Suddenly, the atmosphere in the room shifted, and a suffocating pressure dropped like a mountain onto our shoulders.
Ivory and her lackeys went pale under the pressure.
I gritted my teeth and snapped towards Fredric.
His body was shrouded in a wave of crimson, golden-tinted aura. His hair and coat fluttered in the air as though caught in a storm.
"Am I so insignificant," he said quietly, "that you would dare to act as if I'm not even here?" His gaze was sharp, and his tone threatening.
The boy I had just kicked dropped to his knees.
"I'm sorry, sir! I couldn't hold myself after observing the bastard acting so arrogantly without remorse for his actions." He pleaded, "I lost control. I promise that I won't repeat it again!"
Fredric looked at him briefly. He dispelled his aura.
He nodded, "You will not get a second chance."
The boy shivered. He swiftly nodded in understanding. "Y-yes. Instructor!"
Fredric turned to me. "Ezekiel, are you certain that you would rather wait for the lie detector to be fixed than accept your crimes? The longer this crime remains unsolved, the heavier the punishment will be if it is proven that you are, in fact, guilty."
He crossed his arms.
"Not only would this affect you, but it will also reflect poorly on me as your instructor and your fellow classmates on the Magical Swordsman Path."
I met his eyes. "Yes, I'm certain," I nodded.
The room seemed to hold its breath.
Fredric was silent, scrutinising me with a disguised glare from head to toe.
Then, he nodded. "Very well. We'll wait for the official investigation. I will inform the Student Council and the Instructor Committee." he responded, his sharp voice slicing through the silence.
"Thank you, Fredric," I responded, my voice filled with feigned gratitude.
I inclined my head just slightly.
"I also want to ask for this matter to be kept confidential until then."
I needed time to figure out who the culprits pulling the strings from behind were and how to deal with them.
I didn't want my journey as a Hero to end prematurely due to a fabricated lie.
Before Fredric could respond, Ivory raised her hand.
"I have something to say."
Fredric focused on her and nodded approvingly.
"At least one of you knows how to show respect to their instructor," he said.
"Go ahead, speak," he commanded.
Ivory broke free from the comforting hands of the remaining boys beside her and stepped towards us.
Arriving before Fredric, she bowed and said, "It's going to be difficult for me to keep this secret. After what I've been through, the thought of a person so utterly detestable mingling among my classmates is more than I can tolerate." Her voice trembled. She looked up.
Her expression was filled with theatrical sorrow.
"However, I will try to endure it, but only under one condition."
I frowned.
I certainly didn't like where this was heading.
Fredric glanced my way before refocusing on Ivory. He responded, "What is this condition? I will allow it as long as it's reasonable."
Ivory straightened her back. She nodded.
She looked in my direction before refocusing back on Fredric. "I want to challenge Ezekiel Zahara to a duel. If he wins, I will do my best to keep this matter a secret until the proper investigation has been carried out."
She paused and then continued, "But if he loses, he will make an announcement himself about what has happened in front of the entire academy."
Fredric contemplated for several seconds before nodding.
"I think that is a good idea." He nodded in agreement with her proposition.
"Ezekiel, what do you accept Ivory's proposal?" he asked, his gaze narrowed.
I could sense the amusement in his words as he observed me, awaiting my response.
Ivory was ranked 1st in the official first-year Magical Swordsman ranking. Four months ago, she ranked 2th in the entrance examination assessment.
Meanwhile, I was ranked 40th in the top 50th in the entrance examination assessment. Now, 20th in the official first-year Magical Swordsman ranking.
Though I surpassed her in strength, she outclassed me in terms of combat capabilities.
It's been four months since we joined the academy.
The gap was wide and couldn't be bridged in such a short time, which might be the reason behind her proposal.
But after awakening my Beastmaster Path, along with the same and the system, I was now more powerful than an average awakener on the same level.
However, I couldn't use this path in public yet without risking my life.
My mind spun with other reasons behind her proposal.
"Hey, why are you hesitating? Don't tell me that you are afraid!!" one of the boys shouted, his tone tinged with disdain.
"You dare to assault a woman but are afraid of facing her in battle? You are a coward!" another one scorned.
"It should have been obvious from the start. This is the Zahara Clan's infamous 'Worst One.' Among the descendants of the Zahara Clan, he is the most incompetent!" Another remarked with a sneer.
I glanced at them before refocusing on Ivory.
She met my gaze with a challenging glare.
I turned to Fredric and caught him staring down at me with a contemptuous gaze.
My fist clenched.
I nodded. "I will accept your proposal."
Then, as if to endorse my decision, I heard a sudden -
Ding!
[ Sytem Alert: Pivotal choice detected.
A decision has been made that alters the trajectory of your fate.
Congratulations! You have unlocked the quest function!
You can now grow by completing missions.
Welcome to the path of consequence. ]
[ ◆I want to smash her face.
Quest: You've been falsely accused of sexual assault and challenged to a duel by Ivory.
Reward: +4% Increase in rank (Magical Swordsman Path). +4% Aura minor awakening. ]
I was taken aback by what I had read.
It was a quest.