LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 35
“Phew…! Hah!”
The last participant, Angela, completed her 100 laps.
I approached her as she lay on the floor, gasping for breath, and handed her the prepared ice water.
“Good job.”
“Th-thank you…”
She snatched the water bottle and began gulping it down relentlessly.
“I thought I was going to die…”
“I didn’t think using up all your energy would feel like this…”
“By the way, did you see that guy? He was pushing through like the wind.”
“Ugh… a guy, of all things.”
The ones who finished early started to regain their senses one by one.
Among them, the students from the Royal Class were furrowing their brows, glancing back and forth between Angela and me.
They seemed displeased that they had been overwhelmingly beaten by someone like me.
“Not only is he of low status, but how dare a man act so high and mighty in Polaris?”
“He’s completely unaware of his place. Men can’t even rise to prominence with a sword.”
“Hehe, look at him. Trying to charm the princess with that pretty face…”
What can I say?
Their gossip was so far removed from my understanding that I didn’t even feel angry.
I tried to let it slide.
“……”
However, Angela’s condition was far from normal.
Crack!
With a fierce look in her eyes, she crushed the water bottle in her hand.
I was ready to step in, fearing she might rush them in a rage.
“…Ugh.”
Ultimately, she let her shoulders slump and merely bit her lips.
‘Looks like she learned something from Fenya’s scolding.’
If I were to get angry at them, it would only cause trouble for myself.
I still had no recognized authority.
At least for Angela to act freely, she needed a good reason. Without a reason, she needed strength.
‘But she has neither.’
They were mocking me, not Angela or the royal family.
I’m still officially nothing to Angela.
So right now, it would be wise to acknowledge my weakness and swallow my resentment.
‘How admirable.’
Usually, around this time, Angela is just like any other child.
Somehow, it feels like her mental growth is faster than in the original story.
“You did well to endure.”
“I’m… sorry.”
Her gaze fell, as if she felt frustrated.
“Looks like it’s all about over.”
Rayna, who had been watching until everyone entered, stepped forward to the students.
Holding a timer in her right hand, she looked down at those sprawled out on the floor.
“Excluding the top three, the average time is about 1 hour and 30 minutes… pathetic. Is this really the result of running while controlling your energy?”
Everyone fell silent at her sharp words.
“Listen well. Energy is a resource. It must be utilized at the right time, in the right amount, and in the right place to maximize its performance. Just pouring energy into your legs blindly will yield no meaningful effect.”
Especially now, when the amount of energy is absolutely insufficient, such ability is even more required.
Rayna added,
“To practice efficient energy management, there hasn’t been a better method since ancient times.”
As she spoke, Rayna scanned the students with her eyes.
Then she slowly nodded.
“Most of you are completely out of energy. This should be enough.”
“Wait… are we going to train again after this?!”
“Of course. This run was merely a means to deplete your energy and stamina.”
“Gah…!”
“Damn it…”
It seemed there wasn’t even enough strength to gasp in disbelief; all that could be heard were the sounds of air escaping.
“The format is simple. A one-on-one match in a best-of-three format. From now on, fight among yourselves.”
“Y-you mean fight…?”
“Barehanded combat without weapons. Touching the ground with your back or sides means defeat. The winner of the match… will have the lecture end immediately. You may use the remaining time as you like. Feel free to return to the dormitory to rest or buy snacks in Building D.”
“Whoa-oh-oh!!”
Amid despair, a glimmer of hope bloomed.
The kids’ faces lit up as if they had discovered an oasis in the desert.
“However, losers will have to duel other losers in a one-on-one match again. If you lose there, you will fight yet another loser. You’ll keep battling until you win.”
In short, if you win quickly, you can escape soon, but if you lose, you’ll have to keep on fighting.
It’s a best-of-three; stamina consumption will be immense.
“I’ll win right away and have some refreshing shaved ice!”
The kids who had just been on the brink of death now had fire in their eyes.
“Just so you know, the ones who placed in the top three are exempt from dueling. Instead…”
Rayna dropped her sword to the ground and loosened her hands.
“I will duel you. This is the promised reward.”
“……”
“……”
“Reward… right…?”
…Well.
‘How the hell is that a reward?’
She’s going to beat me herself.
