Chapter 17
Chapter 17
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: 16. The Price of the Duel Seems Enormously High (1)
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Philia had been waiting for me to pick a fight, fully prepared and raring to go.
"Come at me anytime... I'll crush you completely..."
But even after morning classes began, Philia showed no sign of challenging me to a duel.
Didn't she say yesterday she'd formally declare it during morning class?
Her memory wasn't goldfish-level—she wouldn't forget after one night of sleep. It was strangely out of character how obediently she was listening to Professor Eris.
"Then, take some time now to get to know your partners."
"Learn about each other's skills, specialties, and all sorts of other things."
Professor Eris wasn't doing combat training like yesterday. Instead, she wanted the partners to talk and get to know one another well.
Wait, if that's the case, shouldn't they have gotten to know each other first, then done combat training like yesterday?
A few other students must have thought the same, because murmurs rippled through the group.
"Doesn't it make sense to throw you into blind fights first, then tell you to get to know each other?"
Professor Eris crossed her arms and scanned the students as she spoke.
"Once you graduate from the academy, you won't always be able to form parties only with people you know well."
"You'll have different paths and goals, so you'll end up working with strangers far more often."
"What I observed yesterday was how you fight a strong opponent when you don't know each other perfectly."
It sounded logical... but what about me, fighting solo? Or people like Philia and Ruane, who had known each other since childhood? Did that even make sense?
As if reading my mind, Professor Eris addressed the exact point I'd found odd.
"Sure, some pairs might be longtime friends, and there are loners like that guy over there, so it might feel unfair or nonsensical."
She pointed right at me, drawing stares from most of the students.
Ugh... this kind of attention is a bit much...
"But like I said, I'm talking about after graduation. You'll mostly work with strangers, and cases like his exist too, so don't cry unfair."
Even after Professor Eris explained, most students still wore confused expressions.
Of course, I was right there with them.
"Doesn't matter if you don't get it. That's just how I teach."
"If you hate it, skip my class. Any complaints?"
What could we do? We had no power against this tyrant of a professor.
Everyone reluctantly muttered "No," then spaced out as instructed, chatting with partners or hashing out strategies.
But what about me???
Everyone else was talking with their partners, which suddenly hit home: I had no one to talk to.
"Professor... I don't have a partner. What should I do?"
"Oh, right... Hm. Train with me, then."
"Pardon?"
"Why the reaction? One-on-one training with an outstanding professor like me should be incredibly helpful, no?"
It was definitely a great opportunity... but why did it give me chills?
And calling herself an outstanding professor? It was true, but wasn't it embarrassing to say it outright?
"B-but won't the other students think it's unfair? This really seems unfair..."
"Don't worry. I'll drill the others so hard they'll be relieved it's not them. Hm...!"
"...Yes?"
"Speechless with gratitude? A beauty like me, with top-tier skills, personally training you? Can't blame you!"
"Ah... N-no, that's not...!!"
-Thwack!
While I stammered in shock, Professor Eris's fist rocketed toward me.
"Urk...!"
I reacted just in time to block, but the impact sent me skidding back in an instant.
"Hm... Nice reflexes."
I wanted to scream that compliment at someone who just assaulted me out of nowhere, but fear of repercussions kept my mouth shut tight.
"Haha, don't make that face! Train like it's real combat—that's the Eris Carlton way."
A sneak attack counts as real combat? What a utterly selfish professor.
As I cursed her inwardly, she closed the distance in a flash and threw another punch.
"Guh...?!"
"Don't drop your guard, Cadet Song In-hyeok. Training isn't over."
Then she unleashed a barrage of punches—brutal enough that I could barely endure without passing out.
Haha... such kind consideration...? Fuck youuuuuu!!!!
How long did that "training"—no, beating—last? The break bell finally rang, and Professor Eris stopped her assault.
"Haaah..."
My utterly drained body refused to stand any longer, so I collapsed flat on the training ground.
"Hm. Holding up well against my attacks... Good sandb—no, solid skills, Cadet Song In-hyeok."
Sandbag, huh? You bitch...
She caught my twisted expression and cleared her throat awkwardly.
"Ahem... You worked hard, so rest up. We've got more training later, right?"
"M-more training...? F-fu..."
"Haha! Good job—rest easy. I'll... step out for a bit!"
With that, she vanished from my sight at a blistering speed—the fastest I'd seen her move all class.
Pitying my pathetic state, the other students shot me sympathetic glances.
Better than sneers, but why did it feel so depressing...? Haha... ha...
"Here, In-hyeok-nim... Have some water."
Ruane brought water over and gently fed it to me.
-Gulp gulp.
"Are you alright, In-hyeok-nim...?"
She gazed at me with genuine worry. Ruane was the only one who truly cared...
"Puha... Water hits the spot. Thanks, Ruane."
"It's nothing..."
As we shared this warm moment, I felt Philia's glare from afar.
She stared daggers at me, eyes practically murderous.
What're you gonna do, just glare?
"Whoa...!"
"Ah! In-hyeok-nim!"
I pretended to trip, and Ruane reached out to catch me.
In that instant, I naturally grabbed her hand, pulled her into my arms, and we tumbled down together.
"Urgh... My legs just gave out... Sorry, Ruane."
"N-no, are you hurt, In-hyeok-nim?"
"Nah! Perfectly fine!"
"That's a relief..."
Ruane showed no sign of pulling away, content to stay nestled against me.
A quick glance at Philia: her eyes brimmed with killing intent as she strode toward us.
Whoa... she's seriously pissed...
