A Challenge Issued

The midday sun hung high over Tristain Academy’s training grounds, where students gathered in anticipation of an unexpected spectacle.

Word had spread quickly—Roderic von Hohenstein, heir to one of the most powerful noble families, had challenged Louisa de Vermandis’ familiar to a duel.

The reason?

Humiliation.

A commoner—Priyam—had insulted noble pride and dared to act without fear. Roderic would not tolerate such disrespect.

He stood in the center of the arena, clad in an elegant dueling coat, his wand spinning between his fingers. His blue eyes burned with anger.

"Where is he?" Roderic growled. "Is the mongrel too much of a coward to accept my challenge?"

The gathered nobles chuckled.

"He probably ran away."

"What else could a commoner do?"

But then—

A slow, measured sound interrupted their laughter.

Step.

Step.

Step.

Priyam emerged from the crowd.

Unlike Roderic, he wore no formal attire. His simple academy-issued shirt and trousers made him look even more out of place among the finely dressed nobles.

Yet despite this, he walked with the confidence of a king.

His golden eyes held not a trace of fear.

"I see you still cling to the belief that challenging me was a wise decision," Priyam said, his voice calm.

Roderic scowled. "I will not allow a filthy commoner to disrespect me and my house!"

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He pointed his wand at Priyam.

"This will be a formal duel! You will fight, or you will kneel and beg for forgiveness."

Priyam smirked. "Or I could do neither and simply walk away."

Gasps echoed through the arena.

Roderic’s face turned red. "You dare—!"

Before he could finish, another voice interrupted.

"That will not be necessary."

The crowd parted as Isabelle d’Este stepped forward.

The daughter of one of the highest-ranking noble houses, Isabelle was not someone to be ignored.

Her emerald eyes swept over Priyam with interest.

"A duel has been issued," she said, her voice calm yet authoritative. "As per academy tradition, it must be honored."

Priyam chuckled. "Tradition? How quaint."

Louisa, who had been watching silently, finally stepped forward.

"This is foolish!" she snapped. "Priyam isn’t a mage! This duel is pointless!"

Isabelle turned to her. "Then he should yield."

Louisa clenched her fists.

Roderic smirked. "Well, familiar? Will you accept your place, or will you embarrass yourself further?"

Priyam yawned.

"Very well."

Roderic blinked. "What?"

"I accept." Priyam stepped forward, rolling his shoulders. "Let’s get this over with."

---

The Duel Begins

The dueling arena was cleared. The crowd watched eagerly, expecting nothing more than a swift and brutal defeat for Priyam.

"Standard dueling rules," Isabelle announced. "Victory is achieved when one side is unable to continue, yields, or is incapacitated."

She raised a hand. "Begin!"

Roderic wasted no time.

He lifted his wand, chanting an incantation.

A streak of fire shot toward Priyam.

The crowd cheered—this would be over in seconds.

But—

Priyam moved.

Not with panic. Not with hesitation.

He sidestepped the attack with effortless grace, his movements precise and controlled.

The fireball struck the ground, leaving a scorch mark.

Roderic frowned. "Lucky dodge."

He cast another spell—this time, a wind blade aimed at Priyam’s legs.

Again, Priyam dodged, his body shifting just enough to avoid the attack.

Then another.

And another.

Roderic’s attacks grew faster, more aggressive—fire, wind, earth, all hurled in rapid succession.

Yet none of them hit.

Priyam evaded every strike as if he had predicted them beforehand.

The crowd, once laughing, now watched in stunned silence.

Even Isabelle leaned forward, intrigued.

"Impossible," a noble muttered. "He has no magic, yet…"

Louisa, watching from the sidelines, felt her heart race.

"How is he doing this?"

Roderic gritted his teeth.

"Enough games!"

He lifted his wand high, gathering mana for a powerful spell.

"Flames of Hohenstein, incinerate my foe!"

A massive fireball, twice the size of the previous ones, roared to life.

With a final chant, he hurled it forward.

The arena exploded in flames.

Smoke filled the air.

The crowd held its breath.

And when the smoke cleared—

Priyam stood there.

Unharmed.

Untouched.

Smirking.

Roderic’s hands trembled.

"W-what…?"

Priyam took a single step forward.

"Are you done?" he asked, his voice filled with quiet amusement.

The nobles watching shivered.

There was no arrogance in his tone.

No mockery.

Just certainty.

A certainty that shook Roderic to his core.

"Tch!" Roderic snarled. "Stop dodging and fight me, you coward!"

Priyam chuckled.

Then, without warning, he moved.

Faster than anyone expected.

Before Roderic could react, Priyam was in front of him.

Then—

BAM!

Priyam’s fist crashed into Roderic’s gut.

The noble’s eyes widened.

He staggered backward, coughing violently.

The crowd gasped.

"H-he hit Roderic…!"

Priyam rolled his shoulders. "I do not need magic to defeat someone who relies on tricks."

Roderic, furious, raised his wand again.

But Priyam caught his wrist.

Twisted it.

And snapped the wand in half.

The sound of breaking wood echoed in the stunned silence.

Roderic collapsed to his knees, his breathing ragged.

Priyam loomed over him.

"You nobles believe power is determined by birthright," Priyam said softly. "That belief is your greatest weakness."

He turned away, leaving Roderic kneeling in the dirt.

Isabelle finally spoke.

"The duel is over. Victory goes to Priyam."

The crowd erupted in murmurs.

Louisa stared in shock.

Priyam smirked.

The first step had been taken.

And now… the game had truly begun.

---

End of Chapter 4