Show menu NOVEL BIN5Novel Crownless Reincarnation: New World? Nah I'd win Chapter 62: Birthday [4]CROWNLESS REINCARNATION: NEW WORLD? NAH I'D WINC62: Birthday [4]
Chapter 62: Birthday [4]
'Why is this happening?'
Arthur sat in the corner, gulping down a glass of beer.
His fingers ran roughly through his vibrant orange hair as he sank deeper into the chair.
The weight on his chest grew heavier with each passing moment.
He had been watching from the beginning.
He saw Akamir tie the ribbon on Zaina's dress.
The way his hands moved, the way she looked at him... Arthur saw it all.
'Why does this keep happening to me!?'
His grip on the glass tightened until a crack split along the rim.
He hadn't said anything when Lucien walked in with that usual confident grin.
He hadn't moved when Zaina caught the fox in her arms.
He hadn't even reacted when Lucien stepped onto the platform and began his grand announcement.
'Why did that damn fucker come in our life!?'
There was something about Akamir that lit a fire in him.
The way he had the air of a king around him, the way he spoke... Especially the way he subconsciously looked down at him.
'I hate him.'
Arthur's eyes flicked to where Akamir was speaking to Zaina.
He raised the glass to his lips again, but the crack gave way.
Beer spilled down the front of his coat.
He cursed and slammed the broken glass on the table, roughly wiping at the mess with his sleeve.
"I don't get what she sees in him."
Arthur glanced up. One of his friends—Mikel—stood nearby with a frown.
He was the one Akamir had humiliated not too long ago.
"Seriously," another boy added, "he barely talks, and when he does, it's like he's judging everyone."
"Maybe she likes being looked down on," Mikel muttered with a bitter laugh.
Arthur didn't respond. He just looked at Zaina.
'She isn't like that,' he thought. 'Zaina is sweet and lovable.'
He had known her since they were kids and he knew what she liked.
What made her laugh.
What made her cry.
And Akamir wasn't any of it.
'I am sure she is doing this for her family,' Arthur thought, his heart clenching. 'Maybe she is trying to help them.'
But to go that far... to give herself up?
He couldn't stand it.
'She was supposed to be mine,' he thought, grimly. 'Mine and mine alone.'
'He didn't deserve her.'
The thought pounded in his head like a war drum.
"Maybe you should do something about it," Mikel said after a pause. "You just gonna sit here and let him take her?"
Arthur barked, "What do you want me to do? Beat the Duke's son in front of everyone?"
Mikel raised both hands in surrender, but the smirk never left his face.
"I'm just saying, I wouldn't be sitting here nursing warm beer while someone else was walking off with my girl."
Arthur clenched his jaw and looked away.
Another voice chimed in. Caleb, leaning in from a nearby bench.
"I mean, come on. Challenge him. You've got the skill. We've all seen you spar."
Arthur stayed quiet, but the words lingered.
They weren't wrong.
Akamir hadn't even done anything special.
He hadn't boasted or made a show.
Yet here he was, standing in the center like he owned everything.
"I heard he's a pain to deal with," Caleb shrugged. "Barely stays with his family, and even his father doesn't seem to like him."
"Yeah, and now he wants your girl," Mikel added, then quickly glanced away when Arthur shot him a glare.
Before Arthur could snap back, a new voice cut through the group.
"Sounds like a lot of talk but not much action."
They turned as a boy approached from the other side of the path, dressed in a dark jacket that bore the subtle crest of the Marson family.
Cleanly dressed, calm, but his eyes carried an unmistakable sharpness.
Gale Marson.
Arthur recognized him immediately.
The son of Duke Balkri of Marson.
One of the few noble youngsters who never attended the academy and was more interested in fighting.
Gale stopped in front of them, gave a glance toward Akamir, then looked at Arthur.
"I've seen you fight," he said. "You're good."
Arthur narrowed his eyes. "And?"
"And you're letting him walk all over you."
Arthur scoffed. "I'm not afraid of him."
"Then why are you sitting here?" Gale tilted his head slightly. "You want her thinking he's better than you? Because that's how it looks."
The others fell quiet, even Mikel looked unsure now.
Gale may be known for his strength but he is definitely a smart person.
"I fought Asher once," Gale continued.
"He's easy to trip up. Rush him fast enough, and he stumbles. If he loses here, in front of everyone..."
