The Duel Challenge

Philip Oscula.

A “mage” character just like Raon Rigbelto.

However, he was slightly different in nature from Raon.

While Raon was a textbook mage who purely handled mana (even though he couldn’t actually use it), Philip was a combat mage who fought on the front lines.

He mainly used his fists and feet in battle.

Considering his status as a direct descendant of a duke-level family equal to the Rigbelto family, it didn’t quite match his image.

But looking at his massive build, it suited him perfectly.

With that physique, not fighting physically would be a waste.

And that was indeed the case.

“I asked why you are here, Raon Rigbelto.”

…Of all people, I really didn’t want to see him.

I clicked my tongue inwardly.

There were many reasons I disliked Philip Oscula.

Sure, his superior stats and efficiency compared to Raon were annoying.

But the most irritating part was his personality.

“How dare someone like you raise your head in front of me.”

That arrogant attitude.

Because of people who roleplayed that personality while playing him, I’d had countless headaches.

There was also another issue.

Originally, Philip had no connection to Raon Rigbelto as a character, so I wasn’t sure how to deal with him.

But in the end, I decided to just act like Raon.

“Do I need to explain myself to you?”

No matter how intimidating Philip was, Raon wouldn’t back down.

And no matter how much he was looked down on, Raon was still a direct member of the Rigbelto family.

Philip couldn’t just attack him recklessly without turning it into a family conflict.

“…What did you say?”

Philip’s face twisted as he stepped closer.

But I didn’t flinch and glared right back.

His red Oscula eyes didn’t blink once.

Neither did mine.

…

…

My eyes hurt. Seriously, just blink already.

But if I blink first, it’s basically a loss.

Eventually, Philip was the one who stepped back.

“Tch.”

He clicked his tongue and glanced at my side.

“You should be grateful to that maid beside you.”

What?

I turned my head.

Abella was clinging to my arm, glaring at Philip with a fierce expression despite clearly being scared.

…Why are you glaring at him?

Did you want to play the game too?

“I really don’t understand why someone like you has such a loyal maid.”

At his words, Abella bristled.

“Don’t… insult my young master!”

“Silence. How dare a mere maid speak before a high noble?”

“You’re the one who should be quiet. Is a high noble someone who blocks others for no reason? Then that suits you perfectly.”

I ended up firing back without thinking.

Both Philip and Abella looked slightly surprised.

…Was that too much?

“Seems the rumors are true. The idiot has changed—at least a little useful now. Before, you couldn’t even meet my eyes.”

I guess that confirms it.

So Raon really used to avoid eye contact.

“But.”

Philip’s expression hardened.

“That kind of disrespect ends today. Look forward to tomorrow, Raon Rigbelto.”

With that, he turned away.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

His heavy footsteps echoed as he left.

I almost flipped him off but held back.

Tomorrow will be different? Yeah, I won’t even be here in a few days.

Looks like he’s planning to pick a fight during class.

Too bad—I wasn’t even planning to attend.

But that wasn’t the real issue.

The real problem was the settings.

Relationships between characters, power levels, and everything else…

Philip seemed slightly weaker than Helena.

He was around late early-game level, while Helena felt like she was already mid-game level.

Why is she so strong?

And why am I so weak?

What kind of game is this?

The Arbak Academy library was one of the greatest libraries in the empire.

It truly deserved to be called a treasury of knowledge.

Books filled every corner, and even the entrance was stacked with newly arrived volumes.

Thanks to this, checking the settings was easy.

From ancient lore to newly added configurations—everything was here.

For someone like me, who had spent ten years obsessing over a single character, this was the perfect place.

“Th-there are too many books… too many words…”

Abella’s eyes spun in circles.

Well, she wasn’t exactly someone used to reading.

A place filled entirely with text must be overwhelming.

Maybe if I threw a shield covered in text at her, she’d collapse instantly.

With that thought, I picked up several books.

“Y-Young master… when are we leaving…?”

“Be quiet.”

“…Yes…”

I sat down with the books.

Abella staggered into her seat, looking dizzy.

Alright, let’s see.

Flip—

I opened the books.

I had read them countless times before.

Even though this was my first time reading them in reality, finding what I needed was easy.

Flip, flip—

I skimmed through at incredible speed.

To others, it might’ve looked like I was just flipping pages randomly.

But I absorbed everything.

And when I finished—

…This is insane.

I barely stopped myself from grabbing my head.

Nothing had changed.

Then why are those two here?

Helena Glask. Philip Oscula.

Both were protagonist-level characters like Raon.

Their presence should have affected the settings.

But nothing had changed.

How does that make sense?

