The smell of blood in the Battlefields was still as permeated as before. Challenges were all around to be seen in the different Arenas and the search for a free one was a bit more complicated at such a short notice.

For this special event even some of the Mensa did decide to walk with them by hurrying their meals. Although it was just a small thing, the whole mockery was blown out of proportion by multiple factions speaking up for someone who looked and felt like he did not really belong to true Nobility at all.

Inside these different Noble Children was one particular girl. She seems to be getting admonished about something by her Servants which seems really out of place, like her needing to wear glasses, but many ignored such things as private matters and just ignored a lowly baron’s Daughter being unable to keep her servants in check.

“You came with an immediate duel request? Fine, I need the rules, wager and if one of you is sending a substitute.”

While it is normally needed to make a writ for the Duel to be official, short notice Duels were possible, if an Arena Master was found to accept being witness of this Duel. The reason it is rarely used on short notice is, almost always the hands of the Arena Master must be greased by both parties before he would accept. This time both Drak and the Youth had to hand over ten Gold for being able to duel in such a short notice.

“Elliot Dragonson, of the House of Duke Dragonson. The Rules are Fistfight and no Magic. I demand that he be expelled from the School if I win. My substitute will be Hans, Servant of my House”

“Drak Berklin, born in the House of Duke Berklin. The Rules are accepted by me. If I win I want to completely take his left Arm. My substitute will be… Celia, are you alright fighting for me?”

“Of course, Master!”

“Celia will be my substitute. So he was named Elliot.”

“Do you not even know my Name you waste?”

“You never had shown courtesy of telling me your Name, it is laughable to demean me because you forgot to say who you even are.”

“You… Forget it, tomorrow you are gone!”

Seeing the quarrel, the Arena Master was a bit taken back. This was no light matter, while the Arm could be reattached or even regrown, the dispelling was rather heavy.

“Are you sure you want to go through with it young boy?”

Asking Drak for another confirmation, he was trying to give him an out. Such unreasonable Duels are not common and even ‘to the death’ Duels are only being fought by only Substitutes.

Also he knew about Hans' performance. He was a rather often seen brawler in the Arena court and had rarely lost a Fight of bare fists.

“I am aware of the weight of this wager. Also please remember all Rules and Punishments to the letter. I do not want to see someone claim something that was not being agreed upon later or weasel himself out of repercussions.”

‘He might be a first classer, so does he mean to re-enroll next year? …Wait, the rules and wager? I see, he is more ruthless than I anticipated.’

Nodding the Arena Master prepared the Seals to notice the first blood to be the Victory conditions of the Arena. While he did it Drak was going to Celia and talked to her.

“I am sorry Celia.”

“What is it? Sorry?”

“I am right now rather incensed, could you please play a little more to vent a bit for me?”

“Ah, I understand! Leave it to me!”

While Celia was getting ready Seria came to Drak to confirm something.

“You want to-”

“Yes, tell Raja to use that knife when Celia has won. I don’t know why, but the whole thing right now feels like ants under my skin. I am in a really bad mood right now for some reason, I can not explain.”

“Understood Master. Please just relax and enjoy the show. It might be a bit too much Stress about School and Business at the moment, we will review the Schedule plans and make arrangements for more entertainment in the future to alleviate those feelings.”

“This could be it. A bit of rest and a hot bath might change my mood later. Thank you, Seria.”

“It is our job to see your needs, Master. We will add some sweet fruits to the dinner tonight while the water will be ready afterwards for you to relax.”

“What would I do without you all.”

“...Um…”

Noticing Eleonora standing close they notice her worried look.

“Yes?”

“Drak, you will send Celia into the Ring? She should not be very powerful, isn’t she? Why would you do something like that?”

“She is rather tenacious and has a mean left hook.”

“No, I mean… You should know, we looked into your Maids a bit… From Information the Merchant has given you… We know her lack of magical aptitude and how she is rather frail. This is no game, you will be expelled if she just gets slapped once and has a nosebleed from it.”

“While you looked into her, you should at least know I trust all of my Maids and they are all strong.”

“How can she be… wait… the ring?”

“Ring? Ah, that one time. You should remember, I trust my woodpecker.”

“Of course! I forgot… but…”

‘Why did I forget something so obvious? She was the little Woodpecker in my Vision, so why did I…’

Looking back to a different maid with long black Hair, the Maid smiled and further helped Celia bandaging her little hands.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

“Drak, we are friends… right?”

“Maybe? What is it about?”

“I just want to be sure. As friends I just don’t want to forget some things between us lately. That is why I just wanted to be sure we are on the same page.”

Noticing her special tone he knew what she was asking for. Eleonora does not like it to be manipulated and forget things she would never forget normally.

“I see. I was somehow still on the fence even after we went shopping, but you made a point. Let us both remember, we are friends and start to be open about more things.”

“Thank you.”

Her Servants were not right understanding what their Master was talking with Drak, but they understood or better misunderstood Eleonora trying to be friends with Drak for the Missions sake. As long as Drak and Eleonora have a bond of trust, they might be better off in negotiations with the Black Merchant later on. IF Drak Berklin would be in the school after today.

—

“Finished? Can we finally end this? I do not understand you sending that little Maid to be broken. Why not your Battle Maid?”

“I have my reasons, and you are rather relaxed for someone who bet their arm for something silly.”

“Why should I be worried? You send the worst kind of opponent. It is like you want to lose. So be it, next time just vanish without degrading yourself maybe?”

