Chapter 33: Chris's Breakthrough
Weekend morning, 10 a.m., at the dueling arena.
A one-on-one match allowing the use of Magic Tools between Chris and Daven.
It was prime time, and quite a few students had gathered in the spectator stands to watch. Those who thought the place would be spacious let out gasps of admiration one by one.
"So many people here on the weekend?"
"Whoa, must be over a hundred."
"Who's here for the duel? They're all here for that party."
The students' interest wasn't solely in the duel. Of course, a match using Magic Tools was a rare spectacle.
"That guy's coming too, right?"
But the students' real focus was Zien and his party.
Zien, who had rocketed from dead last to number one in an instant, had become Arcana Academy's celebrity thanks to the mage tower incident and Battle Survival.
Student interest kept growing, but with no class appearances and his packed schedule, Zien had unintentionally cultivated a mysterious aura.
Chris was a member of the party created by that enigmatic celebrity. The students buzzed endlessly about the puzzle of a famous figure and his teammates.
"Stuck between two number ones, he's gotta have skills, right?"
"Hey, but does it even make sense for a non-number-one to represent the school?"
"Zien's coming too?"
"There he is! Over there!"
Zien sat in the spectator section alongside Romina, Karsen, Selphis, and the other professors.
For a mere student duel, the observers were overly prestigious. Thanks to that, students who'd considered approaching turned on their heels.
"Het het! No, I said only professors who had time and really wanted to watch should come~ And yet everyone's here. Arcana truly has great unity! Het het het!"
Selphis beamed with satisfaction, but the professors' faces were less than thrilled.
They didn't want to irk the touchy Selphis, already on edge from Celia Academy's provocations. A duel involving Zien might have sparked interest, but this was Chris's match—ranked 97th in the year.
Acting professor Jerome shot Zien a displeased glance.
In that short time, how much could he have improved, or taught? He should've just slotted in a number one like the principal said! Wasting the weekend like this.
Of course, professors like Karsen were genuinely curious.
Beating combat-type Magic Tool user Daven is next to impossible for Chris. But Zien suggested this...
Karsen didn't doubt Zien's skills.
But he saw nothing special in Chris.
...Or did he need a justification to kick Chris out?
Refusing Selphis's offer, or making this one. If it was to replace Chris with a number one...
What are you thinking, Zien?
Karsen gazed at Zien with a bitter expression.
Zien watched Chris with an expectant look. The broad confidence on his face wasn't the expression of someone hoping for defeat.
Truly unfathomable...
At that moment, Zien casually remarked to Selphis beside him.
"Principal, Chris is going to win."
Selphis chuckled "Het het." His mouth smiled, but his eyes narrowed.
"I know our student Zien is strong. But being strong and teaching someone to get strong are entirely different matters."
Romina asked Zien with a pitying look.
"Do you know how Stigma studies classify Magic Tools as combat-type or non-combat-type?"
Simple enough.
Tools like Isabel's gauntlets or Zien's sword, used for fighting, were combat-type. Otherwise, non-combat. Chris wielded a dagger made by the mage tower, making it non-combat. The mage tower dagger and Daven's stigma-summoned greatsword were worlds apart.
"In a gate, maybe, but here in the arena? Daven wins."
Romina stated it definitively, and Jerome snickered loudly enough to be heard.
"Principal, what about Amy among the number ones?"
"Oh, that rank 4 student?"
"She's got real broadcaster vibes."
"Het het, these days, Sabers count eloquence as skill too."
Zien ignored Jerome and Selphis's banter.
— Arena 1. Chris Arun vs. Daven Storm. Entering.
— Applying mana shields per rules.
— Shields breaking from sufficient damage results in elimination.
A duel using Magic Tools and real blades.
For safety, high-performance mana shields enveloped the participants.
"Hey."
Chris greeted him saucily.
Daven furrowed his brow and summoned his Magic Tool greatsword instead of replying.
"Why so serious?"
Daven's eyes flashed at Chris's mocking chuckle.
"Shut up."
Daven hated this matchup.
He'd joined only because Selphis promised SP Points for a win, but facing Chris—not even Zien—bruised his pride badly.
— Start in 3 seconds.
As the countdown began, Chris taunted.
"You look confident. But you're gonna lose. Just like last time."
— 2 seconds.
