"No."

  "Pardon?"

  "I refuse to spar with you."

  His resolve was as immovable as the earth he stood on; yet with the right person, his stance would sway as his red hair would when a gust of wind blew.

  Why is he making it so difficult? The restless frenetic thought. His partner yesterday was completely sent out of commission after their fight, so he has no other choice of partner than me.

  Tap-tap.

  The students moved like clockwork.

  How can it be that after being exposed just once to this sound, that they managed to fully grasp the pattern, and make it their own?

  "It has been made known to me," Clive said, "that several of the students in this class have been injured last session."

  The frenetic in the middle row developed a positive delight in his eyes.

  "Keep up the good work."

  "However, with the absence of the injured, many are left without partners."

  "Rank Nine with Rank Two."

  "Rank Seven with Rank Five."

  "Rank Four with Rank Six."

  "And lastly, Rank Sixteen with Rank One."

  The one who sought to injure his partners with intent had the smile ripped off of him with the last utterance.

  And among the twenty-three pairs of eyes that stared at him, reminding him of the pact they made, the frenetic was forced to look into the eyes of the subject of that pact.

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  Rank Sixteen? I have no idea who they are; I intended to lose to someone in the Top 10.

  From his appearance, he doesn't seem like much; yet despite that, he injured his partner to such an extent that they aren't even present here?

  The majority of the ones who injured their partners were monsters in the Top 10, and all of their partners are still healthy enough to show up.

  It is probable that he intentionally broke his partner. No, I shouldn't judge too quickly.

  But if it so happens that he does intend to do the same with me, I need to be careful and cushion damage as much as possible.

  "Everyone, to the desert terrain."

  Arthur swept his right foot across the fine golden sand, changed each year with a fresh batch when the Academy passed through the Dustlands.

  What is that—a sword? The frenetic who held Rank Sixteen thought from the other side of the arena.

  It's nice to know he's going easy on me; I would have been instantly annihilated if he used magic.

  An image of himself, burnt black from fire, appeared in his mind, and he shivered at the thought.

  He might be more skilled than me, but as a mage, he can't use Sword Aura.

  If I can manage to distract him or blind him–

  He lowered his center of mass.

  Or buy myself one second of time in any way, I might be able to trade hits with him, and achieve a tie!

  His mind raced at all the possibilities that could come from accomplishing such a great achievement, and his body filled with hope, as all previous challengers of Rank One had.

  But when his eyes met the demonic monster across him, he was sent plummeting back to Geenna.

  There are three uniquities of the Honor Class, Arthur analyzed. First, all magic classes are taught by a Head Instructor, the most powerful and experienced staff at the Academy.

  Secondly, they have access to the highest quality training facilities and equipment, as well as the largest dorms.

  And lastly, perhaps the largest difference–that contradicts the Academy's philosophy–classes are mixed, filled with nobles and commoners; both swordsmen and mages.

  And because mages are allowed to use mana in their spells, swordsmen are allowed to use mana in their swords.

  He looked below the shaky eyes of his opponent, and saw the pale-yellow lightning current create vectors that would snap and crackle continuously until they disappeared.

  Meanwhile, I am unable to do either.

  Still, I must do what I can; losing to him would be too suspicious!

  If I push the weakling act to save my reputation, that might work, but because all duels are assessments, if I throw this match, I won't be able to fulfill the conditions of getting 95% or higher on every assignment!

  My sword is slow; if I were to lose, Clive would definitely grade me harshly.

  But the winners of duels always get a 100%, and the instructors can't change the grade of that.

  I have no choice but to win this duel.