Volume 02, Chapter 28

  The Duel [1]

  Today’s the big day: the duel. No matter how much I try to steady myself, the nerves won’t subside. Lumi Everheart isn’t just any opponent—she’s one of the top talents in A Magician’s Path. In the web novel, she ranked just behind Célestin in Verdant Arcanum’s entrance exam, taking second place.

  She’s powerful. Skilled. And she doesn’t lose easily.

  -Slam!

  The sound of my door bursting open jolts me from my thoughts. Standing there, André holds up the set of clothes we bought last Sunday, a grin tugging at the corners of his lips.

  “Dad! You’re okay!”

  Relief floods through me as I take in his unharmed appearance. Celine’s reassurances last night had calmed me somewhat, but a small part of me still feared the worst—that he and Maurice might have come to blows. Seeing him here, unscathed, puts my mind at ease.

  André raises an eyebrow, his grin fading into mild confusion. “Of course, I’m fine. Why wouldn’t I be?”

  I scratch the back of my head, embarrassed. “I thought… you and Professor Maurice might’ve fought last night.”

  “Why would we fight?”

  “Well, Mum said you were agitated when you went to see him,” I admit, my voice trailing off.

  André’s expression softens, and he steps closer, ruffling my hair affectionately. “Dominic, we just discussed his training methods and your injuries. That’s all. No fights, no drama. Don’t worry so much.”

  Once again, I find myself tangled in the web of my own overthinking. My mind always seems eager to conjure the worst-case scenarios, bracing for disasters that rarely come. Considering today’s stakes, I suppose it’s understandable, but sometimes… I wish I could just stop.

  André’s reassurance pulls me back from the edge, a steady reminder that not everything is a looming catastrophe.

  “Anyway,” he says, holding the clothes out to me, “you should wear this for the duel.”

  I take the ensemble, puzzled. “Why?”

  “In a duel, appearances matter. Confidence and presentation can make all the difference,” he explains, his tone firm but light.

  That’s when I remember—Verdant Haveners place immense value on how one presents themselves. In this world, attire reflects preparation, style, and respect for the occasion. Even duels are as much about making a statement as they are about skill.

  “But won’t it get ruined in the duel?” I ask, still skeptical about wearing something so extravagant.

  André chuckles. “Don’t worry. The store we bought it from offers free repairs within thirty days of purchase.”

  Impressive customer service.

  I glance down at the outfit, feeling a pang of reluctance. A refined suit for a physical contest feels impractical, but… when in Verdant Haven, right?

  “Okay. I’ll change,” I say with a sigh.

  André nods, satisfied, and leaves the room.

  After changing, I turn to the mirror. The reflection staring back at me is sharper than I expected—a crisp white dress shirt tucked into tailored black trousers, paired with a black vest and a red tie. My polished black shoes complete the look.

  My eyes land on the black blazer resting on the bed. It’s the final piece of the ensemble, but I hesitate. Wearing it fully feels restrictive, too formal, and it’s never been my style.

  An idea strikes me.

  I drape the blazer over my shoulders like a cape and turn back to the mirror. The effect is… striking. The loose silhouette adds flair, a touch of confidence I didn’t know I had.

  “Does this count as fashionable?” I mutter to myself, tilting my head as I take in the look.

  Fashion wasn’t exactly my strong suit in my past life, but this feels different. A step into unfamiliar territory, but not unwelcome.

  I smirk faintly at my reflection.

  “Guess it’ll have to do,” I mutter, adjusting the blazer draped over my shoulders before heading out to meet André.

  He’s waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs, his arms crossed. The moment he spots me, he smirks and hands me a black fedora.

  “Don’t forget this, Dominic,” he says, holding it out.

  I take the hat and place it on my head, turning toward him for approval.

  André gives me a thumbs up. “You look great!”

  His encouragement bolsters my confidence. Maybe—just maybe—I can pull this off. Not just in terms of style, but in the duel itself.

  “Oh, Dominic, you look fantastic!”

