Ch. 19: Cafeteria Confrontation.

Selk's POV.

Why did I get dragged into this? One minute, I was just eating my delicious Miso Ramen prepared by the first class cafeteria chef, and the next, I'm being challenged to a duel. And why did Vina mention she's in love with me? I've told her over and over again not to mention that in public. It's a good thing this is the cafeteria for the elite students and only a few people are here, but it's only a matter of time before this news spreads all throughout the university. I have to apologies on her behalf and clear this situation up ASAP.

Selk: "M-my apologies for how Ms. Vina has been acting towards you. She just really doesn't interact much with people outside of her friend circle, so she really doesn't have any filters. I'm sure she didn't mean to say what she just said in such a rude manner. Right, Vina?"

Vina: "No, Sir Selk. I meant every word I said, in just the exact way I said it. This boy is trash, in every sense of the word, and such trash can never compare to you."

Damn it, Vina. Can't you take a hint?

Selk: "A-anyway, can we just let this slide? We really don't need to do this dueling thing. Me and Vina are just friends, and with no romantic relations what so ever."

Vina: "Sir Selk, you don't need to mind this boy's feelings. You are the only man I will ever love, and no force on the planet could ever change the way I feel for you."

GAAAAAHHHHHHH! How can you say that with such a straight face? Aren't you feeling even an ounce of embarrassment? All the girls here, even some of the boys, just turned flush in the face after hearing that. Heck, I'm about to die of embarrassment right now.

Alfonse: "Let it slide? This is a mockery of my family, the house DeMarco. And you think I can just let it slide? Besides, what right do you have to be with Ms. Vina? You who cheated his way into passing the exams."

Selk: "H-huh?"

Where did that come from, all of a sudden? Why is he accusing me of cheating? Looks like everyone in my team's table are getting pretty upset because of what this boy said. I don't think there's going to be a calm resolution to this.

Selk: "I-I'm sorry, but what gave you the Idea that I cheated in the exam in any way?"

I asked in a polite manner that irritated Vina as she looked at me with a scowl on her brow.

Alfonse: "Don't play dumb with me. Everyone knows that you're using some kind of spacial magical tool to hide that bow and arrows of yours. You're suppose to use your own powers to pass the test, yet you used a magical weapon you bought to pass the exam. How shameful. Then Again, you are a flesh mage, so you're probably used to doing shameful things."

The boy said as he grinned and knickered at me along with his entourage. However, I have an entourage of my own, and it doesn't look like they'll take that insult of me lying down. Abriela was the one to speak out first.

Abriela: "What utter nonsense. We were there when Selk constructed his weapon. there's no mistaking that his magic is true."

Abriela said in a heated tone, which was echoed by my other teammates. Unfortunately, the Young man will not back down on his beliefs regarding my cheating.

Alfonse: "Shut up! You're just saying that to ride on this cheater's coattails. Ms. Vina, I now know why you didn't reply to my letter. It wasn't because you thought of me in any ill light, but because you were deceived by this man. Now, please open your eyes on how unworthy this guy is before your glory."

The tall boy said to my friends. His tone changing his aggressive one when addressing Abriela, to a kinder tone once he started addressing Vina. However, it's now time for Vina to speak on my behalf.

Vina: "You best hold your tongue, Swine. I've known Sir Selk for years, And he would never stoop so low as to cheat in an exam. He fought with me side by side in the Human VS Demon war, and he saved countless lives in the battle field with his flesh magic. To insult him is to insult all who fought along side him. Are you man enough to face the consequences of your words?"

Vina said this calmly, but with a firm tone that left Alfonse and his crew shaking in place as cold sweat trickle down their skin. Before the young man could respond to Vina's intense proclamation however, a female voice spoke up from the small crowd surrounding us.

"Alfonse, that's enough. You bring shame upon our house."

A familiar looking girl then emerged from the crowd, accompanied by an all female posse. After remembering her face, her name then followed. Her name is Manon, Manon Demarco. She's the leader of team Three, our co-top classers for this year. And her posse, none other than her team mates.

Alfonse: "D-d-don't get in my way, Manon... T-t-this guy, h-h-h-he..."

Manon: "He's done nothing wrong. I personally saw his display of power, and he is the real deal. And even if he wasn't, Lady Vina has profusely rejected you. Be a man, and leave her be to her decision."

The shaky voiced Alfonse tried to stand up for himself, but was quickly berated my Manon.

Alfonse: "Y-y-you have no right to order me around, Manon. I-I'm still your older brother."

Manon: "And yet here you are, having a tantrum like a child. Besides, You might be three years older than me, but you know I'm higher in the inheritance pole. Now, leave before Lady Vina paint this cafeteria with your blood."

