Let's Fight Like Real Men Do

"Ahh, I was wondering why you looked familiar,

You have been one of my punchbags before!

I recognize you!

How have you been, punchbag?"

Vaan questioned with an excited smile before. Punchbag, however, didn't like what he was called, and neither did he like Vaan's tone.

However, he controlled his anger, and rather than lashing out, he simply glanced at the Host and,

"I wish to challenge Young Master Vaan next."

"The next challenger would be decide-" The Host was about to shake his head, but then,

"He is my fist's close friend.

We can change the rules for him a bit, let him cut the line."

Vaan spoke with a genuine smile on his face. Then, he glanced at the man and,

"Come up, Punchbag.

You don't have to wait for your turn like the others."

Punchbag didn't react to Vaan's words and simply stepped onto the stage, then he glanced at Vaan and introduced himself,

"Karl Vesta, I hope we have a fair duel."

Yes, he was Karl Vesta. The same mage who stopped Vaan and Elara when they came out of the Magic Training room and was then beaten up by Vaan.

The Medic mentioned that he needed at least a year before he could recover, however, just for this Magic Duel, Heal was used to give him a chance of getting back at Vaan.

And that was what Karl was here for, get back at Vaan for what he had done before.

As for Seraphina? Karl didn't give a rat-shit about that woman.

He was just grateful to her for giving him a chance to get even. 

Karl extended his hand for a handshake, from his actions, it was clear that he didn't want to waste even a single second and start the battle.

Vaan shook his hand, then, he smiled,

"I remember you being a 3rd Circle Mage, Karl. I am sure you have read the announcement clearly,

The use of Instant Spells will be allowed in this Duel.

Be ready to have Heal used on you again."

"Doesn't Young Master Vaan have an Advance Magic Circle that gives him 12 Inner Circles, it is the same as having a 3rd Circle anyway, I believe that a Duel without using Instant Spells would be better in this scenario. How about it?"

Karl questioned as he looked into Vaan's eyes.

Vaan narrowed his eyes, "Are you implying that the difference between a 2nd Circle and 3rd Circle Mage is just the number of Inner Circles?"

"…"

Karl turned silent as he glanced at Astra who was looking in his direction. He gulped.

He couldn't agree to this statement, not in front of the Family Head, that would show his incompetence and showing his incompetence in front of the Family Head…

'You are already standing in front of her child. No matter how much Astra tries to deny or hide it, it is clear that she loves her son. She is already biased against you, no matter what you do, she would see you in a bad light.

Remember Karl, she is not the one you have to impress.'

Suddenly, Karl heard a voice right in his head.

His expression changed.

He thought about what the voice said for a while, then, he glanced at Vaan and,

"Yes. That is exactly what I am implying.

And since the number of Inner Circles we have are the same, why don't we have a fair battle?"

Vaan frowned.

He didn't think the Punchbag would say something like that.

However, instead of thinking about the reason, he just shrugged,

"Not my fault that you are a dumb piece of shit.

It was clearly stated in the Announcement,

If a 3rd Circle Mage or stronger comes and challenges me, Instant Spells will be used."

"How is it my fault that you are a piece of trash who is only a 2nd Circle Mage when he is already 20 years old? I worked hard to get where I am and become a 3rd Circle Mage. Why do I have to compromise for being stronger than you? Isn't that usually the other way around?" Karl didn't give up.

"Huh? Compromise? In what way are you compromising? You came here to challenge me, I never said I wouldn't fight you because you are a 3rd Circle Mage, I just said the use of Instant Spells will be allowed in the Duel. What's wrong with that? Instant Spells are an important part of a Mage's Strength. Why can't they be used in Magic Duels?"

"That's because using Instant Spells doesn't show any Magic Skills, and Magic Duels are a way for a Mage to show his Skills.

Using Instant Spells defeats the purpose of Magic Duels."

"This is a Challenge, Punchbag. You all are here to challenge me, it is no show of Skill, it's a show of Strength.

And Instant Spells are very much a part of a Mage's Strength."

"…"

Karl momentarily turned silent.

Twisting facts in his favor?

Vaan was an expert in that!

You learn a lot when you extort people in creative ways.

"Just say you are scared to fair duel with me."

"It will be a fair duel when I become a 3rd Circle Mage,

If you have the balls, come at me then."

Vaan spoke as he looked into Karl's eyes.

"Heh, with how much time you took to become a 2nd Circle, I am sure that by the time you get to the 3rd Circle, I will already be a 4th Circle Mage.

You would never catch up to me, Vaan.

You will always be a trash relying on his background to suppress others."

Karl replied with a smirk on his face.

"…"

This entire time, the crowd was silent. The Argument between two members of the Vesta Family was too heated, none of them made any sound since they didn't wish to miss a single moment, and just as everyone thought that the Mage named Karl had won and was looking at Astra to see her reaction, a wide smile appeared on Vaan's face,

"And you will always be a bitch who will always be suppressed by people like me.

Don't worry, in the the future, I'll keep you by my side to bark at the unwanted people around me.

I believe that would be a fitting job for someone like you."

*Gasps*

The crowd sucked in cold breaths.

Nobody thought that Vaan would go this far. Even Astra was taken aback, however, in the end, she was unable to hold herself back and her mouth formed an arch.

She was smiling.

And seeing the Head of the Vesta Family smiling like that, smiling at him… Karl lowered his head in embarrassment and clenched his fists in anger.

"You are just a spoiled bastard who is nothing by himself."

"Well, not my fault your parents were shit mages and weren't as good as my mother."

Vaan shrugged.

"My children would be saying the same thing to your children." Karl laughed.

"No, my children would be shitting on your children as well, just like I am shitting on you. It is the fate of your blood." Vaan retorted.

Then, a playful smile appeared on his face and,

"And don't you worry, my future children don't have to worry about having talentless parents, their mother was a 4th Circle Mage when she was just 20."

Elara quickly hid her red face when she understood what Vaan just said. She couldn't believe Vaan would say something like that in front of so many people.

T-That was so shameless!

Elara wished that she could hide for the rest of her life.

And Vaan, who saw the reaction he wanted to see laughed out loud, completely ignoring the punch bag in front of him.

"Look at him, confessing to his fiancé in the open like that. How daring~

As expected of my child."

Astra continuously nodded her head. From the start to the finish, this was the best thing that had happened in this 'Challenge' in her opinion.

"That was quite bold indeed,

He is almost as romantic as me." Orion nodded his head as well.

Astra turned towards her husband and raised her eyebrow.

"What?" Orion questioned.

Without saying anything, Astra turned towards the Stage.

"What?" Orion, who was now curious questioned again.

"Nothing."

"I am no fool, that look was definitely not nothing."

"You should know what I am thinking."

"Tsk, typical women."

Orion snorted and just turned away.

He won't be playing this game.

Astra was a Mage, he wasn't.

"Alright, let's stop this discussion, people are getting bored,

How about we fight like a man?"

Suddenly, Vaan suggested.

"Fight like a man?" Karl was confused.

"No Magic, no Instant Spells, no weapons,

Just our bare fists,

Let's fight like real men do,

How about it?

You won't say my family background gives me an advantage because your parents raised you to be a pussy, won't you?"

"Fighting with our bare fists?"

"Bare fists." Vaan nodded.

"Let's do it,

I believe this would be the best way for me to get my revenge."

"Indeed indeed.

I am sure you would have a better shot at winning this way."

Vaan's smile couldn't be hidden.