Promotion Duels

It is an internal ranking battle held over the course of a year to determine who is the strongest within the academy.

During this period, students can challenge each other to duels at will. Winning a duel raises their Academy Rank Caste, and with continued victories at the next rank, their Academy Rank increases. By repeating this process, students aim to reach the highest rank, [Special Rank], and secure the prestigious recommendation for Arcane Sword Mastery, the ultimate goal of all academy students.

In simple terms, this is how the Promotion Duels and the Academy Rank system work. After classes ended, all students were gathered in the grand auditorium—the same one used during the entrance ceremony—for an overview of the event. Every face bore a serious expression, filled with anticipation for the battles about to begin.

—How bloodthirsty...

Since I had no choice but to raise my Academy Rank, I had come here to listen to the broad explanation, the rules, and other details of this first Promotion Duels of the year. Frankly, it was an incredible hassle.

If I must throw myself into these utterly barbaric, peace-destroying duels to raise my rank, so be it. But the road to my goal—reaching [First Rank]—was far too long. There are a total of eleven ranks, from Tenth to Special Rank, and climbing from Tenth Rank to Fourth Rank requires defeating at least twenty students of the same rank. From Fourth to Third Rank, the duels become rare due to fewer participants, and the number of First Rank students is just a few percent of the total. In fact, at [Fourth Rank], the method of advancement changes into something special. Only those truly chosen by strength can reach that level. To make matters worse, the rank determined in this first duel must be defended until the new academic year.

—Students are grouped by rank, and from there, the Promotion Duels begins. At first, with so many participants, arranging duels is easy, and advancing shouldn’t be too difficult...

Once this briefing ends, students of the same rank can immediately begin dueling freely. There are some conditions and regulations, but as long as you adhere to these, everything is fine.

• First, both parties must agree to the duel.
• Second, duels must take place outside class hours.
• Third, killing is strictly prohibited.
• Fourth, follow these rules and conduct fair and safe duels.

—Is this academy insane?

I couldn’t help but think so. Holding such a violent event with such enthusiasm made me seriously question their sanity. And yet, the majority of students participated eagerly… Are they all just naturally bloodthirsty?

Regardless, I had no choice. Raising my Academy Rank was necessary to borrow the books I sought. Complaining and escaping reality wouldn’t change that.

Just as I steeled my resolve—

“That concludes the explanation! Now, we shall reveal the current Academy Rank standings on stage!!”

“Oooohhh!!!”

Guin, the academy headmaster, made the announcement in a booming voice, and the students in the grand auditorium erupted in excitement.

Of course, they were eager to see this year’s rankings. Upperclassmen’s ranks factored in last year’s Promotion Duelss, while freshmen like me had provisional ranks based on entrance exam results and previous joint training performances. Traditionally, first-years start at [Tenth Rank], while outstanding students are placed in [Eighth Rank].

—Who was here during my first run?

I had no memory of it. Since I hadn’t properly participated back then, I had no expectations for this moment. In a way, this was my first time experiencing it.

“Clay! Let’s go see!”

“Yeah, yeah.”

The battle-crazed girl who always stuck by my side pulled me along by the arm. To her, this Promotion Duels was a dream event. As long as it was after school, she could fight freely without restraint.

—This girl should really not be left unchecked...

But that wasn’t my problem. No matter how much destruction she caused, the responsibility would fall on her—or rather, the academy itself. As long as she didn’t disrupt my peace, she could do as she pleased.

—I had no intention of fighting her, not even a little. As long as I stayed away from her during this period, there would be no issues.

While contemplating my next steps, I glanced at the students swarming the bulletin board. Cheers and cries of despair echoed across the room as they checked their rankings.

“My Academy Rank is… Found it! [Eighth Rank]!”

“Oh… That’s impressive.”

Freesia, who had quickly found her name, beamed with joy. Though I feigned surprise, it wasn’t unexpected. Considering her achievements and status in the Special Advancement class, it made perfect sense for her to receive [Eighth Rank] as a first-year.

—Now then, where do I stand?

From what I’d heard, students in the Special Advancement class usually started at [Ninth Rank] at the lowest. Given the prestige of the class, the academy naturally expected a certain level of ability.

Assuming I had been assigned [Ninth Rank], I casually scanned the bulletin board. However, no matter how long I searched, I couldn’t find my name there.

“...What’s going on?”

As I pondered the situation, Freesia once again grabbed my arm. Please, stop pulling on my sleeve—it’s going to stretch.

“Look, Clay! Your name is here!”

“Huh? Where exactly—”

Following her delicate finger, I turned my gaze to the spot she indicated. And there, in a completely unexpected place, I saw my name.

[Sixth Rank] Claym Bradley

“—Huh?”

“Amazing, Clay! You’re already in the same rank as the upperclassmen!!”

For some inexplicable reason, I had been assigned to [Sixth Rank], a rank typically reserved for upperclassmen.

—Why???

Confused beyond words, I stood there in shock. No, having a high starting rank was convenient. It meant an easier path to [First Rank]. But as a first-year, standing at the same level as the upperclassmen...

“This is... awkward.”

Freesia’s loud excitement drew attention from nearby students, and soon, the surrounding crowd began eyeing me with curiosity. Worse still, upperclassmen who had heard my rank were now glaring at me with clear hostility.

—Ah... I’m already done with this.

Feeling my patience run thin, I resigned myself to my fate. Why did I have to suffer like this? The world truly seemed to despise me.

Still, this ranking made reaching [First Rank] faster. If I focused on my goal, I could achieve it quickly and return to what truly mattered—reading.

“I’ll catch up to your rank soon, so wait for me! Are you listening, Clay!? Clay!?”

Ignoring the loud idiot beside me, I left the grand auditorium.

—Let’s be quiet now, shall we?

Even with my resolve set, I had no intention of standing out more than necessary.