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A predator. 

He had gone hunting for bears before and almost died when he met a hungry one. 

He would’ve died if it wasn’t for the knight with him saving his skin in the nick of time. 

Memories of that time still lingered. 

It was imprinted in his mind. Now, the feeling from that traumatic event returned with force. 

'How come?' 

The look of the bear he saw then, the pressure it exuded. How could he feel that now from Raymond? 

He was scared. 

The hands he hid behind his back trembled terribly, and his throat was dry. 

"Ugh... uh..." 

His heart was beating so fast that he worried it might explode, and the closer he got to Raymond, the more difficult it was to breathe. 

'Is that Raymond...?' 

He didn't seem like the Raymond he knew. 

'This is impossible.' 

Kaham Ruhaman never missed a banquet held at Count Millennium's house. So, it could be said that he knew Raymond well. 

The Raymond he knew was so timid that he couldn't form his own opinion. 

Despite being the son of a wizard family, he couldn't even handle magic. 

He had every possible flaw one could imagine. 

That kind of person was exuding this kind of pressure now? 

'He must have used magic.' 

It didn't make sense unless he used magic. 

Right. After all, he was that Raymond. 

He could only show a little spine by relying on some trick. 

'I can't be swayed, or I'll lose.' 

The difference between before and after was so significant that Kaham could not face reality. 

He denied what he saw, saying it was impossible. 

'Take responsibility? I didn't do anything wrong. I just spoke the truth.' 

Perhaps he was too confused. 

Kaham said. 

"Then why don't you have a duel with me?" 

He swallowed hard and stared down at Raymond. 

What if he refused? 

No. Raymond wouldn't refuse. 

And if Raymond accepted, he would need to properly deal with the incompetent trash. 

Through a duel, Raymond would prove his inadequacies. 

When that happened, Kaham could prove that he wasn't wrong. 

'You can fool other people's eyes, but not mine.' 

Magic was a power close to omnipotence. So, something like that would be possible. 

However, no matter how much pressure or confidence could be expressed with magic, it would be of no use if the person didn't have the skills to back it. 

Even if he used magic, it didn't matter because Raymond was weak. 

He had only reached the 1st Circle at the age of 17, so there was no way Kaham was going to lose. 

'There's no way Raymond could refuse this.' 

Raymond cared about how people looked at him. Otherwise, he wouldn't react the way he did. 

So, he would accept the duel. 

'I guess I can vent out the stress I kept inside.' 

He would crush that cheeky attitude in public. 

Kaham had already let his imagination run wild. 

He imagined what kind of disgrace he would bring to Raymond’s name and how he would win. As he thought about it, a smile split his face. 

Having found his confidence, Kaham asked. 

"What will you do?" 

*** 

‘A duel, huh?’ 

I contemplated the sudden challenge for a while. 

What could be gained through a duel in the current situation? 

I looked around to find the nobles expectantly watching. 

"Did he say duel just now?" 

"Yeah. Kaham challenged Raymond." 

"Isn't the result obvious? Kaham is a skilled swordsman. But Raymond is still a 1st Circle wizard." 

They were whispering among themselves about an outcome they thought already decided. 

The majority said that Kaham would win, even though I had emulated Count Warrug's presence. 

'Does that mean their perception isn't good?' 

Or maybe the more I looked, the more I could see how much Raymond had been digging his grave. 

Thanks to that, I was suffering even more. If only I could meet him face to face, I would hit him at least once. 

'This isn’t bad, though.' 

I would just have to be worried if he was stronger than that young knight because otherwise, I was unlikely to lose. 

I didn't know what to do if he were stronger, though. 

'Several nobles are gathered here.' 

The banquets held at a wizard’s house were special. That was why many aristocrats participated. 

Among them, many would stand out and become famous in the future. 

'There's nothing wrong with showing them a good performance in advance.' 

These were people I should meet at least once, so in a way, this was the perfect opportunity to inform them of my existence. 

"I accept." 

One duel was fine. 

It was just sparring, but Kaham's face brightened as he carefully watched me. 

Was he happy that I accepted the challenge? 

'Is he a masochist or something?' 

He could be someone who liked to be beaten up. That must be why he wanted to fight so much. 

Well, that had nothing to do with me. 

Though it had been a while since I last held a sword. 

*** 

All the nobles in the banquet hall gathered to watch the duel between Raymond Millennium and Kaham Ruhaman. 

It was a big match. 

Raymond is Count Millennium’s son and only a wizard of the 1st Circle. 

Kaham of Viscount Ruhaman’s household, who were famous for their swordsmanship second to only Count Warrug's family. 

The nobles already predicted who would win: Kaham Ruhaman. 

Still, the reason why people gathered was that it would become a spectacle. 

Think about it. 

Where else would they see a count's son getting beat up? 

It was a rare sight, and it was natural for onlookers to gather to witness it. 

