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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
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Raphae Blue Dormitory,
the dormitory at Clarice Academy housing those who wielded magic.
On one of its floors, a luxurious lounge was reserved for select students.
Chandeliers adorned the ceiling,
elegant decor that instilled a sense of formality,
and delicious desserts prepared by renowned chefs from across the empire.
This was part of the academy’s system for fostering a studious atmosphere, a privilege granted only to S-rank students who served as role models for others.
Crimson Flame – Melissa de Prominence, recognized for her innate talent and earning the top spot among the freshmen, had invited Aria to this lounge for tea.
“Aria, doesn’t it suit your taste?”
“No, it’s too extravagant for me.”
“Hmm…”
Perhaps it was because they were in different classes, but Melissa felt it had become difficult to meet Aria lately.
Even when Melissa sought her out, Aria was often absent. She had heard rumors that Aria was frequently seen at the gym.
Her feminine intuition told her that a man was involved.
“Don’t tell me you’re secretly dating someone?”
“What?”
“I heard some second-year students talking about a pretty girl who’s been frequenting the gym lately.”
“…That’s not me.”
“Always so modest. Someone like you could have her pick of suitors.”
“That’s not true.”
“Hmm… really?”
Despite Melissa’s suspicions, Aria firmly denied them.
Having her pick of suitors.
Aria, mature for her age, had never given much thought to romance.
At the moment, her mind was occupied solely by Lev Denec.
Today was the day of his duel with Gailon.
Of course, the exquisite snacks were enjoyable, but her true concern was the outcome of the duel.
If Lev lost and was forced to leave the academy, she wouldn’t have the chance to confirm her suspicions about the Great Demon Andras.
Though she still found it hard to warm up to him… Aria found herself rooting for Lev’s victory.
‘He hasn’t caused any major trouble recently, and he hasn’t harmed anyone…’ she reasoned.
There was no hypocrisy in his actions, and she had, in fact, been the recipient of his help.
Lev Denec had become someone Aria Bluebell couldn’t help but worry about,
always and everywhere.
“Aria?”
“…”
“Aria?!”
“…Yes?”
“I invited you because I didn’t want to enjoy these treats alone. You’re making me feel a little hurt.”
“I’m sorry. I’m enjoying them very much. Please, eat.”
“Alright…”
The duel was scheduled for noon.
It was currently 11 a.m…
She felt bad for Melissa, but Aria couldn’t help but wish for this tea time to end quickly.
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At Yegudi Green Dormitory, where students in utility roles, not knights or mages, resided,
an arena was attached, allowing students from each year to engage in duels on separate floors.
According to ‘Reincarnation Hero’ lore, Krun, the most valiant hero of past generations, was a gladiator.
In his honor, the arena was designed in the shape of a circular coliseum.
There was nothing more entertaining than watching water, fire, and a good fight.
This early duel, before the ranking matches had even begun, was a hot topic regardless of year, drawing a sizable crowd.
Even before the duel began, students were placing bets on the outcome.
-If you want to make some easy money, bet on Gailon.
-What idiot would bet on the freshman?
-I heard the freshman was the one who instigated the duel. Maybe he’s confident?
-Then you bet on the freshman.
A fan club dedicated to Gailon had also gathered.
-What if Gailon gets hurt because of that disgusting guy…?
-Don’t you trust our master? That kid will surrender quickly anyway.
-I can’t wait to see how amazing he’ll be…! I have to capture it all… with my eyes!
‘Idiots.’
It was no different from an idol fan club.
Well, it was understandable; elves were naturally beautiful.
I left the spectator stands and headed down to the arena floor.
.
.
.
“Both participants, take your positions!”
Assistant Instructor Bella, whom I had seen during the entrance exam, stood at the center of the arena.
“I, Assistant Instructor Bella, will be presiding over the duel between second-year S-rank student Gailon Shaftie and first-year B-rank student Lev Denec.”
She explained the proceedings with practiced ease, as if she had overseen countless duels.
“The specific rules of the duel and the subsequent measures based on the outcome will be strictly adhered to according to the regulations of Clarice Academy.”
“If both parties agree, raise your arm at a right angle and swear.”
Gailon and I raised our arms as instructed by Bella, taking an oath.
[First…]
As Bella began announcing the rules of the duel in a loud voice, Gailon, as expected, couldn’t resist a provocation.
“So you didn’t run away? I thought you were a coward.”
“……”
I was about to ignore him,
but for the sake of the strategy I had in mind, I retorted,
“Is your neck alright?”
“What?”
“I’m asking if you’re sure your neck can handle getting stomped on again today.”
“You little… If this wasn’t a mock battle, I’d kill you with my bare hands… you know that?”
“I don’t.”
My childish response caused Gailon to growl.
“You human trash. How dare you try to cozy up to Selena?”
His voice grew louder.
“Do you enjoy getting a sliver of attention from her out of pity? You disgust me.”
He seemed to know that Selena had been helping me with my training.
Come to think of it, it was thanks to her that I was able to train so effectively.
I had indeed become much stronger.
I should thank her.
I smiled faintly and replied,
“Your Selena is awesome.”
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The audience watching this duel wasn’t limited to students.
