"Winner: Shirley Meiz!" The instructor announced.
"Oh, It seems her class ranking had risen up! She's at the 37th place now." One giddy girl said.
"Hah... we're also going lower thanks to that though..."
The sun was at its zenith, yet despite this, everyone paid close attention to what was in front of them—the atmosphere seems to be tense. Compared to his old world, Naoki had thought that the world of Zenia was relatively cooler—as even in this weather with his full silver uniform, he didn't feel sweaty.
"Next: 97th place, Naoki Ozawa vs. 54th place Anne Palestine."
"That's the other guy..."
"He's done for, he had to be unlucky enough to fight a high-ranked opponent."
"..."
Everyone seems to have given up on Naoki—even if he was a male who made it this far, no one believed he could fight against a 3rd star node practitioner right away.
It seems this was one of the school's fighting arenas—as they appear to be holding a class ranking tournament, to assess if their preliminary ranks reflect their actual combat capabilities. The selection of fights was random. Although that was the case, even if you were matched with a better opponent, as long as you showed your best, the bracelet will still calibrate your ranks based on your performance.
"I normally wouldn't say this but—go easy on him, we don't want another prodigious man crippled." The instructor could only sigh.
"Hmph! Well, I do admit that he's somehow cute—how about it? I'm willing to spare you if you become part of my entourage."
"Are you really asking me that? I refuse. Besides, is that really what you would say to a married guy? You're not worthy." Naoki mocked.
"Ngh... It seems you're quite stubborn and loathful. I suppose country bumpkins pales in comparison to Arthur-sama."
"That is enough chit-chat! You may begin!"
"It's not too late to consider my offer you kno—!"
"You talk too much!"
Naoki [Blitz] forward, his speed had instantly closed the gap between his opponent. Within a second, he was right in front of her face.
"Not good...!"
"I'm sorry, if you need to blame someone—blame yourself for letting your guard down."
*Thud*
Naoki had hit her right in the chest with his open palm infused with [Blitz] and [Poison], sending her flying. If he had let her attack him—he probably would have had a hard time. She was a practitioner that achieved Soul Rank II after all.
"What just happened!?"
"That's cowardly!"
"..."
The crowd riled up—it all happened so fast that most had expressed their dissatisfaction late. Although, Naoki did not mind, as it seems like it wasn't necessarily against the rules.
"Hmm... Well? Anne Palestine, can you still fight?" The instructor promptly asked her.
"That was... uncouthly! Urgh... why can't I move?" She tried to stand up but noticed her body gradually weakening.
"You have 10 seconds to return to the stage."
"Ghh..."
She stood up once again and took a step forward—using her wind arts to move her body. But it was all for naught, she had suddenly realized that she couldn't maintain her balance, and she suddenly fell to the ground once more.
Naoki had infused his palm with the weakest potent of [Poison] making sure that it was not lethal and that it only weakened the user—he couldn't just kill his classmate, after all.
"It seems not, Winner: Naoki Ozawa." The instructor announced.
"Eh...?"
"How is that fair!? She clearly was done dirty!"
"Hmph, lacking manners and etiquette, this is why men should know their place."
The audience threw a fit of rage, most of them had expected him to lose, after all. Though that may be the case, the instructor was unfazed—for her, a win is a win.
"It's quite unfair to expect me to play honorably when I'm at a power disadvantage, right?" Naoki grinned, it seems like he didn't mind being mocked.
[64th Naoki Ozawa, D-Class]
It seems that his bracelet had re-calibrated his rank, rising more than 30 levels. He was glad that he won, even if he had to be unfair—as it seems they are getting their credits next week.
As to what those were, they were the currency of the Academy—which could be exchanged with cultivation materials. They receive it twice in every column, and the amount you receive is dependent on your rank, class, and class ranking. This was not cumulative, so most are encouraged to use it while they still can.
Though that may be the case, most people with a strong background receive their cultivation materials from their families—so they have no need for them.
"Instructor Fredia, If I may be so bold, may I?"
"What is it, Arthur Hrothford? My decision is final, though I assume you are not here for that?"
"...?"
Naoki looked at the fashionable young man that paid his respects to their teacher, it seems he had gone down from the bleachers after the fight—though his intentions were unknown to Naoki.
"If I may be so bold, would you be willing to allow me to fight him?"
"Hmm?"
"Is that a ranked match?" The instructor faced him, her face showed no signs of emotion.
"It can't be avoided, duels between classmates are mandatory to be ranked matches, after all." Arthur slightly sighed.
In the academy, there exists a system in which you battle against your fellow classmates to recalibrate your class ranking. As long as an instructor has permitted it, it is generally allowed to be held anytime and anywhere.
"This guy..." Naoki had a confused look on his face.
"Hey, look at that..."
"Arthur-sama is going to fight against that crude commoner!?"
Now the audience had full attention on the stage—this was the current strongest man in Lizea Kingdom battling against a fellow man. Naturally, everyone won't miss out to see this spectacle.
"Do you accept, Naoki Ozawa?"
"Perfect, I can finally see if you are as strong as the rumors suggest." Naoki wryly mocked.
"Shameless boasting!" The audience exclaimed.
The audience flared up at Naoki's response, all they wanted was for him to lose—and pathetically. Naoki, as he had gotten into battles lately, naturally would not reject a challenge—how can he improve if he was afraid of opponents that might be stronger than him? or so he believes.
"I see, then—64th place, Naoki Ozawa vs. 17th place Arthur Hrothford."
"I apologize for bothering you, especially since we have no enmity towards each other. I'm sure you have already heard of my name—I am Arthur Hrothford of the Hrothford family. While I cannot say I agree with how you won earlier, challenging you has nothing to do with that. It was my intention to challenge you from the start, but I was troubled as to how to approach you—which is why I am here right now."
"Don't worry, I also kind of hate eloquent guys like you—so I'd say I'm quite grateful."
"Haha, very well, I hope you don't go easy on me—as I will likewise do the same." Arthur readied his stance.
It seems that Arthur was a two-handed sword user, fitting for his physique. While he was only at the 11th Soul Node, he compensated for it with his Soul Armor and Artifacts as well as his Dedicated Soul Nodes to push himself to the 17th place in the class.
"You may begin!"