Chapter 24: The Challenge Box
The moment classes ended...
The Academy buzzed with excitement.
Students crowded the hallways, discussing the new ranking system.
"I heard you can challenge the Top Ten anytime."
"I'm definitely challenging Number Ten."
"Forget Number Ten."
"I'm aiming for Number Five."
Vee quietly walked in the opposite direction.
He pulled his hood over his head.
"...If I don't make eye contact..."
"...maybe they won't remember I exist."
Leon caught up with him.
"You do realize you're the Apex, right?"
"I choose to ignore that fact."
"You literally have a giant Apex badge on your uniform."
Vee looked down.
"...Traitor."
---
A few minutes later...
The two reached the Apex Dormitory.
Leon waved.
"I'm heading to my room."
"Try not to get challenged before dinner."
"I'll try."
Leon laughed and walked away.
Vee climbed the stairs toward his room.
As soon as he reached the hallway...
He froze.
"..."
"...What is that?"
A huge black wooden chest stood outside his door.
It was almost as tall as he was.
An Academy servant bowed respectfully.
"Good evening, Lord Apex."
Vee pointed at the chest.
"...Why is there a treasure chest outside my room?"
"It is the Challenge Box."
"The Challenge... what?"
The servant smiled.
"Every official duel request addressed to the Apex is delivered here."
Vee slowly opened the lid.
One envelope.
Five.
Twenty.
Fifty.
Then...
The letters kept rising.
They were packed so tightly that a few spilled onto the floor.
Vee silently closed the lid.
Opened it again.
The letters were still there.
"..."
"...I was hoping they would disappear."
The servant politely coughed.
"They're real."
Vee sighed.
"I've made a terrible mistake."
---
He picked up the first envelope.
«To the Apex.
I challenge you for your position.»
The second.
«I refuse to believe you're stronger than me.»
The third.
«Meet me at the Central Arena tomorrow.»
The fourth.
«I'll defeat you in one strike.»
The fifth...
The sixth...
The tenth...
They all said the same thing.
Vee rubbed his forehead.
"So..."
"...the entire Academy woke up and chose violence."
The servant nodded.
"That would be an accurate description."
---
Vee sat on the floor.
He looked at the mountain of letters.
Then at the ceiling.
"If I pretend I never saw these..."
"Do they disappear?"
"No."
"What if I move to another dorm?"
"No."
"What if I fake my own disappearance?"
"...Still no."
Vee sighed dramatically.
"The Academy has excellent customer service."
---
Just then...
DING!
The system appeared before him.
---
SYSTEM MISSION
Mission: Defend the Apex Title.
Objective: Accept and win every official duel received today.
Reward:
- +1,500 System Points
- Intermediate Sword Mastery (Fragment)
Penalty for refusing:
- Lose the Apex Title automatically.
---
Vee stared at the blue screen.
"..."
"...You too?"
The screen naturally didn't answer.
He looked toward the servant.
"I've reached a conclusion."
"Oh?"
"I'm being bullied."
The servant tried not to smile.
---
Vee stood.
He cracked his neck.
"Fine."
"If they all want to fight..."
"I'll accept."
The servant blinked.
"All of them?"
"All of them."
The servant looked genuinely surprised.
"There are over sixty challenge letters."
Vee smiled.
"I'll finish before dinner."
The servant's jaw dropped.
---
Within an hour...
News spread through the Academy like wildfire.
"The Apex accepted every challenge!"
"Every single one?!"
"Is he insane?"
Students abandoned their clubs.
Second-years stopped their training.
Even a few third-years walked toward the Central Arena.
"I've got to see this."
"I heard he's fighting everyone."
"This'll be interesting."
---
The Central Arena.
Thousands of students filled the seats.
The instructors exchanged curious glances.
Professor Adrian folded his arms.
"He actually accepted them."
Headmaster Orion smiled faintly.
"Let's see if the Apex can carry the weight of his title."
---
A large Academy official stepped into the arena.
"Students!"
"The challenges will proceed one after another."
"The winner remains in the arena."
Cheers erupted.
Vee walked through the entrance.
The moment he stepped inside...
The crowd roared.
He looked around at the sea of faces.
His eyes widened.
"...Wow."
Leon smirked.
"Nervous?"
Vee scratched his cheek.
"I think..."
"...I'm finally becoming popular."
He looked at the thousands of students watching him.
Then smiled.
"Either that..."
"...or everyone just came to make sure I lose."
The crowd laughed.
Leon nodded.
"I'd say it's about fifty-fifty."
Vee pointed dramatically at the audience.
"To everyone who came to support me..."
He paused.
"...Thank you."
The audience cheered.
"And to everyone who came to watch me get beaten up..."
He grinned.
"...Please try not to look too disappointed."
Laughter rolled across the arena.
Even several professors chuckled.
Professor Adrian shook his head.
"He hasn't even started fighting..."
"...and he's already entertaining the crowd."
The Academy official raised his hand.
"First challenger..."
The arena fell silent.
The first duel...
Was about to begin.