Vale's duel against Wilfred attracted all the first-year students of the Academy.
Of course, there were some second-year students as well since their classrooms weren't too far from the first-years. They heard about the duel that the first-years were talking about so they decided to look around since it was Sunday anyway.
There's nothing much to do at the moment… The clubs don't have any activities at this time since they have just finished the recruitment week.
"Vale… I have a special dagger here that was laced with poison… The poison isn't deadly but it can weaken Wilfred a lot. What do you think?" Zeno Roquemont whispered as he saw Vale going out of the dormitory.
"Are you serious?" Vale couldn't help but ask. It was so unexpected for Vale since he thought that Zeno is a prideful man that wouldn't use such an underhanded trick to win against an opponent.
"Of course… It's not like weapons are prohibited in your battle. He might even be thinking of using a hidden weapon."
"…"
Vale shook his head as he realized that Zeno was being serious.
"Although using weapons isn't prohibited, we are still Practitioners of the Darkness Arcane Path… We need to use the Dark Arts or we would be shamed by the audience watching us…" Vale answered.
"Tch… So you really care about the audience—Ahh! I get it. You want to look good for that girl... Was it Leonore Roland? I understand. I understand." Zeno even repeated his words as he looked at Vale with a knowing smile on his face.
Once again, Vale was speechless at this reaction so he decided to just leave and see whether the arena is all set and ready.
Over the past few days, he had checked all the arenas in the Academy as a member of the Battle Arena Committee.
He learned how the arena is organized by the committee.
Since there was a practice match this morning, the Arena should've been a mess and needed an hour or two of cleaning before Vale and Wilfred could use it.
As soon as he arrived half an hour before the allotted time, he confirmed that the arena is indeed ready to be used.
To his surprise, some of his classmates had even arrived so early!
Aubrey and Lisa were already looking for a good seat in the arena so they can watch the duel with a good view.
He wanted to greet them for a moment but he suddenly heard a familiar voice calling for him.
"Vale, it is still early. Come to the clubroom for a moment." Nadine Sherris spoke.
She's not only his senior in the Academy but she's also the secretary of the club he joined.
Vale couldn't help but stare at her for a few seconds seeing how gorgeous she looks.
She's not wearing her uniform but a modest dress that flows from top to bottom and has a V-neck that delicately reveals a fancy dress she had worn below it.
This is not a common dress that Vale would see in Melthorn City. Nevertheless, he knows that this type of dress is certainly worn by nobles of this country.
"Alright… I'm coming." Vale answered as he followed Nadine to the Clubroom.
There were other members inside the club and as expected, these members would be the ones managing his duel against Wilfred.
Since his duel is only with another first-year student, there is no need for the Professors or the Academy Official to be involved in the battle.
Everyone believes that the students in the higher years are more than enough to handle this matter.
"Vale… I'll be the referee in your duel. I won't favor you so you have to be careful. Kekeke." Another student wearing his referee uniform spoke in a lively manner after seeing Vale enter the room.
"Senior Grover… So you were the one who got assigned." Vale's eyes lit up after seeing this eight-year student of the Battle Arena Committee…
This guy rarely comes to the club and will only come once Nadine called for him to officiate a battle.
"Hehe… Make sure not to cheat in this duel since the Corner Judges were also experts. Furthermore, Leonore wouldn't like it if you get caught."
"…"
Vale can only nod as he greeted the other senior students who will be organizing his duel.
They talk about the rules of the duel one more time before he decided to leave.
"Alright… I will leave now. If some people notice that I'm having a meeting with the duel organizers, they might think I'm planning to cheat on my opponent." Vale said as he calmly went to the door to leave the clubroom.
However, before he could leave, Nadine asked him solemnly…
"Vale, I'm not sure about the real reason for this duel. I only heard the rumors. However, did this guy you're about to fight committed something so grave that he deserves to die?"
Vale froze as soon as he heard this question. He didn't expect such a sudden question!
It was as if Nadine knows that he was planning to kill Wilfred in this duel!
'Did he read my thoughts? Am I too obvious? I'm sure I didn't release my killing intent just now.' Vale's mind suddenly raced as he tried to recall his past actions.
However, he can't think of anything that would reveal his plan. Unless the Headmaster had also informed this woman about his plan, she shouldn't be aware of it!
After collecting his thoughts, Vale answered.
"I do not know him well so I can't really judge a person. Whether a person deserves to die or not isn't up to me to decide." Vale answered.
After this, Vale left the Clubroom as he waited for the start of the duel.
***
In just a few minutes, the arena is already filled with people and to his surprise, even some seniors in the higher years have arrived to watch the duel!
As he stepped onto the dueling platform, he looked at Wilfred Moontomb on the other side. He's also wearing his uniform since at the moment, this uniform is probably the only one in their possession that can withstand some low-level spells.
Wilfred's voice then resounded throughout the whole arena.
"Vale, I heard that you obtained the Protector Amulet from Professor Charlotte Vermont. Isn't it considered cheating if you possess such a high-level mystical artifact in this type of duel?! This duel would be meaningless if we'll compete with such high-level artifacts, won't you agree?"
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