Chapter 236

The duel, filled with armored suits, various firearms, and relic equipment, posed an unprecedented challenge even for Aegis Academy.

It was a situation not easily simulated in virtual or augmented reality training.

However, Aegis Academy had sufficient know-how for resolving minor disputes between students through duels, as it had a history of conducting such matches.

Thus, the conditions for victory in this duel were relatively simple: surrender, or both sides must inflict fatal attacks on each other.

Of course, the academy was very concerned about injuries or fatalities.

Restraid also wished to avoid a scenario where a student lost their life due to a duel.

It wasn’t that they suddenly developed a sense of chivalry or human rights; it was simply because, from their perspective, Violet was still considered a talented individual.

Restraid had devised several plans to bind her into a forced contract by using the defeat in the duel as justification.

While the interests of the academy and the clan varied, they shared a common goal of preventing the worst-case scenario of a student’s death in a duel.

So, they had brought an experimental modification relic device known as a mutual inhibition synchronizer, often just referred to as the inhibitor, from the northern academies.

The effect of the inhibitor was simple.

When two people wearing the inhibitor attacked each other’s vital points with potentially fatal strikes, intense pain and shock would be transmitted, but actual injuries would be prevented.

Additionally, the signals from the inhibitors would be displayed directly on the electronic scoreboard.

“So, one hit will be the end!”

In a situation akin to a real battle, Sebastian danced.

His Dominion-class lightweight armored suit moved swiftly through the group of girls like a wolf ravaging sheep.

The goal was to find the hidden body among the clones.

– Kuuung!

As the massive two-handed sword, over two meters long, combined with the strength of his armored suit, the momentum was like a tempest.

With every swing, a deadly aura tinged with red slashed through the surroundings.

Like harvesting grain, the blade flew towards the girls.

– Sasasak! Sasak!

Excluding a few who were cut down by the first attack, the girls quickly scattered. Clone 631 immediately dropped low with her shield, while Clone 1689 rolled on the ground to evade the blade.

“Run away!”

Sebastian swung his sword again. However, the sight of the girls was quite comical.

They moved as if naturally, yet at times stumbled awkwardly like broken marionettes.

‘There’s the main body!’

Finding the real one wasn’t difficult. Unlike the clones, the main body was equipped with an inhibition device.

“Stop right there! Violet! Don’t just run away, come out quickly!”

“Catch me if you can!”

– Sasasak!

As he charged, the Violets gathered and scattered as if on the brink of being caught.

Even when they were kicked back, they retreated, and when he swung his sword, they leaped or rolled on the ground to avoid the blow.

The wide indoor duel arena allowed them to escape.

‘These cowardly fools!’

Sebastian felt his irritation rise. The way they slipped away like mosquitoes whenever he tried to catch them was infuriating.

– Kwang!

He jumped high into the air and landed in the midst of the crowd. Violet 125 quickly bent down to dodge his attack.

“Graaah!”

Instead, Clones 1120, 61, and 982 charged at him. Their swords and axes were shattered in an instant. It was desperate, but their movements were merely clumsy.

– Tatatat!

Another group of Violets surrounded him. A barrage erupted from their crude rifles.

[Auto-response protocol activated]

The shield incorporated in the armored suit activated instantly, deflecting the bullets.

Compared to the originals of the monsters, it was extremely crude, but it was sufficient for defense.

“Get away! You coward!”

Frightened, Clone 125 shouted. The clones now launched fireballs.

‘Is this all you’ve got?’

Sebastian had already gathered information about Violet.

There were rumors that she had outshined the first-year professors, but to him, it sounded exaggerated.

Even if she had talent, ultimately, she was still just a rookie.

How could a foolish puppy withstand a noble beast?

– Hwarrrk!

The magical barrier surrounding the armored suit mitigated the fireball.

Sebastian looked at Violet with a regretful gaze as he continued his charge.

– Clank!

Sheathing his sword, he drew out a cavalry spear.

Activating the booster, he pushed forward at extreme speed.

Body Violet resisted desperately as she maneuvered amid the clones.

