n

n

nSince Zomei asked Horeo in person to take care of Miriette, the gold-haired prince and his two attendants were the only people who were present when the black-haired attendant accepted Grazio Mera Victureo's challenge but didn't follow the two to watch the duel.

n...the prince wasn't very happy about it but since Zoemi had said that he trusts him, the first prince had no intention of failing that trust...

n

"I will interfere the moment that I determine that one of you will not be able to deflect or defend against the strike that would cause anything more serious than a light bruise or a scratch. The winner will be determined either if one of you admits defeat or I will be forced to interfere. Is that clear?

"

nThe elderly light magician standing between the two boys each holding a wooden sword said looking between the two contestants.

n

"I trust teacher's Shuze judgment.

"

nThe black-haired boy nodded his head lightly.

n

"I agree.

"

nThe red-haired student agreed with a serious expression, clenching his hands on the training sword's grip.

n

"Good.

"

nKros Rul Shuze nodded his head and walked a few steps back to not block the possible initial strike from either opponent that would end the fight immediately – as the old teacher hoped for as being the overseer of a duel was enough of a chore already - and turned back around facing the boys.

n

"How long do you think the ugly guy will last...?

"

n

"How long? It will be over in one hit! Two if lord Victureo is feeling generous!

"

nThe audience present was clearly biased and didn't even try to lower their voices while snickering at the scarred attendant.

n

"Begin!

"

n|Ah... I should have confirmed with them that they agree on not using magic, just as young Victureo requested... oh well.|

nKros waved his hand and signaled, immediately remembering that he forgot about a few steps...

nThe two opponents moved at the same time – no hesitation whatsoever.

n

"HIYAH!

"

n

"...

"

nGrazio exclaimed while attacking while Zomei kept his mouth shut.

nThe two wooden swords crashed against each other as both Zoemi and Grazio went for horizontal trikes!

n

"...?!

"

nThe audience let out a unison gasp of shock when the one who faltered and was pushed back after the exchange was not the scarred attendant but the son of a general.

nNot only that, using the chance created by his opponent backing off, Zoemi didn't try to stop his sword from twisting his body and instead used the motion to deliver a devastating kick at Grazio's abdomen...!

n|...!|

nKrus was about to activate a light shield and end the fight right there but Grazio - clearly shocked by the attack - tripped which resulted in the kick barely grazing his stomach.

n

"...gah...!

"

n

"Do you admit defeat?

"

nStill, the red-haired bo ended up on his butt, while the black-haired one pushed out his sword up to his face and asked, glaring down at his opponent with lifeless eyes that did not look like they belonged to a living creature.

n

"...what... what was that!?

"

n

"Cheater! This is a swordsmanship duel, why are you kicking?!'

n

"Darkness magicians have no honor at all!

"

n

"Disqualified!

"

nThe crowd instantly burst out into angry complaints, buuing the scarred attendant.

n

"...

"

nZoemi raised his brow and looked at them with only a little bit of disgust.

n|Those foolish kids... none of them was trained to fight. A swordsman who only uses his sword is a dead swordsman.|

nThe old teacher frowned witnessing the ridiculous behavior of the more vocal Grazio's supporters and didn't stop the duel.

n

"...I will not admit defeat here... URYA!

"

nGrazio used that chance and rolled away, scrambling together and retaking his stance before charging at the black-haired boy and going for an overhead vertical strike what -if it reached the target – would definitely deal some serious damage.

n

"URGH...!

"

nBut picking such a well-telegraphed attack wasn't a smart option – with a simple sidestep Zoemi dodged Grazio's swing and pushed his sword's pommel – or the spot where the pommel would be – into the red-haired boy's side, which resulted in Grazio gasping in shock and losing his balance.

n*smack*

n

"...ugh-hwa...?!

"

nAnd as the hit Grazio was falling down, Zoemi went ahead and gave him a friendly smack across the back, pushing him into the ground.

n|That kid... he held back on purpose...?|

nKros furrowed his brows, easily recognizing that the black-haired boy put nowhere near enough strength into the hit to cause anything besides a little bit of stinging pain to his opponent.

n

"...

"

n|!!!!|

nTo make things more interesting and to confirm the old teacher's suspicion, Zomei glanced at the teacher with his dead eyes as if to confirm whether he will end the duel or not and when the elderly light magician didn't make a move the scarred boy smiled in a rather sinister way...

nHonestly, Kros should end the fight then and there but at the same time...

n|Isn't this the first somehow realistic fight that young Victureo takes part in? This might be a good lesson for him – I'll stop them before young Auequas will go too far.|

nHe squinted his eyes and decided – after those few moves it was blatantly obvious for the old teacher which student was going to win.

n

"HAAAH!

"

nGrazio roared and swiped his sword at Zoemi's feet, but the black-haired boy merely jumped over it and kicked some dirt right into the red-haired boy's face while landing.

n

"UGH...! Y-you little...!

"

nGrazio scuttled back away from Zoemi's reach and swiped the dirt away from his eyes and spat out the pieces that got to his mouth.

n

"BUUUU!

"

n

"Cheater!

"

n

"End the duel! The ugly guy lost!

"

nThe angry crowd changed, but since none of them actually tried to do anything the black-haired boy completely ignored them.

n|...so that is the reason why Miriette's condemnation events could take place in the game, what a bunch of annoying idiots...|

n...almost completely – he did spare a fleeting thought and a single annoyed glare at the worthless bunch who wouldn't dare to repeat the same words if they stood face to face with him.

n

"Sir Victureo... why are you even worse than when you gave me this scar...? Do you think that I will lay down and let be beaten up like the bootlickers sucking up to you on every step because of your social status?

"

n

"...!

"

n

"!!!!!

"

n|Oh-ho...! So that's the reason...|

nThe black-haired boy touched his burn scar and asked in an indifferent tone – causing Grazio, the entire crowd, as well as the elderly magician to flinch.

n

"If you want a training dummy, then go ahead - I'll give you a chance - I swear on my master's name that I will only deflect your attacks. Come.

"

nTo make the situation even more outrageous, the black-haired boy straightened his back and spread his arms open, inviting the red-haired boy.

n