Chapter 14: Duel of Wits and Pride
The morning sun blazed across the crystal domes of Aetherian Academy, bathing Arena Twelve in golden light. Dozens of students gathered in stadium seats to watch the first official tactical simulation of the season.
In the center, the instructor paced beside a glowing map of moving pieces — soldiers, cavalry, archers.
"Today," he announced, "we demonstrate advanced predictive combat. Our brave volunteer… will face me."
The crowd gasped. The instructor, a veteran from the border wars, rarely stepped into simulations himself. He looked down at the list.
"Andrew. You passed with an S-Rank. Let's see if it was luck."
Andrew, standing near the edge of the field, closed his notebook and walked forward calmly.
"I've been waiting for a real challenge," he said with a faint smile. "At least now I have a great opponent."
The crowd fell silent.
Simulation: Instructor vs. Andrew
The map lit up. The instructor deployed a three-layered front — cavalry shielding artillery, scouts placed in hidden flanks, with magic units rotating on pre-set patterns.
Andrew blinked once.
"Feint left. Pull cavalry into trap. Burn his supplies from the rear."
"Split center line. Form hammer loop using the terrain ridge."
"Trigger morale collapse through psychological distraction."
"Engage and collapse."
Simulation Concluded
Winner: Andrew (Tactical Efficiency: 94% | Damage Sustained: Minimal)
Gasps echoed.
The instructor frowned, arms crossed, before smirking. "Hmph. Not bad… You might actually belong here."
Andrew gave a half-bow. "I'll take that as a compliment."
Mario's Challenge
Mario crossed his arms and stepped forward from the crowd.
"Okay, genius. You beat the instructor. How about us?"
Andrew tilted his head. "Us?"
"You vs. all five of us," Mario said with a cocky grin. "If we win, you owe me half your stipend for the next two months and—"
He glanced at the others.
"—you carry my bag after classes. And no skipping lunch duty."
Andrew raised a brow. "That's quite the… extortion plan."
Then Caroline stepped forward, arms folded but a teasing smile on her lips.
"And if we win, you become my…" she leaned forward, whispering, "…playboy—" she paused dramatically, "…servant."
Andrew coughed. "I… beg your pardon?"
Emma giggled. "I want him to do my healing practice reports."
Lena cracked her knuckles. "He's cleaning my boots. Every week. With magic or with spit, his choice."
Sofia adjusted her glasses. "He's reorganizing my aura notes in alphabetical order. Double-sided."
Mario patted Andrew on the back. "So? Do you surrender, or do we fight?"
Andrew looked over the group — smirking now.
"You all really think five-to-one is fair?"
"…I agree."
The Duel Begins
[Duel Initiated – Team Format]
Andrew (Solo) vs. Hero Party (Mario, Caroline, Emma, Lena, Sofia)
Time Limit: 15 minutes or until incapacitation
Caroline opened with a sweeping dash, blade aimed for Andrew's shoulder. He dodged effortlessly, spinning her momentum toward Mario, who was rushing in from the right.
"Too open," Andrew muttered. He grabbed Mario's collar mid-step and pivoted, tossing him into the shield Lena raised.
Sofia activated her aura burst — but Andrew had already repositioned, vanishing into a mist of minor illusions.
"Got him!" Emma cast a radiant trap, locking down his last position. The trap glowed—and shattered.
[System Notification: Counterspell – Phantom Swap (Lv. 4)]
Andrew emerged behind Emma, placing a palm on her shoulder gently.
"You're out."
Emma – Eliminated
Picking Them Off
Lena charged next, hammer spinning — but Andrew rolled beneath the swing and kicked her back.
Sofia tried pinning his aura again, but Andrew cast a delayed reflection, bouncing it back on her — a move nobody had ever seen before.
Sofia – Eliminated
Lena – Stunned
Caroline engaged him in a rapid flurry of blades — she was quick, faster than before. For a moment, she almost landed a hit—
Andrew's voice dropped as their blades locked.
"You've improved, Caroline."
She flushed briefly.
He leaned closer.
"But not enough."
He flipped her sword from her grip with a twist of his own and tapped her on the forehead.
Caroline – Eliminated
The Final Duel: Mario vs. Andrew
Mario steadied his blade, panting.
"You're a monster, Andrew."
Andrew smiled, calm and cold.
"I'm a student."
They clashed, blow for blow. Mario was stronger physically — he poured everything into each strike.
Andrew dodged with minimal motion. Watching. Calculating.
"You're two steps late," Andrew muttered.
"Shut up and fight!"
"Your footwork's too heavy—"
Mario swung.
"—your posture drops—"
Another swing.
"—you blink before feinting—"
Andrew: Counterstrike – Blade Coil (Lv. 6)
Mario's sword clattered to the ground.
Mario – Eliminated
Aftermath
The crowd erupted in stunned silence — then applause.
Andrew turned, brushing back his hair as the instructor nodded with a tight smirk.
Caroline walked past Mario and muttered, "So… now we have to carry his stuff?"
Andrew winked. "Shall I start calling you my princess again, Caroline?"
Caroline rolled her eyes. "Only if you survive the next team match."