"Thank you for the extra help, Mr Egon!"
Amir is much loved by teachers.
Known as the prodigy prince to his many admirers, he can any question, perform any spell, and yet, still isn't boastful. He always seems ready to help out around the school.
The opposite of the other spoilt students from Class A, the majority of which were still having trouble carrying their books to the classes nearby.
Within his first week, Amir had already falsified any bad rumours about his person and proved all as to why he is to be the ruler and not his brother. Everyone was already assured that he would be their representative.
He does not feel any vanity in describing his good habits, it is simple fact, as is the fact that he is more magically promised than any in the school, scholars included.
That does not, however, stop annoyances from grouping together.
"Well! If it isn't my dear cousin, Amir?~"
"Nikolai." Nikolai Marginstine. Son of Duke Marginstine, the current prime minister and Amir's mother's youngest brother. Unfortunately making him Amir's cousin.
Duke Marginstine himself was a pleasant man, unfortunately, his son was not so. They bore hardly any resemblance, in figure or manner, the young Nikolai following more in a replica to the duke's late wife, Lady Catherine, an ambitious daughter of a count that wished for more.
Unfortunately 'more' also led to her downfall, as she was killed by a jealous past lover for a marquess who never realized that her use of him had been terminated since she fell pregnant with the duke's child.
With an ever-present sigh, Amir continued walking, his ever-loyal guard trailing behind. Ready to intervene when necessary.
"Just because you are a little bit better than me in magic doesn't mean that you should be so overconfident! I can beat you any day!"
With a concealed sigh, Amir turned towards the disrespectful student and thought about how to handle this.
Amir had only three options.
One was to do as challenged and beat Nikolai in a duel at the risk being called harsh by watches for 'bullying' him so.
Another was to refuse and risk being mocked for being 'scared', drawing more attention to his person. This would also lead to his much-hated cousin having 'bragging rights', so this idea was not ideal.
The final option was to make it a champion duel where one person is chosen to represent each individual. This would mean that Amir would be called 'fair' for not using his 'prodigy abilities' against him.
Amir was doubtful that he would be able to get out of this situation unscathed.
"Chose a champion." Decision made, Amir scanned the crowd for his choice of a champion while Nikolai fumbled around in shock.
Amir knew better than to chose his guard. That would be no better than choosing himself as champion, as his guard is a fully grown elven man already into his late twenties.
Seeing a certain individual trying to see over the crowd brought a smirk to Amir's face.
While his cousin was still trying to pick someone, Amir walked through the parting crowd. Stopping at a familiar redhead who was currently on the ground, from having fallen in his quest to see what was happening.
"Y-you…"
"Me?" Amir wasted no time in further conversation, and instead unceremoniously picked up the still-unnamed student by the labels of their blazer, much like a mother cat does to their cub. Before ruthlessly dropping him in the middle of the crowd.
"I have my champion."
"Him? Haha! You want to lose, don't you?" The group behind Nikolai laughed at his joke.
"Lose?! I don't lose at anything!…What am I competing for?" He looked to Amir in obvious confusion.
"You, my dear little prince, are going to be my champion of victory, and beat my cousin's champion over there."
The two turned towards the muscled figure towering before them. One in fear, the other in amusement.
"Tell Zeno the name of the person he is to pummel!"
"You want me to beat him?!"
"You'll do it right?" Anyone who said Amir's smile was sweet because it clearly wasn't. Not wanting to agonize over the demonic beast before him, the to-be knight gave an unsure nod that seemed to satisfy him.
The champion turned towards the beast of a man in obvious fright. "Reiball Seid…that's my name!"
"Hm~ I'm going to call you Rei! It suits you better." The crown prince laughed as the newly named Red tried to hit him over the head, nervousness now gone.
"Can we get started?" Nikolai asked, clearly annoyed that his intimidation tactic didn't hold for as long as expected.
"Sure, does everyone know the rules of dulling? Just in case here are the rules:
One. A magic circle will be activated when the match starts so that the participants don't accidentally take a member of the crowd into the duel.
Two. Duels between those not yet of age are non-lethal duels. And if a participant tries to make a hit lethal, they are automatically disqualified.
Three. There needs to be a person advising without judgment. This can be all of the viewers for us this time, but in the future, there needs to be a proper person.
Four. A person cannot be entered into a duel forcefully and without their consent.
Five. The person to first knock out, or draw blood from their opponent wins."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever. With that all sorted, let us get on to the real match. Ready, Zeno?"
Pounding his fists together, the physical beast said, "this match won't last ten seconds."
"Ready, Rei?"
"R-ready!"
"Three…two…one…Begin!"
Magic activated, surrounding the two in a crystallized lid, and raising both Nikolai and Amir on viewing platforms, going high into the tall ceiling.
"Now then, shall we see what this 'knight' is capable of."