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Chapter 07
The duel that began with an unprecedented disturbance at the entrance ceremony.
Naturally, word of it spread immediately to the upperclassmen as well.
“I heard it’s a fight between brothers?”
“Apparently the older brother attacked the younger one.”
And, even more naturally—
Among the upperclassmen who heard the rumor, nearly everyone currently free gathered at the duel arena.
Academy life could be boring at times, and now such a sensational piece of gossip had appeared. How could they not come watch?
“So did the older brother just snap on his own?”
“Or did the younger brother actually do something wrong?”
“According to rumors, he just caused a scene out of nowhere. Then doesn’t that make the older brother insane?”
“Who knows. Still, anyone capable of entering this academy should have some level of competence. Would he attack for absolutely no reason? I think there’s a chance the younger brother really cheated.”
Discussions about the incident erupted everywhere.
Did the older brother truly know something and gamble everything to expose his sibling?
Or was the younger brother simply being framed?
“But if the younger brother really cheated to become freshman representative, this situation is going to get really interes—”
That was when—
“That is impossible.”
A stern-faced man appeared where the upperclassmen had gathered.
On his chest was an emblem depicting a star and a tower.
“There is no corruption in Garam Academy.
Let alone obtaining the highly visible position of freshman representative through dishonorable means.”
The current student council president.
The eldest son of the ducal Bellota family of the Canarion Kingdom.
Maratin Bellota.
He looked around with an expression of utter displeasure.
“So do not even utter nonsense such as ‘there may have been corruption.’”
“F-Forgive me!”
The student who had suggested corruption immediately lowered his head, pale-faced.
Maratin glared at him with contempt before turning toward the arena.
“Creating chaos during the academy’s first glorious moment…
Deeply unpleasant.”
Anger welled up toward the two who had broken the rules.
And not just any rule-breaking—
They had caused such disorder during the prestigious entrance ceremony.
“…I dislike this.”
He was directing his anger equally at both Jian and Cha’an, the ones responsible for the situation.
Then—
“Oh! Maratin! Isn’t that Maratin?”
Princess Aris appeared behind him.
“Good to see you! That shameless face of yours hasn’t changed at all!”
“…Princess.”
Maratin’s expression darkened slightly.
He had hoped not to meet her.
Apparently, that wish had been futile.
“It’s been a long time, Your Highness. I trust you have been well?”
“Mm. I have.”
At that moment—
Jian and Cha’an stepped onto the duel platform.
Cha’an looked like a volcano on the verge of eruption, overflowing with fury.
Jian, by contrast, remained calm like a still lake.
“…Ho.”
Seeing them, the student council president’s eyes sharpened.
Whoever bore greater fault, both had violated rules, so he had viewed them negatively.
But perhaps—
He needed to revise his opinion.
At least the younger brother seemed fairly useful.
Bellomata… If I recall correctly, a provincial noble family from Hesen, the western desert nation.
A provincial noble from Hesen would be easy to recruit.
After watching him fight… if he’s capable, approaching him might not be a bad idea.
As he thought that—
“Abandon that idea.”
Aris grinned mockingly.
“That one—Jian—is far too large a vessel for someone like you to contain.
Try to claim him recklessly, and you may shatter along with the vessel itself.”
The emotion Maratin felt wasn’t anger.
It was confusion.
He hated to admit it, but when it came to judging people, Princess Aris had more accurate eyes than anyone.
For even her to evaluate someone this highly—
What exactly did Princess Aris see in that man?
As he frowned and stared at Jian—
“No need to be impatient.
You’ll understand soon enough.”
Aris spoke as if telling him to anticipate what was coming.
Then—
“Begin!”
The instructor immediately announced the start of the duel.
“I’ll kill you!”
The moment the duel began, Cha’an charged forward.
Despite his raging emotions, the tip of his sword barely trembled.
At least his fundamentals are solid.
Unlike his brother’s explosive charge—
Jian didn’t even take a stance.
Does he think this isn’t enough to draw his sword?
That relaxed posture seemed to say exactly that.
And indeed—
Jian simply moved half a step and tilted his head slightly, completely evading the sword’s path.
Slash!
The attacks afterward were also dodged effortlessly with only minimal movement.
