After experiencing profound disappointment, I believed that the day couldn't possibly get any worse. However, my assumption turned out to be utterly mistaken.
"Greetings, bug-san," a plump figure materialized before me, moving with a distinct air of elegance. Her light blue hair, nearly white, cascaded down in controlled waves, a stark contrast to the dark string of blue hair hanging from her right ear. Her eyes, a deep shade of blue, held a frigid and calculating glint, as if she were perpetually analyzing her surroundings. They were like sapphires with an icy edge, revealing little of the emotions that churned beneath. Her skin, porcelain and unblemished, held a frosty pallor that seemed untouched by the warmth of the sun. A slight, almost imperceptible curl graced her lips, a token effort at a smile that appeared more calculated than genuine.
She wore a refined version of the school uniform, an elegant twist that spoke volumes of her refined taste and, more importantly, her privilege. Subtle accents of gold adorned the edges, a testament to her elevated status. The fabric seemed to obey her every movement, draping over her figure with an air of superiority. Her posture exuded an almost regal air, erect and distant, as if she were accustomed to looking down on others. Each step was deliberate, her gait a blend of grace and arrogance, like a predator stalking its prey.
Despite her chilly exterior, her presence was undeniable, drawing reluctant attention from those around her. It was a power play, a demonstration of her supremacy that left me no doubt about her status as someone not to be underestimated – or trusted.
Her piercing gaze fixated on my face. She tried to force a smile, attempting to maintain a semblance of decency, but...
There was an unmistakable dark aura surrounding her, and her eyes gleamed with disdain and haughtiness, like any other girl. However, there was something peculiar about her demeanor.
"Are you Yami?" she inquired coldly, scanning me up and down as if assessing my worth.
"Y-yes. Why do you ask--"
Swosh!*
"...!" A searing sensation spread across my cheek, and a red liquid trickled from the area, causing intense pain.
Oh, this is just great--
Swosh!*
I narrowly managed to dodge her attack. She conjured a sword out of thin air, which vanished as soon as it struck.
"Wow! Hey! You were trying to kill me there!!" She clearly had intentions to harm me! I was about to throw hands with this bitch!
"Tch." Irritation spread across her face; she genuinely seemed to want to end me without reason!
She attacked fiercely, but then!
"Leave my Master alone!" Amai suddenly positioned herself in front of me, halting a sword with a single finger.
"...!" The lady-like girl widened her eyes in shock.
"Don't call me Master!" I retorted, feeling embarrassed; now she had a legitimate reason to eliminate me...
I am not a lolicon!
"Stand down, Yoshitaka Oharu. I won't tolerate senseless bloodshed," Amai stated, emanating a menacing aura. It was the first time I had witnessed this innocent-looking girl release her mana.
"I request a sparring match. Lady Oracle, allow me to spar with this insect. I'll demonstrate why he's unworthy of wielding you!"
For some reason, her words irked me. She was spouting nonsense, right to my face? Well, we would have that sparring match, without a doubt!
"You're on! I won't allow anyone to belittle me. I'm going to annihilate you!" I displayed all my confidence.
"Oharu-san, you know that we can't arrange a sparring match without an equivalent exchange. Additionally, you spilled my Master's blood without cause..." Amai paused, her expression darkening as her aura grew heavier.
"I won't let this slide. You've chosen the wrong opponent to mess with." Her cold but scorching gaze left Oharu trembling in fear!
"We accept your childish sparring match, but with one condition." Amai paused, grinning devilishly. "You shall serve Master Yami as his slave."
"Hu-huh?" Did I hear that correctly?
"Wha-What?! You can't be serious! It's outrageous! A refined lady like me cannot be enslaved by someone like him. I'll never agree to this!"
"Oh? Why not, Oharu-san?" A rather familiar voice suddenly chimed in from behind us.
"Mother?!" I exclaimed, a mix of joy and confusion overtaking me.
"Principal?" Amai turned to see her former owner, her smile beaming like the sun.
"M-mother?!" Oharu was taken aback by my exclamation.
"It seems you've already attacked my dear Yami..." Aimi trembled with rage, her eyes burning with intensity and veins popping on her forehead.
"I have a good reason for attacking bug-- I mean, Yami..." Oharu nervously paused, continuing with a straight face. "I cannot deem him worthy of Oracle-san. Instead, I intended to take his life and claim Oracle for myself."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"W-what? Did I say something wrong?"
This girl sure is straightforward! I can't believe how blunt she is. It's as if she's done this before!
"Idiot..." Mother, Amai, and I whispered under our breath.
"You girls should also come and watch this; it can provide insight into your teammates' fighting styles."
"..." I turned towards a large bush and noticed Shizue among other unfamiliar girls. Was she watching me the entire time? How did Mother even notice them? I couldn't even tell!
"My Queen, are you certain about this? Oharu-san is from the Yoshitaka Family, one of the most prominent Battle-Maiden families in the world! She likely possesses more mana than all of us!" A girl with short azure hair spoke with undeniable facts. Her defeated expression concealed her desire to surpass Oharu.
"Katsumi..." Shizue glanced at her friend, seeing her in a new light. Shizue also hailed from a prominent family, so she couldn't relate to her struggles.
"Are you suggesting that Yami stands no chance against Oharu-san? How reckless of you. Let it be known that Yami is my beloved son, carrying my blood within his veins. This makes him the heir of this school and the head of the Oshima Family."
