The day after the party.
Marie was sitting on her bed with her knees drawn up to her chest.
She had been biting her thumbnail, but she let go and muttered to herself.
"Who on earth is that mob! Why does he keep ruining my perfect plans?"
She had locked herself in her room since yesterday, claiming she felt unwell, and the capture-target boys had simply assumed she was shaken up over the duel challenge. They never thought to question it.
"It's fine. There's no way those five could lose, and that mob seemed unreliable and weak anyway, so it'll be fine. Besides, looking at that guy just irritates me. He reminds me of my dead brother."
She muttered what a worthless brother he had truly been, and then someone knocked on the door. Kyle, her personal servant, came in immediately.
"H-Hey! You're supposed to wait for a response!"
Marie scolded him, but Kyle just gave her a displeased look and sighed.
"I'll be more careful next time."
"I warned you about this before too."
Kyle briskly prepared her breakfast. His appearance and work ethic were both fine. But his personality was a bit much.
Because of that, he had gone unsold, and even when he was sold, he got sent back to the slave merchant's hall. That was his backstory.
"Today's breakfast has extra vegetables."
"...I don't really like vegetables."
"Eat at least this much. What a pathetic master you are."
He spoke as though he didn't even consider her his master.
(In the game, I thought he was a cute little-brother character who was a bit prickly but still did his work, but having this every single day is really annoying. Well, I'll let it slide since he's a pretty boy.)
They had only been together for a few weeks, but Marie thought it was nice to have a handsome boy taking care of her.
If there had been a man like this back in her original world—one who could handle housework and treated women well—she figured things would have gone better for her.
"So what happened with the duel?"
Kyle poured tea into a cup and handed it to Marie.
"Apparently they managed to get permission to use the arena. It seems Jilk and Brad had a tough time convincing the academy administration, though. I heard from some of the other servants that this guy Leon has good grades and ranks somewhere in the upper middle. Everyone's saying it won't even be a contest."
"I-I see."
Marie felt relieved—if that was the case, there was nothing to worry about—and began eating her breakfast.
"You could at least praise me a little. Do you know how much effort I put in, going around asking all the other servants?"
"Th-Thanks."
Her personal servant had this oddly entitled air about him, but she put up with it because he was good-looking and competent.
(Sigh, I'm so noble. Any other girl would have gotten rid of him in no time. But I, the generous one, tolerate him.)
She thought this about her own magnanimity, then continued musing.
(The plan went a little off track, but now I can get rid of Angelica quickly. That woman was so easy to provoke—she went and challenged Leon to a duel just like that. What an idiot.)
Marie knew Angelica's personality—she was quick to anger—and had deliberately provoked her at the party. She'd gotten close to Julius, then immediately pressed her body against another man and held his hand, making sure Angelica saw everything.
(Now I need to prepare various things over summer break. I have to retrieve items from the Dungeon, and then I need to get that thing too.)
"That thing" referred to equipment that the protagonist was supposed to have.
Marie knew it would be the key to the rest of the story.
◇
"To think you'd do something this awful the very next day."
Standing in my ransacked room with my arms crossed, I stared up at the ceiling.
Luxion appeared from wherever he'd been hiding.
The sphere descended to my line of sight and projected images of the surroundings.
"While the master was out, a group of boys broke in and trashed the place. The perpetrators belong to the same group as the master, and behind them is a separate group."
Since I'd picked a fight with His Highness the Crown Prince, the rich kids must have used the lower-caste group to do their dirty work.
When I'd returned from the school building, the scene was a disaster.
The footage even showed Daniel and Raymond following orders.
"So those two were forced into it too?"
"What a fragile friendship."
"They just prioritized their own futures. I can't really blame them when I saw how miserable they looked while being ordered around. You've got a small heart, you know."
I needled Luxion, and he fired back, apparently irritated.
"I don't need to hear that from a petty master like you. Also, betting on the upcoming duel has already started within the academy."
I looked at the footage. I was the overwhelming underdog. But even if someone bet on me, they'd only earn a pittance compared to betting on His Highness's side. In fact, bets weren't even being placed.
"Completely unpopular, huh."
"Did you think you were popular? Anyway, preparations on our end are complete. The shipment will arrive on the day of the duel, but what will you do until then?"
