The duel!

Training between the students was more lackluster than ever, and there was only one reason for it—the upcoming fight between Monk and Gary. The ranking match scheduled for later in the day was all anyone could talk about.

Kyle had turned the event into a spectacle, setting a time and place for the fight and even organizing bets among the students. Gary was the favorite to win, but Kyle had ensured good odds for Monk as well, leveraging the mystery of the Black Sash students as a selling point. Naturally, all of this was done away from the watchful eyes of the teachers. They were aware of the match but not the gambling.

Though ranking matches happened daily, this particular fight was different. It was a grudge match involving the academy's top-ranked student, and everyone knew Monk was quickly rising through the ranks. He might have been officially ranked fiftieth, but most students believed his true skill placed him among the top ten.

A large crowd had gathered in the outdoor training area, forming a ring around Monk and Gary, who stood ten feet apart, ready to begin.

Ray stood with his roommates—Ian, Slyvia, Dan, and Martha—when Kyle approached them.

"So, any of you want to place a bet on who's going to win?" Kyle asked, holding a list of names and a tray of money hanging around his neck.

"How could you even ask us that? We're friends with both of them, roommates even. I'd hate for them to find out we were betting on them," Slyvia said.

Dan placed a ten-sepy note in Kyle's tray. "Ten on Gary to win, easy."

"Dan!" Slyvia shouted.

"Five for Monk from me. I always prefer the underdog," Martha added.

"I can't believe you two. Right, Ian?" Slyvia turned to him.

Ian avoided her gaze, fidgeting with his hands.

"Don't tell me—"

"The big guy already bet on Gary to win," Kyle confirmed.

Grinning, Kyle moved back into the crowd, announcing that betting was now closed and the fight would begin any second.

Slyvia sighed. "Well, at least I know you didn't bet anything, Ray. But I have to ask—do you think Monk has a chance?"

"Oh, so you also think Gary's going to win."

She didn't respond, but her worried expression said everything.

"Monk has put more effort into our special training than any of us. He outperforms us in nearly every aspect. While Gary is naturally skilled and can beat nearly everyone, Monk is the worst type of opponent for him right now."

Dan, who had been listening in, chimed in. "Well, I fought Gary and lost in under a minute. Honestly, I don't think Monk stands a chance."

Their attention turned to the two fighters. Kyle had taken the role of referee, standing between them.

Weapons in hand, Monk and Gary faced off. Kyle raised his hand.

"Three… two… one… Fight!"

Kyle's hand dropped, signaling the start of the match, and he quickly stepped back into the crowd.

Monk wasted no time, launching the first attack. He was relentless, striking at Gary from all angles—left, right, above, below. His rapid shifts in stance and movement stunned the audience. He used his small frame to his advantage, weaving through openings with incredible speed.

The crowd marveled at Monk's agility, but just as impressive was Gary's defense. Despite the onslaught, he managed to block nearly every attack.

"Phew, Monk had me worried there for a second," Dan admitted.

Yet, Monk's energy was depleting. Maintaining such an intense offensive pace was unsustainable. Gary, recognizing this, took the opportunity to strike back.

When he finally retaliated, Monk adjusted his footwork, shifting to a more elusive style. His movements now closely resembled Sir K's during the knight test exam. Every time Gary attacked, Monk dodged a fraction of a second before impact, making him incredibly difficult to hit.

"Go, Monk! Don't give up!" Martha cheered.

For ten minutes, the two exchanged blows in a battle of skill and endurance.

"This could go on for a while," Slyvia said.

"No, it will end soon," Ray corrected. "Our techniques are designed for assassination. We aim to end fights quickly. Monk knew that, which is why he's been pushing so hard. The second it went past the ten-minute mark, Monk lost this battle. Unless…"

Ray trailed off. There was still a way Monk could win. The problem was that Gary had been holding back this entire time. He hadn't been using his full strength—just playing along and letting Monk exhaust himself.

Now, Monk was drenched in sweat, while Gary remained almost unaffected.

"Ready to give up?" Gary asked.

Monk didn't answer. He steadied his breathing, preparing for what came next.

Frustrated, Gary finally struck with full force. Monk lifted his blade to block, but Gary's power shattered the wooden sword into pieces.

"It's over," Gary declared.

But then, before anyone could react, Monk grabbed one of the broken shards, holding it like a dagger. With all his remaining strength, he lunged at Gary's neck.

The splintered wood had become a sharp, dangerous weapon. No longer a training tool but something real. Just as it was about to make contact, a hand appeared, gripping the dagger inches from Gary's throat.

It was Ray's hand.