Spectating the Duel
Kael opened the door to his newly assigned quarters and stepped inside. The sight that unfolded before him far surpassed anything he had imagined. His previous lodging had been generously sized for a single person, but this place operated on an entirely different scale. It seemed Principal Albert had grown enthusiastic during construction and created something far larger and more extravagant than originally planned.
The building soared fifty stories high, each floor spanning more than two thousand square meters. The luxury was such that over twenty women could live comfortably on every level. Antique decorations and immaculate wallpaper impressed even Kael. Each floor contained more than ten bathrooms, along with fully equipped bedrooms and lounge areas. Elevators supplemented the stairways, adding seamless convenience to movement throughout the tower.
Kael smiled as he gazed at the thirty-five slave female students—including Ring, Ming, and Serenity—for a total of thirty-seven women.
"You will all live here from now on. This space is now reserved exclusively for my women and slaves, so make yourselves comfortable."
His voice remained soft, yet it carried unmistakable authority. To the women gathered before him, it resonated with absolute power. Their eyes shone with wonder as they truly grasped the extent of Kael's influence, embodied in this magnificent residence.
Among them, those who had already shared his bed—Ring and Ming wearing their pure white crop tops and blue skirts, along with Serenity, Clara, Rosalie, Amelia, and Katrina—spoke to him with greater ease.
"Master, is this truly where we will be living?" Serenity asked, her rich green eyes sparkling.
In answer, Kael reached out and firmly squeezed her full breast.
"Hah...!"
"Obviously. The principal prepared it specially for us."
Devotion and reverence flooded Serenity's gaze. "You're truly incredible..."
Kael chuckled and released her breast. He then drew Ring and Ming from either side into his arms. Pressed tightly against him, the sisters looked up with bright, adoring eyes.
"Being chosen by Lord Kael has been the greatest fortune of our lives."
"That's right! Just thinking about receiving your affection every day here with my sister makes me so excited already!"
Kael smiled as he gently kneaded the soft curves of their buttocks. "That's right. I'll pamper you two every single day. You'll remain in the highest positions among my women."
Ring and Ming offered shy, delighted smiles. No trace of ambition or power-lust showed in them. It was clear that simply being loved as Kael's women was enough to fulfill their hearts completely.
The matter of pregnancy.
The unique time flow within Tartaros Academy did not affect pregnancy or childbirth. A child would grow in the womb for the usual ten months, but after birth their growth rate slowed by a factor of ten. Childhood would last ten times longer, and maturing from a child into an adult would require ten times the normal span of years. Still, Kael felt no concern. The archmage professors could easily handle childcare through their magic. Besides, ten months from now his own power would have grown even further.
If my plan succeeds—not only the first-years but every attractive female student from the second through fourth years turned into my slaves, bound to eternal obedience—there will be quite a few children.
Kael paid little attention to contraception. He was not deliberately trying to impregnate them, yet with repeated creampies like this, pregnancy would eventually come to all of them. If it happened, they would simply give birth. According to Principal Albert, the last child born inside the academy had come four hundred years ago. From what the principal had witnessed, Tartaros Academy surprisingly bestowed every form of protection upon children. Its hidden functions prevented illness in those under ten, ensured safe growth, and allowed easy absorption of necessary knowledge through auxiliary magic. Aside from the extended time required to raise them, the conditions were remarkably favorable.
Just then the door opened, and Professor Lucia entered accompanied by Professor Anna and Professor Michaela. As Kael's women—or candidates to become such—they were permitted entry. More importantly, he had summoned them himself.
"Lord Kael, I have brought Professor Anna and Professor Michaela."
"Lord Kael, I'm truly overjoyed that you called for me! To finally be able to offer my body to you is the greatest honor imaginable!"
Despite her status as a professor, Anna Caden displayed open worship toward her student. Her experience with the fried chicken and beer seemed to have intensified both her loyalty and submissiveness. Unlike the first-years who had suffered for only a few days, she had endured decades of the coarse black bread. She wore a white dress that emphasized her pure beauty, its plunging neckline and bare shoulders beautifully framing her light brown hair and matching eyes.
