"...say that again…?"
As the time for the duel arrived and the two opponents were standing against each other, the advanced swordsmanship teacher, who was requested by the challenger to be the judge, let out a baffled gasp, staring at the bleached-blond-haired youth in utter disbelief.
"I said, of course, he is allowed to utilize his contracted fae's help... BUT by doing so, he must acknowledge that his contracted fae will come in harm's way."
Rotsard shrugged his shoulders and repeated what he had already stated after the advanced swordsmanship teacher reminded them of the rules.
…that said, the man either didn't acknowledge or knew about the additional rule that Rotsard had while dueling Justin...
...which was very convenient for the bleached-blond-haired youth, as this time around he was going to use magic...
Well... use mana, at least.
"By that I mean that I will target and destroy the physical form of your contracted fae if you use it. So I leave the choice to you."
"...!"
Rotsard added, smirking nastily at the fourth-year student who challenged him.
The nineteen-year-old, light-brown-haired, Ian Fallrain was apparently an older brother of the red-haired fox–eyed Felix Fallrain. Well, Ian was the son of Lord Fallrain and his first wife, while Felix was the son of Lord Fallrain's fourth wife.
"..."
Rotsard looked around the large crowd that gathered to witness the duel, but even at a glance he could tell that Felix wasn't amongst them.
That made sense if the rumors about their mothers being at odds with each other were true.
"...hey… didn't Felix warn you about picking a fight with me?"
"?!?!"
Since the teacher wasn't starting the duel, Rotsard ended up furrowing his brows and nodding up at Ian, springing the question without any warning.
"Th-that fox-eyed brat's words mean nothing to me!"
Ian ended up scoffing, angrily clenching his hands at the training sword he kept at his side acting as if it was in a sheath.
"Huh? Wait, so he DID try to want you? He is a good guy who doesn't want to see his family get humiliated in public even if he doesn't like them? I might have to change my opinion about him after learning that!"
"!!!"
Rotsard let out an exaggerated gasp and nodded to himself, causing his opponent to turn red.
"Ian, calm down. What are you doing, getting agitated by a simple taunt?"
"...I'm sorry, teacher…"
The advanced swordsmanship teacher shook his head and scolded the immediately apologetic fourth-year student.
"And you… Are you certain that you don't want a weapon…?"
"I'm going to use magic, so no. I don't need a weapon."
Then the teacher turned to Rotsard and inquired, but the bleached-blond-haired youth merely shrugged his shoulders and declared.
"...didn't you add a rule about instantly losing if you use an external spell when you duel with Justin? Something about it being too dangerous?"
The teacher ended up remembering that detail after all, so he pointed out, while raising his brow.
"I will not be using any spells."
"...wait… what…?"
At Rotsard's response, the advanced swordsmanship teacher furrowed his brows and muttered with a displeased expression, just as if he thought the bleached-blond-haired youth was mocking him.
"I will only be using a meditation method and basic mana movement. That's what I meant by saying that I will be using magic. You will see. As a judge, you can stop the duel at any time if you find an issue."
Rotsard explained with an obviously mocking smile, but his words weren't anything outrageous.
Pompous and overconfident in the teacher's opinion, sure, but nothing directly disrespectful.
"...so be it. Ian, do you acknowledge the condition that allows you to use your contracted fae?"
"...teacher… b-but, my fae… isn't it too much to target it with the intention to destroy its physical form!? This is just a duel!"
The teacher clicked his tongue, but did nod at Rotsard, instantly turning around and asking Ian… but the fourth-year student seemed to have quite the issue with the condition, actually.
"It's something you have to consider outside duels. For example, bandits, scum, and other bad people would often actively seek to harm the contracted fae of their victims."
The teacher seemingly spoke in Rotsard's favor, but the way he glanced over at him while stating what kind of people targeted fae said everything.
"You have to always keep that risk in mind."
"Not to mention that if a fae likes you enough, it might actually summon itself to stand in the way of a blow… Just like Treedor's fae."
"You…!"
The teacher stated, and then Rotsard added with a shrug, causing Ian's face to turn even more red as he gritted his teeth.
"Are we going to start or not? I thought this duel was approved already."
"...not before both of you agree on the rules and conditions…"
"Teacher! I agree! I'm ready!"
Rotsard raised his brows and asked, making the teacher furrow his brows and try to stall a bit more, but then Ian interrupted him with an equally spirited and angry call.
"...if that's the case… get in position."
The advanced swordsmanship teacher held back a sigh before closing his eyes and declaring with a sour expression.
"Ready?"
The teacher said while raising his hand as the two opponents were staring at each other.
Well, Ian was staring at Rotsard, while Rotsard… honestly looked as if he did not care in the slightest.
"BEGIN!"
Funnily enough, even the advanced swordsmanship teacher thought that Rotsard was taking it too lightly and tried to give Ian an advantage by immediately dropping his hand without the usual moment to actually allow the opponents to get ready.
"..."
"HAA…!"
Even so, the circle of light spread out from underneath the bleached-blond-haired youth, and the disconnected ephemeral wings sprouted from over his back even before his opponent took the first step forward, even before beginning to swing his sword with a spirited call…
*WHAM*
Within the same heartbeat, a brick-sized block of ice that materialized within Rotsard's circle of light and launched at Ian, slipping past his weapon and arms and hitting him square in the stomach...
"AUGH!"
...forcing a pained cry out of the fourth-year student's mouth.
*CRACK* *WHAM*
Without even a second of delay, and before Ian could properly drop his weapon and grab his stomach, another block of ice materialized and shot at him, connecting and breaking the first one before delivering a devastating blow.
…and then another, and another…
…and another…!
In such quick succession that they would be missed by anyone who blinked with wrong timing.
All blocks dealt damage before Ian could even fall to his knees from the shock and pain from the initial attack.
"STOP!"
"???"
That's why, when the teacher stepped in between the two opponents with a panicked expression and an alarmed shout, some didn't understand why he would stop the duel that didn't even properly start.
*thump*
"Gh… gugh… gublueghuebluee…!"
"?!?!"
"!!!"
Those same confused students ended up shocked and terrified as Ian Fallrain dropped to his knees and began vomiting.
Violently and without an end in sight.