"Screw off," Damon muttered, his voice barely audible over the rowdy ambiance of the tavern.
The clinking of mugs, boisterous laughter, and myriad scents of ale, roasted meat, and other food assaulted his senses.
Leona Valefier, undeterred, stared at him with an unsettling intensity.
"I insist. You have to fight me. Now."
Damon bit his lip. He had no desire to become a casualty of her whims. If the academy's weakest student went up against Leona Valefier, ranked number four, he'd be meeting the goddess long before his time.
'Looks like I need to explain this to her before I end up on a healer's table… or worse.' Damon sighed, rubbing his temple.
"I'm the weakest person in the academy," he said bluntly.
"Not just today, but in the academy's history. If we fought, I'd lose. No doubt about it. So, you can leave now."
Leona shook her head, unconvinced.
"I knew you'd say that."
Damon scowled under the hood of his cloak.