Of course, unchanged settings weren’t bad for me.

It meant I could still plan my route.

But the existence of unpredictable variables alone was enough to give me a headache.

…I need to confirm this.

Even a small variable could spiral into something massive.

The butterfly effect.

One small change could twist everything I know.

…I’ll attend class tomorrow.

I originally planned to skip, since I’m dropping out anyway.

But not this time.

I need to understand what’s different—and how to respond.

Flip—

Still, just in case, I should check everything else too.

Please. Just give me something.

Of course, nothing appeared just because I wished for it.

And the next day.

Philip Oscula smiled unpleasantly when he saw me.

“Good. You didn’t run away. A noble should never avoid a duel.”

This bastard…

&

“Young master… are you alright?”

“Don’t worry about it.”

I rubbed my tired eyes.

I had spent the entire night reading, worried that the settings might be different.

And found nothing.

Everything matched my memory.

Of course, I didn’t remember every detail.

But as someone who had written guides and studied the game endlessly, I knew the important parts.

Normally, each character had slightly different settings.

The overall framework was the same, but rewards and items varied.

But this world was based entirely on Raon Rigbelto’s route.

Then what about the others?

Is that why they’re stronger?

To balance things?

Ugh, my head hurts.

Thud.

Helena placed a book beside me and looked concerned.

“Are you alright?”

“Don’t worry about it.”

“Clearly you’re not. Abella, take your master—”

“I said don’t worry about it.”

“…Alright.”

She didn’t push further.

I pressed my eyes and looked up.

Philip was staring at me provocatively.

“If you want to run, you can.”

That tone slowly irritated me.

Is this guy really a duke’s heir?

Why does he keep picking fights with me?

I didn’t know him in detail, but I knew his personality.

Arrogant. Rigid. Hates those unworthy of nobility.

Still, there was no reason for him to provoke me this much.

“Scared? If you run, your honor will be worth less than pig feed.”

Ah.

Is he afraid I’ll run?

Raon has a terrible personality and strong pride.

He’s never achieved anything, never won anything—so his inferiority complex is massive.

Someone like that would normally fall for such provocation.

Even Abella looked worried beside me.

Yeah. Not happening.

“Is a noble someone who starts petty fights like you?”

I crossed my arms and closed my eyes.

“Be quiet and shut your mouth.”

…

Looks like that worked.

Once things quieted down, I roughly understood their roles.

Philip… felt like a third-rate antagonist.

Seriously? He’s supposed to be a main character.

His personality matched what I remembered, but unlike a programmed character, he could adapt.

As for Helena—

I slightly opened my eyes and glanced at her.

She was watching me with a strange smile.

…Interest?

Why is she looking at me like that?

That’s not the look of a righteous knight.

That’s more like…

A veteran player watching a newbie.

I don’t understand her yet.

I’ll need more time.

At least while I’m still in the academy, I need to figure them out.

So I can deal with them later.

Creak—

The classroom door opened.

A fox beastman professor with gray fur entered.

“Is everyone present?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Let’s begin.”

Mana Control class.

Seeing a character from the game in real life felt strange.

I really wanted to punch that professor back in the game.

“Professor.”

Philip raised his hand.

“Yes, Philip Oscula.”

“You said we’d have a practical duel today.”

“Did I? Thanks for reminding me. Go ahead and choose your opponent.”

“Yes.”

That damn professor…

I recalled the original story.

This wasn’t supposed to happen.

Originally, it was just a normal lecture.

But now—

“Come forward, Raon Rigbelto!”

That bastard ruined everything.

So this is why he kept provoking me.

A noble duel is tied to honor and pride.

Losing means humiliation.

Some even fall from status entirely.

So that’s his goal.

“Not coming?”

Philip smirked.

“As expected. Everyone knows you’re a coward. Stay there and show everyone how useless you are!”

…

This guy is really asking for it.

I almost got up.

But stopped.

There’s no benefit in fighting.

If I were staying in the academy, maybe.

But I’m leaving soon.

The original Raon would’ve taken the bait.

But I don’t have to.

Still… it’s annoying.

If there were rewards, I’d beat him without hesitation.

Ding!

[Sudden Event Triggered!]

[Defeat the arrogant noble Philip Oscula in a duel!]

Reward: Mana Absorption Ring (Low). Chain Guard Gloves (Low).

…!

My eyes widened.

System?! You actually did something useful?!

Perfect timing.

“Fine.”

“So you won’t run like a coward.”

Philip smirked.

I smirked back.

You’re dead.

Right now, Philip has higher stats than me.

That’s true.

But.

I have never lost in PVP.

Not even against rank 1 players.