Gara stepped into the arena. Across from him stood a young girl, fidgeting nervously while stealing shy glances his way.
He frowned. That look felt strangely familiar.
A mont later, it hit him. His gaze drifted toward the crowd of first-year Class A students. And there she was, Yuvika, staring at him with sparkling eyes.
The instant she realized Gara was looking back, she quickly turned away, face flushed red.
Gara exhaled softly. He didn’t want to sound conceited, but... he had a pretty good idea why the girl in front of him had challenged him.
"G-Gara... it’s nice to et you," the girl said, her cheeks bright pink, confirming his suspicion.
He honestly couldn’t understand why girls liked pretty-faced guys like him, but maybe everyone had their own type.
"We’re actually in the sa Offense class," she continued shyly. "I’ve been watching you since the Entrance Ceremony... but I never felt confident enough to talk to you."
Gara had no idea how to respond to that.
"So, I figured if I challenged you to a duel, I’d finally have a chance to talk. But don’t worry. I know you’re better with herbs and alchemy, not fighting, so I won’t go all out. I don’t plan on joining Class S anyway. You’re the one who deserves it."
Gara appreciated her admiration, but at the sa ti, it reminded him that most people didn’t really see him as strong.
What should I do with her? he thought, suppressing a sigh. She seems nice, but if she really likes the idea of a delicate pretty boy like , then I should probably show her the truth.
"You don’t have to hold back," Gara said calmly.
He glanced at the referee. The faster this duel ended, the less ti this girl would have to daydream.
"Start!" the staff shouted.
Gara didn’t waste a second.
Water gathered instantly in his palms, swirling into thick orbs that shot forward, locking around the girl’s wrists and ankles before she could even blink.
She had planned to dodge his first strike —thinking it’d be slow— but before she knew it, she was on the ground, hands and feet bound tight.
Whoosh!
A blade of water shimred into existence, stopping just a breath away from her throat. She couldn’t move and also didn’t have any other way to counter it.
"I win, right?" Gara turned to the referee.
The man blinked in surprise, then quickly nodded after assessing the scene. "Winner— Gara!"
With a flick of his hand, Gara released the bindings, and the arena barrier dropped.
The girl sat up, wide-eyed and speechless. Her mouth fell open, unable to process what just happened.
Sorry, but that ’delicate pretty boy’ you liked doesn’t exist anymore, Gara thought in relief. So please, stop being interested in .
Unfortunately, her eyes only sparkled brighter. She even started to drool a little. Until the referee awkwardly told her to leave the field.
Gara also hurried back to his classmates, a shiver running down his spine for reasons he couldn’t explain.
"I knew you’d win easily, Gara," Andine said with a grin. "Congrats!"
"Turns out you’re not just talented in herbs and alchemy. You’re seriously strong too," Miki said, clearly impressed. "Your opponent was one of the top students from Class A."
Gara only replied with a small smile.
The others also congratulated him, including soone he never expected to.
"You’re incredible, Gara." Revan stepped forward and offered his hand. "And... I owe you an apology for how I acted before."
The whole students of Class S went quiet. Everyone knew how strained things had been between the two of them.
Revan had openly disapproved of Gara before, and Gara hadn’t been subtle about throwing sharp remarks back.
"Th-thank you," Gara said awkwardly as he shook his hand.
Fortunately, the mont didn’t last long. Andine’s match was next, and everyone quickly shifted their focus.
...
From one of the tower’s upper corners, a man watched the brief duel earlier.
His expression was twisted with irritation, his breathing heavy. His fist slamd against the wall beside him.
"Damn it! How could he beat that Class A girl so easily? Is he really that strong?"
Doubt flickered across his face, but he quickly shook it off. "No. Impossible. That was just luck. She must’ve underestimated him."
He turned sharply and walked into one of the towers.
In the quiet corridor, his low muttering sounded more like a serpent’s hiss, barely audible to anyone but himself and other mbers of the Snake Clan.
"Useless Vania! If she’d set up a trap for Gara like I told her, he wouldn’t still be standing in Class S right now. I can’t go after Madha. Everyone knows he’s strong enough to beat Maul."
His eyes narrowed. "But why was that staff mber acting as the referee? I paid soone else for that position."
He sped up his pace, voice dripping with venom. "Whatever it takes, I’ll make sure Gara doesn’t last until the end of this sester."
His movents were smooth and eerie, his body gliding down the corridor like a snake before disappearing around the corner.
From the opposite side, a tall, handso man erged, arms crossed over his chest.
"Idiot Rucian," the man muttered, his gaze sharp. "He really thinks he can ss with a Class S student— let alone Gara?"
With a calm step, he turned and left the tower, heading toward the back field.
When he arrived, the first-year Class S students imdiately noticed him. Miki happened to glance back and brightened.
"Professor Langga! You should see this. None of the Class S students have lost so far!"
"Really?" Langga smiled, pride glinting in his eyes. "I knew all of you could handle yourselves."
He went around, checking on each student, giving them pointers and encouragent.
Finally, he reached Gara. His expression stayed the sa, gentle and friendly, just like with everyone else.
But that only made Gara’s irritation rise. That’s not the real him. Can he stop pretending in front of ?
His annoyance was written all over his face, but Langga didn’t seem bothered. He chuckled softly.
"Did I do sothing wrong again?"
...
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