How Naive!

Yoni pulled a crystal-clear gemstone from his mage's robe. It glowed with a faint azure light, and within it, one could vaguely see azure breezes swirling. He said:

"Then I'll use this Azure Gem as the stake for our duel. What do you say?"

Li Si looked at the gemstone in Yoni's hand, then swept his gaze over him before replying unhurriedly,

"Since you want to give me a gift, naturally I won't refuse."

"Good!" Seeing that Li Si had finally agreed, Yoni said excitedly, "Then let's go to the training grounds."

"No need. We'll do it here. It'll be over soon, anyway." Li Si waved a hand casually.

Yoni naturally had no objections and agreed.

Passersby noticed that a duel seemed about to begin and gathered around. Most of them were mage students from the academy, confident that they would not be affected by the aftermath of the battle. They formed a circle, leaving the center clear for the two duelists.

"What a stubborn mouth. Wouldn't it have been enough to hand over your qualification obediently?"

Seeing that Li Si had finally taken the bait, Yoni spoke confidently as he took his staff from a friend nearby. After all, he did not yet possess equipment as precious as a Storage Ring.

"Hehe." Li Si was in a good mood. He even smiled and gave Yoni a mage's dueling salute.

"You won't be laughing in a moment!" Yoni controlled his mana and skillfully chanted an incantation. Wind Elements began gathering before him. From the looks of it, he was casting the second-circle spell, Returning Wind Blade.

Yet to the astonishment of the surrounding spectators, Li Si made no move to cast a spell. Instead, he simply stood where he was, waiting for Yoni to finish casting.

A crescent-shaped azure wind blade appeared before Yoni and slashed toward Li Si.

Judging by how solid the wind blade was, Yor truly was one of the more outstanding students of their cohort. He had mastered Returning Wind Blade quite proficiently.

Li Si evaluated him thus inwardly. Even as the wind blade came hurtling toward him, he still did not move.

Just as the wind blade was about to strike Li Si, a figure suddenly flashed forward. The wind blade was cleaved apart directly, its shattered currents scattering in every direction.

Welf, clad in armor, stood before Li Si. The fine currents of wind still flowing over his longsword proved that he was the one who had destroyed Yoni's spell with a single strike.

Although none of the onlookers knew Welf, the sword strike that had shattered the spell and the golden badge on his chest both revealed the identity of this unexpected interloper.

Gold Warrior!

Yor naturally knew that the man before him was the guard who had been following Li Si from the very beginning. Yet only now did he realize that this man was a powerful expert who stood at the pinnacle of warrior-class professionals.

Though he did not stand atop the continent like a legendary powerhouse, dealing with a Novice Mage like Yor was naturally effortless.

Yor hurriedly retreated several steps and stared nervously at Welf. Turning slightly toward Li Si, he shouted,

"Li Si, what do you mean by this? Why is your guard interfering in the duel? Are you trying to cheat?"

"Of course not. I'm a good citizen who keeps his promises and obeys the law." Li Si shook his head and looked at Yor helplessly.

"But perhaps, it seems, maybe... you forgot my identity."

"Your identity?!" Yor seemed to recall something. His face suddenly stiffened, and he could not say another word.

But the surrounding spectators had already explained it. "Li Si is a Court Viscount, isn't he? I remember there's a royal regulation stating that unless restrictions are specified beforehand, those with noble titles may have their guards participate in their duels!"

"That's right. It's written into the kingdom's laws, so I didn't break any rules. Right?"

Li Si looked at Yor with a smiling face, but to Yor, that smile resembled a fanged demon, freely mocking his ignorance.

In truth, this rule was a loophole reserved specifically for nobles. Even nobles who were fond of duels of honor rarely wished to risk their own lives in battle. Under normal circumstances, they would have guards trained by their families fight in their stead.

Damn it, how could I have forgotten that?

Yor thought bitterly. He wanted to admit defeat, but the thought of losing the Azure Gem caused unbearable pain in his heart. Camus had specially lent it to him to ensure this duel could take place. Was he really supposed to watch Li Si win it from him?

But he could not see even the slightest possibility of defeating Welf!

"Li Si, you coward! All you know is how to make your guard fight for you! Do you dare fight me one-on-one?" Yor could only try to provoke Li Si with words, hoping to gain an opportunity for a solo fight.

Li Si could not even be bothered to respond. He could easily take Yor down himself, but with Welf here, why should he waste the effort?

As for Yor's insults, Li Si treated them as nothing more than the impotent rage of a loser. Compared to the online trolls from his previous life, this level of aggression was practically kindergarten-level. He did not even have the urge to curse back; it would feel beneath him.

"Welf, deal with him. And take back the stake while you're at it."

"Yes, Young Master." Welf found the situation equally absurd. How had these people gotten the idea to provoke his Young Master, such an extraordinary genius?

Welf had completely forgotten how he had secretly tattled the day before.

Having received his orders, Welf acted decisively. With a flash, he appeared before Yor and kicked out.

"Urgh!"

Yor had no time to react before he collapsed to the ground, clutching his stomach in agony.

Welf took the Azure Gem from Yor's chest, then casually delivered a resounding slap across Yor's face.

Young Master Li Si might not care about the man's insults, but as captain of the guards, Welf could not pretend he had not heard them.

After suffering such successive heavy blows, Yor fainted outright. A few fragments of teeth even seemed to fly from his mouth.

Only after Welf returned to Li Si's side did Yor's companions dare step forward to check his injuries.

Restore Moderate Injury!

Suddenly, a man in a black mage's robe stepped out from the crowd. A healing spell fell upon Yor, and his complexion improved somewhat. The man then turned to Li Si and said,

"Viscount Kane, have you not gone too far? Why did you strike so heavily?"

"Oh? And who are you?" Li Si tilted his head and sized the man up. He had not come with Yor to block Li Si's path. He looked somewhat refined, with a smile on his face, though there seemed to be a trace of gloom hidden between his brows.

"I am Camus. Does Viscount Kane not intend to give me an explanation?"

Li Si remembered now. This Camus was the leader of Yor's little clique. He was considered outstanding throughout the academy and was admired by quite a few teachers.

"Who the hell do you think you are? Why should I give you an explanation?" Li Si replied bluntly as he looked at Camus.

"This is the Royal Magic Academy. You had your guard strike so heavily. Are you trying to kill a fellow student?"

"What, trying to pin that on me already?" Li Si looked at the righteous-looking Camus and said,

"First, this was a duel. I violated no rules."

"Second, since it was a duel, injuries were unavoidable. This was merely a small lesson. Are you saying a Gold Warrior cannot control his strength and would just kill him outright?"

"Third!" Li Si narrowed his eyes at Camus before him. "You hid off to the side when the duel began, then came out acting self-righteous and spouting nonsense once your man lost. Did you really think I didn't see you? Are you looking to die?"

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