Chapter 12: Inflated Rumors (4)

“So, they say hierarchy doesn’t necessarily equate to absolute skill. Turns out they’re right.” 

Kairak, a man who has reached the 5th hierarchy. 

In contrast, I’m stuck at the 3rd. 

Normally, that would mean I wouldn’t stand a chance against him. 

But people aren’t machines; there are always variables. 

The physical abilities I enhanced with drugs were reaching their limit. 

If I overdosed further, the side effects would be catastrophic, so I had to end this before the effects wore off. 

“Screw it. I’ll just go for it.”

The outcome of the sparring wasn’t as important as the process, so it was as good as achieved already. 

If I was going to drag this out and lose, I might as well go all-in and finish it decisively. 

“Don’t you dare run away, you rat!” 

“You expect me to take that head-on? 

No thanks, that’d definitely kill me.” 

Kairak’s eyes twisted with rage, glaring at me like a beast while panting heavily. 

‘Ugh, I still can’t get used to this overwhelming magic.’

The immense pressure of his magic was suffocating, even weighing down the air around us. 

“With that murderous intent, are you planning to kill me or something?” 

The only lifeline I had was my Altia swordsmanship. 

Altia swordsmanship had two fundamental forms. 

One focused on balanced offense and defense, prioritizing stability. 

The other: 

‘An extreme counterattack.’ 

It didn’t just deflect the opponent’s attack but amplified its power using the recoil. 

It was a risky move, which is why I hadn’t tried it before. 

‘But now, it’s worth a shot.’ 

Kairak’s fighting style was simple. 

He swings, thrusts, and cuts. 

Three patterns combined instinctively into a crude style. 

Even an idiot could see through it, which made my decision easier. 

“Dieeeee!” 

Kairak charged at me in an instant, concentrating all his magic into a single point. 

His lips curled into a confident smirk. 

“Whew…” 

Taking a deep breath, I stood still, not dodging his attack. 

Calmly, I waited for an opening. 

Boom! 

Like a beast roaring, a magical storm tore across the ground, leaving deep gouges in its wake. 

His sword drew a sharp trajectory as it approached me. 

‘Not yet… not yet. 

Just before his savage blade reached me, I focused all my magic on the part of the storm that would hit first. 

Boooom! 

The compressed magic collided with his blade, creating a massive explosion that sent dirt flying everywhere. 

‘Now..!’ 

In that moment, I used the recoil to spin my sword, momentarily making his overwhelming power my own. 

Shing! 

With a flash, my blade slashed deep into his shoulder, drawing blood. 

“Gaaaahhh!”

With a tremendous vibration, an explosion sent clouds of thick dust swirling into the air.

‘Now…!’

At that moment, utilizing the recoil, I spun around and swung

my sword, briefly claiming the power that had burst forth from his blade as my own.

Swish!

The blade, slashing like a flash of light, deeply embedded itself into his shoulder, causing blood to gush out.

“Arrrgghhh!”

Kairak writhed in pain, letting out a shriek. 

“Wh-why… why me…?”

Clutching his tattered shoulder with a despairing expression,

Kairak stared in bewilderment, as if unable to comprehend why this had happened to him.

How pitiful.

Despite the battle’s outcome being decided, his face was filled with confusion, as though the concept of defeat had never crossed his mind.

But there was no need to kindly explain it to him.

This bastard would have killed me for real if I hadn’t resisted.

“Get lost, you pathetic fool.”

As I swung my sword again, intending to sever his arm completely-

“Stop!”

A thunderous voice echoed from the podium.

“The duel is over! Both of you, stand down!”

It was Illidan.

His voice resonated through the air, forcibly breaking the momentum of the fight.

“Tsk, I was so close.”

Illidan had intervened as soon as Kairak was in danger, halting the duel.

Though it was somewhat expected, the blatant favoritism was astonishing.

.

.

.

.

.

“Wow! That was amazing!”

“Ugh, damn it! I lost my tuition fee because of you, you useless fool!”

“D-did it! I won!”

As the duel ended, the audience’s reactions were mixed.

Most marveled with awe and amazement, but some hurled harsh insults or even garbage at Kairak.