She closed in instantly, alternating looks between Ruane and me, then removed her glove.
Removing her glove...? No way, that can't be...
Ruane eyed the glove-removal curiously too.
Ignoring her, Philia flung the glove straight at my face.
"I, Sword Saint Philia Venezia, challenge you, Song In-hyeok, to a duel upon my family name."
"Ph-Philia, what are you doing?"
Ruane stood, clearly baffled, and confronted her.
"Personal reasons. Don't worry about it, Ruane."
"How could I not?!"
Ruane snapped at Philia in anger. Philia seemed flustered for a moment before composing herself and addressing me.
"Song In-hyeok, what's your answer? Oh, and don't even think of refusing. Once my family name is staked, you have no right to decline."
No right to refuse, so why even ask, you bitch...?
"Cut the fake polite talk—it doesn't suit you."
Philia's eyebrow twitched.
"Hah... So you'll accept the duel?"
"You don't give me a right to refuse... And the great Sword Saint is so desperate to win she's challenging me in this state? Of course I'll accept."
My sarcasm twisted her face briefly before she regained her composure.
"Mock me all you want. I'm not withdrawing. Curse if you like."
Her slight sneer told me she'd come fully prepared, so I dropped the snark.
"So, what's the duel price?"
"If you lose, leave this academy."
"...!"
The surrounding students buzzed in shock at Philia's demand.
Ruane gawked back and forth between us, stunned.
This wasn't just to keep Ruane away from me... She straight-up wanted me gone.
"Now you name your price."
"Hm... If I win, Philia, you become my slave."
"What...?"
"Getting kicked out is basically staking my life. This balances the scales, no?"
"A commoner's life versus enslaving the Venezia Ducal heir and Sword Saint? Where's the balance?"
"I even gave you a chance to pick. Greedy commoner asking for the world..."
She pulled a paper from her pocket, pricked her finger for blood, dripped it on the sheet listing her desired price, and handed it to me.
"You forfeit your price. Don't feel too hard done by—I gave you a shot. Hurry and add your blood."
This fucking bitch is going all out...
"W-wait, lemme change it. How about one hour a day where I can do whatever I want with you?"
"That matches the value of an A-rank cadet's life, right...?"
"Hmph... Still filthy thoughts to the end. Fine— you'll be gone anyway, so I'll humor your pathetic price."
She wrote her adjusted price on the paper, cut her finger, and dripped blood. The paper glowed, then burst into flames and vanished.
"Too many dishonor duels without paying up. This paper's enchanted—if you break the terms, you burn alive in agony. Honor it."
"It exists...? But what if someone survives the burning?"
"Pfft... Typical commoner ignorance."
Never came up in the novel... Quit sneering and explain, bitch.
"Centuries ago, the greatest priest—called the Goddess's Proxy—infused it with divine power. Think a worm like you can endure her flames? Pathetic."
Goddess power...? On something this trivial? Insane nobles...
"Hurry and prepare. I want you out of this academy ASAP."
"I'll give you a moment to get ready. Struggle all you want. Ruane? Come check my weapon."
Check weapon my ass—probably wants buffs from Ruane on the sly.
That desperate to win, you fucking bitch!!!!
I figured Ruane would follow as I inwardly cursed Philia...
"No... I need to help In-hyeok-nim."
"Ruane...? What about that trash commoner...?"
"I said!!"
Ruane shouted at Philia, who flinched wide-eyed.
"I just don't get why you're doing this, Philia."
"But Ruane, this is for you..."
"You said it was personal earlier! What did In-hyeok-nim do wrong...?"
"I thought you were cool... a friend worth respecting. Not like this..."
Ruane's fury shook Philia, who approached hesitantly.
"Ruane... I really..."
"Stay away! I need to help exhausted In-hyeok-nim. You look fine—prepare on your own."
Philia ground her teeth, turned, walked to a bench on the training ground, sat, and hung her head.
"Ruane... you okay?"
"I'm fi— no, not okay..."
Tears welled up and streamed down her face.
"I thought Philia was such a great friend... not like this... Sorry... I'm so sorry, In-hyeok-nim..."
I smiled softly, wiping tears from Ruane's cheeks.
"No need to apologize, Ruane. Philia—er, she's the bad one. Not you."
"But if this goes on, you'll have to leave the academy..."
"If I leave, you gonna pretend you don't know me anymore, Ruane?"
"No! Never... but... sob..."
"Don't worry. I won't lose."
"Even you, In-hyeok-nim, in this state... against Philia?"
"Trust me, Ruane. I'll win for sure."
My earnest words stopped her tears; she stared into my eyes.
"I trust you. Please win, In-hyeok-nim."
"Of course."
After soothing her, I pulled a rainbow-glowing vial from my pocket and downed it in one go.
My weary body recovered in a flash—wounds, scars, even mana all restored.
Ruane gaped at my sudden recovery.
"I-In-hyeok-nim, was that...?"
"An elixir."
"!!!"
Before entering the academy, I'd spent two years hunting fortuitous encounters and snagged this elixir.
The legendary potion that could reattach limbs, heal anything, and even strengthen the body... Using it here at the academy? I'd saved it for dire straits, never dreamed it'd be now.
"It is a dire situation..."
I brushed off the dirt and stood lightly.
Ruane stared in awe, and from afar, Philia did too.
Not just healed—I felt noticeably stronger. No wonder they were shocked.
I walked straight to Philia on the bench and loomed over her.
"Sword Saint Philia Venezia."
She scowled at being addressed while looked down upon.
I grinned at her.
"Let's go, you fucking bitch."