Duel Over a Tiny Prick
Slave, bite. Oops. I slipped up there. Should've swapped that for my inner thoughts, but that was my fuck-up.
But come on, he looks small as hell. Is that my fault? Nah, it's this guy's fault for looking like that.
"...What...?"
Poll Hollen—what the hell does this guy even do?—froze up at my words. He looked like he was double-checking if he'd heard right.
Watching that, I said, "You must've misheard. How could a sweet kid like me say something like that?"
"What did you say?"
"Beats me? What did I say? Ugh, can't remember."
I lightly smacked my head for effect, but that just pissed him off more. Tiny-dick—er, Poll Hollen—twisted his face in rage.
"How dare you...!!"
"Ah, guess he can't let it slide, huh?"
I figured that'd be enough, but damn, failure. Too bad.
"You arrogant little shit..."
He growled, all menacing. Poll Hollen's hand went to his waist. Right as he was about to draw his sword—
Swoosh.
Someone stepped in front. Light blue hair. It was Mirai, and beside her stood silver-haired Iris.
"Uh... uh... L-Lady Mirai."
Poll Hollen panicked at the sight. Look at this asshole? His face is totally different from when he glares at me.
Mirai eyed him and asked, "Who?"
"Pardon?"
"Who."
She looked like she genuinely had no clue. Poll Hollen hesitated for a sec, but...
"...Poll Hollen. We're in the same knight order, but you don't know..."
"Don't know you."
Mirai fidgeted with her tiny hands as she spoke. "Don't wanna. What's the deal?"
Her vibe was off—intense. The air around her rippled with energy. My body tensed up watching it.
Whoa, this girl's scary as fuck?
She looked ready to just swing. I could see the trajectories from her sword—sweeping over Poll Hollen's whole body. Like she'd shred him if he twitched wrong. All hidden under that blank expression.
"...Poll Hollen."
Iris muttered in the gap.
"You know him?"
"A little."
This girl knows a ton of knights. At this rate, she's just a knight fangirl, right?
"Rising star in the Demon Subjugation Corps... and from the Poll Marquis family."
"...What's the Demon Subjugation Corps?"
Demon Subjugation...? What the hell kinda name is that? Sounds nothing like romance-fantasy bullshit.
Iris quietly explained. "A knight order made to fight demons."
"...There's something like that?"
"Yeah. Even if demon activity's died down, our main enemies are still monsters and demons."
"...Hmm."
Knight order against demons. He said he was in the same unit as Mirai, so she's probably one too.
"Like the Royal Knights under the imperial family, the Demon Subjugation Corps is an elite unit... Not just anyone gets in."
"So even that tiny-prick knight over there made it in?"
"Ti-Tiny... pr... uh... Y-Yeah... He's an impressive knight."
Iris stuttered at my words, ears turning a bit red.
Demon Subjugation Corps, huh.
Fighting demons means...
In other words,
Knights who hunt mages, basically?
Demons use magic. Not all, but they're mana-specialized. Mages suck against demons. Knights can hunt them. That's aura's niche. These days, they say it's the era of knight orders.
Mages shine in wars with chanting, but suck one-on-one. Knights dominate there.
That explains it?
I stared hard at Poll Hollen. I'd been wondering anyway.
Why's this guy acting so bold?
Emperor's here, Tower Lords too. And
I'm sandwiched between the Grand Princess and the Duke's lady.
No matter how much of a nobody I look like, you don't just butt in like that. If you've got any street smarts—
You'd know I might have backing.
But he spouts bullshit anyway. Turns out,
This guy's got specs.
Not bad. Thought he was just ugly and worthless, but solid pedigree. Marquis son, elite Demon Subjugation Corps. Even Iris knows him—top-tier knight.
That's why he's cocky?
I'm a mage. Demon Corps guy, so he steps up no matter my level. Ignores me bantering with Mirai and Iris?
Even so...
This world's romance-fantasy or not, people ain't that dumb. Either his brain shorted from those specs,
Or.
He's into Mirai?