“Stay away! Don’t come near me!”

“Just surrender already!”

Crossbow bolts and bullets flew again. But that wasn’t enough to break Sebastian’s momentum.

– KWAANG!

The armored suit charged through, breaking apart the ranks of clones.

No matter how many new clones were created, they disappeared just as quickly.

‘This is pointless. The magical energy cannot sustain it.’

The armored knight was invincible. In a straightforward contest, no one could match him.

A legend was being reenacted.

The tale of the noble knight from the ancient Arnor kingdom, who turned the tide of battle by defeating foes amid a rain of arrows.

A relic formed from advanced science and ether engineering brought forth an epic once more for his distant descendants.

– Clang!

The two-handed sword swung once more. The ranks of resisting clones were shattered. Sebastian sneered at the trembling main body.

“Violet. I’m giving you one last chance.”

“…?”

“The mutual inhibition synchronizer will prevent death, but it won’t stop the pain. It will be quite torturous. Why not surrender now?”

The girl glanced around, then shouted defiantly.

“No!”

Then she threw the can-shaped object she was holding to the ground. A thick fog enveloped the area.

“How foolish!”

The multi-spectrum visual device embedded in the helmet activated. Piercing through the smoke, the girl’s figure became perfectly visible.

‘Indeed, you don’t belong in this honorable duel. You’re just a cowardly commoner!’

Just as he was about to land the finishing blow, Violet twisted her lips and muttered.

“…Completion of segment.”

Suddenly, the clones charged forward with tremendous force.

Their attacks blocked Sebastian’s sword. It was like a solid wave crashing against a fortress wall.

“What’s happening?!”

Sebastian shouted, caught in the maelstrom of halberds.

Inside the smoke, Violet moved her lips again.

“Attack pattern analysis complete.”

“Orders from Violet Command Center: Begin counterattack, commence counterattack, commence counterattack!”

What troubled the Violets the most in this duel was none other than the rules of engagement.

“What? We have to attach that strange device to the main body?”

“Geez! Then it’ll be too easy to catch!”

To the outside world, Violets seemed like ordinary girls with clone abilities.

Everyone mistakenly believed the main body controlled the clones like puppets.

While it had been no problem hiding or disguising their true abilities before, allowing such misunderstandings to persist was beneficial.

But in a situation like this, it posed a problem. The outcome of the duel was influenced by the main body, even though she wasn’t directly participating, which was quite bothersome. Moreover, getting hit even once would mean the end.

“Not good!”

Of course, it was an unavoidable aspect. They couldn’t reveal their true capabilities too prominently.

So, at the beginning of the duel, they decided to deliberately act foolishly to catch their opponent off-guard.

“Haha! Main body, run away!”

“That’s the main body!”

There was also the purpose of gathering information. While Sebastian had fought without his augmented suit before, it was his first time facing him in full battle gear.

Instructor Frederick, who analyzed the video Adela had provided regarding Sebastian’s attack patterns, habits, and warnings, excelled at providing insights.

But that alone was insufficient. What they needed was physical experience.

Ultimately, numerous Violets had to fall during the information-gathering process.

“Ugh! My neck got cut!”

“I’ve been sliced in half!”

Through countless sacrifices and trial-and-error of Violets, they finally perfected their analysis of his attack methods.

As the information they obtained beforehand combined with the experience from the real battle, Violet succeeded in adapting.

The result was as follows.

“W-How are they dodging?!”

Unit 1, observing the Violet tactical map, stretched out her hand. As the red dots on the map viciously approached, she immediately ordered her allies to scatter.

The clones that received the scattering command dispersed in unison.

The instructed Violet provided feedback to the directing Violet.

“Your timing was late! Next time, be three seconds faster!”

“Command from the Command Center! Expect cavalry spear attacks at the 10 o’clock position! Everyone evacuate, Clones 242 and 885, use shields to block!”

The directing Violet was commanded.

The commanded Violet would then give orders again.

Dozens of feedbacks exchanged in the blink of an eye.

I controlled myself.

