"Yes, yes! Lord Zolton speaks the truth!"

"That many points? Hah! Even a fool can tell he cheated!"

"Let our lord drag him down from the sky!"

By now, the registrar who had handled Leo's enrollment had already spread the news—the first position holder was none other than the man whose girl had publicly humiliated their friend. The moment Karen received that information, she flared up, her voice rising sharply as she threw her support behind Zolton.

"Yes! This is obvious cheating. Let him be challenged!"

She then turned toward Zolton, her sharp gaze appraising him from head to toe. His noble bearing, above-average looks, and the faint pressure of power he exuded made her nod in satisfaction.

"What is your name?" she asked, her tone firm.

"Miss, my name is Zolton Milti," he replied, deliberately emphasising his last name.

A last name meant recognition—either from the Emperor himself or a King-tier authority. As expected, murmurs rippled through the second-year students nearby, many nodding subconsciously, whispering about his backing and strength—completely unaware that said backing was already dead. Even Zolton himself had no idea; he only knew his father had gone missing.

"Good," Karen said, lifting her chin haughtily. "Zolton Milti, I promise you a high-ranking position in my elder brother's territory if you succeed in defeating this arrogant fellow."

Although a professor was present, no one was technically breaking academy rules. It was student conflict, and everyone knew interference would be minimal. In fact, if the professor intervened too forcefully, it would only fuel rumors that he was protecting Leo—further 'proving' the accusation that Leo had manipulated his points.

Brant could have stepped in.

But he didn't want to.

Because the moment he heard that last name, memory struck him.

Ah… so it's that uprooted baron's son. The one I scolded earlier.

A death match, huh… Does this idiot have a death wish? Calling that brat weak?

With that strength, he could even deal with an instructor.

Brant's lips curled faintly.

So Baron James supported the brat, and this fool wants revenge. Very well.Looks like one obstacle on Leo's path is about to remove itself.

Zolton's confidence surged, especially with encouragement from the girl beside him—one he found exceptionally attractive. His gaze lingered shamelessly over her figure: the low neckline that revealed a teasing glimpse of cleavage, the smooth, milky skin of her exposed waist, the enticing dip of her belly button, and finally the short skirt that left little to the imagination.

He could even see her gaze lingering on him and allowing him to assess her body, she was clearly open to the idea.

His blood rushed.

With his mind buzzing, he turned sharply toward Leo.

Leo, meanwhile, was calmly observing the scene, phone in hand. On the glowing screen, information regarding Death Matches scrolled across the AAA interface.

Lily, however, was nothing like him.

Her anger simmered violently, rising with each passing second. The moment she recognized Zolton—the same man who had tormented her back in the city—her eyes darkened, her fists clenching as she hovered on the brink of explosion.

Seeing that expression, Alric had already disappeared, slipping deep into the crowd.

"Shit, shit, shit! What the hell is this motherfucker thinking?!" he muttered in panic, crouching lower.

If Lily—no, Miss Lily—loses it… She's already terrifying. And her brother? The one who keeps her tied down?

"Fuck! What brother! They're already engaged! Shit!"

He burrowed deeper, doing his best to vanish.

Alric had once considered teaming up with Zolton to gather attention, but after getting beaten senseless, he had been looking for a chance to escape. Now, before he could even slip away, Zolton had provoked Lily.

All he could do was pray she wouldn't notice him.

At that moment, Zolton strode straight up to Leo, closing the distance, and thrust a finger right in his face.

"I challenge you to a death match!" he declared proudly.

Gasps spread through the crowd.

Those who hadn't known Leo was ranked first stared at him in shock. Then realization hit, and the noise exploded again—cheers, curses, and fervent support flooding the square.

"You fucker! Keep your finge—!" Lily lunged forward, about to seize Zolton's pointing finger and snap it—

—but Leo stopped her.

"Lily," he said calmly, not even raising his voice. "Don't get worked up over insignificant worms. Let me handle him."

Then he turned slightly toward Miho.

"Miho, keep Lily company while I deal with this human scum."

Miho startled, her body stiffening as his voice reached her directly.

"Y-Yes, Master Leo," she replied softly, bowing her head. Even now, she couldn't relax around him the way she did around Lily.

Zolton's face twisted with fury at Leo's blatant disregard. Teeth clenched, he shoved his phone forward, bringing it close to Leo's.

Ting!

An alert flashed on Leo's screen.

[Death Match Warrant received from 'Zolton Milti']

[Accept / Deny]

*[If you are being forced, reject immediately. A nearby professor or instructor has already been notified and will arrive promptly regardless of acceptance or refusal!]*

This was an academy-wide security policy. A Death Match was a matter of life and death—once a warrant was issued, staff intervention was mandatory. Even if rejected, instructors had to arrive to ensure no coercion was involved.

Brant, being the closest, received the notification instantly.

Since he was already present, there was no delay.

He stepped forward.

"Zolton Milti," he called out.

Every eye turned to him.

"You have just joined the academy," Brant continued evenly, "so I'll assume you don't fully grasp the severity of issuing a Death Match Warrant. This is a matter of life and death. The victor will not be held accountable if he chooses not to be merciful—and kills."

A pause.

"One more thing," he added, letting the words sink in. "Issuing a false Death Match Warrant—meaning without the other party's consent—results in a fine of 10,000 AC."

His gaze sharpened.

"And that fine," he said slowly, "is paid solely by the issuing party."

He let the words hang in the air.

Hearing Brant's words, Zolton was taken aback. His brows knit together as he hurriedly skimmed through the academy guide on his phone, his eyes locking onto the line mentioning the 10,000 AC fine.

Shit!

He cursed inwardly. His total points right now barely hovered around ten thousand. If Leo refused the match, he would be left completely broke.

Lily, on the other hand, felt a surge of delight. Since it was Zolton who had unilaterally issued the warrant, if Leo rejected it, the result would be perfect.

Leo listened to Brant's explanation and a faint grin tugged at his lips. For a moment, he genuinely considered refusing. Then his gaze drifted to Lily—and the memory surfaced again: the torn piece of cloth she had once shown him.

Zolton was the one who did that.

In an instant, Leo's aura turned icy, the surrounding air seeming to dip in temperature.

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