Chapter 75

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The speed of the Cutting Tide was extremely fast. Ordinary people could only see a flash of sword light, unable to react. But with Ji Ran's current strength, if he were a skilled fighter, blocking or dodging it would not be impossible.

However, at this moment, Hein was in a state of stiffness after using his ultimate move. Gathering a massive amount of fighting spirit to release such a shocking move, how could he not pause for a moment?

Thus, even though he tried to swing his long sword horizontally and lean his body back to avoid the sword, he was still grazed.

A cut, about the length of a finger, appeared on his left shoulder, cut by Ji Ran's sword aura.

Blood quickly seeped out, staining his uniform on his shoulder red.

Hein was stunned.

He was actually injured! He was actually injured by that Ji Ran, that second-level swordsman!

Ignoring the fact that Ji Ran was already bleeding from the corner of his mouth and coughing non-stop, he only saw that he himself was injured.

Humiliation! Great humiliation! This humiliation must be repaid with blood!

Looking at Ji Ran, his eyes revealed a murderous intent. If it weren't for the remaining bit of rationality telling him that they were in Azure Wind and many people were watching, he would have already charged at Ji Ran, using all the strongest moves he could muster.

Even with some rationality left, Hein's eyes were bloodshot. Holding the long sword with both hands, he took a step toward Ji Ran.

"Damn it, you actually injured me! I'll make you know what kind of price you'll pay..." He slowly raised the long sword, more fighting spirit gathering on it...

Ji Ran was still standing, but the pain from various parts of his body was making him sway. However, he still held the long sword, trying to stand straight. A fifth-level swordsman... hah, so what if he's a fifth-level swordsman? After being pressed and hit for so long, he was finally injured by me!

If I really used all my trump cards, I wouldn't have no chance of taking him down! But this is Azure Wind, and I can't possibly do that here. So, my task now is still to stall, to buy time, until...

"Stop!" Suddenly, someone shouted. Then, several figures rushed over from a distance.

"Private duels are forbidden in Azure Wind! You have violated school rules, please stop immediately!"

Indeed, the Student Council members had arrived.

The Student Council is an official organization composed of students from the academy, responsible for maintaining campus order, organizing campus activities, and other functions. Generally, Student Council members have considerable authority, such as the right to stop ongoing fights and impose penalties.

Since it is an official organization, as long as the Student Council is in the right, no student can oppose them... even some staff members can't.

If the Student Council members come to stop the fight and the two sides still don't stop, the consequences will be severe.

Ji Ran slowly relaxed, sheathing his sword, a smile appearing at the corner of his mouth. The timing of the Student Council's arrival was just right... if the fight continued, he would have suffered even more.

Hein, on the other hand, was extremely unwilling, his face full of resentment. The Student Council members came at the worst possible time! He was about to make Ji Ran pay, to show him that a third-year senior, a fifth-level swordsman, and a disciple of a swordmaster, was not someone to be trifled with...

But the Student Council members came! The fight couldn't continue, and he had lost face for sure!

If he forced a move under the Student Council's intervention, the consequences would be severe, and even a teacher of a swordmaster might not be able to protect him. The Student Council's authority was that great.

"Private duels, damaging school property, disrupting normal school order... you must now come with us to the Student Council to clarify the situation and bear the corresponding responsibility!" The Student Council members looked righteous and just.

Ji Ran smiled and raised his hands: "Thank you all for your hard work, I've caused you trouble."

The Student Council member glared at him: "You know it's trouble and still engage in private duels? Why not go to the dueling arena? Is it fun to destroy school property here? Do you know that you have to pay for all of this?"

Ji Ran smiled bitterly: "I didn't want to, but that fifth-level swordsman was aggressive, and I'm just a second-level swordsman. It was already quite difficult for me to hold on until you came to save me."

The Student Council member looked at him with surprise: "Oh? To be able to stand and speak after being hit by a fifth-level swordsman for so long, your body is quite impressive! If what you say is true, your responsibility can be reduced accordingly..."

Hein, hearing this, became anxious: "Hey, he insulted me first, that's why I fought him!" The Student Council's punishment had the same effect as the school's administrative department, and it wasn't easy to bear.

"You don't get to decide. We need to consider all aspects. But no matter what, as a fifth-level swordsman, you are the one who will bear the loss. A second-level swordsman can't just provoke you to death, right?" The Student Council member rolled his eyes.

