Chapter 11: Duel

“Duel me, Liyakade!”

Early in the morning, Field stood right in front of Liyakade, pounding on Liyakade’s desk with determination, her expression anything but friendly.

“W-why!? Princess Field, I’m just a decent citizen!”

Liyakade hadn’t expected such a commotion so early. Field, who usually maintained a cool and aloof demeanor, had for the first time taken the initiative to speak to Liyakade—and now stormed over with anger, scaring her half to death.

N-no, this can’t be right. The original story never had a duel between Field and Liyakade, did it?

“Why? Heh.”

Field sneered and retorted, “Have you forgotten what you wrote yourself? Such filthy, disgusting words—you actually wrote them! Today, I fight for Alice’s dignity!”

I had no choice!!!

Liyakade raged silently in her heart. It was all because Irina Zi forced her to scribble nonsense in Alice’s book. Liyakade didn’t want to truly follow Irina Zi’s orders to write insults and curses about Alice. Although Liyakade’s approach was a bit divine, she couldn’t think of any better way.

“Princess Field!”

Alice also rushed over, anxiously shielding Liyakade.

“Didn’t we agree not to tell anyone?”

“I didn’t tell anyone the contents, I only told her I’d read it. But I simply can’t forgive what’s inside. Duel me, Liyakade!”

Seeing Alice protect Liyakade only stoked Field’s fury.

“Ahem, can I refuse?”

Liyakade asked, clinging to a shred of hope.

“No. If you refuse, I’ll…” Field hesitated. She wanted to threaten to reveal what Liyakade had written, but then realized this was a CP Story between Alice and Liyakade. She couldn’t let anyone else see it.

“I’ll tell everyone about your love letters to girls instead!”

Field wasn’t sure if this threat would make Liyakade accept the duel.

After all, writing love letters was normal for young people their age, even if it was a forbidden romance.

But Liyakade didn’t think that way. The moment Field mentioned this, cold sweat broke out on her forehead. If Irina Zi found out Liyakade’s “scribbles” were actually love letters to Alice, Liyakade would be finished.

“Fine! I have no choice but to accept!”

Liyakade clenched her small pink fists, ready to face a life-or-death challenge again.

“If I win, Princess Field can’t reveal anything I wrote!”

“Agreed.” Field raised her right hand solemnly.

“I swear in the name of Calderra, if I lose to Liyakade, I, Field, will never reveal any of Liyakade’s writings.”

“And vice versa.” Field paused, eyes sharp as she pointed at Liyakade. “If you lose, you must stay away from Alice. Do you understand?”

“Fine.”

With that, the group marched proudly toward the Arena. Alice was worried about the outcome of this fight. She didn’t want to lose Liyakade as a friend, nor see Field stubborn over the book issue. So more than anything, Alice hoped Liyakade would win this duel.

Field drew her sword, took up a stance, and pointed the blade at Liyakade.

Liyakade’s expression was serious but inside she was calm.

Having played the game multiple times before, Liyakade knew Field’s current strength well. Field specialized in Fire Attribute Magic and practiced Magic-Sword Dual Cultivation.

Her sword techniques were superb—but that was after she had fully graduated. At this stage, Field was still weaker than Liyakade.

Though Liyakade was a side character in the game, she was the first mini-boss and also a Hidden Boss. It wasn’t until after the second semester ended that Field and Alice’s stats would slightly surpass Liyakade’s, except for the True Ending. So now, Liyakade could easily handle Field.

“Take this!”

Field imbued her blade with flames and swung at Liyakade. Liyakade waved her small hand and sent several wind blades flying toward Field, who met the attack with successive strikes, blocking them easily.

After a round of defense, Field’s momentum showed no sign of faltering. She thrust her sword at Liyakade’s shoulder.

Liyakade infused herself with Wind Element and twisted her body just in time to dodge the strike.

“Damn it.”

Just as Field prepared to reposition for another attack, Liyakade struck first. A fierce wind howled around her, bringing a powerful gust that left everyone gasping for air.

Then she pushed forward with both hands, and a violent gale surged at Field, sending her flying backward into a tree trunk. Her sword slipped from her grasp.

No wonder she’s a Hidden Boss. Her stats really are terrifying. No wonder the story never showed Liyakade fighting again after the True Ending. The Academy’s assessment of her strength had always been very high.

Feeling the whirlwind in her hands, Liyakade couldn’t help but marvel.

“How… can she be this strong?”

Field felt the world spin as she was thrown out, her sword lost. There was no doubt—she had lost this fight.

This feeling of helplessness hadn’t visited Field for a long time. Squinting, she looked toward Liyakade not far off, feeling a strong sense of déjà vu.

Liyakade, like that other person, was Wind Attribute. Normally, wind should help fire grow. Fire Attribute should counter Wind Attribute, yet here Field was treated like a toy, unable to fight back.

This sudden realization shook Field’s mindset to the brink of collapse.

“Damn it!”

Alice wanted to step forward to comfort Field but saw her suddenly run off alone.

“Princess Field!”

Alice called out, but Field didn’t look back and dashed straight outside the Academy.

“What do we do? Princess Field seems really hurt,” Alice looked helplessly at Liyakade, hoping she had a solution—though she seemed to forget Liyakade was the one responsible for Field’s despair.

“…Sigh. Alice, you go back to class first. I’ll go find her.”

***

“Damn it, damn it! Why is it wind again? Why can’t I win when I’m supposed to have the advantage?”.

Field kicked away a small stone blocking her path on the hilltop behind the Academy, sulking. “It’s already taken so much from me, and now it wants to take my new friends too? Wind Attribute bastards, all of them are good for nothing!”

“Because Princess Field hasn’t grown strong enough yet.”

“Who’s there?”

Field quickly turned her head to see Liyakade standing there.

“Good day, Princess Field,” Liyakade greeted respectfully.

“By the way, you lost your temper today.”

“Are you here to mock me?”

Field frowned at Liyakade’s sharp words.

“No. Alice was worried about you and asked me to help find you.”

“Tch… so fake. I promised not to expose your secret, so just leave already.”

Annoyed and distracted, Field showed no warmth and hurried Liyakade away.