I could feel the sweat forming that hadn’t even shown during the run now starting to bead on my forehead.
“I wonder if you realize how great a reward it is to get personal instruction from the professor.”
She threw aside her cumbersome outer garment.
Her snow-white skin and slender bare legs were revealed.
“If you’re in the upper ranks, it means you can handle energy efficiency to some extent. There’s nothing to learn from dueling with those inexperienced fools.”
“Inexperienced…”
“Ugh.”
“And my duel with you will be a single round. Even if you lose badly, I’ll immediately end the lecture. This should be a sufficient reward, don’t you think?”
While it was a bitter pill to swallow for me, who was expecting a material reward,
In conclusion, what Rayna proposed was a pretty good reward.
‘Getting personal lessons from a professor is hard unless you become a direct disciple.’
It’s less about winning and more of a demonstration to receive advice on my shortcomings, so there’s no need to grind my teeth too hard.
In many ways, it’s a reward, I suppose…
“Hmm…”
Somehow, I felt like my turn wouldn’t go smoothly.
*
Under the watchful eyes of the other students,
The first challenger stood in front of Rayna.
“I’m Dwena.”
Despite her gorilla-like face and build, she was surprisingly talented.
Third place finisher.
The heir of the Eclym family, Dwena.
“The rules are the same. Do you understand?”
The makeshift duel arena marked with white lines.
Since it was originally designed as a training hall, there were hundreds of such arenas.
“Just so you know, I won’t use energy. But you will have to.”
“But…”
“If you’re worrying about me, let me tell you that’s a misplaced concern. I could beat you without using energy, even if you came at me in perfect condition.”
Right now, she was clearly at less than half her energy and stamina.
Even if she poured all her remaining energy into it, Dwena would not be able to defeat Rayna.
‘Well, I doubt she’ll accept that at face value.’
I snorted and leaned my head against my fist.
Grit!
Dwena gritted her teeth.
“Damn it… aren’t you looking down on me too much?”
“Because it’s valid, I’m looking down on you. Try to broaden your perspective and view yourself objectively, Dwena.”
“Grrr! I don’t know anymore!”
Thinking she was being ignored, Dwena charged in angrily.
The ground shook as grass and dirt flew up beneath her feet.
It was a clear trace of energy being used.
‘She still has some energy left after all that running.’
She didn’t just finish third by luck.
I looked over at Rayna, somewhat impressed.
“Hooh.”
She let out a small gasp as she raised her hand.
“After scattering energy throughout her body, she injects it explosively into the areas she needs it most.”
Boom!
Dwena’s massive hand struck the spot where Rayna had been moments ago.
“But it’s rough.”
“What…?! I’m sure I hit you…!”
“Every process is not systematic. There’s too much wasted energy.”
Thwack!
Before long, Rayna, who had evaded to the side, struck Dwena’s shoulder.
“Aaagh!”
“Focusing on the lower body while leaving the upper body weak is reckless.”
“Gyaah!”
This time, she swung her tree-trunk-like legs in a kick, but Rayna didn’t allow it to connect.
Jumping high, she avoided the trajectory and instead tripped Dwena’s remaining foot.
“Whoa!”
Dwena lost her balance, flailing her arms about.
“Her energy management is being done instinctively. Even though this level of control is excellent subconsciously…”
Thud!
Dwena fell comically, her back hitting the floor.
It was a clear signal of defeat.
“You’re still far from enough, Dwena.”
“……”
“Starting today, practice feeling the flow of energy. Those who only beat each other in a reckless manner are third-rate fighters.”
“…Thank you.”
“Your duel is over. You may go and rest.”
In a way, this was the most basic form of a duel.
‘In fact, it wasn’t really a duel at all.’
Rayna was just offering her observations while taking on an unbalanced attack.
No wonder the other kids’ reactions were lukewarm.
“I just hope we can finish soon.”
“Who are you going to duel?”
“I’ll aim for someone who seems as easy as possible.”
As random chatter went around,
“Now, it’s the turn for second place.”
Rayna called out the next student.
“Come forward, Rienna. It’s your turn.”
A girl with pink hair wearing a blindfold stepped onto the duel stage.
“Yes.”
The saint walked out into the arena.