The Day Before the Duel
The three-day deadline passed in the blink of an eye.
During that time, the students whispered various rumors about my duel with Walton... but it seemed the story had grown increasingly exaggerated.
"Lake Gallard is apparently challenging Walton Mertzalo to a duel over his sister."
"Sister? He had a sister?"
"Apparently, they were once engaged."
"So, did he enroll in this academy because he couldn't forget his former fiancée?"
"And was the engagement broken off because of the brother’s interference...?"
The leaps in logic were so extreme that I didn't even know where to start correcting them.
First of all, Claire and I were never engaged.
My parents had apparently intended for that to happen in the future, but the Mertzalo family had gently declined.
It could be seen as them respecting Claire’s wishes, as she had distanced herself from others following the kidnapping incident... but something about it felt suspicious.
Also, ever since these rumors began spreading, Connie’s mood had been a bit off.
I had previously asked her to refrain from wearing the magic-sealing stone ring I had given her on her left ring finger, but lately, she had been secretly switching it back on occasion.
I also asked Lucina to subtly caution her, but she only responded with a dead-eyed "Understood."
Yeah, she’s definitely not going to stop Connie.
...Well, whatever.
Everything is for the sake of rescuing Claire.
And so, the day before the duel—the day of the oath ceremony—finally arrived.
◇◇◇
The Royal Fonbart Academy Student Council Room.
It was customary for students who were about to duel to swear their oaths to each other here.
On my side were Connie and Lucina.
On the other side, Walton arrived with more than ten female students in tow.
… Aren't their numbers increasing by the day?
"Quite the large entourage you have, Walton."
"Would you like to join us, Student Council President?"
"I’ll pass."
What an attitude to have toward a lady from one of the three great noble families.
He might think he’s their equal, but that’s only because he’s keeping his sister Claire imprisoned, using her knowledge and skills as if they were his own.
"… How pathetic."
"What!? What did you just say, Lake?"
"Oh, nothing. My thoughts slipped out, that’s all."
"You bastard…!"
Walton’s eyebrow twitched in irritation.
He was easy to read.
Or rather, was his tolerance for provocation really this low?
"If you cannot accomplish anything without relying on your sister’s influence, then defeating me is an impossibility."
"You...! You bastard!"
Walton raised his voice, clearly angered.
Tricia, the Student Council President, quickly stopped him, forcing him to settle down, but it was obvious that I had struck a nerve.
The female students surrounding him also looked displeased, but this was all part of the plan.
The fact that he was even weaker to provocation than I had expected only worked in my favor.
After that, we formally presented our conditions.
I demanded Claire’s freedom—though, phrased that way, it would imply that Walton was indeed keeping her imprisoned.
Instead, I stated that "Claire should be allowed to live her academy life as she wishes."
In response, Walton demanded that I be expelled for insulting him and that I never approach Claire again.
A noble's son or daughter might not have been able to accept such conditions, but I was just an ordinary commoner.
The academy would have no issue granting them.
"I look forward to tomorrow, Walton."
"That’s my line. I’ll make sure you regret this. You should start packing your things now."
"Packing? Isn’t that something *you* should be doing?"
"What!?"
"If I win, you won’t be able to stay at this academy any longer. Claire’s wishes are obvious, and when that happens, you’ll have no place here."
"Hah! You don’t know anything about Claire. She won’t leave the library. She chose to stay there on her own."
"We’ll see if that’s really true after tomorrow’s duel."
Sparks flew between Walton and me.
With everything on the line, tensions had reached their peak on the eve of our duel.
◇◇◇
Meanwhile— at the same time.
In the commercial city of Ganos.
"I'm back, Sister Fino."
"Welcome home, Arze. How did it go?"
"Perfectly! I delivered the Mertzalo family documents I had prepared to Lucina, so by now, they should be in Young master Lake’s hands."
"That’s wonderful. This should give him an advantage in the duel at the academy."
"Honestly, I think Young master Lake could win even without my information."
"That may be true, but if Young master Lake sought your help, it’s only right to meet his expectations."
"I know, I know. Oh, and is it true that the pamphlet about Young master Lake’s greatness is finally finished?"
"Yes. I plan to distribute it at the next gathering. The Ganos branch of the Gallard Company has also offered their assistance."
Unbeknownst to Lake, his name was beginning to spread across the world.
What do you think about this chapter?