I thought for a moment.
"Could you get me ten thousand gold coins? No wait, five hundred platinum coins would have more impact, right? Just put everything on me. Things like this aren't fun unless you go all in."
"You really are a terrible person. Besides, couldn't you have simply intervened as a mediator instead of accepting the duel? I saw no need to provoke them."
I paused briefly before answering.
"...And just watch those five keep seeing Marie all by herself? I'm the type who likes to settle things all at once."
"You're the type who fails a lot, more like."
"I don't plan on being involved for long. I want this wrapped up quickly. And provoking them was just for fun. For fun. That condescending attitude of hers pissed me off."
"...Is that so?"
The academy was isolated from the outside world—essentially a separate reality unto itself. That was why there were unspoken rules that applied only within its walls.
To most students, it would look like the Duke's daughter had picked a fight with His Highness and the elite noble factions. Which side was stronger was painfully obvious.
The problem was that this wouldn't stay contained within the academy.
"Well then, once I've got the platinum coins, I'll head over to the bookmaker."
If I put this much on myself, the students would rush to bet on His Highness's side in droves.
Everyone would assume the money came from what I'd earned in the Dungeon, so it wouldn't raise any suspicion. Perfect.
This was going to be fun.
"I'll deliver them right away. Come pick them up at the floating island in the port area. Oh, and your two friends are waiting near your room."
I stepped out of my room, and sure enough, there stood Daniel and Raymond with their heads hung low.
Seeing how pale they were, I couldn't bring myself to blame them.
Raymond spoke in a small voice.
"I-I'm sorry."
Daniel looked equally remorseful.
"She told us to stay away from you... and we couldn't defy her."
Seeing them on the verge of tears, I called out as I passed by.
"About the next duel's bets—put your money on me and I'll make you rich. ...Sorry about all this, both of you. I caused you trouble."
I walked briskly away without looking back.
◇
The academy cafeteria.
Five boys were gathered there.
"What do we do? It's supposed to be this big duel, but there's no way this works as a bet."
"Everyone's putting their money on His Highness."
"If only we had at least five people..."
The bookmakers running the bets.
I approached the five of them pushing a cart. They looked startled when they saw me, but I pressed on matter-of-factly.
"Everything in here goes on me—single bet."
I opened the box, and inside was a mountain of platinum coins that gleamed brighter than gold. The five of them gasped at the sight.
"This should be enough to make the bet official, right? Also, I'm leaving this here. You know what happens if you try to run off with it, right? I'll publicize the exact amount I've bet."
They were students who wanted to graduate from the academy without incident.
They wouldn't want to earn the enmity of the other students.
A matchup where one side was guaranteed to win. And on top of that, a bet where profit was a certainty—there would be plenty of idiots who'd bet even if they had to scrape together every last coin.
One of them came to confirm.
"This—is this all platinum coins? A-Are you really betting all of this?"
In modern terms, that'd be roughly 1.5 to 2 billion yen? Well, that was about the right amount.
It was a huge sum for students to handle.
"Of course. I'm the man who conquered the Dungeon. What's wrong with betting my entire fortune on myself?"
The five of them, still catching their breath, began verifying that every last coin was genuine.
"With this much, people will actually start placing bets."
"We need to spread the word right away!"
"This one's gonna be huge!"
I was glad they were getting excited.
A voice came from behind me.
"...Bartfort. We need to talk."
I turned around.
I'd expected my second brother or second sister to approach me first, but it seemed Angelica had gotten there first.
The entire area fell silent.
◇
The place I was summoned to was a private room with no one around.
It looked like they'd borrowed the space where the boys usually held their tea parties.
"She agreed to lend it to me right away when I told her I needed it for a conversation with you. She must get along well with the teachers."
Could it be that the Teacher—no, Master—had arranged this? A gentleman like him would naturally think of such considerate details.
I was so touched I nearly teared up.
"...Bartfort. You need to withdraw from this duel."
Angelica looked slightly haggard as she told me to call off the fight.
"That was decided on the spot, so backing out now would hurt my pride too, wouldn't it?"
Pride had nothing to do with it—I wanted to participate, so I was going to participate.
Angelica smiled weakly, without any real force behind it.
"Weren't you targeted too? Your room was completely ransacked. Until the duel, they plan to keep hammering you relentlessly."
