The First Contact

I should keep a low profile in this class, and try to avoid contact with any of the students.

That's what I planned to do, but....

"We are going to conduct a mock duel between class S and A, on the theory taught in last class. Use of magic above basic level is forbidden. You can either use your swords or magic staves."

Then, he took out a bowl with many pieces of paper folded in it, which I am guessing have our names written in it.

Professor Vance then continued.

"Matchups will bw decided based on this lottery. And, to maintain fairness and balance, I have decided that in this duel, one S class student will fight with 2 class A students."

Murmurs rippled through Class A. Some students looked visibly uneasy. Others, particularly those from noble families, seemed eager.

I kept my expression neutral, though internally, I was already calculating the odds.

This was bad.

Class S students weren't just talented—they were monsters in their own right.

Even with a two-on-one advantage, most Class A students wouldn't stand a chance.

However, this event was mentioned in the web novel.

It was like a filler event, with no impact the main storyline, just to let the protagonist aura-farm.

In the original, Leon, the protagonist, effortlessly crushed his assigned opponents, making him stand out even more among the elite.

Meanwhile, the nobles of Class A who prided themselves on their lineage were put in their place, reinforcing the narrative that talent and hard work mattered more than status.

By the way, Sylphyre is also in class S, and she was also stunned by Leon's prowess.

Leon's opponents were not weak to begin with.

He fought against Magnus Loire, the top student of class A in terms of swordsmanship and Lucy Harrington, another genius mage, who has the capacity to promote to class S.

Leon thrashed both of them, which established his position among first years.

Now what should I do?

Lucian was originally present in this practical class, so nothing much changes even if I don't do anything.

Moreover, watching this insane fight scene would be a plus for me to attend this class.

Actually, it would be amazing to watch it.

I bet there are times when you read a story and just pray that you were there to watch it happening.

Also, it would be great to assess myself through this duel.

Lucian's skills were not that much trashy, nor were they high level.

He was just a mediocre student, who overestimated himself.

Professor Vance reached into the bowl, his hand sifting through the slips of paper. The anticipation in the room was palpable, the murmurs of students dying down as everyone focused on the next name.

Finally, he pulled one out and unfolded it.

"Leon Vermilion."

The entire room fell silent.

Everyone knew the name.

Leon, the prodigy of Class S. The top-ranked first-year. A rising star whose skills had already surpassed most upperclassmen.

Sylphyre, who had been standing casually before, straightened slightly, her expression turning serious. She already knew Leon was strong, but even she had been surprised by his performance in the novel.

Professor Vance didn't pause, continuing to draw the names of his opponents.

"Magnus Loire."

As expected.

Magnus stepped forward, his golden hair catching the light as he gripped the hilt of his sword. His expression was calm, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes—determination, perhaps. Or arrogance.

"And Lucy Harrington."

Lucy exhaled sharply before moving forward, her movements composed. With her striking red hair and piercing green eyes, she gave off the air of a noble prodigy. She was one of the few in Class A who had the potential to move up to Class S, thanks to her exceptional magic talent.

The match was set.

Leon Vermilion versus Magnus Loire and Lucy Harrington.

This was it.

This was the moment from the novel.

The duel where Leon would establish his overwhelming superiority.

I could already see Magnus tightening his grip on his sword, his pride refusing to let him back down.

Lucy, on the other hand, had a more calculating gaze, likely already analyzing the best way to approach the fight.

And Leon?

He simply stood there, hands in his pockets, exuding an effortless confidence.

I had read this scene before.

I knew what was about to happen.

And yet, standing here, watching it unfold in real life, was something else entirely.

This was going to be interesting.

I just needed to make sure I didn't get dragged into it.

Professor Vance clapped his hands.

"Step onto the training field. The duel will begin shortly."

The air was heavy with anticipation.

And I, despite everything, was looking forward to the show.

Leon and Magnus took out their swords, as Lucy took out her magic staff.

In the novel, the mana and power system were never explained in great detail.

Maybe the author assumed it was common knowledge, or perhaps it just followed the typical fantasy structure seen in countless stories.

Mana was the foundation of everything.

It existed in all living beings, flowing through their bodies like blood.

It could be cultivated, refined, and manipulated to cast spells, enhance physical abilities, or even strengthen one's resilience against attacks.

The ranking system for mages was straightforward:

Apprentice →

Adept →

Expert →

Master →

Grandmaster →

Archmage

Each stage signified a deeper understanding and control over mana, as well as an increase in the overall mana pool.

Those at the Adept rank could cast basic spells with ease, while an Expert could start manipulating elemental affinities with efficiency.

Masters and beyond were a different league altogether, their abilities capable of shifting battlefields.

For knights or warriors, the ranking system was slightly different but followed the same idea:

Apprentice →

Knight →

Elite Knight →

Champion →

Grand Knight →

Swordmaster

Instead of using mana purely for spellcasting, warriors infused their bodies and weapons with mana, enhancing their speed, strength, and reflexes.

A true Swordmaster could cut through magic itself, their strikes imbued with devastating force.

However, the nobility had an unfair advantage.

Unlike commoners, who had to learn magic through rigorous training and formal education, nobles inherited unique family techniques.

These techniques were refined and passed down through generations, often making noble children vastly superior in combat from an early age.

Because of this, noble families trained their heirs separately, ensuring that their exclusive magic styles remained a well-guarded secret.

Take Magnus Loire, for example. His family was known for their Aurora Sword Style, a technique that combined fluid swordplay with precise bursts of mana to overwhelm opponents.

Lucy Harrington, on the other hand, had an affinity for Astral Magic, a rare noble-exclusive type that allowed her to manipulate celestial energy.

And then there was Leon Vermilion.

In the novel, his abilities were never fully explained in the beginning, but his sheer dominance proved he wasn't ordinary.

I had a feeling I was about to witness why.

Professor Vance raised his hand.

"Begin!"

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A/N :

Please comment on the story so far.

Next chapter : False Buildup

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