There are several training spaces in Builders Academy, but not all of them are open to everyone.

　The one that Zeke took me to for the duel was the one that is only available to students of the Heroic Department.
　Compared to the training grounds that are available to students of the regular course, the training grounds are generally larger. In addition, there was a kind of armory in the training ground, and it seemed that the students of the heroic course could receive the service of lending weapons.

　Compared to the regular course, the Heroic Course students were treated with much more care and attention.
　It's no wonder they're getting excited.

　However, when it comes to the training grounds, it is inevitable that the Heroic Department will be given preferential treatment.
　After all, they are the ones who have passed the high-powered entrance examinations and are hoping to become adventurers or other skilled workers in the future. ...... At least on the surface, though.

　The day before yesterday, Zeke's ability is not low.
　He looks around casually.
　It seems that word of the duel has already spread, and many students have gathered as spectators.

Should I just lose on purpose?

　I let out a small thought.
　The duel had started because I had disgraced Zeke. If I win here, I'll be disgracing Zeke once again. If I do that, Zeke probably won't take it well. Next time, he'll do whatever he can to harass me.

No, you can't.

　Elysia, who seems to have heard me muttering, tells me.

You're not going to pretend you can't do something you can, are you?

...... Oh, dear. Too soon.

You've dug your own grave. Now you have to show your hand.

　Elysia said happily.

Is that what you wanted all along?

I don't know. But it's true that I want to get to know you.

　He cursed inwardly, thinking that he had found a troublesome partner.
　Ideally, I don't want to get on Zeke's nerves any more than I already have. The quickest way to do that is to deliberately lose in an ugly way. But when you think about it, ...... doing so might make not only Zeke, but also the other students of the heroic department, more aggressive.

　My defeat might make the rift between the heroes and the regular students more decisive.
　That doesn't feel good.

"Are you ready?

　Zeke asked with a smirk on his face as he entered the drill field, watched by many students.
　In his hand, he was holding something in the shape of a stick, wrapped in a bag.

　--What's that?

　Since he was bringing it to a duel, it was most likely a weapon.
　But if that's the case, why is it wrapped in a cloth and hidden? You don't want me to see it now, do you?

"...... Ah.

　He nodded as he observed something wrapped in a bag.
　Zeke then made an arc with his lips.

　The duel will continue until one of you gives up or is incapacitated.
　Elysia was to be the referee. Surprisingly, Zeke quietly agreed to this. Apparently, Zeke intends to beat me head-on.

"Both sides, take a stance,

　Elysia says.
　I'll use my bare hands. Zeke, on the other hand, puts his hand on a mysterious package.

"Begin!

　As soon as Elysia announced the start of the duel, Zeke opened the cloth bag.
　What emerged from the bag was a silver magic wand.

"Erdekaiser!

　Elysia was astonished.
　Elysia was astonished, but most of the audience only stared in amazement, not knowing what it was.
　Zeke smiles at me as I keep my distance.

You don't know this. This is a magic wand called the Eldekaiser. It's a military magic tool that was officially adopted by the Royal Army at the end of the Fourth War of Heroes!

　When Zeke held up his staff, a light flashed at the tip of it.
　The light is charged with a buzz and expands as time passes.

　--I see. The reason why you were absent from school yesterday was to prepare for it?

　As soon as I understood what was going on, I couldn't help but laugh.
　Zeke's got it all wrong.

　I know that wand.
　I've been in the war. I know most of the weapons that were used in the war.

"Take that!

　Zeke unleashed the Lightning Spear, a remote fire magic. A spear of lightning shoots from the tip of his staff.

　It's a C-rank magic that can only be used by those with the proper training. Not only is each strike powerful, but it is also fast. It is difficult to avoid it head-on.

　However, you can avoid it to a certain extent if you anticipate that it will be fired.

　The trajectory of spear magic is linear. You can read the line of fire by the direction of the wand.


　I avoided the thundering spear and approached Zeke.

　I don't want to use the "Bullet", which is one of the magic I'm good at. It has too much killing power. Two days ago, I had to use it as an emergency, but I still don't think it should be used against students.

Ha!　You're too naive, normal course!

　Zeke deploys multiple Thunderballs around him.
　You'll be able to find a lot more than just a few of them.

"d*mn, you're a quick one.

　Zeke clicks his tongue.

"Did I miss?

"What?

You thought you could win easily against me, so you asked me to fight you.

　Seemingly having guessed correctly, Zeke shut his mouth.
　Zeke seems to have got the point and closes his mouth, but then he immediately lifts the corners of his mouth and blurts it out.

Don't get me wrong. I'll kill the others. You're just the first.

"...... kill, huh? That's a hell of a thing to say.

All duels have accidents. You'll die here. The same goes for the others. Especially ...... that cocky b*tc*.

　Zeke glared at Elysia and said.

