For the next week, Syon would always be the teacher who would judge Rotsard's duels, so he could witness the perfect mana unity in action.
The avoid scholar also never failed to show up late at night to Rotsard's room, because he always had some more questions that he couldn't bear be left unanswered until morning.
But putting him aside for a moment, during that week, Rotsard was increasingly confused as Justin was not amongst his challengers.
Needless to say, it was outside of what the bleached-blond-haired youth expected… although it was within the story guidance, as it was never specifically stated when their duel should happen within the challenge streak.
That day, instead of the future hero, Rotsard, who showed up early, watched a rather timid-looking first-year student walk up to the training grounds, proving himself to be the next challenger.
"Young Lord Rotsard, if you allow, I would like to make a request."
"..."
Rotsard's opponent bowed to him and asked, making the youth stare at him with only a slightly annoyed expression.
"I would like to request a purely strength and skill-based duel without magic. To test my swordsmanship against yours."
Even though he did not receive an explicit permission to voice their request, the first-year student did so anyway, proving that his timidness lay only with his looks and not actions.
"Sure thing."
"Much obliged!"
Without even a moment of hesitation, Rotsard nodded dismissively, causing his opponent to straighten his back with a wild smile plastered all over his face.
"But for that to be efficient, I will have to be using a spell. Young Lord Syon, we'll be making an exception for the no spell rule."
"Oho~! Let it be so~!"
Rotsard looked over at the vice headmaster and nodded, causing the man to almost jump up from joy and excitement over seeing the practical use of perfect mana unity with correlation to actual spells.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa…! Wait a second! We just agreed on a purely no-magic duel! What is this I hear about you using a spell!?"
The challenger was proving to be more crass and rude with each word as he flinched and raised both hands, calling out with an angry expression.
"What's the problem?"
"What's the pro…?! The problem is you going back on your word within the same heartbeat!"
Rotsard frowned and asked, glaring at the first-year, who instantly snapped back.
Not to mention that many of the students gathered to witness the duel loudly expressed their support for the youngster being wronged.
"I don't understand… You… don't want to survive the test…?"
"!... wh-wha…? What are you talking about…?"
Rotsard seemed even more taken aback by his challenger and inquired in confusion, causing the first-year student to tense up and ask in disbelief.
"The ones I faced while wielding a sword died without fail. You surely can't be stupid enough to try it yourself."
"...!"
Rotsard pointed out, and the cold look in his beastly yellow eyes seemed to shut the first-year up good this time.
"Besides, it will be advantageous for you. Just look what you'll be facing~"
The bleached-blond-haired youth shrugged his shoulders and said dismissively while a circle of light emerged from beneath him and ephemeral wings spread out over his back.
"Ice puppet~"
"?!?!"
Rotsard went ahead and chanted the shortened incantation for the Desolation of the Frosted Field, causing the first-year student to be shaken immensely just by that alone…
As for the effect of the spell…
A featureless doll, or more like a posable mannequin with crude ball-joints, grew from seemingly nothing within the circle of light. It was roughly the size of Rotsard himself, shining in the sun, almost see-through, but opaque enough to not cause optic illusions with its movement.
Once the ice puppet's feet touched the ground, an additional level of frost spread out from them as the puppet remained stagnant, leaning slightly forward as if only moments before falling over…
…and yet it kept standing…
"You defeat this, you win the duel. And don't bother limiting yourself to just your swordsmanship. Use whatever spells you have at your disposal. That includes magic artifacts, but… you're already using some anyway, aren't you? Actually… Let's make it even easier… You know how I declared that I will target contracted fae's first? How about we make it so both that fae of yours and I will be off limits for the duel, and maliciously attacking either one will result in instant defeat?"
"Hmph, fine by me. Seems quite fitting that your overconfidence will be your downfall."
Rotsard smirked and then full-on grinned as he stated and motioned with his head at his opponent, who scoffed and nodded…
"...wait… there's ANOTHER first-year student who already has a contracted fae, besides Young Lady Vallhall…!?"
"...!"
…but when someone from the audience called out loudly in surprise, the first-year student facing Rotsard flinched and tensed up, realizing his mistake…
"...!?"
"..."
The challenger instantly turned to Rotsard, staring at him as if expecting some kind of reaction, but the complete lack of it was even more telling than any movement or expression that could be made.
"I believe that we should postpone this duel for further investigation…"
"No, it's fine. Let them have it."
"!!!"
The vice headmaster furrowed his brow and turned fully to the first-year student, squinting his eyes and turning serious or even hostile towards him, but Rotsard merely waved his hand dismissively and interrupted him, causing his challenger to stare at him wide-eyed in utter shock.
"...you sure…?"
"It will make for a better study for you. I promise~"
Syon ended up inching closer to Rotsard and asking as he leaned in, yet Rotsard's answer had not changed, and he even winked at the judge.
"...you're both on it, huh…? So be it. I will be using both swordsmanship and magic with the aid of my contracted fae against only your ice puppet, but let's add another condition. When I win, neither of you can investigate anything about me."
"Pfft…! Sure, why not."
The first-year student scoffed, staring between Rotsard and Syon as he declared coldly… but only made Rotsard sort and nod with a truly murderous grin.
To further his nonchalant stance, Rotsard's ice puppet raised its arms, putting its guard up, and then…
"..."
"...!"
…clenched its fists, which caused a certain future hero observing the duel from the back to flinch, his eyes widening with a sudden realization.