The news spread rapidly.

For the first time since the founding of the academy, the authority of the professors had been shaken.

A student had boldly risen to challenge that authority, leaving everyone who heard the news utterly shocked.

It was a scenario no one could have imagined, even in their wildest dreams.

And the opponent? None other than Cardel Evans.

Despite his young age, Cardel stood at the center of the academy, recognized as its de facto leader among the faculty.

He was practically the top figure in Galimar Academy, second only to the dean.

And yet, this formidable powerhouse was the target.

"Besides, it doesn’t seem like there’s much to learn from you."

"Wouldn’t it be a waste of potential to stay under such limited guidance?"

Delivered in a calm, measured tone, the rebuttal hit like a thunderclap.

"You are the challenger."

The student’s parting remark would go down in the academy's history.

For the students who had witnessed it, the experience was nothing short of earth-shattering.

The mischievous tone in his voice even made it seem like he was mocking the professor.

While there was ample justification for retaliation—he had insulted his mentor, after all—the fact that his declaration was aimed at a professor made it all the more shocking.

The academy, already aflame with excitement from the practical exams, seemed to burn even brighter.

In the days that followed, heated debates raged throughout the halls.

“Man, what a show, right after the practical exams!”

“The outcome’s so obvious, but... isn’t that what makes it even more fun?”

“Let’s just sit back and enjoy the spectacle.”

“This could be a good chance to see how high the top student’s limits really are.”

“No matter how talented he is, he can’t win, right?”

“That’s just common sense. How could a student possibly go up against a professor?”

“Either way, I’m looking forward to this showdown.”

The faculty showdown.

The attention of students, already exhilarated from the exams, was now fixated on this event.

Like a torrential downpour in the middle of summer, interest poured in from all directions, while the event's date crept closer and closer.

Finally, the day of the event arrived.

The atmosphere was electric, but the protagonist of this uproar seemed rather indifferent.

“Heh, the weather’s nice,” he murmured, gazing up at the clear sky.

***

For the past few days, there had been an unusual amount of concern around me.

Perhaps it was because of the bold declaration I had made.

While other students watched the situation with curiosity and excitement, those closest to me were restless, their nerves visibly frayed.

Of course, those who knew my abilities seemed to take it in stride, but...

“Y-young Master... Wh-what are we going to do…?”

“Miss Rezia.”

…Our protagonist wasn’t one of them.

Her green eyes brimming with tears, the trembling girl clung to me as though the world were ending.

The thought that I might be humiliated seemed to unsettle her to no end. She clutched my sleeve tightly, her tears falling like dew.

Even in this moment, as if trying to give me strength, she clung to me with unwavering determination.

“I-I’m sure you’ll… w-win gloriously!”

“Thank you for your faith.”

“You’ve always believed in me, Young Master, so… so I don’t want to worry, but I keep feeling so anxious…”

“Everything will be fine.”

“I-I’ll be cheering for you…!”

Rezia offered her support with fierce resolve in her gaze.

As I gently patted her head, touched by her earnest encouragement, a soft voice cut in.

Elise, sitting in her wheelchair, posed a direct question, unlike Rezia’s heartfelt concern.

“Are you really okay with this?”

“Your Highness.”

“I don’t know much about the academy yet… but I do know how powerful professors can be. My sister explained it all in detail.”

“I didn’t expect Your Highness to worry about me.”

“There you go again, saying pointless things.”

Her tone was sharp, but there was a hint of genuine concern beneath her words.

She, too, didn’t fully understand my abilities. All she knew was that I possessed a mysterious power, but she had never seen me use it in combat.

Her concern was understandable.

I offered a calm smile and began pushing her wheelchair again, replying as I did so.

“I’m stronger than I look.”

“How strong?”

“You’ll find out during the event.”

“You sound pretty confident.”

“As a knight who protects the stars, it’s only natural to have the skill to match.”

“You’re not a knight; you’re a healer.”

“Heh.”

“Anyway, I’ll be watching. Don’t disappoint me.”

The pilot and the rose—both seemed worried but still trusted me.

It was a trust I couldn’t help but feel grateful for, though perhaps that was foolish sentimentality.

In truth, this wasn’t an event worth fretting over.

There would be no penalty for losing, and I was already expected to face Cardel in the showdown.

The only difference was the unusual amount of attention it had garnered compared to other matches.

‘I don’t mind their concern.’

But I didn’t want to see my cherished companions looking so distressed.

This time, I’d make sure to show them.

With that thought in mind, I awaited the approaching date.

The day before the event, however, I received unexpected concern from an unlikely source—my mentor.

“About tomorrow’s showdown…”

I was helping with paperwork for the assistant duties when, suddenly, the woman across from me spoke.

Her dead crimson eyes locked onto mine, a faint flush on her cheeks from the alcohol in her ever-present bottle.

She spoke casually.

“You don’t need to push yourself.”

“I’ve already issued a challenge.”

“It’s not something to worry about. Cardel’s grudge isn’t against you, after all—it’s against me. If I convince him, he’ll drop it without much fuss.”

“Convince him? That doesn’t sound likely.”

“He’ll listen. Though I may have to kneel for it… but I don’t particularly value my pride.”

“I’ll have to decline that offer.”

Selena, ever nonchalant, was willing to kneel without a second thought.

Perhaps it was just her indifferent nature, extending even to herself.

I gave a troubled smile and turned her offer down.