  I turn to see Celine approaching, her eyes lighting up as she takes in my appearance.

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  “Thanks, Mum,” I reply, feeling a small warmth spread through me at her compliment.

  “Do you know where the duel will be held?” she asks.

  It’s a good question, one I hadn’t thought to ask. Lumi threw down the gauntlet but didn’t exactly provide details. Does she expect me to figure it out myself? Or worse, fail to show up and let her brand me a coward?

  “I’m not sure, to be honest,” I admit.

  André’s hand lands on my shoulder, steady and reassuring. “You don’t need to worry about that, Dominic. Since you’re both from the same middle school, the duel will be held there.”

  “At the middle school?” I echo, puzzled.

  It seems odd. I haven’t seen anything there that could serve as a proper duel arena. Then again, I haven’t exactly explored every nook and cranny of the school.

  “Yes,” André explains, “in the gymnasium. Every middle school gymnasium in Sylvestria is equipped to transform into a duel area, specially designed for aspiring Stargate Raiders.”

  That’s news to me. The web novel never mentioned this detail—probably because most of the story’s key events happen in Aurelior or Verdant Arcanum, far from the middle school setting.

  André narrows his eyes slightly. “You should know this, Dominic. How did you forget?”

  My stomach drops. Crap. I slipped up.

  “I didn’t forget,” I say quickly, scrambling for a save. “I was just… making sure.”

  -Ring!

  The sound of a Commlink interrupts the conversation, saving me from further scrutiny. I can’t help but exhale in relief.

  “Hold on, I’ve got a call,” André says, retrieving the device from his pocket. He glances at the screen, and his expression shifts into a scowl—a rare sight that immediately puts both Celine and me on edge.

  “What’s wrong, André?” Celine asks, concern evident in her tone.

  “A Stargate has opened up on the northern Emerald Coastline,” André replies grimly.

  My heart skips a beat. A Stargate.

  “What rank is it, Dad?”

  “It’s an [A] Rank.”

  The weight of his words hangs heavy in the air. An [A]-rank Stargate isn’t just dangerous—it’s catastrophic. These portals emit massive amounts of mana, disrupting weather patterns and spawning monsters capable of laying waste to entire cities. Only [A]-rank magicians and above have any business facing such threats.

  My mind races. If André is being called to respond, that places him somewhere between [A] and [S] rank. He’s strong, but not among the ten [SS]-rank magicians mentioned in the web novel. Still, the magnitude of this mission underscores just how capable he is.

  “I’m sorry, Dominic,” André says, breaking the tense silence. “It looks like I won’t be able to attend your duel.”

  A pang of disappointment flickers in my chest. I had hoped he’d be there, but the stakes of the Stargate far outweigh my personal feelings. His strength and experience are needed elsewhere.

  “It’s okay, Dad. Don’t worry about me,” I say, forcing a small smile.

  André’s expression softens, and he ruffles my hair affectionately. “Thank you for understanding, Dominic. I’m proud of you.”

  Though I’ll miss his presence at the duel, I know this is the right choice. The safety of many depends on him.

  As he turns to leave, I straighten my blazer and adjust the fedora, steeling myself for what’s ahead. Today’s duel with Lumi is a challenge I’ll face on my own.

  And I’ll make him proud.

  ════ ?★? ════

  As I approach the middle school, the town feels welcoming today. The air is filled with warmth and camaraderie that I hadn’t expected. Locals greet me with bright smiles, their energy infectious.

  “Good morning, Dominic!”

  “I heard you’ve got a duel against an Everheart today—go get ’em! You’ve got this!”

  Their encouraging words buoy my spirits, filling me with a sense of belonging I hadn’t realized I craved. For once, my status as Manaless doesn’t seem to matter to them. They’re cheering for me.

  Before I can fully process the sentiment, a familiar voice cuts through the crowd's murmur.

  “Hey, Doms!”

  Arthur appears out of nowhere, throwing an arm around my shoulder enthusiastically. His grin is as bright as ever, reflecting his boundless energy.

