Chapter 16

I was just minding my own business, eating, when suddenly a duel got set up out of nowhere.

It all started on their side when they voiced their discontent, so we had no choice but to respond. But something felt off.

It felt like the roles had flipped. Given the circumstances, our Principal Rod couldn’t exactly step in himself.

Anyway, whether I like it or not, I’ve got to follow the storyline, so I guess I should just consider it an opportunity to make my mark.

Besides, I also need to gauge how strong my own power is. It’s my first time facing a person, not a monster or beast.

“Remember, no killing, alright? Got it?”

“Damn it (got it).”

“Elly said they consider us kin, but I’m a bit worried.”

As we arrived at the training hall to prepare for the duel, Rod kept insisting on that point.

He seems seriously worried that I might accidentally kill Elvin. Can’t blame him.

But the way he emphasized it with all those gestures makes me feel like an absolute fool. He keeps reminding me even after I nod.

‘But why are so many people gathering here?’

United Academy has a separate building for training. It’s more like a coliseum than just a hall.

It was originally meant for entrance exams and events afterward. Since the entrance exam is over, it’s being used for the duel.

Even if it’s not for an event, it’s often used. There’s no better training than a duel for improving skills.

However, if it’s not a duel between prominently known students, I heard there are hardly any spectators.

‘What are they even watching for? Is it because of that guy?’

I looked over at the crowd gathered in the stands. For some reason, people flocked here while I was preparing.

There’s no way rumors spread throughout the Academy that quickly, so it must be mainly due to that Elvin guy.

‘Doesn’t matter.’

All I’ve got to do is face off against a person. That’s it.

To do that, I need to prepare a bit. I followed Rod’s lead and listened to various explanations.

The duel ends if the opponent faints. Killing is absolutely forbidden. If I even show signs of intent to kill, he’ll intervene directly, etc.

Thinking about it, he’s been somewhat nice to me. Maybe he’s just bored and this is a convenient distraction for him.

“Why don’t you pick a weapon you like?”

“Oh…”

I marveled at the array of metal weapons displayed on the racks.

I had only ever used stone axes and stone spears, so seeing metal weapons was a refreshing change.

Will those weapons be able to withstand my magic power? Stone axes and stone spears were like one-time use—they broke every time I used them.

“If you’re indecisive, why not try a sword?”

Rod subtly suggested I use a sword. He must be keen on swords himself since he’s a Sword Saint.

But swinging or stabbing is all I can do. Blunt weapons or spears are definitely much easier for me to handle.

So I gracefully ignored Rod’s subtle sword recommendation and picked up a one-handed axe and a spear of an appropriate size.

“That’s too bad. Don’t you appreciate the elegance of a sword?”

Rod seemed a bit glum at my choice. Why’s an old guy like him getting all mopey?

‘Can’t I take more than this?’

I wanted to grab various weapons just in case, especially one to practice my throwing technique.

Just as I was about to grab some extra weapons, Rod stopped me firmly with a strict voice.

“No. You can only carry two weapons.”

“Damn it (why)?”

“Regulations… It’s pointless to explain. Anyway, it’s not allowed.”

He shook his head, clearly stating his refusal rather than elaborating on the rules.

I didn’t quite get what kind of regulation it could be, but it is what it is. This should be enough for me.

“Maybe I have a habit of collecting them.”

No, that’s not it. I’m just fascinated by metal weapons!

“I’ll remind you again: absolutely no killing. That person is NOT prey. Understand?”

“Damn it (I understand).”

“I accepted this challenge out of curiosity about your skills, but it feels like I might’ve done something unnecessary…”

If you were going to have regrets, you should’ve thought about it sooner. You’re just making it harder for yourself.

I mentally grumbled while following Rod, who decided to serve as the referee for the duel.

Coming from a game where he just sat in the stands munching on popcorn, this is quite the surprising role for him. I have no idea what he’s thinking.

– Is that dude over there?

– Looks like it. Just some guy from the Hwan Empire, right?

– When I first saw him, he seemed like a wildman. Like he just got a haircut.

Once everything was ready, I walked to the center of the arena, and various voices filled my ears.

