Rank Battles¹ were school-sanctioned duels at Redrick Academy². The winner could seize the opponent's rank. If Nia Le Ainsworth, currently ranked fourth, defeated me, the top rank, she would become the new number one, and I would be demoted to fourth.
There were various petty rules, like not being able to challenge someone more than five ranks away or needing a six-month interval for a rematch. Simply put, it was a battle with rank on the line.
While the surrounding crowd fell into an uproar over the sudden duel between Nia and me, Fiona-san used [Call] to initiate a telepathic conversation.
(Hollow-sama, how shall we proceed?)
She was seeking my judgment on whether to allow the Rank Battle or to stop it.
(Everything is exactly as I planned. Let it proceed.)
(Yes, I understand.)
Upon receiving my instructions, Fiona-san quietly backed down.
"Nia, I heard you mention a Rank Battle... are you sane?" I asked.
"Yes, I am perfectly calm. You aren't getting cold feet, are you?" Nia replied.
(Sigh... it's a nuisance, but I suppose it can't be helped. It's been a while since the last tournament; I'll have to teach you a lesson.)
The moment the Rank Battle between Nia and me was established, the tension in the classroom skyrocketed.
"Whoa, are two of the Four Great Noble Houses³ going at it already!?" one student shouted.
"Heisenberg and Ainsworth? That's an incredibly hype matchup!" another added.
Apparently, the other students intended to watch. That was a bit of a problem. Rank Battles officially allowed for spectators, but I had things I needed to verify during this fight. Depending on the result, I would have to give Nia a stern warning. It would be incredibly hard to do that if the other students were there.
I sent a glance toward Fiona-san, and she gave a quiet nod.
"I understand how much you all want to see the fight between Hollow-kun and Nia-san. However, you will all stay here for homeroom," Fiona said.
"Wait, you can't be serious!?" a student yelled.
"We have the right to spectate Rank Battles!" another protested.
Against the erupting objections, Fiona-san explained nonchalantly that according to Redrick's school regulations, Rank Battles were only unlocked after the initial homeroom was finished and student handbooks were distributed. Since the class had not finished homeroom yet, they were not qualified to hold a Rank Battle, and the fight would be treated as a mere mock battle. Because students only had the right to spectate official Rank Battles, a private mock battle fell outside the rules.
(I see. Good move.)
By swapping the Rank Battle for a mock battle, she neutralized their right to spectate. Fiona-san maintained her gentle smile as she moved to wrap up the discussion.
"This school encourages competition, and I will not hinder a mock battle. However, as a teacher of Redrick, I cannot permit you to skip homeroom for a mere private brawl," Fiona said.
Faced with a perfect explanation, the students reluctantly took their seats. Fiona-san's personality was nothing but problems, but her sharpness was top-class.
(Honestly, I can't help but wonder how a woman who dissolves government money into horses and booze can lecture anyone about rules...)
Anyway, her work was magnificent. I decided I would wrap up a monetary gift for her later as 'horsey money.' I was sure she would be drooling with joy.
Now that the stage was set, I started walking slowly.
"This way. Follow me," I said.
"Don't give me orders," Nia snapped as she followed behind.
(I believe the underground practice field can be used for these kinds of private brawls...)
While idly thinking about that, my eyes met the protagonist's just as I was leaving the classroom.
(It's okay, rest easy. I'll personally guarantee your safe academy life, Allen!)
So please, grow up healthily. Whatever you do, don't go awakening in a pinch.
* * *
I wondered how much time had passed since the mock battle with Nia began.
"Just... die!" Nia screamed.
Her tremendous war cry echoed as scorching hellfire raged. However, it didn't hit. Because of the defense magic [Wall] I deployed, the rampaging flames were all diverted away.
"Sigh... how long do you plan on continuing this?" I asked.
As I asked with a lazy, arrogant sigh, Nia's face was dyed in despair.
"No way, why? I've fired this many shots, so why hasn't a single one hit!?" Nia cried.
Still, this kind of troubled face suited her well. Nia was the landslide number one in the official 'Pitiful-but-Cute Character Ranking.' I didn't quite understand it back then, but seeing it in reality, there was certainly something alluring about it. Some fanatical followers were born for a reason.
While I was thinking such useless thoughts, Nia's attacks came to a sudden halt. She clutched her chest with her right hand, her breathing ragged.
"What's wrong? Is that it?" I asked.
"Kuh... not yet!" Nia yelled.
