Duel

“···Then, I’ll see you next time. Teacher Ophelia.”

“Please come whenever it’s convenient for you. I’ll always be waiting.”

“That’s good. When my condition improves, it’ll be easier to defeat you.”

“I wonder about that. It’s still too early. I’ve already figured out all of Her Highness’s habits.”

“Habits?”

“Think about it slowly. If you realize your own habits, you might be able to defeat me.”

This should be enough.

While seeing Stella off, I scattered plenty of hints for her.

How she could defeat me.

It was fine even if she thought it was a far-fetched story right now. She could believe there was no such thing as habits.

No, it might even be better if she thought it was a ridiculous notion.

Because self-realization is the most important thing for personal growth.

No matter how much I pointed out her problems, it would be meaningless if she didn’t realize them herself.

When others talk about your own affairs, it just sounds like empty words.

The important thing is to understand it yourself.

You need to feel the necessity to change yourself.

Even if I forcibly changed her habits, she’d revert back soon enough if she didn’t feel the need.

“Is it over?”

“Ah, Leo.”

“To converse so naturally with Her Highness… You’re amazing, Teacher.”

Leo looked at me with sparkling eyes.

Was he impressed seeing me talk casually with the princess?

“This is the Academy after all. Showing minimal respect is enough.”

“···Wasn’t that just an empty saying?”

“Not exactly.”

I knew what Leo meant.

Many students thought the Academy’s rule about everyone being equal regardless of status was just words on paper with no real meaning.

“But… Even if no one says it, differences exist.”

“That’s true. But that’s just people being cautious themselves.”

Inside the Academy, everyone is equal.

But outside?

People subconsciously feared what retaliation might come. Leo was pointing out how this created invisible barriers.

Most lower-status students couldn’t stand up to noble students.

But nobles never actually forced such behavior.

Because of laws established by the former Emperor.

Nobles who knew the law had no choice but to obey, even if they disliked it.

If caught treating commoners like servants, they’d face punishments considered excessive.

“Being cautious isn’t bad. People are cautious around Orca too, and she’s not even a noble.”

“Th-that’s… Because she’s dangerous…”

Leo glanced at the curtained bed.

…No wonder I hadn’t seen Orca – she’d been sleeping there.

“It’s unavoidable that commoners and nobles find each other awkward. Just maintain basic courtesy and it’ll be fine.”

“···.”

I became certain.

Leo’s reaction meant there was a specific reason.

…The Main Quest must have started.

Leo’s discomfort with nobles coincided with the beginning of the Main Quest timeline.

“Don’t worry too much, Leo. That noble won’t try to harm you.”

“H-how do you know…?”

“The rumors have already spread everywhere.”

A lie.

Not only were there no rumors, I hadn’t even heard about any recent incidents.

Students had been visiting less frequently lately.

Though Orca came to the counseling room daily, she wasn’t connected to any rumors.

How did I notice without hearing details?

Simple – there was only one reason he’d look at me talking with the princess like that.

It had begun. Leo’s Main Story.

No wonder he’d lingered in the counseling room so long today.

He must have been anxious enough to wait outside even while Orca and Stella played chess.

Seemed he wanted counseling.

“Rumors alone make it hard to verify facts. Could you explain the situation in detail?”

“Y-yes…”

***

The boy Leo was attending class as usual.

“So, when you move mana this way, the magic circle becomes like this…”

The class was Basic Magic Theory.

Though unnecessary for Leo who wanted to be a knight, he enrolled thinking it might help.

Knowing magic basics might assist when fighting mages someday.

…Of course, he also wanted his money’s worth from the expensive Academy.

He worried students might resent a swordsman taking magic classes, but fortunately, that didn’t happen.

Everyone understood and studied together.

The problem came from an unexpected place.

During lunch after morning classes.

Familiar male students approached – a noble and his followers.

They claimed to be friends, but everyone knew it was an excuse.

“…Allen.”

“Allen Miller. Use my full name.”

“…”

“I’m tired of repeating myself, Leo. Go to the cafeteria. I can’t stand this anymore.”

“Hah, but I don’t have money. If you wait just a week…”

“I’m telling you to solve it now! I said I can’t take it anymore!”

Leo replenished energy through meals.

The Academy’s harsh schedule plus unexpected magic classes drained his stamina.

Naturally, he ate more than usual… and quickly ran out of money.

“I’m sorry. But I truly have no money.”

“Then at least eat that stinking meat outside!”

He did have emergency funds.

He’d worked hard to save for Academy admission.

Leo saved for emergencies, but the Academy proved harsher than expected.

A commoner’s emergency fund wasn’t large, and Leo’s vanished quickly from his increased appetite.

Finding a part-time job compatible with Academy life was good… if not for the delayed monthly payment causing this situation.

When the owner apologized bowing, Leo smiled it off but now regretted not taking partial payment.

“It’s distracting! Eat outside!”

“But rules prohibit eating outside cafeterias and classrooms…”

“Who cares! I said I can’t concentrate!”

A saying claims mages are highly sensitive – mostly true.

Perhaps from constantly working with magic circles?

Leo knew this but thought it irrelevant to him – wrongly.

Cafeteria required Meal Tickets, prohibited outside food.

But lacking money, Leo couldn’t buy tickets and reluctantly ate in class…

The problem started here.

Usually fine – his main classes had less sensitive people.

But morning magic classes were problematic.

Mages often worked on magic circles during lunch, so they tacitly agreed to keep quiet.

When Leo’s food smell distracted them, Allen started complaining.

“…Fine. I see you won’t listen.”

Finally, Allen snapped today.

“A duel, Leo. If you win, I’ll never mention this again. But if I win, drop this class.”

***

“…That’s what happened.”

“I see…”

Nothing seemed different from what I knew.

Same outline, same opponent.

Solving Chapter 1 was simple.

Loan Leo money until his paycheck comes, or cover his meals for few days.

Apologizing and promising no repeats would calm Allen too.

“…I know I was wrong, Teacher. But I had no choice – I lacked meal money.”

“I understand.”

“What should I do?”

“Do what?”

But I didn’t suggest that to Leo.

Though simple, it would prevent Leo’s growth.

I recalled an old saying – don’t give fish to the hungry, give a fishing rod.

Solving it myself wouldn’t let Leo grow.

So Leo had to solve it himself.

“Crush his pride. Just win.”

“Huh? B-but he’s a noble…”

“If he schemes after losing a duel, his reputation would be ruined. What you fear won’t happen.”

Fight. Keep fighting.

Even if you lose, I’ll make you fight until you win.

I smiled at Leo.

“So don’t worry – just fight.”