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Chapter 14. Checkmate

"I challenge you to a duel! Don’t you dare run away!"

How did it come to this?

After receiving the ranking list from the student council president and having a lengthy discussion with Elixira in the ancient library the previous day, I was searching for Nina Violet within the academy. 

With 984 students, finding her was a daunting task. I assumed I could find her by checking a few groups she might belong to, but she was proving to be an elusive loner.

I even asked Jeremiah, who was in my group, but he didn’t know either. The surrounding female students glared at me just for talking to him, so I quickly left and resumed my search for Nina Violet. That’s when I ran into another troublesome character.

"Hehehe... what a coincidence, Theodore!"

"Ugh."

"Did you just say ‘ugh’!?"

How many ties have I run into her like this? From her words, it seems like she's seeking me out rather than it being a coincidence. I told Elixira I didn’t want to get involved with the faction leaders.

But Princess Elissa is the one I want to avoid the most. Being royalty, she’s more obsessed with bloodlines than anyone else. In her eyes, a commoner like me, ranked 984th, is worse than trash.

Even now, the bespectacled man behind her glares at me the moment Elissa speaks to me. He doesn’t confront me because he knows she’ll stop him if he says anything out of line.

"Ahem... I came to see you because I have a favor to ask."

"Oh?"

"Join my faction!"

"What!? Princess Elissa!?"

"I refuse."

I told Elixira the faction leaders wouldn’t be interested in me, but it seems Princess Elissa is leading her faction by choice. She hadn't informed her bespectacled follower about recruiting me, leaving him visibly shaken.

"We don’t need to recruit someone ranked at the bottom! Such a commoner is beneath you!"

"Watch your tongue, Karl. How dare you speak such discriminatory words in my presence."

"But why do we need a man like him in our faction!?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Why are you siding with Karl?"

Because I don’t want to join a faction. Today, I’m rooting for Karl. I’ll never join a faction... I hate being part of a group.

"If we must recruit someone, it should at least be someone like her!"

Everyone's eyes followed Karl’s pointing finger at a woman with long, unkempt black hair. She, realizing she was being pointed at, directed her blood-red eyes towards us and scowled at Karl.

In the blink of an eye, she moved between Karl and me, grabbed his pointing finger, and glared at him with disdain.

"Why are nobles always so rude? Who do you think you are, pointing at people?"

"Ugh!?"

Only Elissa and I could follow her movement. Long black hair, blood-red eyes, and a flawless, efficient move. No doubt about it... she’s Nina Violet.

"This is our first conversation, Nina Violet."

"Who are you?"

"Elissa Kuria... the second princess of this kingdom."

"A princess? The one who charges ahead recklessly?"

I almost laughed. Elissa noticed my amusement and shot me a quick glare, so she was aware of my reaction.

Nina released Karl’s finger and stared at Elissa intently.

"No. The strong presence I sensed wasn’t you."

"Strong presence?"

"Yes... someone here evaluated me. I felt their gaze."

Elissa. Don’t look at me like that. It’s not me evaluating her, it’s probably you. At least play along.

Understanding my silent plea, Elissa nodded slightly, still looking confused.

"Perhaps the strong presence you felt is him?"

"Hey!"

Why me!?

"This guy?"

Yikes! Those eyes look like a wild beast’s. Elixira’s description of her bloodlust wasn’t far off.

Nina suddenly closed the distance, scrutinizing me suspiciously before throwing a left punch. I deflected it with one hand and placed a knife hand against her neck.

"Yes, it’s you. You were the one evaluating me!"

"Sorry for the disrespectful gaze. Can we discuss this later?"

"Fine... as long as you acknowledge it. Sorry for interrupting... um?"

"Theodore Anthem."

"Ah... see you later, Theo."

Don’t shorten my name so casually.

Now that I’ve made contact with Nina Violet, I’ve achieved today’s goal... but what to do about Elissa, who ignored our silent agreement?

"Listen, I don’t want to stand out—"

"Duel!"

"What?"

Still sitting on the ground, Karl glared at me, trembling as he muttered something.

Slowly standing up, still mumbling, Karl suddenly shouted.

"I challenge you to a duel! Don’t run away!"

How did it come to this?

"My name is Karl! Ranked 250th in the Chronos Magic Knight Academy, Karl Kienaf! I challenge you to a duel to uphold the honor of the Kienaf baron family!"

No, it wasn’t me who embarrassed you, it was Nina. Wait a second.

Elissa seems ready to let it happen, and Nina, eager to see my skills, looks excited. The surrounding Elissa faction members are fired up by Karl’s challenge.

Am I... checkmated?