Unlike the harmony of birds and insects in the forest, this was an entirely different ambiance.

Some gossip even mixed in, which was quite unpleasant. Thanks to my exceptional physical abilities, I could hear everything.

As I quietly followed Rod, I spotted Elvin approaching from the opposite side.

His outfit was noticeably more casual than the first time I saw him. With his good looks, he could pull off anything effortlessly.

‘I remember he uses a sword.’

The sword looks fairly ordinary. But what matters more is what skills he employs while using it.

While my hardware is strong, my fundamentals are incredibly weak. I can’t afford to let my guard down.

“You know killing is off-limits, right? If you show any signs of it, I’ll take action immediately.”

“Understood.”

“Sivar, you too…”

Fine, I get it. I heard the same reiteration enough to block it out.

Right now, my priority is to assess my opponent. Elvin could be quite a useful character if he delivers in battle.

Though he’s average for now, I still shouldn’t let my guard down.

Whoosh!

While I stood dumbfounded, Rod took a few steps back and whistled loudly.

Why is he whistling instead of using a whistle? Seriously, I don’t get him.

“I can’t stand barbarians either, but now wildlings are crawling in here… I just don’t get what the Principal is thinking.”

“?”

Is he saying that for me to hear? I cocked my head at Elvin’s mumblings.

From the look on his face filled with discontent, it was clear he didn’t have a favorable impression.

“It seems like United Academy is winding down. The fact that a lesser human like that can enter says a lot.”

“…”

“Not even a monster and those red eyes… Is he really human?”

Hey buddy, I can hear you mumbling!

If you’ve got something to say, at least say it quieter. Are you talking loud enough for me to hear?

Besides, he was talking about prestige not too long ago, and he seems quite proud of himself.

While I was pondering whether there’s any chance for rehabilitation, Elvin suddenly tightened his stance and readied himself.

At the same time, a fierce aura began to emanate from him. Even without the Wilderness Instinct, I could tell that energy was directed right at me.

Since they instigated first, I guess it’s my turn to respond. I grimaced and took action.

Whoosh!

I threw the spear held in my right hand without a moment’s thought. I threw it lightly on purpose.

Elvin was caught off guard when I threw the spear without warning, but he quickly twisted his body to dodge.

Thud!

The spear flew far away and lodged into the wall. Since I threw it purely with strength without infusing magic, it didn’t explode.

Now, I only have the axe left. I plan to use the axe as a weapon.

To be honest, I’d love to throw the axe too and fight with my bare hands, but I’d rather keep my trump cards hidden.

Whoosh!

Meanwhile, Elvin came rushing at me, swinging his sword diagonally. The sound of slicing air indicated he’s skilled.

Finishing this quickly wouldn’t be bad, but I plan to test Elvin’s capabilities.

I evaded Elvin’s diverse attacks while stepping back.

Slash!

I dodged a horizontal slash by taking one step back.

Swish!

I avoided the diagonal slash by twisting my body.

I managed to sidestep all his attacks with the minimum amount of movement.

‘He’s slow.’

Elvin’s attacks were clean. But they were honest and slow. At least by my standards.

It’s not that his movements are large or full of openings. They’re just slow enough for me to see and evade them.

Even the snakes that inhabit the Chaos Forest are quick enough to activate my Wilderness Instinct.

‘His techniques are impressive, that’s for sure.’

Just because I perceive him as slow doesn’t diminish the quality of his techniques. As I mentioned earlier, his attacks are well-executed.

His sword doesn’t wobble. Whether it’s a diagonal cut, a horizontal one, or a thrust, there’s hardly any deviation.

On the other hand, what about me?

Sure, my overwhelming specs cover for me, but I’m vastly inferior compared to Elvin.

At this moment, I’m purely focused on evasion, so it stays hidden, but the moment I go on the offensive, my weaknesses will be revealed.

“Phew…”

Elvin’s relentless attacks finally came to a halt. His stiff expression indicated he sensed something was off.

Since he stopped attacking, I guess it’s my turn to make a move now.

I walked toward him before he could catch his breath.

Step- Step- Step-

Elvin tensed up, preparing himself as I approached slowly, regaining his breath.

