Lunchtime approached and I had lunch with my friends since both Anastasia and Akane were nowhere to be found. Well, at least I know where Akane went.
"She went to visit family? I thought that wasn't allowed until the holidays?"
"It's allowed if there's a family emergency, which is what's happening with Akane."
Emika said.
Well, that's a bummer, isn't it? Both Akane and Anastasia are gone. Speaking of which, I need to find out what's Anastasia's situation without directly meeting with the twins.
How am I going to do that?
Visiting Anastasia's dorm room wouldn't be a bad idea.
"Oi, Shoya, are you awake?"
"Huh?"
Tatsuya called out to me.
Seemed like I didn't notice since I was deep in thought. I replied.
"Uh, yeah,"
"Then..."
He turned his head.
I followed his gaze—a few boys were standing in front of me. From their ties, it was clear that they were first-years.
"What're ya lookin' at?"
One of them rudely asked in Kansai dialect. I've always found it hard to understand.
"That should be my question."
I said.
"Are you Shoya Sasaki? The one that fought an Emperor head-on and lived?"
Ah, I was wondering when I would encounter these types. I guess you could say that Kaguya was previously a part of this category too.
The people who try to duel me to see if the rumours about me are true.
"Yes but the Emperor let me live."
Honestly, I don't even remember that battle with Aden-Lada because Altair was in control. Which reminds me, I haven't heard from him in a while...
"Have a duel with me."
"No,"
"Okay, so let's—huh? What'd you mean, 'no?!' Are you a pussy or something?!"
"Think of me however you like, I have no obligation to duel you."
The boy clicked his tongue.
"You're a real bitch, like your sister."
That instant, I towered over the boy. Despite being a first-year, he wasn't being respectful, even from the start.
"Alright then, let's duel, tough guy."
We both pressed our emblems and I accepted the duel.
I glared at him with a smile.
"I knew you would come through."
"My conditions are that all five of you fight me at once until knockout."
All of the first-years looked rather smug after hearing about my conditions. The leader chuckled.
"Are you serious, you'll lose instantly?"
"Take it or leave it."
He suddenly stopped smiling.
The boy accepted it. That was when a large holographic barrier was made around the six of us. Then, we waited for a teacher. After a minute, Merlyn appeared. She smirked at me, sending chills down my spine.
"The duel shall begin!"
She didn't even ask for the reason. God...
The countdown began.
[3]
[2]
[1]
[BEGIN!]
Three of them advanced and two of them stayed behind, chanting spells. I'll have to deal with those chanting first.
The one who insulted my sister(s) is included in the offensive vanguard. I'll leave him for last.
"Fireball!"
"Lightning!"
As the vanguard approached me closely, they then scattered, leaving me in the path of the spells.
I whistled.
Not bad.
I may be injured but not even this is enough to stop me. I don't plan on using Erebus or magic here. I'll simply be using mana if needed, and my physical body.
I leapt over the Fireball; the Lightning redirected itself and was shot at me.
"Got him!"
No, you don't.
I twisted my body, miraculously dodging the Lightning spell. Miraculously... That's how others would describe it.
I landed behind the two spellcasters.
One had already finished chanting.
"—within me; Wind Cannon!"
Oh, there are fast chanters among the first-years. Nothing on me though. I pivoted, causing the Wind Cannon to miss. I then kneed him in the abdomen and spun around, sending a roundhouse kick to his head.
One down.
"A-ah!"
The other first-year panicked when I set my eyes on him.
"W-with the power of—"
I quickly snapped at his neck, knocking him out.
Turning to the other three, I saw them looking troubled. I smugly smiled.
"What's wrong? I made this a 5v1 because I thought you'd entertain me a little. I guess not."
"What was that?!"
"Wait, Fuya, don't!"
There we are. One of them has a short fuse. After this guy, that guy who insulted my sister(s) and one other remain.
"Haaaaa!"
What's with him giving a battle cry? He's just wasting energy.
In his hand, a sword appeared from a crest on his hand. He looks to be an Armament Summoner.
"Take that! And that! This! And this!"
The first-year, Fuya, mindlessly swung his sword, leaving himself open with each swing. I could've finished it off with a single strike but I kept on dodging.
"Taking this opportunity to your advantage was smart, though, your concealment and stealth aren't enough to not be spotted by more powerful opponents."
I said, turning my head to the other first-year, who snuck up behind me.
"Fuya, now!"
"Shut up, I know, Kin!"
Both of their weapons' blades glowed in a pale white. They pierced at me at the same time—Kin pierced at my face while Fuya pierced at my chest.
That's a nice strategy but only on opponents who aren't that fast. I jumped, grabbing both of their arms.
"Huh?"
"How?"
I kicked them both at the same time with a split kick. They both fell to the floor, unconscious.
"So, what will it be, moss head?"
I deliberately provoked him by calling him an insult since he had green hair.
"Heh. That won't work on me. I'm not like that hot-head Kin."
He said with a nervous smile on his face.
Oh. I surely thought that it would work.
I began walking toward him.
"So, what's your name?"
He stayed silent for a little bit.
"Raymond Kiryu."
"Raymond. So, you're a foreigner?"
I stopped in front of him. He looked at me with his eyebrows constantly twitching.
"Well? Will you tell me?"
"Uh... Well..."
"Don't even try it."
I warned him.
I rotated my head—there was another Raymond behind me.
"H-how did you—"
"Your Singularity must be something to do with dolls or clones. Keep in mind, in a situation like this, an opponent will keep track of your mana. The moment I saw your mana levels constant and you didn't surrender, I knew something was up."
I told him.
He had a look of hopelessness on his face.
I smiled while clicking my fingers.
"Now, apologise for insulting my sister."
"W-wait, please, no, anything but that—AHHHHHHHH!"
In the end, he ended up apologising.