HTNSA 18

Chapter 18

Clang!

Clash!

The two exchanged several more blows after that.

But Felix showed no signs of fatigue. He moved so naturally, as if he could use mana.

In truth, he was overwhelmed by a new sensation.

Until now, every time he held a sword, he had always felt a frustrating sense of confinement.

His eyes and mind screamed that he could do more, but his body never followed through.

But now, it was as if all of that belonged to the past.

It felt like all the chains that had been holding him down had been released.

“Don’t hold back.”

“I can do this.”

Felix was certain.

His body was light, and his mind was clear.

He could see every one of Kadin’s movements, and the opponent’s sword no longer seemed frightening.

Clang!

Only then did Felix realize it.

He could feel a killing intent from Kadin’s sword.

As if every swing carried genuine intent.

Normally, Felix would have been overwhelmed by fear—but strangely, this time he felt confident.

“I’m going to win.”

Clang! Clash!

Kadin’s breath grew ragged. A sense of urgency flickered in his eyes.

He had to subdue Felix. He had to utterly crush him.

Even the students who had been mocking Felix now began to murmur as they sensed the shift in the air.

Felix pushing Kadin back like this was nothing short of shocking.

His sword was powerful, fast, and precise.

It seemed to surpass the limits of someone who couldn’t use mana.

“There’s no way I could lose… to a commoner like this… to someone so insignificant…”

But the moment the one you’ve underestimated shows a different side, most people falter.

In a duel, hesitation led directly to defeat.

If only Kadin had acknowledged Felix’s skill and remained alert, the outcome might have been different.

But he failed to regain his composure until the end—he floundered.

Soon, Felix’s sword came rushing toward him. In that instant, Kadin instinctively knew.

He had lost.

Swish. Slice!

Finally, the tip of Felix’s sword touched Kadin’s neck.

The sparring hall fell into a frozen silence.

Kadin blinked, stunned.

He couldn’t believe he had lost—especially to Felix, a mere commoner.

His face hardened gradually, his clenched teeth betraying swallowed rage.

Someone who had been watching murmured quietly.

“…Is that really Felix?”

Before long, the voices of mockery vanished. In their place were shock and confusion.

Felix had defeated Kadin. An outcome no one had expected.

At the center of the chaos, Felix quietly sheathed his sword.

His expression was calm, but his heart was pounding.

It was the first time he had defied reality and proven himself.

* * *

It wasn’t just the students of the Swordsmanship Department watching the duel.

The dean stood, mouth agape, in disbelief.

“H-How could that student beat Kadin…?”

The dean was clearly flustered.

He too knew of Felix.

The professors of the Swordsmanship Department had proudly boasted about the exceptional commoner who had enrolled.

But that interest had faded rapidly when it was revealed Felix suffered from mana insensitivity.

Being unable to sense mana was a fatal flaw for swordsmanship or magic.

So under normal circumstances, Felix should never have been a match for Kadin.

But the sword now at Kadin’s throat said otherwise.

In the silent hall, Yettien—the aide of Duke Argenta—also looked puzzled.

He too had heard much about Kadin.

“Marquis Leight always bragged about his son’s sword skills.”

He remembered how the marquis had boasted that Kadin could easily join the Imperial Knights.

At the time, he had thought it might be exaggerated, but the boy’s potential seemed legitimate.

And yet now, that very boy had lost to someone he’d never seen before.

“How curious. He doesn’t even look formally trained.”

Yettien turned to the dean.

“This boy—I’ve never seen him before. Surely he’s a commoner?”

“Yes, that’s right. But he has mana insensitivity… Something’s not right. He shouldn’t have been able to beat Leight’s son.”

The dean muttered in confusion.

“Unless he used some trick…”

At that moment, Duke Argenta, who had been silent until now, finally spoke.

“He’s still just a fledgling.”

The dean let out a quiet sigh of relief at his words.

Kadin was one of the academy’s most promising talents.

If someone so promising had lost to a no-name commoner, it could damage the reputation of Riod Academy’s education system.

Worse, if this news reached Marquis Leight—a major sponsor of the academy—it could spell trouble.

But what Duke Argenta said next nearly made the dean collapse backward.

“But… he shows potential.”

Even Yettien’s eyes widened at that.

“The Duke is… praising someone?”

A faint smile crept onto the duke’s lips.

“Interesting.”

“Pardon?”

“Yettien, investigate that boy.”

Yettien was stunned.

His superior was not someone who took an interest in others easily.

But now, not only had he praised someone, he’d ordered a personal investigation?

It was a truly remarkable moment.

In fact, this was the first time Duke Argenta had shown interest in anyone since the disappearance of his son.

Sensing a hopeful sign, Yettien answered brightly:

“Understood! I’ll gather detailed information from head to toe!”

* * *

Eila strolled leisurely toward the infirmary.

She planned to meet Felix shortly and discuss what they needed to do next.

As she walked down the corridor, she kept hearing students chatting nonstop.

Hearing their chatter made the corners of her lips rise naturally.

“They’ve been talking about it all day—no way they’d miss it.”

Felix had defeated Kadin—and Duke Argenta had seen it happen.

That simple piece of news had thrown the whole academy into a frenzy.

Eila smiled quietly, listening to the bits of conversation.

“Felix can sense mana now?”

“Is that true? Has anyone ever recovered from mana insensitivity?”

“There aren’t many cases, so not much is known about the condition. I’m not sure myself.”

“So what happens now?”

“Well, people won’t look down on him anymore. He already had the talent and determination.”

“I heard Duke Argenta took interest in him.”

“Seriously? That Duke?”

The students’ eyes sparkled with change.

Recognition didn’t come easily for a commoner. But Duke Argenta was known for valuing talent.

Though it was rare, if Felix eventually became a Swordmaster, he could hold a major position in Kystar.

If that happened, he could wield more power than most nobles.

Until now, most students had looked down on Felix—but that was only because of his mana insensitivity.

Now that he could sense mana, his value had drastically changed.

“Looks like he beat Kadin more impressively than I thought. I didn’t expect such an effect from a temporary remedy.”

Eila was proud of him.

The new friend she’d made had just taken down Kadin.

“That alone must’ve been a huge humiliation for Kadin.”

Above all, this incident had made everyone recognize Felix’s strength—whether he meant to or not.