My brother had arrived, just after I had recovered from the circuit procedure.
[Confuse]
"....You don't seem to be ready."
He pointed out that I did not seem ready for a fight, based on my sweating face and my still haggard breath.
"Nah, I'm more than ready."
Despite my appearance, I could feel my body brimming with magical power.
"Children, I'll only ask once, but are you certain about this? Ares, if you lose, you will lose your title as heir, whilst Sorin shall gain it. "
"Father, he was the one who requested it, I'm sure he's ready."
Sorin wanted to get the battle started immediately, and I did not see any reason to deny his desire.
"I'm certain."
[Confuse]
"Very well then... be sure to fight in a gentlemanly manner, many knights are watching this battle, after all."
We both nodded at our father, and we both moved to opposite ends of the garden field.
"Brother, I'll make sure to keep your face in tact."
'What a lame line.'
"I'm sure."
[6/21 Confusion Stacks]
It seemed my brother was confused by my strange confidence.
"Begin."
Our father gave no time to ready ourselves, and simply told us to begin.
White cracks immediately gathered at Sorin's fingertips.
'Shatter magic.'
Shatter magic was far, far, more powerful than light magic, so much so that they were incomparable.
It was stronger, more destructive, and covered a wider radius.
Light magic only held one advantage over shatter magic.
Its absurd speed.
A magic circle immediately manifested upon my palm.
"Blind."
Sorin could not even react as a flashbang was thrown at his face.
"Ah! What the hell!"
He immediately shouted in confusion.
[10/21 Confusion Stacks.]
Since we were far apart on different sides of the field, I could not immediately land a physical attack on him.
I ran towards him whilst raining a barrage of weak light magic blasts upon him.
After a short moment, he opened his eyes.
"Wait, how the hell did you use light magic? What the fuck?"
Sorin was in complete shock.
The reason I was so confident in fighting Sorin was simple.
He did not know that my magic had changed into light.
To him, upon seeing my new magic, he would be presented with two ideas.
A - I had managed to awaken my second mind, which would be absurd to him.
B - My first magic had somehow changed, which was even more absurd.
My father knew this information through his wide information network, as well as his communications with the academy.
But Sorin had no business knowing such a thing, and now, I would reap the benefits of his ignorance.
[21/21 Confusion Stacks]
[Jack, 2nd Game Activated]
[30/42 Confusion Stacks]
His confusion was extremely high at the moment, as his mind ran through the possibilities.
"You! Did you awaken your second mind! How on earth is that possible!"
"...Something like that."
I intentionally answered vaguely, and that only served to irritate him.
A white shatter magic circle appeared on his fist, and he punched forwards, sending several cracks through the air towards me.
But Jack, 2nd Game, had already activated.
Sorin's power was massively decreased.
"W-wait, huh?"
Upon seeing his power suddenly decrease, he grew even more confused.
[38/42]
[Breakdown has begun]
My goal had been achieved.
Right now, Sorin would begin to experience horrific sensation and terrifying illusions.
My power had increased massively due to the effects of Jack, First Game, and I quite simply ran through his weakened shatter blast.
At best, it caused me a few cuts.
I was approaching Sorin rapidly, and realizing this, it seemed that he intended to create a massive explosion.
Yet I could see clearly, he was unable to form a magic circle.
His flow of mana was breaking down, leaving him unable to cast spells as his body and mind went haywire.
I almost felt bad for him, seeing his terrified expression of not knowing what was going on.
Our father was probably equally confused upon seeing Sorin's pathetic display of his abilities.
He was unable to attack me as I approached, and once I was close to him, a massive magic circle gathered around my palm.
It was about the size of my entire body.
I let out a huge blast of light at him, and he was blown away.
[42/42]
[Conditions to use Winning Streak have been met.]
[Use Winning Streak?]
'Yes.'
[Stats have been gained]
[Physical Stats have increased slightly]
[Charisma has increased from A+ to S-]
I frowned upon seeing that charisma was the only stat to have a letter grade increase.
But considering my physical stats had increased, it was alright.
I looked away from the screen and focused to see Sorin in the distance.
'Is he out already?'
I was aware that my victory was certain, but I thought I at least might have to use joker's ace.
'Well... can't complain.'
"Father, I think that should be all?"
I shouted towards my father who was standing at a distance.
"Ah, right. The winner of this duel is Ares von Castellan, and he will remain the heir of the Castellan duchy!"
He shouted this quite loudly, so that every knight who had been watching could hear it.
In fact, I could see that several houseworkers were also watching through the windows and around the rest of the garden.
'With this... the standing I have around here should improve.'
Even if the servants had something against me because of my past self, they would know to show respect considering there was no chance of me being disowned.
My father smiled, and I could vaguely guess his thoughts.
If I were weak, he would make Sorin his heir.
Despite being so loving, when it came to being family head, he took things seriously.
But, if I proved myself to be strong, it would shut up any doubts that anyone around here had for me becoming the next duke.
The servants would spread rumors of this event through the duchy.
'...Sorin's reputation will probably take a hit, though.'
I'd have to find some way to increase my brother's reputation later.
"Your brother underperformed, it seemed like you played some sort of trick.. but even my eyes couldn't see it."
"Well... every man should have a few cards up their sleeve, shouldn't they?"
My father held in a laugh at my nonexplanation.
"Then it seems my son has quite a scary set of cards... I would expect no less from my heir."
I saw as Sorin was picked up by some guards, still unconscious.
I knew that he would be quite upset at the result of this duel, but he was someone who valued honor.
He would begin showing me respect from now on, even if he was mad at me.
--------------------------
This chapter was brought to you by the golden tickets from div0521 and Guilty666
Several more extra chapters are still scheduled (i will get to work...)
Also, I had an idea. How would you guys feel about getting some side chapters after every 5-10 main chapters. They'd basically just be short (500-1000 words) descriptions of the world to expand worldbuilding. They would basically give more descriptions on various kingdoms, races, monsters, etc. They wouldn't be counted as extra chapters so your stones/tickets/gifts won't go to waste either. Reply to this with your opinion please, if maybe 10 people reply to this displaying interest I'll start doing them, but I won't bother if people don't really care for them.
ALSO I THINK IT WOULD BE EPIC IF WE COULD GET OVER 200 POWER STONES THIS WEEK!! VOTE!!! [my self-votes will not go towards extra chapters lol]