Duel Day: The Cyclops Awakens
Finally, the day of the duel had arrived. Students filed into the academy arena that Aizen had reserved in advance, while the professors shot Gilford Rex Vespa dark looks. Gilford, meanwhile, inspected his preparations.
"First things first, the personnel. The noble heirs from the academy who volunteered to fight. Three of them, right?"
"We will serve you with utmost sincerity, Your Highness!"
The carefully selected sons and daughters of viscount and baron families bowed deeply, and Gilford nodded.
"I trusted in your strength, which is why I politely turned away those of higher rank. I expect great things from you."
Gilford was, after all, a prince of the kingdom. Countless people sought to curry favor with him. But given his opponent, he'd chosen only those with real combat experience.
The opponent has combat experience too, so I need elites on my side.
The golem his foe would bring was powerful enough to duel a monstrous sandworm and win. Amateurs couldn't touch it.
One regret lingered, though.
If only the Phoenix County had helped...
The strongest freshman at the academy by far—the daughter of the border count guarding against the Argent Empire. Gilford had wanted to recruit Erica Phoenix, but she'd refused.
—"I'm actually looking forward to that golem! Haha!"
Even in the face of the prince's courteous plea, her bold rejection forced him to back off. Provoking a border count with independent military authority could spell major trouble down the line. He'd investigated whether Aizen had pulled some strings, but no—pure coincidence. He let it slide.
Of course, he had reasons for his confidence.
The Nexia Duke family and Christa Barony aren't officially backing him.
Was it because his opponent was a prince? The barony was too low-rank to even ask, and the Nexia Duke family's official stance was that Noel was acting on her own. Coldly speaking, Aizen's active supporters boiled down to just one duke's daughter and a saintess from the Saras Church—nothing more.
For some reason, the palace—especially the court mages—had subtly suggested mediation, but as the king's son, no one could outright stop Gilford.
You've got a lot of enemies, Aizen.
Smiling at the support from his backers, Gilford turned to his next party members.
"My thanks to Sir Nar from the knight order for joining us."
"No need for thanks. More of us wanted to come, but Professor Reina opposed it fiercely. This was the compromise."
Members of the knight order's discontent faction, alarmed by this golem's potential. Gilford had handpicked five of them. The kingdom's vital court mages couldn't be mobilized, so students filled those roles—but knights were fair game.
Five is solid, but still a bit short...
Gilford smacked his lips in quiet disappointment. He'd wanted more, but the academy—Reina in particular—had balked even at a full party. Bringing in outsiders en masse? She'd threatened to side with Aizen if he pushed. This was the result of pressuring her from multiple angles; he had to compromise.
It also meant Reina didn't rate Aizen's golem highly enough to block it outright.
No more reinforcements now.
Leveraging his princely status, he'd bent a lot of rules. He had to win just to break even—but that only fueled his resolve. He wouldn't stop, couldn't stop.
Over days, he'd strategized with knights and subordinates, even pulling in a wildcard.
"Mark Arclight. I expect you to do your part."
"I-it's an honor, Your Highness!"
Mark Arclight, eldest son of Arclight Territory. A noble from some backwater without a title—normally beneath notice. But he was useful this time.
"I don't expect much from your combat skills, but just tie up his golem. Give it everything."
Golem versus golem. Ordinary golems were too slow to catch Aizen's, but golem magic left behind remnants even after dismissal...
"Summon your golem, dismiss it, and crush him under the debris. That's your job."
"I'll give it my all!"
Gilford nodded at Mark's shout.
"Let's review the plan. Listen up."
The ten, including Gilford, gathered. Amid cries to crush Aizen, his voice cut through calmly.
"Once it starts, his weird golem will charge. But this arena is full of traps, as pre-announced. Pits deeper than his golem can handle."
"Stripping his mobility first," a knight noted. Gilford nodded.
"Given the golem's size, it can't dodge pits—especially not with its crawling design. Then Mark summons and dismisses overhead, burying its arms and torso under rockfall."
"Mages bombard from above, knights lure it out once pinned. Easy."
The party laughed at the noble's words. Counter to the Caterpillar Golem? Ready and waiting.
"But... where'd all this come from?" Mark asked cautiously.
The setup was too systematic, too quick for Gilford alone. Knights and nobles alike wondered how he'd pulled it off so nimbly.
Gilford grinned at the question.
"...Nothing special. Just call it my personal charm."
He brushed it off with a laugh. Then a voice boomed from outside.
Reina's voice, amplified by magic.
"Let's go. Time to take his head."
With the moment of truth here, Gilford and his crew strode out confidently. They sneered at their no-show foe, taking positions to watch the opposite entrance.
And then—
Thud. Thud-thud.
A strange sound. Nothing like expected. Rhythmic vibrations. Instinct screamed something was wrong.
BOOM!
A white-and-silver steel giant strode into view before them. Its massive red monocular eye gleaming.
From the cockpit, the outside world was fully visible. Magic tools—cameras and microphones—relayed everything, projecting it onto the walls.
