26 - Duel (2)

"...Are you ready?"

"This one is ready when you are."

Kazami grips the large Two-Handed Sword, positioning himself to swing it sideways, likely preparing to use the |Slash| skill right from the start.

In contrast, Renji wields a relatively thin and light sword, creating a significant disparity between him and Kazami's massive weapon. Despite the magical properties of Renji's sword, avoiding direct confrontations is crucial. The key strategy is to exploit every opportunity to lower Kazami's AGI, rather than focusing on countering the |Slash| skill.

"Then... let's begin."

I anticipated a "Slash" right away, but Kazami starts with a normal sideways swing. It seems he might be more cautious than I expected, despite his earlier arrogance. His initial attacks were broad, but he quickly adapted, using smaller, precise strikes to maintain his distance. Kazami's fighting technique is evidently skilled.

'Oh no, there's a considerable level difference. Renji hasn't reached level 10 yet; he's probably around level 5 or 6...'

Renji struggles against Kazami's level 11 attacks, unable to match the power of the big sword, even with Kazami's controlling tactics. Renji tries to position himself for a counterattack while evading Kazami's strikes, maneuvering carefully around the larger weapon.

Kazami has been maintaining his distance and avoiding direct confrontations, but he eventually closes the gap with his long-reaching thrusts.

In the game, Kazami typically overwhelmed his opponents with relentless attacks, often creating openings for his powerful |Slash| move. It's peculiar that he's not resorting to that tactic now, especially since «Static Sword» would be highly effective against him.

"Hmm... What's the matter, Kazami? Afraid of making a move?" Renji taunts.

Kazami responds with a scowl, "What's wrong with you? Getting cold feet?"

Renji's attempts to provoke Kazami into using |Slash| fail. Frustrated, Renji resorts to the |Double Sting| skill, a two-strike stabbing move that auto-activates. As a new [Thief] with a job level of 1, Renji is using a skill typically learned at job level 5, catching Kazami off guard.

Kazami, surprised by the sudden skill, steps back, giving Renji a brief opening. Renji seizes the opportunity to land a hit.

"Huh... now I can see through your moves– GAHH!!!"

Kazami finally hits back with a counterattack, sending Renji flying.

"What's... moves now?"

Despite the «Static Sword», Kazami shows no sign of reduced AGI or paralysis. Renji's face reflects a mix of surprise and despair. If Kazami's AGI remains unaffected, it means Renji's strategy is fundamentally flawed. It's clear now that Kazami must have prepared for this possibility.

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Cheers and screams echoed through the fourth room of the arena.

Kazami's relentless assault showed no mercy. Renji, now with a broken arm, could no longer stand. What had started as a fight had devolved into a one-sided beating.

"Way to go, Kazami!"

"Keep it up, Kazami!"

"I expected more, but it seems you were just bluffing."

"Eh, what can a lowly Class E student do anyway?"

While the D class cheered as if at a sports game, the E class was engulfed in despair. Some of the girls had their faces buried in their hands, sobbing.

Matsuri attempted to intervene but was held back by Su Luo. Akari, teeth clenched, remained stoic.

Will she act?

"Give me a break..."

"Who are you to tell me what to do NOW?"

"Aaaaah!"

Kazami's massive sword crashed down onto Renji's side. Even with the metal reinforcements, several ribs were likely shattered. I could hardly bear to watch. Should I intervene? I felt helpless.

"Stop it! Don't hurt him anymore!"

It was Sasaki Mitsuki who stepped in to put an end to the brutality.

She had worked tirelessly alongside Akari and Renji, so she couldn't just stand by and watch this chaos unfold.

Yet, facing Kazami was perilous.

"Huh? You think you can tell me what to do? I'll kill you."

Despite Sasaki confronting him, Kazami was brimming with hostility. Trembling, she desperately tried to shield Renji with her body. Akari, Tachiki, and some other classmates, realizing the danger, attempted to intervene.

"E-class trash! Still don't get it?" Kazami roared.

The E-class students who tried to rush to Sasaki's aid hesitated.

Kazami once more unleashed his menacing |Aura|, causing the E-class students to shrink back in fear. A higher-level opponent's intimidating presence leaves little room for defiance.

"You are the weakest in this school. Some of you might make it to D-class by graduation, but that's as far as you'll go."

Silence followed. Even Renji had shown significant improvement, likely surpassing many past E-class students in just a month. His skill in swordsmanship had been impressive, momentarily hindering Kazami's formidable attacks.

