Chapter 25: Duel!

“What are they talking about? Why haven’t they started?”

“Momoka didn’t get bought off, did she? That’d be boring!”

“No way. Look at Momoka’s face—she’s not like Rita!”

“Ugh, I just want this to start. I need to see how Rita loses.”

The crowd buzzed outside, but the arena’s tension was palpable.

It was the final day’s end, and the referee allowed the two candidates’ exchange without rushing.

When Rita and Momoka assumed their stances and stopped talking, the referee gave the order.

“Match! Begin!”

Before the words settled, Momoka thrust her spear, its tip flashing like lightning toward Rita’s chest.

One strike would suffice.

She didn’t intend to kill, but teaching this exam-tarnishing cheat a lesson with a wound was fair.

Yet, her hand met not the feel of piercing flesh, but a numbing jolt.

Rita’s sword had slid out just an inch, its blade perfectly blocking the spear’s path, stopping Momoka’s surefire strike.

Momoka saw it clearly: Rita angled her sword before her chest, thumb nudging the guard to draw it slightly—nothing more.

The arena erupted. Candidates meant to watch quietly let out gasps.

“She… blocked it? This has to be cheating!”

“Cheating? You know how fast Momoka is. Could you block that?”

“How’d she do it?”

“How?” From the candidate seats, the bandaged Grom snorted. “Ever consider Rita was never weak?”

Days Earlier, City Lord’s Mansion

“Take back everything you brought.” In the parlor, Cecilia glanced at the room’s treasures, speaking softly.

Grom looked at his father, clenching his teeth.

Calling that sneaky silver-haired girl here just to say Rita’s her person and humiliate everyone?

Grom didn’t approve of bribery or want his father stressing over the exam.

He’d earned his exam permit through skill. If he gave his all, he’d surely become a Holy Knight.

Was he worse than those spoiled nobles?

Yet, after winning the first day’s match, his father, from miles away, appeared with wealth Grom didn’t think their family could muster.

“This is all your mom and I saved. Everyone says you need to bribe the examiners. If you don’t, why would they pick you? Become a Holy Knight, and this money’s nothing!”

Grom didn’t agree, nor did he think the Princess cared for their sum. It was a fortune to them, but a drop to her. He couldn’t sway his father, who’d gone to great lengths for this meeting.

So, he stood here, fuming.

Hearing Cecilia’s words, anger surged to his head.

“Too much!”

He thought he muttered, but realized everyone was staring.

His father’s eyes widened, trembling as he rushed over, pressing Grom’s head down.

“G-Grom, what are you saying before Her Highness? Apologize! Kneel!”

Grom knew he’d caused trouble, but now, he wasn’t afraid.

This was a crisis, but also a golden chance. To be a Holy Knight, he couldn’t back down.

“Your Highness, forgive my rudeness.” He knelt on one knee before Cecilia, neither servile nor arrogant. “I mean no offense, but I cannot accept this.”

Gasps filled the room.

This was defiance, provocation!

Grom kept his head down, unable to see Cecilia’s expression.

Her voice betrayed no emotion he could read.

“Then what do you propose?”

Grom looked up, his gaze piercing past Cecilia to the silver-haired girl behind her.

“I want to challenge Rita to a fair duel, like a knight!”

Why he said it, he couldn’t recall—maybe to stand out, save face, or just a heated impulse.

But he said it.

“Rita, that’s what he says.” Cecilia turned to Rita, her tone questioning.

“Your Highness, I follow your orders.” Rita bowed, subtly confirming her tie to the Princess.

“Then accept the challenge.”

“As you wish.”

The duel’s venue was the mansion’s courtyard, with the room’s occupants invited as witnesses.

Grom held his sword, bowing slightly to Rita, who only nodded blankly, muttering, “I can move once it starts, right?”

Ignorant of knightly etiquette—what benefits or backing did you give the Princess?

But since you accepted, let’s see what you’re made of and show the Princess if I’m worthy of being a Holy Knight!

“Begin.”

Before Cecilia’s voice settled, Grom charged, gripping his sword with both hands.

But he saw only a shadow flash before him.

Then, a sharp pain in his chest sent him flying, crashing into a decorative stone hill in the courtyard, the world spinning.

As he lost consciousness, he heard Rita murmur.

“Did I use too much strength?”

Grom couldn’t see, but the onlookers caught everything.

One kick.

Just like when Rita booted others out of the arena, one kick.

But the force and speed were worlds apart from the exam.

Had Rita used that strength then, half the room would be bedridden now.

Grom was, for three days.

After the three-second duel, everyone silently took their gifts and left, never mentioning it again.

As if nothing happened that night.