All the boasting was heard by the Audience. They were mostly on the side of Elliot, but kept appearance. For them seeing who is fighting who, they were all disappointed by the quick end this would be.

“Contestants, get ready. The rules are Fistfight only. This includes Grappling, kicks and even biting. The winner is the one who draws the first Blood of the opponent. Are the rules understood and accepted?”

“I accept.”

“Of course I agree!”

“Then this duel is officially agreed upon. You can now… FIGHT!”

Getting in a stance Hans looks at the small Maid with pity.

“Blame your Master. I'll make this quick.”

“That is my line! But I have other orders, sorry!”

Punching out Hans was sure to just bash her against the Shield and let her bleed out a bit but noticed how he missed and only hit an afterimage.

A slight sting came from his abdomen and saw a small fist print on his pectoral muscles. On his left was Celia standing and looking at Hans.

“So you are fast and you have rather strong fists. Sorry, but I am too sturdy to even flinch with such kind of strength.”

“Good!”

“As you can see, it is a futile struggle. Just let me punch-”

“That means I can hit harder!”

Seeing how the Maid just charged right at him Hans punched again, but this time this Punch was a feint to see where she would move to. What he did not expect is her punching out countering his fist. Because he did not put much strength into it and had most of his arm relaxed it was swatted away like a branch.

The next attack from Celia was a kick to his small rib, stinging even more than the first punch. Incensed Hans threw a haymaker to end this with the intent to not hold back anymore.

Like a grasshopper Celia jumped up over the haymaker and gave an ax kick on the right shoulder. This time it really hurt Hans and he winced a bit.

From the recoil Celia made a somersault backwards, landed on the floor with her two feet and charged again.

‘Her hits are getting heavier? Is she also a reinforcement magic user? But she needs too long to charge. Better use all I have and finish it now!’

Hans’ Muscles expanded and his Body became a metallic sheen. While it might be seen by some as Magic it did not exit his body and was seen as ‘legal’.

Outside of the Ring Elliot sneered at the sight.

“So your little Maid is also a battle Maid. No wonder you thought she could win. But Hans is faster in reinforcement. You might know the exception to the Magic rule, but still lost.”

“If you say so.”

Seeing how Drak was unperturbed Elliot was even more angry.

“Hans, finish her finally! Do not play so much!”

Hearing the words of his Master, Hans started to punch and kick with all his might. Noticing the increase in power Celia smiled even more and countered every single one of the attacks. At first she was thrown back rather far, then it got less severe and she started to hold her ground.

“What are you doing! Finish her!”

While understanding how his Master wants it finished, Hans had his own problems, as he could not understand why such a petite Maid suddenly could hold onto his full might.

“Finished pumping? Then I can start!”

Evading one of his punches Celia dove deep and gave his left side a punch.

* crack *

While no one except the two fighting could hear the sound a rib was broken and Hans felt a searing pain. Trying to defend, he put distance between him and her to reassess the Situation, but Celia gave him no time. She came at him again and threw more punches.

* crack crunch *

The arm he tried to defend with was heard breaking multiple times even by the bystanders this time.

“What is going on!”

Elliot was in panic, but could do nothing. Celia was aiming for the elbow and dislocated the arm fully by breaking the cartilage between the bones with a kick. Hans’ right arm was only hanging and useless when Celia gave a hammerfist to the left kneecap and shattered it in pieces.

“Arena Master! Stop it!”

While shouting the Arena Master just ignored the Youth and watched for the end of the Battle, but shivered internally for how ruthless this little Maid is.

A punch to the guts made Hans throw up, and while the Arena Master looked shortly to intervene he just sighed and stood by watching. Hans finally realized the Problem, there was neither an open wound nor any blood in his vomit. Quickly he tried to bite his own tongue to just spit out some blood but the last kick from Celia was aimed directly at his jaw. With a sickening * crack * not only did his Jaw break, his tip of the tongue was severed by his own teeth and the recoil broke his upper vertebrae.

“Stop! Duel ends with the winner being the Berklin Household!”

Finally ending the Battle the Shield disappeared and Elliot ran to his Servant.

“Hans! Hans! How dare you not stop it earlier! This was not a battle to the Death!”

“The Rule was first Blood. The first Blood shed was the bitten of Tongue, so it was not over until then.”

‘If Hans did not realize it so soon, he might be in even worse condition. This will need a rather high Elixir, as Potions will not work on those severe injuries. That means if he survives until being administered.’

“Finished! Sorry, it was so short, but he wanted to cheat by injuring himself.”

“You did fine Celia. Thank you for your work.”

Patting the head of the small Maid, she smiled by being praised. While they might look like a big brother praising his smaller sister, the audience found it a bit surreal. This little girl just crippled a fully grown man who was known as a veteran fighter in the Pit, and was right now in a ‘praise me, praise me’ pink bubble savoring the head pats she gets from her rather fat Master.

“The Battle is over. Drak Berklin is now allowed to retrieve the left arm of Elliot Dragonson.”

Hearing the sentence of the Arena Master Eliot stiffens a bit and stops worrying about his Servant. He remembered what needs to happen now and was regretting it.

‘This will hurt and the Elixir I need to regrow an arm is also rather expensive. Damn it!’

Standing up Elliot shivered a bit, but put on a brave face. Taking off his Jacket and Shirt he grit his teeth and extended his left arm.

“Come on, make it quick! You will regret making an enemy of the Dragonsons!”

“Raja, retrieve my price.”

Pulling out a black shortsword, Raja was walking to Elliot who noticed something wrong.

“What kind of Sword-”

* slice *