The First Victory

“Good.”

Raon stood up from his seat and began walking toward the front.

Drag—

With every step he took, the chains dragged across the floor.

The harsh metallic sound, combined with the oppressive aura of mana he emitted, made nearby students swallow nervously and avert their eyes.

That sight—

Philip hated it.

Someone who didn’t even act like a noble.

Philip Oscula, a direct descendant of the great Oscula ducal family, took immense pride in his bloodline and status.

Because of that, he believed that families equal to his—like Rigbelto and Glask—must also be worthy.

Helena Glask had proven that belief.

No—she was beyond evaluation. She was overwhelmingly strong.

He respected her.

But Raon Rigbelto?

Calling him unqualified would be too generous.

Raon had talent—immense talent.

Even Philip’s father had once admired the vast amount of mana he possessed.

If he could control it, he might become a once-in-a-lifetime mage.

But reality was different.

The mage with overwhelming mana was weak.

Not just physically, but mentally.

He couldn’t even meet others’ eyes—just barked empty words.

A disgrace to the name of a noble.

Philip had trained relentlessly to live up to that title.

He had nearly died multiple times.

His body was covered in scars that would never fade.

But Raon?

He made no effort.

He simply collapsed under his circumstances.

And Philip despised that.

You are not a noble.

Today, he would prove it.

“Haah!”

Mana surged.

An armor-like aura enveloped his entire body.

The Oscula technique—an unbreakable fortress of mana.

His fists gathered energy, his stance hardened, and blue light flickered in his eyes.

“Come at me. I’ll crush—!”

Before he could finish—

Shhhhk!

The chain lashed out.

“…!”

Philip rolled instinctively.

The chain struck the ground where he had stood like a whip.

Crack!

The sound was brutal.

Yet the ground wasn’t destroyed. No lingering mana remained.

And still—

…He felt danger.

That chain was dangerous.

It moved like a living snake.

Raon, chains wrapped around both arms, stared at him with dull eyes.

For a moment—

Philip felt like he was looking at his own mother.

Impossible.

He clenched his teeth and surged forward.

Boom!

The ground cracked as he vanished.

Despite his massive body, his speed was terrifying.

He closed the distance instantly.

But just as he was about to strike—

Shhhhk!

The chain cut across his path.

He twisted his body to avoid it.

Tried to charge again—

But the chain came again, as if predicting his movement.

Impossible.

Crack!

“Ghk!”

The heavy chain struck his body.

He was pushed back.

His arm throbbed.

His mana—

It was gone.

The moment the chain touched him, his mana was drained.

Not even for long.

Just one second.

And yet it devoured everything greedily.

How is he even wearing that?

This wasn’t a normal artifact.

This was something meant to restrain high-level mages—perhaps even archmages.

And yet Raon wore it casually.

How?

But he couldn’t think further.

Crack!

The chain struck his leg.

His balance collapsed.

He fell forward.

He tried to recover—

But every movement was intercepted.

The chains chased him relentlessly.

Impossible…

Not just enduring that pain—

But predicting every movement—

That wasn’t something an incompetent Raon could do.

Was he hiding his strength?

No.

This wasn’t just knowledge.

Knowing movements alone wasn’t enough.

It required physical ability, combat sense, and mastery.

Had he been training this instead of magic?

How?

He had always looked weak.

Always worthless.

So how—

Crack!

“…!!”

The chain struck his face.

Pain exploded.

Mana drained again.

He was thrown back, unable to stand.

Raon looked down at him and spoke flatly.

“You judge people by appearances.”

…

“Because I’m small. Because I look weak.”

His gaze swept past Philip to the watching students.

“Because I’m a mage who can’t use mana.”

No one cared why.

They only cared that he had flaws to mock.

Raon had been looked down on.

His presence, his pride—reduced again and again.

And he had lived as that character for ten years.

Mocked.

Ignored.

Despised.

If his family had cared even a little, it wouldn’t have been like this.

But they didn’t.

And the cruelty of those who recognize weakness is the worst.

“Try your best.”

Raon had no intention of being hurt by them anymore.

“If you don’t want to hear that you lost to someone you looked down on.”

Crack!

The chain struck near Philip’s foot.

He flinched.

His balance collapsed again.

He fell.

Breathing heavily.

If it weren’t for the mana drain, he wouldn’t be losing like this.

But mana was everything.

And every touch of that chain weakened him.

He couldn’t move properly.

That chain… used as a weapon…

Philip looked up.

Raon seemed like a giant.

Was I wrong?

A small doubt appeared.

Had he been mistaken all along?

“GRAAAH!”

If that were true—

He had to prove it.

He forced his remaining mana into his muscles and charged.

He slammed into Raon and grabbed his neck.

Got him!

But—

Whirl!

“…!!”

His balance flipped.

Both fell.

The chain wrapped around his neck.

“Tch—!”

He grabbed the chain, trying to break free.

Mana drained.

Muscles weakened.

He forced more strength into his body—

It should break—

Tightening.

“Urgh…!”

His strength vanished.

No matter what he tried, he couldn’t escape.

How does that body have this much force?

It felt like being pinned by someone of equal size.

Then he realized.

Weight.

Raon was using his own body weight to compensate for strength.

And more than that—

Reflected in the ceiling glass, Raon’s face was expressionless.

His eyes were cold.

A hunter’s eyes.

That’s a failure?

If that was failure—

Then everyone else was worse.

A true failure has dead eyes.

Broken.

Crushed.

But those eyes—

They were burning.

Thud.

The chain loosened.

Philip collapsed.

He couldn’t even move a finger.

Raon stood.

Philip lowered his head.

…I was wrong.

“I… lost.”

…!

…!!

The classroom erupted.

At the same time, a message appeared before Raon.

[Sudden Event Completed!]

[Defeat Philip Oscula in a duel!]

Rewards: Mana Absorption Ring (Low), Chain Guard Gloves (Low).

The rewards have been delivered. Check your assigned room.

Raon calmed himself instantly.

…Was that too much?

The so-called failure had just defeated a duke’s heir.

This wouldn’t stay quiet.

He had caused a huge scene.

Still, it wasn’t a problem.

He was leaving anyway.

Even if rumors spread, it didn’t matter.

If anything, his family might process his withdrawal faster.

Easier to deal with him afterward.

Either way, it worked in his favor.

And more importantly—

He had understood the characters.

Philip’s personality was exactly as expected.

Strict. Arrogant. Straightforward.

A standard route character.

Unlike Raon, he was bound to the academy.

The only concern—

Would anyone suspect his identity?

Fortunately, the reactions were just shock.

Not suspicion.

Still.

Better to leave quickly.

Staying here would only make things troublesome.

Raon gestured to Abella.

She rushed over and supported him.

He turned.

“We’re leaving.”

Helena, who had been watching silently, raised her hand.

Clap.

“Everyone. Applaud.”

She began clapping slowly.

Soon, the sound spread.

Clap. Clap. Clap.

Amid the applause—

Raon walked out of the classroom.

And no one dared to stop him.