Judging by how tightly he gripped his sword with both hands, it seemed he was waiting for the perfect moment to counter.

But I made no move. Even though Elvin was right in front of me.

“…”

“…”

“…What are you doing?”

Clang!

Of course, I’m not just standing idle. It’s to coax him into letting his guard down.

Before Elvin could voice his confusion, I swung the axe upwards with all my might from below.

Even without a preparation stance, it would be much faster than Elvin’s attack.

“Gah…!”

Startled, Elvin hurriedly raised his sword to block. Under normal circumstances, his sword would’ve shattered, but it held up intact.

He might have reinforced it with magic to boost its durability. Still, the shock alone was enough to force him back.

As Elvin was pushed back, I bent my knees and lowered my stance. Just when Elvin had come to a stop, I stomped down powerfully.

Bang!

The strong recoil propelled my body forward. Meanwhile, the distance between me and Elvin vanished in a heartbeat.

I swung the axe I held with my left hand down hard, aiming precisely for Elvin’s head.

This strike will surely be far more powerful than the last. If he attempts to block it with his sword, it will shatter into pieces.

Elvin must’ve sensed the impending threat of absorbing that attack, as he hastily maneuvered his body.

Perhaps he thought twist dodging wasn’t enough, so he completely threw himself to the side.

Whoosh!

The axe sliced through empty air. Although my attack missed, I didn’t feel too regretful.

After all, it was merely a feint. My habit of attacking heads is just a reflex.

Thud—

As I landed on my vacant right hand, I spun around, landing firmly on my feet.

Despite my acrobatic maneuver, my landing was as gentle as a feather. I regained my composure and fixed my gaze on Elvin.

He looked shocked, unable to fathom that I could push him back so easily. His expression screamed disbelief.

I wasn’t blocking his attacks, nor was I simply evading them; I was effectively dodging everything he threw at me.

As if his attacks were beneath me, I even leaped to dodge my attack.

All technical skill aside, the difference in our base specs is simply overwhelming.

“…Really, you’re a beast of a guy.”

I’m aware of that. But living in the wilderness is just how it is.

When giant monsters like Mankey occasionally pop up, agility becomes a necessity.

One slip or mistake, and you end up severely injured, so it’s only natural I’d have to improve my agility.

“…”

Elvin stared at me, as if waiting for the right moment to counter, gripping his sword tightly with both hands.

Maybe he intends to retaliate like earlier as I make a similar move.

Does he really see me as some beast? I can understand, but I might need to relay a message.

Just because I’ve lived like a beast doesn’t mean I lack intelligence.

Bang!

Without hesitation, I hurled myself forward, swinging my axe again as before.

Even with the distance closing quickly, Elvin remained calm.

He flashed a smirk that suggested he had me figured out.

Then suddenly, he shifted his right foot. In an instant, he disappeared from my line of sight.

Whoosh!

In its place, the sharp tip of his sword came rushing toward my face.

He’s utilizing my own forward rush against me. This is a tactic I used frequently as well.

If this trajectory continues, my face will get sliced open. Though I’ve got the Steel King trait, one can never be too sure.

So…

Crack!

I bit down with my strong teeth. To ensure I wouldn’t get hurt, I magically reinforced them for added protection.

“What…!”

Elvin was yanked along, thrown off balance due to my unexpected action. The momentum of his rush had not decreased.

He landed on the ground below, still hanging onto the sword clenched in my teeth. The look on his face was quite the spectacle.

“T-This beastly guy…!”

Elvin strained desperately to free his sword. But my bite force was greater than his strength.

When push comes to shove, I’ve got to use my teeth in the wild. I’d found them handy when my limbs faced trauma.

Though there were instances where I’d lose a tooth or two, every time, they magically heal. So I can use them without hesitance.

Crack!

“Ugh…”

Did I bite too hard? A chilling sound came from Elvin’s sword.

Elvin momentarily halted his struggle, staring in shock at the sight.

Since it was destined to break, I decided to bite down even stronger.

Crack!

The training sword shattered into pieces remarkably. Even though it was likely made of steel, it broke far too easily.

However, considering he had just managed to block my previous attack, it might have lost considerable durability back then.

