Academy – Duel (1)

-Thud.

Today again, I opened the classroom door with Annie and entered.

‘I wonder if Doran’s already here?’

After briefly scanning the students, I spotted Doran sitting at his desk.

At the same moment, Doran turned his head and our eyes met.

“Hey, Rena!”

Doran immediately stood up upon seeing me and approached.

Judging by his excited expression, he seemed to have prepared something.

“Rena, you’re not thinking of running away today, are you?”

“Why don’t you stop spouting nonsense?”

Ignoring my dumbfounded expression, Doran smiled and pulled something from his pocket. He began waving it before my eyes.

“Do you know what this is?”

“This is… a Mana Contract…”

I frowned at the paper before my eyes.

A Mana Contract for an academy-level duel?

Doran had prepared quite an expensive contract as extra insurance. Naturally, commoners could never afford such a thing.

He must really want to claim me.

Mana Contracts are expensive but highly effective as they bind both parties’ mana.

Due to this nature, they’re impossible to break unless you’re at the level of a Magic Tower Elder or higher.

‘Though meaningless against someone like me who exceeds that level.’

Normally, breaking the contract would cause someone to lose all their mana.

But slave contracts work slightly differently.

For instance, if Doran’s proposed slave contract took effect, ownership of the slave’s mana would transfer to the master.

Since the master could freely control the mana within the slave’s body, resistance becomes nearly impossible.

Thus, combining a Mana Contract with a slave contract creates a terrifyingly binding agreement.

It’s meaningless against ordinary people without mana, but for mana users, breaking such a contract is tantamount to death.

“That’s right. A contract where we stake all our mana. Essential for noble duels, they say? You weren’t planning to run away even if you lost, were you?”

Basic duels are bound by kingdom law, so fleeing would indeed make it meaningless.

Though you’d never be able to set foot in the Rika Kingdom again.

“A mere kingdom’s legal contract wasn’t satisfying enough. Given your status as a parentless commoner, I thought you might flee the academy even if defeated.”

Bringing up parents was surprising.

Not that I’d be offended no matter how he insulted them.

“How dare you speak to Rena like that!”

Annie, standing beside me, tried to lunge at Doran in anger.

“Wait. I’m fine.”

I stopped Annie and calmed her down.

“If anything, I was worried you might use your status to ignore the results if defeated. Glad this contract will prevent that.”

-Snatch!

I grabbed one of the contracts from Doran’s hand.

“You didn’t tamper with this, did you?”

“Still doubting me?”

“Considering your usual behavior, I have to ask.”

I slowly read through the contract terms. Though lengthy, it wasn’t difficult to parse quickly.

No apparent tampering.

Well, Doran wouldn’t need to cheat given his confidence.

“Take it.”

After confirming the contract’s validity, I handed it back to Doran.

He smiled contentedly.

“Good. Then see you at the Training Ground after class.”

Doran returned to his seat with a satisfied expression.

‘This will be entertaining.’

The higher stakes made me anticipate the duel even more.

I couldn’t wait to see people’s reactions.

**

“As you all know, from the 5th Star onwards, you can freely manipulate mana. You should aim to reach 5th Star first.”

“Mana application is essential for advancing realms. To master mana control…”

The lecture about mana realms and application methods dragged on.

Mana application is crucial for realm advancement.

Thus, most students listened attentively.

As time passed, the professor set down his book and spoke.

-Thud.

“That’s all for today’s class.”

“Let’s hurry to the Training Hall!”

“I’m coming too!”

Students immediately rushed to the Training Hall after class.

The Training Hall was already packed with people.

Though built spacious enough for many students, the crowd made it seem cramped.

“Rena will win for sure, right?”

“The top student’s no joke! Honestly, I hated Doran’s guts – hope she teaches him a lesson.”

“But what if Rena loses? Becoming a slave…”

Amidst the noisy chatter, a female voice cut through.

“Could everyone make way? We need to get through.”

When people turned to look, they saw a blonde girl and brown-haired boy.

The day’s main event – Rena and Doran.

Students began clearing a path to the Training Ground.

The two walked side by side down the created path toward the Training Ground.

“Nervous? Thought about how you’ll beg forgiveness when you lose?”

“…”

“How boring.”

Doran kept taunting Rena as they walked, but she easily ignored him.

An instructor holding the contract stood before the Training Ground.

“The Mana Contract you submitted is here. If Rena wins, Doran apologizes to Jade and leaves the academy permanently. If Doran wins, Rena becomes his slave for one week. Correct?”

“That’s right.”

As Rena nodded, the instructor hesitated before handing over the contract.

“Are you absolutely sure? Even briefly entering a slave contract is extremely dangerous. You’re gambling your entire life.”

“I’m certain.”

“I hope you won’t regret this.”

Taking the contract, Rena handed the other copy to Doran.

They each infused their contracts with mana and stamped them.

