Ian Ternado.

The second-year leader and head teaching assistant under Kadel, he couldn’t stand Yuda, the boy who’d just joined the academy.

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"Have you been well, Ian?"

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It was that infuriating calm demeanor.

For a freshman only a few months into the academy, he exuded a grating sense of confidence that felt like an affront to Ian.

From the start, Ian had wanted to crush him.

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- "Have you heard? They say we have an unprecedented freshman this year."

- "The Snakers boy, right?"

- "I saw him duel the other day. His skill is no joke."

- "No wonder the professors are competing to recruit him."

---

He was annoyed by the students who chattered about Yuda.

After all, Yuda was just a first-year cadet.

Why were they all making such a fuss over him?

Hearing people praise him made Ian’s blood boil.

Perhaps it was jealousy.

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‘Who does this kid think he is?’

---

Ian sneered whenever he heard such rumors.

He couldn’t bear the thought that someone might be more talented than him and dismissed Yuda as pretentious.

No matter how skilled Yuda was, Ian was convinced the freshman couldn’t stand up to him, the second-year head.

In Galimar Academy, the gap between years was insurmountable.

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‘Tsk... I can’t see what the professor sees in this guy.’

---

Ian grew increasingly frustrated.

Since Kadel started taking an interest in Yuda, Ian’s disdain had only deepened.

After all, his position as head teaching assistant was on the line.

It was a position far too prestigious for a rookie.

Yet, what made Ian’s blood boil more than Kadel’s recruitment offer was…

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- "Well, I’m not really interested."

- "Thank you for the offer, though."

- "I’ll think about it and get back to you."

---

Yuda’s nonchalant response.

He continuously delayed his answer as if stringing Kadel along.

One of Galimar’s most respected professors, and this brat was toying with him.

Ian’s temper flared, though he resisted the urge to throw his glove in Yuda’s face.

Challenging a freshman to a duel could reflect poorly on him.

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"You’re lucky you’re just a freshman. If we were in the same year, I’d have challenged you long ago."

---

Ian had to cool his temper alone.

But then...

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"That sounds like a wonderful idea."

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"What…?"

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"A duel."

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With a smile, Yuda removed his glove and, without hesitation, threw it at Ian.

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Thunk.

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"I, Yuda Snakers, hereby challenge Ian Ternado to a duel in the name of honor and order."

---

The glove struck Ian’s chest with a soft thud, and the echo of Yuda’s words hung in the air.

Frozen, Ian found himself staring into Yuda’s gleaming eyes as he grinned back at him.

The snake’s tongue flickered.

---

"I trust you won’t be running away."

---

Ian had unwittingly accepted the duel.

---

### The News of the Duel Spreads

The news spread like wildfire.

With nothing scheduled before the academy’s upcoming trip, the students eagerly latched onto the excitement.

The academy’s focus quickly shifted to the duel.

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- "I accept the duel."

- "The loser must fulfill one request from the victor."

- "We duel in two days."

---

Ian, though initially surprised, accepted, eager to put Yuda in his place.

His face had flushed red with irritation as he glared at me, teeth clenched.

---

The academy buzzed with the announcement.

Passing through the corridors, I overheard countless conversations about the duel.

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"So, who do you think will win?"

"Ian, of course."

"There’s a reason he’s favored as next year’s student council president."

"True. Yuda’s talented, but Ian’s on another level."

---

Opinions varied, but most people predicted Ian’s victory.

While some supported me, the general sentiment was that I couldn’t overcome the difference in experience.

Many viewed the gap between first and second years as insurmountable.

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Ian Ternado was an elite.

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‘And the students haven’t seen my full strength.’

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The last duel was the only time they’d seen me in action.

While I’d put on a memorable show, it hadn’t been explosive enough to suggest I could defeat Ian.

So they were betting on Ian.

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"Even I think Ian will win."

"True. If this were next year, maybe Yuda could take him. But it’s just not his time."

---

This sentiment was shared even among my allies.

As I worked on an assignment in the library, Regia, seated next to me, leaned over.

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"Are you sure you’re okay, my lord?"

"Perfectly fine, Regia."

"But they say he’s incredibly strong. Of course, I’m rooting for you, but…"

"You’re worried about me, aren’t you?"

"Yes, I think that’s it."

"How sweet. I knew only you cared for me, Regia."

"Ugh…"

---

She melted under my touch, her face turning a soft pink as I gently patted her head.

