Chapter 35

The Duel System is not restricted by location. If desired, one can duel right where they are, but the system itself prepares an artificial space for the duel.

Thus, it’s possible to suddenly start a duel while eating, as is the case now.

[Doyugeon vs. Nam Taehwan]

[Location―Training Ground Basic 1]

[Non-lethal Mode]

[No Item Restrictions]

[No Skill Restrictions]

[Party Member Spectating Allowed]

[No Interruptions During Duel]

[A Spatial Transition Occurs]

In front of Doyugeon, a message appeared and then he and the Fire Mage vanished with a poof. There was no flashy effect―no magic circles, no white smoke, no bursts of light. It was literally just a disappearance, which felt off. The system really lacks style. Something like this should have some kind of effect.

I put down my chopsticks, wiped my mouth with a napkin, and looked around. Sure enough, there was an ordinary person nearby looking startled. It makes sense to be surprised when someone just disappears out of nowhere. For us with login privileges, this kind of thing is routine since we experience it daily, but regular people can’t log in or level up, so this could be their first time witnessing something like it.

I pressed the bell to call over a server.

“Could you give me a plate? I’ll be stepping away for a bit, but I’ll be back to eat, so please don’t clear my place.”

I received a plate and loaded it with an appropriate amount of chicken for snacking while spectating. Starting a duel while eating is a personal choice, but it’s better to think things through before acting. What if you come back to find your place cleared after the duel? Doyugeon is one thing, but the Fire Mage is an adult. I’m worried the kid might be learning the wrong things.

With the spectating privileges, I moved to the training ground. They were doing stretching exercises. I moved to a quiet corner. Looking around, there was no proper place to sit. The system has provisions for spectating, but there’s no designated viewing area. As usual, it’s always like this with the system. I crouched down as best I could. I should’ve brought a chair knowing it would turn out this way.

“Now that the young lady has arrived, let’s see some skills.”

The Fire Mage took up a stance at an appropriate distance from Doyugeon, pointing a common F-Rank sword. An explorer who runs a business wouldn’t only have this item, so it seems he doesn’t intend to use any items on the middle schooler.

[Doyugeon vs. Nam Taehwan]

In the middle of the training ground, the number 5 appeared and began counting down.

[Start]

“We begin!”

Doyugeon charged. The Fire Mage took a quick step back and extended his unarmed hand, muttering something. A fierce flame flared up and a fireball formed on his palm. The embers flickered around. It was bigger and more splendid than the fireball he showed during the offline session last time.

I might forget this since my skills are somewhat useless, but active skills have levels. The more you use them and the more proficient you become, the stronger they get. Also, the magic patterns change accordingly, so the fireball I copied would be weaker than the Fire Mage’s since it’s a lower-level one.

Although I did copy a high-level freeze buff from someone to reinforce my magic barrier, I didn’t do it for the fireball. It’s simply more practical to just unleash raw magic.

Still, watching it now, it’s kind of captivating. A true wizard ought to be this flashy. Throwing around magic that’s invisible to others might be effective, but it doesn’t look very impressive.

The fireball flew. The kid easily dodged by twisting his body. The fireball hit the ground behind him, igniting flames over several meters. Wow, that’s powerful.

I picked up a piece of chicken and ate it. It’s a bit cold.

“You’re good at dodging!”

“That’s basic!”

“So, how about this?”

Closing the distance, the Fire Mage launched another fireball. However, the fireball wasn’t aimed at Doyugeon but at the ground near him. The fireball exploded. Although the kid managed to evade in time, the explosive force still hit him.

The scene startled me enough to make me stand up. Despite the non-lethal mode, it was unsettling to witness firsthand.

As the kid stumbled from the impact, the Fire Mage, who had moved in silently, thrust his sword. A solid thrust versus a compromised stance’s sword strike―the outcome was obvious. But Doyugeon’s sword stroke overturned the disadvantage and knocked the Fire Mage’s sword away. Doyugeon then stepped in and cleanly struck at the Fire Mage’s neck.

The startled Fire Mage took a step back. Doyugeon’s sword barely grazed his neck. As Doyugeon took a step forward to follow up, the Fire Mage smirked.