Aizen gingerly worked the controls, flexing an arm. Slight lag, but the golem's fingers clenched and opened smoothly. Posture control worked fine too.
At last, the golem stood on the earth.
Aizen closed his eyes, savoring the reactions piping in. Towering higher than the Caterpillar Golem, he spotted Noel and Mina gazing up in awe, the redhead with sparkling eyes nearby, and the professors' faces.
"No way he built this solo on time."
Even now, no time for proper paint—just white and silver primer. Barely enough hours for that. Still, he owed Noel and Mina big for mobilizing artisans despite family and guild grumbling. Spotting them, he waved.
Noel waved back—got the signal. Mina? She drew a finger across her throat and grinned. Investor with zero chill.
Anyway, one thing left.
"With overwhelming power!"
He slammed the golem forward. Even he marveled at the speed and fluidity. Research-backed frame, weight-bearing armor—all clicking perfectly. Sleepless nights designing paid off in this motion.
Then—crunch. The ground collapsed; the golem pitched forward.
Traps, as expected.
They knew he'd use a golem; prepped accordingly. No reckless charge on their part.
A Caterpillar would've been stuck. But...
"Tracks and legs ain't the same, tracks and legs!"
This golem had steel arms and legs. It braced with arms, kicked powerfully. The test backpack jetted mana-fueled thrust.
Leap successful!
"Maneuverability clear!"
Over the obstacle, charging on. Foes finally snapped to, reacting.
In the viewport: Mark in their lines, chanting.
Could've crushed him instantly, but Aizen waited. Their golem emerged: eight-legged hunting dog type. His nightmare, the spark for his own golems.
"Uncle taught you, huh, you bastard?!"
Trauma-fueled roar blasted out via the magic tool—too loud, shrinking foes.
Most clutched ears, cowering. Their golem moved—but sluggishly. Primitive weight-bearers couldn't be nimble.
"Reaction speed's six tiers slower."
Aizen circled behind, kicked a leg. Foe: rock. His: mana-metal frame alloy. Kinetic boost. Leg shattered rock; dog golem buckled.
Shoulder charge finished it—body flipped, smashed.
"Durability clear, melee clear!"
Magic barrages incoming—dodged swiftly. Wide attacks to match his speed, but diluted power. No lethality.
Focused blasts might threaten, but...
"Doesn't matter if you miss!"
Maintained speed, leaped. Vibrations disrupted their casting; knights loosed arrows, magic tools—useless. No real bombardment.
Landed with BOOM—dust cloud, shockwave toppling foes.
"That's why they jumped in so eagerly."
Knight faction's motive clear: mass-produced golems like this meant no more knight jobs.
"Short-sighted, but..."
No need to enlighten them. They'd learn the hard way.
Flicked swords and spears from knights' hands, flicking them aside.
"Gonna need anti-personnel guns? Flicking's tedious."
New improvement noted—imprinted on knights' bodies. Fingers like iron clubs to unarmored foes. Armored? They'd live.
Knights down, mages next—picked up students gently, set aside.
Gazed at Mark and Gilford.
"Ready?"
His panicked voice via mic. But no backing down. They'd tried to take everything; given prep time...
"Your turn."
Like the knights—finger flick. From above, they looked like ants.
CRUNCH!
Dull, heavy impact. Gilford and Mark tumbled across the ground like ragdolls.
Control clear.
****
It was overwhelming. Professor Reina lost her words at the sheer dominance.
"Reina, you saw this coming?"
"Honestly? I thought he might lose, Isarina."
As professors rushed to check Gilford, Reina eyed the steel giant Aizen piloted.
"The world changes with that thing."
Everything favored Gilford: terrain, forces. Five royal knights? No weaklings. Professional warriors. Plus four student mages. Enough to hunt large monsters.
And Aizen's golem dismantled them effortlessly.
Is the age of swords over?
Still useful now, but eventually... Groaning knights rolling on the ground proved it.
Adapt or perish.
Acknowledging reality, Reina brainstormed counters. Professor Rodellini signaled big circle thumbs-up: Gilford safe. She bellowed.
Duels have winners. Gilford forced it, but official now. Aftermath negotiations? Not academy's problem.
Victory pose? Golem raised fist. Struck by thought, Reina grabbed the megaphone again.
"Aizen Arclight. Does that golem have a name?"
Winner: Aizen. Golem: history-maker. Both recorded.
Golem paused. Caught off-guard?
"Name, unit designation! Right, important—forgot!"
Voice exploded out at max speed.
"Honestly, I had one picked. Yeah. This golem's straight-up derived from that one. Inherits the soul of the space federation's machine. Looks different, but I channeled that spirit the whole time. Yeah. But I can't dare use that name...!"
Words faster than a waterfall. Reina regretted asking.
"Decided!"
Golem raised finger.
"This unit's name is—"
Reina stepped forward for the historic reveal.
"A name of respect: Re—"
Mina's voice boomed via megaphone—from who-knows-where. All eyes turned. Even the golem's red eye flickered, as if glitching.
"Why. What."
"Money. I funded it all."
The saintess proudly declared herself the backer.