“Lin Yue·Hawk, I challenge you to a duel!”
After class, Lin Yue was just about to run outside for some peace and quiet, and to check when the Saintess would come to the academy, when this Yuan Rudel—much shorter than him—suddenly blocked his path and said these words.
Lin Yue raised an eyebrow, not understanding why this guy was picking trouble with him.
I didn’t provoke him, did I?
He thought back to the original plot and realized that this guy wasn’t someone who could influence the outcome, so he said, “Not interested.”
Standing by, Airella saw the scene and couldn’t help but say, “Yuan, what’s up with Lin Yue, did he offend you?”
Airella seemed much more cheerful now.
It was obvious that the misunderstanding had been cleared up, and she no longer felt burdened.
Normally, nobles shouldn’t get into conflicts so easily, but for some reason, Lin Yue was like a magnet, always attracting these people looking to pick a fight.
“Airella, this doesn’t concern you. In any case, I want to duel him!”
Lin Yue looked at the few people around him, all of them with the faces of spectators, and felt speechless.
Especially Gus and Charles—one was grinning from ear to ear, and the other was looking at Yuan with an expression like he was watching an idiot.
What are you looking at?
Aren’t you going to help me get rid of this fool?
Avelina Academy actually encouraged these duel invitations.
Principal Loserfer especially liked the romantic atmosphere of such challenges and would provide students with a place to settle their grievances.
But if you handled it badly, you’d end up with trouble all over you, and if anyone got hurt, their parents would make a fuss—what a pain.
To Lin Yue, as long as you helped with clearing the game, you were a good guy. But if you hindered his progress, he’d (censored), then (censored), and finally (censored).
Lin Yue didn’t want to bother with something so pointless, and was about to leave, but Yuan blocked his way again.
“A hero who withstood advanced magic, who turned the tables on an evil noble—yet you only have this much courage?”
Lin Yue sighed, not thinking much of these titles.
To achieve his ultimate goal of clearing the game, he’d even let his reputation get worse.
“I have no obligation to accept your duel, and I’m not a hero either. I just happened to solve the problem by accident before.”
“And, I’m afraid of pain.”
He threw out this sentence and was about to leave.
“Relax, we won’t compare magic or combat ability.”
Yuan promised, as if hiding something up his sleeve.
“If you beat me, I, Yuan Rudel, will supply all your potions and provisions in the future!”
Yuan declared this with the weight of his family name, determined to fight Lin Yue in a duel of honor.
He’s really going all in?
Not to mention the potion-making skills of his family—just Yuan alone could turn an entire adventurer party into a walking blood fountain.
With a proper production line, he could support an entire adventurers’ guild with no problem.
“Sigh…”
Looks like there’s no avoiding this.
I just want to quietly play the villain and side character, is that so wrong…
“I’m listening. Go on.”
Lin Yue crossed his arms, looking down at Yuan from above.
So what if you’re tall!
Yuan really hated men taller than himself.
Though his family excelled in pharmaceutics, all the males were ridiculously short.
He was considered tall among them.
But compared to these other nobles, all well-fed and cared for, he was nothing.
“We’ll compete in the brewing and processing of magical materials.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Gus, who had been dying to say something, couldn’t help but blurt out, “Hey, Yuan, that’s just bullying—brewing and processing materials is basically alchemy, right? You just want to pick a fight!”
Anyone could see that this was an impossible trap for Lin Yue.
“This is between me and him. Shut up, all of you!”
Yuan knew it wasn’t honorable, but if it came to a fight, he wouldn’t stand a chance against Lin Yue.
“I have a question: what’s worth you betting all this?”
Seeing Lin Yue finally show some interest, Yuan quickly answered, “Of course, it’s for Miss Isabella’s reputation! I, Yuan, hate those who toy with women the most!”
Lin Yue saw the kid sneak glancing over at Isabella and instantly understood.
So, he’s standing up for her, huh.
Thinking of what he’d done to the Valiana sisters before, it made sense that someone would come looking for trouble.
Are all these people lovesick?
Don’t they have anything better to do?
Lin Yue had always wanted to complain about this.
Studying magic, brewing potions, crafting tools—aren’t those better than constant fighting?
There really is no such thing as a shut-in in this game.
I hate dealing with people like this the most.
Isabella hasn’t said anything herself, plus I technically saved her life—self-righteous much?
“Lin Yue… I think he’s right, you should respond properly for once. Then people will stop doubting you.”
At this moment, Airella leaned on Lin Yue’s shoulder with a sly grin, whispering.
