In the arena corridor, near the duel arena's stands, two figures walked—one following behind the other.
The one in front was an old man. His long white hair flowed and swayed with every step he took.
The wrinkles on his face clearly revealed his age, yet his black eyes, filled with determination despite his years, showed countless experiences. A white robe draped over his broad shoulders and muscular body.
Behind him followed a young woman, walking while holding a small screen in her hand. Her black hair was tied in a ponytail, and the glasses she wore gave off an aura of intelligence and calmness. Her firm voice suited her composed appearance.
"Next, regarding the event—" before the woman could finish her sentence, a loud shout echoed from behind the door they were approaching.
The old man raised one eyebrow.
"Who is using the duel arena right now?"
The woman checked her small screen briefly.
"It's Class 1C students, Sir, led by Professor Tanya. They are holding a duel to determine their class representative."
The old man's face showed confusion.
"Wasn't that already done by the other classes last week?"
The woman adjusted her glasses.
"They are only doing it now because one of the students had to be absent for a week, Sir."
"Ahh, which student was that? I feel like I've heard the name before. Who was it?"
the old man muttered while thinking.
"That would be Alex Sander, Sir. You may have met his father, Captain Sander, at the mansion where the former queen resides."
The old man clapped his hands as if he had found the answer.
"Ahh right, that's him. Captain Sander also tried to visit the academy, didn't he? But we couldn't allow it and only told him that we have the best treatment center in this city and that we would take good care of his son."
The woman nodded.
"Yes, that's correct. He was very persistent."
The old man smiled.
"Well then, this is free entertainment. Time to take a short break, isn't that right, Anna?"
Anna replied,
"But Sir, your schedule is very tight today."
The old man's face turned sour as he walked toward the door and tried to open it.
"Tch, isn't it already noon? Just say we're going to eat first, okay?"
Anna sighed.
"Alright, but only for a moment."
"That's more like it."
The old man opened the door leading to the stands to watch the Class 1C students' battle.
On the stage, the atmosphere turned tense.
Professor Tanya raised her hand and brought it down, signaling the start of the battle.
Aril charged forward, his speed contradicting his large physique.
Alex smirked.
He shifted into a defensive stance.
'You know, Krystal, what's the difference between mana and my soul core?'
Aril pulled back his right arm, preparing to punch Alex's face.
Within a fraction of a second, Alex avoided the punch simply by tilting his neck to the left.
To ordinary observers or beginners, it looked like a normal dodge. But for those with sharp observation and rich experience, they would understand.
Alex avoided the punch even before Aril threw it.
Alex clenched his left fist and punched Aril's right shoulder where the collarbone was located.
A groan escaped Aril's mouth.
"Arghh."
'The first core of the soul core forms in the spine for a reason. Human nerves are centered there, and with the soul core formed in that location, I no longer need commands from my brain to move my body.'
Standing slightly on tiptoe due to their height difference, Alex struck the same shoulder again, this time with his right elbow.
Another groan escaped Aril.
"Arghh…"
Aril thought that was the end.
But Alex swung a sideways punch with his left hand, aiming for his face.
Buk
The sound of impact echoed, and Aril staggered backward.
From the edge of the arena, Alex could hear several people swallowing nervously.
Professor Tanya's eyes widened.
'His reflexes are incredible. He dodges and immediately counterattacks.'
A cough was heard from the stands.
The old man's eyes widened.
"That kid's ability is quite impressive, isn't it, Anna? His reflexes look like he can see the future, or perhaps he has extensive combat experience. Who is that child?"
"That is Alex Sander, Sir."
The old man's expression turned shocked.
"What? That child?"
Anna nodded.
"He ranked second in the theory exam but was average in practical tests, Sir. Seeing him now like this is truly surprising."
The old man chuckled.
Anna sighed.
'The headmaster won't be going anywhere after seeing something like this,' Anna thought.
On the stage, Aril moved his right arm, stretching his shoulder after being attacked.
A bruise marked the side of his face.
He looked at Professor Tanya and spoke while pointing at Alex.
"Isn't he using mana, Professor?"
Professor Tanya shook her head.
"No, I don't sense any mana, and I've confirmed it."
Aril clicked his tongue.
"Tch."
Alex smiled mockingly.
"Well, big boy? Still want to continue?"
This time Aril ignored the provocation and simply observed.
Then he charged again.
Alex prepared himself. His body trembled, but this time he didn't want to move like before.
