’That idiot is going to kill himself,’ Amelia thought, pure arrogance laced through her mind. ’He’s finished. Jameson is about to turn him into the academy’s personal clown.’

Back in Cassien’s perspective, he stood before the referee on his side of the arena.

"Identification and weapon of choice, please."

Cassien handed over his ID card, which the referee scanned through some futuristic-looking device.

The machine beeped.

"ID Registered! Contestant #1,059."

Cassien then passed him his pistol.

"I’m an augmenter," he said calmly. "No elemental affinities."

The referee inspected the weapon, turning it over in his hands before pointing it toward the floor.

Bang!

He didn’t pour much mana into it, just enough to test how it functioned.

"Got it. That all?" the referee asked, slightly curious.

"We’re only allowed one weapon as augmenters, aren’t we?" Cassien replied.

A small smile tugged at the referee’s lips.

"You’re smart for a first-year. Maybe this year’s candidates are better than I thought."

Cassien took back his weapon while the referee opened the entrance leading toward the sandstone arena.

"But the person you’re facing today is no joke."

Cassien smiled.

"What is it about him that has you so invested?"

"He’s a Sparrow," the referee answered. "That family has produced nothing but hotheads for generations, especially the ones who fought during the Arterious War decades ago."

He blinked calmly.

"But today’s just for fun. Don’t take this too seriously."

Then his expression shifted slightly.

"One piece of advice, kid. If you see him getting heated mid-fight, just drop to your knees and surrender. I saw that boy fight once when he was younger."

The referee narrowed his eyes.

"That kid is dangerous. No amount of brains is getting you out of this one."

Cassien stared at him for a second.

"Holy shit, how much longer are you going to glaze him for?"

The referee froze.

Cassien sighed.

"Just let me fight, old man. Stop getting in the way."

The referee clicked his tongue.

"Suit yourself, kid. Don’t say I didn’t warn you."

As Cassien stepped inside, officials activated the arena barrier.

A mana-infused magic circle expanded beneath both fighters, forming a protective dome around them.

This was where they could go all out.

If things escalated too far, the officials would interfere.

But until then, it was simply between the two of them.

"Contestant #1,059 has entered the arena! Welcome, Cassien Artfold!"

The announcer’s voice echoed from above, filled with blatant mockery.

"Though after this fight, he might turn into Cassien Butfold after getting folded by the one and only—"

The crowd erupted.

That same man, the [Third-Rate Villain], finally made his entrance.

"Jameson Sparrow! Contestant #1,060! The prodigy born from a bloodline of hotheads! Give it up for him!"

The announcer laughed.

"Place your bets while you still can, folks!"

Outside the facility, word spread rapidly.

"Quick! Jameson Sparrow is fighting!"

"Hurry before all the seats get taken!"

"Damn it, I don’t feel like standing."

"It’ll probably end in one hit anyway."

Cassien glanced around.

’Since when was he this famous?’

He frowned slightly.

’Guess the novel really underestimated his popularity.’

Jameson stepped forward, locking eyes with him.

A slow smirk spread across his face.

"Well, well."

His gaze darkened.

"I’ve been waiting to kill you ever since you pulled that little stunt earlier."

He cracked his neck.

"Looks like your luck finally ran out."

Cassien remained relaxed.

"Did it?"

His voice dripped with mockery.

"Didn’t notice."

He tilted his head.

"By the way, how’s all that blood looking? Seems like they managed to scrape most of it off your body."

A vein visibly pulsed on Jameson’s forehead.

Those words hit harder than expected.

Jameson stomped against the ground.

Once.

Twice.

His irritation was practically leaking out of him.

"Fucking bitch."

Cassien’s grin only widened.

"The way you smile really pisses me off."

Cassien turned slightly to the side.

"Oh?"

He looked back at him.

"Then do something about it."

The crowd grew louder.

The stomping beneath Jameson’s boots became more aggressive.

The referee stepped between them, whistle hanging from his neck, covered in scratches from years of use.

"A fair fight. No cheating."

His voice boomed.

"If you’re an augmenter, one weapon only."

He pointed between them.

"If you’re a dual-element mage or higher, you may only use one affinity."

He raised an arm.

"Break those rules, and you’re automatically disqualified."

He glanced at both of them.

"Fighters ready?"

Cassien and Jameson both nodded.

The referee stepped back.

He blew the whistle.

"Then... begin!"

Immediately, both shifted into position.

Cassien drew his pistol.

Jameson extended both arms outward.

Flames ignited above his palms.

Mana surged violently through the fire and weapons alike.

One was a mage.

The other was an augmenter.

The audience exploded with cheers.

Not because they cared about both fighters.

But because one of them was considered a future star.

Boom!

Cassien fired first.

But the bullet barely traveled before it was consumed entirely.

Burned to ash midair.

As though it had been tossed into an oven.

Cassien narrowed his eyes.

’Everything’s still going exactly how it should.’

He exhaled.

’Only difference is the scenery.’

’One happened in the cafeteria.’

’This one happens in the arena.’

...

Student council member number 10.

The purple darkness herself, in the flesh.

"Any other forms you need me to sign for student council matters?"

"None, Ms. Platini. You’re finished for the day."

Her butler, or rather, self-proclaimed assistant, bowed slightly.

Victoria stood from her chair.

"Got it."

She stretched her shoulders.

"I heard there’s a huge commotion happening at the practice facility. Maybe I should get going."

"No need for your concern, miss. The referees should have everything under control."

Victoria sat back down.

"Who’s fighting?"

"Well..."

He adjusted his glasses.

"Jameson Sparrow, of course."

Victoria sighed.

"The first-years truly love causing problems."

She leaned against her desk.

"And who exactly is stupid enough to challenge the third-strongest first-year in the academy?"

The butler paused.

For some reason, the other name felt fuzzy.

Like something was interfering with his memory.

"Hm..."

He tapped his jaw.

"I can’t seem to remember."

Victoria frowned. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"Adam, be a gentleman and stay on standby in case things escalate."

He bowed.

"As you wish, my lady."

He turned to leave, then suddenly froze.

His eyes widened.

"Oh."

He remembered.

He turned back around.

"Before I go, I remembered his name."

Victoria raised an eyebrow.

"What was it?"

"Cassien..."

Her eyes widened instantly.

"Cassien Artfold, I believe."

Victoria immediately stood.

She grabbed the jacket hanging neatly beside her office closet.

"Change of plans."

She slipped it on.

"I’m coming too."

...