“So, you think I’ll lose?”

“I’m just being realistic.”

She didn’t seem to consider the possibility of my victory at all, as if she were resigned to an inevitable outcome.

It didn’t offend me.

Despite the label of "showdown," the gap between assistants and professors was insurmountable.

The event was designed to emphasize that very disparity.

The academy’s faculty were comprised of heroes from the Great Extermination Era, former royal knights, and even church cardinals—people who had all made their mark.

It was absurd to think that mere students, still green, could best such figures.

“Cardel is strong,” she said.

From what I’d heard, he was a monster.

At fifteen, he’d been the youngest ever to become a tower master before suddenly losing interest in academia and joining the academy faculty.

His reasons were never explained in the game’s lore.

Though his career as a magician had been short, he remained a legendary figure among professionals.

It was no wonder everyone expected my defeat.

‘They must think I’m crazy.’

If one were to compare, it would look like a battle between an elephant and a snake.

Of course, there are times when a snake’s venom can kill an elephant, but such outcomes defy common sense.

What I was about to show would shatter that common sense.

“I’ll be fine,” I said calmly.

“In that case, I won’t interfere further.”

Selena, the habitual drinker, backed down without resistance.

A brief silence followed.

Though it seemed like she had nothing more to say, she eventually voiced one last question.

Her violet hair swayed precariously as she spoke.

“A personal question.”

“Go ahead.”

“I’m curious why you felt the need to issue such a bold challenge.”

Her blood-red eyes stared directly at me, devoid of life.

I paused for a moment before replying.

“It bothered me to see you insulted.”

“For my sake?”

“You’ve helped me a great deal. The thought of someone I rely on being disrespected made me angry.”

“Someone you rely on… We’re just in a mutually beneficial arrangement.”

True enough, our relationship could be described as a simple contract between mentor and student.

However…

“Relationships often begin with mutual benefit.”

They can always evolve into something more.

Taming, as humans might call it, defies language and remains an unpredictable rhythm of the heart.

Looking into her expression, I smiled faintly.

“We’ll be working together for at least three years. Since I carry the title of your apprentice, I don’t wish to tarnish it.”

“…I see.”

Words that took a step closer to her.

She froze in response, as if startled.

Her empty eyes seemed to flicker with the shadows of a past memory.

Lost in thought for a moment, she soon snapped out of it and awkwardly changed the subject, averting her gaze.

“Anyway, I wish you luck.”

“I’ll do my best with your encouragement.”

The air felt slightly awkward.

Selena tipped her bottle and drank deeply, as though trying to drown her complicated emotions.

Her furrowed brow hinted at something buried beneath, something she perhaps saw in me.

Feigning ignorance, I turned my eyes away.

‘This brings back memories.’

A fleeting whisper crossed my mind.

Suppressing a bitter smile, I returned to the paperwork.

***

After several tumultuous days, the long-awaited day of the Faculty Showdown finally arrived.

The event took place in the same open arena as the practical exams, surrounded by rows of packed spectator seats.

I stood in the middle of the spacious circular arena, my foot resting lightly on the ground.

“It’s been quite a while,” I murmured to myself, glancing around.

The audience stands, which were often sparsely populated during regular events, were now overflowing with people.

It seemed the challenge I had issued to Professor Cardel had created enough buzz to draw an unusually large crowd, adding to the event’s already considerable popularity.

Having experienced similar situations before, I remained calm.

Cheers roared from the stands behind me as I locked eyes with the person across the arena.

He was my partner for today’s performance.

The young man, arms crossed, spoke as if genuinely surprised.

“I didn’t think you’d actually show up.”

“I told you I would, didn’t I?”

“I can’t imagine what you were thinking when you stepped into this match. Surely, you don’t seriously believe you can beat a professor, do you?”

“Funny. That’s exactly what Ian said last time.”

So this is what it means to be a mentor and student.

I recalled the unfortunate senior who had become a dancing machine in front of the entire school.

“Ah, such fond memories.”

“The person in question considers it a nightmare, you know.”

“That’s a shame.”

“Well, since we’re here, I don’t intend to hold back. While I don’t particularly care about your earlier provocation, I have a professor’s dignity to uphold, so don’t expect me to take it easy.”

“The same goes for me. I’m not the type to shy away from a challenge.”

“Hah! Let’s see how long that arrogance lasts.”

Cardel smirked openly, his contempt evident.

He pulled out a wand about the length of his palm from his waist and began gathering mana at its tip, assuming a ready stance.

In response, I gathered the surrounding shadows and materialized them into a weapon.

Drawing a jet-black blade, its edge sharp enough to cut through the air, I pointed it directly at him.

As the cold breeze brushed past us, the announcer’s voice echoed through the arena.

“Faculty members, take your positions.”
“The match will be conducted as a sparring session. The match ends when one side is subdued or rendered incapable of fighting.”
“If one party forfeits, the match will also conclude.”

The rules were the same as the practical exams.

Soon, the referee flipped a coin into the air.

The spinning silver glinted as it fell to the ground.

Clink!

The sound of the coin hitting the arena floor signaled the start of the duel.

Immediately—

Boom!

The first spells collided midair.

A sharp shadow spike shot from my direction, clashing with a concentrated arrow of water from Cardel.

The resulting explosion sent sparks flying and unleashed a shockwave in all directions.

The match had begun with a spectacular clash, its intensity announcing the start of what would become a historic duel in the academy’s records.