She said they were working to make sure I didn't have even a one-in-a-million chance of winning.
His Highness and the others probably didn't know about any of this.
The entourage around His Highness was being proactive on their own. What incredible loyalty!
But I couldn't forgive them for picking a fight with me.
I was a petty man. And I was a mob.
So if someone pushed me, I'd push right back.
Normally, I'd just keep quiet and wait for the storm to pass, but this time I'd decided I wasn't going to take it lying down.
"I have no more power. There's nothing I can do that you're expecting of me."
I sighed.
"Did your family say something to you?"
Her shoulders trembled at my words. Angelica hugged herself tightly, gripping her own arms.
"...They said challenging the duel was rash. But, but... I wanted to do something. Anything! I wanted to get that woman away from His Highness! And then my mind just went blank. After I sent my response, I was told to stay put and behave. I'm finished. At best, I'll be placed under house arrest or sent to a remote territory. At worst—"
—She'd be expected to take her own life. To atone with her blood.
I didn't think it would come to that, though.
"You've got the wrong idea. Honestly, I couldn't care less about the Duchy."
Angelica looked up with a surprised expression.
"Th-Then why did you volunteer back then?! Are you an idiot?! You're definitely an idiot, aren't you?! Listen—whether you win or lose this duel, you're finished. Your opponents include His Highness the Crown Prince and a bunch of elite nobles! What do you think is going to happen after you've picked a fight with them?!"
She ranted on until she was out of breath, and I gave her a small, knowing smile.
"It doesn't matter. I don't need a noble title or prestige. You know what it's like being treated as lower-caste in the upper class? Work hard to go independent and you'll spend every day kissing up to women. I'm exhausted. So I figured I might as well beat up everyone I hate and quit altogether."
"This will drag your family down too!"
"I'm actually an independent knight. Provisional, but still. And besides, my family is a different household entirely."
"P-P-provisional?"
Angelica tilted her head, but that wasn't what I was after. The fact that I couldn't just leave Marie to her own devices was something we had in common.
"You want to keep Marie away from His Highness. I want to beat every last one of those guys to a pulp. See? We're a perfect match for cooperation."
Angelica stumbled backward several steps.
"Are you insane?! They're the top performers in our year!"
That part didn't worry me.
If this duel had happened during the third year—or rather, the second year—I might have been in real trouble. But at this point, my odds were better than theirs.
"It's fine. I'm strong."
"Should I trust that?! Come to think of it, I've heard that many of the adventurers who conquer Dungeons have a few screws loose! Are you one of them too?!"
"How rude! The reason I challenged them is because there's a chance I can win! And besides, you were the one who started this in the first place!"
"Y-Yes, I already said I was sorry about that! I'll take responsibility. You stay out of this. I can't let you get dragged down... just—just the fact that you stood up for me back then was enough."
When everyone else looked like the enemy, she must have seen me as someone who came to help without expecting anything in return. In Angelica's eyes, I was probably a hero.
Even though I was just a mob and a nobody.
"No, I've come this far. There's no turning back, and turning back would be more humiliating anyway."
"...Do you realize that Greg and Chris are among your opponents? Those two are no joke when it comes to fighting strength."
Right. And it wasn't just those two—all five of them were standout fighters among the student body. At least within the academy.
"And what were you thinking, betting that kind of money on yourself?!"
...She really was a proper noble lady through and through.
She'd seen the mountain of platinum coins but hadn't even flinched. Most people would have collapsed in shock.
I was almost envious.
"If you want, you can place a bet too. Bet on me and you'll make a fortune."
"I don't need to! Do I look like I'm short on money?"
This was the kind of thing noble ladies said... oh well.
"The harassment will be over soon too. There are only a few days left until the duel."
I left the room.
◇
The day of the duel.
The arena at the academy, where students could use their Armor (mecha), was enormous.
The spectator seats were protected by magical barriers, and safety was fully ensured.
The academy arena. The thought that so many students had dueled here before... I couldn't really stir up much emotion about it.
In the changing room, I put on my outfit and looked at myself.
"You look great. Well, of course—I crafted this one-of-a-kind piece for the master myself using optimal materials."
