Ranking Battle
Ranking Battle
-"I challenge you to a Rank Duel, you motherfucker."
-"The date is two days from now, the location is the Public Training Ground, right in front of all the first-years."
Our delinquent queen really went all out for us.
The duel challenge dropped like a bomb in the middle of the lecture hall.
'She came out more fiery than I thought.'
I couldn't help but twitch the corner of my mouth.
Rank Duel.
An event that was marked as [Ranking Match] in the game.
It was literally a duel where rankings were at stake.
At the same time, it was an event that was hard to back out from once initiated.
'Because the penalties are severe.'
Normally, for a ranking match, it's common for the lower-ranked side to throw down the gauntlet to the higher-ranked side.
The goal was to defeat a cadet ranked above you and move up in the rankings.
There's nothing to gain by targeting a student ranked even lower than you.
'It's not exactly prohibited, but...'
Everyone would think it's pointless.
To begin with, the Ranking Match is a privilege granted only to the top students of each class.
Therefore, it was often used by lower-class students challenging the lowest-ranked student in the class directly above them to skip a class.
Even that opportunity was limited to once per semester.
There's no reason to waste such an important opportunity on a student of a lower rank.
If you lose, you'll not only fall in rank but also get utterly crushed, whereas winning would barely mean breaking even.
'But... for Caitlin to use it like that.'
The delinquent queen's goal was one and only.
-Come on, get humiliated in front of everyone.
-You scared? Want to beg for mercy?
To grind me into the dust.
She made a big deal out of it, aiming to crush me in front of everyone.
'She's not normal either.'
Could she have liked the Padrip so much from that day?
To waste a once-per-semester opportunity like this...
Should I call this ruthless, or just pathetic...
'...Well, the Padrip was probably just the trigger. It's more likely she's been annoyed from the start.'
I have been attracting a lot of attention lately, after all.
Not only am I the E-class top student who defeated the C-class top student, but I also beat all the upper classes and took first place in practicals...
My actions so far have been so bizarre that I've become quite a talking point in the academy.
Annoying.
Being annoying usually means you easily make enemies.
In the same vein, it seems I was quite an eyesore to the delinquent queen.
'Is this why being famous is tiring?'
It's a shame.
'Well... it's not like there's a way to avoid it anyway.'
The Ranking Match was an event that was hard to refuse.
Of course, you could just not show up on the day of the duel like you don't give a damn, but doing so would cause an enormous penalty to your grades for that semester.
'I want to keep my position as the E-class top student.'
In fact, from my perspective, it's an event I have no reason to refuse.
I was even grateful.
I can't believe she prepared such a perfect stage for me.
Thanks to her, my plan to solidify my standing within the academy will probably roll along more smoothly.
'The more spectators, the better.'
A stage watched by all first-years.
I didn't stop there; I went a step further.
-Shall we make a bet? Just a duel might be a bit boring.
-The loser... becomes the winner's lackey from now on.
I even threw a Servitude Bet into the duel.
Caitlin seemed flustered by the audacious move, but upon hearing my follow-up provocation, she readily accepted.
-You scared?
It was truly a magical word that made her see red.
The blond-tanned brat gnashed her teeth and shouted "call!"
And so, between the B-class top student and the E-class top student, an all-or-nothing Servitude Bet was set.
-Hey... did you hear? There's a Ranking Match tomorrow?
-Heard it ages ago! Tomorrow's a day without lectures, perfect timing.
-No way, I never thought the two of them would clash...
Perhaps because it was a very provocative topic.
The news spread from mouth to mouth, reaching all the students.
-For real? The B-class top student and E-class top student are having a Ranking Match...?
-Definitely, if it's a Ranking Match, there's no running away.
-Using the once-per-semester opportunity like that? Seriously?
-The E-class top student just got unlucky. Why mess with Caitlin even if you're acting cocky...?
The students whispering among themselves.
-I didn't hear any news, so I thought it fizzled out... Who would have thought they'd take it all the way to a Ranking Match...
-If it's the E-class top student, that's the weirdo wearing a mask, right? He's gonna have it rough, poor thing.
-Yeah~ Isn't he going to be humiliated in front of the whole school?
-Poor? What's poor about it? He's getting his just deserts for acting up.
-I agree. Honestly, Viktor or whatever, I didn't like him from the start~!
Most seemed to be predicting my defeat.
No, saying 'predicting' is a bit odd.
They were all certain of it.
-Caitlin is famous, right? She might be a bit of a delinquent, but her lightning magic is at the top of the year...
-How is the E-class top student supposed to win in the first place? Honestly, even if he fought the lowest-ranked A-class student, it'd be touch and go.
-But still... Viktor, was it? I heard he decisively beat the C-class top student.
-Ah, c'mon, are they even comparable? The B-class top student and C-class top student are worlds apart.
-It's true he's strong for an E-class student. To the point where it's questionable why he was placed in E-class...
-I agree on that. But if you ask me if he can take on the B-class top student, I still have to shake my head.
The exciting back-and-forth discussion.
Not a single person thought my side had the advantage.
Most predicted I'd be crushed in one second, with only a few suggesting I might hold out a little.
"Hyung-nim... Are you really going to be okay?"
It was the same for the E-class guys.
"Hmm?"
