NOVEL NEXT Chapter 9: Duel
—Eresdia-Sama has done it again.
My head is completely filled with these words.
I can’t even bring myself to look at the emotionally unstable crowd in front of me—they’re too terrifying.
“(H-Hey… What’s your deal? Why are you doing this? Don’t tell me you like me?)”
“(Not a chance. I just don’t want to pair up with him, that’s all!)”
She whispered back, her voice oozing with disgust, even though it was still quiet.
Apparently, she hates Arnold, the guy formerly known as the ‘bangs guy,’ even more than I thought.
I don’t have a problem with him, though. Out of everyone I’ve met, he’s one of the easiest to deal with. But hey, everyone has their own preferences.
Anyway,
“(Hey, seriously, you need to fix this. It’s all your fault things ended up like this.)”
“(Excuse me? It’s because you didn’t flatly reject him from the start! This is your mess.)”
…Seriously?
“(Oh, are we doing this? I’ll smash your face in with my full-strength enchanted punch!)”
“(…I’ll fight back, of course.)”
“(Hey, what was that pause? Don’t tell me your weird masochist tendencies just kicked in, you freak.)”
“(…They didn’t, and I’m not a freak.)”
Yeah, right.
That denial was way too slow.
While we were bickering in whispered voices over stupid stuff, Arnold’s anger must’ve reached its limit.
“——A duel! Fight me for the right to pair with Eresdia!”
His face flushed bright red as he pointed at me and declared such an incredibly foolish challenge.
——A duel.
It’s a kind of formal contract. The winner forces the loser to obey any demand, no questions asked, even one that supersedes their power.
I was dumbfounded that someone would invoke something so serious over something this trivial. I couldn’t help but let out a disappointed sigh.
“Why though? Like I said earlier, I’m totally fine switching with—”
“——I accept that duel.”
…What?
“What are you talking about?”
“You’ll duel, of course.”
“What are you talking about!?”
No way! Why do I have to be involved in this!?
I’m willing to switch right now!
I don’t mind being hated, but I absolutely have to avoid this duel.
Just as I was about to open my mouth, Eresdia-Sama mumbled something under her breath.
“…He tried to use his power to force himself on me once… And now you’re pairing me with him?”
That’s a low blow.
If I refuse, I’ll be seen as heartless, and everyone will definitely think I’m a scumbag.
Even though I’m sure she just kicked him in the crotch and drove him off.
After shooting Eresdia-Sama an accusing glare, which she answered with a silent apology…
“Alright, fine! I’ll do it! I accept the duel!”
I yelled, nearly in frustration.
———
“…What on earth is this all about…”
Instructor Low sighed deeply, rubbing his forehead after being called to oversee the duel.
I let out a sigh of my own in response.
“That’s what I want to know…”
“Hurry up and grab your sword! Get up here already!”
Arnold was up on the stage where I had fought with Eresdia-Sama and Instructor Lowe just a few hours earlier, yelling impatiently.
The audience had grown since Instructor Lowe’s battle, and the place was even noisier.
“Sigh… Well, I can’t let a pervert like that have Eresdia-Sama, so I guess I’ll give it my best… Ugh, this is such a hassle. And I don’t even know if I can win.”
That’s the real problem.
I don’t know how strong Arnold is.
Apparently, he only spars with his cronies, so nobody really knows his true strength.
“Hmph, I won’t let a commoner like you have Eresdia!”
“Yeah, yeah, get on with your show.”
I lazily responded to Arnold’s declaration as I stepped onto the stage and grabbed a wooden sword.
My stance was simple—a middle guard, with no tricks. It’s the easiest one for me to use right now.
Arnold, on the other hand, lowered the sword overhead in a high guard. Surprisingly, it looked pretty proper. As expected of a noble, they must’ve trained from a young age.
But that’s exactly why I have no intention of facing him head-on.
“With that—begin!”
At Instructor Lowe’s signal.
I accelerated in an instant.
I wasn’t using any enchantment magic, but the distance of a few metres was nothing.
I kept my posture low and charged toward Arnold.
Surprised, Arnold’s eyes widened for a moment, but he quickly swung his sword down, proving he wasn’t just all talk.
Too bad—that’s the wrong move.
“——[Full Body Enhancement]”
“!?”
As his wooden sword came down toward my head, I activated an intermediate-level enhancement spell without chanting.
While the effects were weaker without the chant, it was enough for now.
I twisted my body smoothly, dodging Arnold’s sword, and—
“Sorry, but this one’s mine.”
Before he could recover, I stomped down on his sword with all my might, breaking it with a loud crack.
Then, I thrust forward, aiming straight for Arnold’s chest.
“Gah…!?”
Unable to brace for the blow, Arnold was sent flying and hit the ground, gasping for air.
As I caught up to him, I delivered a warning.
“——Stay out of our business from now on. Next time, it won’t be just broken bones.”
I wasn’t normally the type to give such menacing warnings, but I wasn’t looking forward to dealing with him again.
After all, nobles are strong, and I don’t want to be involved with them.
Arnold, after taking a solid chop to the head, hit the ground again with a hard thud and lost consciousness.
After slapping his cheeks a few times to make sure he was out, I turned to Instructor Lowe.
“Instructor Lowe, that counts as my win, right?”
“Yes, of course. ——The winner is Zero!”
Instructor Lowe moved to Arnold’s side in an instant, hoisted him over his shoulder, and raised my arm to announce the end of the duel.
The crowd erupted into cheers.
“Hehe, hahaha.”
“At least try to stay cool until the end… Though I do appreciate it.”
In addition, I was praised and my excitement and mood skyrocketed.