The golden afternoon sunlight that had streamed in through the wooden lattice windows now pierced the dust within the hall. The floor carried the faint tang of gunpowder, creaking now and then, as though voicing a cry in the silence.
And yet—
With Lan Qi stepping forward to replace Frey, offering earnest apologies, reasoning with sincerity, and carefully laying out the causes and consequences of the earlier misunderstanding—
Bit by bit, through his tireless effort at mediation, the tension in the arena began to ease.
A cool breeze slipped in through the worn doorway. The bamboo curtain rustled softly, like a gentle lullaby. In this drowsy hour of the afternoon, the fighters’ restless tempers gradually calmed.
Lan Qi’s unhurried words, so different from Frey’s abrasive antics, made the brawlers feel that perhaps, just perhaps, they could both take a step back.
“……”
Huperion, standing quietly behind, didn’t know how to evaluate this strange duo.
Frey had nearly blown the roof off, while Lan Qi, by contrast, made merely opening a window feel like a blessing.
After rounds of discussion—Zirvini, brows furrowed tight, pointed angrily toward Frey in the distance.
“What you pulled just now went far too far! That bastard must be banned from fighting again. If you agree to that, I’ll accept another match with you!”
The more she thought about Frey, the angrier she grew!
She would never allow that despicable rogue, devoid of fighting spirit, to step onto their stage again—even if this time the duel was guaranteed fair.
“No problem. Frey is disqualified.”
Lan Qi promised without hesitation.
Huperion stood bewildered in the back, watching the ever-shifting situation unfold.
It seemed that Lan Qi had taken control, that the chaos was settling…
And yet, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something even more troublesome was coming.
Then—
Lan Qi drew out paper and pen from his coat pocket. He crossed over to the fighters’ side and, with their approval, began writing out detailed duel regulations—each clause meticulous and thorough.
So thorough, in fact, that the fighters themselves began to feel a little embarrassed.
Compared to Frey’s cunning, rule-breaking hooliganism, Lan Qi’s sincerity and reasonableness shone all the brighter.
“…So the most essential rule: in this match, no hidden weapons, no explosives, and no magical tools apart from spell cards. This duel shall be treated as though it occurs within the Shadow World—fair and just.”
“Any damage caused to the building shall be borne by the Fighters’ Society; the Student Council shall not be held responsible.”
“And regardless of victory or defeat, both parties may not betray the spirit of combat nor the honor of their family names by taking revenge afterward. Neither may they smear reputations, nor resort to violence or influence to threaten or harm the other. Both sides must maintain friendly relations.”
Holding the contract, Lan Qi read it aloud from beginning to end, then sought their confirmation.
“No problem.”
The group all nodded.
Zirvini found this refined, well-spoken black-haired noble youth far easier on the eyes than that thug Frey.
She even realized that conversing with the scholar-types from the Academy of Sages was unexpectedly pleasant.
There was a natural charm in Lan Qi’s friendly and earnest demeanor.
So much so that Zirvini almost felt guilty about striking his side too hard.
“So then—she’ll be fighting this time?”
Zirvini pointed toward Huperion and asked Lan Qi.
But since the fifth-rank vice-captain was no longer able to fight, for the sake of her society’s honor, she had decided to step onto the stage herself.
“No. This time, I’ll fight you.”
Folding the contract and slipping it back into his coat, Lan Qi smiled at Zirvini.
“You’re sure? I won’t take your life, but don’t expect me to hold back.”
Her expression brimmed with disdain.
She had heard the rumors—friends who had watched that Shadow World broadcast claimed this boy was unfathomably strange.
But this was the real world, with black-and-white written rules. She saw no chance for him to cheat, and no chance for him to beat her.
“Of course. Give me a minute to warm up, and then let’s begin. Is that acceptable?”
Lan Qi nodded solemnly, his eyes unwavering.
Zirvini froze for a moment.
So this third-rank support mage… perhaps he had some hidden trump card capable of turning the tide in single combat?
“Very well. No matter who wins today, I’ll consider you a worthy opponent.”
Zirvini smiled boldly, her eyes shining with respect for Lan Qi.
Compared to Frey, the contrast was too great. Even Lan Qi’s courage to challenge her openly and fairly seemed dazzling.
This—this was the true spirit of combat.
Lan Qi then stepped back toward his companions, stopping by Frey and Huperion.
“Lan Qi, is there anything you need me to do?”
Huperion asked anxiously.
Of all the onlookers, she alone knew the composition of Lan Qi’s magic card deck.
Without teammates to stall for him and build enough Rage points, even using Basic Etiquette (Kneel) and Great Poet of Love would hardly make Zirvini faint—it would only enrage her further.
If he relied on Beautiful Notes (Infernal Melody), even a soft control like “Stagger” would only hinder a sixth-rank warrior for a heartbeat—long enough for her to kill him in a flash.
No matter how competent Lan Qi was among third-rankers, without allies to coordinate, he had no realistic way to cross such a gulf of power and defeat her head-on.
“Don’t worry, Huperion.”
Lan Qi only smiled.
As though certain that their mutual understanding required no further words.
…
One minute later.
As the new match was about to begin, the tense air within the hall had shifted—replaced with anticipation, respect, and the atmosphere of a true duel.
The scarred old wooden walls seemed sharper in the light, as if recalling past glories.
The two contestants now stood on the far side of the arena, in a space left untouched by the earlier blast.
Here, they could wage a fair, wholehearted duel.
Zirvini and Lan Qi faced each other across the stage, their solemn focus elevating the entire scene.
“Lan Qi, once again—I’ll fight you with my full strength, and treat you as a true rival.”
“Your guidance will be appreciated, Senior Zirvini.”
Their bows, their expressions—everything brimmed with respect, with gravity.
This was no mere scuffle, but an honorable contest.
“Duel—begin!”
The referee’s voice rang out like a blade, slicing the silence of the hall.
The official declaration of battle echoed through the arena—
the clash was about to begin.