAAAH…!"
When Rotsard pathetically flailed his arms in a failed attempt to sweep Justin's sword away, the strike across his face sent him down on his back and caused him to tumble to the side…
*ching*
"...!?"
…the thing was, while that happened, something slipped out of his oversized uniform, making a distinct sound and getting the attention of the teacher…
"STOP!"
"!?"
"...~"
The enraged teacher roared, stepping between the fighters, causing Justin to flinch and look at him in innocent confusion while Rotsard lowered his head to hide a satisfied smirk.
Of course, the next moment he raised his head and did his best to try to act surprised and worried at the same time.
The audience's deafening cheers and chants for Justin died out in an instant, as everyone waited for the explanation of the sudden interruption.
"...student Vallhall…"
"Wh-what's going on, teacher…?"
The teacher asked in an icy-cold voice, and Rotsard asked, feigning innocence.
"What was the first special rule for the duel that's unique for duels between the students in the Royal Academy?"
"Wh-what? I.. I don't know what you're talking about, teacher…!"
The man took a deep breath and asked, glaring at the bleached-blond-haired student who instantly looked away and mumbled.
"Oh? You don't!? How about you, student Justin?"
"U-umm… th-that it is forbidden to use strengthening or enhancing potions…?"
The teacher turned his head to the other boy and asked, and this time he received an answer, although it was obvious that at the moment Justin didn't figure out the context.
"That's right. That said, student Vallhall. Could you explain what this is?"
The teacher nodded at Justin and turned back to Rotsard, but not before leaning down and picking something up and presenting it to the bleached-blond-haired boy.
"I… I don't know! I have never seen this vial in my life!"
"Wha…?! No…! No way! Even you wouldn't dare to…!"
Rotsard didn't even have a proper look at the empty vial in the teacher's hand, but he was already shouting defensively, which caused Justin to flinch in realization and gasp in disbelief, staring at his opponent with an appalled look in his widened eyes.
"...faes give me strength… Student Vallhall, do I even have to ask?"
"I don't know! I didn't use any potion! Not at all! It's him! This vial has to be his!"
"You…! How dare you!?"
The teacher shook his head, rubbing his forehead in deep disappointment, while Rotsard called out defensively, giving a praiseworthy performance, and making Justin shout angrily.
"Berserker potion."
"How did you…!? AH…!"
The teacher glanced at a vial before looking back at Rotsard and declared, to which the bleached-haired boy's body jolted with a theatrical exaggeration and asked before gasping and blocking his mouth with both hands.
"..."
"T-teacher, wait…!"
The man tossed the empty vial back to Rotsard and turned his back on him, causing the boy to let out a fearful gasp and reach out to him.
"STUDENT VALLHALL USED A BERSERKER POTION BEFORE THE DUEL! THAT IS A CLEAR BREACH OF RULES BOTH PARTICIPANTS MUTUALLY AGREED TO ADHERE TO! AS PER THOSE RULES, THAT MEANS THAT STUDENT JUSTIN IS THE WINNER OF THIS DUEL!"
"YEEEEEES!"
"WHOO-HOOOO!"
"TAKE THAT! EAT SHIT, YOU ROTTEN BASTARD! JUS-TIN! JUS-TIN!"
The teacher's magically enhanced voice thundered over the training grounds as he announced the result, causing the audience to explode into even more excited cheers and chants, some of which directly admonished the exposed cheater.
"Shame on you, student Vallhall. Berserker potion is dangerous and has no place during a duel between students. Not only is it dangerous for the opponent, but it's also plenty harmful for the user. While it feels as if it mitigates the damage you received, you will suffer the full brunt of every single hit in just a few minutes. I hope you will use that experience to reflect on your actions and whether it was worth it."
The teacher waited for Justin to bow to him and send a disgusted glare at Rotsard before leaving and then spoke to the bleached-blond-haired boy himself.
"..."
Rotsard stood up, dusting off his clothes, and followed after Justin, walking past the teacher without bothering to react to the scolding.
Well, he did something that could be considered a reaction.
"...ptfu…"
After a few steps, Rotsard spat to the side, getting rid of the leftover blood in his mouth…
…but that was about it.
At first, everyone was cheering as Justin approached Amelia, congratulating and praising his amazing performance against a cheating trash who went as far as to use the berserker potion that, for a limited time, could turn a normal human into a warrior capable of facing a beginner magic knight head-on.
But then those cheers went quiet, and even Justin and Amelia turned to the next person who came over.
Him.
Rotsard.
Not only did he cheat and use an enhancing potion... He used it and still lost, which was such a pathetic feat that many were already laughing behind his back. Some even didn't bother to hide their mocking smirks and despising glances.