Most likely. Holy shit.
This fucker's a lolicon?
Interest in Mirai means that, right? Holy fucking hell. Total perv?
"...Tiny prick and a perv too? Ah, so that's why the lolicon...?"
It connected. Small, so lolicon? Kinda makes sense.
"What the hell are you saying?! It's not small!"
"...Lying now too?"
"You... you bastard...!"
Poll Hollen's face went beet red as he suddenly yanked off his glove and threw it at my feet.
The glove landed in front of me. Everyone froze.
Oh, I know this. Saw it in some medieval romance webtoon.
This is that, right?
Duel challenge? I stared in wonder, then realized something late.
"What."
Me? No way, right?
Just then, Poll Hollen spat, "...I challenge you to a duel."
Face full of fury.
Holy shit, for real? This guy's actually doing it? Wild.
"...Fucking epic. Never thought I'd get this."
New experience. Really hits home that I'm in a romance-fantasy world? Knight dueling me?
As I gawked in shock,
"This makes no sense."
Iris stepped forward. "Ruin's not a knight—he's a mage. No grounds or qualification for a knight's duel."
"...Lady Hailron."
"If there was a proxy knight, maybe, but without..."
"I'll be the proxy knight."
"...What?"
Mirai gripped her sword with clear eyes.
As Poll Hollen flinched,
"Interesting."
The air grew heavy with the voice. All eyes turned there.
And there,
Why the hell?
Somehow, the Emperor had dragged over a chair, crossed his legs, and sat.
Why's this guy butting in? Absurd.
Thud—!! Thud!!
Suddenly, everyone knelt. Mirai and Iris too. I glanced around and knelt with them.
"Y-Your Imperial... Majesty, Sun of the Empire...!"
Everyone bowed to the Emperor. No one here could lift their head.
Amid it, the Emperor spoke in a dignified tone. "Poll Hollen."
"...Knight Poll Hollen...!"
I almost snorted. Private first class? Not even full name.
"I saw you challenge a mage to a duel. Why?"
"...!"
Sweat beaded on Poll Hollen's forehead. He realized the Emperor saw everything.
"...My apologies."
He stammered, but
"I don't want your apology. I asked before, didn't I? Why?"
The Emperor's face was blank as he repeated.
What's funny is this guy's seen it all from start to finish, yet asks anyway.
Poll Hollen recalled briefly.
"...That mage insulted me."
"Insult you couldn't bear?"
"Yes. Unbearable."
"What did he say?"
"Pardon...?"
Poll Hollen panicked at the question.
What'd he say? Brutal.
Making him say it himself? No way.
As I inwardly reeled at the Emperor's viciousness,
"...Th-That..."
"Say it right, and I'll allow the duel."
"...!"
The Emperor landed the killer blow on the hesitating Poll Hollen.
"...H-He... said... my... genitals were small... insulted me."
Poll Hollen forced it out, swallowing shame.
Holy shit, he actually said it. Gasps around. Everyone stifling laughs, obvious.
Iris couldn't even look up.
Then.
"What's wrong with small? So what?"
Mirai quietly asked me.
Please shut up. I'm dying here.
"N-Not small...!"
Poll Hollen shot back at Mirai. Despair filled his face. The watching knights' expressions were priceless.
Finally, the Emperor nodded, satisfied. "Indeed, insulting words. Duel permitted."
"Gr-Graciously... th-thank you!"
Poll Hollen's face lit up.
This is bad?
Duel approved. I have to do this? Wondering if I can bail,
"But given the disadvantage, the other side needs a stake too."
"...Pardon?"
The Emperor looked at me. "Win, and I'll grant you a title."
"...Huh?"
"Gasp!?"
Everyone freaked. Title? Nobility?
Mages are noble-equivalent anyway, but an actual title? Huge privilege, obvious.
So I asked, "Sorry, can I ask one thing?"
"Ruin...!"
Iris urgently called as I questioned the Emperor.
What? I can at least ask.
Emperor's kinda like an inner fave for me.
And. This guy's into bold types.