Instructor Sylvester and Professor Maclon, who was nearing retirement, were also present.
Professors usually paid closer attention to the ranked matches, where students trained rigorously and prepared with fierce determination.
But this duel was different.
It involved Lev Denec, the boy who had secretly defeated the monster during the entrance exam.
“Is that the student?”
Professor Maclon’s gaze was fixed on the young man with gray hair and black eyes.
He was an impeccably groomed young man, with nothing outwardly remarkable about him.
“Yes, that seems to be him. His demeanor has changed a bit though.”
Sylvester was also observing him closely.
Something was different.
His impression, the aura he emanated…
‘Is that level of growth even possible in such a short period?’
Professor Maclon’s influence had played a significant role in assigning him to B-rank.
Originally, he deserved to be placed in the lowest C-rank, but
they couldn’t disregard his contribution in eliminating the monster that had suddenly appeared.
Of course, they intended to adjust his ranking based on his future behavior, considering his high penalty points, but
to think he would stir up trouble to the point of dueling an upperclassman…
“Sylvester, who do you think will win?”
“In my humble opinion, Gailon.”
“And your reasoning?”
“The freshman hasn’t taken any combat practice classes yet… and a year at Clarice is no walk in the park.”
“I suppose that’s true.”
Maclon silently thought to himself, ‘That would be the case, for an ordinary student.’
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Gailon, struck to the core by my taunt, started having a fit.
“You son of a bitch!”
His eyes nearly popped out of their sockets,
-Stagger.
“…?”
He lost his balance as he tried to throw a punch,
“Any impulsive actions will result in disqualification.”
and was forced to back down at Bella’s warning.
It was quite comical, but the spectators seemed to have a different interpretation.
-Woah!
-Oh my god! It’s started!
-What did that freshman say?!
The crowd roared with excitement, thoroughly entertained.
“Gailon, you’re a senior. Show some composure.”
Like an elder calming down passionate youths, Bella continued her explanation in a steady voice.
“In an archer’s duel, arrows with rubber tips will be used. The weight is the same, so you’ll adjust quickly. And both of you will use the designated duel weapons provided here.”
Minimal protective gear and weapons that seemed sturdy enough but lacked lethal force.
Since skills and magic could amplify their power, these weapons would be sufficient as long as they hit their mark.
“Finally, I’ll reiterate the most important rule.”
“The match ends when one side surrenders or when the presiding instructor deems one side incapable of continuing the duel. The victor will be determined at that point.”
“If you’re ready, both of you, take your positions.”
As Gailon and I stood on separate circular platforms, about 30 meters apart,
“The match will begin in thirty seconds.”
Bella began the countdown.
.
.
.
Gailon Shaftie and me.
Judging solely by stats, I was at a disadvantage.
He was an upperclassman, and as the second-best archer in his year, his average stat was a whopping 3.1. Despite all my training, I was only at about 2.1.
He also had a 1-level advantage in bow proficiency, 7 to 6.
And his Wind Archery was at level 3, while mine was at level 1.
Most importantly, he wasn’t a demon, so I couldn’t utilize my ‘Hermit’ trait.
“Twenty.”
With 20 seconds left until the start of the duel,
-Mumble… mumble…
Gailon closed his eyes and began chanting softly.
He was probably gathering wind energy in advance to activate ‘Wind Archery’.
He planned to humiliate me, slowly pressuring and prolonging my suffering.
‘Stay calm.’
But that’s why I could win.
Gailon’s stance, from beginning to end, remained the same.
He looked down on humans,
was arrogant about his archery skills,
and consistently belittled and dismissed me.
He was still caught up in my third-rate villain provocation.
He wouldn’t believe, even in his wildest dreams, that I could use ‘Wind Archery’.
Therefore, my opening attack would be the key to victory.
Engaging in a prolonged fight would risk losing due to the stat difference.
Currently, with my level 1 Wind Archery, there was only one skill I could use.
‘Wind Arrow.’
The three basic techniques of Wind Archery: Quick Shot, Multi-Shot, and Curved Shot…
There was no need to choose.
I registered all three.
-Ding!
-Ding!
-Ding!
Magic required incantations.
This was a fundamental principle of fantasy, an absolute rule that must be followed.
But games were different.
Whether I played as a mage, a knight, or an archer…
the act of using skills was as simple as pressing a button on a keyboard.
The countdown reached 3 seconds.
-Three.
First, the wind began to swirl around me.
Thanks to the contract with the Spirit King, gathering wind energy was effortless.
-Two.
This spiritual energy coiled around my hand like a whirlwind.
-Whoosh…
-One.
A crossbow was, by definition, a weapon that fired bolts one at a time by loading them onto a fixed frame and pulling the trigger.
But here, in this arena, it seemed my hands could defy this immutable law. I was simply using the ‘cancel’ technique known as Quick Shot, compressing and condensing it further.
-Begin!
That was all it took.
-Pshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhewwwwww!!!
As the signal to begin the duel rang out,
dozens of wind arrows erupted from the tip of the crossbow, or perhaps, from my very hand,
in a single, explosive burst.
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DAMNNN he’s savage
Bro bought a MLRS SYSTEM to a bow fight