Yet, he was ultimately no match for Kazami's level 11 power, reduced to nothing in the face of such overwhelming superiority. This wasn't a duel; it was a brutal display of the hierarchy border and a warning to those who want to cross it.

I just thought there was nothing fair about this. The disparity in level and experience was too great. A month, while significant, was insufficient for E-class beginners to challenge a level 11 opponent.

Rather than a contest, this was a humiliation for Class E—a stark assertion of dominance.

The D and E classes were both...

'A pathetic bunch of losers.' I could hear Theodore's words in my mind.

As Theodore Garcia voice fade out the realization then sank in, I almost laughed at the futility of both classes. I managed to stifle the laughter, only a grimace escaping, which I quickly concealed.

The weak oppressing the weak. How ironic.

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Kazami continued, "I'm giving you some advice from the seniors. Don't join any clubs started by Class E. If you do, I'll make sure you regret it. Got it?"

With that, Kazami exited the arena.

"I'm really not a fan of Class E," Some D-Class student said disdainfully.

"Seriously. They had a good start, but it feels like it's all for nothing."

"You'll end up being used as a lackey, so be prepared."

(A/N: "Lackeys" are those who do menial tasks for bullies.)

It was a harsh proclamation, and no one dared to respond.

The classmates were forced to accept that competing with Class D was futile, and Class E's very existence was dismissed.

The situation was clear: Room 4 of the arena was easily reserved due to the influence of the upperclassmen's clubs.

These clubs need reliable underlings, and they don't want any E-class students interfering. By having Kazami and the first-year D-class students demonstrate their superiority and intimidate Class E, they're sending a message and crushing any potential rebellion before it begins.

I'm convinced there's a deeper scheme at play here, with someone orchestrating Kazami's actions behind the scenes. It's likely that many upperclassmen, beyond just the head of Class B, are involved. The student council and teachers might also be aware of this situation.

I had the same sense when I was playing the game, but now that I'm directly affected, I can't ignore it. It makes me question the purpose of even including outside students in the first place.

On the first day, Class E was filled with hope, but now it's overshadowed by despair.

Yet...

I don't want to look back or aim for a higher class, and I don't wish to change this school. I don't feel particularly close to my classmates. It may seem unreasonable, but Renji was provoked by Kazami. He didn't deserve such a beating, though some of it was self-inflicted. There's no real passion here. If they need a lackey or someone to do menial tasks, they can find someone else for that.

That's not what I'm thinking about right now.

The question is...

'Who advised Kazami on how to deal with the «Static Sword» tactics?'

I'm also curious about who first suggested the tactic of using the «Static Sword» to Renji. It could have been devised by Renji's own group rather than the player, and even if it was the player, I don't sense any malicious intent for now, so I'll set it aside.

Kazami's lack of reaction to Renji's attack might be due to him wearing items resistant to lightning and paralysis. Otherwise, Renji could have potentially won by slowing down or paralyzing Kazami's attack speed with the «Static Sword».

Kazami's fighting style was also unusual. Normally, he would have used the |Slash| skill, but he didn't use it even once. It's likely that someone, possibly the player, taught him these tactics.

This player seems dangerous and possibly harbors ill will towards Renji. They might be trying to monopolize game information, be involved with Sasaki and Akari, or simply be causing trouble. If not careful, they might even attempt to eliminate other players with malicious intent.

I suspect the player advising Kazami might be a student from Class E, but I can't be sure. I'd like to ask Kazami about it, but I doubt he would take me seriously at this point.

'Crap, now things got complicated. I didn't consider how to deal with other players because I didn't think they were that dangerous or they actually transmigated here too.'

It's becoming clear that the advisor for Renji and the one advising Kazami are likely different people, based on the outcomes.

How many players are there? Three possibilities come to mind: me, the advisor to Renji, and the advisor to Kazami. Are they characters like me, or could they be unnamed students from The Conquest? There's even a chance that Renji and Sasaki might be players themselves. I need to level up quickly to ensure my own safety.

The [Priest] teacher has already examined Renji. The doctor reported a few broken bones but assured that there were no lasting effects and that magic treatment would facilitate a full recovery. It's reassuring that on-campus injuries are treated for free by a [Priest] doctor.

The fact that Renji's injuries were managed by the doctor suggests Kazami held back.

I stood up and glanced at my classmates gathered around Renji.

Ultimately, Class E will need to decide whether to rise up and challenge Kazami or accept their position as the weak and follow the stronger. I'll leave that decision to my classmates.

I lack the enthusiasm to get involved, and I can't afford to be more invested.