Chapter 201: Duel

As we stood up, the audience erupted in a loud, high-pitched roar.

It took us a full ten seconds to realize that this unfamiliar sound was what people called "cheers" or "encouragement."

"Whoa... what's this... what is this...?"

"Haha. Looks like we're popular now."

Rinon seems calm enough to wave at the school building, but from my perspective, I have no energy to spare—I can only cling nervously to her back, trembling.

"Shall I hold your hand instead?"

"Please, don't even joke about that..."

"Haha. You really are a cute girl, aren't you?"

I could just kick you in the back, you know.

"But—what about Yozuka-san...?"

That's when I asked, the question forming in my mind.

A slight stir near the rooftop, and suddenly the crowd parted—out of it burst a single silhouette.

"W-wait!"

It looked to me like someone had attempted to jump off the rooftop to commit suicide.

But that wasn't it.

The silhouette suddenly leapt upward with astonishing leg power, spun through the air, and landed dramatically in front of us, the beige coat fluttering behind—perfect superhero landing.

Amidst the dust kicked up by the impact,

"...Hero arrival... something like that..."

He gave a firm thumbs-up.

Rinon let out a sigh, clearly stunned,

"Are you nuts? Going through all that trouble just to waste your magic energy..."

Our "players" don't have infinite power... right? I mean, isn't that how it is?

Apparently, using too much power leads to this state called "magic depletion," where you're basically no different from an ordinary person.

"It's fine. Sometimes, putting on a show like this is important."

"A show, huh."

"We're technically invaders, after all. We'll need to get along with the people here from now on."

Looking up, I could see a few boys on the roof waving at us.

...Hmph. Already gaining some fans, it seems.

"I don't like it. That attitude—so full of confidence in winning."

"Hahaha!"

Yozu laughed heartily,

"If I lose, just add me to your friends too!"

"Then just surrender."

"I can't do that. I'm not that kind-hearted to submit without a fight."

He's honest, I'll give him that.

...And while we're exchanging idle talk, I'm attempting this ability called "Skill Assessment."

It seems using this ability on a first-time "player" is almost like a greeting.

It's similar to the "Book" from the Greed Island arc, probably.

Job: Guardian Knight

Level: 41

Skills: <Self-Recovery (Strong)> <Knight's Great Shield> <Justice's Hammer>

Yeah.

It seems my skill setup hasn’t changed from what Sotatsu quietly checked last night.

No changes to the strategy.

By the way, my current level is—85, apparently.

I don’t know why, but that’s quite a gap compared to Yohku. If I were to compare it to Pokémon, it’s like being at a disadvantage in type matchup yet still able to one-shot them.

And yet, I have absolutely no confidence I could ever win against them.

"Got it—Haku, Tsuzuri. Stick to the plan."

"I understand."

Responding with a sigh.

Our strategy was simple.

We'd wear him down, waiting for Yoriku's "magic exhaustion."

The biggest advantage we had was our stored magic power—simply triple what he had.

So our plan was to avoid attacks as much as possible, securing a passive victory through endurance.

This is Ryoin-san's own cautious judgment.

First and foremost, there was the fundamental issue—whether Yoku-san would actually abide by the duel rules he had supposedly agreed upon.

Even if we were disqualified for leaving the arena, there was no guarantee his mind wouldn't suddenly change. There was no assurance he wouldn't flee.

If that happens, it’ll be a complete mess. Yonku-san will surely try every possible means to eliminate me. There’s no guarantee my heart can withstand it.

That’s exactly why we had to win perfectly.

We had to force Yonku, who’d run out of magic, to choose between “subjugation” or death right here and now.

“Come to think of it, we never actually set a specific signal for the start…”

Whether he noticed my thoughts or not, I couldn’t tell.

Yokku was gazing off toward the day after tomorrow, appearing utterly careless.

"Well, we never really planned for something like this to turn into a spectacle anyway... How about it? Should we just go ahead and ring the gong—clang, clang, clang...?"

At that moment.

I saw Rinni dash forward without so much as a gasp.

And she delivered a kick so dazzlingly precise—so breathtakingly graceful—that I could only stare in awe.

"Aah, that's the feel of it."

Yogu accepts it without so much as turning around toward me.

"——! "

Rinni freezes mid-air, her right ankle clutched in his grip.

Then, without warning, Yōgu releases her—dramatically, for all to see.

A clear message to everyone watching: "I've given you one chance to escape."

"Then, that was the signal to begin."

The masked man turns on the heel of his right foot, assuming a battle stance.

………….

I just had a vision of my future being beaten up by Tettekiteki.

Must be just my imagination, right?