Alden's voice rolled over the field like a command, carrying a sharp edge of authority. "I've had enough of these soft-hearted approaches of yours, Ethan," he said, his golden eyes blazing. "The first-years are a mess, and I can't take it anymore. So here's the thing…"

A crimson aura began to ooze from Alden's body, tendrils of red energy wrapping around him like living fire. Slowly, he removed one of his gloves, his movements deliberate. The leather whispered as it left his fingers. With a flick of his wrist, he threw the glove forward — it landed between him and Ethan with a dull

Thwack

against the stone floor.

"I, Alden von Crestvale, challenge you for the Apex position," he declared. His voice boomed, echoing across the training field, drawing the attention of every elf nearby. The crimson aura around him pulsed once, like a heartbeat.

Ethan's brows drew together, his expression turning grim. "Do you even know what you're saying, Alden?"

Alden's eyes burned with conviction. "I know exactly what I'm saying. And I've already submitted the application to the student council. They've accepted. If I lose, every point I earn inside this academy — ninety percent of it — will go to you until we graduate. And I will never challenge you for the Apex position again." His aura flared brighter, his words carrying finality.

For a heartbeat, silence stretched. Elaria, Ethan, and Seraphina's mouths all hung open. Only Alex's smile grew wider under his mask. He glanced sideways at Elaria and murmured just loud enough for her to hear. "Wow. A duel between a prophesied hero and a high-born genius."

He straightened, his tone dripping with mockery. "Miss Elaria, why don't you also participate to prove your superiority?"

Elaria's face flushed red with anger. 'He's openly mocking me. This bastard… Father's orders or not, I will never go on a mission with someone like him.' She clenched her fists, but in the next instant a devilish idea flickered into her mind. Her eyes slid toward Lucifer, glinting with mischief. 'I'll make him pay.'

"I'm also interested in this," she announced, her voice ringing with challenge. She turned toward Alden and Ethan. "I will support Charlotte if either of you wins. But the condition is…" She shifted her gaze to Lucifer. "You said you're pretty strong, right?"

Alex tilted his head, feigning mild curiosity. "Well… you could say that."

Elaria's lips curved. "Perfect. Then I'll offer you a separate condition. If you manage to defeat any one of them, Then I will accept all your demands for the mission. But if you lose to them…" Her eyes glinted like polished emeralds. "You will become my servant for as long as the mission goes on and i will also have the authority to leave the mission anytime i want."

Alex pretended to think, tapping his gloved fingers against his arm. 'Hook, line, and sinker, she thinks she's pretty smart but her arrogance also makes her as easy to manipulate' he mused inwardly.

Then aloud he said, "Will these guys accept that?"

Elaria turned her head toward Ethan and Alden. "Do you accept this? It's my condition for supporting Charlotte."

Both young men turned to Alex, studying him. Alden squinted, recognition flashing in his brown eyes. "I think I've seen this guy before…" A vein bulged on his forehead as he snapped his fingers. "Aren't you that idiot who live-streams his fights with dungeon and monsters to get famous?"

Alex's mouth twitched beneath the mask. "Do you have to call me an idiot? It's called talent and beauty that i show people live, okay?"

Alden threw his head back and barked out a laugh. "This is perfect! I've wanted to break your face for a long time. My girlfriend talks about you every day, and I heard you even gave her an offer to join your guild. Just you wait, bastard — i will turn you into a corpse and will send you packing to your guild!"

Alex's brow furrowed slightly behind the mask. 'This guy looks pretty pissed… Did Ava tell him everything?' He sighed, lifting a hand in a mock-defensive gesture. "Relax. I'm not interested in your girlfriend. She's not my type."

Alden's eyes widened in outrage. "Are you saying she's not pretty, you bastard? She's the cutest thing you'll ever find!" He paused for a beat, then added almost absentmindedly, "Along with my sister Lily, of course."

Alex felt his jaw tighten, but he forced himself to stay calm. 'There's no getting through to him, is there? But… he's right. Lily is the cutest thing.' He exhaled slowly. 'I'll let it slide.'