Hein was speechless. There was no way out; he had indeed been the one to initiate the fight. At the time, he thought he could take Ji Ran down before the Student Council members arrived and then leave gracefully. For such a small-scale, low-impact fight, the Student Council would at most issue a warning afterward.

But now, being caught on the spot, the situation was completely different. If all the responsibility fell on him...

Hein finally regretted his momentary impulse. Not only did he not gain the upper hand in a fight against a second-level swordsman, but he was also caught by the Student Council. What had he been thinking?

But it was too late to say these things now. Ji Ran obediently followed the Student Council members to the office building, and under the watchful eyes of other Student Council members, Hein had no choice but to follow.

The handling of the situation was faster than expected.

The Student Council gathered information from the onlookers and combined it with the testimonies of the two parties. The final result was—both sides were equally punished.

Both received a reprimand and had to pay a fine of fifty gold coins. The compensation for the school's losses was mostly borne by Hein.

"Why?" Hein was still不服 (unconvinced).

"Most of the damage was caused by you, and you were the one who initiated the fight. It's only right that you pay the compensation." The Student Council's response left Hein speechless.

The punishment wasn't too severe, but it wasn't light either. A reprimand might not seem like a substantial punishment, but three reprimands would result in expulsion. However, reprimands could be removed if the student made significant contributions to the school.

For a high-achieving student like Hein, a reprimand was an indelible stain on his record, so his hatred for Ji Ran deepened; but Ji Ran was more troubled by the fine and compensation.

His money was running out, and he really needed to get the brewing business going... Speaking of which, Uncle Lais was almost back to his fifth-level strength. He said that after reaching the fifth level, he would return to his family and find a good friend to help sell the wine as a backing. If he waited a bit longer, it should be fine, right?

After Hein paid the fine and compensation, he glared at Ji Ran and left. As Ji Ran was about to leave, he saw the Student Council President, Kurizalde.

"The handling of this situation was my decision. Private duels violate school discipline, and the reprimand cannot be canceled. However, it's not a big problem as long as you don't repeat it. If you make contributions to the school, the reprimand can be removed."

Kurizalde saw Ji Ran and first showed a friendly smile.

To be fair, the Student Council's handling was slightly biased toward Ji Ran. For this, Ji Ran was grateful.

"Thank you, President. To be honest, I'm more grateful for your handling of the compensation..."

Kurizalde was taken aback, then laughed as if he had realized something.

"Ha ha ha, I forgot, you live in the old dormitory... But I think, with the strength you showed today, earning some money shouldn't be difficult. How about it, if you need help, do you want me to introduce you to some well-paid tasks?"

The school encourages students to take on various tasks. After all, the purpose of Azure Wind is not to cultivate bookworms. Practical experience is very beneficial to students, and they can earn some money on the side, so why not?

"Ha, thank you, but I'll pass for now. I've just started school and still have a lot to learn. Although my money is running low, living in the old dormitory, it's enough for now." Ji Ran declined the Student Council President's offer. He had been warned that the Student Council was likely to have some conflict with the Blue Lions... apparently related to taking over the Student Council. At this critical moment, it was best not to get involved.

"…Alright. Today's fight has revealed your strength. I must say, it was quite unexpected. My invitation still stands. If you're willing to join the Student Council, we definitely have a good position for you."

At the end, Kurizalde still tried to recruit Ji Ran. But Ji Ran naturally smiled and shook his head in refusal.

"I currently have no intention of joining any organization, I'm really sorry."

However, Kurizalde did not press the issue further, just smiled and patted Ji Ran's back, then saw him out of the Student Council office building.

After coming out, Ji Ran sighed.

What a hassle... In the end, he still stood out. But there was no way to avoid it; if trouble came knocking, he couldn't just keep hiding.

Strength, indeed, the most important thing is still strength.

To be honest, Hein's strength far exceeded his. But because of his agile and graceful swordsmanship, combined with the various enhancements from the Dawn Sword and the weakening of Hein, he was able to hold on for so long. If the fight continued, he would definitely lose... Of course, if it were a life-or-death battle, it might be a different story.

But not every fight has to be a matter of life and death. And in a situation like today, even if he killed Hein, the outcome would not be good.

So, he must improve! He must become someone who is not so easily bullied!