Chapter 5: Inequality Seconds

A “ordeal,” huh?

That sounds all too real.

Seeing the new task pop up on the system panel, Aetin’s brow furrowed slightly as he stared at the line:

“Success Through Rufus’ Ordeal.”

What exactly did this “ordeal” entail?

The system’s prompt was vague, offering no task description whatsoever.

“So, is Senior Rufus jealous?”

Aetin glanced at Rufus approaching from a distance and decided to test his reaction first, replying with a look of nonchalance and a faint, almost imperceptible smile curling at his lips.

Upon hearing Aetin’s words, Rufus’s footsteps noticeably faltered, his expression instantly darkening.

This time, he had come to watch Seres during the practical training session, only to walk in on Aetin’s intimate contact with her—this transfer student actually pressed down on the girl Rufus had his eyes on.

On top of that, Aetin had previously humiliated him publicly.

Old grudges mixed with fresh wounds, almost making it impossible for Rufus to keep his composure.

But to maintain his image, though he wanted nothing more than to tear the transfer student to pieces, he forced down his rage and refrained from an outburst in front of everyone.

Still, he had reached his breaking point and was determined to teach this insolent kid a lesson—to make an example out of him.

Daring to snatch my woman?

You must be begging for trouble.

“How dare you speak to your senior like that?”

“Rufus Senior is someone you think you can tease?”

Several boys who had been watching nearby immediately surrounded them, eager to curry favor with the academy’s noble son, joining in the chorus of objections.

A few fangirls who admired Rufus hid behind the crowd, whispering among themselves and casting disdainful glances at Aetin.

“This transfer student really has a sharp tongue.”

Rufus took a deep breath, straightened his collar, and forced a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

“I don’t know how your actual combat skills are, but do you have as much skill with your mouth?”

The crowd instantly quieted, all holding their breath in anticipation.

Rufus was pleased with this reaction and deliberately raised his voice.

“Since you’re so confident, why don’t we have an Academy Duel?”

At once, other students resting in the distance came over.

Some wore expressions of schadenfreude, others shook their heads sympathetically.

Though Seres still leaned against a nearby wall, she subtly adjusted her stance and glanced over with a somewhat distant look.

Aetin could feel countless eyes fixated on him now.

The smirks of confidence on Rufus’s followers made it clear they expected an easy victory.

But before proceeding, Aetin had a question.

“What exactly is an Academy Duel?”

“Oh, you just transferred in and don’t know yet? It’s a sparring match between students, with each side putting something up as a wager.”

Rufus gave a meaningful smile, deliberately slowing his speech.

Seeing the slight change in Aetin’s expression, he quickly added,

“Don’t worry, it’s just sparring—no one’s life is at stake.”

Now Aetin understood.

The “ordeal” in the system task was probably this almost impossible-to-win Academy Duel.

Rufus’s intention was crystal clear: to use this opportunity to teach him a lesson.

Honestly, Aetin didn’t want to clash with Rufus in training right now, especially with no mentor present.

Given his current strength, a fight would be a guaranteed loss.

But from another perspective, the system task only required him to “survive the ordeal,” not necessarily win the duel.

There was some wiggle room.

Although Aetin didn’t want to face off with someone as strong as Rufus now—after all, he was just a rookie who knew a few sword moves—he was absolutely not going to engage in a losing battle.

Yet completing the task meant earning points, and he urgently needed those points to improve.

During Aetin’s brief silence, Rufus misread it as fear.

After all, his strength ranked among the academy’s best, and handling a transfer student was a breeze.

His motivations went beyond punishing Aetin—this duel was a show of strength to everyone present, a declaration of his priority in choosing a partner.

Simply put, Seres was the woman Rufus had his eyes on.

Anyone causing trouble should first measure their own worth—otherwise, they’d end up like this transfer student.

“Our wager will be Seres. Whoever wins gets Seres. How’s that sound?”

Seeing Aetin say nothing, Rufus pressed his advantage, deliberately raising his voice so everyone could hear, his intent unmistakable.

Hearing this, Seres suddenly straightened up, her brows knitting tightly.

She was about to object but caught the black-haired youth shaking his head.

“I refuse.”

Though calm, Aetin’s voice was loud enough for all to hear.

“Afraid, are you?”

Rufus sneered, chin raised arrogantly.

Aetin smiled.

A challenge, huh?

Interesting.

“I’m not afraid. I refuse to use Seres as a wager.”

He shook his head and spoke clearly, even making sure those around heard him well.

“Seres is a living, breathing person—not some object or tool, and definitely not a stake in our duel.”

Those words struck Seres like a shock.

The icy beauty’s usually cold, distant expression cracked for the first time.

Her eyes blankly fixed on the black-haired youth, lips parting slightly without a sound.

In that moment, Seres couldn’t help but recall some unpleasant memories.

Her gaze toward Aetin grew complex.

“Besides, I have no special feelings for Seres. It’s only Rufus Senior who unilaterally sees me as a rival.”

Before Rufus could respond, Aetin continued, purposely wearing a confused expression.

“A prominent academy figure treating a transfer student who just arrived days ago as a fictional romantic rival—it’s something I can’t quite wrap my head around.”

“You bastard…”

Rufus recognized the sarcasm in Aetin’s tone.

His knuckles whitened as he clenched his fists, suppressing his anger to grit out,

“Enough nonsense. Are you taking this duel or not?”

At this moment, Rufus wanted nothing more than to put this insolent transfer student in his place.

Even if Aetin openly claimed no interest in Seres, his blatant provocation seriously damaged Rufus’s reputation.

If word got out, how would he ever maintain his standing in the academy?

Before Aetin could answer, Mentor Toronto returned, frowning the moment he saw Rufus.

“Rufus, what are you doing here?”

“Just passing by, checking out the juniors’ training,”

Rufus replied with a polite smile.

But when his gaze shifted back to Aetin, it instantly turned cold as he lowered his voice.

“You’re lucky. Don’t leave after class—I’ll wait for you in the Personal Training Room.”

“Sure,”

Aetin shrugged indifferently.

Seeing how easily Aetin agreed, Rufus snorted and turned away, cracking his fingers while already planning how to teach the insolent transfer student a lesson after class.

Once Mentor Toronto returned, the crowd quickly dispersed.

Aetin enjoyed the sudden peace, eagerly opening the system panel to see the message:

“Task complete, 100 points awarded,”

and couldn’t help but smile with satisfaction.

Yet to Seres, Aetin was just standing there, grinning at empty space.

She hesitated for a moment, then approached him.

“Aetin, you’re not seriously going to Rufus’s Personal Training Room, are you?”

“Huh? Only idiots would do that.”

Aetin snapped out of it and gave up on browsing the shop items.

“Then why did you agree to him?”

Confused, Seres asked.

“Agreeing doesn’t mean I’m going,”

Aetin tilted his head with a sly smile before adding without missing a beat,

“Let that guy wait all he wants.”

Seres paused, then couldn’t help but chuckle softly.

It was the first time Aetin had ever seen her genuine smile—beautiful, like the first thaw of winter ice.

“Aetin, you really are… quite a unique person.”