The sun barely peeked over the horizon, casting an orange glow over the academy. Today was the day of the duel.
"I should get some practice in the training grounds before the duel."
'Yaaay... she's finally gone.'
The entire night, I was too afraid to move. Any slight sound might have woken her up, and if that happened? I'd be screwed.
So, I stayed there on the ceiling, unmoving, like some kind of twisted gargoyle.
And worse?
I ended up watching her change again this morning.
I didn't mean to.
Really.
'I swear to every god, deity, and celestial being that will listen,I DID NOT WANT TO.'
Yet, here I was.
Sinning.
"If there is any god out there, please forgive me, for I have sinned."
I sighed, rubbing my temples.
I feel like absolute garbage.
The pathetic, irredeemable kind.
What's the point of living anymore?
But I couldn't afford to wallow in self-loathing right now.
The duel was tomorrow, and I needed to make sure Cedric was ready.
I flicked my wrist, calling up my Status Window for one last check on Cassian before she left, This Moring.
[Status Window]
Name: Cassian Orion Raven
Title: The Fallen Star
Race: Human (100%)
Class: Mage/Swordsman
Talent Grade: 9 High Star
Current Mage Level: 1 Mid Star Mage
Strength: 9
Stamina: 16 (9)
Durability: 9
Mana: 89 (45)
Intelligence: E+
Affinity: Fire/Wind
Blessings (1): The Blessing of Eternal Frost]
I narrowed my eyes.
Over the night, the Nullflux poison had seeped into her system, eating away at her mana reserves.
Her mana was down to half.
That should be enough.
With this, Cedric actually has a shot at winning.
I carefully hopped down from the ceiling, adjusting my clothes.
The moment my feet hit the ground outside, I made a beeline for Cedric's dorm.
I flicked open my watch and sent him a quick message.
[Where are you?]
A moment later, his reply popped up.
[Dorm.]
Perfect.
I ran straight there, skidding to a stop in front of his door.
Knock, knock!
Now, it was time to make sure he was ready to counter Cassian's blessing.
I knocked on Cedric's door, sharp and firm. "Open up. We need to talk."
There was some shuffling from inside before Cedric finally opened the door, rubbing his eyes. He looked half-asleep, his uniform disheveled.
"What do you want?" he muttered.
I stepped inside without waiting for an invitation, arms crossed. "Sit."
He clicked his tongue but followed orders, dropping onto his bed. "This about tomorrow?"
"Obviously." I leaned against his desk, staring him down. "Cassian has fire and wind magic. She's faster and stronger than you. You're at a disadvantage physically, so you can't afford to make mistakes."
Cedric scoffed. "Tch. You're really selling me on my chances here."
I ignored the sarcasm. "She can't use advanced magic. No combustion spells. Just basic fire and wind attacks, but that's more than enough to kill you if you aren't careful."
His expression darkened, and he leaned forward. "So what's the plan?"
I narrowed my eyes. "First, never stop controlling your water. Always keep your mana flowing through it. If she tries to freeze it, your blessing—Wave—will let you keep moving it. You understand what that means?"
He frowned, thinking for a moment before nodding. "Even if she freezes my water, I can still control it. I can force it to move and break through the ice."
"Exactly. If you let her lock down your water completely, you're done."
Cedric ran a hand through his hair. "Great. Anything else?"
"She's going to be faster than you. Her wind magic will boost her speed, and she's naturally stronger. If you try to match her in close combat, you'll lose."
He scowled. "So I can't get close, but I also can't let her control the fight from a distance. What the hell am I supposed to do, then?"
I stared at him. "You fight smart. You pressure her, keep her moving, and force her to defend. Wind magic doesn't work well under constant attack. If she's always dodging, she can't focus on accelerating her own movements properly."
Cedric clicked his tongue. "So I have to keep her on the back foot?"
"Yes. Don't give her time to build momentum. If she starts dictating the pace, you lose."
He exhaled sharply, then nodded. "Understood."
I turned to leave but stopped at the door. "One last thing—don't get cocky. You only have a chance if you follow what I told you. Don't mess it up."
Cedric smirked. "Yeah, yeah. I got it."
As I walked out, I didn't respond.
I just left. There was no need to say anything else.