Serves you right. Who told you to be such a womanizer—now your love rival’s come for you!
Some people just love to watch the drama…
Lin Yue rubbed his temples, knowing this kid might look weak, but once he got stubborn, he’d keep challenging you at every skill until you gave in—play to win, and the second you lose, he’d gloat.
When he’d played the game, if not for that macho potion of Yuan’s, he wouldn’t have bothered with so many side quests.
Remembering how he’d used Allen to thrash Yuan in every aspect, he didn’t mind doing it again.
But who knows what kind of butterfly effect it might cause.
“You’ve told me the reward. What about the penalty?”
Yuan, thinking his provocation had worked, pressed the advantage.
“You’ll apologize publicly to the Valiana sisters! And pay compensation!”
Yuan grabbed his handkerchief and threw it at Lin Yue’s face, but being so short, he only managed to reach Lin Yue’s chest.
Watching Yuan’s self-righteous stance, Lin Yue was at a loss for words.
Does he really think he looks cool right now?
If I don’t agree, as long as Isabella doesn’t drop out, this kid will just keep pestering me until I lose.
Might as well lose to him on purpose, minimize any story deviation, and send a message to those watching me: I’m just a useless waste, stop testing my limits.
Ever since the exams, I’ve felt some strange gazes watching me.
Other than disguising myself, there’s no way to avoid it—so annoying.
Just as Lin Yue was about to agree, Isabella couldn’t bear it anymore.
She stepped forward and grabbed Lin Yue’s wrist, stopping him from throwing the handkerchief.
“Rudel, please show some respect!”
Half the class stared in shock as Isabella bent to pick up the handkerchief Yuan had thrown, fixing him with a stern look.
“My Valiana honor and reputation—we’ll reclaim them ourselves, as magicians and as noblewomen. We don’t need anyone fighting on our behalf.”
Oh, he tried to curry favor and ended up getting kicked instead.
Lin Yue laughed coldly in schadenfreude, finding it funny.
You didn’t even ask her before picking a fight on her behalf. Did you really think she’d be grateful?
If you hadn’t used the Valiana name, I’d at least think you were being a bit chivalrous.
Now it just seems petty.
Seeing Yuan’s face turn ashen, Lin Yue almost laughed out loud, but had to hold back.
“If you insist on using the Valiana name to challenge Lin Yue, then please, face me first.”
With that, Isabella’s entire body flared with burning magic, aggression maxed out.
But as she faced the enemy, Lin Yue behind her just felt a gentle warmth.
Her wrist is so warm—better than a hand warmer.
Lin Yue marveled at the soft, smooth feel of this rich girl’s hand.
No doubt she spent a fortune on skincare.
“I accept your challenge.”
Before Isabella could react, Lin Yue pulled his other hand free, snatched the handkerchief, and threw it at Yuan’s face.
“Three days from now, at the dueling arena. Don’t be late.”
Lin Yue agreed to the duel, his tone tinged with a sense of “no turning back.”
Isabella whipped her head around, not expecting Lin Yue to actually accept.
She grabbed his hand and dragged him out of the classroom, flustered.
If he accepts Yuan’s duel, won’t I have made an enemy for nothing?
What an idiot!
Seeing Isabella clutching Lin Yue’s wrist as they ran out together, Yuan stood dazed, handkerchief sliding off his face.
He couldn’t figure out why the usually cold Isabella would shield Lin Yue and even hold his hand.
“Sigh… you really thought you were being a gentleman, huh? Too late to back out now!”
Gus clapped a big hand on Yuan’s shoulder, picking up both handkerchiefs from the floor for him.
“Against Lin Yue, don’t think victory is guaranteed. He’s a sly one—you just might lose.”
Charles also stepped up, warning Yuan not to underestimate Lin Yue.
Lin Yue…
Ever since losing to this seemingly weak guy during the exams, his whole approach had changed.
He’d disciplined his underlings and stayed out of trouble.
Now, seeing Yuan challenge him, Charles couldn’t help but think: I should find a chance to resolve my own doubts about him.
Meanwhile, Airella, watching the two run out together, frowned, her expression no longer so bright.
Airella and Lin Yue are close—maybe…
…
The two of them, now outside the classroom and panting, reached a deserted stairwell.
“Are you stupid? Gus just said you’ll lose in a potion-making contest with him, so why’d you accept?!”
Isabella was agitated—not just because Lin Yue had done something dumb, but because she hadn’t had physical contact with him in a long time, making her restless again.