'Krystal, if you've seen my soul memories, you must have seen how I evaluate someone's talent, right?'
'Yes, and honestly, you're a battle maniac.'
'Tch, you don't understand the fun. Then it's time to evaluate this big guy.'
Aril lowered his posture and wrapped his arms around Alex's waist.
Alex didn't use his reflexes. He simply accepted it.
Alex was pushed backward, both his feet lifting off the ground.
Alex swallowed.
'Ugh… just as expected from that huge body, his strength is insane.'
Alex tried to land his feet back on the ground before being slammed.
'Damn this weak body. If it were my old body, I'd be the one slamming him.'
Shifting his balance, Alex pulled his legs back until Aril's face, still hugging his waist, moved closer to the arena floor.
Alex pushed Aril's back downward and slammed his knee into Aril's face.
Buk
Aril, feeling pain and with blurred vision, collapsed face-first onto the floor.
Alex stepped back to create distance.
Cheers of admiration for Alex's technique echoed from around the arena.
Aril began to stand again, revealing his face. Blood now flowed from his nose.
Katarina, watching from outside the stage, felt a chill run down her spine.
'His reflexes, the way he targets dangerous areas only known to experienced fighters, and his reactions under pressure…'
Katarina swallowed.
'Could someone with such ability really hide his true self from his own family? Why does he only show his intellect if he has instincts like that?' she wondered.
Murmurs spread among the students.
A black-haired woman with golden eyes bit her finger while watching the duel.
Wiping the blood from his nose, Aril stood again, staring at his opponent—a boy who had been absent on the first day.
And the moment he returned, he caused trouble and spilled his drink on him.
Normally, Aril wouldn't have gotten angry enough to challenge someone to a duel.
But today he wore his school uniform, carefully maintained.
Because that uniform was the result of the efforts of people who cared for him and his own hard work.
Aril clenched his teeth.
'I'll make him my servant and force him to work for me,' he thought.
'His fighting style is completely different. He attacks unimaginable points. Does he have more combat experience than me? Then I'll just overwhelm him with raw strength and adapt.'
Aril lowered his posture again and dashed forward.
Alex simply stepped back, raising his left leg so his balance rested only on his right.
For a split second, Aril's thoughts raced.
'What is that? Why is he reacting like an amateur? Why is he exposing an opening?'
Seeing an opening should be an opportunity.
But all of Aril's senses tensed. His street-fighting experience warned him.
If he attacked that opening, he would become prey.
It was a predator's trap.
Aril halted his movement, his footing collapsing.
In Aril's vision, Alex smiled.
This time Alex charged forward.
He raised his hand and punched slightly higher due to their height difference.
Aril crossed his arms to block.
Alex's punch nearly reached Aril's guard.
Aril braced for impact—but it never came.
Instead, Alex raised his right leg.
Aril's eyes widened.
'It's a feint.'
Alex lifted his leg as high as possible, targeting not Aril's body but his head—the small exposed space Aril had left while focusing on the frontal attack.
Buk
Everyone's eyes widened as a groan echoed.
Alex's side kick struck Aril's face.
Aril lost balance. His left ear rang and his vision blurred.
'Damn,' Aril thought.
His right knee touched the ground, leaving him kneeling.
But Alex's attack didn't stop there.
Alex delivered another side kick, lower this time since Aril was kneeling.
Buk
Aril's vision turned white. Sound no longer reached his ears.
The kick sent Aril collapsing, nearly unconscious.
Silence enveloped the arena as students and Professor Tanya watched in shock.
From the stands, the headmaster watched with interest while stroking his chin.
"Moves like that aren't taught in textbooks. They can only come from experience and cunning."
Anna remained silent hearing his comment.
The arena stayed quiet.
Professor Tanya hurriedly announced the result.
"The winner is Alex."
No cheers followed.
Instead, a cry of pain echoed—not from Aril, but from the victor.
Crouching while holding his toes, Alex screamed hysterically.
"Arghh… damn it, his head is like a rock! What does that kid eat?!"
Everyone stared silently at the intense battle's winner.
'Hahahahaha.'
Of course, only Krystal laughed at Alex.
Alex shouted,
"Hey! Medic! Professor! Help me!"
Then he pointed at Aril.
"And save that guy too. He's my servant now, hahaha," he said like a madman.
Several students with healing abilities climbed onto the stage to treat Aril.
