E̶p̶i̶c̶ Steamy Duel!

"I accept!" 

W-What?! As Gray happily accepted the "challenge", the crowd instantly went wild. Seeing someone this shameless definitely was a first for them!

"What do you mean accept?! She was merely explaining!"

"Besides, he's the one poaching HER disciple!" 

"Isn't that way too unfair?!" 

Hearing this, Gray oozed satisfaction. Were they mad? So what! He happily turned toward Teacher Mei, his eyes meeting hers. 

"So, what will it be, Teacher Mei? Are you backing down now?"

"Pfft— As if! Venue? The Training Grounds! Let it be an appropriate Challenge!" 

Appropriate Challenge? The only thing that happened here were FIGHTS! She had not only walked into his trap but raised him another one! In a pure fight? She was unmatched! 

"Hmm, is that so? Let's see, Training Ground, fighting, injuries… ah, got it! Say, Teacher Mei, would you agree that a great fighter needs an even greater pain tolerance?" 

"Of course! Faltering during a battle is death itself!" 

"Great, so we agree! How about this…" 

Gray happily shared this new idea of his. But the more the students listened, the stranger their faces became. What kind of twisted masochistic mind would think of such a challenge?! 

1. They'd go turn by turn, slapping each other?! 

2. Those slaps could be empty-handed, or even using something non-lethal like a belt, a shoe, or a stick even, as long as no lasting damage was caused. 

3. The goal? See whose enduring spirit was stronger! Whoever cried out in pain the most in three rounds would be disqualified. 

Seriously, what kind of ridiculous duel was this?! And yet Teacher Mei didn't hesitate one bit! He was in for a rude awakening if he thought she'd be weak-willed! 

"Fine! I accept, but who should go first?" 

"Hehe, I'm a gentleman, so of course I'll go first!" 

"…."

"…"

"…."

What kind of gentleman would steal the initiative like that?! But amidst the reproachful gazes, Gray stood steadfast, even scoffing. 

"Think about it: would you rather suffer, THEN get sweet sweet revenge or receive pain last and be left with a bitter aftertaste? Sigh, I can go second if you want, but—"

Teacher Mei harrumphed, placing herself in position. 

At this moment, she looked like a war goddess straight out of a fantasy story! Hell, had her figure been etched into a manga, millions of copies would have instantly been sold! 

Gray came closer, impressed by her spirit. 

"Try to hold your voice in, alright?" 

He suddenly took out a black rod-like object, and then… gently brushed it on her arm? What was he expecting to do with something so gentle? She'd never— 

"A-ah." 

It was soft but audible. 

Teacher Mei's soft, painful moan was akin to thunder in the silent atmosphere. W-what was that?! Then there was her face, flushed utterly crimson, 

"Impressive, Teacher Mei. You endured that well!"

"Pant, pant— Now it's my turn!" 

A dangerous gleam appeared in her eyes. That earlier humiliation? She'd make him pay a thousandfold! Her hand suddenly started glowing a deep, thunderous purple—SLAP! 

W-What?! 

Grey's body… crumbled to the ground?! 

It was as if that single slap had annihilated his body AND soul! For an instant, there was a grave pause. Was he actually dead?! But that's when he suddenly started moving again. 

"Wow! Teacher Mei, your hand is so soft!"

"Shall I show you how "soft" it can be?"

"Soon. My turn again, remember?"

This time, he didn't target her arm but her slender neck. All he did was gently brush the rod against her skin, applying a tiny bit more pressure this time. As for the result... 

"Ahhhhh!" 

Quiet moan? This time, it resonated! 

Her back arched, her entire frame trembled, and sweat trickled down her brows. T-This, what the hell was happening?! Plenty even found something awakening inside them. 

"Good job, you're doing well!" 

"I-It's my turn now. I'll get you, you bastard!" 

Respect for another Teacher? There was none! At this moment, he was an evil mongrel going out of his way to humiliate her! But this time, she wouldn't show any mercy! 

