At the dim wooden ceiling, the faint lamp flickered, like the blinking eye of a one-eyed giant—foretelling the clash about to erupt.
“No matter how many tis you announce it, the result will be the sa.”
“We will never bow to power or trickery. If you want this place demolished, then try taking it by force.”
The leader, Zirvini, said nothing—her eyes grew cold as her fists clenched, radiating an aura that brooked no negotiation.
“Classmates, while enjoying campus life, we also need to think of the safety of the capital’s residents.”
Lan Qi cleared his throat twice, speaking politely,
“According to the Hedon Kingdom’s Fire Safety Act, if you are not the legal owner of this building yet insist on obstructing a state-approved demolition project, you could face more than fifteen days’ detention and a fine of over one hundred pounds. Our purpose here is friendly consultation—we do not wish to alarm the enforcent squad of the Fire Departnt…”
But as Lan Qi’s words flowed on, the room’s tension grew sharper, like swords drawn.
The fighters were unmoved.
Even if it truly ant arrest, not one of them would be cowed into retreat by Lan Qi’s reasoning.
In short—they would rather shatter like jade than survive as tile.
Lan Qi stopped.
He realized that these Knight Academy students all seed to have the temperant of lawless bandits—logic and reason, as taught in the Sage Academy, simply didn’t apply here.
The atmosphere in the hall hung at a breaking point, as if the next words spoken would decide today’s outco.
And then—
Frey nodded toward Lan Qi, aning: leave it to .
The two exchanged a quick glance, as though understanding had passed between them.
Frey took off his sunglasses, hanging them at his chest. He raised his hand calmly and pointed straight at Zirvini, the senior of the Knight Academy:
“If you truly believe we are here to oppress you with authority, then what if I prove myself with strength alone—without sches or tricks? If I make you yield by power, will you still shalessly cling to this place, desecrating the spirit of combat and hindering the student council’s duty?”
“What did you say…?!”
The fighters inside the room bristled with fury, veins bulging at their temples.
Even Zirvini, with her long crimson hair, clenched her fists until her knuckles cracked.
“Heh… heh… heh…”
Zirvini, their leader, laughed coldly. A sixth-rank challenger, her blade-sharp eyes burned with wrath.
“So you intend to settle this with a duel?”
Indeed, the Knight Academy had a way to resolve disputes: a fair duel.
Once both sides agreed, they could stake whatever terms they wished upon battle—and no matter the outco, the loser was bound to accept it.
“Of course. Let’s settle this the knight’s way.”
Upon hearing that, Frey’s lips—usually pressed into a flat line—curved upward slightly, revealing a smile of unshakable confidence.
“This may sting a little, but the truth is—none of you are capable of defeating .”
His arrogant words echoed through the dim hall, his eyes locked onto Zirvini—the strongest present—already prepared for any battle to co.
Boom!
Zirvini’s reply was a thunderous stomp on the floor. The wooden building shook, dust flying, as her aura burst forth like a terrifying beast.
“So you’re Frey… this year’s top freshman of the Knight Academy. I’ve heard of you—already fourth-rank at entry, a so-called genius. But you’re a fool—you don’t understand the absolute gulf of strength between and you.”
She was clearly enraged.
“Take back your arrogant words. Kneel here and beg forgiveness, and I might spare you.”
Frey looked at her with a puzzled expression, his gaze tinged with pity. With a soft sigh, he said:
“Such excuses… is it that you simply don’t dare challenge ?”
His tone was weary, as though he had seen through the essence of martial truth—and the level Zirvini stood at. To him, her anger and hostility seed nothing more than futile struggling.
“…? Challenge you?”
Zirvini was so infuriated she let out a bitter laugh. Brushing aside her crimson bangs, she smirked with savage intent.
“Very well… just so happens I could use a little amusent.”
“One fighter from each side. If you win, I’ll hand this clubroom over without protest. —But!”
“If you lose, you’ll never disturb us again. And as for the school and the Fire Departnt—you’ll handle them on your own!”
Hearing Zirvini’s unreasonable demand, Huperion instinctively tugged on Lan Qi’s sleeve, her eyes pleading with him to stop Frey.
Losing here wasn’t sothing the three of them—as re newcors to the student council—had the authority to bear.
Yet Lan Qi only gave her a small nod, his expression calm, as though everything was still within his control.
“Fine. I have no objections.”
Frey directly accepted Zirvini’s challenge.
“You two agree as well?”
Zirvini turned to Lan Qi and Huperion. She wanted no chance for the student council to renege on the duel by claiming divided opinion.
“I shall bear witness to this friendly match.”
Lan Qi answered in his usual elegant manner, his voice cultured and composed.
There was a gravity to his words beyond the student council’s authority—like a principal passing by, dispensing justice on a whim.
“I… also agree.”
Huperion glanced once more at Lan Qi, then gritted her teeth and nodded.
“Ha ha ha ha! You three fools, so blind to your own limits!”
Zirvini burst into booming laughter, as though victory was already in her grasp.
“Leave this to .”
Frey and his companions exchanged a look. He was calm and steady, like a veteran soldier on the battlefield, his face set with quiet confidence and steel.
“No problem. I’m counting on you.”
On a one-on-one stage, Lan Qi was not at his best—he preferred working with teammates. Huperion, though a fourth-rank assassin, was also ill-suited to facing a high-ranked brawler head-on.
She didn’t fully understand Frey’s fighting style. But earlier, she had noticed a fleeting exchange of looks between him and Lan Qi.
It seed that from that mont, the two had struck an unspoken harmony—like a duet, each complenting the other’s role.
This strange sense of tacit understanding… what was it?
Was there so secret party chat, and she just hadn’t been added in?!
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