Eventually, we make our way out to the field, surrounding Beksiński and Yenn.
They both sign the contract and place two gold coins on the paper. The domain opens, blocking out the class.
"Remember, the battle ends when one side says they concede.... take that as you will. Now, if both sides are ready!"
Yenn gives a confident smirk. From what I remember, his Helminth had something to do with wind manipulation. He prepares to strike, readying his sword.
The loudspeaker jumps as it counts down.
Beksiński is awkwardly standing there, looking as if he pities Yenn.
Yenn notices this, which only enrages him even further.
"BEGIN!!"
Yenn dashes at Beksiński.
Meanwhile Beksiński calmly and slowly lifts their hand. "We only see illusions."
Yenn suddenly freezes as if he can't move, the other students stand there confused. Some of his friends begin banging on the domain as if they were chimps in a cage, making noise just to be heard.
"Get him Yenn! Why are you just standing there?!"
"Yo? Is he good?"
Roulette turns to me. "Hmm.. looks like a mental ability, how creepy. I wonder how many people it can work on at once? What do you think, Saint?"
Her acting is impressive, but it's not good enough. I already know that her ability is also in the mental genre. While I don't know exactly what it is, she's given me enough hints to connect, at least that.
Watching Beksiński I almost give a wide grin in excitement. Luckily, my body corrects itself, and I remain neutral. "What a magnificent tool," I whisper to myself.
Roulette pokes my side. "Did you hear me, Saint? I sai-"
"Yes, it certainly seems to be a one-sided fight."
"Ehh? You think so? Mental abilities are usually pretty weak with outside interference. They can be easily interrupted."
"Is that so? You make it sound like you speak from experience." I turn to her with a confident, curious look.
She giggles as she speaks in a mockingly playful tune. "You still don't know my power." She seductively crawls her fingers up my chest. "But...I know... all about... yours."
I look at her with dead eyes. "Is that so?" Even I don't know the extent of my power.
Our conversation is cut short as we both turn our heads as screams are heard from Yenn.
"Nooo... don't... stop!.... Don't crawl in there! Get out of my skinnnn!! Stop bitting!! Yahhh!"
The whole class looks in fear and confusion.
My eyes widen, and I, too, feel for a moment...fear. Those damn screams. I remember those screams all too well from my time in the asylum...from Mom. It would happen at night. It was always the bugs or piercing gaze that would never lose focus. I thought those days were over, but it appears that the instilled fear has not subsided.
The moment passes, and once again, my body corrects itself, my neutral face returning. Luckily, it doesn't appear that Roulette saw my mental breakdown; I would have never heard the end of it.
A loud tearing noise is heard as Yenn begins to peel off his own skin as he claws at the imaginary bugs.
His eyes return as if he has regained consciousness from the dream he was having. "Wha- what happened?" He turns to Beksiński. "You bastard! What did you do to me?!" Yenn begins to charge at him.
Beksiński, who is standing there, still pitying him, lifts his hand once more.
"You bitch! Don't you dare do it agai-!"
As though he is put back into the nightmare, Yenn stands still.
Beksiński turns to the class, who looks at him with fear. He mumbles under his breath."Don't look at me like that. I'm sorry, I'm sorry."
He glumly grabs a Hatchet from a nearby stump.
It appears as though people are only just now realizing there was an axe there. "What?! Why is there just a hatchet there?"
Silho turns. "Every inch of this school is a battlefield. Now I ask you, would you not find guns in a war zone?"
Beksiński drags the axe behind him, it taps along the ground.
Yenn is crawling around aimlessly "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, just stop looking at me like that?! No more, no more!" Yenn is lying on the ground, as he mumbles to himself.
Beksiński lifts up the axe. "I promise I will help you find your textbook." With that, Beksiński swings down.
Roulette watches the fight with a surprising amount of focus, as her tone is serious rather than her usual annoying, confident one. "It only hurt for a moment. The moment the axe touches the nape of his neck, only then will he realize his life is ending."
"Is that so Miss Mental Ability?" I scoff.
"What?! Shut up! That's not my power."
"Hmm? I think I hit the nail on the head."
"Well, too bad you're wrong! I have the ability to be irresistible to men."
"Well, if that's your power, then it doesn't work all that well."
A loud clunk is heard as the axe hits the ground.
Yenn's head rolls, and blood splatters onto the domain. The rest of the class panics. Beksiński continues on chopping. Some of my classmates begin to vomit as they shake in fear.
"I knew challenges could be rough. But this... this is just murder."
"Oh god! This is awful!"
Beksiński looks towards Silho for confirmation that he's properly done his job.
Silho nods and faces the class, clapping to get our attention. "Alright, everyone! Shows over, get to writing those papers. I'm going to bring Yenn to the nurse's office. Can we get a round of applause for Beksiński!"
No one claps except Roulette. "Nice kill!"
After the duel, we return to class. No one was able to write their report out of this newfound fear, yet again, Roulette the outlier.
She shows me her paper. It quite literally says *Beksiński used his power and won.*
Somehow, she manages to look proud of her work. "What do you think, Saint?"
"Not bad, Shakespeare," I state.
"Shakes spear? Is that a famous Luminary?... who names themselves after the weapon they use?"
The classroom has changed after the duel.
I watch as two people bump into one another, apologizing profusely to one another.
Over the next few days, everyone is far more careful with their words. They never speak out of line nor challenge anyone. The class realizes that this school is not as merry as they initially believed. And now, everyone fears Beksiński, which works well for me.