The dark gray main suit was color-matched to the Armor (mecha), consisting of a skin-tight undershirt with pants and a vest layered over it.
The neck was protected.
"This isn't what I expected. I'm requesting a redesign."
"Denied. Minor differences in color or design have no impact on performance. Even if it's not to your taste, please bear with it."
Did this thing actually consider me its master?
I put on the jacket and stepped out of the changing room, where Olivia was waiting.
"—Ah!"
She'd been leaning against the wall, and when I emerged, she hurried over. She felt really close.
"Um—uh—I can't really do anything, but I'll be cheering for you! I'm cheering for you, Leon!"
Being encouraged by the protagonist gave me an odd feeling. She was supposed to be on the other side of this whole thing.
"You bet on me? Then you've made the right call. I'll make you rich."
I gave her a thumbs-up and turned to leave, but Olivia shook her head.
"Eh? I didn't place a bet. I think gambling is wrong."
"O-Oh."
Being told that with those beautiful, clear eyes of hers made me suddenly embarrassed about having bet my entire fortune on myself.
So this was the power of the protagonist, huh?
We headed from the changing room toward the arena together, and the five opponents were already assembled on the other side.
They had their prized Armor (mecha) ready and were showing them off to the spectators.
More than armor, they looked like robots—nearly three meters tall. They were powered suits, mysterious humanoid weapons that could even fly.
"Ooh, flashy color schemes."
Starting from His Highness the Crown Prince's white Armor (mecha), each one was lined up with gaudy decorations.
When I emerged, a wave of boos erupted.
Looking up at the spectator seats, I spotted Daniel and Raymond. When our eyes met, they discreetly showed me red betting slips—their proof that they'd wagered on me—being careful that those around them wouldn't see.
Betting on His Highness earned you blue slips.
"Those guys... Well, time to do my best."
When I came out, Angelica rushed over.
"Hey! Why didn't you prepare an Armor (mecha)! You were acting all confident—don't tell me you don't even have one!"
She was getting increasingly forward with me, but I just looked up at the sky.
An open-air arena.
Today, the sky stretched out in a brilliant blue.
"No problem. It's arrived."
The moment I pointed upward, a black dot appeared in the sky. Luxion, who'd been hidden under my jacket, transmitted only to my ears.
"Arroganz is approaching."
A massive box plummeted from the sky.
Five meters tall, four meters wide—it touched down in the arena and split open from the front. Inside stood a single Armor (mecha) with its arms crossed.
Last time I'd used it, it had been for construction rather than combat, but seeing it like this, it radiated the presence and dignity of a genuine war machine. I almost felt bad about the first time I'd used it—back when I'd just been digging holes in the floating island. The level of craftsmanship was almost wasted on that.
But the name. I couldn't figure out what it meant.
"...What did Arroganz mean again?"
It sounded vaguely familiar, vaguely not... but it was an impressive-sounding name, so I personally liked it.
"It's a word perfectly suited to you."
"Is that so? Look at you, being thoughtful for once."
The dark gray Armor (mecha) was nothing like the sleek, modern designs that were currently in fashion—it was built to be sturdy above all else. The body itself was larger than ordinary Armor (mecha).
It had no flashy adornments, looking more like an unrefined robot built for real combat rather than show.
If His Highness's Armor (mecha) were the high-mobility slim type, mine was the heavy-armor, tank-like variety.
The appearance of my Armor (mecha) drew roaring laughter from the arena's spectators.
People from all three years had gathered.
It gave the impression that everyone who could attend this event on the first day of summer break had shown up.
Thousands were in attendance, but since the spectator seats were designed to hold tens of thousands, there was more than enough room.
Angelica shot me a suspicious look.
"You're planning to fight in this thing? Is it a Lost Item or something? That's probably why you're so confident, right? A Lost Item isn't special because it's strong—it's special because it's impossible to replicate!"
Olivia tilted her head with her hand on her cheek.
"But it's kind of cute, isn't it?"
"Your aesthetic sense is broken. It's not just unrefined—it's completely unsuited for modern combat."
In a world where offense was prioritized over defense, the norm was to move fast and take down the enemy quickly.
In other words, heavy armor looked like an outdated relic.
I preferred heavy armor, though.
"You'll understand once you see it."
I climbed into the arena—onto the stage.