She seemed genuinely concerned.

It warmed my heart to know she was worried about me.

Just as I was smiling at her, a voice cut in.

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"No chance."

---

The blue-haired boy, Ruska Beniti, Emilia’s younger brother, chimed in.

He had come to discuss something with his sister but took a seat nearby.

Ruska, an ardent follower of Ian, couldn’t help but weigh in.

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"Ian’s too strong. There’s no way you’re beating him."

---

For all his stoic airs, he couldn’t resist speaking up when he thought he knew something.

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"Even if you’re the top freshman… There’s always someone stronger."

"Is he really that impressive?" Regia asked.

"Stay out of this, commoner."

"…"

"In any case, you’d better prepare yourself for defeat."

---

I smirked at the self-satisfied look on Ruska’s face.

Here he was, looking every bit the typical minor villain.

I merely nodded, too amused to engage.

---

Regia was worried, Ruska was mocking, and they were making all the noise themselves.

Only Emilia remained quiet.

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"…"

---

She seemed certain of the outcome, having seen my full potential.

She drew close, whispering softly in my ear.

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"…Don’t kill him."

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It seemed she had a different concern.

I stifled a chuckle.

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"Of course."

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It wasn’t a lie.

While it was a duel, there was no need to draw blood.

I added to reassure her,

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"I won’t be too rough with him. No need to toy with him like last time."

---

I am a gentleman, after all.

---

- Ding!
[Lie partially restored.]
[Current output: 96.4%]

---

Though, naturally, there are always exceptions.

---

### The Day of the Duel

The day of the duel dawned.

Once again, we were at the academy’s public arena.

The seats surrounding the circular ring were packed.

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"Hmm."

---

By now, I’d grown used to the arena’s scale.

The vast arena that once felt overwhelming now seemed almost quaint.

I stretched, preparing to step onto the stage.

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"Yuda."

---

Selena stood beside me.

She had come after hearing about the duel.

After quietly watching me for a moment, she took the bottle from her lips, her question tinged with alcohol.

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"Are you sure about this?"

"What do you mean?"

"The duel. I could stop it even now if you want. I still have enough influence for that."

"I appreciate it."

"I thought you hated entangling yourself in trouble."

"But I enjoy excitement."

"You’re hard to understand."

---

She exhaled again.

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"I don’t think you’ll lose, but I’ll be rooting for you anyway."

"You can expect a good show, Master."

"Hmm."

---

Her crimson eyes glinted with interest.

Leaving her gaze behind, I walked toward the center of the arena.

There, someone was already waiting.

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"You showed up."

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It was Ian.

He stood with arms crossed, waiting impatiently.

We faced each other as he sneered.

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"I didn’t expect you to actually come."

"I don’t care for running away."

"What were you thinking, challenging me? You don’t actually think you can win, do you?"

"Who knows?"

"Don’t make me laugh."

---

He scoffed, loosening his wrist.

After a moment, his eyes narrowed, a menacing look overtaking him.

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"I’ve been waiting for this. I’ll make sure to crush you today."

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Crackle—!

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A spark flashed in the air.

This was Ian’s specialty: lightning magic.

Lightning crackled and arced from his fingertips, roaring with raw power.

Even just gathering mana projected a formidable aura.

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"I’m going to scorch that smug face of yours."

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The taunt was likely meant to intimidate.

It did nothing.

I only smiled, relishing the thrill of the challenge.

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"Careful with your words."

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I licked my lips, flicking my tongue like a snake.

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"They make you look weak."

"What…?"

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A shiver ran down Ian’s spine.

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"…?!"

---

A chill he couldn’t place crawled up his back.

Frozen, he stood for a moment as the announcer’s voice broke the silence.

The duel was about to begin.

He tensed, readying his stance.

---

《

Combatants, take your positions.》

《This duel is a spar. Overpowering or incapacitating your opponent ends the match.》

《Surrender also concludes the duel.》

---

The rules were the same as my last duel.

Moments later, the coin tossed by the referee clinked onto the ground.

The sound echoed, signaling the start.

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"Hah!"

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Ian charged forward with a sharp inhale.

His body flashed, streaking toward me like a bolt of lightning.

Electricity crackled around him, aiming to shock me into submission.

---

As the distance closed, I took in the slowed-down moment and whispered the lie that had been waiting on my lips.

My voice echoed in calm, steady tones.

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"Break."

---

Illusion magic.

The world flipped upside down.