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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Vine
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The morning newspapers in the Empire’s capital carried a rather interesting front-page story:
“Royal Knight Captain Secretly Inspects Academy!”
“Linda Westhaven, Captain of the Royal Knights, emphasized the importance of reinforcing capabilities to maintain peace through her secret inspection of the Academy. In a rare move, the Captain also inspected the Academy’s training grounds.”
The news of the Captain’s unscheduled visit spread through the capital.
Most people simply assumed she had visited the academy to see the students, but others… understood the true implication.
“That… country bumpkin…!”
Edward Lemnos, head of the Lemnos family, was one of them.
He crumpled the newspaper and threw it on his desk.
“This is clearly a provocation…! She hasn’t visited the Academy since she graduated, but she chooses to come the moment my son enrolls?!”
He smashed his desk, repeatedly.
The sounds were like thunder, but no one was fazed, they were used to his violent outbursts.
The desk was made to withstand his rage. The ink and papers scattered across the floor, and his servant, sweating profusely, hurried to clean them up.
“Marquis… please calm down. The Captain is an Academy graduate. It’s only natural that she would want to visit…”
“It’s not natural! It was an unscheduled visit, and Edgar is preparing for his next duel!”
Edward saw Linda’s mocking face, her expression from years ago.
When she was first promoted to Captain… she had looked at him… with a slight smile.
Her eyes solemn, a slight upturn of her lips… he had never forgotten that expression.
That subtle mockery, a reminder of his limitations, a reminder that she had become a Master, while he was still an Expert.
“Prepare me. We’re going out!”
“My lord, are you going to the Academy?”
“Yes, I am! Cancel everything! I will not ignore this provocation!”
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The situation had escalated.
The duel was already highly anticipated, even without the Captain’s presence.
Now, with the Captain’s public endorsement, the oath ceremony had become a major event.
It was annoying.
Edgar and I faced each other, adjusting the terms of our duel.
From my perspective, he was looking down at me.
His eyes, though bruised, were focused, but that height difference was still annoying.
We were surrounded by a large crowd.
The Captain, Buckingham, and even the Headmaster, Morgan Preesh, watched, his hands clasped behind his back.
With such a big event, the Headmaster himself had stepped in as a witness.
“Edgar Lemnos, what do you desire from this duel?”
“…I will prove that the Lemnos swordsmanship is the strongest.”
Edgar said proudly. If that’s all he wanted, why create such a fuss? He could have requested a sparring match.
“Atlas Nemea, what do you desire from this duel?”
“Lemnos, this is annoying, if I win, you’ll stop requesting a duel.”
“…Agreed.”
Having everyone stare at me like some spectacle was annoying.
We were wagering our pride. But there was little to be lost.
If Lemnos won, he’d prove his swordsmanship was the best. If I won, he would stop requesting a rematch, nothing more.
“The duel will be a one-on-one, at tomorrow noon, in the special training grounds. I, Headmaster Morgan Preesh, will act as witness… The duel is officially sanctioned.”
The crowd cheered.
The return of the duels was a welcomed event for them.
And a duel at the special training grounds, it had been a while since the last time that area was used.
The special training grounds were designed to replicate various environments. It was mostly used for exam.
“You’ve requested a rematch so quickly… you must have realized something?”
“Yes… I’ll show you what I’ve learned…!”
Lemnos was full of confidence.
I heard the voices of gamblers who had lost money on the last duel.
They hadn’t learned.
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The Alvion family, one of the Five Pillars, were close to the Lemnos.
The Alvion, a family of mages who always backed up the warrior Lemnos, had a long history of alliance.
Zeke Alvion, the eldest son of the Alvion family, and Edgar Lemnos had been friends since childhood.
Zeke had been taught that Alvion’s duty was to support Lemnos on the battlefield.
“Frigia was right… Duels benefit no one. If it’s just about strength, there are other ways to solve it.”
Zeke remembered the day of Edgar’s defeat.
He remembered Edgar getting beaten in front of everyone, and collapsing, unable to move.
Zeke had always considered Lemnos invincible.
Edgar had never been defeated before. He had always believed that he would win.
It was a fact.
But… after his defeat, his belief was shaken.
‘Alvion must support Lemnos.’ He knew why he had been taught that now.
Lemnos was only human.
He wasn’t invincible.
He had to ensure he didn’t fall.
He couldn’t watch Edgar fail.
If Edgar became the laughing stock of the Academy, it would be unbearable.
He finally understood Frigia’s warning.
She was right, what did they gain from it?
If he lost… the damage would be great.
If Lemnos was to regain his pride… then he had to win.
If he had to win, would it be better for others to watch?
His faith in Lemnos was wavering, and that made him want to have the rematch at a place where no one could see them.
He felt guilty for thinking this. It was like he was admitting that Edgar could lose.
“The Empire’s strongest swordsman will be there! I’ll show him that Lemnos’ sword is still the strongest!”
“Everyone already knows Lemnos is strong.”
Zeke’s words only made Lemnos sigh.
Zeke had never seen him like this before.
Edgar looked… disappointed.
“You sound like Frigia… You don’t believe in me?”
Edgar’s face showed a terrible loneliness.
“…Yes. You are a mage after all. You wouldn’t understand.”
“I underestimated Atlas that day. Don’t worry. This time will be different. I’ll stake everything. I’ll win.”
With that final comment, Edgar left the bar.
Zeke couldn’t move. Edgar’s eyes were burning, his determination unshaken.
If Edgar won… there would be no problem. If…
But even thinking about that made him feel guilty.
He was supposed to be his closest friend.
“Edgar… you can’t lose.”
But he was only human.
He wasn’t invincible.
Just believing wasn’t enough. He had to do what he could to help him win.
If he won, no one could blame anyone.
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River and Amy were preparing for their discharge.
My medicine had worked, their recovery was progressing faster than expected.
The first thing they’d see after leaving the hospital would be my duel.
“You’re going to fight Lemnos again?”
“He was confident, he must have had an epiphany.”
“Smash him again. I’m counting on you, Master!”
River was full of childlike excitement.
Amy, hobbling with a crutch, was more reserved.
“Atlas… it’s best not to get involved with the Five Pillars.”
“Are you worried about me?”
“Yes.”
Dealing with nobles like the Five Pillars was annoying.
Winning was a problem and losing was a problem.
But I was involved, and I didn’t intend to back down.
“That’s why… I’m staying up all night.”
“What? You shouldn’t. You need rest before the duel!”
River seemed confused.
Normally, a good night’s rest would be ideal. But this was no ordinary duel.
I thought about the attention I had received.
This duel wasn’t in the regular arena. It was in a special arena. An environment with potential variable.
Those special arenas were used for examinations and held a variety of features.
It was where the arena could bring out monsters and change the terrain. It had a lot of new and experimental mechanics.
The Headmaster was probably trying to even the field. Since a pure skill match was surely going to be a defeat for Lemnos.
That didn’t bother me.
If we were having a pure skill match, we could’ve just chosen a training ground. This was a duel. Which includes random and controlled variables. Which were mostly used in exams.
But… were the variables really random?
This wasn’t just any duel. It was my duel with Lemnos.
There were many variables. Gamblers who wanted to double their money. Lemnos’ supporters. The one-legged punk. Many people would try to intervene.
I wouldn’t expect everyone to obey the rules. This was not a normal duel.
If they used the control room to disrupt it, it would have to be done from within. Remote operation was impossible.
If they want to cheat, they had to enter the training grounds.
And if they do…
“I’ll take care of anyone who tries to interfere.”
I would make sure no one would leave unscathed.
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