“That’s Rudel, Yuan Rudel! Their family’s potions can practically bring people back from the dead, you know!”
She was exaggerating, but dragging you back from the edge of death really wasn’t a problem.
How could Lin Yue, who never learned anything and just lived the high life, possibly beat Yuan?
Lin Yue, seeing this anxious woman, chuckled.
“Why didn’t you tell me earlier? He seemed so confident, I thought you sent him to cause me trouble.”
He wanted to tease Isabella a bit.
“N-no, I didn’t put him up to it, don’t get the wrong idea.”
Hearing Lin Yue’s words, Isabella crossed her arms and instinctively distanced herself.
She didn’t want him to misunderstand.
If this idiot accepted the duel for her sake, it wouldn’t be worth it.
But when Isabella looked up and saw his mischievous grin, she instantly realized he was teasing her on purpose.
“You! You’re just making fun of me!”
Isabella unleashed a flurry of “shooting star” punches—too fast to see, but the damage was low, just to show her annoyance.
“Right back at you, Miss Valiana. You grabbed me and ran—are you looking to start more rumors so we’ll have trouble going out again?”
It had been almost a month since the last rumors died down, but if anyone saw Isabella pulling him along just now, it would stir up trouble again.
Meanwhile, in the ordinary class classroom—
“Achoo!”
Maple rubbed her nose, unsure if it was from too many late nights or a cold, but she started sneezing.
…
“I… didn’t mean it…”
Isabella was clearly nervous too.
She thought Lin Yue was being stupid and wanted to explain.
Just thinking of his intimate behavior with Airella at the park days ago made her uncomfortable.
If Yuan hadn’t gone crazy today and started trouble, she probably would never have approached Lin Yue.
“I know, and thank you for standing up for me. This was never your problem, and you ended up playing the villain for me.”
Lin Yue changed the subject.
He knew that if this got out, they’d be teased for sure.
“He… using the Valiana name to challenge people for no reason—I couldn’t just stand by. Besides… you’re so dumb, who knows if you’d just let him humiliate you…”
Him?
Humiliate me?
Are you serious?
I’ll just take it as concern, then.
“Relax, I never take on anything I can’t win. Don’t you remember the exam? If I wasn’t confident, I would have finished you off back then.”
Now that Yuan could actually affect the main plot, Lin Yue saw no need to make him an enemy.
If anything, the sooner this guy joined the protagonist’s group, the better. Otherwise, if Allen went out grinding and died, who’d save him?
“Oh…”
Isabella realized there was nothing more to say.
The duel couldn’t be taken back, so all she could do was cheer for this idiot.
“Why have you been avoiding me lately?”
Lin Yue asked, confused about something that had been bothering him.
“You’ve been running around with Isabella. I had things to ask her, you know…”
Isabella became flustered when Lin Yue hit the mark: “I… how was I supposed to know if you’d trick her into something? I’m just worried Bella would be fooled by you, so…”
But as soon as she said it, Isabella regretted it.
What if he thinks I hate him now?
Even if you were lured away ten times, your sister wouldn’t be fooled once…
Lin Yue couldn’t help but twitch his lips.
No wonder she’s been dodging me like she stepped on a tail.
Turns out she was worried about her sister.
After that, Lin Yue stroked his chin, thinking that what he said the other day was pretty outrageous.
But explaining it now felt premature. He’d wait until she could stand on her own.
“Like I said before, you and your sister are both outstanding and beautiful. If you made me choose, I honestly couldn’t. So don’t worry—I wouldn’t do anything to her.”
Can’t choose between the two?
Lin Yue sure is greedy!
Hearing this, Isabella instantly blushed and turned her head away, muttering,
“Who asked you to choose, you shameless guy. Worrying for nothing…”
The subtext is clear: either you don’t want either of us, or you want both.
So hard to please.
Isabella scolded him outwardly, but inside, she thought: Why are you telling me this?
I’m not the one to decide.
Even if I agreed, I’d have to ask Bella…
Wait, what am I thinking?!
Suddenly Isabella realized how strange her thoughts were and bit her tongue to clear her head.
Besides, isn’t he into Airella?
He’s always with her, and yet he still thinks about that day… Men are all the same…
But Lin Yue really didn’t mean it that way.
“If there’s nothing else, I’ll be off. I still have to make a new dish for Lia tonight, so I need to buy ingredients.”
“Ah…”
Watching Lin Yue’s retreating figure, Isabella reached out, feeling strangely empty inside.
What’s wrong with me…