By contrast, Professor Michaela retained her provocative style. Her light purple hair swayed as her silver eyes continued to burn with heated desire.
"Welcome," Kael greeted the three professors, lightly patting their buttocks in sequence. All three accepted his touch with natural smiles.
Professor Lucia delivered her report first.
"Lord Kael, when I observed the classroom with magic, it appears a duel is imminent. Elenora Caldria and Irina Rosengart have each selected three representatives. However, the neutral faction led by Semira is also sending three to oppose Irina's group, forcing Irina's faction to contend with two separate factions at once."
Kael's lips curved into an intrigued smile at Lucia's concise summary. "Oh? That sounds entertaining. Can we watch the duel from here? Can you project it on screen?"
Professor Lucia nodded. "Of course, Lord Kael. A simple spell will suffice."
She waved her hand, sending a sphere formed of magical power out the window. Moments later, a large projection materialized in the air. The orb apparently functioned like a camera-equipped drone.
The image clearly displayed the preparations for battle in an open clearing. With Professor Egil acting as referee, tension hung thick in the air.
Kael settled in to watch alongside the three professors, Ring, Ming, Serenity, and the thirty-five slaves—a total of forty stunning beauties.
The Magic Department's first-year class numbered ninety-eight students: twenty-seven males and seventy-one females. Excluding Kael and the thirty-seven women present, twenty-six male and thirty-four female Magic Department students remained in the projection. The Sword Department consisted of one hundred two students: seventy-seven males and twenty-five females. Its emphasis on physical prowess naturally resulted in far more male students.
"A duel over ninety-eight sausages... Even if they call it noble honor, the whole thing would become a joke if word ever got out."
"But for those who have experienced this place, the situation must feel truly desperate," Claire said carefully. She privately counted herself fortunate for coming from a viscount family and belonging to neither major faction. Loyalty to Elenora or Irina had become an unshakable concept among faction members. The fear of being branded a traitor ran deep. That was why, despite the suffering in class and the torment of the coarse black bread, they still could not bring themselves to accept becoming Kael's slaves.
Kael suspected that reluctance would not last much longer. He chuckled softly at her thoughts and replied, "Yes, they must be desperate. This week's classes may seem trivial compared to what will happen next week."
The events Principal Albert had described would become known to every student by tomorrow.
"For now, let's enjoy the show."
Within the projection, the duel participants stepped forward. Irina's faction positioned Irina Rosengart herself as leader in the third slot. First came Viola, a female Sword Department student, followed by Robert, a male from the same department. Irina had chosen Sword Department students rather than her primary followers Marina and Juliana because swordsmanship held the advantage in personal combat. Unless one possessed talent on her own level—already approaching that of a full mage—they could not hope to match Sword Department students.
Elenora's faction followed identical logic, with Third Princess Elenora Caldria standing as leader in the third position. Her first and second representatives were also male Sword Department students, Amos and Daniel.
Semira's neutral faction likewise placed Semira Teneb in the third position as leader. Their first and second were male Sword Department students Emil and Devon.
The structure had become three-plus-three versus three. All three sides had apparently reached the same conclusion: first and second combatants from the Sword Department, with the Magic Department leaders taking the decisive third position.
The students gathered in the clearing were already absorbed in the spectacle. Irina's faction, Elenora's faction, and the neutral faction each had their futures riding on this confrontation. Irina's supporters in particular wore deeply aggrieved expressions.
Yet a group battle would have been equally disadvantageous. In the end, they had been forced to accept the duel under the neutral faction's pressure. The projection showed all three groups swearing upon the names and honor of the imperial family and nobility that they would faithfully abide by the outcome. It was a solemn vow to accept the duel's results.
But it wouldn't be any fun if things simply ended with the duel results.