Chapter 22: Duel System
“Late, late!!! Almost late!!!”
Saying that, a familiar blond-haired and blue-eyed boy, Yuno, dashed into the room, drenched in sweat. Amid the attention of all the students in the classroom, Yuno, upon spotting me, instantly lit up with sparkling eyes and a beaming smile. I could almost see his wagging tail in my mind’s eye.
“Hey, Xenon! It’s great we’re in the same class~!”
“Yeah. While it’s nice to enjoy our reunion, the bell for the start of class is about to ring. Take your seat.”
“Oh, right. See you later!”
Yuno, still wearing a cheerful smile, took his seat. I sensed a buzzing curiosity among the students around us, as if they were wondering, ‘Who is that guy?’ However, Yuno seemed completely unfazed and leaned on his hand, stifling a yawn while waiting.
It’s a world where they’ll keep saying things like ‘commoner’ or ‘noble,’ but with Yuno’s boldness, there may not be much to worry about.
I also took my seat and waited for the teacher. If things follow the original story, Zero should be the teacher, but who knows. Given the many differences from the original so far, it’s highly unlikely to be the same.
However, it infuriates me that I’m under the watchful eye of the principal. The teacher assignments would likely be Nova’s responsibility.
And speaking of that, I had a strong feeling when I saw silver hair slightly shorter than Patricia’s entering through the door.
“Good morning, everyone. I’ll be your homeroom teacher from now on, Zero Mist. Please be kind to me.”
It seems like Zero is going to be the homeroom teacher, just like in the original. Given the numerous differences so far, it’s a bit worrying that something familiar is finally happening. But, if Zero is the homeroom teacher, there shouldn’t be any issues.
By the way, most of the male students seem to be sending infatuated glances at Zero due to her unreal, ethereal beauty and a certain overflowing sensuality that’s distinctly captivating. It’s not surprising. Zero’s beauty is out of this world, and her ethereal allure is quite intense for fifteen-year-old boys. Some might develop unusual fetishes. Like monster fetishes or something.
“First of all, congratulations to all of you on your enrollment. The Royal Academy welcomes you. However, every year, there are students who become complacent upon enrollment and neglect their efforts. At our school, we offer no assistance to such students.”
Zero declared sternly, her gaze piercing. The sound of someone swallowing hard could be heard, and tension filled the room.
“To some extent, those who have enrolled at the Royal Academy have confidence in their abilities, which is perfectly fine. Confidence can lead to strength. However, becoming arrogant and neglecting effort, ridiculing those who strive to improve, is not acceptable. Those who mock individuals working hard will eventually be surpassed by them. It’s a common occurrence. All the teachers at the Royal Academy will provide as much support as possible to students who put in the effort.”
With a pause, Zero released a faint amount of magic.
“──What?!”
A sense of intimidation, oppression.
A feeling as if the heart were being tightly constricted.
It was a sensation that instinctively made one feel powerless, as if witnessing a fundamental difference in status as a living being.
──Interesting.
I wouldn’t tremble. I wouldn’t give up.
Even teachers were beings I had to surpass.
Today, I might not be able to compete, but tomorrow would be different.
The effort I put in today would lead to tomorrow.
I grinned knowingly. Sweat streamed down my forehead, but I paid it no mind, and I smiled at Zero, looking her directly in the face.
Zero noticed my reaction and slightly loosened her lips.
At that moment, I didn’t realize that there were two others who smiled just like me in this place.
──Then Zero concluded.
“──Believe that we won’t let those who neglect their efforts step foot on the grounds of the Royal Academy… That’s all.”
The intimidating presence dissipated with a “whoosh.”
Looking around, it seemed like everyone was gasping for breath.
I also had to stay vigilant; otherwise, I could have been in danger. Although I tried to maintain composure on the surface, I was quite frightened by the overwhelming magical pressure.
That was unacceptable.