“Good. The contract is sealed. Those who violate its terms will lose all mana and never wield that power again. Remember this well.”

After the instructor’s warning, Doran and Rena ascended the Training Ground platform.

The two faced each other on the platform.

“Ready, Rena?”

Doran gripped his staff and took position.

The expensive staff in his right hand glittered with gemstones at its tip.

-Shing!

Rena drew her sword and assumed her stance.

“What makes you so confident? Planning to cheat?”

“It hurts that you keep seeing me that way.”

Suddenly, Doran slowly approached until his face was inches from Rena’s. With lust-filled eyes and a mocking voice, he whispered:

“Even without tricks, you’ll lose.”

“!!”

Rena shuddered and stepped back.

“Haha!”

Doran laughed at her reaction before returning to his position.

The instructor beside them began explaining the rules:

“Duel between Rena and Doran. Continues until someone surrenders. All methods permitted except killing or lethal injury. And as agreed beforehand, scrolls are naturally prohibited. Violating rules means immediate disqualification – be careful.”

After a moment of silence, the instructor continued:

“Then… let the duel begin.”

Doran immediately began casting spells as the declaration ended.

“Shall we test your skills?”

Lightning magic shot from his staff.

Five electricity-formed arrows materialized around Doran instantly.

The arrows flew toward Rena.

-Whoosh!

Unfazed, Rena slightly sidestepped to easily dodge three arrows.

-Zzzzt!

Then, channeling mana into her sword, she precisely angled the blade to deflect the remaining two.

“She deflected them?!”

Though momentarily flustered, Doran quickly regained composure and resumed casting.

But Rena didn’t wait idly.

-Tap tap tap!

Closing the distance instantly, Rena swung her sword.

“Tch!”

Doran canceled his casting and fired an incomplete spell.

Rena slowed briefly before the incoming magic, then bent her knees to angle her sword against it like before.

-Zzzzt!

After perfectly deflecting the magic, she extended her bent knees to charge at Doran.

Her fluid movements made her seem one with the sword.

“These impossible movements…”

Panicking at Rena’s skill, Doran hastily created a barrier.

-Crackle-zap!

“Ugh?!”

But the mana-infused sword shattered his makeshift barrier instantly.

-Slash!

The blade slightly grazed Doran’s arm as it broke through.

Successful in her attack, Rena stepped back and lightly flicked her sword. The blood staining it disappeared.

“How’s the skill test? Though I’m worried I might accidentally kill you.”

“You bitch…”

-Grind!

Doran gritted his teeth at Rena’s mocking stance.

A tedious exchange followed – Rena attacking while Doran defended and retreated.

“Doran, how long will you keep running? Was this all your arrogance amounted to?”

Rena taunted to provoke him as he kept evading.

But Doran, sweating profusely, kept defending without retorting.

“Haa…”

Rena paused to catch her breath. The intense movements had slightly fatigued her too.

“Getting cocky after pushing me a bit? Take this!”

As if waiting for this moment, Doran unleashed a secretly prepared spell.

Massive electricity erupted behind him.

-Crackle-zap!

A lightning net covering half the Training Ground surged toward Rena.

“Oh no…”

The unavoidable-looking spell made Rena momentarily panic.

But she quickly composed herself, gathering mana into her sword. The blade trembled as mana concentrated.

―Huummm.

Soon, an imperfect but visible aura blade coated her sword.

“Isn’t that Aura?!”

“The rumors about her nearing 5th Star were true!”

The crowd buzzed in astonishment at the clear aura manifestation.

Rena swung her sword at the approaching lightning net.

Where aura touched magic, the net disintegrated instantly.

-Swish-shred!

This wasn’t random slashing.

With flawless movements, she precisely severed the net’s weak points.

-Fssshhh!

The lightning net eventually lost power and dissipated under her blade.

“My turn now?”

“Damn it…”

Rena dashed past the fading net toward the panicked Doran. She swung her sword.

-Screeeech!

Doran barely dodged by rolling away-

-Crunch!

“No!”

His staff shattered upon contacting the aura blade.

“M-my staff…”

Doran desperately tried piecing together the fragments, but reconstruction seemed hopeless.

“It’s over.”

-Shing!

A blade pressed against the neck of the staffless, fallen noble.

“You can’t cast spells now. Surrender.”

“Damn it! This can’t be…”

“Now. Use that mouth that spouted nonsense to say ‘I surrender.’ Declare your defeat to everyone.”

Rena pushed the blade closer, demanding surrender.

“It’s over. Rena’s victory! See, Jake? I told you she’d win.”

“Ha… Thank goodness.”

Jake and Annie cheered, raising their hands.

Hearing them, Rena turned and smiled:

“Told you not to worry. Did you really think I’d lose?”

At that moment, something glinted in Doran’s hand-

“Kyaaaaah?!”