Chapter 95

### Chapter 95: One-on-One Duel

“Ugh...”

Was it because I had a hearty K-home-cooked meal and a good night's sleep yesterday? I felt incredibly refreshed.

Today is the day of the one-on-one duel's main event, so I need to get ready quickly.

“Already leaving...?”

Liliana, rubbing her eyes and getting up, came out of the room after I finished washing my face and put on my student uniform.

“Yeah. It’s the one-on-one duel’s main event today, so I need to leave early.”

“Got it... Good luck.”

“Thanks. Take care of the house.”

After exchanging a brief greeting with Liliana, I left the dormitory.

“Hey, popular guy~!”

“...?”

Turning around, I saw Kim Young-han running towards me.

“Man, it’s been so hard to see you lately.”

“You left me behind yesterday.”

“Sorry, but I was busy too.”

Well, I’ve been busy lately and haven’t had time to see him. He must have been busy with his academy life as well.

“Did you see the one-on-one duel’s match-up today?”

“No, I haven’t. Why?”

I didn’t even know the match-up had been announced.

The academy really isn’t doing its job.

They should show the match-up to the main event participants first.

Instead, they make us find it out ourselves.

“You’re going to face me in the semi-finals, right?”

“... Really?”

“Yeah. Good luck! We’re competitors until the end, got it? I’m off!”

Kim Young-han ran off.

It’s so sudden for him to appear and then disappear. It’s confusing.

“Hmm, what’s his ability again?”

I can’t remember, so it must not have been very distinctive.

I remember him swinging a sword in the game, but I don’t recall anything outstanding.

Eh, whatever.

I headed to Class A to prepare for the duel.

Today, I came out earlier than usual, and there were many people on the way to the first-year classroom.

“Hey, the first-year duels are going crazy today? All the VIPs are here.”

“Of course. There are three legendary students: Nam Da-eun, Ellis, and Lee Ho-yeon.”

“Still, Nam Da-eun will probably be the winner, right?”

“Ellis has been on a roll lately, and Lee Ho-yeon set a new record in the monster training. We can’t ignore either of them.”

It was strange to hear people talking about me on the street.

When I arrived at Class A, the first-year main event participants were gathered.

My homeroom teacher, Kim Jin-hyuk, caught my eye and nodded.

“Now that Lee Ho-yeon has arrived, everyone is here. As you know, the match-up is only revealed right before the exam starts, so we’re revealing it now.”

Kim Jin-hyuk then distributed papers to the 8 Class A main event participants.

What? If it’s being revealed now, how did Kim Young-han know he was facing me?

When I checked the match-up, it turned out that if we both win all our matches, we will indeed face each other in the semi-finals.

I looked at Kim Young-han with suspicion, and he smiled, putting his index finger to his lips.

I didn’t like his smug gesture, so I raised my middle finger.

Where does he get off acting cute?

“The reason I called you all here first is to emphasize the importance of today’s duel. The audience for the first-year duel is unprecedented.”

Other students were saying the same thing on the way here, so it must be a big deal.

“Of course, some are here to see the outstanding students. I won’t deny that. But it’s also a chance for you to showcase your abilities. Do your best and never give up. Every aspect of your attitude will be evaluated.”

Kim Jin-hyuk really seemed to want us to do well.

He made eye contact with each student, conveying his sincerity.

People are really nice.

“Now, go to the duel arena and prepare. The main event participants have individual waiting rooms, so you can rest comfortably there.”

Kim Jin-hyuk finished speaking and left the classroom, and the students followed one by one.

“Lee Ho-yeon!”

“Lucy. Did you see the match-up?”

Lucy, who also made it to the main event, approached me.

“Of course! We can only meet in the final if we both win.”

“Right. Your side is really tough. Good luck, and I’ll see you in the final.”

“Yeah! Got it!”

I hope she’ll be okay. Both Ellis and Nam Da-eun are on her side, so she’ll have to defeat them to meet me.

★ Heroine Status Window

– [Affection: 87]

– [Lust: 40]

– [Hunger: 30]

– [Fatigue: 35]

Current Status: Practiced defensive magic... Can I use it well?

She seems to have some thoughts.

“Let’s go to the waiting room. The facilities should be nice, right?”

“Yeah! Can I come over later?”

“Of course.”

I headed to the duel arena with Lucy.

*

Each participant was given their own waiting room, and while the facilities weren’t extravagant, it was a clean and comfortable space for resting.

It was also convenient to watch other people’s duels in real-time on the screen connected to the duel arena.

“I’ll go to the restroom.”

I remembered there was a restroom in the hallway earlier.

When I opened the door to the waiting room, the hallway was empty, as everyone was preparing for the main event.

The waiting rooms were all connected in a long hallway.

Each door had a name, and the room next to mine was Ellis’s waiting room.

‘Nam Da-eun will probably make it to the final, right?’

According to the match-up, I would face Kim Young-han in the semi-finals, and Ellis would face Nam Da-eun.

Lucy would meet Ellis before that.

If everything goes smoothly, Nam Da-eun will defeat Ellis and face me in the final.

Click-

At that moment, the door next to me opened, and a flowing blonde caught my eye.

Ellis, who came out of the waiting room, turned and met my gaze.

“Uh... Hi?”

“Yeah. Good morning.”

“...?”

I greeted her without much expectation, but Ellis responded in a surprisingly gentle tone.

★ Heroine Status Window

– [Affection: 62]

– [Lust: 25]

– [Hunger: 30]

– [Fatigue: 20]

Current Status: It’s Ho-yeon. I hope we meet in the final.

‘Why is her affection so high?’

Her affection had risen to 62 from 35 just a few days ago.

“Eh, eh. Do your best in the duel.”

“You too. See you in the final.”

Ellis responded kindly to my encouragement, smiled, and walked down the hallway.

Her bright smile was so awkward.

“... What’s going on? This is strange.”

What happened? Did her affection increase because of jealousy?

*

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