Manon said, painting a grim mental portrait of what might become of Alfonse if he continues to pester Vina and my team. Without saying anything further, Alfonse left with his entourage, but not before he gave me the most menacing of death glares, filled with malice and hate.

Manon: "Please forgive my imbecile of an elder brother. Although, to be fair to him, most people will be upset if they are left hanging in the wind without even a proper rejection."

Vina now started to become angry at the girl who stopped our fight with her brother.

Vina: "Are you implying I am to blame for him insulting Sir Selk?"

Manon: "Suffice to say, Yes. This altercation partly has you to blame as well, Lady Vina. You ignored a formal marriage proposal from my family. If this was to make it to my father's knowledge, he may take it up with the king as a declaration of war towards our house."

Vina: "Is that a threat, Ms. DeMarco?"

Vina said with a steely tone, trying to clarify Manon's ominous words and intimidate her at the same time. Manon, however, didn't seem to be shaken by her intimidating tone.

Manon: "Not at the slightest, Lady Vina. I am simply stating a fact that us nobles live by. Traditions might not be your cup of tea, but they must be followed to avoid... complications."

Vina: "Sigh! Alright, I get it. I'll have my people right a letter to your father properly and respectfully rejecting your brother."

Vina said, finally relenting on something she should have done from the start.

Manon: "That would be much appreciated, Lady Vina. And as for you, Sir Selk, I owe a huge apology. A display of power like what you've shown is nothing less then extraordinary. To claim otherwise is a travesty."

Manon apologizes to me, her voice dignified and genuine. She then bowed and bid us farewell as she and her teammates made their way back in the classroom, which we decided to follow suit after we finished our meal. After that, there was another four hours worth of classes that consisted of math, and history, and theoretical magic spells. Ms. Levizla even gave us an assignment on our first day, asking us to solve a complex magical formulas and told us to solve it in one week. I guess university life is no joke.

Once the lessons were done, Ms. Levizla reminded me again of my promise before sending us to our last class, advance combat lessons. Our instructor was a bald middle age burley man named Ben Axser. He's wearing a leather armor and sporting a bastard sword sheathed on his left hip. I was really looking forward to this, since I've never had a formal sword instructor before other Arnis back in my old world. All I've done is copy the moves I've seen in combat without anyone pointing out if I made a mistake or not.

I was glad the I didn't struggle as much as I thought I would, the years of self taught sword play and in combat experience helping out immensely. I now feel I have more power in my swings, and I'm not as uncomfortable in handling my sword anymore. I guess this is what I was missing out in my combat style. Unlike me, however, Gilbert has impeccable form.

This is the first time I've seen Gilbert use his sword to perform any kind of sword play, since he only used his Future sight and Time magic for war room strategies. His stance and slashes are so refined and polished, one wouldn't be mistaken to think he was a sword master. Every stroke of his sword were flawless and masterful that I almost didn't notice that they had remarkable power behind them as well. I would even dare to say that gilbert is the most skilled swordsman I've ever seen.

I could see Vina Admiring gilberts style as well. When Compared to Vina's swordsmanship, Gilbert's style would be the polar opposite of it. Vina's sword play is quick and heavy, designed to mow down multiple opponents at once or take down soldiers that are heavily armored in the battle field. Whiles Gilbert is perfect for one on one combat, with strikes that targets vital parts of the body like the curated arteries, abdominal region, groin, and even vastus muscles.

After the footwork and sword play instructions, Sir Axser had us spar with one another to test out the techniques we just learned. No magic, just pure sword skills. Unfortunately, I was pared with Gilbert of all people. A novice swordsman vs a guy with whos sword mastery is at legendary rank. And yes, I did use my Great Elven Eye to read his stats.

We were both using wooden practice swords for our sparring match, I took a  defensive stance, while Gilbert took a relaxed fencing stance. I think I did a pretty good job of defending myself from Gilbert's attacks as I was able to parry most of them. However, I was in the defensive the whole time, and once he caught me trying to avoid his faint lunge, he slipped in my left flank and pointed his sword at my neck.

Sir Axser enthusiastically announced Gilbert as the winner, and I went in to shake his hand to congratulate him. However, his eyes weren't that of a winner, but of a sad and disappointed person craving for more. I guess my novice swordsmanship couldn't really satisfy his hidden combat junky cravings. However, he said "This isn't a victory for me. I refuse to accept this. We'll fight again with all our strength and power. And when I win that time, only then will I accept my victory over you."