"Um... I heard you got a Ranking Match scheduled with the B-class top student."
"That devilish bitch. How much does she want to torment people..."
The Bread Shuttles reacted with worry.
Even if it's me, did they think beating the B-class top student was impossible?
Each of them made frustrated expressions and mumbled as if realizing their own powerlessness.
"Damn it... I'm sorry we can't be of any help..."
"Last time too, we were so scared we couldn't say anything..."
"Just forfeit! Hyung-nim, you shouldn't play along with their schemes!"
The kids who seemed to shrink back a little when B-class became the topic.
I heard B-class is the class that looks down on lower classes the most among all classes.
Apparently, they often pick fights for no reason when passing by E-class, or snicker and mock them as they walk by...
'Well... they are in that sort of position, I guess.'
A-class probably wouldn't even pay attention to such things, and C-class is in an ambiguous position to be considered upper class.
Exactly the guys who belong to the upper class but aren't the top, so they vent their frustrations on those below.
I could somewhat understand the E-class kids' reactions too.
'No wonder they seem particularly wilted in front of B-class kids...'
I should use this chance to properly establish discipline.
Delinquent play is forbidden in the academy I attend.
I smiled to reassure the worried Bread Shuttles.
"Everyone, don't worry."
A relaxed smile spread.
"I'm going to surprise you all."
"......"
Despite my meaningful words, the Bread Shuttles and the other kids wore awkward expressions.
Some even seemed troubled, thinking I was just trying to act tough.
"Damn it."
"Those devilish things..."
"You shouldn't have even made that bet..."
It seemed like they couldn't even hear the words that I would win.
I clicked my tongue inwardly.
'The kids lack faith.'
Well, I get it.
Even if I were them, if a Bronze dealer said they'd beat a Grandmaster dealer, I'd tell them to stop talking nonsense.
'I should really drive the point home this time.'
Give them solid belief.
That I am strong enough, and that I am someone they can trust and follow.
Whether they like it or not, I'm in a position where I have to grow these kids and use them.
Ding-!
[Sub Quest]
-Title: Level Up Together!
-Description: Grow all E-class students into B-rank or higher skilled individuals.
-Failure Penalty: None
-Reward: Character Exclusive Item 'Scales of the Black Arbiter (S-)'
[Time Limit: Before Graduation]
I glanced at the Status Window.
'It's about time to start raising them. Once this is over, maybe I'll start group training...'
Whether the surroundings were noisy or not, I just waited calmly.
Hiding a smile full of anticipation behind my mask.
'I'm getting a good slave.'
I hummed a quiet tune.
And so, the two days flew by.
Ranking Match.
The day of the long-awaited event arrived.
The location was, as Caitlin had notified earlier, the open Public Training Ground surrounded by numerous spectator stands.
"It's huge no matter how many times I see it..."
We had the freshman welcome test here too, and seeing it again, its scale was still immense.
Viktor stood in a circular arena easily large enough to hold a soccer field.
In his field of vision, the spectator stands densely packed with numerous onlookers shimmered.
At the same time, from a hologram displayed like a scoreboard, the scenery of the arena was being clearly broadcast.
"There are a ton of spectators too."
Viktor muttered, looking around.
Not only first-year cadets, but some second-years, third-years, and even faculty members were visible.
Wahhh-!
The students chattering among themselves, creating a cheer-like noise.
As I was receiving heated attention, my gaze met the person standing opposite me.
"Hmm..."
Bright yellow hair, skin tanned brown.
A woman with a very insolent-looking face.
Characteristic yellow sparks crackled around her eyes.
The girl crossed her arms and smirked as if surprised.
"You didn't run away? Honestly, I thought you wouldn't even show up."
"Of course not. After making such a bet, I had to attend."
"Haha! The loser becomes a lackey... can you handle that?"
"I wonder."
"People shouldn't act above their station. You should've known your place when acting tough."
"It wasn't exactly a reckless bet on my part. I just asked for what I needed?"
"Keuk, keukkeuk... You think you're up for it, is that what you're saying? Fuck, that's too ridiculous?"
"Interpret it as you wish."
Caitlin's openly scornful smile.
The girl clenched her fist tightly, then began emitting sparks of electricity from her fingertips.
Kwa-jijijik-!
Bright yellow currents swept through the training ground.
Her hair fluttered as if stirring the wind.
"You're gonna get hit today."
A majestic declaration.
Amid the rapidly rising temperature, the announcer's voice rang out.
《Cadets, wait in your respective positions.》
《The duel will proceed in a sparring format and will end when the opponent is subdued or incapacitated.》
《Additionally, the test will also end if one side declares forfeiture.》
The rules were the same as during the freshman welcome test.
Not long after, the bell signaling the start of the duel sounded.
Ding-!
A clear, ringing signal tone.
Immediately after.
"Drop dead, you fucker...!"
Kwaaaaang-!
Caitlin's rapidly fired fist clashed with Viktor.
However, a pitch-black scythe blocked the space between the two.
Caitlin irritably furrowed her brow.
"Ha...! You blocked this?"
"You're fast. As I heard."
The flawless scythe and the explosively released electric currents.
The shockwave from their glancing blow slammed into the training ground ceiling.
The first clash erupted noisily.
"Hhup...!"
And so.
The duel to determine the lackey began.