Besides, she had cracked his power… 

Body going lifeless? → A meditative technique to filter out some of the pain! 

As for what remained? → Blocked by that necromancy-like protective layer of his! 

This time, she'd utterly crush all his defenses! She gathered all her Mana into the most painful multi-layered attack in existence! 

First layer → Healing Magic to crush the undead barrier!

Second layer → The true attack hidden underneath to cripple him! 

— WOOSH! — 

She moved as if a flash. 

Baffled, Gray reacted as fast as he could, but he was a beat too late. 

Her green, glowing palm hit him head-on, the energy invading his body entirely! He barely reached the Library Realm after the first wave, but it was too late. 

He was already hit and… Pain? There was none! 

At this moment, all he felt was incredible comfort. 

A sunny day at the beach, the warmth of a mother's embrace, the refreshingness of a cool breeze, the— He froze, utterly confused. She had looked so angry, and yet? 

"D-Don't tell me she was playing along?! Wait, could it be…. ?!" 

Was she that kind of girl?! Was she getting addicted to the pain he brought her? Had it awakened something inside her? Was she now healing him as thanks?! 

H-How amazing! Eh, rotten… 

Sighing, he returned to the real world. 

She was staring at him, her entire face flushed red and her breathing laborious. Seeing this, Gray couldn't help but sigh. Even now, there was still one round left… 

"Alright, let's get this over with, shall we?" 

"G-Gulp— A-Alright—"

She shivered in fright. This man was unstoppable! At this moment, she wanted to run. She wanted to hide. But she had her pride, and her word. This was a challenge, after all! 

She steadied her breathing and heart, readying herself… 

But it was all for naught… 

Arm? Neck? This was the last round, so Gray went all out! He gently brushed his rod from her inner thigh to her slender waist, and even her massive— 

— Gasps & Moans! — 

Her entire body flushed, her eyes glazed, her knees faltered, and she sweated so profusely that there was now a small puddle between her thighs. 

As her legs shook like a baby deer, he grinned: 

"How was that? Keep going?" 

"I-I admit defeat…" 

"Good girl!"

With a victorious grin, Gray got up, but it was at that moment that he realized how silent the entire place now was… 

Students, mouths agape. Academy cleaning staff, eyes bulging. Fatty Zhang, hoody half fallen in shock. This scene was FAR too unbelievable! 

The invincible Teacher Mei? Why did she look so vulnerable right now? 

And who the hell was this mask-wearing godly freak?! 

The whole thing had to be a hallucination, right? 

It wasn't. While the entire world was seemingly frozen, Gray happily went to claim his prize: Godric Managold. The latter's gaze went from Mei to him in disbelief. 

"Follow me! I'll be your teacher from now on!"

"W-What?! But what about—"

"All good! No worries…" 

Gray helped the golden monk to his feet and then departed like a Gale. A few students seemed to want to protest, the fiery mage first, but none actually dared. 

No, they simply glanced at Teacher Mei, waiting for her to speak up. Except, she never did, her mind far too clouded to care about a Disciple! 

All she could picture were the mysterious man's abyss-like eyes. The vision of him torturing her so domineeringly haunted her. Who the hell was he?! But just as he was leaving… 

W-Wait?! That sidekick of his... wasn't that the infamous Fatty Zhang?! 

Wouldn't that mean the mysterious man was…. Teacher Gale?! 

H-How?! What about jail?! Wasn't he— 

She was losing her mind. 

…Not that Gray would care either way! He returned home, disciples in tow, chuckling all the while. At this moment, he was on cloud nine! So what if Godric had some reservations? 

"T-Teacher, can we talk for an instant? I—"

"Shh. Disciple registration first! 

"B-But, I really think we—"

"Hehe, do you believe Teacher Mei would have let you leave with me if it wasn't for your own good? Think Godric, think!" But then, the student cried out, peeved. 

"TEACHER! I'm Ajax…."