“Hello, Ira… I often hear about your deeds.”

The female mage named Seshaya, who was standing in front of Ira, said this, but her eyes contained a restless emotion... which was quite normal.

"Ah, thank you... So you knew all along that your opponent was me?"

Ira responded, his wings, which looked like tattered cloth, folding up behind him... This was the power of the [First Wing Pillar - Lich - Wingspan]. After all, he was no longer a mage, so he needed to engage in magical duels in this way.

Using the Crimson Dragon's wing pillars isn't impossible... but that would be too unfair, and even if you defeated your opponent, it would only make them feel resentful and wouldn't achieve any real effect.

The other party will only think that "the governor is much stronger than the mage", without realizing that they still have a lot to learn.

As he said this, Ira, seeing the serious expression on the other's face, continued, "So, have you studied your opponent? That is, me... have you looked at the records of my dueling techniques?"

The female mage simply shook her head at Ira's words.

"If you want to win against a stronger opponent, it is very important to study your opponent."

The female mage was clearly impatient with Ira's mentor-like admonition. She said, "I know you are a very strong opponent, but is it really necessary to specifically study your enemy? I could use that time to practice my spells for a long time."

Ira didn't refute anything, knowing that although the other party was arrogant, he didn't seem contemptuous. He just chuckled and said, "Ha, that's true."

Because Ira seemed hesitant to make a move, some of the new students who didn't know much about her started booing... and were then reprimanded by their respective instructors.

It wasn't just that Ira had a good relationship with them, but also because... mages are not animals in the stands, nor are they gladiators. Whether on or off the stage, they should not be associated with boos.

"Then, shall the battle begin?"

As Ira said this, he gently stepped back a little, uttering words that would sound familiar to anyone who knew about that duel... which made the students' eyes light up.

The female mage, noticing this, could only nod in agreement and prepare to begin her incantation, nodding as she signaled the start of the battle.

However, Iraq did not rush to make a move.

"I'm going to use the [Pure White Swiftblade] next... This is my announcement."

After Ira finished speaking, his classmates all stood up, ready to witness a reenactment of the famous scene... Thank goodness that the mage named Severia hadn't seen Ira's previous duel records.

Otherwise, she would never have wasted her energy on such strange thoughts as, "Huh? Ira said that, is he telling the truth?"... because, although it seemed that the two were still communicating, Ira's chanting had already begun.

Are you looking down on me?

As the female mage named Severia spoke, she kept a close eye on Ira's every move. For some reason, she could feel a sense of pressure emanating from Ira... from the other party's flawless demeanor.

Even though it's just standing there, the pressure is immense.

From which direction will they attack, and with what spells?

Severia was unaware of this, but she was very confident in her [High-Speed ​​Chanting]... As soon as Ira began chanting, she would quickly cast a counter spell.

—That's what Severia thought.

Severia knew that Ira was strong, but that was all she was capable of. She felt that she could defeat him with her intelligence and skill... The reason he hadn't attacked for so long was probably just because he was afraid of being defeated.

"I've heard before that you're very strong, Ira, and I've been looking forward to this duel for a long time, but you..."

Then, under everyone's gaze, at the moment when Severia, growing impatient, couldn't help but open her mouth and say those words... at that moment when her attention was inevitably diverted by her own words.

"Blood!!!"

Ira simply uttered this one syllable, and almost instantly, relying on his explosive power, he rushed to Severia's side. He lowered his body, and crimson blood gathered and congealed on his hands as if in slow motion.

Then a long, crystal-clear red blade appeared at the same position as the hidden blade, and swiftly swung towards Severia's wrist... leaving a thin bloodstain on her hand.

At the same time, Severia, whose mind was blank, felt a pain and loosened her grip on the staff.

"call!"

Like a gust of wind, the spell called [Pure White Swift Sword - Blood] was placed in front of Severia's neck... forcing her to gently raise her head to avoid injuring her neck.

At that moment, the cloak behind Severia slowly fell down... The wind that had been blowing up as Ira suddenly closed in stopped with his victory.

"Huff...huff...huff..."

Although she hadn't had time to do anything yet, Severia was still breathing heavily, her head held high, her eyes filled with terror at the sudden situation.

"Ira Alkaras wins."

The orc mage presiding over the White Tower meeting announced the result in a completely flat voice... Now, those senior students and classmates of Ira have become rather bored.

Because Ira didn't say anything arrogant as before, but simply withdrew the spell, turned around and left... while saying something not at all arrogant, such as, "So, prior investigation is very important."

"Wait, Ira... how did you do that?"

Severia clutched her heart, still unable to accept her defeat. She didn't even dare to look at the silence on her classmates' side... Having always studied as an invincible, the strongest genius student, she was at a loss as to what to do next.

However, before that, Severia did not understand why Ira was able to charge forward without chanting.

"Because I used my self-created spell, [Pure White Swift Blade - Blood]. The incantation for this spell is very short, just a very simple incantation for [Pure White Swift Blade - Blood]... You can try to recall it."

Severia realized something from Ira's generous explanation; she realized her own naiveté, but still gritted her teeth and said, "But even a spell modified with Pure White Swiftblade isn't Pure White Swiftblade... But you said before..."

Ira's previous statement, "I will use the Pure White Swiftblade," was undoubtedly a lie.

"I said before, 'The battle begins here,' and from this moment on... it's all about dueling. Using every means possible is what should be done in a duel."

Ira laughed, not denying his deception, but simply turning away and saying, "But even if I didn't use any tricks, you would still suffer a crushing defeat... If you want to know more details, go find the information."

So... what exactly happened?!