Episode 664

“…Still, Lee Han, there is a bright side.”

Seeing how depressed Lee Han looked, Gainando hesitantly spoke up.

‘A bright side?’

In this situation, the only bright side Lee Han could see was that they were mistaking him for a White Tiger Tower student…

“What is it?”

“They didn’t find out you’re the principal’s star pupil!”

“……”

The friends nearby were appalled by Gainando’s words.

“Are you insane?”

“Have you lost your mind??”

“Lee Han, Prince Gainando surely meant well! Don’t kill him!”

The friends quickly dragged Gainando away in case Lee Han strangled him.

How could he call that a bright side!

• * *

Palga checked the state of his swordstick.

A cane that became a sword when drawn, this weapon was preferred by White Tiger Tower students like Palga.

A weapon with which you could use both mage magic and knightly swordplay.

Of course, an ordinary swordstick couldn’t serve as a mage’s staff. To make this one, Palga had to spend all his earnings from the duel club, commissions, and even odd jobs for the -Iactus Soup Club-.

It was a painful expense indeed.

He’d even had to beg friends for materials for his research.

But the swordstick was worth every penny. Palga faced off against Lord Chelese.

Today Palga’s opponent was Lord Chelese.

‘Focus.’

Palga tried to forget about Professor Voladi, and the fact that Voladi even had a disciple at all.

If he couldn’t clear his mind before a duel, he’d never win.

‘…But seriously, how did he become Voladi’s disciple??’

But the thoughts kept worming up from below.

He really, really wanted to know!

‘Focus, focus. Chelese is a swift-sword type. The boots twist sideways, then he lunges left like he’s teleporting. It’s a quirky step, but if I know it, I can block. Cover the left, cast -Arm of Steel- right after. Then I can ignore defense—’

“Forward, please.”

The marshal came out and summoned them.

He succinctly explained the duel club’s rules.

No killing, duel ends the moment anyone is wounded, be honorable…

But neither fighter was listening.

Before a duel, you could only see your opponent.

“Begin!”

As soon as the handkerchief dropped, the clash was on.

Lord Chelese unleashed deadly, sharp swordplay; Palga gritted his teeth, parrying and counterattacking.

In under a minute, each had exchanged dozens of attacks.

“Ugh!”

“!”

And luck favored Palga that day.

Chelese was wounded in the arm and retreated.

‘I won!’

“Winner, Palga of the Ukim family!”

Palga unconsciously made a fist.

Lord Chelese had not been an easy foe.

The club mage and alchemist rushed over to check and heal them both.

“That was incredible, Senior!”

“Amazing!”

In the cheers from the stands, Palga recognized his juniors’ voices.

Winning was always satisfying, but today the cheers felt extra special.

‘So that’s it. Maybe because they’re fellow Einrogard students cheering!’

“Thank you, all. Didn’t realize it, but it’s nice having juniors watch—”

“Your reaction was slow after the start.”

“……”

On his way to the spectators, Professor Voladi spoke coldly to Palga.

Lee Han wasn’t surprised, but the other friends stared at the professor’s back in horror.

Does this man have no heart at all?!

“Lord Chelese uses two footwork styles. You only identified one. If he’d used the other, you’d have lost.”

“I… Is that so?”

Even as he reeled, Palga was amazed.

He’d thought he’d read Lord Chelese’s movements perfectly, but apparently there was something more.

Indeed, Professor Voladi’s dueling skill was real, even if he was an infamous vampire monster.

“You cast -Arm of Steel-.”

“Yes. I wanted to block and seize first strike—”

“Too slow and too weak.”

Professor Voladi critiqued Palga’s spell.

Too slow and weak, it hadn’t stopped the force of the attack, and now Palga’s left arm was numb.

“I… I see.”

“If he’d pierced you, you’d be finished.”

“Right.”

At the professor’s pointers, Palga meekly acknowledged. And Professor Voladi continued listing all Palga’s little mistakes.

Every criticism was valid and spot-on, which amazed Palga.

‘Amazing!’

He’d always been afraid, but in this open space, surrounded by people and with no way to trap him, Professor Voladi didn’t seem so terrifying.

Instead, his perspective as a veteran duelist was impressive.

Palga reconsidered.

Maybe he and the other duel club kids only feared Voladi too much because of those three nightmare days shut inside with him.

In fact, Professor Voladi might be the sociable type who’d even treat first-years to dinner.

“…Thank you, Professor.”

“It’s not over.”

“Sorry?”

“-Blink- at 18 seconds was a mistake.”

“Uh, but— but that helped me block his attack.”

“He was faking, trying to bait your counter. If you’d fallen for it, you were done.”

“I see…”

“And then…”

Professor Voladi started listing Palga’s mistakes from head to toe.

