Book 1 Chapter 901

901.

Thump- thump-

Abad wandered aimlessly down the hallway.

The atmosphere of the hallway changed with the appearance of Abad, who was considered the most handsome man at Lumen Academy.

No matter how handsome a face is, one becomes immune to it after seeing it every day.

Normally, seeing Abad's face would have ended with admiration, but the female students walking down the hallway were busy stealing glances at Abad.

This was due to Abad's completely different aura from usual.

Abad, who always maintained his smile and composure, now had a shadow of worry on his face.

'Why did Celia decide to go to the dance party with Duran?'

What made Abad's heart blacken.

It was the completely unexpected story he heard from his younger sister, Chelsea, this morning.

Abad had intended to ask Celia to go to the dance party with him this time.

Of course, he knew the probability of Celia accepting was low.

It was true that there was a strange current flowing between him and Celia recently, but they were not officially dating yet.

Gerdinger and Rewalin.

The external image of the two families could not be ignored.

Abad was well aware that a scandal between him, the successor of Rewalin, and Celia, a direct descendant of Gerdinger, would have a significant ripple effect throughout the empire.

Even so, Abad's feelings for Celia were sincere.

Celia also seemed interested in him.

That's why he was going to ask her to be his dance partner, to create an opportunity for them to get closer.

He actually didn't expect Celia to go with a partner, even if she went alone.

'Even if she went with a partner, I expected her to go with Leo… But Duran.'

Celia and Duran.

They had been in the same class since their first year, but their relationship wasn't very good.

They were more like rivals, so Chen Xia and Chloe always had to mediate.

However, by their third year, the resentment seemed to have somewhat subsided.

Crucially, Abad was also on bad terms with Celia.

"……"

Abad felt his heart burning black.

He was the successor of Rewalin and a perfect honor student.

Thanks to his innate good looks, he was accustomed to receiving attention and love.

But conversely, this was the first time he had ever loved someone.

'… Is this jealousy?'

Abad gave himself a self-deprecating smile.

'Pathetic.'

He had never felt such inferiority to anyone before.

Even if the other person was 'Leo', he would have seen him as a target to pursue, not felt jealous.

But currently, Abad was clearly jealous of Duran.

Although they were quite close friends, he felt like fighting him right now.

Abad stopped walking and took a deep breath.

'Calm down, Abad Rewalin. You are not in any relationship with Celia.'

Abad calmed himself down.

Currently, Celia was not in any relationship with him.

Therefore, Celia was free to be partners with whomever she pleased.

'I must respect Celia's choice.'

Just because two people have feelings for each other doesn't mean they will develop into a romantic relationship.

Didn't he himself reject countless girls his age?

'I must not make a fool of myself.'

As Abad composed himself and started walking, Duran appeared in the opposite hallway.

"Good morning, Duran."

"Good morning."

Abad greeted him with his usual smile.

Duran also returned the greeting.

"I heard you're going to the dance party with Celia?"

"Has the rumor spread already? That was fast."

Abad asked, looking at Duran sigh.

"How did you end up becoming partners? You two don't get along that well."

"We just ended up that way while talking."

"Ah."

Duran's words somewhat eased Abad's mood.

It seemed like they weren't anything serious and had just become partners by chance.

"Looking back, maybe it was too soon."

Duran said with a sigh, thinking of Nella.

Hearing that, Abad smiled and said,

"If you don't feel like it, why don't you cancel now?"

"I can't do that. It would be rude, no matter what. Besides, Celia Gerdinger is quite a good partner."

"……"

Abad's eyes twitched at Duran's unintentional remark.

The jealousy he had suppressed flared up again.

"More importantly, I made a promise with Celia Gerdinger."

"A promise?"

"Yes. The Best Couple competition? The name is childish, but we promised to win it and become the best couple."

No matter what, Celia and Duran hated losing.

That's why they decided to aim for victory if they were going to participate.

Moreover, as both were knights, they valued promises.

Duran had no romantic feelings for Celia, but he intended to do his best in the competition.

Normally, he would have just let it slide, but today, every word Duran said grated on Abad.

"Duran."

"Why do you call?"

"Won't you fight me?"

"Me? Hmm. As morning exercise, it wouldn't be bad."

"No."

Abad took out a glove from his subspace.

A rather archaic noble custom.

It was rarely practiced in the current generation, but for people from families like Abad and Duran, the weight of this custom was immense.

Thud-

Abad threw the glove at Duran's chest.

"The winner gets whatever the loser wants."

"Hoho…?"

Hostility glinted in Duran's eyes.

"Interesting."

Duran's lips curved upwards.

A normal person might have been bewildered by the sudden duel invitation.

But more than that, Duran was overjoyed at the prospect of dueling Abad.

A duel was not a light spar.

It was literally a fight where everything was at stake.

Duran was filled with excitement at the thought of being able to have such a duel with someone like Abad.

Therefore, he pushed aside his curiosity about the reason.

Duran's golden eyes flashed.

"Time?"

"In 20 minutes, at the clock tower dormitory training grounds."

"Alright."

After a brief exchange, the two turned and walked away.

The surrounding students gaped at the sudden turn of events.

Their minds couldn't keep up with how quickly it all happened.

They were curious about the circumstances leading to the sudden duel, but more importantly.

"Abad and Duran are dueling!"

