Academy – Jade (2)

“What? A duel…?”

Doran, momentarily flustered by the sword I drew, quickly regained his composure. He began laughing at my challenge.

“Hahahaha!”

From his perspective, it was absurd. Even in an academy preaching equality, a commoner challenging a noble to a duel bordered on insanity.

“You’re challenging me? Are you insane?”

Doran wore an expression genuinely questioning my sanity.

Of course, my mind had never been clearer. Anticipation for what was to come made my body tremble.

‘Finally…’

The first step of my plan for pleasure and future had begun.

**

Staring at the sword tip before him, Doran couldn’t hide his excitement.

‘This opportunity fell right into my lap.’

Though initially startled by Lena’s challenge, upon reflection, this was the perfect chance for him.

As a member of a Count’s family, Doran had originally attended Rain Academy in the capital.

People assumed he transferred due to poor grades, but the truth was he’d been exiled after causing an incident.

Doran had always despised the commoners at Rain Academy. He began tormenting them whenever they crossed his path.

Then one day, disaster struck.

“A commoner daring to crawl into Rain Academy? Know your place.”

“Ghk… Keuk…”

“Hey! Hey, get up.”

He’d severely injured a commoner transfer student. Though the scandal was huge, his father’s influence limited the punishment to exile at Vail Academy.

This proved that despite the academy’s egalitarian facade, unbridgeable class divides remained.

Exiled to Vail Academy, Doran ironically possessed exceptional talent.

He was a 5-Star Mage.

The realm people called “a true mage’s beginning.”

Mages up to 4-Stars required staff assistance, but at 5-Star, one could cast magic unaided.

He’d concealed his true strength here, pretending to be merely at early 4-Star level.

Though capable of claiming top rank, he chose secrecy on his father’s advice:

“Hide your power there. After being expelled from Rain Academy, you’ll face countless adversaries. Your hidden strength will be the dagger you plunge into them.”

“Huh? With my skills, I could take first rank and return to Rain Academy-“

“Haha! You think Rain would accept you back? With your record, even as top student, you’ll never return.”

Thus Doran lived at Vail Academy, hiding his power. People dismissed him as a spoiled noble brat relying on status.

But secretly, he knew no one here could match him.

Lena’s challenge wasn’t just sparring-it was a binding “duel” contract.

Of course, he could’ve used his status to claim her through underhanded means.

The thought had crossed his mind, but…

‘If I’m caught committing another crime using power…’

Should word reach his father, his life would be over. Hence, victory in this duel meant legally claiming her.

Doran had long waited for some clueless commoner to challenge him while he hid his strength.

He’d show them hell.

‘But Lena walking into this trap…’

He suppressed the urge to cheer aloud.

“Fine, a duel it is. But challenging me, a noble… You know the stakes if you lose?”

Lena pushed her sword closer. “If you lose, I want you gone from this academy.”

Doran retreated slightly from the blade at his chest. “Whoa, calm down. If I lose, I’ll leave Vail Academy. Accepted.”

“But if you lose… you become my ‘slave’ for one week.”

“!”

“Not forever-just one week. Fair?”

Jade, still on the ground, cried out: “That’s insane! Lena, you can’t accept such terms! Don’t risk yourself for-“

“Relax, Jade. A bastard who treats women like objects needs correction. You don’t think I’ll lose, do you?”

Lena reassured Jade with a comforting pat.

“Hey,” Doran sneered at them, “you’re not backing out after issuing the challenge, are you?”

“No. I accept your terms. But when you lose, apologize sincerely to Jade and leave Vail entirely. No retaliation.”

She sheathed her sword. “Fine, have it your way. Duel’s tomorrow-training hall, one-on-one. No scrolls or tools. A noble’s courtesy.”

“Whatever gives you this arrogance… Just show up tomorrow.”

After glaring at Doran, Lena helped Jade leave the garden.

‘You’re all high and mighty now, but tomorrow… Lena, what face will you make when defeated?’