Although cold sweat flowed from my body, a strange thrill coursed through me simultaneously.

“Alright, I’ve got his attack pattern down now!”

Sebastian’s prowess was indeed overwhelming. Add in the armored suit, and it was like attaching wings to a tiger.

“As expected, firearms won’t work on him!”

“Not even crossbows! They don’t pierce!”

However, if they didn’t hit, it was meaningless.

– Kuuung!

Sebastian’s dual swords glowed red, cleaving through the air. A powerful shockwave rippled through the surrounding atmosphere.

“Scatter and regroup! Equip halberds!”

Yet, the clones undid themselves without preamble and scattered.

As if they had known his movements beforehand, they perfectly evaded the paths of his blades.

“What’s this? What’s going on?!”

Sebastian, clearly flustered, shouted. His demeanor boosted the Command Center’s confidence. Victory seemed within reach.

“Press on! Apply pressure with heavy weapons!”

Even in the brutal melee, the clones remained unfazed. Instead, they launched a fierce offensive and pressed him back.

“Damn it! Get away!”

The shoulders of the armored suit opened up. A barrage of guided missiles shot forth.

“Protect the shield unit! Clone 125!”

“Press on! Apply pressure with heavy weapons!”

Amidst explosions and smoke, the Violets resisted. Yet, he stubbornly pushed forward, piercing through the barricade toward the ‘main body.’

“I’ll finish you!”

– Kwang!

His overconfident swing was suddenly halted. He was met by two Violets.

“W-What the hell? How could clones…”

One could imagine the panic in his helmet-clad eyes.

“Simulation activation!”

Because that swordsmanship was not his own!

“Instructor! Please! Irene, let’s go!”

“Got it! I’ll put that silver-spooned brat in his place!”

“Alright, Violet. Are you ready?”

The long-range proxy battle they had used against Professor Masus in the past came back to life.

This time, it was a 2:1 engagement.

“Why?”

– Kaaang! Clang!

Two Violets, employing different styles of swordsmanship and spear techniques, charged up one after the other. Sebastian, caught in confusion, extended his left hand.

“Be careful! He’s using a relic!”

A strange device attached to his wrist began to spin and unleashed a barrage of magical bullets.

With shield-holding Violets rushing in to absorb the shots, a new Violet wielding a rapier charged forth.

“Adela! Please!”

“Alright! Let’s give it a shot!”

– Wheeeng!

“W-What? This rapier technique is, no way!”

The 2:1 battle became a 3:1 battle now that Adela was involved in the proxy fight.

“It’s impossible! A mere first-year!”

“Stop talking so much!”

The rapier Violet executed rapid thrusts.

While elegant and deadly, as she grew flustered, a steadfast thrust from another held spear approached. Despite there being no real damage, he began to hesitate.

“Relic use commencing!”

And before him loomed a ferocious wall of flames.

The Flame Blade erupted with flames, and the armored figure recoiling in fear.

“Now’s our chance! Heavy weapons, attack!”

The armored squad of Violets seized the moment to charge.

“Orders from the Command Center: Squad 1 aims for the knee joints! Squad 2 targets the shoulders and inner arms! Squads 3 and 4, focus on the boosters and relics!”

“Commence!”

– Clang! Clang!

Heavy halberds struck against the armored suit.

The instant a gap appeared, Clone 621 swiftly jabbed a glaive behind the knee of the armored suit.

Clone 1372 swung a warhammer against the shoulder joint.

– Clang! Clang! Clang!

“Grah!”

With a series of strikes, Sebastian’s movements began to dull. The armored suit was not invincible.

Although he continued to resist and Violets continued to fall, we did not relent.

No, we couldn’t stop.

The only way to defeat that wicked knight was through the ultra-democratic Violet tactics.

– Puff puff!

The stationed clones unleashed a flurry of fire from their large-caliber rifles.

Bullets akin to machine gun fire rained down upon the armored suit.

“Broken Arrow!”

“Firing fusion laser!”

“Commence electrical attack!”

– Ziiing!

On top of that, various attack magic was poured forth.

