With the start of a new duel, the guardian knights brought out weapons to be used again.
Ryushin Tenku once again chose a sword, while Lady Amari Yui selected a spear.
After choosing their weapons, it was clear to everyone that the duel with Lady Amari Yui was about to begin.
But, Ryushin Tenku said in a nonchalant voice.
"I doubt you're interested in betting, but I'll ask just in case. Do you want to bet?"
To this question, Lady Amari Yui responded in a confident tone.
"Just as you said, I'm not really interested in betting. However..."
She turned to the Second Prince and then continued, saying:
"It's not up to me to decide."
Ryushin Tenku replied in an understanding tone.
"I see, so you want Suzuki Kyōi to choose for you."
So, he took a moment of pause and said, "Since it ultimately depends on you, Suzuki Kyōi, do you want to bet again?"
Meanwhile, Suzuki Kyōi
After the humiliation suffered from the duel, the doctor wanted to confirm his physical condition, but he told him he was fine.
After hearing that, the doctor didn't insist further and left, taking his leave.
After the doctor left, he decided to mingle with the crowd present, who wanted to see what would happen in the duel between Ryushin Tenku and Amari Yui.
And to use the time to think about how he should handle the repercussions of the lost bet and whether the rumor that his victory against Jin Gensō was due to an injury the latter received from Ryushin Tenku was confirmed.
When suddenly he felt the gaze of Amari Yui, followed by Ryushin Tenku's question about making a second bet.
At that point, he had two choices: accept or refuse.
If he refused, his situation wouldn't change and no one could blame him for this decision after losing the duel and the previous bet in that manner.
If he decided to accept, he could lose again and worsen his current situation.
There could be a tie, where both were wrong, which wouldn't change his situation.
Or, he could win and nullify the losses from the previous bet.
So, there were three possible outcomes for him: worsen, stay the same, or improve his situation.
Therefore, he would have a 100% certainty of what would happen based on whether he decides to bet or not, only if he doesn't bet.
If he decides to bet, he would have a 33.33% chance of winning.
Given these figures, if the situation is evaluated solely in terms of probability and possible outcomes, the most rational choice would be not to bet.
However, if there was even a chance for him to recover what he had lost in the previous bet, it was worth it.
So he responded confidently:
"I accept. If I win, I want the previous oath to be annulled."
Hearing this, Ryushin Tenku frowned.
Seeing that, Suzuki Kyōi thought to himself:
"It seems he didn't expect me to accept, and that he did it just to provoke me further. I doubt he'll back out, so what will he say?"
"I doubt I can do that," Ryushin Tenku said coldly.
At that point, the audience was in an uproar, almost no one expected him to say that since he was the one who proposed a new bet.
The few who expected it had grasped the deeper meaning.
"He can't annul the oath because it would be like nullifying the duel with Lady Amari Yui, since this duel is a reward obtained from that bet, you should choose something else" they understood.
After hearing that, Nakamura Kyōi said in a cold, deep voice, "Explain yourself."
"I can't annul the oath because it would be like nullifying the duel with Lady Amari Yui, and since this duel is a reward obtained from that bet, you should choose something else to compensate for that part of the oath."
Suzuki Kyōi carefully considered Ryushin Tenku's words.
What he said was correct.
Indeed, it was true that annulling the oath would compromise the validity of the duel with Lady Amari Yui and would raise issues of fairness and integrity in the arena.
"So, what do you suggest?" asked Suzuki Kyōi with a challenging tone, determined not to be manipulated and humiliated further.
Ryushin Tenku took a moment to reflect before responding.
"If you want a new bet, then we should find a different prize than simply annulling the previous oath."
Ryushin Tenku's proposal caused a buzz of conversations among the spectators.
It was evident that this new turn would lead to a new set of negotiations and decisions by both duelists.
"Just as you said, Ryushin Tenku," said Suzuki Kyōi, trying to remain calm despite the growing tension in the air.
"We're here to find a fair and acceptable agreement for both."
Ryushin Tenku nodded approvingly.
"Exactly. So, what do you suggest as the new prize for this bet?"
Suzuki Kyōi quickly reflected, trying to find a solution that would guarantee him an advantage in case of victory.
"I propose that, in case of Lady Amari Yui's victory, you give me a Dragon's Heart and grant the imperial family access to a Ten Thousand Years Iron Mine for two Origin Cycles."
Suzuki Kyōi's words caused another wave of conversations among the spectators.
It was clear that this new bet would have long-term consequences for both duelists.
Ryushin Tenku observed Suzuki Kyōi carefully, evaluating his proposal. After a moment of silence, he slowly nodded.
"Alright, I accept your proposal. If you win, you'll have the right to that. But if I win, you'll have to give me a Phoenix's Heart and grant the Ryushin family access to a mithril mine for two Origin Cycles."
Since both had now reached an agreement, they decided to make an oath again.
"I swear on my Origin" they both said.
With the new bet established, the tension in the arena reached a new peak.
The spectators wondered what the outcome of this new development would be, and the people in the stands decided to bet again among themselves.
This time, the members of the Ryushin family didn't bet on Ryushin Tenku's victory but on his draw.
Suzuki Kyōi also joined these bets, wagering on Amari Yui's victory.
"It's do or die. If she doesn't win, or even worse, loses the duel, the consequences will be much graver than losing something in this bet."
Meanwhile, Ryushin Tenku thought:
"Although we gain more from the rewards obtained with my victory, I'm not sure I can win"
"However, I'm not sure of losing either"
"This course of action is really the best we can take."
"Since if I win, we gain more than the losses incurred by betting, if we draw, we still win something, if I lose the duel, we don't lose anything we didn't already have before today."
Once all bets were placed, the tension in the arena was palpable as the duel approached.
The spectators were watching intently, aware that this new bet would lead to significant consequences for both contestants and their families.
Suzuki Kyōi also watched the duel carefully, as winning would allow him to recover what he had lost in the previous bet.
On the other hand, Ryushin Tenku was mentally preparing for the imminent duel.
Even though he knew he had an advantage with the new bet, he didn't underestimate his opponent and was ready to give his best in the fight.
As the two prepared to face each other, the air around them was charged with tension and anticipation.
The spectators were eager to see how the duel would unfold and what the final outcome would be.
With a wave of the hand, the two duelists charged at each other, determined to demonstrate their skill and achieve victory.
The spectators held their breath, watching fervently as the duel unfolded before their eyes.
Every move, every strategy, could make the difference between victory and defeat.
And so, the duel between Ryushin Tenku and Lady Amari Yui began.