Just as Rotsard expected, after the scene caused by Saria, basically the entire school showed up at the training ground to watch his duel.
It was to the point where some students ended up going back into the buildings and watching from the open windows because the training ground itself was too crowded.
The best spots, though, were all taken by the teachers. As if to highlight how unusual the occasion was, even the vice headmaster and headmaster were present. Both in seats of honor, right in the front row. Having that kind of audience basically never happened for something as insignificant as a duel between two second-year students.
Because of that, a certain rumor was born… Now that the truth about Rotsard's place in the Vallhall family came to light, all of the teaching staff at the Royal Academy wanted to witness Rotsard's cheating first-hand, to immediately punish him accordingly.
"I don't believe either of you need a refresh of the rules? Or did something change?"
The same teacher was once again the judge for the duel, so he asked instead of giving the two opponents the usual rundown of rules.
"I think that we can get rid of the rule that he introduced at…"
"Commoner."
Justin cleared his throat and was declaring, but was interrupted by a tired scoff from the bleached-blond-haired youth.
"Overestimating your opponent makes you overprepare and win. Overestimating yourself gets you killed. Teacher. We're keeping the rules as they were last time."
"..."
Rotsard shook his head at the future hero before nodding at the teacher while his opponent was biting his lips, holding himself back from backtalking.
Because Rotsard's words couldn't be proven wrong.
"If that's the case, then take your spots."
The teacher nodded, and the pair followed his instruction.
"BEGIN!"
At the command, both Justin and Rotsard jumped into action…!
Only that while Justin charged forward, his body shining with spells and true sword aura, Rotsard…
Backed off, as if shocked and overwhelmed by the ferocity of his opponent.
What took place afterwards was a measly display. Minutes of a one-sided onslaught, with Justin not giving Rotsard any time to breathe, constantly putting pressure and never backing down, not allowing even attempts at countering.
"..."
Saria, watching the duel from the window of her own room, furrowed her brows…
That boy, Justin… he wasn't stronger than her uncle. At most, he was somewhere around the level of aspiring guards only starting their service under the Vallhall family.
But somehow, he was quite literally bullying that trash around.
"Hmph. Pathetic. I knew he used some underhanded methods to beat uncle Evander."
Saria scoffed and walked away, planning to end the day early to get some proper rest before the actual lectures start the next day.
"..."
Her contracted fae, though, stayed by the window, not moving even an inch, as if completely mesmerized by the duel.
As for someone closer to action…
"What do you think?"
The headmaster leaned to his left and asked the two advanced swordsmanship teachers immersed in the spectacle.
"That commoner boy is a genius."
"He's convincingly acting as if he's only a sword master while he's already a grandmaster. I never expected to see someone his age achieve true sword aura. I'm nominating him as my direct pupil."
Both of them nodded and gave their opinion.
"Stop playing around, you know what Lord Lazalarius meant."
The vice headmaster leaned all the way over the headmaster's lap and scoffed at both the male and female advanced swordsmanship teachers, making an annoyed expression.
"And, if you will, please use a language someone like me would understand. The standard magic system is my thing, but as for variants like swordsmanship… That's outside of my area of expertise. Completely."
His attitude changed quite fast, though, as he glanced over at the teacher overseeing the duel as a judge.
Because, the judge looked completely baffled as if he couldn't quite comprehend what was going on.
"What do you think is happening?"
"That's right, for a proper explanation, we need to know where to even begin."
The two advanced swordsmanship teachers glanced at each other before taking turns to respond.
"What I can see is that Sir Oltial believes that student Justin holds the advantage and is even about to win… and honestly, I share his opinion… As for the Vallhall's boy... he is underwhelming, especially after all the theories Lord Lazalarius and Lady Mivoress had about him..."
"You're quite sharp even outside your area of expertise. Young Vallhall really is underwhelming… It seems that Young Lady Vallhall was in the right with her earlier outburst… Well, it can't be helped…."
The vice headmaster shrugged his shoulders and pointed out, which made the female advanced swordsmanship teacher shrug her shoulders back at him.
"...if you're going to just lean in my lap like that, why don't you just lie down completely…?!"
"Hmm? Oh, thank you, Lord Lazalarius, I'll gladly take you up on that."
The headmaster grumbled in annoyance, shaking his head and being obviously sarcastic, but all of that somehow flew right over the vice headmaster's head, and he simply nodded and actually put the weight of his torso fully on the headmaster's lap.
"...you were saying something about his sharpness…?"
"I never claimed that I couldn't be wrong, my lord."
The headmaster then glared at the female teacher who had praised the vice headmaster moments earlier and scoffed, making the woman look away and mutter with a shrug.
As for the duel, for a moment, it seemed that Rotsard could turn the tables on Justin, as he broke through the future hero's offensive and delivered a couple of devastating blows to his opponent's torso… But, in the end, it was all for naught as a swift kick to the gut followed by an overhead jumping slash sealed the deal and won Justin the duel as the teacher had to step in and stop the fight.
The winner was announced to deafening cheers of the adoring audience.