He let the silence speak for itself.
Arthur looked back at Akamir. He was still beside Zaina, still talking like nothing else existed.
Zaina laughed lightly, brushing her hair behind her ear.
That did it.
Arthur stood.
Gale gave a small nod, like he'd expected this outcome all along.
"Don't wait for someone to hand her back," Gale said quietly. "Take her."
Had Arthur been in his right mind, he might've seen it.
Mikel, trying to get back at Akamir for his own embarrassment.
Gale, baiting him to test Akamir's strength.
Caleb, just looking for a show.
But Arthur wasn't thinking clearly anymore.
He walked straight toward them, stopping a few steps behind.
"Asher!"
He called from behind.
"I challenge you for a duel."
Akamir sighed.
---
'Why do idiots always drag me into this?'
Akamir turned in his chair at the sound of the challenge.
Arthur stood there, glaring at him while his voice had already gathered everyone's attention.
"Arthur?" Zaina looked up, surprised. "What are you doing?"
Arthur didn't look at her. "Something I should've done a long time ago."
"What—?"
"Don't worry," he said. "I'll keep you safe."
'..Ahh, idiot.'
Akamir rubbed his temple, trying not to groan out loud.
He knew getting involved with Zaina would bring trouble.
'But this much? Really?'
"Kyuu~."
Ella purred at Zaina's lap making him look at her.
"I refuse," Akamir said flatly.
"W-What?" Arthur blinked. "Don't you have any pride!?"
"Fuck off," Akamir muttered. "I don't want to."
"You can't just—!"
"I can," Akamir interrupted, already tired. "Unless someone of higher rank asks me to fight, I'm not obligated."
A voice rang out before he could regret his words.
"Then I'll ask."
Akamir turned to look at Camila who stood nearby, smiling.
"I'm a rank higher. I want to see it."
He wanted to refuse but was tied by his own words.
'Alright, let's get this over with.'
Akamir stood up and Zaina immediately grabbed his arm.
"Asher," she whispered. "He doesn't mean it—"
"I do!" Arthur yelled. "I mean every word! And I'll beat him!"
Akamir gently loosened her grip. "Don't worry," he said, smiling faintly. "I'll go easy on him."
Before she could respond, he turned and stepped into the open.
'Alright, how should I make an example out of him.'
He took off his jacket, rolled his sleeves.
The crowd backed away, giving them space.
"Give them swords."
Camila said and the royal knights obeyed without hesitation.
Akamir caught the sword tossed his way.
He guiltily looked at Camila.
'She has more influence than I thought. Even the knights listen to her like she's in charge.'
"I'll make sure you regret going near her," Arthur said, drawing Akamir's attention back.
"....Yeah."
'Is he drunk?' Akamir wondered. 'Not that it changes anything.'
Camila raised her hand from where she sat.
"Get ready."
She said giving them time to get in position before letting the silence settle.
"Start!"
The moment Camila's hand dropped, Arthur lunged.
It was a wild charge, emotional, clumsy, and exactly what Akamir expected.
Akamir didn't even bother to raise his sword.
He stepped aside, letting Arthur stumble forward, then struck the back of his leg with the flat of his blade.
Arthur stumbled, nearly falling to his knees.
Laughter rippled through the crowd.
'What a pain.'
Arthur growled and turned, swinging recklessly.
Akamir parried twice, then twisted his wrist, knocking the blade aside.
He stepped in and drove the hilt into Arthur's chest.
Arthur gasped, breath knocked from his lungs as he staggered back.
Akamir waited for him to get up without moving.
Arthur came again, furious, swinging wide.
Akamir ducked and kicked him sharply in the shin.
Arthur fell, gasping.
The crowd fell silent.
"Get up, Arthur," Akamir said quietly. "We're not done yet."
"...Fuck."
Arthur growled, raising his hand.
A magic circle began to form.
'Finally.'
Akamir thought.
'A good study material.'
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Show menu NOVEL BIN5Novel Crownless Reincarnation: New World? Nah I'd win Chapter 63: Brithday [5]CROWNLESS REINCARNATION: NEW WORLD? NAH I'D WINC63: Brithday [5]
Chapter 63: Brithday [5]
'Finally.'
Akamir thought.
'A good study material.'
