The crowd remained silent for a long second before murmurs broke out, low and uncertain at first, then louder.
"Did he really stand against Hilda?"
"No way... that was Jericho?"
"He didn't even cast a spell!"
Aiko leaned forward in her seat, brows furrowed.
"That... that shouldn't have been possible. I thought he'd get flattened in one shot."
Marielle adjusted her glasses slowly, eyes not leaving Jericho.
"He's not supposed to be strong. That's not the Jericho we knew."
Down near the announcer's podium, teachers were exchanging concerned looks. One of them leaned toward the man who had declared the result.
"Wasn't that a high-level spell? She should be disqualified."
The announcer shook his head quickly.
"It wasn't a spell. Not exactly... It was just a release of energy. Intense, yes, but not cast through traditional channels."
Another teacher looked unconvinced.
But inside, the announcer was thinking something else entirely: Hilda got mad. Really mad. If I didn't stop that match, someone was going to get hurt... and declaring Jericho the winner was just out of the question.
On the battlefield, Hilda slowly rubbed the spot where Jericho's hammer had landed. It hadn't done any real damage, but the ache was still there, a dull and lingering reminder.
She glanced at Jericho. One student pointed.
"Guys... look."
Jericho was upright, slightly hunched, his body trembling. He looked like a man pushing through unbearable pain. Like a hero refusing to fall.
The crowd watched in stunned silence.
"Who... who even is this guy?"
"Is that really Jericho?"
He looked like he could keep fighting.
In reality, Jericho was trapped in a different kind of battle.
"Okay... okay okay okay... just stay calm. Breathe. It's just dust. It's only debris. It's not an enemy spell, it's... oh god it moved again. I can't stop dodging. My body thinks the dust is trying to kill me. I want to lie down so bad, but I think my knees will hit the floor. This is hell. Actual, dusty hell..."
His foot twitched, jerking slightly as a rock fluttered nearby.
He looked like he was fighting to stay on his feet to everyone else.
In truth, he was desperately praying his body would stop interpreting dirt particles as assassination attempts.
The mock battles continued in the arena, cheers rising and falling like waves. But Jericho sat on a stone bench under the shade of an awning, a strip of dry meat between his teeth.
Crunch.
The salted meat was tough, but it gave him a small stamina buff. Nothing major. Just enough to ease his headache and make his muscles less stiff.
He chewed slowly, rubbing the back of his head. The ache from the earlier blast still lingered.
That pain sucked... but the result?
He grinned to himself. He'd lasted against Hilda. Hilda. And it wasn't even with 100% evasion yet.
"If I push my luck and evasion even further," he muttered, "I'll be untouchable."
He leaned back on the bench, eyes narrowing as he thought. Then he paused.
"Wait... the food."
He looked down at the strip of meat in his hand.
If food gives buffs, then what about potions? Special meals? Power drinks?
Jericho's eyes widened as the idea expanded in his mind. In the game, players would often consume potions and buff items mid-battle to stay in top form, he remembered gulping stamina brews, focus tonics, even temporary stat boosters while dodging bosses.
A spark lit behind his eyes.
"Yes... I can do the same here. I can dope myself legally. Eat stamina food, drink a power tonic, stack buffs while fighting... No one else knows about this!"
His grin widened.
"If I combine that with my evasion and luck, I will really become invincible!"
Motivated, Jericho jumped to his feet. He had work to do.
Just as Jericho dusted off his coat and turned to leave, he noticed a small group of students approaching from the side path.
They didn't look aggressive. In fact, they walked like they were trying too hard to look casual, one of them even forcing a yawn.
"Yo," said one, arms crossed too tightly, chest puffed out. "Uh, good match earlier."
"Yeah, uh... didn't think you had it in you," added another with a stiff grin.
Jericho narrowed his eyes.
Great. Here we go again.
He turned to leave, already tired.
"H-Hey, wait!" another one called. "We're not here to start anything."
"Yeah," the first guy said quickly, now scratching his neck nervously. "We just... had questions."
Jericho turned halfway, watching them shift their weight awkwardly.
"About... your stuff," mumbled a girl hiding behind the taller boys.
Jericho blinked.
"Stuff?"
"Your weapons," she clarified quickly. "Someone said you were selling."
Another chimed in, trying to sound uninterested.
"Those wooden weapons... they, uh, helped Clarissa to defeat Shin, right?"
Jericho blinked again.
Wait... are they interested?
He straightened, raising an eyebrow.
"Maybe. Depends."
They shuffled awkwardly, pride fighting curiosity.
"So... you really made those?"
"They gave... powers, right? That's how you two fought like that?"
"You're not even that good at magic, and you still—I mean, you didn't lose immediately."
Jericho crossed his arms slowly.
"Funny. Wasn't long ago you were throwing things at me."
They exchanged looks, faces heating as guilt began to creep in. One of them shifted uncomfortably.
"I mean... you kind of brought it on yourself before, right?"
Jericho's eyes narrowed.
"Oh, right. Because clearly, I deserved to be pelted with rocks and locked out of the library because of some things. That makes so much sense."
Another tried to smooth it over.
"You know, back then, you were kind of a jerk. Don't play innocent now..."
Jericho raised a finger, waving it dramatically.
"Hold it. You know what really gets me? I suffered. I was starved, insulted, exiled, and forced to sleep in the woods like some moss-eating gremlin. And all of you? You either laughed or looked away. Some of you threw rocks. Real ones. With pointy edges. One guy told me I look like Satan."
