Rufus looked at Grace, analyzing if his composure was shook. However, he simply saw Grace narrow his eyes. Not out of shock, but out of amusement.
He's calm. Rufus thought to himself, observing what Grace would respond with. The eyes of everyone turned towards the handsome boy that stood at the back, now expecting an answer from the Rank 10 student.
Grace kept his gaze even with the platinum-blond boy.
"...I accept."
Albert grinned.
"Wonderful! Well... let us do it directly after these two." He gestured to Ivan and Eavahn.
Grace nodded.
"Very well," Graced spoke. "But... I assume you know the main rule of the duel?" Albert raised his eyebrow.
He shook his head.
"No," he responded truthfully. "I just wanted to fight, frankly." Grace shook his head at the simple words spoken by the boy not too far away from him.
Truthfully, I was surprised and my composure was almost broken. But it is because of the memories of Grace and the experiences embedded into me that I was able to maintain it. Changes in the narrative--they still surprise me. Though it is because they can change that I should remain steadfast. Grace smirked.
"In a duel between combatants," his gaze turned sharp like a knife's edge. "The winner is to take what is a fair reward. After all, that is the right of a victor."
Due to the ignorance of the students in the novel, Ivan did not learn of this rule until after his second duel. In doing so, he missed an opportunity to rob of a person of something precious. Though Grace wondered if that is something Ivan could do this early on in the story.
Albert's grin widened at the thought of a fair reward.
"If that's the case, then even though it'd naturally come to me once I win--your seat of 10 is mine. And yours?"
Grace thought for a moment before shaking his head.
He couldn't think of anything.
"Nothing. There is nothing you have that I desire."
After all, this academy was already doing him a service by providing all the necessary equipment to advancing to the next Grade.
"You're one arrogant guy," Albert chuckled. "Much different from the rumors that surround you." He turned around.
"Remember! Tomorrow at 5 PM in the training hall!" The students dispersed as all that was left was Rufus, Grace, and Ivan. Ivan looked to the side and walked up to Grace and Rufus, bowing his head slightly.
"I'm sorry for dragging into my mess on accident."
Grace shook his head.
"Lift your head. I'll tell you something: only bow your head to those who are worthy of it. And I'll also tell you that there is no student in this entire academy worthy of bowing to. No matter the the year or Grade, we are only students."
Perhaps they think they are bigger than they actually are, but once they step out of this academy and face the real world and the conflict, they'll realize that this academy is merely a safe zone.
"Ah, I see." Ivan nodded his head.
"Still, that guy used the situation and the students to pressure you into accepting."
Grace chuckled.
"That's presumptuous--I didn't feel pressured at all."
"You didn't?"
Rufus laughed at the confusion.
"He had the option to walk away, but he didn't. He seems calm and indifferent, but he the most arrogant guy there is!!" Rufus exclaimed.
Grace couldn't help but reveal a small, thin smile.
He then looked back at Ivan.
"I accepted because I'm confident in winning. Even if I do lose - which... I'll consider the fraction of a possibility - it won't matter in the long run. This school is not the real world, so there is trial and error with a lot of room for mistakes. In the end, when I do eventually become stronger than that guy--a loss against him wouldn't matter, would it?"
As he would be already too far for him to catch up.
"You're right," Ivan agreed, nodding his head. "I think I learned something. Even if there is humility and ridicule, you just push through." He turned around and walked away. Though he did turn around one last time.
"Thank you for the advice, Grace."
Rufus narrowed his eyes at Ivan as the latter's figure retreated. Softly, the wind made the branches and the leaves of the trees in the courtyard sway gently.
"He's interesting," claimed Rufus.
"Oh?"
"Yeah," Rufus' gaze turned to Grace. "You noticed too, right? Despite the kind-hearted nature he's displaying--there is something in those eyes of his."
"A starving wolf."
"Yeah, that's exactly right. In those eyes, is a profound hunger. As long as that hunger exists... change is inevitable." Rufus' eyes were filled with contradiction and conflicted emotions.
That's right... during this time, the politics surrounding the Great Families and the Jade Family of the Jade Empire were starting to heat up. Around the last decade or so, the discussion on who would become the next Emperor or Empress of the world was in discussion.
This is due to the family head of the Jade Family - Elias Jade - had fell ill.
Unfortunately, his death is all but inevitable. The illness is not something that can be cured--it's a curse. And getting rid of it would require my involvement or me pulling some strings. However, the people behind it will undoubtedly catch my meddling. Until he had the strength to change the trajectory of the world, then he had to stay like this.
Grace shot Rufus a quiet glance before turning around.
"We should get going. Lunch will be over before we even get there."
Rufus shook his head rapidly, shaking his thoughts away.
"Yeah... you're right."
~~~
Entering the training facility later that day, Grace was bombarded with brief glances. Not because of his handsome look, but because the rumor of the duel between him and Albert - alongside Ivan and Eavahn - had circled around the school.
Ignoring these looks, Grace immediately entered a training pod. Entering the white space again, Grace closed his eyes and imagined the birth of the world. Opening them back up, he saw egg and the numerous stars and galaxies that circled him.
"It's time to ascend," Grace told himself with finality.
He closed his eyes, evening his heart beats and breathing. A redo was not an option as that was something that would also impact the rewards.
Opening his eyes, his body was entranced by calmness. And his eyes gazed into nothing with a gentle look.
Just like when he first prayed to the Creator, he sauntered his body with elegance. Each movement, each motion, and each word was not once wasted by his Grace. He knew the importance of the ritual and that to obtain the best possible rewards--
Perfection was necessary.
No... not even perfection was enough.
Each word that was spouted had to come from the very depths of his soul. As if it was a last desperation, or a letter to someone he loved that he could not see again.
The Gods were unable to see, however, they could feel and hear everything. Each emotion, and the tempo in which they performed their movements.
"Once more I ask of you
"To allow me to flourish beyond
"In order to witness the heights of creation
"And the world you sowed!"
His body bursted with strength, a bright flash of light engulfing Grace for - what it seemed like - an eternity.
"Huahhh... Huahhh..." Grace's breathing fastened, his heart accelerating. When the light subsided, there was shimmering transient mana flying all around him. His eyes were wide as he felt every cell move.
"And this is only Normal Grade 9?" The boost in strength was incredible, and it was only now was he realizing how much that dummy he beat up paled in comparison to a real, leaving human being who was of the same Grade.
It was night and day.
Grade held his hand out, summoning one blade.
"1.22 seconds. Just a tad-bit faster than I originally aimed for." Before the advancement, Grace had gotten a bit better at controlling his mana and was able to conjure a blade in 1.34 seconds. Which was a massive achievement for him.
A little less mana required and less mana to maintain. Deciding to summon three, the time was reduced to a profound 2.1 seconds. Grace couldn't help but grin at the progress he was making.
My mana reserves got larger too. But not by much. Grace followed this up by attempting to create six total blades. And so another three blades came forth, appearing quickly.
It gets slower the more I try and create. However, this is more than reassuring. Grace thought.
No, this was more than just reassuring.
This was fantastic!