“Oh? Normally, there are a few people who faint during this, but… Seems like you have promising futures… Well then, please switch gears. We’ll begin the orientation.”
Most of them had expressions as if saying, “Can we do it?!” The atmosphere had shifted, though. It wasn’t the same excited air anymore; everyone was now listening attentively.
If this had been only about violent matters, it wouldn’t have gone this way. Most likely, people would have been scared into silence. Zero had refrained from releasing her magic until the very end.
First, she used words to command the atmosphere, then she instilled a sense of urgency in everyone, and only after that did she release her magic, further reinforcing her words with her abilities.
In just a few minutes, she erased the complacency and arrogance that came with entering an elite school like the Royal Academy.
I genuinely admired her teaching skills.
“Now then, let’s begin the orientation… What’s wrong?”
Just as Zero was about to start speaking, a student raised their hand. It was the brown-haired male student who had been talking to me earlier. He calmly addressed Zero, giving me a brief, sharp look. Quite skillful.
“I’d like an explanation about the Early Admission Program.”
For him, this was probably quite a courageous moment to ask a question, and he appeared slightly nervous. However, Zero replied as if it were nothing.
“Oh, the Early Admission Program is a new system introduced by the principal this year. They are three years younger than all of you, but their current abilities are far superior. It might be humiliating to learn from those younger than you, but age doesn’t matter; they are more skilled. Please keep that in mind.”
Why do you have to use such a hateful tone again?… Well, maybe it’s a kind of test. A test to overcome this resentment.
Of course, speaking like this, the chestnut-haired guy probably won’t be pleased.
“I can’t accept this! We went through tough exams to get in! But the Early Admission Program students were admitted without exams! It’s not fair!”
“Though the Royal Academy promotes equality based on social status, it’s all about meritocracy everywhere. Refusing to accept it just because they’re younger suggests a gap in abilities between you and them, wouldn’t you say?”
“──That’s not true.”
I interjected. All eyes in the classroom focused on me again.
Zero, somehow looking amused, asked with a hint of mischief in her tone.
“…Is that so?”
“Indeed. What he’s saying is correct. Given the circumstances, it’s likely that only the information about the Early Admission Program has been communicated so far. In other words, the true abilities of the Early Admission students haven’t been accurately conveyed. In such a situation, it’s perfectly reasonable for someone who passed an exam to voice their opinion. ──Right? Are there opportunities to evaluate abilities?”
“Yes.”
With a smile that seemed to say, “Well done for asking,” I sighed, feeling like I’d been led into this. It’s like she deliberately used words that would get me hooked on this discussion. Quite the sly one.
“The Royal Academy has a system called ‘Duel.’ Once a week, students can battle in the school’s facilities to test their abilities. Since it’s a duel, it requires the consent of both parties.”
“So, in a duel, there must be some penalties for the loser, right?”
“Yes. The loser must hand over the units they earned during the week to the winner.”
…As expected. The Duel system.
It had appeared multiple times in the original anime. It’s called a Duel.
As I mentioned before, in the Royal Academy, you can graduate by accumulating units. Units are earned by attending classes or clearing quests.
However, there’s another system: during a Duel, you can take units from your opponent if you win.
Of course, since it’s only once a week, you can’t graduate just by winning Duels, but it can still provide a significant income.
By the way, in the original, Xenon used to challenge the protagonist every week and lose. He was quite a profitable opponent for the protagonist.
In other words, they compete for units and aim for graduation.
That’s the system of the Royal Academy.
…The brown-haired student listened to this explanation and then turned to face me, pointing his finger decisively.
“…It’s a Duel! Xenon Lestinata!”
“I decline.”
“What… did you say?”
“Duels are prohibited for the first month after enrollment.”
“Oh, right…”
…Sorry about that.
ーーーーーー
Author Note:
Personally, this might be one of my favorite chapters to write. An author fully investing in the side characters. I quite like the impulsive nature of the brown-haired guy.
They did get an exam though.