If he was smart, he'd do exactly as I said.
I clenched my fist.
Everything was set, Cassian had been weakened, The contract was in place, Now, it was up to Cedric.
And if he failed, then I'd have to figure out a new plan.
But for now…
It was time for the duel.
-----------------
The waiting room was cold, but my blood ran hot.
My fingers twitched as I adjusted my grip on my sword.
'I cannot lose.'
This wasn't just about me. It was about my house, my name, my pride.
The moment I signed that contract, I had no choice but to win.
I made a deal with the devil, and now I had to prove it was worth it.
Cassian Orion Raven the disgrace of the nobles, the girl who fell from the heights of the aristocracy. If I couldn't even defeat her, then what did that make me?
'Weak.'
That word alone made my jaw clench.
I have spent my entire life running from weakness.
I trained, I studied, I sacrificed, I did everything in my power to be better.
For my father, For my house, For myself.
This duel wasn't just a fight it was proof that I belonged among the elite.
That I wasn't just another noble living in the shadow of greater men.
I ran through my preparations again.
My mana was already circulating through my sword, flowing like a river.
Even if she froze it, I could still move it.
My footing was steady, my breathing controlled. I had gone over every possible move she could make.
I will not lose.
Not after everything I've done.
Not after the sacrifices I made.
A knock came at the door.
"It's time."
I exhaled sharply, rolling my shoulders.
"Let's end this."
As I walk out to The waiting room To see.
The arena was filled with the murmurs of students, the anticipation thick in the air.
An official duel in the academy required oversight from an instructor, ensuring the fight remained within the rules.
At the center of the battleground, the designated instructor stood tall, his presence alone enough to silence the growing chatter.
What surprised me most was the variety of spectators. The entire D1 and D2 classes were present, as expected.
Even a few second-years had shown up, likely curious about the outcome of the duel.
But the real shock was the presence of a student from Class A1 the elite of the first years.
Class A1 students never waste time on trivial matters.
They were training fanatics, always seeking to improve themselves, or they were involved in larger academy matters.
A simple class leader duel should have been beneath their notice.
Yet, there they were, watching.
The instructor overseeing the duel was none other than Daimon Theron Ashford, our homeroom instructor.
A strict and methodical man, Ashford was known for his no-nonsense approach to combat and discipline.
His sharp, hawk-like eyes swept across the two duelists as if he could already predict the outcome before the fight even began.
With his arms crossed, he stood on the elevated platform reserved for officials, his presence alone commanding respect from the gathered students.
Even the rowdy murmurs among the spectators died down the moment his gaze flickered toward them.
I stepped onto the arena ground, feeling the weight of countless eyes pressing down on me.
The murmurs of the crowd were little more than background noise, but I knew what they were saying.
Some whispered about how I was favored to win. Others doubted my ability. It didn't matter. I cannot lose.
As I scanned the stands, my gaze landed on him.
'Victor.'
Standing at the back of the crowd, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. Cold. Detached.
The same way he always looked at me.
A stare that held no disappointment, no satisfaction just observation. Judgment.
'Tch. Still watching, huh?'
I forced my focus back to my opponent.
Cassian stood across from me, her posture loose, almost careless, but I knew better.
She's dangerous. Unlike most mages, she carried a sword. It wasn't just for show either she intended to use it.
Her stance refined, not like mine, but there was something unnerving about the way she held herself. It was like she had no hesitation about switching between magic and close combat.
I have to win, for myself.
Because this academy doesn't reward second place. Because nobles do not lose to commoners.
"The official duel between Cassian Orion Raven and Cedric Von Helmutis will now commence," he announced, his deep voice resonating across the arena.
A silence settled over the crowd as his words carried weight.
"The duel will be decided when one of you is unable to continue or forfeits. Any excessive actions beyond the rules will result in immediate disqualification. Do you both understand?"
I gave a sharp nod, My grip tightening around his sword.
Cassian merely tilted her head slightly, her expression unreadable before she muttered, "Yeah."
Ashford narrowed his eyes at her but didn't comment.
He raised his hand and began the countdown.
"3"
A tense air filled the arena.
"2"
Mana surged around both combatants.
"1"
A split second of silence.
"Begin!"
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