Auto Lost Bet

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After five minutes, everyone eventually found sparring partners. 

"Now, with your partners, choose a battle stage, and all of you will start sparring under my command." 

Hearing this, each partner doesn't hesitate any more and climbs into certain battle stages as they talk about certain topics.

There are hundreds of battle stages that are scattered around, so everyone didn't have to worry about having no place to spar. 

After a few glances, my eyes subconsciously fall to the left side and see Jasmine, without notifying me, already had chosen a certain battle stage. 

Exactly as I look in her direction, she also looks in my direction. 

When she sees me looking at her, she puts a smile on her face and waves her hand at me. 

This silly girl keeps changing her temperament. 

Is the Magic Academy a place for mad people?

After a few ill words in my head for her, I walk forward and jump on the battle stage. 

My eyes wander around the battle stage. 

Fourteen?

I spot a number carved in the middle of the stage. I am not sure if every battle stage has numbers, but it seems so.  

I nod my head and stop thinking.

Other than that number, I see nothing worth describing anymore. Not to mention, these battle stages aren't something extraordinary. It looks just like a boxing ring. Just wider. 

"Hey, what are you secretly muttering? Want to share?!" 

I knit my eyebrows as I hear Jasmine speak. 

One of my eyebrows lowers in annoyance; sometimes, it is so annoying to have someone always interrupting you when you are ruminating. 

Sigh* 

I steal a deep breath and take a sigh of relief; I put my palm on each other and clasp before I stretch them forward. 

Crack*

Smooth cracking of bones rings in my head as I perform some stretching exercises. 

So refreshing! 

I take another few deep breaths, which makes me feel comfortable... 

Effective. 

So nice! 

The frustration has lessened a little. 

This feeling is like having the world that I am carrying this whole time finally lifts. Although not entirely, at least, I can feel my burden in life gets lighter. 

"Let's have a battle?!" 

Seeing her mouth about to open, I didn't wait for her to speak but propose.  

She gives me a smirk as a response. 

That face looks so annoying. I want to pinch that damn cheek of her. 

"Well, don't cry when I spank your ass after a while! Hehe!" 

Rather than feeling annoyed, why not make her the one annoyed instead? 

It is effective. She suddenly turns red as smoke evaporates above her head. 

The smile on her face slowly disappears and changes into sarcasm... 

Wait... Sarcasm?

I thought she got annoyed?

But it turns out not... 

Although I am confused, I didn't show any expression. 

"What about a bet?" 

She stands still as she folds her hand on her chest and acts provocatively. 

Mmm?

Bet?

It instantly piques my interest.

A bet... I see...

"What's the rules?" 

Although there already are rules created by the professor, the old man, now that we are reaching a bet, it should be more appropriate to have our self-made condition added.

Because she's the one who recommended this plan, she should already think it through. 

Although I ain't fond of gambles, as long as it is beneficial to me, why not?

"Easy, rules about fighting are; let's follow the rules the professor gave!"

"O-okay?" 

I just feel my head turn numb. My head shakes in my mind as I feel disappointed in her. I thought too highly of her, but it turned out she also doesn't have any idea in her mind. Maybe she just thought about this gamble the moment we entered the battle stage. 

Anyway, the professor's rules are only three;

No fatal attack.

No cheating; Using pills, weapons above a certain level, outside help, etc., as long as considered as cheating, not allowed. 

Learn with each other. (Last but not least)

...

The two rules are the actual rules, and the third one is just nothing. Maybe the professor just can't think of any rules anymore and just blurted out nonsense. 

By the way, you need to know that these rules are not only empty. Committing any action that is potentially or against the rules has a consequence. The consequence depends on what you would do and what would be the effect of your work. 

The death penalty is possible, even it is just mere sparing. However, that has not considered the harshest penalty; the harshest penalty is being kicked out from the academy. Not to mention, academic achievements and so on are important in this world. 

Just like on earth back then, you must have certificates, academic achievements, and so on for a better and easier future.

Nothing is different between the two.

But of course, if you have the power of connection, money, and background, you are an exception. As always... Tsk*

...

After talking about the rules and regulations, the next thing talked about was the gamble.

What's the price?

Money? I don't think so.

Favor? Maybe...

I don't think that I can help though... Unless she has something for me... Anytime... Hehe… 

Ahem... We must stay professional...

"Then~"  

As my mouth is about to open to say something, Jasmine sees me through and interrupts me with her hand. She raises.   

"Favor!"

As expected.

I nod my head in understanding. 

One word and everything got answered. She also had a straightforward side, I see. 

"If I defeat you, you have to do me a favor, whatever my wish is! Okay?" She says "Of course, that's vice versa!" Then adds. 

I don't know what favor she wants me to do, or; I don't think she would spit it out before the battle got a winner, even if I ask. 

Though confused. I slowly nod my head as I agree.

Yes. This bet is an auto lost bet. But it also has a good side. That's why I accepted it. 

This bet is a good chance to deepen our relationship. 

Even if I lose, I am still considered a winner, somehow. 

Jasmine, if she became my backer, my life would never turn difficult. Unless she finds herself in an awkward situation.

Also... maybe... I could also... Cough* 

. . .

A/N: 

Please don't forget to vote... Thanks for reading... 

[Not all mage is a long range, but there are also those mages where they could add the mana into their flesh to make it strengthen]