Chapter 95
Chapter 95
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 95
Chapter Title: 1-on-1 Duel
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"Mmm..."
Maybe it was because I'd eaten a hearty home-cooked K-meal last night and gotten a good night's sleep, but I felt incredibly refreshed.
Today was the day of the 1-on-1 duel main tournament, so I needed to get ready quickly.
"You're heading out already...?"
As I finished washing up and put on my academy uniform, Lilia emerged from the room, rubbing her eyes as she woke up.
"Yeah. It's the 1-on-1 duel main round today, so I have to go early."
"Got it... Have a good one."
"Will do. Hold down the fort."
I exchanged a quick goodbye with Lilia and left the dorm.
"Hey, Mr. Popular~!"
"...?"
I turned around to see Kim Young-han running toward me.
"Man, it's been so hard to catch you lately."
"You ditched me yesterday."
"Sorry, but I was busy too."
Well, I'd been swamped lately myself, so we hadn't crossed paths much. He must've been caught up in his own academy life, working hard in his own way.
"You see the 1-on-1 duel bracket yet?"
"Nah, haven't checked. Why?"
I hadn't even known it was out.
Typical academy—dragging their feet on everything.
They should've sent it straight to the main round qualifiers first.
Instead, they make us hunt it down ourselves.
"You're up against me in the semis."
"...For real?"
"Yup. Good luck! We're rivals till the end. Catch you later!"
Kim Young-han dashed off ahead.
Popping up out of nowhere and vanishing just as quick—what a weird guy.
"Hmm, what was his ability again?"
I couldn't remember, which probably meant nothing stood out.
I recalled him swinging a sword in the game, but no standout traits came to mind.
Whatever.
I headed to A-Class to prep for the duel.
Having arrived earlier than usual, the path to the first-year classroom building was bustling with people.
"Dude, the crowd for the first-years' duel is insane today. All the VIPs showed up."
"Duh. Nam Da-eun, Ellis, Lee Ho-yeon—three all-timers in one go."
"First place still goes to Nam Da-eun, right?"
"Ellis has been on fire lately, though. And Lee Ho-yeon set a monster training record. Can't sleep on either."
Hearing them chat about me on the street felt surreal.
I arrived at A-Class to find the first-year main round qualifiers gathered.
My eyes met Homeroom Professor Kim Jin-hyuk's, and he gave a nod.
"Looks like Lee Ho-yeon is the last to arrive. As you all know, the bracket's revealed right before the matches start, so here it is."
Kim Jin-hyuk handed out sheets to the eight A-Class main round participants.
What the hell? If it's being revealed now, how'd Kim Young-han know we'd face off?
Sure enough, the bracket confirmed we'd meet in the semis if we both won out.
I shot Kim Young-han a suspicious look, and he grinned, pressing a finger to his lips.
That cheeky 'keep it secret' gesture pissed me off, so I flipped him the bird.
Who're you trying to be cute for?
"I called you all early to stress how big a deal today's duel is. The spectator turnout for a first-year event is massive."
Everyone on the way here had been buzzing about it, so yeah, it must be huge.
"Sure, some are here for the standouts. I won't deny it. But this is your shot to shine too. Give it everything—no holding back, no quitting. Every bit of grit gets noticed."
Kim Jin-hyuk really seemed to want us to succeed.
He locked eyes with each of us, pouring out sincerity.
What a good guy.
"Head to the arena and get set. Main round qualifiers have private lounges—relax there till your call."
Kim Jin-hyuk wrapped up and left the classroom, with cadets trickling out after.
"Lee Ho-yeon!"
"Lucy. See the bracket?"
Lucy approached me among the qualifiers.
"Of course! We only meet in the finals."
"Yeah. Your side's brutal. Let's both make it."
"You got it!"
Hope she pulls through. Her bracket has Ellis and Nam Da-eun— she'd have to beat both to reach me.
★ Heroine Status ★ 💖 Affection: 87 🔥 Lust: 40 🍽️ Appetite: 30 😴 Fatigue: 35 Current Status: Practiced defense magic... but can I use it well? [Lucy] She's thinking it through, at least.
"Let's check out the lounge. Bet it's nice."
"Yeah! Can I swing by later?"
"Obviously."
I headed to the arena with Lucy.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The lounges were one per qualifier—nothing fancy, but clean and comfy for resting.
Handy screen linked to the arena showed other matches live.
"Maybe hit the bathroom."
I remembered one down the hall.
Stepping out, the corridor was empty—everyone psyching up in their rooms.
Lounges lined the long hall, names on doors. Ellis's was right next to mine.
'Finals against Nam Da-eun, probably?'
Bracket had me vs. Kim Young-han in semis, Ellis vs. Nam Da-eun.
Lucy faces Ellis first.
If it goes smooth, Nam Da-eun beats Ellis, then me in finals.
Clunk—
The door next to mine opened, golden hair spilling into view.
Ellis stepped out, turning and locking eyes with me.
"Uh... hey?"
"Morning."
"...?"
Casual greet, but Ellis replied unusually sweet, not her usual edge.