  “Did you fully heal from yesterday? Are you okay? Are you ready for today’s duel?”

  I can’t help but chuckle at the rapid-fire questioning. “Yes, yes, and yes,” I reply, hoping to ease his concern.

  Arthur’s face softens with visible relief, his grin never faltering. “Good. That’s good to hear.”

  “By the way,” I add, glancing at him, “thank you for carrying me home yesterday—and for taking the cub to the animal conservatory.”

  Arthur waves it off with a casual flick of his hand. “It’s not a big deal, Doms.”

  “Not a big deal?” I laugh lightly. “You carried me unconscious and handled a wild animal. That’s more than a little deal.”

  He shrugs with a grin. “What can I say? I’m multi-talented.”

  The two of us chuckle, the tension in my chest easing just a little. With each step, the school grounds draw closer, the duel looming larger in my mind. But somehow, the weight of it all feels more manageable with Arthur by my side.

  His presence reminds me that no matter how daunting today might seem, I’m not facing it alone.

  ════ ?★? ════

  After what feels like an eternity, we finally reach the entrance of our middle school.

  As we navigate the familiar campus paths, I can’t help but notice the pairs of eyes tracking our every move. The air buzzes with hushed whispers—some subtle, others not so much.

  “There he is!”

  “Manaless vs. Everheart—like a lamb to the slaughter.”

  “That ensemble screams ‘fashion victim,’ honey!”

  The last comment, delivered with the kind of theatrical flamboyance you’d expect from a drag queen in a reality TV roast, cuts deeper than I care to admit. I grit my teeth, trying to block out the snickers and focus on the challenge ahead.

  The duel with Lumi. That’s all that matters.

  “You’re dressed for our duel already?”

  Lumi’s voice slices through the murmurs, cool and sharp. I stop, turning to find her standing a few steps away. Her tone carries a hint of surprise—or perhaps amusement.

  She’s still in school attire, looking completely at ease as if she hasn’t just challenged someone to a duel. The contrast between us couldn’t be starker: me, decked out in a full three-piece suit, and her, utterly unbothered.

  “Not in your battle gear?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.

  “Our duel is after classes,” she replies casually, as though it’s the most obvious thing in the world.

  A wave of embarrassment washes over me. After classes? So much for looking sharp—I’ve been parading around overdressed for a regular school day, thanks to her lack of communication.

  “Would’ve been nice to know when and where before I planned my attire,” I mutter, heat creeping up my face.

  Arthur steps in, ever the loyal friend, though his attempt at deflection feels like a double-edged sword.

  “You should’ve warned Doms about the timing, Everheart. Now you’ve got him strutting around in a three-piece at school!”

  Lumi’s gaze flicks to Arthur, her expression as icy as her tone. “This duel is between him and me, Lyon. Stay out of it.”

  With that, she strides past us, her footsteps measured, her presence leaving a chill in the air.

  I watch her go, frustration and resignation settling in my chest. “What a day this is shaping up to be,” I mutter.

  Arthur huffs as we continue walking, his frustration bubbling to the surface.

  “Seriously, what’s with her attitude? What an annoying bi—”

  Before he can finish, my hand flies up, covering his mouth. The motion is instinctive, surprising even me.

  “Mmph!” Arthur pulls back, his face a mixture of shock and irritation. “What was that for?”

  I hesitate, then shrug, still trying to process my own reaction. “Honestly? Not sure. Maybe it’s just… instinct to keep things family-friendly?”

  “Huh?” He gives me a puzzled look, one eyebrow quirking upward.

  “Yeah, you know,” I say, trying to sound casual. “Keeping our conversation suitable for all audiences.”

  Arthur stares at me for a moment before shaking his head, half-amused and half-bewildered. “Alright, Mr. Censorship. Let’s just focus on what’s ahead, shall we?”

  “Yeah,” I say with a sigh, straightening my blazer. “Let’s head in. It’s going to be a long day.”

  With that, we step into the school, the weight of the duel still looming, but at least I’m not facing it alone.