Damn Academy - Chapter 179

[Episode 179] Suspicion (9)

The duel evaluations were taking place simultaneously in five arenas. Most students from the Combat and Magic Departments were being assessed, and given the large number, there were matches that drew public interest and those that did not.

The duel between Ruskeus and me wasn’t exactly a high-priority event for the other students. Although I had become the center of attention due to several incidents, those were tales from a distant land unfamiliar to Eternia, and my own abilities were not such that they garnered great expectations.

Of course, there were those who showed interest in my matchup. Predominantly, it was the seniors from the Art Department, Trisha’s group of friends, our peers from the Duchy, and a few professors.
Th i s w a s c o pi ed f r o m k ing m t l . o r g

However, the first-year students garnering the most attention were none other than Sion and Luna. Sion was matched against a third-year Combat student named Barion, while Luna was set to duel Pavela, a second-year from the Magic Department and also my senior from the Art Department.

These were representatives of their respective years, so naturally, their peers supported them without consideration of personal relations. The seniors looked forward to the fight with a mix of primal excitement and a peculiar unease about the officially sanctioned subversion of hierarchy.

On the morning of the duel evaluations, I was en route to the arenas with members of the Art Department.

“Rookie, what did you just say?” Jenia, the Art Department’s vice president, asked with a look of incredulousness.

“I asked if it’s allowed to climb on top of the opponent and punch them.”

“Sometimes you really push the limits, rookie. That would turn it into a brawl, wouldn’t it?”

“It was just a question. I mean, if it comes down to it, a fistfight could be necessary if the combatants are evenly matched.”

“It’s not forbidden, but it would be ethically problematic. What do you think would happen if you wailed on a fellow student like a madman, huh? Huh?”

Jenia poked me in the rib like an admonishing teacher.

Apparently, it was problematic to provoke someone with whom I had no apparent grudge.

“…It’s not like I’m going to do that.”

Haley, the Art Department president, sidled up to me and joined the conversation.

“Thinking of getting into a fistfight with Ruskeus? I’d rather you didn’t.”

“…”

“Ruskeus has a pretty face and seems amiable enough to have a following. He’s also a model student in the eyes of the professors. I know you have skills, but it’s not wise to beat someone like that in front of everyone. Maybe if you did it in secret.”

The thought that a man who brutally mishandled his fiancée was maintaining the reputation of a model student externally truly depicted the enigma of human nature.

“I never said I would…”

“Though, I’d like to give that jerk a piece of my mind. There’s something off about those who act so pure, clean, and flawless. Call it a woman’s intuition.”

Jenia teased Haley.

“Don’t trust her. What does an old man in a woman’s disguise know about a woman’s intuition?”

Caught off guard, Haley squinted and then opened her eyes wide, saying,

“Rookie, you can’t do that to Ruskeus, but if it’s with that gal, go ahead. I’ll take responsibility.”

By the time she finished, Jenia was nowhere to be seen.
***

Despite thinking we had arrived early, the arena was already teeming with students who had come to watch. Not only from the Combat and Magic Departments, but students from other departments also filled the seats, eager for the rare spectacle.

And among the five arenas for the evaluations, one in particular was swamped with onlookers.

It was the infamous Sion’s battleground.

“Rookie, you want to see this too, don’t you?” Haley grabbed my forearm and steered me to a prime viewing spot.

However, all our effort was in vain as the duel ended almost as soon as we had settled in. Sion’s Magic Sword split the ground where her opponent had been standing—an overbearing display of power.

“AAAAAHHH!” Barion shrieked like a child, falling backward.

It was as if an earthquake had struck, splitting the arena in two, with a sinister blue light flickering from within the crevice.

Yes, one should never expect camaraderie or matching blows with Sion.

“Wow…”

From the stands, sounds of amazement or horror echoed. A fearsome sword that could cleave giant Plantaras in a single stroke. I might not know much about swords, but I was aware that the Magic Sword was considered the pinnacle among all types of swords. How could an ordinary academy student stand against such a weapon?

Sion didn’t even break a sweat, which suggested the duel had barely begun.

Barion ground his teeth and protested,

“Starting with a Magic Sword is hardly fair, don’t you think?”

Sion coldly looked down at her senior, tossing her sword in front of him, its blue luminescence coated in dirt.

“Then take it and face me.”

Her tone was arrogant and dismissive.

Barion’s face was a mix of humiliation and confusion. He hesitated to pick up the Magic Sword, knowing he couldn’t handle it. Instead, he picked up his sword and stood up again.

“Come at me again, on equal footing this time.”

Sion shook her head, drew her second sword, and activated her artifact, charging forward like lightning.

Clang!

With a single upward strike, she sent her opponent’s sword flying. She had closed a distance of ten steps in a single breath and delivered a decisive blow.

The flying sword bounced harmlessly off the magical barrier before falling to the arena floor.

T h is wa s c o p i e d f r o m k i ng m t l . o r g
The instructor intervened, and the evaluation ended there. But Sion did not leave the arena, instead leaving her senior with some parting words.

“You lack the resilience to match blows with a Magic Sword. You don’t understand defensive swordplay, nor are you exceptional in offensive techniques. Too many openings, too slow to react.”