They fidgeted, some looking away, others trying not to meet his gaze.
"And now," Jericho continued, "you want something from me. My creations. My weapons. The very stuff I forged while getting attacked by squirrels and dodging frostbite."
"Well... we didn't expect you to be this good," one of them muttered.
"Yeah, I mean… we thought you'd drop out or vanish," another added weakly.
Jericho put his hands on his hips.
"Well, at least you're honest. And now you want a piece of my success? Alright, I might accept. But you'll pay."
There was an awkward silence.
One of the students finally said.
"So... what's your price?"
Jericho smirked.
"One gold coin per item."
They recoiled as if he'd cast a spell on them.
"One gold?! That's insane!"
"That's like... two weeks of snacks!"
"I could buy a pet hawk for that!"
Jericho shrugged.
"Then buy the hawk. See if it parries my spears."
They broke into a hushed argument among themselves. One stepped forward.
"What if we buy as a group? Like a bundle deal?"
Jericho raised a brow.
"Yeah, just pay with bundle gold coins. Do I look like a thrift stall? I don't sell bundles. This is limited edition. Handcrafted. Rainwater-soaked survival gear."
The group looked torn, pride on one side, desperation on the other.
Jericho stepped in closer, voice low.
"I'm not just selling gear. I'm selling success. You want an edge in the mock battles? Getting achievements in classes? Pay up. Or lose to someone who did."
A long pause.
Then, reluctantly, one of them reached into her pouch.
"Fine."
Meanwhile, somewhere else in the academy, Shin sat under a tree in the quiet courtyard, arms resting on his knees.
Lena sat beside him, close, her voice gentle.
"You did your best," she said. "Clarissa just... surprised everyone. That's all."
Shin gave a faint, forced smile.
"Yeah. Just didn't think she'd be that strong."
Nearby, Garrick stood with arms crossed, and Kaela, sat on the grass, cleaning her bow. The short, serious boy Leon hovered quietly behind.
"Since when did Clarissa get good at fighting?" Kaela asked. "She's not even an archer, but that bow was... amazing."
Leon nodded.
"Those hits were unnatural."
Lena scowled.
"It's Jericho again... Everyone says those were his weapons. They even pretend it's like he beat Shin himself. That stupid trash..."
Garrick raised a hand.
"Now hold on. He didn't do anything directly. He just sold her a weapon, right? If you put yourself in his shoes, you'll see it's not that deep. He's just trying to survive. That's... kind of commendable."
"Commendable?" Lena snapped. "He hates Shin! He always has."
Kaela raised an eyebrow.
"Well... maybe. But those weapons? That bow? Honestly, I'd love to try one. It looked fantastic."
Garrick shrugged.
"All I'm saying is, it's not illegal. If anything, he might be changing how battles work."
They bickered for a while, Lena fiercely defending Shin, Kaela more curious than loyal, and Garrick caught in the middle. Eventually, Kaela stood.
"We're not going to get anywhere with all this back-and-forth," Kaela said, slinging her bow over her shoulder. "So I'll get my answer straight from the source. I'm going to find this dude and see what kind of guy he really is."
Elsewhere, in one of the academy's marble corridors, Seris stormed through the hall with a look that could break mirrors.
She clenched her fists, her boots clicking sharply against the polished floor.
"How... dare he steal the spotlight," she muttered.
She almost crashed into a teacher rounding a corner.
"Ah! Excuse me," Seris said, adjusting her blouse.
"My fault," the teacher replied, but as Seris turned to leave, the woman called after her.
"Miss? A moment."
Seris turned reluctantly.
"You knew Jericho, correct? Before all this?"
Seris narrowed her eyes.
"Why?"
"Well," the teacher said with a polite smile, "some of his weapons have affected the outcome of recent matches. I'd ask Ms. Dornes, but she refuses to lend hers out. So I thought perhaps you could help. I'd like to study one."
"I have nothing to do with him," Seris said, her voice rising. "Absolutely nothing."
She turned on her heel and walked away before the teacher could respond. The teacher watched her go, brow furrowed.
"What's wrong with those kids these days? Acting all high and mighty when you're just papa jerks..."
That evening, Jericho wandered through the forest, collecting herbs and flowers he remembered from his time in-game.
There was a spot just past the mushroom grove where rare healing plants grew. He filled his pouch with the precious ingredients, then returned to the small forge-house he had built earlier.
Inside, the space was warm and practical.
Herbs hung drying on lines, bundles of wood stacked near the hearth.
Shelves were full of tools, bottles, vials, and crafting materials. A workbench stood at the back where enchantments glowed faintly.
He planned to use the night to fulfill orders and test new potion recipes.
Health potions, stamina drinks, even experimental buff foods. He knew he might miss class tomorrow, but with his record of being bullied, he could easily excuse himself.
"I'll just say I was scared."
Before resting, he took out a new item: a small incense blend he'd crafted.
Mellowwood Incense
Boosts Mood (Minor)
Reduces Stress (Temporary)
Increases Focus +2 (Short duration)
He lit it and stepped into his house.
The interior was way different now. A rug lined the floor. Chairs made of carved logs. A shelf stocked with dried food.
The bed had a proper frame now, even if it still looked homemade.
As he walked in, wondering if he should upgrade this cabin or build a new one next door, he paused.
His head turned slowly on something that caught his eyes.
There, curled up on his bed, her white hair over the pillow, was Hilda, sleeping.