As I approached my Armor (mecha), a purple one descended into the arena. It had a slim silhouette, and its back was laden with multiple lance-like weapons.
Based on the color, it had to be Brad's.
I popped open the chest of my Armor (mecha) to reveal myself inside.
"I'll give you credit for not running away. But did you really think this old, clunky piece of junk could stand up to my Armor (mecha)? This masterpiece was crafted by a renowned artisan, and just the cost of production alone—"
Ignoring his boasting, I opened the chest of my Armor (mecha).
I slid inside, threading my arms through the two forward openings and gripping the control sticks within. They were like a game's joysticks, built into the arms of the Armor (mecha). Once I gripped them, the chest closed, cutting off my outside view—.
"Activating Arroganz."
At Luxion's words, Arroganz powered on. Right before my eyes, I could see the outside world as clearly as if I were standing there in person.
Internal machinery engaged, protecting the head, neck, and torso in sequence.
Once preparations were complete, I looked forward. Brad was still going on about his Armor (mecha).
"Is that idiot still bragging?"
"Based on what he said, the weapons mounted on his back appear to be drone-type ordnance. Shall we deploy our own in response?"
"No need. Let's make this flashy from the start. Part of it is to show off this thing's performance, but honestly, the purple ones are always glass cannons."
In the game, they went down so fast they were a real pain.
When Arroganz took a single step forward, I could see Brad's expression twist in anger. He didn't appreciate being ignored.
It's fine... I was listening. I know what your Armor (mecha) is capable of.
"...Your attitude is pissing me off."
He closed his chest plate and assumed a combat stance, so I decided to draw my weapon as well.
"Let's see—blade number one."
What emerged from the backpack's storage compartment was a shovel. The Sword-Scoop, primarily optimized for digging holes.
It was scaled for an Armor (mecha), so it was quite large, but... it was still a shovel.
"Huh?!"
"Last time, blade number one was assigned to the shovel."
"Pull out an actual blade!"
"You were the one who designated number one."
This thing was definitely doing it on purpose.
I readied the shovel, and I could hear the audience starting to laugh—but Brad, apparently feeling humiliated, was seething with rage.
"You... so this is how you mock me?!"
The referee's voice—a teacher's—echoed through the arena.
"Both combatants, first recite the oath of the duel—"
But Brad lunged forward without waiting, closing the distance in a massive stride.
Both hands gripping his spear, he thrust it straight at me. Aiming for the torso. He was clearly trying to kill.
The tip of the spear blazed with magical energy.
Luxion was impressed.
"What a splendid lunge."
"You—"
When I tried to move the Armor (mecha), it responded exactly as I envisioned. The heavy Armor (mecha) sidestepped with surprising agility, then seized Brad's arm and pinned it down.
"L-Let go!"
"Easy now. See, we've got the duel oath to recite first. We should take care of that properly—wouldn't want any complications."
◇
Angelica watched Arroganz's movements and broke into a cold sweat.
Beside her, Olivia—who had absolutely zero knowledge about Armor (mecha)—was clenching her fists and cheering for Leon.
"Angelica, Leon looks like he might actually do pretty well!"
All Angelica could manage was a dazed "Ah, yes" in response.
Inwardly, though, she couldn't believe what she was seeing.
(What was that movement?! That much armor mass moving with that kind of agility? Impossible. What kind of Armor (mecha) is that? The heavier it is, the more mana it drains from its pilot—that's how they work!)
By every principle of Armor (mecha) engineering, that weight should have been impossible.
And it wasn't just the speed—there was the power. The sheer force needed to pin Brad's Armor (mecha) with one arm was unreal.
(This is the Armor (mecha) the Field family prepared for their heir. It's not some mass-produced model meant to pad the numbers—it's a genuine knight's Armor (mecha). And he just...)
The two combatants in the arena recited their representative vows as duel delegates.
Oaths about not holding grudges even in death.
But Angelica couldn't tear her eyes away from Leon's Armor (mecha).
Voices drifted from the crowd around her.
"Come on, just start already."
"I bet my entire fortune on His Highness. This is guaranteed money."
"I borrowed money from my family too!"
Most of the spectators were hoping Leon would lose quickly.
Some students had even gone into debt to place massive bets on Julius and the others winning. Both boys and girls were trying to make a fortune on this opportunity.
