I Became an Outcast in the Academy

2. Duel (1)

Lately, there were many rumors circulating within the walls of Lutra.

Although Lutra is an institution where talents from all over the empire gather, its nature as an academy for teenagers means that gossip abounds.

In the past, it would have been various scandals involving nobles or extraordinarily gifted students that were the talk of the town, but this year, a particularly unique individual became the center of attention.

Sian.

An orphan who grew up without parents, and at the same time, a young man who made a living as a mercenary willing to kill without hesitation for a meager sum.

How shocked people were when he was admitted to Lutra, almost as if he had reached the top in terms of his grades.

However, shortly after Sian’s admission, his background became widely known, and the looks directed at him transformed from awe to jealousy.

The fact that he always excelled in swordsmanship classes was undoubtedly due to the gruesome experiences he had on the battlefield, where he had no qualms about cutting down others, and his vulnerability in matters of etiquette, which nobles knew better than they did their own breath, was certainly due to his humble street urchin origins.

At first, they had to think like that just to endure it, but now even those who spread such rumors had come to believe in their truth.

And the efforts of those who spread malicious rumors about Sian finally bore fruit, or perhaps it was that the high and mighty at Lutra simply did not like a street-bred mercenary overshadowing noble-born students, but news of a duel finally reached their ears.

“A duel between Sian and Eli!”

According to the rumors, the Royal Family, sensitive to various unsavory rumors surrounding Sian, personally arranged this duel, if only to distinguish right from wrong.

Indeed, if this duel had been arranged with that intent, there could be no more amazing way.

No matter how much talent one had in wielding a sword, in the end, it was the swordsmanship of lowly mercenaries, utterly incomparable to that of noble students.

If such swordsmanship were to be displayed in front of everyone, the lowly origins would quickly become apparent, and that was firmly believed.

Especially the fact that Sian’s opponent was the famous Eli made them even more pleased.

“Orpheus, the Genius of the Sword recognized by the Duke himself!”

Duke Orpheus was one of the seven Masters in the current Empire, a superhuman with the title of the Empire’s Guardian and Sword Saint.

Unfortunately, Duke Orpheus’s swordsmanship was so enigmatic and challenging that no one other than the Duke himself could comprehend it.

Because Duke Orpheus’s swordsmanship was based on his own talent, it was so complicated and difficult that even geniuses found it nearly impossible to grasp.

And just when it was thought that no one would come to succeed Duke Orpheus, everything changed.

It happened six months ago, when Eli, a girl of unknown origin, suddenly appeared.

Amazingly, Eli succeeded in mastering Duke Orpheus’s swordsmanship, which no one had been able to do until now.

“If this child can complete my swordsmanship, I will certainly make her my successor.”

And Duke Orpheus went as far as to declare Eli, a girl of unknown origin, as his successor candidate.

To be honest, other students didn’t even feel jealous of such a declaration by Duke Orpheus.

In fact, jealousy needed to have some degree of separation, and with such a wide gap, it was nothing but awe.

Moreover, even Orphe, who is referred to as the Empire’s guardian deity, used honorifics when addressing the Duchess, and he even considered Ellie as a potential successor, so it was not advisable to treat her lightly, even if you were afraid of the Duchess.

And thus, Ellie and Sian ended up in a duel.

Regardless of the details, when the two figures who had recently heated up the discussions in Lutra due to their extraordinary talents were set to duel, the students couldn’t help but talk about it whenever they had the chance.

“If they duel, who do you think will win?”

“Naturally, Ellie will win. In just a short six months, she has become one of the most skilled first-year students.”

“But doesn’t Sian have some talent too? With his experience as a mercenary, he must have decent sword skills.”

“Decent? He probably learned some low-grade mana training and swordsmanship used by mercenaries. Does that even compare to the Duchess’s swordsmanship?”

“Come on, Sian is just a guy who used his sisters as stepping stones to get into Lutra. If he had taken the entrance exam like the rest of us, he wouldn’t be here.”

