Take Him Down, Chal

Afternoon, swordsmanship class.

It had rained only yesterday, and the ground on the training field was still wet. Today's weather continued much the same, with dark clouds filling the sky and the air thick with moisture. The students of Class Five had taken off their leather shoes and were practicing Roer Military Swordsmanship with Training Greatswords in hand.

Colin displayed the patience of a beast lying in ambush, doing his best to conceal his strength, speed, and swordsmanship while maintaining his previous "Bloodline Enhancement Failure" state. However, Bill noticed something was off.

Bill kept glancing at Colin. Finally, unable to hold back any longer, he lowered his Training Greatsword, planted his hands on his hips, and frowned at Colin. "Colin, why do your movements seem a little awkward?"

"No." Colin looked surprised. Then he stopped practicing and pretended to think it over. "Maybe it's because I've been having trouble sleeping lately."

"Trouble sleeping? Want me to recommend a doctor?" Bill truly was a good buddy, immediately looking concerned.

"No, no. It should get better in a few days." Colin quickly shook his head.

"All right. If you need anything, come find me anytime. I know some very good doctors." Bill nodded and did not press the matter.

"Mm." Colin nodded.

The students all had sharp eyes and ears. Though the training field was large, they were gathered within a relatively small area. There were only a little over thirty students in the class, so everyone immediately heard the exchange between Colin and Bill.

The noble-born students merely glanced at the two of them before turning away with complete indifference.

The children of wealthy merchants and prosperous farmers wore complicated expressions. Many envied the pair's noble status while also looking down on them.

Colin Russell. A piece of trash whose Bloodline Enhancement had failed. And now he claimed he had insomnia? Then again, that made sense. A loser whose Bloodline Enhancement had failed would naturally toss and turn at night until he could not sleep.

Bill Pitt, a sissy.

Brian turned to look at Colin, but he was not in the mood to cause trouble. Ever since Colin had declared that he was unwell and would not accept challenges, Brian had sent Chal to provoke him several times. Colin had refused every time.

Over time, Brian lost interest as well.

But Chal was in an especially bad mood today. He had been dumped. The students of Will Knight Academy were all strong and, in certain respects, unusually mature for their age.

After enrolling, Chal had gotten together with a girl from the neighboring class. She was also the child of a wealthy merchant. Turtles found turtles, bastards found bastards—wealthy merchants' children getting together with wealthy merchants' children was perfectly fitting.

However, that girl had recently been claimed by a noble-born student. Chal had personally seen that noble-born student groping his girlfriend all over in some secluded corner.

Although Chal often caused trouble for Colin, he was not stupid. He knew Colin's family was poor and had neither influence nor power.

But even ordinary nobles had complicated connections. And Chal knew even better that the noble-born student who had touched his girlfriend came from a very influential family.

Though he had seen it, he only dared to rage in silence. His face had turned green, and he had walked away without saying a word. His girlfriend had looked somewhat embarrassed, while that noble-born student had looked at him with contempt and continued groping her.

Once he had been cuckolded, there was no taking that green hat off. A ball of evil fire was burning inside him with nowhere to vent.

After hearing the conversation between Colin and Bill, Chal could not hold back any longer. He slung his Training Greatsword over his shoulder, walked up to Colin, and said coldly, "Colin. The matter from that day has not been settled yet. Are you going to accept my challenge, or obediently admit that your Bloodline Enhancement failed?"

As soon as Chal spoke, the noble-born students continued practicing their swordsmanship without concern. Most of the wealthy merchants' and prosperous farmers' children, however, stopped training and turned to look at Colin. Contempt, delight, and the excitement of watching a spectacle filled their eyes and showed on their faces.

They were more than happy to see a trash noble with a family name humiliated by a commoner. And if Colin did not withdraw from school, this scene would probably play out often. After all, Will Knight Academy had a six-year program, and they were only in their second year.

"I already told you, Chal. Colin is unwell and refuses challenges. If you want to play, I'll play with you." Bill frowned, directly lifting his Training Greatsword and stepping forward to face the particularly tall Chal.

Ms. Anna, still dressed in a leather skirt that exposed her firm, slender legs, also noticed what was happening. She frowned and spoke up in Colin's defense. "Chal. So what if Colin's Bloodline Enhancement really did fail? Is your ambition limited to bullying your classmates?"

Within the class, students challenging one another was in accordance with academy rules, so long as no one was killed or crippled. As the homeroom teacher, Ms. Anna should not have interfered.

But Chal had provoked Colin more than once or twice. It had already happened four or five times, and there would likely be countless more. Besides, she rather liked Colin as a student.

Bill's words only made Chal reveal a contemptuous smile. But Ms. Anna's words made Chal somewhat uneasy.

No student wanted to offend their homeroom teacher, especially when that teacher was an exceptionally powerful knight.

Chal immediately wanted to apologize, but at that moment, Colin patted Bill on the shoulder, stepped past him, and faced Chal directly.

"Thank you, Ms. Anna, but to defend my honor, I have no choice but to accept the challenge." Colin first bowed slightly to Ms. Anna, then lifted his head and chest as he looked at Chal. "Chal, come on."

Ms. Anna's brow remained tightly furrowed. He is still just a child after all. Has he let his anger get the better of him and lost his reason? With his Bloodline Enhancement having failed, he cannot possibly be Chal's opponent.

Though Ms. Anna wanted to stop him, speaking up once as the homeroom teacher had already been an act of kindness. Saying more would be inappropriate. She could only fold her arms across her chest and watch in irritation.

Bill opened his mouth to speak, but Colin stopped him with a look.

Bill hesitated for a moment, but in the end, he did not step forward. He understood that Colin's look carried only one meaning. Don't worry. I can handle it.

Chal was stunned. He could not believe his ears and could not help asking, "Colin, you're actually willing to accept the challenge?"

"It could not be more real." A serious expression appeared on Colin's face, then he sneered. "Or are you planning to back down, Chal?"

"How could that be?" Only then did Chal believe him, and a savage look appeared on his face. He patted the lower right side of his chest and said, "The place where you hit me last time still aches faintly. This time, I'll pay you back tenfold."

Since both sides had reached an agreement, the students cooperatively stopped their training and formed a circle to watch.

The noble-born students remained indifferent, merely watching. But the children of wealthy merchants and prosperous farmers were already excited, and even Brian shouted.

"Go, Chal!"

"Take him down, Chal! Let him see what you're made of, buddy."