Honestly, this surprised me.
Once the whole duel thing was basically set in stone, the teacher—uh, they did introduce themselves, but I already forgot—led us here.
A room inside some facility within the school.
From the outside, it looked like a normal school building, but inside? Completely different.
Just the existence of this place makes me go, “What the hell?”
I seriously felt like I’d been transported to another planet.
It’s beyond culture shock—more like it’s so innovative I can’t even keep up.
I mean, they’re pouring insane amounts of technology and money into something this utterly pointless.
Apparently, they have dedicated rooms specifically for duels.
And it’s not even rare—there are duels breaking out all the time.
At this academy, which takes meritocracy to the extreme, there’s no shortage of ways to sharpen yourself against others.
Diligent, serious… and barbaric, in its own way.
They’ve got an overabundance of methods for fighting.
I didn’t even have time to be shocked before—so I’m being shocked now.
I mean, seriously.
It’s not just that I’m put off by a school culture where duels happen everywhere—it’s how far they take it.
The tech they’re using isn’t at a school level at all.
Shock absorption, reinforcement, various resistances, auto-repair, auto-healing…
All of it refined to the extreme and integrated at a high level—it’s basically a work of art.
Even with my half-baked knowledge of the theory, I have to admit—it’s genius.
Nothing breaks, everything resists damage, and if you get injured inside, you’re perfectly healed. That alone is insane.
But what shocks me most is that they’re willing to deploy something like this just to encourage students to compete.
Safety is guaranteed, it’s actively encouraged—and most of the students are high-pride nobles.
This is basically telling them to go all-out and try to kill each other.
Do they really need to go this far?
Everyone here is way too hot-blooded.
And just like that, things escalated into a duel.
On the very first day of school, no less. They’re way too far gone.
Though, to be fair… I’m the one who pushed things in this direction.
“…………”
Yeah, the tension is thick.
They’re facing off in the center.
Well, technically it’s just the noble guy glaring—Chrono looks relaxed.
Not tensing up right before a fight… that’s a sign he’s experienced.
They look different, but they’re both serious.
Still… nothing’s even at stake. Why are they so fired up?
Because I told them to take it seriously?
N-no, it’s not like I’m against this whole duel-heavy system.
Real combat practice is genuinely valuable training.
I just don’t get why they’d go this far just to pursue strength.
I’m already strong. The people around me are strong.
Strength is a means, not an end—or rather, what matters is what you do, not how strong you are.
Right, exactly.
I don’t understand the point of proving strength.
A duel is basically just showing everyone you’re better than the other person, right?
Even if there’s some deeper goal behind it—what is it, really?
Putting pride above everything else… I just don’t like that.
It’s just a one-on-one win or loss—what does that even accomplish?
In other words, I don’t like duels.
But everyone else is trying to do everything through duels, and I just don’t get it.
Nobles love duels, so our values don’t match.
They even use proxies sometimes. I really can’t relate at all.
Well… at least this noble guy is fighting himself. That’s respectable.
“What are the conditions for defeat?”
“The one who says ‘I yield’ loses.”
Oh right—they both use swords.
Training wooden swords, though.
Magic swordsmen, huh?
If their fighting styles are similar, the difference in skill should be obvious.
Maybe I should try enjoying this?
I did encourage it, after all. Maybe I should cheer someone on?
Like, “Do your best!” or something?
…Nah. That’d just feel creepy coming from me.
“You dare stand in the way of my glory… I will never forgive you, you commoner…!”
Yikes.
His face has completely changed.
That glare is terrifying. Is it just me, or does he look… shadowed?
If possible, I’d like to avoid dealing with people like him forever.
Well, he seems obsessed with Chrono, so maybe I should just set up a “date” again like before.
“I don’t know you, and you don’t know me, right? Isn’t it strange to suddenly fight like this? I don’t think there’s much meaning in it.”
“…You dare still look down on me!?”
“But through this fight, I want to understand you.”
The noble guy just looks irritated.
Chrono doesn’t mean to insult him, but… yeah, that’s not going to land well.
Still, the noble’s fighting spirit hasn’t dropped.
Nobles are generally prideful, but this guy is on another level.
Chrono, on the other hand, is surprisingly tolerant.
Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if he eventually gets along with everyone in class.
If I had to describe it—he’s got that “protagonist” vibe.
“How unpleasant…! Let’s see how long that smug face lasts…!”
“Yeah. I’m looking forward to it.”
The moment Chrono says that, the noble guy suddenly looks over at me.
Uh… what? Something wrong?
“Someone, act as witness!”
“…………”
Does that even matter?
If you’re going to fight, just do it already. What a waste of time.
And you—you look like you’ve completely lost it, yet you’re still sticking to the rules?
If you want to fight, just fight. Why bother with formalities?
…Ah.
I’ve got a really bad feeling about this.
Time to erase my presence and slip away—
“In that case, why not ask her?”
…Blocked before I could even try.
This “unfortunate-looking” girl—she looks soft and airheaded, but she’s actually sharp, huh?
I don’t know why, but she gives off a similar vibe to that cult leader.
Wait—“her”? Who are you talking about?
Could you say the name so I know—
No, wait! Don’t say it! I don’t want to understand!
“Following Chrono-kun and Arios-kun, she ranked third in the entrance exam. She’s the most suitable, don’t you think? Ain Rexries-san?”
“…………”
“She’s also the one who instigated this. It makes sense for her to be the witness, right?”
………………
…………
………
Ah! I spaced out.
This whole thing is so ridiculous my brain just wandered off.
Seriously, what even is a duel? Why do you need a witness?
Just fight normally without all this nonsense.
Everyone from the advanced class is here to see the top two fight anyway, right?
Wouldn’t the other three want to watch up close too?