Lena was indeed skilled-a 4-Star Swordsman nearing 5-Star, exceptional at Vail Academy.

But that was only here. Compared to Rain Academy students, her talent was mediocre.

Against his perfected 5-Star Mage skills, she’d be easy prey.

“Heheh…”

Doran smirked viciously, imagining tomorrow’s events.

**

Jade and Lena sat on a bench outside the garden.

Jade apologized tearfully. “Sniff… I’m sorry. Because of me, you made this crazy duel…”

‘Lena’s risking herself for me…’

He couldn’t meet her eyes.

“Stop that. I should apologize. I didn’t notice Doran tormenting you. I know how much you endured. But trust me this time-you know my skills?”

Jade calmed slightly at her confidence.

Suppressing his fear of Doran, he considered objectively: the top-ranked, hardworking Lena couldn’t lose to a spoiled noble.

“…Okay. I’ll trust you.”

Suddenly, Doran’s earlier confidence flashed in Jade’s mind-an eerie sense of déjà vu.

‘Why’s he so sure when Lena’s stronger…?’

He shook off the worry. ‘No, baseless arrogance. Trust Lena.’

**

“Lena!”

Annie came running as we returned to the dorm, having heard the news. “That rumor’s true? You’re dueling Doran…”

“Yes.”

Her face flushed with anger at the confirmation. “Why challenge him?! I hate him too, but he’s from a prestigious noble family!”

She stared like I’d gone mad.

“Jade’s been assaulted by Doran. For a long time.”

“Wh-what? How could he…” Her expression hardened upon learning the truth.

Annie fumed silently before clenching her fists. “Then crush him! But if you lose, that slave contract… Are you okay with that?”

“I know the risk. But Doran wouldn’t have accepted without such stakes.”

“A contract-bound duel was the only solution. Reporting to the academy would’ve been useless-they’d ignore a noble harassing a failing commoner.”

Indeed, words alone wouldn’t stop him. As a commoner confronting a noble, even defending Jade would backfire.

Annie bowed her head gloomily. “Ugh, ashamed to share nobility with him. This academy only pays lip service to equality.”

Suddenly, she grabbed my arm. “Wait-we should see Jade!”

**

Dragged by Annie, I entered the training hall.

Still open at this hour. As expected, Jade was here.

Whoosh, whoosh-

We found Jade wildly swinging his sword like a demon possessed.

“Damn iiiit! Why me?!”

“Jade.”

I called softly.

He froze mid-swing and turned. “Annie? Lena? Why are you… Huh?!”

Annie sprinted over and hugged him, patting his back. “Lena told me. Doran’s been bullying you. It must’ve been hard.”

“Annie, you heard too…”

“Don’t blame yourself. We know he’s the villain.”

Jade burst into tears at her words. “Hic… Sob…”

“It’s okay. The bullying ends tomorrow. Lena will punish him.”

“….”

I awkwardly lowered my half-raised hand-I’d been about to comfort Jade myself.

Annie cared more about him than I’d realized.

After crying his heart out, Jade gently pushed Annie away and stood.

“…Thanks, Annie.”

I approached, pulling a handkerchief from my pocket to wipe his tears. Might as well contribute.

“Crybaby… Why didn’t you tell anyone?”

Jade’s eyes welled up again at my words.

“More tears? Go ahead.”

This time, I embraced him, silently stroking his hair.

“Sniff… Thank you, Lena. Win tomorrow.”

**

Embarrassed at showing vulnerability, Jade blushed crimson.

Annie laughed. “Hehe, no need to be shy. Let’s get food!”

Watching their banter, I smiled faintly.

Jade’s favorite was… meat, right?

Nothing lifts spirits like good food.

“Jade, you must be hungry. Let’s get your favorite meat. Now!”

I dragged the dazed Jade out of the training hall.

Walking toward the dining district, I memorized Annie and Jade’s happy expressions.

I wouldn’t see them like this for a long time after tomorrow.