Sion ruthlessly listed all the areas Barion needed to improve upon, despite him being a third-year senior.

A cruel woman indeed.

From the side, Haley grimaced.

“She’s undeniably skilled, but… I dislike her.”

“…Not many people like her.”

While there were surely men who admired Sion’s icy beauty and lone-wolf aura, almost no girls looked upon Sion favorably.

“How does our distinguished freshman, favored by the lady of the manor, see it?”

“I wouldn’t want to face Sion either.”

This was sincere. Even if I could use all my strength, Sion was still a formidable opponent.

“I thought you were the most promising among the first-years, too bad.”

“Out of your seniors, how many do you think possess the skill to beat Sion?”

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Haley sighed.

“It’s difficult to say confidently, but even among the third-years… there’s one. He trained under a Swordmaster, too. But that aside, rookie, when is your evaluation?”

Th i s w as c o p i e d f r o m kin gmt l .o r g
“I’m scheduled for the third arena, group 21… but I’m not sure exactly when.”

Haley’s eyes widened in surprise and confusion.

“Wait, that’s after the next… Are you sure you can be here right now?”

“…What?”

***

Ruskeus donned special gloves and bracers to protect his skin from frost magic and outfitted himself with armor tailored from the hide of a Frost Crocodile brought from the northern regions. He paused, lost in thought.

Damian.

His drawing as my opponent in the duel might be a gift from the gods.

Ruskeus’s most coveted goal was earning the recognition of Lady Vivi. Everything he’d done was for that: his enrollment in Eternia, the relentless training to become a unique type of Magic Swordsman, the prolonged offering of tributes to the ducal house, and using Olivia as a mere tool rather than seeing her as a true fiancée.

T h is w a s c o p i e d fr om ki n gm t l . o rg
It was all to stand by the side of the lady.

For a moment, he envisioned the enchanting image of Lady Vivi he had briefly encountered.

“Lady Vivi… Lady Vivi…”

Having aimed for this his whole life, the rumors swirling around Damian lately had come as a shock. The man had not only refused the mission to escort the lady, spoke irreverently to Lady Vivi upon first meeting, acted willfully, and had unclear abilities. After Lady Vivi’s disappearance, it was incomprehensible how suddenly he became favored.

But that no longer mattered.

All Ruskeus had to do was beat Damian.

T h i s wa s c o p ie d f r om k i n g m t l . o rg
If he could decisively dominate the match, the attention now on Damian would quickly shift to Ruskeus.

He clenched his fist, steeling his resolve, when someone entered the waiting tent.

It was Olivia, his fiancée. She spoke with her eyes cast down as if she were a servant.

“The Duchy’s ambassador has come to observe the evaluations. I’m not sure of his intentions, but he’s definitely here to watch your duel.”

“…The heavens must be offering me an opportunity.”

T h i s w a s c o p i e d f ro m k i n g mt l . or g
“…”

***

Haley, the president of the Art Department, sat down early in the arena, her eyes fixed on Damian. Regardless of the outcome, if a rookie managed to put up a good fight, they would have done all that could be expected. Yet, a vague feeling told her that Damian, of all the first-years, might just pull off something remarkable.

Neria, a fourth-year student, approached and sat beside her.

“You always look out for your juniors, Haley.”

“I have to, or they’ll all run away. Don’t tell me you came to spy on our rookie?”
T h is wa s co p i e d f r o m ki n gm tl .or g

“No, I’m here to watch Ruskeus because of the exchange selection. But I admit, it is an interesting matchup. Siblings recommended each other’s juniors, after all.”

“Hah, so that guy nominated Ruskeus?”

Haley’s laughter was laced with mockery. She had a twin brother in the same grade, but hardly anyone at Eternia knew this. To avoid constant comparisons, she kept it a secret.

Neria shrugged and gazed down at the arena.

Ruskeus was making his way to his starting position.

Haley asked Neria,

“Who do you think will win?”

Without hesitation, Neria replied,

“Ruskeus.”

***

T hi s wa s co p i e d f ro m k i n g m tl. or g
“The following students should come forward for the duel. Ruskeus, Damian.”

Ruskeus took his place for the start of the duel. Seeing Damian nearby seemed to ignite his fighting spirit. Following the instructor’s directions, he stepped forward and shook hands with Damian.

“I’m looking forward to a good match, Senior Ruskeus.”

Ruskeus received Damian with serious intent.

“I’ve heard rumors that you’re favored by Lady Vivi. Is that true?”

Damian observed Ruskeus with a probing gaze before provocatively throwing a remark.

“It’s more than just favor.”

Laughter erupted. It was an obvious bluff, but enough to stir Ruskeus’s jealousy.

“The rumors of your arrogance seem to be true. I’m amazed your head is still attached with that kind of mouth.”

Damian smirked.

“You’d be surprised if you knew what’s really happened between Lady Vivi and me.”

T h i s w a s c opi e d f ro m k i n gmtl . o r g
Ruskeus’s tone grew colder with each of Damian’s taunts.

“We’ll see if you’re truly worthy of such claims.”

With that, Ruskeus turned and walked back to his starting position.