Our homeroom instructor, a magister with a pointed beard named Professor Caldwell, soon entered and began a brief orientation. I half-listened as he went over the academy rules—curfew at 10, mandatory combat training sessions, elective courses in magic, artifact engineering, alchemy, etc. It was all important, surely, but my mind was partly on what move to make next in this delicate game.
By the time Professor Caldwell started handing out class schedules, I had decided to take things slow for the moment. Observe, assess, and only act when necessary. The system may want me to throw these future heroes into the crucible, but I need to be smart about it. Too much interference or obvious machinations could backfire. Trust is a long way off, if ever achievable, but I at least don't want outright hostility from them if I can avoid it.
"Before I dismiss you for the academy tour, any questions?" Professor Caldwell asked the class, shuffling some papers.
There was a brief pause. Then, to my surprise, Leon raised his hand. "Professor, I have a question." His tone was calm, but I could sense something underlying it.
"Go ahead, Mr. Drakos," the professor nodded.
Leon stood up from his seat and half-turned to face the class, though I suspected his question was directed more towards me than the teacher. "Regarding the combat training sessions—how soon will we be able to engage in duels or sparring with our classmates?"
A few students murmured; this was clearly a pointed question. Professor Caldwell stroked his beard. "Officially, duels are supervised and permitted starting next week after basic safety orientations. However, light sparring in class under instructor supervision can happen as early as tomorrow."
Leon nodded, accepting that answer, but he wasn't done. "And if, say, two students have a personal dispute or wish to test each other's skills before then—what is the academy's stance on unsanctioned dueling?"
Now the intent was obvious. A ripple went through the class. Fiona grinned eagerly, Selene watched with a keen interest between Leon and me, and Neria looked concerned. Damien adjusted his glasses, clearly thinking this through but not intervening.
Professor Caldwell's gaze sharpened. "The academy does not condone unsanctioned combat between students. Any fights outside supervised training are against the rules and will be punished. If you have conflicts, you bring them to an instructor or resolve them via official duels in due time. Is that clear, Mr. Drakos?"
Leon held the professor's gaze for a moment, then bowed his head slightly. "Yes, perfectly clear. Thank you, Professor." He sat down, but not before casting a look back toward me—one that promised thisisn't over. I returned a level, uninterested stare. Inside, however, I was steeling myself. It seems Leon might challenge me at the earliest opportunity. Perhaps even try something outside the rules if he gets impatient.
Part of me admired his determination; another part sighed internally at the inevitable confrontation. I'd hoped to avoid direct conflict on day one, but maybe… maybe this could be another opportunity. A controlled one, hopefully.
After class was dismissed for the mid-morning tour, students began filing out with a low chatter of excitement. We would be shown the training grounds, libraries, labs, and other facilities. I lingered, letting the eager crowd go ahead. As expected, Leon and his friends also stayed back slightly, likely waiting for me. Sure enough, once most others had exited, Leon approached my desk with Fiona and Damien flanking him. Neria hovered near the door, looking torn between intervening or letting things play out. Selene had casually leaned against the wall by the windows, clearly interested in the exchange.
I stood up calmly, facing Leon and the others. "What do you want?" I asked coolly.
Leon's eyes flashed. Up close, I noticed he had a few inches of height on me and a more muscular build—thanks to years of knight training no doubt—but I met his gaze without flinching. He spoke in a low, firm tone. "I'll get straight to the point. I don't know how you did what you did in the exam, but I will find out. And I will surpass you." He clenched a fist at his side. "Until then, stay out of my way."
I raised an eyebrow at the thinly veiled threat. Fiona crossed her arms, adding in a fiery voice, "Leon's the one who deserves to be top of this year, Ravenheart. Don't get cocky just because you got first once. If you're scheming something, we'll figure it out."
Damien rested a hand on Leon's shoulder as if to moderate things. "We're not accusing anyone of anything... yet," he said in a measured tone, looking at me with a polite smile that didn't reach his eyes. "However, you must admit it's all very unusual. Perhaps you could at least tell us which knight or mage taught you? Your techniques were quite advanced for someone we've never heard of. Any master in the kingdom would be boasting of a pupil of your caliber."
Ah, an indirect probe. They wanted background information, some explanation to make sense of me. I offered a smirk. "I'm self-taught. Is it that hard to accept you all got left in the dust?" It wasn't exactly a lie, since the skills and knowledge largely came from the system and the original's own efforts this past year since before I took his place, it was all muscle memory. But of course they wouldn't believe I just magically got this strong on my own.
"Self-taught, huh? Funny." Fiona's tone dripped with sarcasm. "You expect us to believe you just waltzed in and beat everyone without any backing? That's a load of bull."
Leon held up a hand to quiet her, surprisingly. He looked at me more seriously now. "Asmo, whether or not you have a secret, I will challenge you officially when the time comes. I want a fair duel. No holding back. That way, everyone will see who truly deserves the top rank." There was an earnestness in his voice. For all his pride, Leon valued honor, it seemed.
I considered him for a moment. The old me might have tried to defuse this, maybe even feign weakness. But that wouldn't satisfy the system, and it wouldn't help Leon grow. No, a fair duel with all eyes watching might actually be the perfect crucible for him, and another chance for me to earn points. Plus, if I am stronger, demonstrating it clearly could also make the others wary enough to heed me when true danger comes.
"You want a duel," I said, voice quiet but firm. "Fine. I accept your challenge—when it's permitted. But…"