Saw it in the original.
-France. I dislike your arrogance, but respect your boldness.
-I like it. Be my man.
-I favor your boldness.
He fell for the heroine's boldness as crown prince. Loves confident people.
No matter how he's changed behind the scenes.
This should be fine.
"Bold one. Speak."
As expected, that tone, and he smiled.
"First time for this kinda thing. How dangerous should I make it?"
"How dangerous do you want?"
Fuck.
I asked first, asshole. Can't say that, right?
Irritated by the counter, but held it. "Nothing too painful or injurious."
"Good."
Emperor snapped fingers. "No killing."
"..."
Did he miss what I said? I hate getting hurt at all, not just killing.
Wanna point it out, but can't. Read his eyes.
Quit clowning and do it?
Patience ends here.
Damn it.
No room to argue. I did fuck up too.
Should've held my tongue.
If I'd shut up, it'd be over. But my damn personality.
Hence this mess.
Duel, huh.
Never dueled a knight. Always wrestled monsters.
And. Even if I have...
Banheil. Crown Prince blocked my magic—that level. Play-fighting at best, nothing else.
Am I good enough for this, fancy orphan that I am?
Brief doubt.
"No more words?"
Emperor asked.
"...Yessir."
All I could do was nod.
"Convenient—we're at the training grounds. Let's do it now."
Emperor nodded. Tiny-prick knight moved.
As he passed, "...Mocking me to the end? Won't go easy."
"...Huh?"
Furious tone. Mocking what? How?
Random as fuck.
Then Iris approached. "...Ruin. Too much provocation."
"...What'd I even do?"
"No injuries, right? Means you're scared of hurting Sir Poll Hollen, so you'll go easy."
"What the hell?"
Crazy talk? I asked 'cause I don't wanna hurt.
"Wasn't it?"
I shook my head. "Obviously not! Why would I provoke like a lunatic?"
"...But that annoyed look... And you already provoked from the start—."
"Annoyed look's my resting face!"
Start provocation was just my shitty temper. Ah, so that's why he glares?
Plus. Others see it that way too?
Unfair as hell. Knights' eyes said it—scary, mage-hating vibes.
"Provoking a knight, a mage?"
"Tower shut-in thinks he can—."
Knights and mages really hate each other. Colton Clay was chill with me, so I ignored it.
Now I get it. Blood enemies?
More like knights look down on mages.
Demons' fault?
Mages can't kill demons, knights can. That, or other reasons.
Whatever.
This guy's got it out for me.
Misunderstanding or not, beef confirmed.
I frowned. Annoying.
"...You sure you're okay?"
Iris asked worriedly. "Even now, I can proxy..."
"What can the lady do about an Emperor-approved fight?"
"...True."
"Gotta own my trolling."
Die? Nah.
Worst case. Elise'll bail me out?
Useless or not, she's the Saintess. Bet she'll step up.
Plus. Kinda curious.
Wonder what fighting a knight feels like.
"Ruin."
Mirai spoke up. "Win. Good luck."
"..."
She dipped away. What? Cheer?
Ridiculous.
Too blunt—couldn't help laughing.
Distance opened. Bystanders backed off more.
Just me and Poll Hollen facing off.
"..."
He gripped his sword, staring.
Surprising part.
Where'd that guy go?
The tiny-prick knight who'd ranted vanished.
Why's there a real knight now?
The young man there had a whole different aura. Wasn't this vibe before. Why change now?
Scary, scary.
Knight's a knight, huh? Sharp as hell. Tension rising.
Can I even do this?
Rofan transmigrator two months in. Facing this guy already?
Doubts piling up when,
"Mage."
"Yeah?"
Poll Hollen spoke. "I raged at your arrogance and rudeness, but I know this duel ain't fair."
Shiiiing.
Brown aura flowed over his sword.
"So, I'll yield first strike. One chant, on me."
"...Oh."
This guy's nicer than—
"Then I'll crush you flat. Won't let you surrender—gag you too. Go all out. Or I'll make you piss yourself."
"..."
