Chapter 25
A suffocating silence flows through 'Golden Apple'.
Apollon, who caused a commotion in the store with his rough entrance.
He was currently unable to move, his wrist caught by me.
"......"
I feel strength in the hand gripping the wrist.
Apollon tried to swing his wrist around to break free but.
Grip... He can't escape from me firmly holding his wrist.
In fact, this situation didn't occur just because I'm stronger than Apollon.
Just as the one gripping the wrist has an advantage in arm wrestling, I simply created the same structure.
'It's still difficult to beat Apollon in strength.'
Although I raised my stats quickly, they're still around 2.2 points.
Since Apollon was in the late 4-point range in the original work, I shouldn't be able to overwhelm him so decisively.
Of course, that wasn't the important issue.
"Let go."
For Apollon, this situation itself must already be uncomfortable.
The top student of the Knight Department being overpowered by the last place of the Magic Department.
He's already acquired a dishonorable title.
It's bound to be embarrassing to be at a disadvantage just from one handicap.
His lips tremble.
He tries to twist his wrist to break free somehow, but it's impossible.
My grip strength, enhanced by the physical cheat's correction, doesn't allow even the slightest movement.
Finally, he bursts out in anger.
"I said let go!"
His face, flushed red, is already tinged with shame.
He's showing his ugly side to the many students in the café.
However, I have a reason why I can't back down either.
"You let go first."
"What?"
"I said, put Berry down. Aren't you too old to be bullying girls?"
"......"
Berry is still held in Apollon's other hand.
More than half of his strength is used in contending with me, so the grip on her collar has loosened a lot.
But Berry still has a pained expression.
Then I can't let it slide either.
"...Grind."
Finally, he releases Berry's collar.
She falls to the floor and barely stands, catching her breath.
Cough, cough. After confirming that Berry's expression has improved, I also release my strength.
"Tch!"
As soon as I release my strength, he turns his hand.
However, the visible difference is stark.
My hand is almost the same as usual, while his wrist is red.
Apollon rubs his wrist and growls.
"You don't know your place. Lowborns acting the same."
His words, spat out, contain clear contempt.
He intends to intimidate by mentioning class differences.
"I am Apollon, son of Marquis Simon. Show respect to those of noble birth."
"Look who's talking. Aren't you the one being disrespectful to Penel?"
"...Shut up!"
If Apollon's arrogance is backed by his marquis family background.
Isn't it against reason to treat Penel, a duke's daughter, so rudely?
Hitting that key point, Apollon's face wrinkled in anger.
It's the ugly response of someone hit in their weak spot.
He takes a few steps back.
Apollon, now distant from me, grinds his teeth.
The look in his eyes as he stares at me is not good, he seems quite angry.
Considering his personality, he probably won't let this slide.
But he can't start a sword fight here.
No matter how much of a top student and noble he is, if he causes any more trouble, it won't be covered up.
Apollon doesn't have many options left.
"Are you that confident in your skills, loser? Do you have the confidence to commit such rudeness to me, Apollon, the top student!"
"Well... It's not something I did because of confidence."
It's not wrong.
The reason I saved Berry isn't just because of a kind and righteous heart wanting to help her.
While that's not entirely absent, it's essentially because of my own purpose.
'I can't let the processing of the 【Werewolf's Lung】 be delayed.'
Berry is alchemizing an item at my request.
It's an item that will be very useful in the Act 1 boss battle.
It's an urgent matter since if I lose in the boss battle due to a minor error, the academy will be destroyed.
It's not for nothing that I told Apollon "if you don't want to die".
'Well, honestly, I said it largely because I was pissed off.'
It's also true that I intervened because I was disgusted by him making a fuss over grabbing one girl.
"Fine. If you're that confident, I can't just stand by either."
Apollon, as if his patience has finally snapped.
He reached into his pocket and pulled something out.
A white glove with gold embroidery.
He threw it in front of me and declared.
"I, Apollon, top student of the Knight Department, hereby challenge Herak, last place of the Magic Department, to a duel."
"......"
The café, which had been holding its breath until now, becomes even quieter.
There was no student who didn't understand the meaning of challenging to a duel at Olympia Academy.
'Duel challenge.'
At first glance, it might seem like a simple fight between two students.
But going further, it's also a duel that puts the pride of the departments at stake.
Given how much competitive spirit boils between them, it only takes a small trigger to ignite.
If a duel is declared like this, it will draw the attention of the entire school.
It's truly a storm that shakes the academy.
An unprecedented matter of interest.
Especially depending on the type of duel, there can be huge penalties for the loser.
Not only expulsion, but also having to give up all property or even becoming a slave.
That's how much weight a duel carries.
"Will you accept? If not, you're just all talk."
"Alright."
Apollon's lips twist upward.
He must know.
Once he's set up the situation like this, there's no going back.
The moment he backs down, he'll be covered in all sorts of stigma.
Of course, I have no intention of backing down either.
"I accept the duel."
"The time will be before the 'Monster Festival'. Do you agree?"
"Sure."
'Monster Festival.'
An event that occurs at the end of Act 1.
It's right to have the duel before that.
When the festival approaches, there won't be any time to spare.
"...Hmph."
He snorts and turns his back.
The one who caused all this commotion in 'Golden Apple' showed his back as if he was about to leave just like that.
─Hey, what's going on...
─A duel? Wow. It's been a long time.
─Apollon vs Herak? This is fucking exciting.
The venue becomes noisy as if finally feeling the situation has been settled.
While the whispers of those guys buzz in my ears.
Thud, thud.
Apollon walked towards the door without the slightest movement.
Is he planning not to look back at all?
'No.'
That can't be.
