"I apologize, Hal Fennec, but even if you defeat soone like Agon Burner, it will not directly warrant a promotion to a five-star student. However, you have certainly captured my attention. It seems you are not as simple as you appear. I will give you a chance. First, defeat your opponent in the duel, and then I shall offer you another opportunity, one that would shock everyone and give you a true stage to prove your worth. I will make my decision at that ti."
That was Deputy Headmaster Korvus' reply to his bold pitch.
Hal knew that being promoted to a five-star student just for defeating a re three-star was wishful thinking.
However, he had still achieved his true goal: securing the academy leader's attention and a promise of a bigger opportunity if he won.
Hal was pumped and struggled to fall asleep that night.
Fortunately, the ntal exhaustion from hours of mana ditation eventually allowed him to drift off, though he didn't exactly wake up on ti.
It was only when the warm rays of the majestic sun touched his eyelids that he woke up.
Snapping his fingers to open the system and check the ti, Hal's eyes widened.
'Sh*t!'
He would be late for his duel if he didn't hurry.
Hopping out of his bed, Hal rushed to his small bathroom, taking a quick bath before quickly donning his uniform.
It slled quite a bit...
'I should purchase a few more after this, I earned a lot from my previous missions, anyway...'
Hal took one last look in the mirror, satisfied.
He was as handso as ever.
He quickly exited his room and walked faster than he normally did to make it to the dueling stage on ti.
***
"Aihh... when is that one-star student arriving? Was he just bluffing after all?"
"Hmph! I knew this would happen. Not only is Hal Fennec a low-mana-affinity trash, but he's dumb as heck too. Does he think getting everyone's hopes up and then not showing is a smart move? There'll be even more people looking to teach him a lesson later!"
"Tch... I even invited a senior from my student union today. If I get in trouble because of this, I'll beat that dumb one-star myself..."
Wizardry duels were rare in the academy.
There were no other duels scheduled today, so Agon Burner stood pretentiously in the spacious Main Stage, his arms crossed in front of his chest.
His crimson hair waved heroically, seemingly deep in thought as he stoically gazed in the distance like he was so ancient general waiting for the enemy army to arrive.
In reality, however, nothing profound was happening inside that empty head of his, except for the glorious scenes of his own victory and Hal Fennec's reputation being ruined.
'Tch, I really wanted to beat that idiot up, but what can I do if he's all bark no bite?'
Ti passed, and there were still no signs of the one-star student, Hal Fennec.
The duel's chances of actually happening were growing bleaker by the second.
So even began to leave, shaking their heads in disappointnt.
There were a few eyes, however, who were confident that Hal would show up: Korvus and his assistants.
Omar had long inford the deputy headmaster that Hal was on his way.
Finally, just as the majority of the crowd was about to leave en masse, a black-haired young man began gently pushing his way forward.
"Excuse , please let through," Hal requested, his brows slightly furrowed.
"Aihh... brother, you should turn back. The duel's not hap—"
The two-star student who responded froze upon seeing the newcor's face.
Who didn't know the one-percent mana affinity, Clown Box student by now?
Even so of the seniors, usually busy with their graduation requirents, would recognize Hal Fennec at a glance.
"H-He's here! Hal Fennec is here!" the young man exclaid, overenthusiastically, instantly capturing everyone's attention.
Agon's eyes narrowed montarily, coldly smirking upon confirming that his opponent indeed dared show up.
Everyone on the scene was montarily stupefied, their enthusiasm returning shortly after.
The duel was on!
The crowd excitedly parted, giving way for Hal as he headed towards the Main Stage, eting Agon's gaze without much reaction.
The three-star student took his lack of emotions for nervousness.
Agon's smirk turned into a mocking grin.
"You're certainly brave, I'll give you that. Such a sha that you'll be a brave cripple after I'm done with you."
There wasn't the slightest change in Hal's expression, however, slightly irking the three-star student.
None of the onlookers could explain why, but there was sothing strange about the one-star wastrel's disposition.
It was like he was silently confident or sothing, unfit for soone of his trashy talent.
Confident of what? His one-percent mana affinity?
As Hal ascended the steps of the Main Stage, Omar suddenly appeared a few ters from Agon, making everyone montarily bewildered, growing nervous soon after.
They feared the deputy headmaster's assistant was going to stop the much-anticipated duel.
But then, to their surprise...
"I'm here under the deputy headmaster's orders to preside over this duel and ensure that nobody gets hurt," the usually silent assistant explained, allowing everyone to breathe a sigh of relief.
Excitent then coursed through their bodies.
This could only an one thing: the two could duel to the death without the risk of actually dying.
Agon could go all out and beat the garbage to a pulp!
Sure enough, the next mont, Omar closed his eyes, a small orb of mana appearing on the tip of his index finger, which slowly floated towards the red-haired three-star student, covering him with an extrely thin, translucent layer of mana upon contact.
One also drifted Hal's way and veiled him.
"This protective, illusory barrier is equivalent to how much damage your body could take. You two will still feel pain as usual, but it will rely be an illusion. Once the barrier breaks, you will lose consciousness, marking the end of the duel.
You two can go all out. However, the deputy headmaster wishes for this matter to end here. We will harshly punish either of you who makes things difficult or excessively humiliates the loser afterward, understood?"
Hal nodded nonchalantly while Agon rely shrugged, stretching his body with a cold smirk aid at the forr.
"Good, begin the duel!"
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