“Feh…”

I spat out the metal shards that had been in my mouth. Elvin now fluctuated his gaze between his now-broken sword and me.

His expression was one of disbelief, unsure whether he was dreaming or awake. My job is to help him realize this is very much a reality.

Thud!

“Ugh!”

Taking advantage of his momentary distraction, I dashed in and grabbed his throat. He seemed startled, flailing to break free.

Judging by the energy I felt in my hand, he was trying to harness magic. So without delay, I slammed him onto the ground.

This was akin to a choke slam seen in wrestling. Naturally, I had never trained for this.

Boom!

“Gah!”

Slamming his back against the ground makes it temporarily hard to breathe. Judging by the wide-eyed expression Elvin had, I could tell for sure.

Before he could reinforce himself with magic, I’d already slammed him down, making movement a challenge.

Now, all I had left was to deliver the final blow.

Squeeze!

“Gah…!”

I firmly kept my grip on his throat, ensuring he remained immobilized. With that position, I raised my axe high.

If I swung down like this, Elvin’s head would surely split into two. But I’m not really going to hit him.

“That’s enough.”

Just before I was about to bring the axe down, a familiar voice rang in my ears. It felt like an unknown force grasping me, making me instinctively hesitate.

Looking up, I found Rod standing there, having approached without me even noticing.

He wore a calm smile, but a sense of unease surrounded him.

“I told you killing is forbidden. I hope you’ve understood that.”

“…”

I know, I know. I took a careful look around.

I’d love to at least land one hit, but that’s off the table, leaving me feeling awkward. If I dropped an F-bomb in front of people, I’d be asking for a taste of my own medicine.

Swoosh—

While I stood there, axe raised, judging the situation, Rod pulled something out of his pocket and offered it to me.

Looking that way revealed a brown candy laid on his palm. It was a rice-flavored candy that I had found delicious.

Maybe it’s because I’d tasted it before, but my instincts screamed at me. Eat it now and feel bliss!

Saliva pooled in my mouth, and the axe that once was raised quickly started to lower.

My grip on Elvin’s throat also loosened.

Whoosh—

Thinking I was out of the battle, Rod casually tossed the candy at me.

The candy flew in a perfect arc, aiming right for my face.

I immediately opened my mouth, catching the candy.

The sweet and savory flavor of the rice candy filled my mouth.

“Are you alright?”

“Yes, yes. I’m fine.”

As I experienced a little happiness from that one piece of candy, Rod stood Elvin back up.

Elvin wore a stupefied expression as he glanced back and forth between his sword, now split in half, and me. He still seemed taken aback.

“As you know, you lost. I hope you will uphold what you said earlier.”

“…”

At Rod’s declaration, Elvin turned toward me. I gazed back at him with the candy still in my mouth.

His face was clouded with many feelings. It’s only natural since he was overwhelmingly defeated by a beastly guy.

Plus, the bizarre act of chewing through a steel sword must’ve left its mark.

I wonder if he’ll apologize to me. Being alongside a Principal raises those odds a fair bit.

“…I’m sorry.”

As expected, Elvin bowed his head in apology.

But then he seemed to remember something and raised his head to ask Rod.

“By the way, do you understand what I said?”

“I don’t know. But you’ll remember later on.”

“…”

He had a slightly unsettled expression on his face. Still, he bowed his head toward me once more, apologizing.

Even if I couldn’t understand it, plenty of people were watching. The stands were packed with spectators who gathered to see the match.

“Just in case, give him some candy. Then he might recognize you as a good person.”

“This is…”

“This candy is rice-flavored.”

Rod handed a piece of rice-flavored candy to Elvin. Naturally, he appeared completely confused.

By the way, is Rod really thinking of me as an animal?

“Here…”

As I pondered that, Elvin cautiously extended his hand.

He wore an uncertain expression, unsure whether this was the right move.

“Yum.”

Without hesitation, I popped it right into my mouth. I refuse to turn down a gift.

Elvin gazed at me with an even more complicated expression.

Even someone with strong pride like him must find this situation bewildering for the first time.

‘This feels like I’m earning some favor points.’

Not that it matters.

Anyone who gives me delicious treats is a good person!

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