CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
Lucas and Rowan kept attacking Aerox relentlessly, trying to prove they could defeat him.
But their efforts were in vain.
Aerox dodged their attacks with ease and countered every time.
"Damn it, our attacks are useless!"
Lucas grumbled.
"Completely useless,"
Rowan muttered, frustrated.
No matter what they tried, Aerox avoided every move effortlessly.
Meanwhile, his counters came so swiftly that they barely managed to dodge.
They couldn't figure out why they were failing or how to defeat him.
"Lucas, Rowan, just give up,"
Aerox said calmly.
He didn't want to hurt them too badly and hoped they'd stop before things got worse.
But Lucas and Rowan refused to back down.
Losing to a first-year student was unthinkable.
"Damn it! We can't lose to him!"
Lucas snapped.
"We need to show him our strength. We'll make him surrender,"
Rowan added.
"Should we use the berserk pill?"
Lucas suggested hesitantly.
Rowan frowned.
"No way. That's against the rules."
The berserk pill could temporarily boost their strength, but it was forbidden in the duel ring.
Professor Lance had assured them they wouldn't get in trouble, but Rowan doubted that promise.
If they failed, the professor wouldn't defend them, and they'd face the consequences alone.
Still, losing wasn't an option either.
"It's the only way we can win,"
Lucas insisted.
Rowan hesitated, then nodded reluctantly.
"Fine. Let's do it."
Both of them swallowed a pill.
Instantly, they felt their power surge.
The pill was typically used by adventurers to fight stronger monsters, but it came with a cost.
It made the user lose control, and when the effect wore off, their strength would weaken rapidly.
For Lucas and Rowan, though, it didn't matter.
They were willing to risk everything to win.
"Let's do this!"
"Crimson Sword Style: Crimson Sword Strike!"
Lucas and Rowan took a Berserk Pill, giving them a huge power boost as they faced Aerox again.
Aerox quickly realized their speed and strength now matched, or even surpassed, his own.
The pill pushed Lucas and Rowan far beyond their limits.
They weren't thinking clearly anymore—just focused on defeating Aerox at any cost.
"Wait, are they using pills?"
"What? Are they breaking the rules?"
The crowd gasped when they saw Lucas and Rowan take the pills.
Everyone knew the Berserk Pill gave users a massive power boost but came with dangerous side effects.
Once the effect wore off, their bodies would be weak for days.
But the real issue was dishonor.
The duel stage was for fair fights, to test skill and learn—not to rely on pills or potions.
If people could just use expensive pills to win, it wouldn't matter how skilled they were.
Only wealth would decide victory.
"I can't believe the seniors would use pills for this."
"They're always calling us cowards, but look at them now—cheating to win."
"What's the point of this duel? It's a joke."
The audience started to lose interest, disgusted by Lucas and Rowan's actions.
Second-year students, who once admired the seniors, now criticized them for throwing away their pride and honor just to win against a first-year like Aerox.
Despite the crowd's disapproval, Lucas and Rowan didn't care.
Fueled by the pill, they charged at Aerox recklessly.
"Damn it,"
Aerox muttered.
He could see how dangerous Lucas and Rowan had become.
The pill made them lose all sense of control—they only cared about attacking, even if it cost them their lives.
Aerox had to be extra careful.
If he fought back too hard, he might accidentally kill them.
But if he held back, he would lose.
Lucas and Rowan's attacks were wild and relentless.
Every move was full of raw power, but no precision.
To the audience, it looked like two crazed fighters swinging wildly at Aerox.
As they attacked, their cries echoed across the stage:
"Kill! Kill! Kill!"
Lucas and Rowan, who had been losing, were now overpowering Aerox.
But it was clear they had taken a pill to boost their strength, and the referee, Professor Lance, wasn't saying anything.
It seemed like he was showing favoritism towards the seniors.
Some students were confused.
Everyone had seen Lucas and Rowan take the pills, so it was obvious they were cheating.
They expected Professor Lance to step in, as he was supposed to be in charge.
If he didn't, he'd be no better than the seniors, losing his honor.
But Professor Lance did nothing.
He just watched the fight, letting the two seniors attack Aerox.
The students weren't sure what he was thinking.
Maybe he wouldn't do anything until Aerox lost.
A few students murmured angrily:
"That's cheating. If I were Lucas, I wouldn't stoop that low."
"We should leave. I don't want to watch this anymore."
But despite the unfairness, no one left.
They wanted to see how Aerox would respond.
Aerox could hear the crowd.
He knew he couldn't lose.
He had to show everyone that no matter how dirty the tricks, they wouldn't be enough to defeat him.
"It's just a matter of time. I'll win,"
Aerox thought.
Aerox used his power again, and with a burst of energy, Lucas and Rowan were knocked out cold.
CRASH!
The energy sent them flying, covered in blood.
They still had some strength left, but it wasn't enough to defeat Aerox .
"I won!"
Aerox declared, holding his sword at Lucas's neck.
But Lucas and Rowan weren't thinking straight.
Despite being defeated, they kept attacking, ignoring the fact that they were in danger.
Rowan, despite his injuries, went for Aerox 's abdomen.
Aerox didn't expect this sudden attack.
He got hurt, blood pouring from his abdomen.
The two continued attacking.
Aerox tried to defend himself, but they were relentless.
The more they attacked, the more blood Aerox lost, weakening him.
The students were confused.
"Didn't Aerox win? Why isn't the duel over?"
"Aerox already won, right?"
one of them asked.
Silvana spoke up angrily, frustrated that Professor Lance wasn't stopping the fight.
"Professor, Aerox already won!"
Professor Lance replied coldly,
"I told them the fight ends when both opponents are out of the ring. Lucas and Rowan are still standing."
Silvana was furious, but before she could argue more, Lily stopped her.
"Calm down!"
Lily said, trying to hold Silvana back.
"Aerox clearly won, though,"
Silvana said, frustrated.
"Why won't the professor see that?"
Lily sighed.
"It's useless. Professor Lance is clearly favoring the seniors."
Meanwhile, Lucas and Rowan kept attacking Aerox , not caring about their injuries.
They only wanted to finish him off.
Aerox , though hurt and exhausted, was still defending himself.
He could've easily defeated them by now, but he didn't want to kill them.
His body was covered in blood, and his strength was fading.
If this went on, he would lose.
He had to end this soon, but he was holding back his full power, not wanting to kill them.
But Lucas and Rowan weren't holding back.
They were attacking with full force and murderous intent.
At this point, Aerox knew he had to act fast.
He had to finish this fight before it was too late.
"I didn't want to get involved, but it looks like I have to help Aerox ."
"1..2…3 Let's Go!"