Alex walked closer to look at him.
Aril, seeing Alex approach, froze. His vision was blurry and his ears still rang.
Yet somehow Alex's voice reached him.
"You've got great talent, good instincts, and that body of yours is your main strength," Alex said.
"If we used mana and talents, I might have struggled against you. But I know you'll grow stronger."
Through blurred vision, Aril saw something unsettling.
Alex was smiling.
"Hey, hurry and take big boy to the treatment center. He's my servant now, so he needs to stay healthy."
Hearing those words, Aril sighed and accepted his fate.
He was carried to the treatment center.
The atmosphere around the arena grew tense again.
Professor Tanya approached Alex.
"I didn't expect you to be this good at fighting. Weren't you supposed to rely only on your brain?"
Alex shrugged.
"Well, humans have to adapt, right? I'm just doing my best."
Professor Tanya nodded.
Then Alex smiled.
His voice echoed.
"Isn't there something we need to settle first? About the bets? You didn't forget, right?" Alex said to everyone who had lost their wagers.
Katarina, standing below the stage, raised her left hand, her smart bracelet wrapped around her wrist.
Her voice made everyone's shoulders slump.
"You must transfer your bets after this duel ends."
"Alright…" they replied.
Katarina looked at a woman with messy black hair and dark circles under her eyes, slightly diminishing her beauty. She was biting her nails.
"Mira, you need to transfer it now."
Mira looked at her pitifully.
"Rina… I'll transfer it later."
Katarina shook her head.
"No. You'll forget and make excuses later."
Mira's back stiffened.
She walked sluggishly toward Katarina.
Their bracelets touched.
A notification sounded.
Cling.
20 million credits received.
Mira's shoulders drooped further.
"Can't you be nicer to your childhood friend, Rina? I wanted to use that for my research. I'll pay you back later, I promise,"
Mira pleaded.
Katarina shook her head.
"No. If you pay later, it becomes 100 million credits."
Mira pouted.
"You're mean, Rina."
Reva, standing beside Katarina, exclaimed,
"Your Highness is getting richer. Shall we go shopping later?,"
Before Katarina answered, Alex's voice rang out.
"Alright, who wants to fight me next?" he shouted.
Everyone fell silent.
Katarina raised her hand.
All eyes widened—even Professor Tanya was shocked.
Mira stared in confusion.
"Princess, what are you doing? Even for you, it'll be difficult without mana or talents," Reva said.
But Katarina's next words were even more shocking.
"Reva will fight next."
Reva shouted, something she had never done before.
"WHAAAT?!"
Katarina looked at her and smiled.
"Go on, Reva. Wouldn't this be a good experience for you?"
Reva hesitated.
"But… but…"
Seeing her hesitation, Katarina raised her hand again.
"I'll bet 50 million on Reva."
Everyone gasped.
Katarina, who had previously bet on Alex, now bet on Reva.
Alex smiled.
"Then I'll bet too."
All eyes turned to him.
"If I win, give me that 50 million. If I lose, give me 10 million."
Everyone showed disgust.
"He's insane."
"He won once and already lost his mind."
"He didn't even get hit."
Mockery spread everywhere.
Alex chuckled.
"If I lose, I'll pay 50 million credits. But if I win, treat me to dinner tonight and give me 30 million credits."
Krystal asked inside Alex's head,
'Do you secretly have 50 million somewhere I don't know about?'
'Of course not.'
'You're insane,' Krystal scolded.
Reva became furious.
"You! How dare you ask the Princess out to dinner!" she shouted.
More insults echoed.
"He dares ask the Princess on a date."
"How shameless."
But Katarina simply nodded.
"Alright, let's do that."
Reva looked at her pleadingly.
Katarina met her gaze.
"Go up, Reva. Unless you want me to have dinner with him. Besides, fighting someone like him will be a valuable experience."
Hearing that, Reva finally answered firmly.
"Of course you won't dine with him. Because I'll defeat him first."
With blazing eyes, Reva stepped onto the stage.
Alex nodded.
"Good, good."
Just as they faced each other, another voice interrupted.
"I'll bet 20 million on Reva," said a woman.
Everyone turned.
Mira had placed another bet.
The crowd became noisy again.
"She's a gambler."
"Mira will definitely be locked up by her father this time."
"She's a terrible gambler."
Katarina could only shake her head.
Alex simply smiled.
'We're going to be rich, Krystal!!!'