“Well, truth be told, there’s a chance Sian might win. The day before the duel, he ran to his sister begging her to let him win just once.”

And at the end of their discussion, all the students gathered, mocking Sian together, saying that it’s impossible for a cowardly low-born like him, who entered Lutra through his sisters, to defeat Ellie, a sword genius.

This time, Sian, who was the center of attention, was excited, confidently believing that he could win.

‘I can win.’

In his mind, even if Ellie were the opponent, he was confident that he wouldn’t be defeated. This duel was an opportunity he believed he could seize.

****

Before we knew it, a week had passed, and the day of my duel with Ellie had arrived.

Inside the Enmuzang, which no one paid attention to except for the students training in swordsmanship, there were already a crowd of people gathered.

Presumably, they had come to watch my duel with Ellie.

“More accurately, they’ve gathered to see you lose this duel.”

Carcetia, who was standing next to me, snorted, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

“It feels like I’ve become unexpectedly popular.”

“Sure, and if you lose to Ellie today, you’ll become even more popular.”

Certainly, as Carcetia said, it seemed to be the case. Judging by the gazes of the spectators on the other side, it was clear that they hadn’t come here to support me.

Of course, my sisters were all here to watch the duel.

Sephia, maintaining a composed expression; Robellia and Letisha, showing faint smiles; and even Ellie, who was openly displeased.

Still, I hesitated for a moment about whether to approach my family. Given how they currently seemed to dislike me, I figured it might not be a warm reunion if I went over pretending to be friendly.

“Do you still consider them family, even after they treated you like that? You must be really something, something.”

As if she had sensed what I was thinking, Kartesia looks at me and sticks out her tongue.

“No matter what, we’re family. And considering Latisha’s actions last time, it doesn’t seem like they dislike me that much.”

“No, that’s not what I meant… Oh, forget it. I won’t say anything to you.”

Kartesia looks at me with a more displeased expression than ever and lets out a sigh.

“For now, don’t think about anything else. Just focus on winning the duel. If you lose in the duel or if they consider you their sister, I’ll really kill you. Got it?”

“Yeah, I got it. Thanks for worrying.”

“…Worry? It’s only natural.”

I wonder if she really was worried, but Kartesia somehow blushes and lowers her head.

Leaving Kartesia behind, I step into the center of the training ground.

“Well, it seems like both of you are ready, so let’s start the duel now.”

In the typical duels among students, having an audience is not essential because it’s usually not a matter of life and death. Most of the students don’t have the skill necessary for that.

But I, of course, and Elli as well, have the ability to “accidentally” kill our opponents. What’s more, today’s duel is a fight to prove my skills in front of everyone, so the fencing instructor was here as an audience.

“First-year Class A, Elli.”

“Yes.”

“Similarly, first-year Class A, Sian.”

“Yes.”

For whatever reason, you two have agreed to carry out this duel. The purpose is not to gain something from your opponent in exchange for victory but to demonstrate your abilities in front of everyone, so give it your best without any regrets.”

Just as the fencing instructor takes a step back to declare the start of the duel, Elli raises her hand, as if she’s about to say something.

“Professor.”

Elli makes a face as if she’s about to sigh and raises her hand.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t intend to participate in today’s duel.”

“You won’t participate?”

“Yes. Instead of personally fulfilling my duel obligation, I hope to have someone else act as my representative.”

The fencing instructor seems puzzled by Elli’s words.

“In that case, Elli, who will be your representative for this duel?”

“It’s me, Professor.”

As Elli speaks, a man walks confidently towards me, his face showing no concern.

“I would like to act as Elli’s representative in this duel against Sian. Would you grant me permission?”

That person was none other than Prince Ricardo.

The prince did not bother to conceal his fierce gaze directed at me as he spoke.

The reason was unclear, but the prince seemed eager to fight me, declaring himself as Eli’s representative in the duel.