The training ground’s floor cracked, and the walls were scorched.

Hot heat and blinding flames, thunderous explosions rocked the battlefield.

“Ugh!”

“We’ve neutralized the boosters!”

As all sorts of attacks focused on him, Sebastian’s movements became more sluggish.

Perhaps it was due to the strikes against his armored joints.

It was then that the opportunity arose.

“Now! Brain Spear!”

Clone 2011 seized the chance, penetrating through the opening.

– Kwang!

A spear imbued with sharp magical energy dug into his shoulder.

As the heavy spear slightly pierced through the armor, a clash erupted with the ether protection, causing an explosion.

– KWAANG!

The shockwave penetrating the armor caused Sebastian to stagger.

Earlier attacks were ultimately blocked by armor and shields without dealing substantial damage, but this was different.

The brain spear delivered a lethal blow, tearing through defenses and destroying vital areas.

“Gah!”

“It hit!”

With an explosion, a part of the armor broke off. White smoke was now rising from the armored suit.

“Brain Spear works!”

Sebastian screamed, but he still hadn’t fallen.

Seeing no alerts flashing on the scoreboard suggested it wasn’t a critical injury.

“Not… not yet! I won’t… this isn’t over yet!”

He removed his helmet and staggered toward me.

His twisted face grimaced as he approached, sending shivers down my spine.

“Why is he so resilient?”

Over a hundred Violets surrounded him densely from all sides.

Now was the time to end this fight.

“Surrender!”

He shook his head.

“Violet. I acknowledge your skill. I may have misjudged you.”

“What’s this about now?”

“But there will be no surrender.”

Just as a hundred Violets were ready to seize his throat, magical energy erupted from his body.

“A knight never turns his back on the enemy!”

Where was he drawing his strength from? He shook off the Violets’ blockade and charged at the main body, Clone 125.

“Continue scanning!”

His sword clashed. It was a pure one-on-one structure. Sebastian’s dual swords came crashing down vertically.

I dodged and counterattacked. It was noticeably slower than before, but manageable.

I could see his attack. Much clearer than it had been before.

– Kiiing!

The two red magical forces collided successively. I marveled at the beautiful flickers of light, reminiscent of blood, as I swung my weapon.

For a moment, I forgot the long-range simulation, entranced as I exchanged strikes with him.

“Swing it faster! Faster!”

I urged myself on and spurred my own movements. My sword swung quicker. The knight before me was growing slower.

“Not yet. I am—!”

Sebastian, stepping back for a moment to catch his breath, prepared for a final charge.

The sword’s aura surged even higher than before.

I realized.

That was his last stand.

However, his might was substantial. A single hit could end me.

“Orders from the Command Center: Main body withdraw, and we finish this with the brain spears and concentrated fire!”

“Yeah, no. That’s too slow.”

His sword slashed down diagonally, heading from my left shoulder to my chest.

Should I dodge? No. We calculated.

A better method flowed from somewhere within the network.

Rough breaths thudded in my chest. My heart raced wildly.

With each heartbeat, time gradually slowed.

“Huh?”

“The world has stopped!”

Sebastian stood there, wide-eyed in confusion.

For some reason, the Violets understood. They needed to run fast.

Quickly, so no one could rival them. Faster than the armored knight who had just blasted off with his booster.

It felt as though someone whispered to me in my ear.

– This Haix is of Type 1…

I burned through my magical energy as fuel.

My body accelerated. It felt necessary.

The target was his neck, or perhaps his head.

– Kwang!

The flow of the halted world returned to reality.

“Huh?”

Sebastian, who had been right in front of me, vanished.

Stunned, I turned my head.

“Ugh…”

Somehow, he lay collapsed behind me. Scratching my head, I approached.

“Why? Huh…”

The signal announcing the duel’s end rang throughout. Short and sharp.

The scoreboard displayed my victory.

“Violet! Congratulations!”

As the duel arena door opened, my friends rushed in.

It was at that moment that I could finally regain my senses.

Ah, I see. I won!

“Wow! I did it!”

I jumped up and down, filled with excitement.

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