CHAPTER 17

"Hah, a new recruit? Hmm...?"

Logan tilted his head arrogantly, as if in disbelief. His eyes narrowed for a moment.

'Krista Worden...'

It was because of the genius girl who had walked in behind the boy. The very existence that was considered the collective achievement of the Eight Major Schools' late-stage disciples.

'If that's the case...'

Black hair and red eyes.

Ah, so this guy is that so-called esteemed young master of the Ludwig family. A sneer formed on Logan's lips.

"Ah, and here I was wondering who it was. Who was it again? The failure— Oh dear, my mistake! My apologies. I have this bad habit of thinking out loud."

It was obvious to anyone that it was no mere slip of the tongue but rather a deliberate provocation. Logan smiled nonchalantly, pretending to show courtesy.

"As a disciple of the Eight Major Schools, I had been meaning to visit and formally greet the esteemed young master at some point, but this works out perfectly. But a magic duel, you say? Did I mishear?"

Logan's large frame stepped forward, casting an intimidating shadow over Rain.

Logan was at least a head and a half taller than his peers, so even Rain—who was above average height—was easily dwarfed.

"You heard right. Since you're so eager, I figured I'd entertain you."

"Hahaha! So, what you're saying is, you're confident you can defeat someone like me with ease?"

The sneer remained on Logan's lips, but the amusement had long since vanished from his eyes.

"If you're not confident, should I give you a handicap? Hmm, maybe I could avoid using any combat magic?"

"Rain, are you out of your mind...?"

"How about this? I'll only use the spells developed by this club. And I'll limit myself to just three spells. How about that?"

"Are you serious?"

"I don't see how I could lose even with that."

Logan blinked in disbelief before bursting into laughter, clutching his stomach.

"This isn't just about being a failure—you're completely delusional... Oh, my apologies again, young master. Very well. But you do realize that it takes three days to officially join this club?"

"?"

"Meaning, this can only be settled as a private duel between individuals."

"Just get to the point."

"If you win, fine. I'll give up on this club. Not only that, if anyone else comes to pick a fight with you, I'll personally make sure they back off."

Krista's eyes narrowed. Offering such favorable terms meant there had to be a catch.

"But if I win, hmm, let's say you submit a withdrawal letter to . The reason? Something like, 'I realized my limits after facing Logan of Chaihark.'"

This was an outrageous condition. That's why Krista stepped forward.

For the heir of a mage family, magical talent wasn't the only requirement—academic standing was just as important. Rain was the direct successor of the Ludwig family.

If he submitted a withdrawal letter from , it wouldn't just tarnish the family's reputation—it could also jeopardize his future inheritance. Other noble families and vassal houses might no longer recognize his legitimacy.

"Are you kidding me? You're just giving up a club, while he—"

"—It's fine, Krista."

"Do you even realize what's at stake?"

"Do I need to? I'm going to win anyway."

The moment Rain's eyes gleamed with an eerie light, so cold it sent chills down her spine, Krista found herself speechless.

"Don't run away. You can pick the time and place."

"Hahaha! I was going to say the same thing. I'll arrange for a professor to officiate. No need to delay—let's settle this today at 6 PM in the Dragon's Arena."

With that, Logan mockingly gave a clumsy noble's bow before strolling past them and out the door.

'What a catch I've landed.'

To drag the eldest son of a prestigious family into a magic duel—especially Rain Ludwig, infamous as a failure.

'Still, he is a noble heir, after all.'

Traditionally, heirs of noble mage families never participated in magic duels unless their family was directly insulted.

For them, there was more to lose than to gain.

That said, provoking them just for a duel wasn't worth it either—it could get you expelled. The headmaster of this school was from a mage family, after all.

But this time… the other side had stepped forward first.

'The headmaster and elders are going to love this.'

And if he took down other noble heirs who came seeking revenge, maybe he could even aim for the position of the next headmaster.

"Today is really shaping up to be fantastic."

Meanwhile, back in the clubroom, Krista pressed her temples with a sigh.

"You... a magic duel? Do you even understand your position?"

" first-year?"

"Don't joke around."

"I'm not joking. What, then?"

"You're a noble heir, just like me. How can you not understand what that means?"

As Krista sighed, Rain simply examined the research books on the club's shelves, making no attempt to reply. That made her even more irritated.

"Fine. Do whatever you want. I was stupid for worrying about you."

Krista shook her head and stormed out, leaving Rain tilting his head in confusion.

"Why is she mad? I didn't do anything."

"You did something incomprehensible."

The voice belonged to a small-framed boy picking up a fallen pair of glasses.

The crest on his student ring was not of a 'Sleeping Dragon' but a 'Spreading Wings Dragon'—a second-year student.

"Noble heirs never participate in magic duels."

"Why not?"

"There's little to gain but a lot to lose."

Normally, commoner students would use honorifics when speaking to a noble, even if they were upperclassmen. Some nobles used honorifics out of courtesy, but they were rare.

"That's why I'm more wary than grateful. Why… did you help me? I just don't understand."

Why?

Unlike Krista, Rain was terrible at explaining things like this. The question felt harder than any math problem.

"I didn't help. I just remembered an old assignment."

"Assignment? What kind of—"

"This club needs to stay so I can finish it faster. That's all. I acted in my own self-interest, so don't worry about it."

Krista might have said, Do you need a reason to help people? while smiling brightly.

But Rain didn't know how to smile like that.

Didn't know how to say things like that.

Didn't have that kind of personality.

So he'd just keep living as the calculating person he'd always been.

"But I think you're underestimating Logan's strength..."

"How strong is he?"

"He's a King-type magician. As you know, they have an overwhelming advantage against normal mages."

According to the club president, Joen, Logan was so exceptional in both magic and physical abilities that he even studied martial arts under one of the Republic's Six Great Martial Sects.

"From what I've heard, his win rate in inter-school duels is over 90%..."

Joen chuckled bitterly, leaning against the wall in defeat.

"You made an incredibly reckless decision. I'm not even worth saving... Maybe I said something weird earlier—"

"…?"

"I made this club sound grand, but it's not. I just grew up in the countryside. The villagers pooled money for my tuition."

Joen said he had joined the club to research magic in hopes of repaying his hometown after graduation.

"So really… it's just a personal reason. Pathetic, huh? I'm sorry, young master. I'll fight in your place."

Joen smiled bitterly, adjusting his broken glasses.

Zero chance of winning.

But wasn't that even more true for Rain, a so-called failure? No point in burdening someone else over a doomed cause.

"That's weird. Why is that pathetic?"

Rain's words rippled through Joen's heart like waves in a still pond.

Rain smirked, picking up a few books.

"There's no rule saying you can't become great. Right?"

Even after Rain left, Joen remained seated, staring blankly at the door.

His heart was pounding.

His entire body was trembling.

What was this feeling? Like receiving guidance from an untouchable master rather than simply talking to a fellow student…