“Stop running!
Fight me like a man!”
As his attacks repeatedly missed, Cha’an shouted in frustration.
Jian ignored him entirely, focusing only on avoiding the blows.
The spectators murmured:
“What the hell? He’s just toying with him.”
“If he drew his sword, the match would’ve ended in one exchange.”
“Cheated his way into freshman representative? Ridiculous.”
“Seriously. If someone like him isn’t representative, who could be?”
It felt less like a duel—
And more like an adult indulging a child’s game.
The difference in ability was overwhelming.
But—
One person thought differently.
The student council president.
…Strange.
It feels like acting.
Cha’an seemed restrained.
And Jian’s eyes weren’t following the sword.
It looked almost as though they had predetermined attack routes and were merely performing.
*Could this be…
a Bellomata family scheme to make Jian appear extraordinary?*
The more he watched suspiciously—
The more convinced he became.
Yes.
They were acting.
Like two swordsmen on stage performing choreographed movements for an audience.
*So even the princess’s judgment has dulled.
Has she too been tainted by Canarion’s decline?*
Just as disappointment twisted Maratin’s expression—
Aris spoke.
“Do you perhaps think they’re acting?”
She smiled.
“If so, you’re mistaken.
They aren’t acting.
Their movements are simply so perfect they look like acting.”
“No. This time Your Highness is wrong. That’s merely—”
Then—
“Die!”
Suddenly, the mana around Cha’an’s sword more than doubled.
The speed of his swing increased drastically.
He was hiding that much power?!
Maratin knew Cha’an had concealed strength.
But not to this extent.
*A perfectly timed surprise attack.
Jian is completely off guard.
If he’d drawn his sword, maybe—but now he absolutely cannot block or dodge this.*
Exactly as predicted—
Cha’an’s blade reached Jian’s neck in an instant.
Yet Jian did not move.
He’s dead.
The sword sliced through Jian’s neck.
Soon his head would fall—
Blood would spray—
“Aaaaaah!”
Screams erupted.
But—
“Aaah…?”
The screams stopped.
“…Huh?”
No one had reason to scream anymore.
“What?”
“Why is he fine…?”
Jian stood unharmed.
The sword had clearly passed through his neck.
Yet his head remained attached.
“Did I imagine it?”
“An illusion…? A phantom sword?”
As everyone stared in confusion—
The instructor shouted:
“Match over!
Cha’an Bellomata loses by disqualification!”
While everyone struggled to understand—
Maratin was equally shaken.
Because he had seen something.
Just before the strike landed—
An afterimage appeared around Jian’s neck.
And his upper body had leaned backward ever so slightly.
*Did he bend backward faster than the eye could see…
then instantly return to his original posture…?*
If so—
What kind of absurd speed is that…?
Maratin swallowed hard and stared at Jian with awe.
*The one whose eyes were wrong…
wasn’t the princess.
It was me.*
He became certain.
Among this year’s freshmen—
The representative would be Jian.
And three years later—
The top graduate standing above all others would also be Jian.
* * *
After the duel ended and Cha’an was dragged away by the instructor—
People crowded around me.
“Whoa, what are you? How did you dodge that last attack?”
“Seriously insane. I couldn’t see anything.”
“Sorry to say this, but your brother’s weird. He saw someone like you and accused you of cheating?”
Naturally, everyone praised me.
Some were genuinely impressed.
Most—
Were after scraps of benefit.
They thought getting close to someone obviously talented might bring rewards later.
Even upperclassmen approached.
“Hey. Have you thought about joining a club? Want to come to ours?”
“Hey now, don’t cut in line. Junior, how about joining our group instead?”
Normally I’d respond casually.
Unfortunately—
I wasn’t in a state to entertain anyone.
A notification appeared.
[The blessing effect of “One Loved by All Things” activates: “Upon receiving fatal damage, evade the attack once.”]
…Fuck.
Because—
I had almost died.
*That insane doppelgänger bastard.
He actually tried to stab me in the back?*
That last strike wasn’t part of an act.
The doppelgänger genuinely tried to kill me.
*If I hadn’t received Aris’s blessing before the duel…
I’d really be dead right now.*
The reason I survived—
Was Aris’s blessing.
