Chapter 40 - The Challenge Begins

Chapter 40 - The Challenge Begins

Excitement filled the air as the real challenge was about to commence.

Students' gazes were fixed on the top rankings, though they were aware that they could only challenge opponents who were up to 5 ranks higher than themselves.

Dwight, too, realized that trouble might arise if others continued to challenge him.

However, he harbored no fear and was ready to teach anyone a lesson if they dared to disturb him.

Among the crowd, Cris locked eyes with Dwight, his fighting spirit evident.

He yearned for a chance to challenge him, while Lilia wore a smile, seemingly relishing the opportunity to take him down.

Many believed that Dwight's top-ranking position was solely due to his talent and many knew that he was only a 1-star swordsman.

The rankings remained unchanged, even without Harley's presence.

There was hope that he was still alive. Meanwhile, Swift had been removed from the rankings, his whereabouts unknown.

The dean and the professors refrained from publicizing Swift's true identity as a spy from the Assassin House.

Professor Ellen continued with her lessons, and the class concluded peacefully.

After class, students from Classes D, C, and B wasted no time in challenging opponents.

The desire to climb higher in the rankings burned within them.

The arena became a battleground for duels, with a maintenance fee of 50 points per use.

Class A also joined the fray, initiating challenges and causing the rankings to shift. However, the top spots remained secure.

Several students attempted to challenge Danica, Lilia, and Cris, but they were swiftly defeated, solidifying their positions.

Those who had not witnessed their prowess in the forest now witnessed it firsthand, realizing that the strength of these three should not be underestimated.

=========

The rankings were as follows:

Rank 10: Beatrice Enchantress - S Class

Rank 9: Peter Sear - S Class

Rank 8: Cris Golden - S Class

Rank 7: Draymond Ricker - S Class

Rank 6: Odette Stanley - S Class

Rank 5: Danica Winter - S Class

Rank 4: Swift Arens - S Class

Rank 3: Arthur Anthony - S Class

Rank 2: Lilia Ember - S Class

Rank 1: Dwight Starlight - S Class

==========

Beatrice had entered the top 10 due to Swift's disappearance.

During the trial, she was absent, attending to family matters. Professor Ellen informed the class that she would return the following day.

As the challenges persisted, a piece of shocking news spread like wildfire, sending waves of excitement through the student body.

It was rumored that Arthur, ranked 3rd, intended to challenge Dwight and was currently making his way to Dwight's dormitory.

A crowd quickly formed, eager to witness their encounter, as they trailed behind Arthur, curious to see how their interaction would unfold.

….

Dwight, who was enjoying a meal with Tessa in their dormitory, heard a knock on the door.

Tessa volunteered to open it, but Dwight insisted on handling it himself.

Feeling slightly irritated at the interruption of his sacred eating time, Dwight stood up and opened the door, revealing Arthur standing before him.

"What? Do you want to be my follower? I have no intention of having a follower, so get lost,"

Dwight curtly remarked.

Arthur was taken aback, shocked that Dwight would assume such a thing.

He received a resounding slam from Dwight as the door was forcefully closed.

Fueled by anger, Arthur knocked on the door again, shouting, "Dwight, come out and accept my challenge!"

The door swung open once more, and Dwight looked at him dismissively.

"You're not my match, so I suggest you don't disturb me,"

Dwight calmly responded.

Arthur sneered, retorting, "Even if your family is powerful, it holds no weight here. You must follow the rules and accept my challenge."

Dwight maintained a confident smile and said, "Heh, I was planning to spare your reputation, but since you insist on shaming yourself, so be it. However,..."

Arthur felt a glimmer of hope as Dwight accepted the challenge, but his hopes were quickly dashed as Dwight continued, "I hate when someone wastes my time, so why don't we make a bet?"

Arthur's eyes narrowed, sensing that Dwight wasn't taking him seriously. "What kind of bet?" he inquired.

"We'll wager all of our credits, and the loser will also have to obey the winner's commands for an entire month," Dwight proposed.

Confident in his abilities, Dwight smiled, leaving Arthur stunned.

It was as if Dwight regarded him as nothing more than an insignificant bug.

The other students who overheard the conversation were equally stunned, not expecting Dwight to display such arrogance.

Excitement filled the air, and someone even started a betting pool, allowing students to wager their points on the outcome.

Some students bet on Arthur, knowing that he was stronger, while many of the female students bet on Dwight, placing their trust in him despite having a reputation of weak and relying on his family.

"I believe that Young Master Dwight will acknowledge my efforts and trust in him. Hehe," one female student remarked, while others chimed in, urging her to face reality.

Meanwhile, Arthur glared at Dwight, feeling a sense of nervousness creeping in.

