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Chapter 4. Picking A Fight

Encountering Elixira in the library and confirming that I'll start at the bottom of the ranking. Honestly, I didn't really care that much.

After lingering in the library for a few hours, I left and went to apologize to the teacher, but they didn't seem too bothered either. From the teacher's perspective, they probably can't be bothered with a delinquent student like me who lacks motivation.

"But still, darn it. I should have taken the exam to determine the ranking."

Regret comes after, so I'll call it regret. When I asked Elixira if there were any drawbacks to having a low ranking, she didn't seem to think of anything specific. But having a low ranking limits your school life. Specifically, it means obligations like school cleaning and, as Elixira mentioned, extra training sessions and even requests mediated by the school become low-level tasks.

It's just so troublesome that the level of these requests decreases. Simply put, you get less money. That's because the Chronos Magic Knight Academy also operates as an adventurer's guild. I mean, why? But it's true, so there's nothing to be done about it. Well, maybe it's a fallback for people who couldn't become Magic Knights. So, the bottom line is, if your ranking is low, you're told not to do anything dangerous because you lack ability.

I thought it was okay if the level of the requests decreased and I received less money. My family isn't poor, but we're not that rich either. Spending a lot of money during school life is only for those who have a high ranking and can earn money seriously or for pampered nobles from wealthy families. Even traveling by carriage to the neighboring town costs a fair amount of money. So, the decrease in the level of these requests is quite troublesome.

"Hey, you!"

"What's up?"

"H-Hey you!"

There are several ways to raise your ranking, but the quickest one is apparently a ridiculously brutal method.

"You're ignoring me, aren't you!?"

"Whoa!? Don't suddenly pull me from behind!"

"Because you're ignoring me, right!?"

"I didn't want to get involved, can't you tell?"

I'm not a protagonist with hearing problems. I wanted to pretend not to hear because she looked like she would be a hassle with her obvious noble appearance. Well, it doesn't look like I can run away, so I'll listen to what she has to say.

When our eyes met, those distinctive gem-like azure eyes caught my attention. Combined with her beautifully arranged golden hair, she looked like a princess from another world.

"Wha... Did you intentionally ignore my words? Is that what you're saying!?"

"Yeah. So, who are you?"

Oh. Is it a trend in this academy for people to flap their mouths like goldfish? Elixira was doing it too, right?

"I, I am... Elissa Kuria! The second daughter of the proud Kuria royal family! Ranked 11th!"

She really was a princess from another world.

But still, the proud Kuria royal family's second daughter, huh?

"Oh, are you the 'Rampaging Reckless Princess'?"

"W-What!? You knew that and yet couldn't match my face with my name!? I can't believe this!?"

"It's not a crime of disrespect, right? They say things like that aren't allowed in the academy."

"Grrr!?"

Well, I don't think many people would actually speak disrespectful words to nobles or royal families like this.

"So, what's the 'Rampaging Princess' want?"

"...I'll crush you! That's why I came here in the first place!"

"Huh... so, the proud royal family came to crush the model commoner at the bottom of the ranking?"

"You're not a model commoner. After all, despite enrolling in this prestigious Chronos Magic Knight Academy, you didn't even show up for the ranking exam! It's unprecedented!"

Hmm, I can't really find words to refute that. Because, in reality, it's my fault. What should I do? Should I apologize immediately? Maybe if I kneel right now, she'll forgive me?

"But if you prove to me once again that you are also a Chronos Magic Knight Academy student, I will forgive you."

"...That's a generous offer. What should I do?"

"Du-duel me!"

"Nope"

Absolutely not.

"What!?"

"A duel, right? To swap rankings."

"Y-Yes! The easiest way for a student to raise their ranking! And for a Magic Knight, a duel is a sacred thing. Refusing is a disgrace──"

"Even if it's disgraceful, would I end up being mocked by everyone for having dueled with a princess and beaten her to the bottom of the ranking?"

Right after saying that, gloves were thrown at my feet. There's only one scene where a knight's white gloves are thrown.

"Do you truly intend to defeat me?"

Glancing up from the gloves, the tomboyish princess who was squawking just a moment ago had a different vibe now. A charisma that seems to attract people's attention, a charisma that those who stand above others always possess. Her azure eyes seemed to be filled with anger as if her pride had been tarnished.

For a Magic Knight, refusing a duel is a disgrace. Because if you accept, you might lose, so refusing a duel is like declaring that you won't accept it.

"Stop it."

Still, I won't accept this duel. Even if I did, what are the benefits for me... just raising my ranking, right? And even that benefit of raising my ranking can be achieved by steadily working towards it. It's not like I absolutely have to duel this princess.

"So, you're still going to refuse my duel..."

Lowering her gaze to pick up the gloves, the princess immediately drew the rapier she had hanging at her waist.

"By force."

"Is this really okay?"

"Having the pride of the royal family tarnished, ideally I should just cut you down right away... But within this academy, adhering to the rules of dueling is the etiquette. However, you have even refused that."

"So, you're resorting to putting a sword to a commoner's throat?"

Please, spare me. If I refuse even after this, she'll definitely attack me without further ado, right? If that happens, I'll definitely draw my sword.

"You're not very good at holding back. It's better to stop before blood is shed."

"You are indeed underestimating me, aren't you?"

Sigh... I guess there's no helping it. I'll have to prepare myself for this.

That's why I dislike knights and nobles who hold onto pride that doesn't even pay.