Nia's [Primordial Flame] was an Origin Class⁴ Innate Magic, boasting overwhelming firepower and abnormal regeneration. An ordinary mage would be helpless against the blazing hellfire and simply turn to ash.
(However, precisely because her innate magic is too strong, she neglected to innovate.)
Nia's magic was straightforward, with absolutely no tricks. And above all, because she didn't hide her mana, the origin point and activation timing were completely transparent.
"Take this, [Primordial Fire Spear]!" Nia shouted.
The origin was above Nia's head, the trajectory was straight, and the timing was the moment she swung her hand down. All I had to do was catch the approaching fire spear not at a point, but with the intention of letting it flow across a surface.
"[Wall]," I whispered.
I deployed defense magic with good timing, parrying it easily.
(Magic that is perceived by the opponent has its effectiveness halved.)
That's why I hid everything—my magic, my mana, and my fighting style. By bringing my own mana to zero, I didn't let the opponent perceive my strength. Through advanced mana manipulation, I perfectly erased the premonitions of magic. When I attacked, I aimed for a certain kill.
(It's an assassin's way of fighting, not exactly noble... but then again, that's the Heisenberg family business.)
Our house preys on the evil the law can't judge. We are the 'Greater Evil' that devours the rest. That's why we are feared as 'vile aristocrats.'
(No, but thinking about it calmly, saying 'die' in a mock battle is probably not okay...)
I was the eldest son of the Heisenberg family. If she accidentally killed me, a massive political war would break out. But as if saying she couldn't care less, Nia continued to deploy powerful magic.
"Damn you!" Nia yelled.
Well, none of it hit. As I treated the defense magic practice like a game, Nia glared at me sharply.
"Hollow, stop making a fool out of me! If you don't get serious, I'll be angry!" Nia shouted.
What tremendous bloodlust. If it weren't me, I'd be wetting myself. But I had seen enough. The experiment with defense magic without relying on [Void Possession] was a success. I disconnected my coordinates and connected them behind Nia with [Void Step], appearing there in an instant.
"Don't move," I said.
I took her back and placed my index finger on her spine, at the exact position of her heart.
"What!?" Nia gasped.
Checkmate. Her life was now literally in the palm of my hand.
(Impossible... he didn't trigger my heat detection at all. It was like he just vanished...)
"Who... who are you really?" Nia asked.
"A lazy and arrogant vile aristocrat. Wasn't that what you called me earlier?" I replied.
"Kuh..." Nia groaned.
"Now listen. I know everything—the Ainsworth family's wicked schemes, the burden you carry, and the wish you hold," I said.
"Don't mess with me! What could someone like you possibly know—" Nia started.
"That body of yours... there isn't much time left, is there?" I interrupted.
Nia went silent.
"You... who are you really? And that magic just now, it wasn't [Refraction]⁵, was it?" Nia asked.
"What are you saying? That was an application of [Refraction]. By refracting space multiple times—" I began.
"That's a lie. That reaction was Spatial Dominion-type Innate Magic," Nia interrupted.
"Heh... I see. As I thought, you can see it," I said.
When I smiled evilly, Nia froze in fear.
(Ah... thank goodness. Checking was the right call.)
Nia's bloodline, the Ainsworth family, was a grand authority in magic research. I predicted that she might see through the fact that my innate magic wasn't [Refraction], and I was spot on.
"What is your true magic? How did you rewrite the information in the [Arcana]⁶? Don't tell me you bribed the Inquisitors!" Nia demanded.
Nia was intuitive and sharp. I had to shut this down.
(But she's the prideful type.)
Using pure fear won't work long-term. I need to leverage her goals.
"Don't pry into my business. Just as you have your wish, I have my goals. Let's go with peaceful non-interference," I stated.
"...And if I say no?" Nia asked.
In the original story, Nia was a good girl who worked hard every day to protect others. I sincerely wished for her to be happy, but she was a protagonist-side heroine.
(For a 'villain' like me, her existence is a ticking time bomb.)
"If you refuse, then I'll just have to end you here—" I started.
The words died in my throat. I snapped back to my senses.
(Wait... what was I just about to do? If I kill Nia, a massive political war will occur.)
The wicked intent had surfaced on its own. It had happened several times before. My thoughts were blurring with the consciousness of the 'Original Hollow.'
(I need to sink that arrogance to the bottom of my mind and let humility take root.)
"I... I understand. I won't pry into your business ever again. So, please, let me go this time!" Nia pleaded.
She was trembling, clutching the hem of her skirt with a voice filled with humiliation. I didn't really understand why she was so terrified, but things were proceeding according to plan.