Don't worry, Elysia will be treated more respectfully than you. I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that. I'm going to take my time. ...... I'm going to beat her to death.

"...... you lowlife.

"Huh, you ignorant man. It's called privilege.

　I thought it was a joke. --I hoped it was a joke.
　But Zeke was serious.
　I couldn't let that stand.

　--Is this the reason we risked our lives to fight the Demon Lord?

　Absolutely not! You can't admit that.
　I think of my comrades who fell on the battlefield. I survived in their stead, and I must never admit that this man exists.

It's time to put an end to this spectacle.

　With that, Zeke raised his staff and the Thunder Spear was deployed. However, the magic gradually swelled to nearly three times its previous size.

　It was as if a huge thunderbolt was standing right in front of him.
　The electric current that surged out burned the floor and walls of the training ground. The spectators squinted their eyes at the glare.

Ha-ha-ha!　Look, this is the power of the Eldekaiser!　This wand allows for multiple activation of magic!　You can't even use D-rank magic, you don't stand a chance!

　Multiple activation of magic is an advanced technology. It's not something that a student should be able to accomplish.
　But Erdekaiser is equipped with a function that assists it.
　But Eldekaiser has a function that assists it. Of course, I knew that, and I instantly took countermeasures.

　--The Magic Bullet.

　I could have aimed at Zeke himself, but I changed my mind.
　This guy should be broken once and for all.

　I released a condensed mass of magic power into Zeke's Eldekaiser.

What?

　Perhaps Zeke didn't know.
　When you use Eldekaiser to perform multiple activations of magic, part of the wand's mechanism is exposed due to heat exhaustion. If you receive a shock there, the wand will naturally be damaged.

　The Eldekaiser that was pierced by the 《Magic Bullet》 was damaged, and at the same time, its power went out of control.
　I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure I'll be able to do it.

"G--!

　In the midst of the violent explosion, Zeke let out a scream.
　I'm not sure what to do.

Don't move.

　I put the knife I had created with Materialization against Zeke's neck and told him.
　Zeke moaned as the dust filled his vision.

I'm not sure if you've seen this before, but I'm sure you've.

I'm not going to let you get away with this. I'm sure you're not the only one.

What?

　You're a nobleman, and you seem to have a quick mind.
　The magic tools that just went out of control caused an explosion on a scale that could have killed people. In addition, there is so much dust in the training ground that it fills your field of vision, and even the eyes of a third party cannot function now.

　In this situation, you can kill people without any risk. ...... Zeke now realizes this fact.

You're the one who said, "Accidents happen in duels. ...... Sorry, but I know a little something about accidental deaths.



　At any rate, camouflaging a murder as an accidental death is a specialty of the Agency.
　It's no problem for me to make it look like Zeke was killed in the explosion.

　Zeke had already lost his voice and his body was shaking with fear.
　He seemed to have understood the situation correctly.

Our request is simple. Stay out of our way.

　As Zeke fell silent, I continued.

"You will never again be a part of discrimination in the general population. Tell that to your cronies. You might want to take a look at Elysia, who's also a hero. She's a hero, but she doesn't look down on the normals.

"Oh, she's a ......

　Before I could hear the last of Zeke's words, I shaved off his ear with a knife.

I'm not sure what to say.

"Don't say a word. The only word you're allowed to say is 'yes'.

　You've got another ear, so you won't be deaf to my voice.
　The torture manual has been drilled into me by the agency. But apparently I don't need to use the knowledge in the manual. --Zeke seems to have lost all defiance in this exchange.

I'll make my request again. --"I'm going to repeat my request, and if you want to live a full life, you will answer carefully.



　I'll tell you again.



　The duel was interrupted by a sudden explosion.
　As soon as the dust that had swirled around the training grounds cleared, Zeke and I were rescued. When the explosion occurred, the referee, Elysia, was the first to tell the students in the gallery, "Call the teacher! It seems that Elysia, the referee, was the first to tell the students in the gallery to call the teacher, and just then, Professor Sylphia rushed to the scene.

　The damage to the exercise area was severe and the situation was horrible, but fortunately there were few injuries.
　The gallery and the referee, Elysia, were unharmed. I only have a few scratches.

　Zeke, however, was unfortunate enough to have his right ear blown off (・・・・・・・・・・) by a flying piece of the floor (・・・・・・・・・・) when the explosion occurred, and he was immediately treated.

"Mr. Zeke!

Are you okay?

　Two of his cronies rushed to Zeke's side.
　However, Zeke didn't pay attention to them and said in a shaky voice.

...... Don't mess with them anymore.

　The two cronies were stunned by Zeke's words.
　The current Zeke did not have the arrogance of the past.
　I'm sure you'll be pleased to hear that.

What did you do to Zeke?

　I'm not sure what to make of it.

You'll be able to get a lot more out of this.