Chapter 10: The Duel is Set

Ryo crossed his arms🙅, shaking his head. "Not interested."

Mark, the leader of the prince's gang, scowled. "What's wrong? Scared?"

The surrounding students whispered among themselves, watching the tense standoff.

Ryo remained unfazed. "Not really. I just don't see the point in fighting when I've already won."

Mark scoffed. "You only won because of that ridiculous weapon. What shameless act"

Ryo smirked. "So you're saying I'm shameless for using a weapon… but you, the one wielding a sword, aren't?"

A low murmur spread through the crowd. Some students chuckled under their breath.

Mark's face reddened. "That's not—! I mean—!" He clenched his fists. "A real warrior doesn't rely on tricks!"

Leon chuckled. "Oh, you mean like how you and your gang jumped him the first time? And now it's you call it unfair?"

Mark's jaw tightened. "That doesn't matter! Someone who disrespects the prince doesn't get to walk away unharmed!"

As the crowd gossiped in hushed voices, another presence made itself known.

A regal voice cut through the commotion.

"That is not for you to decide."

The students turned as the princess stepped forward.

She stood with her usual poise, her piercing gaze locked onto Mark. "If the prince wishes to punish someone, he should do so himself. He does not need lackeys acting on his behalf."

Mark stiffened, struggling to keep his composure. "I-I wasn't— I mean, I was just—"

"You were overstepping," the princess stated firmly.

The tension was suffocating.

Mark, unwilling to openly defy royalty, turned back to Ryo and sneered, "Hmph. You must've seduced the princess to get her to defend you."

The second those words left his mouth, a blur of motion flashed before the crowd.

BAM!

Mark's body doubled over as a powerful punch slammed into his stomach.

Gasps erupted from the spectators.

The princess's personal escort—a deadly and disciplined warrior—had struck so fast that Mark hadn't even seen it coming.

She didn't stop there. Before he could recover, she landed three more precise, devastating blows, each one bruising his body.

The princess finally raised a hand. "That's enough."

The escort stepped back, resuming her rigid stance beside her lady.

Mark wobbled, barely staying on his feet. His face was a mix of pain and humiliation.

"Let that be a warning," the princess said coldly. "Do not speak of me in such a manner again."

The crowd was stunned into silence.

She then turned to Ryo. "Since an official duel has been declared, you cannot back down unless you formally report it to a teacher. However," she continued, "you do have the right to choose the date."

Leon quickly spoke up, "Then we'll need time to prepare!"

The princess nodded. "You have maximum of two days."

As she turned to leave, her escort suddenly grabbed Ryo's wrist, glaring at him. "Aren't you going to thank the princess?" she demanded.

Before Ryo could respond, the princess sighed. "Let him go. I only stepped in to clean up my brother's mess. He has already suffered enough at the prince's hands."

The escort hesitated before releasing him, but her glare lingered.

The princess gave Ryo and Leon one last piece of advice. "You should not avoid this duel. Even if you wanted to, the teachers will not allow it. Use these two days wisely."

With that, she walked away, leaving a tense atmosphere in her wake.

-

That evening, back in their dorm room, Leon paced back and forth, frustrated.

"Why didn't you thank the princess?" he asked.

Ryo, lying on his bed, shrugged. "Wasn't trying to be rude. I just don't want to get caught up in royal family politics."

Leon sighed. "Fine, whatever. But more importantly—why aren't you training?!"

Ryo yawn ""am going for a nap"

"How can you be taking a nap now you know you can't back down from this duel" Leo siad

Ryo smiled a little and commented "sometimes in other to move forward you have to take a step back"