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Chapter 15. Victory

A Magic Knight duel is considered sacred. There are stories about how it started as a ritual performed before the gods, but its origins remain unclear.

Within the Chronos Magic Knight Academy, duels are not sacred. They are for determining rank. Essentially, someone with a lower rank challenges someone with a higher rank. If they win, their rank changes. If the lower-ranked person wins, they move to just above the defeated opponent. Additionally, terms can be set beforehand. For example, if I win, you have to drop out of the academy. Of course, the academy wouldn’t allow something as extreme as expulsion.

The news that Karl Kienath, ranked 250th, challenged me, ranked 984th, became a big topic regardless of grade. It's unprecedented for someone ranked so much higher to issue an official challenge.

Magic Knights are expected to have a sense of chivalry. From that perspective, Karl’s challenge was completely against the spirit of chivalry, as it was a clear act of bullying a weaker opponent. Nevertheless, people focused on the fact that I skipped the ranking exam.

“...It's time. The duel between Theodore Ansem, ranked 984th, and Karl Kienath, ranked 250th, will begin.”

Officially sanctioned duels are held in the academy’s arena, with an instructor from the Magic Knights serving as the overseer. This time, Instructor Glorios took on the role, albeit with a bored expression.

Despite it being a duel between first-year students, and not even top-ranked ones, a considerable number of spectators showed up. Among them were Jeremiah, the student council president, and even Riester. Clearly, many people came to watch because I skipped the exam and it’s the first duel among first-years this year.

“Before the duel, confirm each other's conditions. Karl Kienath, what do you demand if you win?”

“I demand that Theodore Ansem transfer departments! I can’t stand the idea of someone so irresponsible staying in the Magic Knight Department!”

Well, that’s predictable. Since expulsion is off the table, Karl wants me to transfer. If I transfer, he won’t have to see me again.

Now, I could lose on purpose and transfer, but that wouldn’t be fun. What's not fun is that I simply hate losing. As contradictory as it sounds, I hate losing more than I hate the idea of becoming a Magic Knight. Losing to someone like him would be infuriating.

“Theodore Ansem, what do you demand if you win?”

“Never bother me again.”

“I see...and your rank?”

“Oh...I forgot. I’ll take his rank too.”

“You bastard!”

Right, duels are usually for ranks. I was so annoyed that I forgot. I need to stay cool and collected. I’m an adult at heart, even if I’ve been reincarnated into a kid like him. Still, it pisses me off.

“I’ll crush you.”

“Try if you can.”

You’re the one who challenged me and disturbed my peaceful school life. I’ll break that arrogant noble nose of yours.

“Then, let the duel begin! Start!”

At the same time the instructor shouted, Karl cast a spell. Instead of a simple spell, he used a pre-arranged magic circle to unleash a massive fire. Though it’s against the unspoken rules, he probably couldn’t afford to be reserved because of my provocations.

The magic power from Karl’s hand channeled through the magic circle, turned into a huge flame capable of swallowing a person. The crowd roared at the size of the flame, but I wasn’t about to get hit by such an obvious attack. Using such a large spell in a one-on-one duel is a poor strategy, especially when the opponent is much faster.

“What!? How did you get behind me──”

“──It’s over.”

Karl noticed I was behind him just as I slammed the sheath-covered blade into his stomach. He collapsed from that single blow, and I felt nothing.

The strategy for duels is to close the distance and end it quickly. Only those confident in close combat should start with high-powered spells.

“That’s enough!”

After Karl fell, there was a moment of silence before Instructor Glorios declared the end.

Most spectators looked at me in shock, but a few had different expressions. Jeremiah smiled confidently, Princess Elissa looked exasperated, Nina Violet's eyes burned with intensity, Student Council President Ars smiled warmly, and an unfamiliar black-haired girl smirked suspiciously.

“The winner is Theodore Anthem...as per the conditions.”

“Tell him not to bother me again when he wakes up. He should regain consciousness within an hour, and I’ll take the 250th rank, right?”

“Yes. I’ll inform the academy as the overseer.”

Sigh. What a pointless duel.

I fought because I hated losing, but I ended up winning against a cheap trick with no special skills. Karl’s flame magic, though large and powerful, was an ordinary spell. Anyone could use it with enough time.

Don’t challenge me if it’s over with a quick move and a sword swing. I would have learned more from reading in the library. Fighting weaklings is a waste. Rank means nothing.