Spoiled wraps of eba, stews, and soups that I had prepared and stored in the fridge were spread across the ground.
This... This can't be possible!
My food! My delicious meals!
I collapsed on my knees as the view before me burned into my mind.
Milas approached me from behind.
"Although Grand Avalon Academy prohibits vandalism, your reputation isn't that good at the moment. So, if they want to act, they would have to do so carefully or risk showing that they are siding with you."
"That would not be good for the academy. As such, under the guise of investigating your assault on Ivory, they have chosen to delay their response to this matter," he said.
I turned to look at him with narrowed eyes.
"Are you also a part of this?"
Milas crossed his arms together.
"What if I said that I am?"
"Then, I will make you regret your actions and ensure that you never test good food again in your life," I responded, rising to my feet.
My aura flared subtly around me.
Unexpectedly, Milas chuckled softly. "Just because you won against Ivory in a duel, you suddenly think you're a bird perched on a high branch. But since we've reached this point, I should reveal the reason for my visit."
"Ezekiel Zahara, I have come to challenge you to a duel," he said. His tone and expression became solemn.
"I refuse," I responded.
Despite my win against Ivory, it was only because I was familiar with the Mountain Snow Dragon Sacred Art and utilised the 'Overlocked Mode' skill that I was able to win.
If not, I wouldn't have stood a chance against her mana edge.
Though Milas was unable to use Mana Edge, too, as a Rank One Awakener, I had only gotten a look at his sword style a few times and had no idea how it worked.
Not only that, but his skills would also be more refined than Ivory's.
I was a half-baked swordsman with average skill but with overpowering strength to make up for it.
So, as much as I hated to admit it, I had no chance of winning against him unless I was prepared to use the Overclock skill and return to the hospital for one more one-and-a-half-week stay, a few days after I was discharged, or I planned to use Felix.
Milas frowned, seemingly not expecting my refusal.
"If—" He attempted to speak, but I swiftly interrupted.
"I'm not interested. Get out of my room. I need to tidy up the place and make dinner," I responded, gesturing toward the entrance.
Milas's expression became annoyed, his fist clenched as though he sought what to say next.
Suddenly, his expression became calm.
He sighed softly, "I didn't want to believe it because I had hope in your integrity because you are my classmate, but it seems that the rumours were true. You cheated in the duel against Ivory with an item that caused an item that enhanced your strength at the cost of your body to make it seem like you did your best."
"If it were false, you would have accepted my duel to prove to everyone that you had truly won against Ivory fair and square. You are truly worthy of your alias, Worst One."
"To challenge a cheater to reclaim the top-ranked position that you had lost to Ivory, just because you can't beat her.. You are also truly worthy of yours, unlucky Milas," I retorted.
Milas unleashed his mana and swiftly reached for his blade.
At the same time, I released mine and took a step back, distancing myself from him. I swiftly drew out my sword, which had countless nicks on its sides from my previous battle.
I realised that I needed to replace it later.
As we faced each other, the temperature in the room dropped by several degrees.
Milas briefly glanced at my badly damaged sword before sheathing his own. "Although the academy would delay their response to your situation, they wouldn't hesitate to act if it were made known that your life was in danger."
I didn't know if he pitied my condition or was disgusted at beating an already battered dog.
Regardless, I did not care. I was tired and hungry, and I needed to prepare for my course of action: expose Ivory and those plotting behind her and reveal the truth to everyone.
I didn't have the luxury to dawdle with a prideful twit.
"I will return to ask for a duel once you have fully recovered and are prepared. And you must, because I will make it an official duel. I must take the top rank position in the next semester's exams."
"One more thing. Our classmates in classes one and two are also looking into this matter. Be careful about them. They don't seem to be planning anything good." He warned.
I frowned.
Every year, the Grand Avalon Academy admits 2,700 students across nine departments. Each department had a total of 300 students.
Each department is divided into three classes—Class One, Class Two, and Class Three—with 100 students assigned to each, along with their respective class instructors.
During the entrance exams, the strength of all students was ranked collectively before they were divided into their respective classes.
Ivory ranked second among the 300 students in our department.
I ranked fortieth.
Though that might seem like an impressive result, bear in mind that the top twenty were made up of heirs from prestigious families and clans with long legacies in the Magical Swordsman Path.
They were trained in the art of swordsmanship from birth.
From the twenty-first to the fortieth ranks were students with notable backgrounds or exceptionally gifted commoners who had been sponsored into the academy.
Even if they weren't quite on par with the top twenty, they still far outclassed those ranked below them.
I had only managed to secure the fortieth spot through sheer strength alone.
The student who ranked first during the entrance exam was none other than Esther Palgram.
....
Gimme your powerstones!