Arthur's palm lit up with a faint orange glow as the magic circle bloomed to life in the air above it.
The lines pulsed with unstable mana, wild and raw, clearly affected by his emotions.
'It's so clumsy and weak.'
Akamir could already see the gaps in its structure, the uneven lines, the rushed layering.
That spell was meant to do damage, with no thought about safety.
The circle crackled and a firebolt rushed towards him.
'That doesn't seem too dangerous.'
Akamir didn't bother raising his sword.
He lifted his hand slightly, and the table beside him shuddered as he used telekinesis.
It lurched into the air, floating between him and the spell, catching the firebolt head-on.
Flames burst against the wood, burning the surface, but the rest of the attack died out harmlessly.
"Fight me like a man!"
Arthur yelled as another circle flared in his hand, and this one was larger.
"There is a difference between stupid and bravery." Akamir replied, tilting his head. "And in you, all I see is stupidity."
"Shut up!"
Another sphere of fire rushed towards Akamir, a lot larger than before.
'What a pain.'
Akamir exhaled.
Two moves and Akamir could already determine that Arthur wasn't worth much.
He stretched his hand out again, and a nearby chair rattled and launched upward, intercepting the fireball.
'Hmm?'
A piece of stone burst from the flames towards him, but a sharp twist of his wrist sent a tray that was left behind by a passing servant spinning into its path.
Clang!
A loud sound—the tray and the stone dropped harmlessly.
'A sneak attack, huh?'
Akamir thought as he looked back at Arthur.
When the stone didn't work, he began forming another magic circle.
But...
The circle this time was sluggish, and Arthur's hand also trembled.
He was channeling mana through brute force, there was no refinement, no care for efficiency.
It reminded Akamir of someone who had learned to use magic through pain, not guidance.
Another circle flared.
'Still, he's too slow,'
Akamir thought, stepping sideways as the next firebolt hissed past his ear.
He raised his fingers, gently pulling a wine bottle from the table behind him and using it to deflect a wind slash aimed for his torso.
"Why!" Arthur gritted his teeth. "Why are they not working!"
The sword in his hand trembled.
He charged again, but this time, he didn't swing.
He tossed the blade aside.
'Is he really—?'
Arthur's fist clenched, and his knuckles began to glow, leaving a trail.
Mana surged through his arm, coating his skin with a faint bluish hue.
It was crude body enhancement magic—a short burst of speed and strength forced into the body with little regard for balance.
He reached Akamir in a second and threw a punch.
Akamir sidestepped, letting the blow whistle past his jaw.
Another punch followed, this time faster, stronger, but Akamir leaned back just enough for it to miss.
"Stay still, fucker!"
Arthur roared and aimed low, sweeping with a kick.
Akamir caught it on his shin and twisted his foot, locking Arthur's leg and flipping him over.
Arthur hit the ground hard, rolled, and scrambled back up.
His breaths came fast now, ragged, but his eyes blazed with anger.
He rushed again.
'Let's just end this.'
Akamir parried his punch with the flat of his palm, turned Arthur's wrist inward, and landed a clean jab to his ribs.
"Haah!"
Arthur gasped, barely blocking the next strike to his jaw.
He ducked the third and swung his fist wide, but Akamir leaned away, using the momentum to pivot behind him.
He planted his foot into Arthur's back and shoved.
Arthur stumbled forward, stopping himself from falling.
The crowd had long fallen silent, left in disbelief at how easily Arthur was getting beaten up.
Most of them couldn't do that, with how Akamir was doing.
Only the sound of footfalls, breathing, and the light hum of mana remained in the garden.
Arthur came again, more desperate than ever, throwing wild punches charged with mana.
Akamir caught one, twisted it, and sent a pulse of his own mana into Arthur's arm to numb it.
The next punch was slower and more sloppy.
Akamir caught it as well and used the force to spin.
He pivoted sharply, stepping to the side and grabbing Arthur's coat mid-spin.
In one swift motion, he hurled him across the stone courtyard.
Arthur flew backward, completely off balance.
Akamir's sword came with him—hovering in the air, drawn forward by telekinesis.
As Arthur hit the base of a marble statue, the blade followed brutally after him.
Crack.
"ARGHHH!!!"
Arthur screamed as pain assaulted his mind.
The sword pierced through his hand, nailing it to the base of the statue.
