### Episode 45. Revenge Match (2)
“Let’s begin the duel between Meitan Grace and Rab Netoire. The use of Aura and any mana is prohibited! You may only use physical techniques. Should either party feel the duel is too difficult to continue or decide to surrender, it will automatically be counted as a loss.”
Somehow, the rematch had been arranged.
Apparently driven by the desire to settle the score from the last time, Meitan was glaring at me with a venomous look.
Previously, due to overconfidence in an assured victory, he had underestimated his opponent. Now, as he realized his mistake, he was taking the match seriously.
As Meitan’s focused demeanor quietly exuded a fighting spirit, Rab started adjusting his stance, equally calm.
“This coin’s landing will mark the beginning of the duel. Now then, prepare…”
Ting!
The coin shot into the air.
Spinning in the air for a while, the coin finally began descending under the influence of gravity toward the ground—
Taiiiing…
“Haaaah!!”
Kwaang!
The moment the coin hit the ground, Meitan shot forward like a cannonball, launching himself from his prepared stance.
Even without the use of Aura, his explosive leg power startled the observing students. Meanwhile, Professor James was more impressed, glancing toward Rab with admiration.
‘Not moving at all… Or perhaps, is he tracking the movement with his eyes? It’s as if he foresees what Meitan is about to do.’
Although it might seem that Rab had frozen out of fear, he was actually calmly observing as Meitan approached.
‘Even if he possesses great natural physical prowess and has trained for a year in the basics, he won’t be able to win a direct confrontation. Thus…!’
By the time Meitan was practically in front of him,
Without breaking into a smile, Meitan thrust his fist forward, seeing that Rab hadn’t made any move yet.
“Dieeee!!”
A powerful punch that produced a sonic boom.
Although the teachers were supervising, it was clear that if this punch connects, it would likely lead to fractures or ruptures. Meitan felt certain that this blow would guarantee his victory.
“Hooo…”
Tsch-
At that moment, Rab deeply inhaled, then gently covered the incoming punch and guided it upwards, placing it on his shoulder.
At the same time, taking advantage of Rab’s grip, Meitan attempted to brake, but because of his excessive momentum, it proved impossible to slow down.
And withdrawing his arm wasn’t an option due to Rab’s considerable strength.
During this unforeseen situation, Rab calmly utilized Meitan’s acceleration by flipping him over his shoulder and back.
As Meitan’s balance collapsed, Rab swiftly kicked out his ankle, dismantling his support.
Booooom!
Floating eerily in the air with a piercing sonic boom, Meitan, who briefly saw the blue sky above and felt as if time had slowed, was instantly struck by a loud sound and expelled all the air from his lungs.
“Khhhaaaak!!”
A perfect suplex.
Rab had used a Judo technique, something he had seen a few times in his past life, to toss Meitan. Using the momentum of Meitan’s unconsciousness, Rab quickly climbed atop him, wrapping his arm around Meitan’s neck, pinning his arm under his armpit, using his weight to press down.
Meitan struggled to escape Rab’s hold, but with his joints pinned and suppressed by Rab’s weight, he could only kick the air in pain, unable to rise.
As Meitan’s struggles continued, Rab’s grip tightened inadvertently, causing Meitan’s movements to gradually weaken.
Right at that moment—
“Stop! That’s enough—!”
Professor James intervened, allowing Meitan to be released from Rab’s constraint.
—
“Winner: Rab Netoire. Any objections?”
…
Such a perfect victory left no room for any dissenters.
Even with not a single attack successfully landing, and being manipulated by his opponent’s strength, the outcome was unfortunate for Meitan. However, it seemed no one among the students doubted the duel’s fairness.
“Truly fascinating… Control techniques like these are relatively modern combat methods, and yet you have used them.”
…
In the otherworldly setting reminiscent of medieval times, most combat techniques prioritize ‘killing’ over ‘subduing’ due to the lack of sports and the absence of safe techniques. Therefore, these control methods have only recently gained prominence as the situation has become more peaceful.
