CHAPTER 243: CLASS S DUEL

While Vania grumbled under her breath, Andine spoke up with a bright smile.

"I didn’t expect to get only one opponent. You guys also have just one, right?"

"Your popularity is off the charts among the first-years," Miki teased. "Honestly, I’m the one confused about why I only have one challenger."

"Probably because not many are confident in their non-offense skills," Andine replied.

Miki grinned and nodded. "Funny thing is— I’m not confident in mine either."

Gara turned toward Miki —the gossip boy who always knew everything— though, ironically, was never that open about himself, especially about his own Talent.

From what Gara had seen through the status panel, Miki possessed a Dwarf Bloodline, even though he clearly had no Dwarf ancestry.

His Talent was Augmentation Touch, something that sounded like an enhancement-type ability, probably for strengthening weapons.

But Gara wasn’t entirely sure, since they didn’t share many classes together.

Because both Miki and Jett didn’t have any offensive skills, they couldn’t be challenged in an offense duel. Instead, they had their own type of match.

According to the schedule Pere handed out, their duel would be held in this hall, while the others would take place at the back field.

"Good morning, students." A calm, middle-aged voice with pointed ears pulled Gara’s attention forward.

Standing on the stage was Headmaster Asta Elfutih, giving a short speech before the duels began.

Gara’s gaze swept through the crowd, searching for Agus Soren —Revan’s grandfather and the academy’s vice headmaster— but once again, he didn’t spot anyone who even resembled Revan.

"Guess he’s a vice headmaster only on paper," Gara muttered under his breath.

After the headmaster’s speech came a few words from professors and some instructions from staff, none of which Gara really paid attention to.

He only snapped out of his daze when everyone was told to move to the back field for the first duel.

"Revan, how does it feel to be the opening match?" Miki asked, excitement clear in his tone.

"I’ll do my best," Revan replied, his voice calm and steady. "Hopefully, after this duel, the ten of us can still stay together in this class."

"You’re already solid, Revan. Let’s hope the rest of us can hold on too," Miki said, grinning. Revan nodded back sincerely.

When they arrived at the back field, a staff member immediately called Revan to step into the prepared arena.

He turned to the Class S students, greeting them with a confident smile. Of course, not everyone was as warm, Vania looked too busy worrying about her own fate, and Mona kept her head down, her gloomy aura almost visible.

Aside from those two, three others didn’t cheer either— not because they didn’t want to, but because Revan simply didn’t look their way.

Revan stretched out his hand toward Andine, but when his gesture almost reached Gara, it stopped awkwardly mid-air.

Andine, standing nearby, looked just as uncomfortable.

"Revan," she called softly.

"I’ll be going in now," he said, lowering his hand before flashing a hesitant smile at Gara, Fian, and Madha.

"Is he still looking down on you guys?" Andine asked, frowning.

"I don’t think so," Miki replied. "Maybe he’s just awkward. You all haven’t really talked properly since... you know, that incident."

"Yeah, but that also means he’s not as self-centered as before. He’s starting to see things from others’ perspectives," Madha said quietly.

Gara nodded in agreement. Remembering Langga’s comment about Revan and seeing how the guy had been acting lately, Gara realized Langga had probably been right.

Revan wasn’t a bad person.

"If there’s a good time for it," Gara said, glancing at Madha, "we should try talking things out properly with him."

Madha nodded in return.

Inside the duel arena, Revan’s opponent could do nothing but defend himself. He couldn’t even move an inch.

The Water Rainstorm truly lived up to its name. It was a storm in every sense, tearing through everything in its path. Even the grass around the opponent’s feet was ripped clean off the ground.

"Insane... who could even beat Revan?" Andine muttered in awe.

"He’s the top student of the first year," Miki replied matter-of-factly. "Of course no one here could take him down. What’s strange is that someone even dared to challenge him."

"Maybe they just wanted to make the day more exciting," Jett said with a small laugh. If he wasn’t in Class S, he might’ve done the same just for fun.

Miki, already used to Jett’s odd sense of humor, didn’t bother responding.

It didn’t take long before Revan’s opponent raised his hand in surrender.

The crowd erupted in cheers, even the second and third years who had come to watch were praising Revan’s strength.

Revan smiled shyly, looking almost embarrassed by the attention.

"He’s not only handsome but also strong, friendly, and kind!"

"He’s nothing like the usual vampires."

"Do you think he’d accept me if I confessed?"

"You’d need to be from a noble family like Andine Karina to even have a chance."

The students’ comments quickly drifted from admiration to gossip, their voices buzzing across the field like bees.

After Revan’s match ended, it was time for Vania’s duel.

This one drew just as much attention. Rumors that Vania couldn’t control her Talent had already spread throughout the academy.

Vania clenched her teeth. "They really think I’m weak?"

Among the Class S students, Miki looked uneasy.

"I didn’t see what happened in the Offense Class before," he said, "but just from what I heard, Vania was in serious trouble. I hope she doesn’t recklessly use her Talent again."

"You’re surprisingly concerned for someone who insults you all the time," Gara blurted without thinking. He hadn’t meant to sound snide, but the words slipped out before he could stop them.

Miki just chuckled. "I don’t know. I guess... sometimes I just feel bad for her."

"Feel bad?" Andine frowned. "What’s there to pity about that arrogant girl?"

Miki only shrugged, clearly as confused as everyone else.

Gara silently agreed with Andine. He couldn’t wrap his head around how Miki’s mind worked.

Meanwhile, inside the arena, Vania didn’t use her Talent at all.

Instead, she relied solely on the Tiger Clan’s traits —her sharp claws and incredible speed— to overwhelm her opponent.

When Vania finally won and stepped out of the arena, Andine turned to Gara. "You’re up next, right?"

Gara nodded.

...