‘Well, it’s clear why.

The lunatics who bet money on student duels.

Few believed I would win, so those who had bet on me must have hit the jackpot.

“Ugh…”

“Theonar, head to the infirmary for treatment immediately.”

After the duel, the professors apprehended Illidan and took him to the dean’s office, while others worked to clean up the chaotic arena.

Accepting their offer to handle the aftermath, I made my way to the infirmary.

“Why are you following me?”

Someone was stealthily trailing behind me.

“Ahaha… I was just worried?”

It was none other than Rozennia, who had come to watch the duel, sneaking up like a stray cat.

“It’s just a scratch. Nothing serious.”

“Looks that way. Rest up, and you’ll be fine.”

She inspected me thoroughly and smiled brightly, relieved.

“Hmm, actually, no.”

“What do you mean?”

“That professor.”

‘Ah, Illidan.’

Even with a marquess family backing him, with so many witnesses, there was no way he could escape unscathed.

“Expel him? Are you serious?”

“I will. A mere professor dared to violate the rules of Arcane. That’s unforgivable.”

Indeed, the dean would likely take strict action, ensuring

Illidan couldn’t even set foot near the Empire again.

And that’s only if he gets off lightly.

“Unless…”

“Unless what?”

“Unless the prestige of Arcane would fall otherwise.”

Was Rozennia finally showing her true colors?

It was clear these weren’t words an ordinary count’s daughter I could utter lightly.

“Anyway, I’ll talk to the professors, so rest up. Keep your communication crystal on: the dean might call for you.” 

“Got it. Thanks, senior.”

***

Under the high ceiling, sunlight streamed through the round windows into an office lined with old books and tomes.

“This is quite the predicament.”

At the center of the room stood a large, sturdy desk made from the wood of the northern forests, its surface cluttered with scattered documents. 

Sitting in the chair, frowning deeply, was none other than the dean of the Arcane Academy, Leriona Magnito.

Knock, knock.

“…Come in.”

As the door to the dean’s office opened, a figure appeared.

“Oh, you’re here?”

It was a student with golden eyes that gleamed like the radiant sun.

“You’ve arrived, hmm… Your Hi—”

“Ah, no need for that kind of formality.”

“How could I not?”

Even though the dean held the highest authority within the academy, before her, such power was meaningless. 

Of course, neither the royal family nor she tended to meddle excessively, but—

“May I ask what brings you here?”

“It’s about the matter you’re well aware of,” she replied casually.

“…We’ll handle the aftermath. Professor Illidan will be held accountable by us.”

“Ah, forget all that. I’m here to state my demands.”

Occasionally, she would make such unreasonable requests.

“Hand over Illidan to me. And, as for the severity of Rasmut’s punishment…”

“That is far too significant a matter for me to comply with,” Magnito responded, hesitant.

Though things had been quiet until recently, she had made similar demands several times in a row, all for the sake of a single commoner student.

Even from Magnito’s perspective, who believed social status was a trivial measure of human worth, this was excessive.

‘This is going too far,’ he thought, unable to comprehend her actions.

“The decision regarding Rasmut has already been reported to the royal family. I’m certain it will be approved in my favor.”

“How could the royal family…”

“Just know that’s the case. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

Without giving him a chance to respond, she left abruptly. 

Magnito could only let out a deep sigh, denied even the time to persuade her.

“Hah… you live long enough, and you’ll see everything. To think all these influential figures are flocking for the sake of one person.”

Not long ago, a child of Winsred had stopped by, and as if that wasn’t enough, the saint herself contacted them, offering to personally heal the injured. 

Now, even the princess had made an appearance.

The more people sought out that one individual, the more it troubled Magnito’s mind.

If you were to name the most talked-about person in the Arcane Academy right now, it would undoubtedly be him. 

The rumors had spread so far that even Magnito, as the dean, couldn’t help but hear of them.

“That student must be struggling too. Receiving so much attention isn’t always a good thing.”

Attracting attention could be a blessing or a curse.

What Magnito could do as dean was simple: create an environment where every promising sprout could fully bloom.

That alone would suffice for his role.