Nope. Asshole confirmed. Piss? Fuck, haven't even since coming. Almost once, but clean slate. No wet dreams either, and he goes low like that.
Sigh.
Shaking off tension with dumb thoughts when,
"Ready?"
The middleman said. Judge? Colton Clay, unbelievably. Duke judging? And grinning, hooked.
This guy's doing it for fun.
"Sir Colton, why...?"
"Master, why...?"
Grandpa... other knights staring too.
Whatever, Clay raised his hand.
"Ready."
Hand dropped lightly.
"Begin."
Duel started.
"..."
"..."
Hollen stood still, watching. First chant free for real.
Hmm.
Never needed chants anyway. Just thinking.
What to fire?
One shot. After? Unknown. All-in on one spell.
What can I do?
Four tops. Thorn Arrow. Blade Sword. Unnamed wind magic.
And Flame Ring.
Slave girl's spell—four total.
Issue: Attack power wise—
Wind's top, sure.
But what if.
Doubt: If attack power's from mana use aftermath.
Same mana in Thorn Arrow vs. wind.
Which wins?
Bet Thorn Arrow. Slashing vs. piercing difference, makes sense.
Thorn Arrow's strong.
First spell I learned, and compared to others, yeah.
Does damage scale with mana? Hypothesis untested.
Came to Empire to research magic, but no time.
So.
Test now? Duel of all places, absurd thought.
"Why's he just standing?"
"Scared shitless?"
Knights murmur.
"Kid's what, thirteen? Normal to freak. Keep forgetting Lady Mirai's the weirdo."
"Who's the brat? Anyone know?"
"Colton Duke brought him... Still..."
"Duke Colton? What the..."
"Recommending to the Tower maybe."
"Colton? No way. He's..."
Voices faded soon. Not them quieting—me tuning out.
Weird. Tense body suddenly loose. Tension gone.
Vrrrrm—.
Heart thrummed. Circles spun. Engine revved—three rings now, whirling mad.
Vrrrrrmmm—!!!!
Fast. Mana surged through me.
Nice.
Then the cosmos faced. Galaxy Tower Lords showed. Gained three rings there. Mana gathered in my grasp.
"Hm?"
Poll Hollen frowned at it.
"Thorn Arrow?"
No way he's using that? About to scoff when,
"...Wait. Chant...?"
No-chant widened his eyes. Didn't register to me.
Infuse mana.
Focus on hands. Compress mana, calculate amount, form shape.
Thorn Arrow done. One.
More.
Poured extra mana. Spell shook. Failure = boom.
Ignored, pushed. Eyes saw much. Shaky spots, lacks.
Filled them slowly.
More.
Three circles' mana piled, completing spell.
Size same. But
Dense.
Unimaginable density vs. usual. Compressed mana.
Fire now? Done, so yeah.
But something.
Want more. What? Flicker in dull mind.
Fwoosh.
Spark sound. From making Flame Ring.
Fwoooosh—!!!!
Recall = flames wrapped Thorn Arrow.
"..."
Black flames. Arrow formed. Moved hand.
Tweaked mana.
Grroooar—!!!
Thorn Arrow spun violently, spewing fire.
"...What?"
Poll Hollen's eyes shook.
Completed Thorn Arrow. Sharpness in his eyes.
Can't let it be. Instinct moved him.
First strike yield meaningless—stepped forward when,
Ah—.
This. What I wanted.
Realized.
Fwoooosh—!
Pushed more into flames. Wind.
Thus.
Whoooosh—!!!
Flames merged with wind, changed. Amplified. Devoured mana wildly.
Power surged.
Go.
Fired.
Thwip.
Arrow became line.
"...Huh?"
Straight to Hollen.
BOOOOOOM—!!!!!
Massive impact.
Snapped to. "Ah, fuck, we're screwed."
Wall gone again. Bigger than ever. One side of imperial training ground—
Totally vaporized.
Realizes humanity's first multi-attribute infusion.
Smiles in satisfaction.
Not much time left until awakening attribute ‘■■’.