★ Heroine Status ★ 💖 Affection: 62 🔥 Lust: 25 🍽️ Appetite: 30 😴 Fatigue: 20 Current Status: It's Ho-yeon. Hope we meet in the finals. [Ellis] 'What the hell with her affection?'
It was 35 just days ago—now 62?
"Uh, uh. Good luck in the duel."
"You too. See you in the finals."
She smiled warmly at my cheer and walked off.
That bright smile aimed at me? Totally off-putting.
"...What was that? Weird."
What happened? Jealousy boost her affection?
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "I forfeit!"
⚙ MATCH END ⚙ Winner: A-Class Cadet Lee Ho-yeon! "Good work."
"Learned a lot..."
My first opponent: third place from C-Class guy.
Lucky prelim run, but main round exposed his limits.
Polite dude, though—gave him a full minute.
That spar alone should level him up plenty.
"Nah, I learned too."
"I know you dragged it out for me. Eyes opened—thanks."
"...Good work."
Coming at me like that? Kinda embarrassing.
Staff guided me down from the arena.
Crossing the mana barrier unleashed a thunderous roar.
"Wooooaaahhh—!"
"Lee Ho-yeon! Lee Ho-yeon!"
"He's so hot—!"
When did they even see me to chant like that?
Glancing around, thousands packed the stands, eyes on me.
'Talk about pressure.'
Knowing that crowd watched my fight stirred a subtle thrill.
Back in the lounge post-match.
⚙ NEXT MATCH ⚙ Round of 16, Match 5! Duel between Cadet Lucy and Cadet Kwak Sang-tae! "Time to watch Lucy's match."
I grabbed some popcorn from the lounge stash.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "She's definitely gotten stronger..."
Lucy won handily.
Shield spell glitched mid-way, but no impact on the outcome.
'Not enough for Ellis, though.'
Still a big gap.
Lucy and Lumi shine together—synergy amps them.
Specializing attack and defense yields triple, quadruple efficiency. That's the twins' edge.
Knock knock knock.
"Who's there?"
"It's me, Lucy. Can I come in?"
Match just ended, and she's here already? Skipped her own lounge.
Why the rush?
"Sure. Come on in."
Lucy slipped in cautiously and plopped on the sofa.
Why's she hunching like she lost?
"Um. Ho-yeon, you watch my duel?"
"Yeah. You killed it."
But zero confidence radiating off her.
"H-how'd I do? Think I can beat Ellis?"
"..."
Ah, next opponent's Ellis.
★ Heroine Status ★ 💖 Affection: 87 🔥 Lust: 40 🍽️ Appetite: 30 😴 Fatigue: 35 Current Status: Defense magic and balance don't match... [Lucy] Hmm, her worries make sense.
1-on-1 forces balanced play, but Lucy's attack-focused. Practice messing her up.
"Lucy, want some advice?"
"Y-yeah. Please. You're great at magic."
"Your shield was iffy in the duel, right?"
"Yeah... Practice all I want, can't land it."
Obviously.
She's got attack talent.
Game canon—unchanging even reincarnated.
Lucy's thinking wrong.
It's not about imbalance—balance is the mistake.
"Lucy, skip defense magic."
"Skip it...?"
She blinked at my blunt take.
"Hear me out. You've got god-given attack gift. Better to overwhelm—no openings."
"Really...?"
"Yeah. 'The best defense is a good offense'—made for you."
No need to defend. Deny attack chances—that's Lucy's style.
"Best defense is offense..."
"Give it your all; it'll pay off. You got this."
"...Thanks. 'Best defense is offense.' I'll etch it in."
Her face lit up, energy back.
I watched the rest of the matches with her.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ ⚙ MATCH END ⚙ Winner: A-Class Cadet Lee Ho-yeon! "Sol~aa. Can't let a gem like that slip away, right?"
"What exactly do you want with Ho-yeon?"
In the stands, Im Sol and Min Ye-ji watched Lee Ho-yeon descend post-duel.
"Duh, that face prints money no matter what. Total loss for humanity."
"And I remember you trying to put me in a bikini? Contact banned."
"Ho-yeon even asked what biz I had~ Replying's fine, yeah?"
"Nope. No contact till I say."
Im Sol knew Min Ye-ji's schemes, shielding her student fiercely.
Fall for that sweet talk, and boom—Ho-yeon in a bikini.
"He's an adult; he can decide~ Right?"
"Finish my paper first. That's priority. Not chump change—world-shaking research."
"That big? Lemme invest?"
"...Just watch the match."
Im Sol seethed at Min Ye-ji's jabs, nearly cursing—the sharp woman caught it.
"Okay, okay. Don't get mad."
"Sigh."
Wonder if Ho-yeon knows how hard she's guarding him.
Im Sol sighed, eyes on the arena.
"Ellis and Nam Da-eun? Those three are next level. Ho-yeon makes it a whole other dimension."
"That's why."
"How do you just sit there with talents like that? World's more than magic."
"Quiet..."
Im Sol just wanted to watch Ho-yeon's matches in peace.