"RienStan, I, Damon Mick, challenge you to a duel in the name of a warrior!"
Damon's words immediately brought Rien to a halt.
A duel!
This term, both familiar and unfamiliar to Rien, echoed in his mind.
Among the nobles, duels were divided into life-and-death duels and honor duels.
As the name suggests, a life-and-death duel results in the victor's survival and the loser's death. Such duels generally arose from irremediable hatred between the two parties.
On the other hand, an honor duel spared the lives of the contestants; the victor would claim the honor of the defeated. Furthermore, the victor could demand any service from the loser, as long as it did not harm the interests of their family or the empire. The loser, however, could not refuse; refusal would lead to the curse of the deity sworn to, rendering them powerless for life.
Rien and Damon shared no such deep enmity.
Damon would not wish for Rien's death simply because Rien confessed his love to Sophia, and the Mick family would never condone such an act.
Thus, Damon's challenge was an honor duel, though he subtly omitted the word "honor."
Damon's challenge drew a crowd of academy students, who gathered and began to whisper excitedly.
"It's Rien and Damon! Who would have thought they'd clash?"
"Of course! Everyone knows about Rien's grand, public confession to Sophia two days ago. And Damon, being Sophia's top suitor… I wonder what kind of sparks will fly between them."
The crowd grew eager for the spectacle, and the murmurs grew louder.
"A duel!"
"A duel!!"
"A duel!!!"
Rien stared at the pointed tip of Damon's sword, about to speak, when suddenly, a figure emerged from the crowd and stepped in front of him, completely blocking his view.
"What do you think you're doing, Damon? If you have a problem with me, don't lay a finger on my young master."
The person was Jonathan Rivera, a commoner student whom Rien's family had taken under their wing at the academy.
This was because Rien had once saved Jonathan's mother by chance, and since then, the talented warrior had followed Rien wherever he went.
When Rien peeked at the female teachers bathing, Jonathan stood lookout.
When Rien fought, Jonathan was the first to strike.
Thus, Jonathan had earned the nickname "the ruffian mutt" in the academy.
Jonathan's massive frame completely shielded Rien from view. His warrior talent was formidable, just below the level of Sophia's, the academy's brightest genius. With the support of the Stan family, Jonathan had reached the advanced level of a First-Class Warrior.
Damon, confronted by Jonathan's imposing presence, found himself at a loss. He had not forgotten the times Jonathan had beaten him before. Turning toward the hidden Rien, he sneered,
"Rien, I'm challenging you to a duel, not him—don't hide behind this coward!"
Rien pushed gently against Jonathan, but could not budge him. Sighing, he stepped out from behind Jonathan.
Jonathan, seeing this, attempted to dissuade him. "Young master…"
Rien waved him off.
The onlookers marveled as Rien stepped confidently from behind Jonathan. Many couldn't help but admire Rien's striking appearance.
No wonder Rien had such a notorious reputation, yet still managed to attract the affections of younger female students.
Rien, with all eyes on him, slowly removed his white glove from his left hand and tossed it toward Damon.
"A duel? I'll grant your wish."
Damon's heart leapt as the glove landed in front of him. He couldn't help but smirk—provocation still worked.
He swiftly removed his own glove and threw it back at Rien.
The conditions were set, and the duel was confirmed.
Rien, unconcerned by Jonathan's anxious gaze, looked at Damon and said,
"Tomorrow at noon, we shall meet at the duel grounds."
The challenged party had the right to choose the time and location of the duel.
Damon sheathed his sword. "Fine." With that, he turned and left.
Rien, accompanied by Jonathan, made his way toward the Mage Tower.
The crowd quickly dispersed, each person eager to spread the news of the upcoming duel.
Even some professors and teaching assistants were stirred and began to prepare the duel grounds.
In the Dean's Office
Dean Tangwood Ever was napping when he was suddenly awakened by the excited cries of students below.
"Jenny, what's going on outside? Why is the academy so lively today?"
Jenny Hines, the dean's secretary, opened the office door and reported,
"It seems Damon is challenging Rien to a duel, and Rien has accepted. They've agreed to meet tomorrow at noon in the duel grounds."
Tangwood immediately sat up, energized by the news.
"Oh? That little imp, Rien, actually accepted? Looks like tomorrow is going to be a spectacle."
"Well, it's a good thing it's him. The academy would be dead without his antics." Tangwood sighed,
He didn't think Rien was a thoroughly wicked child. When he was young, he had also peeped at girls bathing and gotten into brawls. Such behavior was hardly a flaw in his eyes.
Just then, a finch landed on his desk. Tangwood cupped it in his hands and listened to its chirping.
The bird seemed to have something to tell him. Tangwood nodded along,
"Oh? Is that so? Today's lace is white, you say?"
Jenny's face immediately flushed red. She hastily crossed her legs and clutched her short skirt, glaring with embarrassment at the person and his mouse who were whispering nearby.
"Bang!!"
She stormed out of the office, slamming the door behind her.
Jenny, her face still burning, walked swiftly down the hallway, her expression a mixture of fury and frustration.
Passing students could only shake their heads in resignation.
"Miss Jenny must've been spied on again by the dean."
"Yeah, the dean's always such a rogue."
On the Way to the Mage Tower
Rien and Jonathan walked toward the Mage Tower. Jonathan, still anxious, spoke up,
"Master, why did you agree to duel Damon? You're barely First-Class."
Jonathan was unaware of Rien's true rank.
Rien had learned a spell called "Silent Magic" from his vast collection of spell books.
By expending small amounts of magical power continuously, he could conceal his rank.
As long as no one with special detection abilities was nearby or facing someone much stronger, the spell would remain undetected.
Rien dispelled the Silent Magic and lightly patted Jonathan on the back. Jonathan, a First-Class Advanced Warrior, immediately sensed Rien's true level.
A First-Class Apprentice Mage.
Jonathan raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Master, you've advanced to First-Class?"
His joy quickly turned to concern.
"Master, although you've reached First-Class Mage, Damon has been stuck in the Middle-Class Warrior tier for a long time. This…"
Though Jonathan didn't voice his concerns, Rien understood the unspoken worry: the issue of whether or not he could defeat Damon.
Rien casually patted Jonathan's broad shoulder.
"Don't worry, trust your master. Tomorrow, I'll show you the true extent of my abilities."
Jonathan, not knowing what else to say, could only silently hope that Rien would live up to his promise.
When they reached the Mage Tower, Jonathan parted ways with Rien, as he wasn't a mage and had no classes to attend there.
Although magic wasn't the main focus of training, magical devices still held great influence within the empire.
To attract mages from all corners of the land, the Mage Tower was built lavishly.
The tower was made entirely of dark blue marble, embedded with magical crystals that shimmered in the sunlight, casting brilliant, multi-colored beams.
As Rien entered the tower, the spacious hall's smooth obsidian floors reflected his handsome face.
In the center of the hall floated an ancient magical core, slowly and rhythmically spinning.
Rien walked through the hall, ascending the spiral staircase, each step carved with intricate patterns that told of its noble history.
Upon reaching the third floor, he entered a familiar research room.