Summary:
Hollow accepts a duel from Nia Le Ainsworth, cleverly bypassing school regulations with Fiona's help to keep the fight private. During the skirmish, Hollow tests his defensive capabilities and spatial magic, ultimately overwhelming Nia with a show of terrifying power. He reveals his knowledge of her terminal condition and family secrets to force a truce, while grappling with the intrusive, wicked impulses of his character's original personality.
Trivia:
- The 'Pitiful-but-Cute' ranking is a meta-reference to her role as a tragic heroine, highlighting the author's awareness of character tropes.
- Hollow's involuntary 'Evil Intent' suggests a psychological battle where the game world's original script is attempting to reassert itself over his modern ego.
- Nia's ability to 'see' the deep structure of magic marks her as one of the few characters capable of exposing Hollow's true nature.
- Fiona's corrupt handling of school funds characterizes her as a wildcard ally whose loyalty is tied to monetary gain
Character Insight:
The dynamic between Hollow and Nia shifts from school-ground rivalry to a tense, blackmail-driven alliance. Nia's initial arrogance is shattered by fear, evidenced by her trembling plea at the end. Meanwhile, Hollow's protective stance toward Allen (the hero) contrasts sharply with his cold treatment of Nia, showing a utilitarian moral compass.
Lore And Worldbuilding Context:
The chapter expands on 'Origin Class' magic and 'Spatial Dominion,' establishing that high-tier magic is often hereditary and linked to the Four Great Noble Houses. It also introduces the concept of 'Magic Factors' research being a specialty of the Ainsworth line.
TL Notes:
The use of 'Vile Aristocrat' is an adaptation of 'Gokuaku Kizoku,' capturing the specific trope of a noble who operates outside moral norms. SFX like 'Byururu' were replaced with 'Scorching' and 'Searing' to better match the elemental intensity of fire magic in English prose.
TL Notes:
1 ↩ Rank Battle: A system where students compete to raise their social and academic standing in the school.
2 ↩ Redrick Academy: The primary setting, an elite institution for training magic users and nobles.
3 ↩ Four Great Noble Houses: The elite faction ruling the magical society, including the Heisenberg and Ainsworth families.
4 ↩ Origin Class: A tier of magic that taps into the fundamental elements of the world's creation.
5 ↩ Refraction: A lower-tier spatial magic used by Hollow as a cover for his actual abilities.
6 ↩ Arcana: The official magical registry containing the list of known spells and individual abilities.
Notes:
• Nia - Ranked 4th in the academy hierarchy. Fifteen years old, 163cm tall with long golden hair in twin-tails and amber eyes. She wears a black blazer, white shirt, and a black mini-skirt with a slit. She possesses the Origin Class Innate Magic 'Primordial Flame' and harbors a grudge against Hollow from a tournament eight years prior. A member of the Ainsworth family, one of the Four Great Noble Houses. Ranked 4th in the academy. Possesses the Primordial Flame (Origin Class Innate Magic). Described as 'pity-cute' with a terminal physical condition and a heavy family burden.
• Fiona - An 18‑year‑old Arbiter of the Ministry of Magic, 160 cm, slender, black‑ponytail, mauve eyes, snow‑white skin, wearing a white jacket, black shirt and miniskirt. She teaches the Special Advancement Class at Redrick Academy, sharp‑witted, manipulative, gambler and drinker, loyal to Hollow’s family, owes him 60 million Gordo, and obeys his whims.
• Hollow - 15‑year‑old heir of the Heisenberg ducal house, 170 cm tall, dark crimson medium‑length hair in a ribbon‑ponytail, crimson eyes, lean aristocratic build, black school uniform and navy jacket. Arrogant noble of the Four Great Houses, top‑ranked freshman at Redrick Academy, wielding innate Void magic (registered as Refraction) and meta‑knowledge to sabotage rivals while plotting as a ruthless villain.
• Heisenberg - Lord of the Heisenberg family. One of the Four Great Noble Houses. Noted for his immense wealth and territorial holdings.
• Allen - The protagonist of the original story world. Currently a student at the academy under Hollow's observation. The original protagonist of the game Ronzolkia. Fifteen years old with snow-white medium-length hair and sky-blue eyes. Wears the white preparatory track uniform despite being in the Special Advanced Class. The protagonist of the original story. He wears 'White-Vest' clothes signifying his status as an underdog or dropout. He initially lacks Innate Magic but is destined to awaken powers related to the Hero and the Demon King.