Ethan stepped between them, his face set. "Alright. I also accept the conditions for the duel," he said firmly. "But the application submitted by Alden only has two names — Alden and mine. So first, we need to do something about that."

Lucifer's voice cut in smoothly. "Leave that to me. I know someone who can handle that." He reached into his coat and pulled out his EtherPad, its sleek interface glowing faintly. With a swipe, he formed a shimmering barrier around himself to block out the others. He tapped a name and lifted the device to his ear.

The line clicked, and a familiar voice came through immediately, laced with amusement. "You only call me when you want something, don't you?"

Lucifer's lips curved in a sly smile behind the mask. "What? How could you say that?"

I was just thinking about you and happen to want something at the same time.

Isn't that a brilliant coincidence."

Alicia's expression and tone went cold; her voice was serious. "A 'brilliant coincidence' would also be if someone found your corpse floating in a river tomorrow and the police happened to find your belongings in my car… also purely by coincidence."

As Alex heard that, a shiver ran down his back as he thought,

'Both brother and sister… they really love turning people into corpses.'

Then sighing, Alex said,

"Babe, I have a favour to ask of you…"

At that, Alicia's voice came sharp,

"I knew it. It always starts with those words. What did you do this time? Did you beat up a royal official again?"

Alex quickly retorted,

"No! How could you even say that? I'm a very peace-loving guy."

A snort came from the other side, which Alex ignored.

"The thing is…" Alex continued,

"Your brother has submitted an application and challenged Ethan for the position of Apex."

At that, Alicia's voice came with a hint of suspicion.

"So… what do you want? Me to reject it?"

Alex immediately shook his head,

"No, no. I just want you to put my name in that duel too… make it a three-way fight."

Alicia was silent for a moment, clearly surprised. Then her voice returned, calm but probing.

"Are you serious?"

"You're not going to kill anyone, are you?"

This time her tone carried genuine seriousness.

Alex raised both hands instinctively even though she couldn't see him,

"No, no, come on. I promise you, it's nothing like that."

Then, glancing toward Elaria with narrowed eyes, he muttered,

'I just wanted someone to know their place.'

Alicia's tone shifted, playful once more.

"Alright, fine. I'm coming for the match too, by the way."

Alex smirked,

"Well, I'll be honoured if you grace me with your presence and support."

"Who said I'll be supporting you?" Alicia chuckled.

"I'm coming to support my brother."

Alex clicked his tongue in annoyance.

"Tch…"

That only made Alicia laugh harder.

"So you can change the application, right?" Alex asked finally.

"Of course I can," Alicia replied with pride.

"Who do you think I am?"

"Of course—you can do anything," Alex said smoothly.

"What timing do you want?" she asked.

Alex smirked.

"Three hours from now will be more than enough time for me to get ready for the duel."

"Hah, then it will be done," Alicia said, a mischievous lilt in her voice.

"But in exchange, you'll have to fulfill one wish of mine."

Alex raised an eyebrow.

"And I'm telling you beforehand—we're not going near a river."

Alicia burst out laughing.

"I'll tell you after the match."

Before Alex could ask more, she cut the call.

Smiling under the mask, Alex removed the barrier.

"The deal is done. The duel will be in three hours."

At that, Alden grinned, though a question burned in his mind.

'Who exactly did he call just now?'

But instead of pressing, Alden smirked.

"I heard you're also a student at our academy, huh? Funny—I haven't run into you before."

Alex tilted his head.

"Will that matter… when I beat you to a pulp?"

Alden's mouth twitched.

"You overconfident ass… we'll see."

Alex spread his hands mockingly.

"We will see. The duel's in three hours. You guys better be in your best condition."

Ethan narrowed his eyes.

"You don't have to worry about me. Worry about yourself."

Alex let out a short laugh.

"That's the thing. These days, I try to worry more about myself than others… but some promises have to be kept."

With that, Alex turned and left the clubroom, his cloak brushing against the floor, leaving a heavy silence behind.

----

A/N:

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