Level 23.
Rei Ao's evaluation was: not bad.
The key was that her ability was quite interesting—causality manipulation involving time.
It was his first time facing such an opponent. Previously, he had only dealt with minor creatures like monsters, undead, or Kabane.
"Rei Ao, you're here!"
Seeing him arrive, Stella breathed a sigh of relief.
She knew she couldn't defeat the principal on her own, but she could call for reinforcements. There was no way she would share a dorm with a man.
Seeing that Stella recognized Rei Ao, Kurono Shinguuji's expression grew serious.
"Why have you appeared at Hagun Academy without making a sound?" she asked.
"It's obvious. I'm here for Stella," Rei Ao replied, spreading his hands.
"Wait, wait, wait!" Stella, realizing how that might be misunderstood, hurriedly clarified, "What he meant was that he's here to help me seek justice!"
"Yes, exactly as Stella said," Rei Ao agreed. "Since she doesn't want to share a dorm room with a man, given her gender and status, that's entirely reasonable."
Kurono Shinguuji stood up and crossed her arms, fixing Rei Ao with a stern look. "This is a rule of Hagun Academy. You have no right to interfere."
"A rule?" Rei Ao scoffed. "Are you sure it's not because you're fond of that guy, Ikki Kurogane, and are trying to match them up in some twisted way?"
Hearing this, Stella's face darkened. She immediately questioned the principal, "Principal, do you know Ikki Kurogane?"
"..."
Kurono Shinguuji remained silent.
Because Rei Ao was right.
This made Stella even more furious.
"What right do you have to meddle in my relationships?"
"Even my father and mother can't control me like this. Who do you think you are?!"
Just as Stella was about to summon her Inherent Device, Rei Ao stopped her.
"I'm here to help Stella seek justice, not to break your academy's rules," he said.
"How about we resolve this the Hagun way—with a duel?"
"A duel..."
Kurono Shinguuji's eyes flickered.
It had been a long time since she had dueled, ever since she left the KOK alliance. Looking at Rei Ao's calm, youthful face, she asked, "What's your name, and how old are you?"
"Rei Ao, 18 years old. Why do you ask?"
"Eighteen?!"
Kurono Shinguuji was astonished.
For someone so young to have such a commanding presence was surprising. After a moment of thought, she proposed a suggestion.
"A duel is fine, but what will you wager?"
"A wager?" Rei Ao grinned. He had been thinking the same thing.
"If we're going to bet, let's make it big."
"The duel continues until one side surrenders. The loser must obey the winner. Do you dare?"
"..."
Kurono Shinguuji hadn't expected the young man to propose such high stakes.
She had only been interested in his potential, hoping to recruit him into Hagun Academy.
"Wait!" Stella exclaimed, startled. "Rei Ao, there's no need to go that far for me."
Loser obeys the winner? That would mean almost giving herself over completely if she lost!
She had only asked Rei Ao to back her up and maybe intimidate the principal into agreeing to her request. She never intended for him to risk becoming someone's slave.
Not knowing how much stronger Rei Ao had become, Stella instinctively believed he couldn't defeat the principal.
But Rei Ao insisted, "It's fine. If she dares to bet, I'll duel her."
In reality, he was provoking her on purpose.
Kurono Shinguuji clearly had her own agenda, but so did Rei Ao.
He was interested in her ability—causality manipulation involving time.
"..."
After a few moments of silence, Kurono Shinguuji's eyes blazed as she stared at him.
"Fine. As long as the terms don't disrupt Hagun Academy, I accept."
Hearing her agreement, Rei Ao smiled, satisfied.
"Great. I'm more interested in you than Hagun Academy anyway."
...
Hagun Academy had a battle arena with a diameter of about 100 meters.
Surrounding the arena were tiered stands, resembling a grinding wheel, filled with spectators.
Today, students from all grades had gathered—the largest crowd outside of major festivals.
After all, everyone had heard that the principal was going to duel.
"Tsk, tsk, this is the first time I've fought with so many people watching," Rei Ao remarked as he calmly surveyed the excited crowd in the arena.
Kurono Shinguuji rolled up her sleeves and loosened her tie, seemingly unfazed by the attention.
"Rei Ao, do you need time to warm up?"
"No need," Rei Ao replied, raising his hand.
Cold air swirled, forming a sword of ice in his grip that gleamed under the lights.
"Ice?"
Kurono Shinguuji's eyes narrowed.
She searched her memory for famous swordsmen with ice-related abilities but couldn't match any of them to Rei Ao's young face.
With a wave of his ice sword, Rei Ao's gaze sharpened. "If you need to warm up, do it quickly."
"I don't need it either," Kurono Shinguuji shook her head.
"Then let's begin."
The duel countdown started.
~~~
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