“Fireball.”

The fireball collided with the ground beneath Doyugeon and exploded. The explosion directly hit him, wrapping him in flames. Doyugeon fell to the ground. The Fire Mage was also engulfed in flames, but since he didn’t take a direct hit and Doyugeon absorbed most of the fire, he remained standing unharmed.

[Nam Taehwan Wins]

A system notification appeared in the middle of the training ground.

Looking down at Doyugeon lying on the ground, there were no signs of fire or burned clothes. He doesn’t seem to be injured. Naturally, the non-lethal mode is in effect.

The Fire Mage laughed.

“Haha! You’re impressive. I didn’t expect to be pushed this far by someone without duel experience.”

“That was a bought fireball, right? How many can you use?”

“Trade secret.”

He’s talking fine.

“Alright then.”

I looked at the plate and noticed there was no chicken left. I only ate one piece, so it shouldn’t have disappeared, but a glance at the floor revealed the pieces I’d dropped when I stood up in shock when Doyugeon was hit. Hmm.

I squatted down and picked up one with my chopsticks. There’s no dust or anything on it. Duel-generated spaces differ depending on the place, but they are generally clean. According to the Explorer Guild’s research, these spaces are created free of dust and bacteria.

This one is no different. Though it’s a training ground, the floor isn’t covered in dirt or sand but is instead paved with something akin to marble, and it looks very clean. Thus, placing chicken on a plate or throwing it on the floor here would hygienically produce similar results. Unless it lands where shoes have touched.

It’s clean, but the idea alone makes me hesitate to eat it. The best option would be to discard it and get new chicken, but that’s too much effort.

As I sneakily observed the two talking, I gathered the fallen chicken with a bit of magic and approached the Fire Mage.

“The winner has the privilege to eat chicken.”

I held the plate high.

“Oh. Chicken, that’s good.”

The Fire Mage picked one and ate it happily.

“It’s tasty.”

“This place is a hidden gem.”

Watching others eat didn’t ease my discomfort as I’d hoped. I don’t want to eat the chicken that fell on the floor. I’ll have to throw it away and get new chicken.

“Give me some too.”

Doyugeon, unable to stand due to the effects of the non-lethal mode, spoke from the ground.

I shook my head.

“It’s not healthy.”

“But you ate it just now!”

That’s just how I feel about it.

I exited the space and returned with new chicken. Coming back, I saw that Doyugeon was moving his body around, seemingly fine. It’s said the inability to move in non-lethal mode varies depending on the situation, but it seems the effects wore off quickly this time.

“When your neck was targeted, I was startled. First-time duelists usually have trouble wielding their swords. Don’t you feel the pressure?”

“In non-lethal mode, what’s there to hesitate about?”

“You adapt quickly. It’s nice to be young, though I shouldn’t be saying that. Hahaha!”

I moved to a corner. This time, I didn’t forget to bring sauce and placed a bowl beside me. I dipped a piece of chicken in honey mustard and took a bite. This place makes their own sauce, giving it a unique taste. The lingering spice suggests it might have mustard seeds. Is it honey mustard or honey-mustard mustard? I gave up on that thought. If it tastes good, that’s all that matters.

Doyugeon finished stretching and aimed his sword.

[Doyugeon vs. Nam Taehwan]

The countdown began, and the “Start” system window appeared.

Silently, Doyugeon charged at the Fire Mage. The fireball was launched even before a few steps were taken. It was faster magic casting compared to before. The Fire Mage seems intent on not holding back. One should know when to lose like an adult, right? There’s no need to intimidate anyone.

Still, Doyugeon seemed prepared for the rematch. When the fireball came, he didn’t evade but moved closer. His sword was swung, and the fireball split into two. The magic pattern broke, causing the fireball to dissipate harmlessly instead of exploding. What’s going on? How did he manage that?

Doyugeon’s expression suggests he was surprised by his own success.

“Does this work?”

What does “this work” mean? Were you planning to get hit if the fireball had detonated? Earlier, you mentioned wanting to try cutting magic. I thought that was risky and didn’t recommend it, yet here you are doing it.

Startled, the Fire Mage spoke up.