Daven's face twisted terrifyingly.
The humiliating loss to Zien even after summoning his Magic Tool. Knowing it was provocation, Daven trembled with rage at Chris.
"...You little shit."
— 1 second.
"Whoa, getting mad already?"
— Begin!
Daven swung his greatsword wide.
Greatsword Magic Tools were straightforward.
Different types and concepts, but mostly amplifying destructive power.
"It's over."
Selphis said flatly, eyeing Chris cornered.
"What a waste of time. To think of sending a kid like that to an off-campus event."
Jerome subtly mocked Zien.
He didn't forget to butter up Selphis too.
"Principal, suggesting the roster change was a stroke of genius."
"Het het! I wasn't worried about the other two at all. Our talented Arcana number ones, after all."
Selphis grinned, pleased by the flattery. Romina wore a grim expression watching Chris cornered like a rat.
"The result's clear. Shouldn't we stop the match?"
Karsen shook his head at her suggestion, pointing at Chris.
"No. Look closely."
He seemed cornered, but no solid hits landed.
Chris wielded twin daggers.
Nothing like Zien's single longsword.
Yet Karsen recalled Zien's swordsmanship watching Chris deflect the greatsword with minimal movement.
Similar to Zien. Taught him in that short time?
How?
Karsen couldn't shake the doubt watching Chris dodge the greatsword by a hair's breadth.
Then, mana infused Chris's eyes.
Slash!
Simultaneously, Chris's dagger grazed Daven's wrist.
Unlike the startled Daven, Chris swung confidently. He'd predicted the attack path and evasion spot.
"Huh?"
"What?"
Selphis and Romina sensed the oddity too, watching intently with serious faces.
"He activated his Magic Tool."
Admiration laced Karsen's words.
And rightly so. As dueling instructor, he knew Chris's abilities best among the professors.
He wanted to shatter prejudices so badly, yet I... What a shame.
Even Karsen had pegged Chris as a solid 97th. But Zien had elevated him this far in under a month—seeing his essence beyond ranks, believing in him. Karsen felt ashamed for briefly doubting Zien.
Finally, the silent Zien spoke, still watching the duel.
"Chris has no talent."
As if reacting, Chris pressed Daven relentlessly.
Cheers erupted from the student stands.
"Nor lack of drive."
Romina let out a brief gasp of admiration at Chris's polished movements. Zien gazed at him.
"He just didn't know the method."
It was probably the slump most cadets faced.
Zien had shown Chris the potential and path. The effort was Chris's alone—and he'd risen to the occasion.
"Chris will win."
He'd said it before, but now it carried weight.
The moment Chris's skyrocketing skill proved it. Zien's words were no longer bravado. Professors who'd predicted his loss looked stunned. Karsen chuckled wryly, deflated.
"This is really embarrassing."
No professor missed what Karsen meant by "embarrassing."
Teaching, believing—that was a teacher's role. Yet student Zien had excelled at it, polishing a rough gem into treasure.
"Yeah..."
Romina averted her embarrassed gaze,
Jerome flushed red, silent,
"Het het, you... remarkable in many ways."
Even Selphis smiled at Zien approvingly.
Clang! Clash! Ching! Thud!
In the arena, Chris moved like the wind.
A barrage of strikes like a dance.
Mana-clad twin daggers trailed countless light afterimages as they assailed.
"Urk!"
Feeling shields at their limit, Daven lowered into a stance for a counter.
Swoosh!
Magic Tool. Gust Strike.
Reducing the greatsword's weight to a twig's while amplifying power.
"Eat this!!"
Daven swung the lightened greatsword one-handed.
Ignoring physics, it shot fiercely.
Aimed at Chris's head.
Touch it, and the shields would shatter.
But.
"I already saw it."
Chris ducked sharply.
With his Magic Tool Insight Eye active, such attacks wouldn't touch him. Not true foresight, but.
Muscles.
Expression.
Stance.
Daven's every move was a hint to Chris.
Whoosh!
Daven's greatsword sliced empty air.
Chris exploited the mistake.
Stabbing with just enough force to break the shield.
Crack!
The thin barrier around Daven shattered.
Daven Storm. Shield at 0%.
Winner: Chris Arun. Duel terminated.
Cheers exploded from the student stands with the alert.
My Previous Life was the Strongest Sword God