His body slumped, the pain hitting him fully a second later.
Everyone stood frozen.
Akamir didn't speak.
He walked over slowly, calm as ever, and stopped in front of Arthur.
His eyes flicked to the impaled hand, then to Arthur's face.
Arthur's lips trembled, breath catching in his throat.
"Don't challenge people when you're not ready," Akamir said quietly.
He stepped back, letting the royal knights rush forward.
Camila rose from her seat, finally smiling.
"I think that's enough."
The knights hesitated, then moved to pull the sword free.
"Argh."
Arthur cried out again as his hand was released.
Zaina covered her mouth, horror in her eyes.
Akamir turned his back without another word, rolling down his sleeves and picking up his coat.
He looked over at Ella, who had hopped off Zaina's lap and padded over to him, rubbing her head against his leg.
He crouched to lift her, cradling her in one arm.
Zaina walked forward, reaching for him. "Asher—"
"I'm fine," he said simply, cutting her off.
Her concern turned into a glare as she looked back at Arthur. "You said you would go easy on him."
Akamir looked at her. "I did go easy. Otherwise, he would be dead by now."
Zaina's lips trembled at the word 'dead.' "W-wait, you can't kill him! He is like my brother."
He looked at her for a second, then walked off without another glance.
"That's why he isn't dead," he said, walking away. "Better explain to him why he shouldn't go out of his boundaries."
'Still, he is pathetic.'
Akamir thought as he glanced up where Nayomi was floating.
"Was he really closest to the male lead in the novel?" Akamir asked, as Ella jumped on his head, laying comfortably.
"The novel was a tragedy," Nayomi replied. "If he was strong, then he could have actually helped her."
"...So, he is weak so Zaina could get more tortured?" Akamir mumbled, rubbing his chin. "Huh, that's not a bad explanation."
Nayomi didn't reply as she floated close to him.
Akamir stopped right at the entrance of the garden as he leaned against the wall.
He planned to stay for a little longer until Zaina returns back to the academy dormitory.
'Just in case something happened....'
---
SLAM!!
The door of a luxurious room slammed open as a boy angrily rushed inside.
His short blonde hair was a mess, and his dark blue eyes had only anger in them.
"FUCK!"
Lucien cursed aloud as he grabbed a chair and slammed it into the bed.
The chair splintered against the edge of the bedframe, wooden shards scattering across the carpeted floor.
Lucien paced the room like a caged beast, chest heaving, fury radiating from every movement.
"That bastard humiliated me in front of everyone!"
Lucien couldn't understand why.
What changed in Asher?
The boy who was always walking behind him like a loyal dog began to stand up against him.
"And that bastard looked at him as if I am lesser than him!"
His fists trembled as he turned to face the full-length mirror mounted near the dresser.
"Me? I am the greatest person in this kingdom, and yet he dares!"
Lucien slammed his fist into the wall, a loud thud echoing through the room.
"He stopped you from doing something stupid."
A voice echoed, and a man clad in full-body armour walked inside the room.
"A prince marrying a baron's daughter? Don't make me laugh."
Lucien turned to look at the man who closed the door behind him.
He was the same man that Akamir deemed dangerous at the first encounter.
Lucien's scowl deepened at the man's words, but he didn't speak right away.
"Don't mock me, Caldron," Lucien growled, but the tremor in his voice betrayed the insecurity underneath.
Caldron removed his helmet slowly, revealing a sharp face with eyes like obsidian and long, elongated ears.
One glance was enough to tell he was an elf.
"I'm not mocking you," Caldron replied coolly. "I'm telling you the truth. That girl will ruin your future."
Lucien clenched his jaw. "I love her."
Caldron snorted. "You don't know what love is. This is just plain obsession."
A heavy and tense silence lingered between them.
Lucien finally broke it, his voice low. "Why are you here?"
"To remind you of the deal," Caldron spoke slowly.
"You see, my master—the Royal Advisor of Elves, won't like you losing your position as the new king now."
Lucien's breathing calmed slightly, but his glare didn't waver. "I want Asher dead."
"Too easy," Caldron replied. "Buy why don't you break him before killing him."
Lucien stood still. "How?"
Caldron rubbed his sharp jaw.
"You said he framed his brother," he said, smiling.
"How about we use it against him?"
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