“Surprising, but the duel is still ongoing.”

Another fireball flew. Doyugeon cleanly sliced it apart.

“There’s no need to do more. I already won with that.”

“You never know. Just because a swordsman defeating a mage is a common internet belief doesn’t make it true. Let’s see if that earlier strike was a fluke!”

This time, the Fire Mage charged at Doyugeon. As the sword strike came, Doyugeon deflected it.

The Fire Mage took advantage of the momentary opening, creating a fireball with his bare hand and aiming it at Doyugeon. Given the close distance, an explosion would harm both parties.

Still, he used it, which means he must have another way out. The most likely option is using an item. But is it fair for a middle schooler without money to win by item power?

Doyugeon forcibly swung his sword and cut the fireball, his stance collapsing severely in the process. The Fire Mage let go of his sword and barreled into Doyugeon.

“Ugh!”

With his stance already compromised, Doyugeon fell. As they both went down, the Fire Mage drew a dagger from beneath his clothes and swung it multiple times.

[Nam Taehwan Wins]

Wait, what? The Fire Mage stood up, and Doyugeon objected.

“That’s a foul!”

“What’s the foul?”

“Isn’t that?”

He shook the dagger, a common F-Rank one.

“Not that. What’s the issue with using items and firing fireballs in close range?”

“Haha!”

The Fire Mage shook his head.

“An item like that does exist, but I wasn’t wearing it just now.”

“Then what about just now?”

“That’s obviously mind games. Whether I have the item or not, if I can make you believe I do, that’s all that matters. This is real combat, haha!”

What a cheater.

Afterward, there were two more duels, and Doyugeon lost both. Despite clear swordsmanship superiority and the ability to cut the fireballs, small cunning tactics cost him the matches.

This is a blatant difference in experience. The Fire Mage, preparing for an explorer business, must have been actively using the Duel System since its update two months ago. Doyugeon, on the other hand, had no such experience because I didn’t encourage dueling, making this his first time. A natural loss, then.

Still, it’s frustrating. Losing to someone weaker seems problematic. Doyugeon seems to need some more experience. I don’t want to duel him, so I should talk to the Security Team Leader and find an appropriate opponent.

Then again, providing such assistance might hinder his studies. It’s something to think about.

*

After finishing our meal, I parted ways with the Fire Mage. While I should probably head home, I felt a subtle sense of regret, so I suggested a walk with Doyugeon to help with digestion.

As we were walking, it occurred to me.

“Instead of walking, let’s just head to a café.”

“We haven’t walked very long.”

He pointed behind us. Sure enough, we were still close to the chicken shop. We hadn’t walked far at all.

So what?

“My legs are tired from walking.”

“If you’re tired already, it’s clearly a lack of exercise. Shouldn’t we walk more?”

You’re making a good but unnecessary point. Logging in makes us fly around too much, causing us not to walk enough. Lately, commuting to school has increased my walking, and mom subtly reminds me about it, so I walk around more at home too.

“Regardless, since we’ve eaten, we should have coffee.”

“You just drank coffee.”

We had coffee from the vending machine at the chicken shop, just a few minutes ago.

“That’s different from this.”

He’s continuously losing today, so he’s in a bad mood and not cooperating.

I grabbed his arm and led the way. Seeing a Starbucks nearby, I glanced at it and intentionally bypassed it. I expected him to question it, but he just accepted it with a nonchalant expression. What’s with that look?

We walked a bit, turned into an alley, and went deeper. Soon, a cozy local café tucked away in the corner came into view. Its location was perfect for being under the radar. It feels like the owner opened a café as a hobby but doesn’t want the hassle of having customers, so it’s in a less-than-ideal spot.

This was a café Yumina recommended before parting today. She said the coffee was tasty and that there would be no customers. I don’t know much about coffee flavors, but since she recommended it, I figured I should check it out. Once home, I might not be motivated to venture out to places like this.

Upon entering the café, only the owner was inside. There were no customers. I casually sat down. What’s on the menu here?

As I glanced at the menu, which had no cakes, I suddenly felt a strong wave of magic power. What was that? Was it just my imagination? It was too massive not to be suspicious.

…

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