My body doesn't move after ending the conversation.
Perhaps that looked like I let my guard down to him, as I saw his hand moving towards his sword hilt.
Apollon's thoughts are obvious.
He intends to humiliate me at least once before the duel starts.
He probably thought I would be off guard since one confrontation had ended, but─
"That's enough."
"...!"
Suddenly, Apollon's body jerks.
His hand moving towards the sword hilt is caught.
The wrist I had grabbed earlier.
That reddened spot, my hand was pressing down on it again with force.
"Shouldn't a man speak in the duel? ...Is that the extent of the noble honor you think of?"
"...You bastard..."
I wonder if my words whispered in his ear were heard by the students or not.
It doesn't matter either way.
It's fine as long as Apollon hears it.
He should know to be ashamed if he tries to pull dirty tricks.
"...Tch!"
Finally, Apollon lets go of his sword hilt and.
He kicks the door open and strides away.
"......"
The place where he left.
I stand there quietly for a moment and scratch the back of my head.
"Tsk."
Well, this is troublesome. An annoying situation has arisen.
*
Herak's expression didn't look very comfortable.
"......"
Even for Herak, the opponent is the opponent.
If it's Apollon, the top student, even Herak's recent unstoppable momentum must have a flaw.
That made Berry feel upset.
'...It's because of me.'
If it weren't for me, he wouldn't have been in this situation.
He would have continued doing well without clashing with such a human trash.
This stupid girl, why did I have to talk back like that...
"Are you okay?"
"Hik!"
Herak who had approached without her noticing.
Her heart fluttered involuntarily at his casual words as he scratched the back of his head.
Berry's earlobes turned red as she made a strange sound without realizing it.
"Y-Yeah. I'm fine. I'm okay."
She answers repeatedly, trying hard to suppress her agitated heart.
Her ears felt like they might burst from her uncontrollable heartbeat.
"Well, that's good then."
"Um."
"Hm?"
She grabs Herak's shoulder as he was about to pass by, seemingly relieved.
Berry looks up at his face and asks in a trembling voice.
"Why... did you help me?"
"What? Are you starting that again?"
"...! You idiot, that's not it!"
His gaze looking at her pitifully is very irritating.
He must think she's repeating what she said when she was being bullied by the delinquents before.
'This idiot!'
Knowing it's not a matter of that level!
"It's Apollon, Apollon...! He's on a different level from those guys! Do you know what happens if you lose in a duel?!"
"What now."
Herak let out a small sigh.
As if he's reluctant to have to explain even this.
"I just did it because I wanted to. ...No, I also have a request for you. Think of it as me helping you to do that well. That's better."
"...Idiot."
The request.
That must also refer to the 【Werewolf's Lung】 that Herak entrusted to her.
'Is that really the reason?'
What's the big deal about one alchemy schedule being delayed?
That can't be it.
Common sense dictates that even if he directly entrusted the item to Berry, there's no need to take such a risk for that.
Then.
Why did Herak go out of his way to help me?
I just did it because I wanted to.
─This one sentence explains everything.
He simply acted because he 'wanted to do so' sincerely.
Without any ulterior motives like trying to get with Berry for helping her.
It must be a manifestation of pure goodwill and sense of justice.
Truly the spirit of a hero itself.
"Idiot..."
So Berry couldn't help but mutter.
This guy is really an idiot.
What's so important about one girl like me that he would take such a risk?
...Someone like me, Penel is much more...
"Huk!"
Come to think of it.
I forgot about Penel.
Her precious friend who would have witnessed this scene from right next to her!
"...Looks quite good, Berry?"
Look.
The face of the lady smiling gently from her seat.
Her eyes, so beautiful and noble, but with a chilling aura dripping from their corners!
"How did this happen? I think someone said not to misunderstand. Isn't that right, Berry?"
"Ah, no, Penel. That's not it..."
For a moment forgetting even Herak, Berry waves her hands.
No matter how bold Berry is, she becomes a meek lamb in front of Penel.
Because it was such a precious friendship.
"...Well, forget it."
Her friend's suspicious behavior.
Penel frowned for a moment, but eventually stood up and approached Herak.
"Thank you, Herak."
"Why so suddenly?"
"Because you helped my friend. I should thank you too."
"...Why don't you thank Berry first? I just lent a hand."
"Yes. That's right. Thank you too, Berry."
Penel smiling brightly, and Herak with a calm expression.
If the conversation ended here, it would have been a perfectly heartwarming conclusion.
"Yah! This is a scoop!"
However, there was a girl who wouldn't allow such an ending.
A small woman squeezes in between the three people with their warm atmosphere.
Red hair in a two-side up style, it was Ruby from the newspaper club.
"A duel between Senior Apollon and Senior Herak! Moreover, it was for a woman, and that woman turned out to be Senior Penel's friend! On top of that, Senior Penel also has a strange relationship with Senior Herak!"
"......"
"I can't just stand by. I need to write an article about this fact right away. Ah, before that, shall we do an interview? First, Senior Herak─ Kyeeng!"
"Take it easy."
Lightning strikes the crown of Ruby's head as she's all excited.
Herak, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, finally bestowed a flick on her forehead.
It was just the right punishment for a mischievous young lady.
*
As I accepted Apollon's duel challenge, I need some preparation of my own.
Even a rotten fish is still a fish, he's still the top student.
He probably didn't get that position by playing jacks, so I need to develop corresponding skills.
This is the preparation for that.
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【Twelve Star Cloud Fist】
Fist: Element Infusion (Undetermined state)
[Acquisition Condition: When 'Elemental Magic' is understood]
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The second technique of 【Twelve Star Cloud Fist】, 'Element Infusion'.