However, he reminded himself that he had been an emperor in his previous life, and surrendering was not an option.

"Okay, it's a bet. I hope you won't go back on your words," Arthur finally agreed.

Dwight grinned in response.

"Okay, wait for me at the arena. I'll join you once I finish my lunch. Hehe," he said, relishing the opportunity to collect credit points and potentially have a slave for a month.

With a laugh, he closed the door, leaving Arthur seething with anger.

Despite his frustration, he knew there was nothing he could do to change the situation.

The challenge became an outlet for him to vent his anger and frustration toward Dwight.

….

In the bustling hallway of the academy, students gathered in small groups, their voices filled with excitement and anticipation.

The news of the challenge between Dwight and Arthur had spread like wildfire, and everyone was abuzz with speculation about the outcome.

"I can't believe Arthur had the guts to openly challenge Dwight. He must be really confident in his abilities," one student exclaimed, his eyebrows raised in surprise.

A group of girls giggled and whispered amongst themselves, their eyes gleaming with curiosity.

"I heard that Dwight has been secretly training. Maybe he has some hidden skills that we don't know about," one of them suggested, a hint of excitement in her voice.

"But Arthur was so impressive during the trial. I'm inclined to think he'll come out on top," another student chimed in, nodding in agreement.

Nearby, a cluster of male students engaged in a lively debate.

"Dwight may not have the same raw power as Arthur, but there's something about him. I think he has a strategy up his sleeve," one of them speculated, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

A skeptical voice cut through the chatter,

"Come on, let's be realistic here. Arthur is clearly the stronger of the two. Dwight doesn't stand a chance."

A murmur of agreement followed, but a group of determined girls interrupted the conversation.

"We believe in Dwight! There's more to strength than just physical power. Dwight has an aura of confidence and mystery that could give him the upper hand," one of them exclaimed, her voice filled with conviction.

The mention of Dwight's mysterious nature intrigued some students, while others dismissed it as mere speculation.

As the discussions continued, the shocking nature of the bet of Arthur and Dwight caught many off guard.

Gasps and murmurs swept through the crowd as they learned that the loser would become a slave for an entire month.

The stakes were high, and it added an extra layer of intensity to the challenge.

"I can't believe they made such a bet! A whole month as a slave? That's insane!" one student exclaimed, shaking his head in disbelief.

"Yeah, but it shows just how confident they both are. They're willing to risk it all," another student added, a mix of admiration and astonishment in his voice.

"Being a slave for a month is shameful."

Amidst the buzz of speculation, the betting pool grew livelier.

Students carefully weighed their options, some placing their bets on Arthur due to his proven strength, while others were captivated by the handsomeness of Dwight, so they bet on him.

As the day of the challenge approached, the excitement continued to build.

No one had witnessed Dwight's true fighting capabilities, as he had always remained secluded in his dorm, leaving everyone curious about what he was truly capable of.

The anticipation hung in the air, and the courtyard buzzed with the eager whispers of students eagerly awaiting the showdown between Dwight and Arthur.

...............

The news of the challenge between Dwight and Arthur had reached the ears of Danica, Lilia, and Cris, causing ripples of excitement among the trio.

They gathered near a shaded tree, their expressions filled with anticipation as they discussed their thoughts on the upcoming duel.

Cris, known for his confident and carefree demeanor, couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"Hahaha! Arthur actually thinks he stands a chance against Dwight. This is going to be entertaining!" he exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

Without hesitation, he reached for his pocket and pulled out his credit point device.

Placing a hefty bet on Dwight, he wagered all of his hard-earned points.

Danica, standing beside Cris, watched him with a mix of amusement and determination.

She understood his gut feeling, sensing the strength hidden within Dwight.

'Young master Dwight is my future husband so I should support him.'

Inspired by Cris's unwavering faith, she too reached for her credit point device and bet everything she had on Dwight.

Her heart swelled with a desire to support him and be by his side, even if it meant risking her points in the process.

On the other hand, Lilia leaned against the tree, a smug expression adorning her face.

She sneered at the confidence exuding from Cris and Danica. "You two are so naive," she remarked, her voice dripping with condescension.

"I've seen Arthur's abilities during the trial, and he's no pushover. I'll bet on him, but I won't be as reckless as you two."

With a calculated decision, Lilia bet a substantial amount of 3,000 points on Arthur.

As the trio continued their conversation, word of the impending duel spread throughout the academy.

First-year students gathered in groups, their voices filled with excitement as they discussed the legendary lazy young master of the Starlight clan.

Senior students, intrigued by the buzz, hurried towards the arena, eager to catch a glimpse of the renowned Dwight in action.

Whispers of anticipation echoed through the corridors as students eagerly speculated about the clash between the two contenders.