'But it annoys me that nobody thinks I'm going to win.' 

Who would like to be openly disregarded like this? 

At least, I don’t. 

"Please be careful." 

Selina said as I was about to go up to the arena. 

Please be careful? That could be taken in one of two ways. 

The first was to tell me to be careful not to get hurt. 

The second was to tell me not to go too far. 

It must be the second one, but I didn't intend on going too far anyway. 

"Hahaha. I will go easy on him, Lady Selina. You don't have to worry too much." 

However, since Kaham understood it as the first option, he slowly approached and spoke to Selina. 

Selina quietly bowed her head toward him before leaving. 

"She's shy as always." 

I don't think that’s the case. 

"Come on up." 

Kaham, who climbed up to the arena before me, said as he looked down at me. 

With a haughty flick of his fingers, he summoned me to his presence. I couldn't help but wonder if that wrist, so casually gestured, would snap beneath my fingers. 

"They'll duel." 

"But isn't the result too obvious?" 

"Don't say that. It's still fun." 

I heard the others speaking. 

They didn't even bother whispering anymore but were as loud as they pleased. 

I was looking forward to seeing their faces. 

Ignoring them to stand in the arena, the knights soon approached. 

"Please leave the sword with me." 

Without saying anything, I handed the sword over. 

I knew we couldn't use real swords that could kill. Still, I wanted to try using a real one. 

I can’t help it. 

I put my disappointment behind me and grabbed the wooden sword the knight offered. 

'This one is heavier than the other I held.' 

This one has a good grip. 

I tested its weight and looked at Kaham. 

He was wielding an identical one and checking his body’s condition. 

Then he nodded and smiled. 

Was he that confident? 

"Are you ready?" 

Kaham couldn’t be more relaxed. 

His countenance shone with such radiance that it was as if the fear that had previously drenched him had evaporated, leaving behind a new and dazzling version of himself.

But that’s because I wasn't 'acting' like Count Warrug anymore. 

That overwhelming pressure disappeared, so he was able to face me confidently. 

"But will you be okay? You're still a 1st Circle wizard. I think you’ll be at a disadvantage against me. If you're scared, we can stop this right now. Don't disgrace yourself over nothing.” 

Was he trying to put me down by emphasizing I was in the 1st Circle? 

I had no intention of playing along. 

"It makes me proud to say this, but you won't be able to handle a Ruhaman's swordsmanship." 

I let his words go in one ear and out the other. 

"I will give you the first move." 

He said, raising his wooden sword. 

[The 'Unknown God' watches you with twinkling eyes.] 

Give me the first move, huh? 

I had no intention of refusing. 

"Whoo..." 

A strange excitement enveloped me. I "acted" as the main character. 

The heat in my boiling head subsided, and my heartbeat slowed. 

"..." 

The onlookers surrounding the arena became quiet. 

Good. It would be unpleasant if it were too noisy. 

I looked ahead. 

Was it because he was the son of Viscount Ruhaman? 

The way he held his weapon was quite good—an excellent position to block and attack. 

Looking at that posture, I could tell how hard he'd trained. 

Not many people his age would be able to go head-on against him. 

'But, as expected...' 

He wasn't better than Selina. Unknowingly, I started to compare the two. 

Of course, Selina was better. 

'Then...' 

I tightened my grip and tensed my toes. 

Dash. 

I kicked off the ground with a surprisingly light step. 

My sword felt like a feather. 

"Huh...!" 

However, the results weren’t light. 

Clack. 

Kaham may have blocked my sword, but the shock in his eyes was palpable. 

I refused to meet his gaze and instead, with a graceful spin, I flipped my grip and aimed for his vulnerable ribs. 

But the clack of steel told me he was not one to be underestimated. Kaham quickly regained his composure and swung for my head in a deadly counterattack.

Clack. 

I drew back and casually struck aside the blow. 

'This can't happen!' 

Gritting his teeth, Kaham swung again. 

Whoosh. 

This strike seemed to have contained all his power as it passed over my shoulder with a heavy sound. 

Dodging, I went straight for his torso. 

Thwack. 

The wooden sword struck his stomach. Kaham groaned and almost fell. 

Thud. 

I reached out and caught him. Even though Kaham was in pain, he glared at me. 

He still hadn't fully grasped the situation. 

So, I let go of his collar and swung my wooden sword. 

Thwack, thwack. 

I was thorough with my strikes. 

"Ugh!" 

He screamed and swung at random. 

Thwack! 

I hit his hand with the side of the sword, causing it to fall, then kicked it back and grabbed it. 

"Ugh." 

He stepped back. 

I thought I had struck him hard but was his training paying off? 

I threw the wooden sword back at him. As he reflexively grabbed for it, I took a step forward and swung down. 

Clack! 

And I was rewarded with a pleasant sound. Kaham collapsed. 

I swiped at the beads of sweat cascading down my chin, lifting my gaze to survey my surroundings.