章節 3: Challenged

Lyons had his brows furrowed and his mouth into a frown, "it isn't fair for Sebastian to get caught in the affairs of instructors," he answered.

Simmons snorted, "my student just wants to see how well Sebastian can fare after being taught by the great instructor Lyons. It's not like we're asking for his head, what's there to lose?"

On the surface, there was nothing but both Lyons and Sebastian would be in a worse position if the latter loses the duel. Not only would Sebastian be branded inept in martial arts on top of his already infamous condition, but his instructor would also receive criticism for producing such an incapable student.

Lyons didn't care about his reputation but Sebastian's case was different, he'd be bullied even more than he already is. Thinking about this, Lyons spoke, "I refuse."

"Could it be that you're afraid that your student can't match up to mine? Haha! The great instructor Lyons, capable of destroying walls like they're made of toothpicks is afraid of a little duel between students!" no matter how much Simmons provoked Lyons—it wouldn't work on him because he had already made a decision.

To the side, Sebastian felt worried. This was the same situation with Amy, their reputations were on the line but neither cared. Still, even though they didn't, Sebastian did. He wanted to speak up and accept but knew that if he did and lost, then the consequences would be bigger than refusing to accept.

Things like this made him want to get stronger but knew that it was impossible. He could train his body to the peak of what he can but the moment he faces a 『Inheritor』, all of his preparations would be meaningless. That was the cruel truth of this world, hard work doesn't decide everything. If it did, then 『Inheritors』 wouldn't have taken up most of the world's power.

"If only I could be born with the power of the Sols—if my hair were red like them instead of black..." Sebastian began to think such thoughts but quickly shook his head to disperse them. "No, my mother is not to blame, it's just destiny deciding my fate."

"Instructor Simmons, I'm afraid that you're holding up my lesson, would you please leave?" Lyons said coolly.

After hearing his words, Simmons glared at Lyons and gnashed his teeth, "you...!" but before he could finish, Lyons already turned his back on him. Simmons stomped on the floor with each step as he left.

"Sebastian," Lyons clasped Sebastian's shoulder and whispered, "you'd best be careful when Simmons and Gilbert try to find you. I'm sorry for getting you involved in this, Simmons has been trying to ruin my reputation ever since I defeated him in the instructors' joint sparring session. Let's end training here for today but next time, you have to take it seriously, who knows what schemes they may come up with to get you to accept."

"I will," Sebastian nodded with words of gratitude. There was still some time left in the class but he had nothing left to do so he continued training in what Lyons taught him.

Sebastian's body wasn't that bad, but it wasn't good enough for a fight. His resilience is top-notch because he's constantly on the receiving end of physical harassment but his attack power is close to nothing.

Part of the reason has to do with his state of mind—he neither wanted to hurt or get hurt and so he subconsciously holds back most of the force exerted into his attacks. It was foolish thinking in a world where the strong rule over the weak.

In the entire field, he was the only one doing physical training and stood out quite a bit but Sebastian was used to being the center of attention, though not the good kind.

"Huff..." Sebastian breathed heavily as he executed the movements that Lyons had taught him. They were just basic moves and he could remember them perfectly but when it came to executing them, he always failed halfway.

Nobody disturbed him and nobody looked at him after watching for a bit of time as most of them lost interest, except for one person who began walking over.

"Your body's coordination is horrible, you should go work on that before trying to execute any techniques," a student of medium build walked over. Because of the uniform, Sebastian couldn't quite tell if he was used to body training but after seeing the man's face, his expression sunk.

"What?" the man paused and raised his brows, "are you not happy to see me or something?" he asked.

"...No," Sebastian took another moment to catch his breath and straightened his body, "I was just surprised that the one most favored student in close combat had decided to talk to me."

The student who walked up to him was Gilbert Walt, the source of future trouble. "Thank you for the tip but I should stop disturbing you," Sebastian tried to move away but Gilbert took wide strides to block his path. "No need, I'm quite free right now and would love to instruct the juniors in their path," Gilbert and Sebastian are in the same grade but in terms of close combat, Sebastian really was junior to him.

"Wasn't class 2-A holding their monthly bout today?" Sebastian asked skeptically, there had to be a reason that Gilbert was here despite the fact that his class was busy and Sebastian could only think of one thing, to cause trouble with him.