At first, Palga’s face shown with satisfaction at his win and gratitude for the advice—but then he blushed and teared up.

‘I’m trash! I only won out of luck!’

“Shouldn’t someone stop him?”

“If we do, what if he attacks us?”

“Lee Han—Lee Han… Wait, where’s Lee Han?”

While his friends looked for Lee Han to intervene, they realized he’d vanished.

To their surprise, Lee Han had gone to the marshal.

“Yes, please begin the next duel. Thank you.”

Instead of stopping Professor Voladi, it was much easier on his nerves to just hurry the next duel along.

• * *

Palga calmed down a bit after drinking the hot tea his juniors brought him.

“…Thank you, both. What a mess I was.”

“No, senior, anyone would’ve cried in that situation.”

‘Except for Lee Han…’

His friends all thought at once, but said nothing for Palga’s sake.

Luckily, Professor Voladi had gone to prep for his duel.

Relieved, Palga sniffled.

“…Did I really seem as clumsy as all that?”

“No!”

“You were amazing!”

“I always thought White Tiger Tower kids just got beat up, but actually— mmph.”

“Sigh. Yes, anyone must look lacking in Professor Baegrek’s eyes.”

‘Except Lee Han…’

Again, all his friends simultaneously thought it.

Recovered a little, Palga now turned to his earlier doubt.

“Wait. Why is Professor Baegrek even dueling? Is he practicing here or something?”

“Uh, well…”

“He… has a hobby of going from duel club to duel club,” Yoner said on everyone’s behalf, in the nicest possible way.

Sounded a bit odd, but Palga accepted it.

With skills like his, such a hobby wasn’t so strange.

“Maybe that’s why he’s so strong.”

‘It’s for the money…’

“Wait—then the monster member who showed up yesterday—was that the professor too?!”

“Probably, yeah.”

“Why does he duel so much?”

Palga couldn’t understand.

Dueling was supposed to be about pure battles with equals.

But with the professor’s skills, that was impossible—and there was no reason to duel so often.

The juniors all went silent.

“The winner is Voladi of the Baegrek family!”

Sure enough, Professor Voladi finished his match in a flash. Palga was even more puzzled.

Why?

“Gasp!”

“What’s wrong, senior?”

Deorgyu was surprised at Palga’s shock.

When Professor Voladi was right there, but the senior still managed to be startled?

“Count Semten!”

“Who’s that? I’m not from around here…”

“It’s not estates and family that matter in this club, junior! Skill is all that matters. And as far as I know, Count Semten is the best here. He hardly ever even shows up!”

Palga spoke with burning passion.

His own ultimate goal was Count Semten.

Not this break, but before graduation—he wanted to sharpen himself so he could beat Count Semten.

Count Semten strode with graceful poise across the club to the marshal and muttered something, gesturing to Professor Voladi, but the marshal refused with a troubled look.

—Why!?

—Today, your opponent is that boy. No matter how noble you are, the schedule cannot be changed.

—What nonsense! I want to fight the strong. You think that boy is an appropriate match for me?

—Your Excellency, please, this is your own fault for being late. Do not make a fuss!

—Naturally, I assumed I’d be facing him. Why would I fight that boy? He couldn’t have requested me, surely.

—That boy did request you. Now please return to your seat!

“…Uh…”

Palga sensed something odd.

Count Semten’s opponent seemed to be Lee Han.

Wait a sec…?

‘It must be a mistake.’

Professor Voladi set it up himself. He couldn’t possibly have matched Lee Han against Count Semten if he wasn’t insane.

“Senior, what sort of duelist is Count Semten?”

“Semten has a cutlass, a ring, and a cloak that absorb mana. Family treasures, apparently.”

Palga explained the count’s fighting tactics.

He fought nimbly, circling his opponent from the start—this let him absorb mana from the area.

For a mage, this would shut down most spells.

If you tried to break out, he’d block you with the cutlass, which absorbed mana directly. His defensive swordplay was so strong, if you couldn’t break through, you’d just wither away.

“That’s why his nickname is the Vampire—wait!!! Why’s he down there!?”

Lee Han had gone down to face Count Semten.

Surely not—was this junior really the count’s opponent?

“Oh. So he is.”

“Looks like Lee Han drew the count.”

“Can I have another sandwich?”

“Enough, Gainando. Don’t complain about dinner when we get home.”

“No, no, I can handle it.”

“……”

Palga was speechless watching the juniors carry on idly when their friend might get badly hurt.

Th—These rascals!

‘All these first-years are just wicked and ruthless…!’

“Choi! As your fellow White Tiger Tower—”

“It’s fine, senior. Ha ha.”

“……”

‘Even the White Tiger Tower…!’

Palga squeezed his eyes shut.

What had become of the White Tiger Tower!?