"W-what? He's your son?" Katsumi glanced at me, sizing me up once more. Her defeatist attitude persisted... come on, girl, have some self-respect and confidence!
"..." A small girl with twin tails and an emotionless expression grunted monotonously.
"Blasphemous! He's a man! How can he be the heir, let alone possess any magic? I refuse to believe it. This man cannot be your son."
My forehead throbbed as she rambled on.
Suddenly, my mother placed two fingers on her forehead and spoke.
"Rikka, please arrange a combat duel right now and summon all the students to the colosseum."
On the other end of the "call," an office-like lady recoiled after Aimi's request.
"M-ma'am? Is this a duel between A-ranks?" Her flustered voice and rapid response caught Aimi off guard.
"No, but it's equally significant. So hurry up! I have a busy schedule, and I won't miss this duel."
'If she doesn't want to miss this duel... could it be that it's a clash between clans? Perhaps corporations are betting a fortune on this match...' The lady quickly replied and rushed off as if her life depended on it.
"Y-yes, ma'am!"
...
"Miss Royal, I've arranged a duel, and the entire school will be in attendance."
"W-what? Why go to such lengths? I merely want to beat this imbecile."
"Silence! If you keep running your mouth, you're about to ignite a clan war." My mom transformed into a demon after those words... I'll make a mental note not to provoke her.
"A clan war?! Surely you jest! I'm just stating facts and--"
"Opinions," I interjected impotently.
"Shut up, pig!" She retorted like a spoiled little miss.
"You shut your mouth! I'm sick and tired of hearing you badmouth me! Instead of blabbering, how about we fight? I'll unleash my fury and suffering upon you." My eyes glowed red, and smoke billowed from my mouth.
"You dare talk back, man!"
"That sounded... discriminatory! Tone down your remarks!" I exclaimed, realizing the prejudiced nature of her words.
"All men are the same! You're probably just like your father! A loser and a nobody!" she spat back.
"You...!" Mother was livid, but her attention swiftly shifted to me.
"I've had enough of your incessant babbling..."
My mind went blank, and my anger erupted like an active volcano. I unleashed all of my mana, causing the surroundings to crumble and perish.
The grass turned into a charred crisp, creating a somber atmosphere. The air became sharp, making everyone struggle for breath. Rubble littered the area, a testament to the force of my mana.
"Don't you dare...!" I tried to suppress my emotions, but the words escaped me.
An image of my father flashed in my head, the last smile he had fueled my rage.
"...belittle my father!!!" I screamed with unbridled fury, my mana exploding with unprecedented power. Everyone stared in utter shock; the magnitude of my mana exceeded even my mother's standards.
In the eyes of my classmates and enemies, I radiated a white glow like a comet. My eyes were bloodshot red, but my aura exuded the presence of a King.
"Y-Yami?" Shizue was stunned, her mana colliding with mine. She reacted by sweating profusely and trembling like a soaked cat.
"N-no... you're a man! I refuse to believe that... you possess that much mana...!"
I glared at her and raised my hand, gesturing for her to attack me with all her power.
She scowled at me coldly, her rage burning intensely.
"Let's see who is stronger: a King or a Queen," I declared, filled with anticipation.
My mother was taken aback, completely surprised by this turn of events. She had never expected her son to be so impassive and hot-blooded, possessing such immense power.
"Yami... you truly resemble your father," Aimi smiled at me.
"Lady Aimi! The colosseum has been prepared, and all the students have entered and are awaiting."
"Finally. You're as efficient as ever. I shall send both opponents to the colosseum immediately."
"Did you hear that? We're about to unleash our full power, so don't you dare hold back! I will shatter all your views and opinions... I'll cleanse your rotten mind myself!" I stated, further irritating her. She hesitated, but she seemed to have no other choice.
"Of course! I will obtain the Oracle and prove my worth!"
Prove her worth? Is that why she has been trying to kill me?
"Then, if you lose, you shall become my slave."
"...FINEEE! But I will never lose to a man! Especially not you."
After concluding our not-so-friendly conversation, we suddenly found ourselves in a vast battle arena. Sand entered my shoes, making me uncomfortable.
I looked up at the stands, and... holy shit! The place was packed with thousands of girls. It seemed like the entire venue was filled to the brim.
In an instant, the entire place fell silent. I believe they realized that I was a duelist.
Whispers, whispers, and more whispers... The silence was eerie, and I couldn't fathom what they were saying.
"Am I going insane? How does that man possess such an overwhelming amount of mana?!"
"His mana is suffocating... it's too powerful..."
"Impossible! How is he this strong?!"
Perhaps it was something like that? Well, maybe it went more like this:
"Ewww, a man."
"Who allowed a man to fight as a duelist?"
"I hope he meets a gruesome fate."
Yes, it's most likely along those lines.
As I prepared myself for battle, my mother suddenly spoke through a microphone.
"Students of Boreal High, welcome to this duel. Two clans are about to clash, defending their dignity, values, honor... and body," she paused, looking directly at me and winking.
"...! Hey! Don't say that!" I flustered. This brash woman will become my slave, yes! But that doesn't mean... I'll... I'll... well, I don't know.
I could feel a cold glare from the princess over there. Hopefully, her blood is boiling because I'm about to go all out!
"Let the duel commence!"
With determination, I propelled myself forward through the sandy arena, ready to launch an attack.