“Meitan was too reckless. After hearing the rule that mana couldn’t be used, he overestimated his physical abilities and charged recklessly. That’s how he fell into Rab’s trap.”
“… Yes.”
“The technique Rab just used required almost no strength, adding just a bit more pressure on his shoulder and back. The fact that he was able to defeat you with such minimal effort means you would have lost more devastatingly if you were at full power.”
‘Hmm, it wasn’t exactly that.’
Given my brief year of basic training, I decided against direct combat and opted to subdue Meitan with other means. To the professor, it likely seemed like I was playing around like I’d do with a child.
“Rab Netoire has demonstrated that one can defeat an opponent with less effort. The ability to overcome a ‘5-power’ opponent using only ‘1-power’ means being able to handle more enemies using the same level of strength.”
Such a continuously appreciative gaze from Professor James toward me—
It was akin to the way a professor looks at a graduate student who eagerly exudes exceptional talent.
—
As fierce duels were taking place in the combat department,
Cecilia’s first class in the Department of Medicine had also begun.
“Ah, ah, ah… Hellooo… I-I am Professor Morgiana Hypothesis, the new main professor for the Medical Department…”
With slouched long black hair, an awkward, stuttering tone, and an inability to meet the students’ eyes, this mysterious woman known as the Witch of Medicine—who allegedly treats corpses and patients more intimately than living people—was a source of eerie rumors.
However, the truth was that her medical skills were indeed remarkable, having developed several tools and surgical methods admired by many.
“For today’s first class, I’ll assess how well all of you have adapted to this department…”
Click!
Upon Morgiana’s signal, an assistant brought in something covered by a black cloth, dragging it on a mobile bed. Upon its unveiling in the center of the students, it exuded a chilling atmosphere.
“Now, I’ll reveal it…”
“Yes.”
Swish—
“Kyaaaaaah!”
“Ughhhh…”
Once the black cloth was pulled away, there lay a human corpse on the bed.
Several students shivered, trying to avert their eyes due to the pale, dead body lying on the bed. Some others tried, in vain, to regurgitate their breakfast.
“In this department, some of you may have only studied medical theories, while others may already have some hands-on clinical experience. But directly facing a dead body is something that most of you haven’t encountered yet…”
Morgiana quietly approached the corpse and swept her hand over its cold, stiff skin as she explained.
“You will soon witness many stories of life and death during your career. And with that, you need the mental fortitude to directly face others’ deaths.”
Surprisingly, Morgiana’s speech became clearer as she stood next to the corpse, emanating a peculiar charisma that captivated the students despite the fearful atmosphere.
“Each of you will approach the corpse one by one and deduce the cause of death. You may look at it, touch it, or even turn it over; however you prefer is up to you.”
Despite the intense difficulty for a first class, moved by her speech, two or three students mustered the courage to approach the corpse.
Most of these students, who had merely been exposed to theoretical medical knowledge, only dared to tap the body lightly or carefully scrutinize the parts excluding the face.
There were, however, a few brave students who attempted turning the corpse over or examining the mouth.
“Then… it seems we only have one person left, Princess Cecilia?”
“Yes. Excuse me, Professor.”
“?”
“Are you certain there are no restrictions on the method?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“…Understood. Then—”
Without hesitation, Cecilia reached for the scalpel Morgiana had placed in her pocket.
Before anyone could react, Cecilia had already taken the scalpel, walked confidently to the corpse, examined it thoroughly, and then—
Puck—Ziiik…
“Huff!…”
“Uuuhh…!”
Ignoring the gasps and nausea around her, Cecilia sliced open the abdomen and began carefully inspecting the internal organs.
“…Hm.”
After thoroughly examining the inside, Cecilia approached the professor, wrote her findings on a note, and quickly handed it over.
Morgiana opened the note on the spot, confirmed the content with obvious satisfaction, and warmly welcomed Cecilia with a broad smile.
Having frequently treated severe injured individuals at the Guild, the corpse didn’t faze Cecilia much. However, the sight of her dispassionately dissecting the body filled the younger students with utter dread.
Thus, Cecilia unknowingly distanced herself by one step from her departmental peers.
