Chapter 56: A Simple Duel (1)

Chapter 56: A Simple Duel (1) "Okay, get in line, you fools." The one who had given the command was Professor Blossom. She was the only professor who could be said to rival Nathira in beauty, but unlike Nathira, who was more poised and turned down advances from males, Blossom was the opposite. Because of that, she was disliked by almost every female on campus. To the teachers, she was a vulgar woman who used her looks to gain favor from male colleagues. And to students, she was an inappropriate teacher who wore revealing attire to entice the boys in her class, and oftentimes, she did. The boys of Class S quickly formed a line behind Blossom, admiring her round figure. Some murmured to themselves while others just chuckled. Ellie, noticing this, placed her hand over Arthur’s eyes. Arthur paused briefly, then asked, "Uhm... Ellie, why exactly are you covering my eyes?" Ellie’s tone shifted like that of a detective. "Art, this woman must be a succubus. I’m trying to protect you from her charms." "No. I doubt she’s a succubus." Ellie shook her head. "No, she’s definitely a succubus. Though she’s not as cute as me, I’d rather not have any woman come close to you." Arthur smiled and gently tapped her hand. "Do you think I’m some horny bastard?" Ellie slowly withdrew her hand. "Well, no. But it isn’t bad to be cautious." ’That’s right, being cautious. Seems some people aren’t too cautious.’ Arthur’s eyes narrowed as he locked gazes with a boy who was sneaking glances at Nathira, who stood at the edge of the elevated platform. Every other male’s attention was on Blossom, since they knew Nathira didn’t tolerate nonsense. Arthur smirked. Ellie turned to him, then to the boy he was staring at, and sighed. ’I can’t even stop him.’ She glanced at the boy again. ’Such a fool.’ Arthur approached the boy slowly and wrapped an arm around him. "Hey you, what do you think you’re doing?" The boy was around Arthur’s height, though slightly shorter, and an imposing, broad-shouldered young man stood behind him. The man’s face twisted into a sneer. "If it isn’t Prince—" Before he could finish, his body stiffened at the sight of Arthur’s dead-eyed stare. "I like to pluck eyeballs. Do you want to be my next target?" Arthur’s eyes narrowed. "I can’t say I won’t ruin yours, though." Arthur let go and walked away without so much as a glance. The young man’s face contorted. ’That bastard, how dare he...?’ But even though he was thinking that, he couldn’t bring himself to look in Nathira’s direction. ’Why can’t I turn? Am I afraid?’ He looked toward Ha-joon, who was chatting with some girls in their class, then grinned. ... Blossom read from the list she was holding. "Okay, Class S. The principal, or dean, whichever you prefer, just handed us the new rules." Everyone on the platform stood still as the sunlight bathed their skin. Blossom paused. "...This test will be a joint class between the first years and the second years." The crowd erupted with one word: "What!?" "Hmm..." Vicky mused beside Arthur and Ellie. "What an unexpected turn of events." Cale nodded immediately. "Tell me about it." Eric, who unlike the rest of the class was squatting, said, "Well, this means we won’t be on the same team as Art." Vicky glared at Arthur, who tilted his head. Cale laughed awkwardly. "Either way, we can still help each other." Blossom clapped her hands and continued. "This means the objective of the class will be a little different..." She pointed behind the students, causing them to turn their heads. As they turned, the blue gate flickered into existence. "Join forces, collect as many energy crystals as you can, and wait for the exam time to end." She then added, "Note: this class will carry ten units, not just within Class S, but across all classes in the first and second years." Units were points used to calculate a student’s grade. Each semester had a total of 45 units, which were divided by 9, the number of exams a student at Central took each semester. The resulting number was the CGPA, which totaled 5.0. Those with 4.5 to 5.0 were First Class. Those with 3.5 to 4.4 were Second Class. Those with 2.5 to 3.4 were Third Class. Anything below that was considered a failure. Blossom announced, "If there are no questions..." She clapped again as the second-years and students from Class C and Class F climbed up from different sides of the platform. She then finished, "Form your teams." Arthur looked around as if searching for someone, then Ellie tapped him on the shoulder. "I’ve already submitted the form." ’How fast did she do it?’ Ellie continued, "Since we’re meant to make a team of five, I put in Senior Amy, Cassie, Seraph, you, and me." "Did you ask Amy and Cassie?" Ellie nodded quickly. Arthur turned to the flickering gate. ’Well, it’s best if they stay close.’ Everything was happening just like in the game. The Demonic Forest. It was one of Ha-joon’s shining moments, and where he grew close to Cassie. Back then, it was Cassie, Amelia, Cecilia, him, and Agrat. But now things were different. Amelia and Cassie waved as they approached. "How were classes?" Arthur asked softly. "It was okay, I guess," Cassie replied, sounding disinterested. Amelia beamed. "I had a lot of fun today. The alchemy class was wild. Even in spirit arts class, I ended up contracting with a high-level spirit by accident." Cassie turned to her, confused. "Hey, why are you telling him everything that happened in your day?" Amelia tilted her head. "But didn’t Hus—I mean Arthur ask?" Cassie looked at Arthur, then back to her. "Then I want to talk about my day too." Arthur couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight of them. Blossom scanned the groups and asked, "Any further questions or complaints?" No one replied, but just as she was about to start the test, someone spoke. "Yes, ma’am." The boy Arthur had confronted earlier grinned. "I think Arthur Arcain’s team is unfair to the others. Plus, it’s a team of only human girls. No one knows what he might be planning." He shook his head. "A demonic dragon surrounded by human girls? I doubt he has anything noble in mind." Blossom narrowed her eyes. "And your point?" He smirked. "I think these fine ladies should join the Chosen One’s team, don’t you think?" He gave a polite bow. "And Arthur should form a team of monsters like himself." Blossom was ready to dismiss him, but he continued. "And if he doesn’t agree, then he can settle it with a simple duel against the Chosen One." Then he hit the nerve that got Blossom fired up. "We all want to see the long-awaited fight, don’t we? What happened before can’t exactly be called a battle." Not just Blossom’s, but the entire crowd’s, eyes widened in anticipation. Arthur turned to Ha-joon. ’It’s your call, Chosen One. Now show me... how dumb are you exactly?’ Ha-joon grinned, pleased with the way things had turned out. Ever since that night, he hadn’t been able to get Arthur’s wives out of his mind. He wanted them. He wanted them all. If he could publicly humiliate Arthur, then show off his skill in bed, they’d turn to him, right? He nodded, trying to mask his thoughts. "He’s right. I, the Chosen One, cannot allow this to stand. For the sake of these innocent ladies, I will duel you." Arthur felt the urge to vomit. ’I don’t know why, but I just sensed something disgusting in his thoughts.’ He smiled and took a step forward. ’If he thinks he can disgrace me, steal my wives, then... he’s mistaken.’ He stood a few steps away from Ha-joon, eyes narrowing. ’Not only am I stronger, but I’m more handsome. Have a way bigger Willy. And I’m better in bed.’ ’Plus I’m not mid.’ Arthur opened his mouth and said one word: "Okay." ─── ✦ End of Chapter ✦ ───