It was more important to spread the news of this big match quickly.

***

[Ladies and gentlemen, hello! This is Rumba Tess, taking on the role of commentator after a long time! Welcome to today's big match! A duel between Duran of the Knight Department and Abad of the Magic Department!]

Rumba, back on the commentary mic after a long time, spoke with an excited voice.

And the training grounds were packed with people.

Since duels were public fights, it was somewhat expected.

And it was none other than Abad and Duran.

"Who do you think will win?"

"Hmm… I suppose it'll be Duran?"

"Indeed. Even if Abad is an all-around mage, Duran has the advantage in a 1v1 duel."

Opinions were divided among the students.

But most believed Duran would have the upper hand.

If there were any terrain advantages?

In an open space like this, knights had an overwhelming advantage due to type matchups.

Meanwhile.

Celia strode towards Duran, who was already on the training grounds.

"Duran! What's going on! Why are you dueling Abad?"

"I don't know the reason. But he was the one who challenged me first. I don't know what it is, but it seems I did something wrong to Abad."

Duran's lips curled up.

"You, Duran?"

Chen Xia, who had followed Celia, tilted her head. Duran nodded.

"That's why Abad challenged me."

"Even so, isn't it a bit much to assume you're in the wrong?"

"It must be me who was wrong."

Duran knew he had a bad temper.

He also knew very well that Abad had a good disposition.

If someone as good-natured as Abad challenged him, Duran thought it must be his fault for something.

"Duran, you're surprisingly good at self-assessment."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

Duran replied indifferently to Chen Xia's words, and Celia looked exasperated.

"No! If you don't even know what you did wrong, shouldn't you try to clear up the misunderstanding through conversation! You just readily accept a duel challenge?!"

"This is an opportunity."

"What?"

"An opportunity to fight him seriously."

Seeing Duran reveal his characteristic belligerence and fighting spirit, Celia clutched the back of her neck.

Regardless of the reason, Duran was simply happy to be able to fight Abad seriously.

"Hey, you crazy…"

"Now, now, Celia. You should use your usual polite language."

Chen Xia calmed Celia down.

Just then.

Abad appeared from the opposite side.

Chelsea was standing beside him.

Chelsea glared at Duran, then clenched her fist as she looked at Abad.

"Brother! I don't know why, but please blow that guy away!"

"Hey! You should stop him, not egg him on!"

Celia yelled, and Chelsea retorted sharply.

"I don't know the reason, but if my brother is challenging him to a duel, then Duran must have done something wrong!"

"No. Duran didn't do anything wrong."

"My brother is too kind-hearted!"

"Hmm. What exactly did I do wrong?"

Duran felt a pang of doubt listening to the conversation between the two siblings.

They showed no hesitation in believing he had done something wrong.

But that was short-lived.

He soon shook off his thoughts and stood up.

Seeing that, Celia tried to approach Abad.

She wanted to clear up the misunderstanding.

Just then, Duran stopped Celia.

"What?"

"Don't interfere. Abad also needs to resolve his grievances."

"No, I'll mediate."

As Celia tried to brush off Duran's hand and leave, Duran grabbed her wrist and made her look at him.

"Don't interfere, Celia Gerdinger."

At that sight, gasps erupted from all around.

"Wow, is Celia trying to stop the duel now?"

"Is it because she's worried Duran might get hurt?"

"Is there really something going on between them?"

Abad's eyes darkened further at the exclamations from the audience.

When Celia tried to say something, Chen Xia also held her back.

"What?"

"Let's just watch for now."

Chen Xia smiled brightly.

Celia scratched her head.

Then, glaring at Abad, she muttered,

"That idiot…"

***

"Leo. Will you go to the dance party with me?"

On one side of the training grounds.

Nella approached Leo, who was sitting alone, and smiled awkwardly.

Leo, glancing at Iliana hiding behind Nella, replied indifferently,

"Sorry. I already have someone I'm going with."

"Huh?! Who?!"

Iliana, who had been hiding, rushed out and asked, and Leo calmly replied,

"Eliza."

"Wow! That's unexpected!"

Iliana's eyes widened.

Leo pinched Iliana's nose with his fingers and said,

"Don't encourage someone you don't have feelings for."

"Ouch? What do you mean… *Haaang*!"

"You were the one who pushed Nella to ask you to be your partner, weren't you?"

"H-how could you… Ow! Ow! Class president!"

Iliana narrowly escaped Leo's grip and stumbled backward, clutching her nose.

"By the way, it's a really unexpected combination."

Nella said in surprise, and Leo replied indifferently,

"I know."

Leo himself was surprised.

"Heehee! Serves you all right! You deserve it!"

Nella tilted her head as she watched Iliana rejoicing.

"Speaking of which, where's Karl? He'd be having the most fun in a situation like this, but he's nowhere to be seen today?"

"Maybe Elena-senpai sent him to hell."

Iliana said, and Leo pointed to a spot and laughed.

"Over there."

There sat Karl, lost in thought.

"Wow… he must have suffered quite a bit."

Iliana clicked her tongue, and Nella tilted her head.

"That doesn't seem to be the case…"

Nella examined Karl's aura and looked at Leo.

"Do you know something?"

"Who knows."

Leo chuckled indifferently and smiled wryly.

"It's probably because he's young."

"Leo, you're talking like an old man again."

Nella sighed softly.