The Two Meanings of a Duel Challenge
Requesting a duel at the academy carried two meanings. The first was to gauge each other's skills, learn from the spar, and grow together. The second was a betting duel. You'd wager something, have it officially acknowledged in front of witnesses, and then honor the bet based on the duel’s outcome. It was one of the most entertaining spectacles for academy students.
Even if you didn’t follow through on the promised wager after winning or losing, it was tantamount to disregarding the public attestation of all those onlookers. The academy took it so seriously they’d even deduct penalty points separately.
"But do you really need to go that far?"
Estelle couldn’t quite wrap her head around it. It felt like she was asking if it was worth investing that much time in the orange-haired girl who’d probably crumple after a few words anyway.
"Of course. People love betting duels more than you’d think. And if she beats me there, just saying I’ll befriend her would prove she’s been full of hot air all this time."
Promising to befriend her implied they hadn’t been close before. Looked at that way, it was a chance to thoroughly dunk on Lina—who’d been spreading rumors of chumminess with Iris and Estelle—from the start.
Plus, the reward would be too tempting for Lina to refuse Iris’s challenge, making it impossible to back out. And naturally, Iris had no intention of losing.
She’d been perfectly KO’d by Theo last time without landing a proper hit, but that didn’t mean Iris was weak. Far from it—Theo was just that strong.
Iris was plenty powerful herself. She was confident she could beat anyone else in Class A with high swordsmanship scores, Theo excepted.
She had that much faith in her abilities.
"So I’m planning to request the duel tomorrow. If you need to vent some stress beforehand, Estelle, go ahead and do it now."
"Mm~ Sounds good. I’ll handle it today then."
"Perfect. Just don’t shatter her spirit completely. I still want to see what she’s got."
Today, these two couldn’t have been more in sync if they tried.
"Hey, commoner. Got a minute to talk?"
I’d stepped out of the dorm because Matty wouldn’t shut up while I was trying to rest, only to run smack into Lina barging into the boys’ dorm like she owned the place.
Man, why was this girl so persistent? She wouldn’t stand a chance against Estelle or Iris, so she kept coming at me instead, trying to push me around. But I wasn’t the type to roll over that easily.
"Boys’ dorm is off-limits to female students, you know."
"Hah, that’s for trash like you, commoner. You think a noble lady like me can’t handle a little visit?"
There was a dorm supervisor right at the entrance, so for Lina to get in, either they had no choice but to let her through, or they’d bent the rules for a shot at some noble scraps. Either way, it was a rule violation I’d have to report to the faculty office.
I eyed the headache standing in front of me with clear annoyance.
"Didn’t you already get penalty points today? You angling for more?"
"Hah, you gonna tattle to the teachers?"
"Why not?"
There were male faculty members staying in the dorm anyway—no need to trek all the way to the office. Unless it was empty, anyway.
"All you can do is run crying to the teachers, huh?"
"Think whatever you want."
Too annoying to bother with, I half-assed a reply and headed to the room number I remembered for the faculty quarters.
"Professor? You there?"
I knocked and called out.
"Yes, I’m here. What’s the matter?"
The same teacher who’d docked Lina’s points earlier poked his head out. Oh boy.
Lina, who clearly remembered him all too well, flinched at the sight.
"A female student barged into the boys’ dorm, so I came to check if that’s grounds for penalty points."
"A female student?"
The professor’s face soured instantly. Spotting Lina half-hiding behind me, his scowl deepened.
"You again, Miss Lina von Maria."
Lina flinched harder at his irritated tone, then shuffled forward with the most ridiculous act.
"P-Professor~ Sorry! I, uh, took a wrong turn and didn’t realize it was the boys’ dorm?"
The dorms had totally different buildings, complete with supervisors. What nonsense.
I couldn’t fathom why she’d spew something so absurd.
"Anyway, I just came to report it. I’ll be going now."
"Understood. Miss Lina, you come with me."
"W-Wait… I’m not getting points, right…?"
"Penalty points go without saying. And we’ll handle the lying at the faculty office."
Oof, served her right. Should’ve known better than to push it.
"Oh, and could you keep an eye out too, dorm supervisor?"
"No worries, Theo. We’ve got it covered."
He seemed like the type to handle it properly. Just look at how casually he’d penalized Lina earlier—no concerns there.
"Th-Theo…! You know I didn’t mean to…! Please, say something…!"
She’d picked fights with me nonstop, but now she had the gall to beg for help in front of others?
"The buildings look nothing alike, and you passed the supervisor. Weird, huh? Figure it out yourself, Miss Lina."
I brushed past her and headed out. Outside, classes were still buzzing along noisily.
Come to think of it, as a first-year, I had it easy—plenty of free time like this. But once semesters filled up and years advanced, practical classes piled on, making this newbie leisure the only shot at it.
"Maybe I should head out somewhere fun."
With Estelle’s teleport magic, getting around would be a breeze.
"Hmm, but going alone without those two? They’d hate that."
Not just the pouting—I didn’t trust what trouble they might stir up in my absence, potentially barreling toward a bad end.
Couldn’t leave them behind. We went together, or not at all.
"Bored. Guess I’ll hit the training grounds."
Before enrolling, I’d trained obsessively for the entrance exam. Lately, though, I’d slacked off too long. Couldn’t let my sword arm rust now.
I knew first-years could use the training grounds if needed, so I quietly grabbed my sword from my room and headed there.
"Sword practice first, then magic. Or sword today, magic tomorrow."
No practical exams looming, so no need to rush.
As I made my way to the grounds…
"You’re really getting on my nerves. Putting up with someone I don’t like has its limits, and you’re the first I’ve seen this clueless."
A very familiar voice rang out from nearby.
…That’s Estelle.
Was she fighting with Iris again? I scanned around frantically.
"Hah, seriously. Before I dye that orange head of yours another color, quit tailing me. And if I catch you bothering Theo one more time, I won’t hold back."
I stumbled upon Lina—fresh off her penalty points, looking rattled—and Estelle, wearing a murderous glare.
"E-Estelle, calm down first…"
"Calm down? Do I look calm to you? From the start, just because Theo’s a commoner, you’ve treated him like dirt for no reason. Then you spread weird rumors we’re all buddies. Even badmouthed him behind his back. You think I wouldn’t notice?"
Her eyes flashed like she might snap any second. Should I intervene…?
"Th-That’s not… I didn’t…"
…Nah, this was too entertaining. I’d just watch.
Wish I had popcorn—this was prime viewing.