The blessing that made her a famously overpowered character had saved me.
*Fuck.
Seriously, fuck.*
Thinking about what would’ve happened if Aris hadn’t grabbed my hand before this—
Sent chills down my spine.
Another notification appeared:
[Mentality EX Rank suppresses your agitation.]
The panic faded quickly.
But not the anger.
*Figures for an executive of an evil organization.
The moment he thought I’d weakened, he betrayed me immediately.*
That doppelgänger—
I’ll kill him.
Definitely.
Then—
“Would you all step aside?”
“Huh…!”
“Princess…?!”
Aris appeared.
“Jian has a prior engagement with me.
I’m afraid I’ll have to take him.”
She gestured for me to follow.
*I was wondering how to escape this crowd.
Perfect timing.*
I bowed slightly to the gathered students and followed behind Aris.
* * *
Aris hadn’t taken me away because she actually had business.
This should be enough, right?
*You looked troubled.
I merely helped a little—to repay the debt I owe you.*
She had simply rescued me from the crowd.
I said:
I assumed you’d come to hear my answer to the proposal you made before the duel.
Aris replied:
*Would I pressure you so quickly?
This concerns naturalization into another nation.
I’ll give you sufficient time. Think carefully before answering.*
Before the duel—
The princess had held my hand and asked:
“Have you considered changing allegiance to our kingdom?”
So I thought she wanted a detailed conversation.
Apparently not.
*Helping when someone’s in trouble and building goodwill, huh.
Not a bad strategy.*
If she accumulated a favorable image now—
I’d likely view her offer more positively later.
Cunning fox.
I smiled faintly.
Then—
“Master!”
The doppelgänger appeared before me.
Not in Cha’an’s form—
But disguised as a maid.
“I’m sorry!
For acting impulsively at the end without consulting you…”
Looks like he’d realized running away wouldn’t escape the organization’s notice.
So he switched strategies—
Beg forgiveness instead.
“I never intended to harm you, Master!
It’s just… Commander Lionel and several experts watching seemed suspicious…”
I stared at him expressionlessly.
“I thought you would come under suspicion…
so I improvised…”
His voice trembled.
His eyes shook in fear.
I smiled kindly.
“Haha. Yes.
No need to explain.
I already know you acted for my sake.”
The doppelgänger looked startled—
Then deeply moved.
“I knew Master would understand!”
“For a moment I wondered if you’d betrayed me.
But I quickly realized otherwise.
You know attacks at that level couldn’t hurt me.”
“Exactly! That’s right!”
His eyes seemed to insist he had never intended betrayal.
I smiled warmly.
“Which is why…
I’d like to entrust you with a new mission.”
“A new mission…?”
“Yes.
A rather difficult one.
But I think I can trust you.
Will you take it?”
“O-Of course!
Please command me!”
I extended my hand.
“Your new mission…
is to act as Jian in my place.”
“Act as… Master?”
“Mm.
There’s somewhere I need to go for a while.
Pretend to be me during that time.”
Dark thoughts flickered in his eyes.
I could tell exactly what he was thinking.
“Before I explain further—
transform into my appearance first.”
“Ah, yes! Understood!”
To imitate someone—
A doppelgänger needed over a minute of physical contact.
He held my hand.
One minute passed.
Then released it.
“Then I’ll transform.”
“Mm. Go ahead.”
His body turned into black mud.
His appearance began changing.
I watched—
Then drew the sword at my waist.
Stab!
I drove it straight into his heart.
“Kgh—M-Mas…ter…?”
Doppelgängers had a weakness.
During transformation—
They became defenseless.
A strike to a vital point could kill them easily.
I looked down coldly.
“Did you think I wouldn’t know?
That you planned to kill me and seize control of Black Night?”
Acting for my sake?
What bullshit.
As if I’d believe that.
The reason I pretended to trust him—
Was entirely for this moment.
“You… bas…tard…”
With those final words—
The doppelgänger died.
Notifications appeared.
[You have defeated a “powerful enemy” considered impossible to overcome!]
[Autonomy Points awarded!]
For a villain of level 72—
Someone considered fairly powerful—
It was an absurdly empty end.
