I was unintentionally dragged into the second incident of the novel.
The match was scheduled for Monday, so I had a weekend to prepare myself.
It was fortunate for me because I am expecting to break through to Rank-E on the weekend. Nevertheless, Hiro and I would likely be able to beat them even without my rank-up.
The second-year would have an average rank of Rank-E and if someone is extremely talented then they would have achieved Rank-D. So, Lucas and Rowan are probably Rank-E+, which can be described as being more talented than most students.
Lucas fights against Hiro in the novel and ends up humiliated as a result. Even if you add in Rowan, I don't see them winning against Hiro who is also at Rank-E +.
Anyway, I need to raise my rank, and I prefer to do it sooner rather than later. And it is always a wiser choice to get stronger earlier than later.
I was already at the peak stage of Rank-E - and I only needed the opportunity to breakthrough. I had the Galanthus Nivalis flower, which increased my chance of breaking through to Rank-D.
I took out my Galanthus Nivalis flower and placed it inside my mouth. I slowly chewed the flower and felt refreshed.
It was like diving into a waterpark on a hot day and swimming as deep into the coolness as I could. The flavors burst through Iris's tongue and spread through My body.
The air tingled with them and I let out a slow, contented breath. My fingers found the sudden energy in my body and twitched with it.
The mana was surging like crazy and it was getting hot in my abdominal area. Burning heat radiated from my pelvis and swelled up my back and shoulders. An urge rose in me, a desire to release the heat that was building up toward my heart.
I circulated all the energy of the Galanthus Nivalis flower into the heart and veins. This process continued until I broke through Rank-E.
The hour-long process was very painful. However, I could easily endure this level of pain. The pain of using Dual Art was on another level, in comparison to eating the Galanthus Nivalis flower, which was a bit uncomfortable for my body.
Though a normal person might have passed out from this level of pain.
After that, I could feel my body absorbing mana more than before and my mana quality feels sharper and stronger.
My musculature became more defined and my body was more powerful.
[ "Okay then let me check how much my stats have grown. Status" ]
[ Rank SS: Parallel Memory ]
A skill that enables the user to get memories of their alternative self from another world.
Side Effect: The user may sometimes be overwhelmed by the emotion and personality of the alternative self.
[ LVL 3: Shadow Style proficiency: Proficient ]
Art that enables the user to use the sword as if the sword is a shadow. The sword slash will be faster and stronger than a normal swing. After mastering the Shadow Style, the user will be able to move and attack using the shadow.
[ LVL 9: Cryomancy: Practitioner ]
Magic Art is said to have been made by the strongest Ice mage in history after fighting the Ice dragon. The user will be able to use ice magic to freeze the enemy to death. The Ice related skill will be twice effective and the user will gain tolerance to Cold. After mastering the Cryomancy, the user may be able to freeze the world.
[LVL 6: Dual Art: Beginner ]
A unique Art created by Zero. The Art combines two Art into one. The power and effect depend on the Art that has been combined.
Pretty Good. Strength and Mana are already rank-D, and all other stats are also rank-E+. My stats are certainly on par with rank-E + normal humans.
Therefore, I'm pretty confident that I might be able to take care of both seniors even if I were alone. With Hiro as a teammate, there is no way we could lose that stupid fight.
I spent the rest of the weekend consolidating my new strength.
It was arranged that the fight would take place in the morning, and even the students were invited to watch. Professor definitely wants to humiliate me and Hiro in front of the students.
I first met up with Hiro. I want to hear what plan he has to win in this battle.
[ "Oh, Good Morning, Zero." ]
With a nonchalant expression on his face, he stood at the dueling place. He was not nervous at all, I think he is confident about winning.
[ "How do you plan to beat them? Any strategy?" ]
[ "I plan to fight them alone. I also apologize for dragging you into this mess. I don't know why they are dragging another student just to fight me." ]
He doesn't know that professor William instructed those students to harass him and the reason they targeted me is not because of you but because professor William told them to.
[ "Hm, I understand." ]
I couldn't be happier if you could beat them by yourself. Considering Hiro's strength, it will be an easy fight for him unless Lucas and Rowan have a viable strategy to deal with Hiro.
[ "How about you? Have you any plans for the fight? Maybe you want to show your cool side to Lisa by fighting them." ]
I was taken aback by his question. He didn't seem to be teasing me considering this situation, or perhaps he is taking this question seriously. Anyway, I have no interest in showing off anything to anyone.
[ "Well, I will leave all that cool stuff to you. But I will intervene if you are losing." ]
[ "Fair point. I will try my best to defeat them myself though." ]
We waited for the seniors and the professor who will serve as judges to arrive.
I could see that quite a lot of students had come to see the fight.
Everyone was curious about how the freshmen would perform in a duel with two second-year students. Although there were some doubts about the freshmen's fighting abilities, everyone was excited to see Hiro fight.
He is, after all, the most popular student in this school.
[ "Hey, I heard Hiro of First-year is going to fight Lucas and Rowan. What do you think about this fight?" ]
[ "A First-year letting his fame get to his head. He may be strong for a first-year but don't forget Lucas and Rowan are both Top-10 students of the second year. They will easily win against him." ]
[ "You are right but I am still interested in seeing the strength of Hiro. They say he has the potential to reach rank-SSS. Maybe he might win against them." ] …
Nobody was interested in me. They were just here to watch Hiro fight the seniors. They already consider this fight to be Two vs One.
[ "Well, I do think the freshmen are at a disadvantage. If the two seniors actually decide to fight together then the freshmen will lose for sure." ]
[ "Yeah, that's right. The newcomers' strength is not enough to deal with two second-year students." ] …
Even our classmates and other first-year students have accepted the result. They have seen the power of Hiro but they still believe that since seniors are both Rank-E +, they would easily win over Hiro who is Rank-E + and I who they think is Rank-F +.
Anyway, nobody believes we will win.
Lucas and Rowan came. With them was -
So, he came as the referee. Looks like the fight will not be as simple as it seems. Professor William will definitely help the seniors.
While I was thinking about such things, Professor William glared at me with anger. I could see lots of killing intent in his eyes. It seems he wants to take his anger out on me.
The Professor calls the two of us to come forward.
[ "Well, now that everyone is here. The fight will begin now. I will serve as the referee in this fight. Hiro and Zero of the First-year will be fighting against Lucas and Rowan of the Second year. It only counts as a win if your opponent is tossed out of the ring. Did you understand the rule? " ]
[ [ [ [ "Understood!" ] ] ] ]
[ "Okay then let's start!" ]