Before I could ask him what that was all about, he left the practice area, seemingly going back to his room, Sir Axser not even bothering to stop him. The Sword instruction lesson lasted for around two and a half hours. That was the last class for the day, so we were sent home. It was almost night time classes were over, and number of my teammates said they wanted to celebrate our first day of actual classes.

Abriela was not with us when the bell rang and school ended. She said she needed to meet up with the dean to talk about her tuition expenses, but in reality it probably to meet up with her fellow demon students in the dean's office to discuss how they are acclimating in their new environment.

However, I decided to go back to my dorm room since I don't want to leave Allice alone for too long. Vina wanted to walk back home with me, but she was asked by Sarah to accompany my teammates since she missed out on our dinner last night.

Sarah: "Come on, Vina. We never get to go to any parties anymore after the war ended. Let's have some fun with people outside of our social circle, please."

Sarah said with pleading eyes to her conflicted best friend.

Vina: "B-but, I just have a bad feeling that Sir Selk m..."

Selk: "It's alright, Vina. Maybe you and I can do something on Saturday. Just go and have fun."

I told the reluctant Vina as she was darting her eyes from Sarah to me.

Lira: "T-that's right, Lady Vina. Sir Selk wants you to have fun, and I know all of us will have fun tonight with Sir Selk's teammates."

Lira chiming in, uncharacteristically agreeing with me for once. However, when I noticed her stolen glances directed at Alfred, I quickly put two and two together and knew it wasn't for Vina or my sake.

Vina: "A-alright, but please Sir Selk, do be careful on your way back."

I told a worried Vina That I would be careful. After our good byes, Lira, Sarah, Vina, and even Gilbert left with my teammates to go visit good restaurants near the university. I than started to make my way back to the dorm, but decided to take the long way around.

Twilight has long passed at this point, and I turned to an empty alley way that I came across when me and Allice did our tour. I then stopped in the middle of said dark alley way, and addressed the people that were following me since my friends and I made our way our of the university's gates.

Selk: "I know you're there, Alfonse. Why don't you and your team come closer. I'm sure you guys must be tired of tailing me by now."

After my prompting Alfonse begrudgingly stepped out of the shadows, along with his team.

Alfonse: "Since when have you... Never mind. I think you know exactly why we're here, right?"

Selk: "You want to teach me a lesson and tell me to stay away from Vina, right?"

I answered Alfonse's obvious question. Little did I know that they were going to do more than just telling me to stay away from Vina.

Alfonse: "Oh, you'll stay away from Ms. Vina alright. About six feet under, that is."

Selk: "So, you want to kill me? Just so Vina can be with you?"

I asked in surprise of the type of extreme Alfonse is willing to go to have Vina.

Alfonse: "With you gone, Vina will finally be able to see that she never loved you. What ever trick you used to make her fall for you, that will disappear once you do. Once that happens, I'll be there to pick up the pieces of her broken heart. My family will be proud of me for once when I wed the Hero of Light, and I'll be bestowed the title as head of the DeMarco family."

Wow. How delusional is this guy to think that everything will fall in to place like that just by killing one person. However, it looks like not all of his six teammates are okay with just killing someone.

"C-come on, Alfonse. I thought we were just going to rough this guy up. I did not signup for murder."

One of his comrade said, un-aware of Alfonse's true intentions.

Alfonse: "Stop pussy footing around. No one will ever find out about this. Will just make it look like he was mugged and none will be the wiser."

Alfonse then proceeded to pullout a knife from his inner coat, brandishing it at me. His team then followed his example, pulling out their own knives. Even the reluctant one.

Alfonse: "Oh, and don't think you can use that exploding arrow on us. We'll cut you down before you could even nock an arrow in your bow, hehehe!"

What an idiot. He automatically assumes that I only use a bow and arrow as my weapon just because I used it in the exams. Either it didn't dawn on him that I might be able to use other weapons, or he's so confident with his skills and his teammates that they can take me down with ease.

I didn't want to waste anymore time with these guys that I've already had. As they charged towards me, I constructed a weapon to help me subdue these seven guys quickly and safely.

I held my right palm out and produced the Siren Frog. A palm size yellow frog with red dots on it's back. It has the same powers as that of the red sea Sirens that can lull people into sleep with their enchanted songs. Once the group fell onto the ground, fast asleep, I deconstructed the Siren Frog and checked on them.

They were all fast asleep. It's a good thing the Siren Frog's song has an added ability of erasing 1 hour of memory of anyone that hears it at the time. Before I could think of what I was going to do to these seven idiots, I heard a voice echo all throughout the alley way.

Levizla: "Y-you! You have the power of Life construction!"

Prof. Levizla came out of nowhere, shouting at me as she expose the secret I didn't want anyone else to know.