Then why am I the only one being pushed forward?
Why is everyone agreeing so easily!?
Stop keeping your distance—it’s creepy!
Hey, playboy—why are you standing there with your hands behind your head, watching like it’s entertainment?
And you, prickly girl—why are you acting like this has nothing to do with you?
Ugh… I’ve been completely set up by Miss Unfortunate.
There’s no way out of this now…
“You do it.”
“I’ll leave it to you.”
Ugh, I’ve been assigned.
I’m not making a weird face right now, am I?
“…I’ll judge the outcome. If it gets dangerous, I’ll stop it. No objections?”
“None.”
“Begin, commoner!”
Oh—right.
Considering my actual objective… I can’t just ignore this duel.
This falls squarely under my responsibility to manage.
That was close—I almost forgot.
I was so put off by everything that it completely slipped my mind.
Well… guess it can’t be helped.
Let them clash, suffer, and grow from it.
“Begin.”
At the signal, an overwhelming surge of energy collided.
※※※※※※※
Sharp cracks echoed as wooden swords clashed again and again.
Over and over, endlessly.
They moved freely within the cubic room, fighting in all directions.
Their weapons were wooden swords—not real blades.
The room’s magic protected them. As long as they didn’t die instantly, they’d be fine.
This wasn’t a true life-or-death battle.
The risk was greatly reduced—death was almost impossible.
And yet…
This duel was anything but gentle.
Even wooden swords can kill if swung hard enough.
Enhance them with magic, and they’re no different from iron clubs.
And when wielded with magically enhanced bodies…
It’s still extremely dangerous.
Then you add magic on top of that.
Feints, mid-range attacks, long-range attacks, blinding, interference.
While hiding large-scale spells that take time to prepare, they disrupt each other with smaller spells.
Countless variations, endlessly shifting tactics—how to deceive the opponent.
If you fall for it, flames that burn people alive, ice that freezes to the bone, lightning that pierces, and rocks that crush will strike instantly.
The risk of death is still very real.
A direct hit wouldn’t just hurt—it’d be catastrophic.
Even if you dodge or deflect, sword strikes follow immediately after.
They have to constantly think and process massive amounts of information.
It was a high-level battle between two talented fighters.
However—
“Haah… haah…!”
“You’re quite good.”
The difference between them was obvious.
Chrono and Arios had similar styles.
Magic for mid-range and long-range, swords for close combat.
Both were extremely skilled.
Normally, people specialize in one or the other.
Very few have the talent for both, and even then, they usually end up mediocre at both.
But these two had mastered both at a high level.
Arios was a genius.
He could become a top-tier mage—or a top-tier swordsman.
But…
There’s always someone better. That’s just how it is.
“To think someone our age could be this strong…”
“Haah… haah…”
“You really are impressive. Arrogant, sure—but you’ve worked for your strength. That’s not easy. You’re truly exceptional.”
Arios’s vision blurred from exhaustion and frustration.
His breathing was ragged. Sweat poured down like a waterfall.
But Chrono stood in stark contrast.
His gaze was steady, his breathing controlled, no wasted movement.
He hadn’t even broken a sweat.
The difference in level was undeniable.
“GRAAAAH!!”
“You’ve got spirit too. Determination. Honestly, what don’t you have?”
Arios’s limbs felt like lead.
His sword swings were far slower than at the start.
Easily deflected.
Chrono could’ve finished him at any time—but didn’t.
He was being toyed with.
And that only wounded his pride further.
“AAAAAAH!!”
“Impressive.”
Second-tier spell: Quicksand.
Third-tier spell: Gravity Mark.
Fourth-tier spell: Black Iron Tree.
A seamless three-hit combo of different elements.
Highly difficult to execute in real combat.
But—
“Like I said… that’s good magic.”
All of it was effortlessly nullified.
The unstable footing meant nothing.
The increased weight didn’t slow him.
The iron branches were cut down in a single stroke.
Not even a hint of strain.
Completely crushed.
“Now then… what’s next?”
Arios was gifted.
Far superior to most.
But he had never met someone stronger—until now.
He wanted admiration, recognition.
And this man before him stood in the way of that desire.
His body burned with hatred.
…But it wouldn’t move.
He had reached his limit.
The only thing keeping him standing was his pride.
“OOOOOOO!!”
“!”
Even so, he pushed beyond his limits.
And the magic he unleashed was tremendous.
Fifth-tier spell: Lightning.
A strike faster than sound. Impossible to dodge.
In the blink of an eye, it would pierce through and incinerate its target.
Arios wrapped that lightning around his sword.
Then thrust straight for the heart.
An incredibly delicate technique—
Containing lightning within a wooden blade, reinforcing it without losing power, preventing it from escaping…
Like stacking needles vertically.
The result: overwhelming speed and destructive force.
Enough to obliterate a person’s entire body.
It was the culmination of talent and effort.
A perfect final attack.
And yet—
“You really are amazing.”
It wasn’t enough.
The lightning-fast thrust was deflected.
The lightning itself was stopped by some unknown technique.
All that destructive force… simply vanished.
An unnatural result.
Arios froze.
Only his expression moved—shock, clear as day.
His ultimate attack…
Had been swatted aside like an insect.
He wasn’t weak.
The gap was just too large.
“This round is mine.”
“…………”
“Let’s do this again sometime. I’ll accept your challenge as many times as you want.”
That bright, refreshing smile—
So irritating.
So infuriating.
So unbearably clean.
It proved one thing:
That his existence hadn’t mattered at all.
And so, he couldn’t stop the words spilling out—
Words filled with hatred.
“Drop dead… you bastard…”
Arios lost consciousness.
And the last thing he saw—Chrono’s confused expression—
Only deepened the hatred in his heart.