"I've already won my match and the student council president has yet to fight," Gilbert cut off Sebastian's only hope of escape but to finish his match that early, Gilbert is definitely a monster.

Sebastian's expression fell and he furrowed his brows. Even if he was beaten up here, Lyons had already left earlier so there'd be nobody to help him but even if he was beaten up, he wouldn't accept the duel they had proposed, what was he planning?

"The student council president is quite beautiful, isn't she?" although it was a question, Gilbert didn't expect an answer and continued, "I wonder why she's hanging out with a person like you."

At this point, Sebastian would be a fool to not realize what the duel was for and what incentives they were going to use against him. Gilbert wants Amy and Sebastian would do anything to spare her from danger, and that's why he'd accept the duel.

"My master has already told you that we have a duel just waiting for your agreement," Gilbert wrapped his arm around Sebastian's shoulders, "I'm sure you'll agree now, yeah?"

Sebastian gnashed his teeth and said begrudgingly, "if you lay a hand on her..." but before he could finish, Gilbert cut him off, "I won't—if you win the duel at least," Gilbert's expression changed into one of derision, "of course, if you choose to be a coward and refuse to accept, you can't blame me for staying true to my desires."

"You scum..." Sebastian wanted to say those words but with Gilbert being on the higher ground, he couldn't provoke him. Although Amy was strong and the House of Luna backing her wasn't to be trifled with, Gilbert Walt came from the Walt House[1] and marriage with him would be many times better than a disowned son who can't use any abilities.

To the public, it wouldn't be a problem but Sebastian knew Amy wouldn't want to be with someone like Gilbert no matter what and the thing he wished for the most is Amy's happiness, she was the one who stayed with him when he was abandoned after all.

"I..." Sebastian thought back to his power and knew that whether or not he accepted, he wouldn't be able to do anything. One of the conditions that Gilbert would definitely propose for his victory would be for Sebastian to never interact with Amy again and just thinking about that made Sebastian feel helpless.

"I need time," Sebastian pleaded. If he could at least buy time to make some countermeasures then maybe he can help Amy. Wishing for victory is just a pipe dream because with time, even if Sebastian were to get stronger somehow, so would Gilbert.

Gilbert snorted, "three months. I'll give you three months, that's when the annual banquet for our three houses and the House of Leon is held."

Sebastian was more than aware of the banquet, he was personally excluded from the invitation list despite being of the House of Sol last year after all. If it wasn't for Amy personally bringing him, then his reputation would be at rock bottom.

Perhaps if he hadn't enrolled in school last year, then despite being incapable, he'd still have a quiet life because the House of Sol would be able to suppress the news but he wanted to follow Amy who showed signs of awakening her ability.

Sebastian stayed silent and Gilbert released him, "I'll make sure you're invited by the Walt House if the House of Sol doesn't invite you so don't you dare try to run away."

As Gilbert walked away, Sebastian clenched his fist. If the duel was going to be held in the banquet under the supervision of the four houses, it would be much harder to make a move.

"What was that about?" Feron walked up to him and asked. Gilbert's appearance actually caught the attention of quite a few students and instructors. When they saw him interacting with Sebastian, they knew that something was going to happen. It wasn't that Feron was concerned about Sebastian—Feron had another identity, the Information Broker of Aurora Academy.

Not only students, even instructors who want something investigated hire him. Seeing as how he could score some great news firsthand, he quickly went over to talk to Sebastian. People would definitely ask around for information soon.

Sebastian understood that and spoke, "he invited me to the annual banquet of the four major houses." Hearing that, Feron almost lost interest but he believed in his intuition, there was more to the banquet than meets the eye, "come on, don't hold back on me like this. What's the harm in telling me?"

It would be good for Sebastian's reputation if he were to spread it then win but unfortunately, there was no chance of that, "sorry, I'll tell you next time," Sebastian spoke and left. The practical class was still ongoing but he already left, nobody would care if he were to cut class anyway.

Sebastian headed for the court where class 2-A's monthly bout was going to be held but stopped his steps once he reached halfway and turned around. "It'd be better if Amy doesn't know about the duel," Sebastian made a decision, "I'll have her skip out on this year's banquet."