Angelica let out a laugh.
"Ahah—ahahahaha!"
She started laughing, and Olivia stared at her with alarm.
"Wh-What's wrong?"
"How could I not laugh? That man is truly something else."
Olivia fired back.
"He's not! Leon is a kind person!"
"Yeah. You're right."
While placating Olivia with a noncommittal response, Angelica pondered.
(But then why did he take my side? I understand that he judged he could win. But thinking long-term, siding with me was the worst move he could have made. Surely he's not so dense he doesn't realize that.)
◇
Brad was panicking.
Inside the cramped cockpit, every breath he exhaled bounced back warm and stale against his face.
"What the—what the hell is this?!"
He looked at the arm of his Armor (mecha). Where it had been gripped, the armor was dented in the shape of fingers. The Armor (mecha)'s plating was reinforced with both physical durability and magical barriers—a normal attack wouldn't even scratch it.
It shouldn't have been scratched.
And yet—completely immobilized.
He had tried to resist and couldn't move an inch, while his opponent showed no sign of strain whatsoever.
While waiting for the signal to start, any pre-battle composure he'd had was completely gone.
"I have no choice but to use this."
The spears strapped to his back—long, handleless cylinders—could be made to float via magic, turning them into autonomous weapons.
They were Brad's trump card, leveraging his high magical aptitude.
Four spears would attack from all directions simultaneously, skewering the opponent. A finishing move.
"Then, both combatants—begin!"
The instant the duel started, Brad released the spears from his back and levitated them into the surrounding air. There were four of them.
"You couldn't possibly withstand a simultaneous attack from four directions—"
Brad got that far before the dark gray steel giant was already bearing down on him.
It was holding a shovel in both hands, raised high for a massive overhead swing.
"—Huh?"
◇
The deafening clash of metal echoed through the arena.
The moment the duel began, Arroganz charged forward and smashed the shovel into Brad, sending him flying clear across to the arena wall.
"What kind of power is that?!"
The overwhelming gap in machine performance ended everything before the opponent could even mount an attack.
All Arroganz had done was charge in a straight line and bring down the shovel, and the purple wizard-hat was already combat-incapacitated.
"I held back, you know. I'll admit that magic-powered Armor (mecha) is impressive, but that's the only thing worth praising. Excessive decoration and no sleekness to speak of."
...Was Arroganz still sore about being mocked? Well, Luxion had built it, so maybe it was taking the insult personally.
I approached the dented purple Armor (mecha) that had slammed into the wall.
The opponent was still trying to move, but I stepped on it.
The metal groaned under my weight.
"S-Stop! It hurts—help!"
The opponent's Armor (mecha) was crumpled, but my shovel hadn't even budged. Maybe I really should keep using this thing going forward.
I ignored Brad's cries for help.
"Come on, I'll crush you flat. Better admit defeat quickly, or you're done."
"What overwhelming force... As expected of the master. There are very few people who make the word 'underhanded' sound so fitting."
"...Was that a insult?"
"No, it was a compliment. In a fight, being called underhanded is the highest praise. You won't fight unless you believe you can win. I aspire to be the same way."
—Right. I entered this duel because I could win.
I held the shovel over my shoulder with my right hand and kept my foot on the purple bastard.
For the record, beating these guys senseless had also been a genuine desire of mine. My memories from my past life were telling me... to crush every last one of these troublesome bastards.
I gradually increased the pressure under my foot, and something started to creak—a sickening sound from the structural frame of Brad's Armor (mecha).
"Come on, admit defeat or you're actually going to die."
"I admit it! I admit defeat—!"
I slowly lifted my right foot off Brad and turned to survey the arena. The spears Brad had launched were either embedded in the arena floor or rolling across it.
The spectator seats had fallen completely silent.
I looked at the referee.
"Referee—Brad has conceded defeat."
At those words, the referee called out my name.
"The w-winner! Leon Fou Bartfort!"
The scattered applause I heard came from only a handful of people in the vast arena.
"A few people are clapping."
I could understand Angelica and Olivia, but there were others too.
Among the figures detected by the head camera, I spotted my Teacher—the one I called Master—standing tall with perfect posture, clapping with quiet dignity.
...Even now, Master was a true gentleman.