As Soon As The instructor Went out.
Cassian stood tall, her icy blue eyes scanning the room with an undeniable air of confidence.
"I, Cassian Orion Raven, will take the role of class leader."
Her voice was firm, unwavering.
The moment those words left her lips, the classroom erupted into murmurs.
"A commoner?!"
"She has no right!"
"How dare she declare herself class leader when nobles are present?"
The disdain was thick in the air, especially among the noble students.
Their glares, their whispers it was clear they would not accept her so easily.
Then, a sharp voice cut through the noise.
"Hah! How bold of you, a mere commoner, to think you can lead us."
A young man with neatly combed blue hair and piercing green eyes stepped forward. His uniform was pristine, decorated with an insignia that marked him as a noble of status.
"I am Cedric Von Helmut, son of Viscount Helmut. If anyone is fit to be class leader, it is me."
[Status Window]
Name: Cedric Von Helmut
Title: The Noble Marionette
Race: Human (100%)
Class: Mage/Swordsman
Talent Grade: 5 High Star
Current Mage Level: 1 Mid Star Mage
Strength: 6
Stamina: 7
Durability: 10
Mana: 40
Intelligence: E
Affinity: Water
Blessings (1): Blessing of the Wave]
"Ohh.." A smile Creep onto my Lip.
He folded his arms, his gaze filled with arrogance as he looked Cassian up and down.
"You are nothing more than a fallen noble—no, worse, a commoner. Leadership is reserved for those of noble birth, those with status and power. What makes you think you deserve it?"
Cassian smirked, completely unfazed.
"Status? Bloodline? Is that all you nobles ever talk about? If you think that's enough to make you a leader, then prove it."
She crossed her arms, tilting her head slightly.
"Or are you just all talk, Viscount's son?"
The tension in the room grew thick. Students leaned in, waiting for Cedric's reaction. His face twisted in irritation.
Cedric scoffed, his lips curling into a smirk.
"For a mere fallen noble, you certainly are brave. But bravery doesn't change the fact that you are beneath me."
His voice dripped with condescension as he looked Cassian up and down like she was some insect beneath his boot.
Cassian's grip tightened into a fist, her crystal-blue eyes flaring with rage. The veins in her temple twitched as she took a step forward, ready to strike—
"Alright, that's enough."
Victor's voice cut through the rising tension like a blade. He let out an exaggerated sigh, standing up from his seat lazily.
"Look, if you two want to rip each other apart, at least do it properly. Instead of barking at each other like mad dogs, why not put in a request for a duel?"
The room fell silent for a moment.
Then Victor raised his hand, looking around at the class with a smirk.
"Isn't that right, everyone?"
The students exchanged glances, whispering among themselves.
"He's not wrong..."
"Yeah, we do have a duel system..."
"It'd be more entertaining, at least."
Victor stretched his arms casually before resting his chin on his hand.
"After all, a class leader should be someone who sets a good example, right?"
His gaze flickered between Cedric and Cassian.
"Fighting like this… well, it doesn't really scream 'leadership material,' does it?"
Cassian, still fuming, glanced at Victor before exhaling sharply.
Meanwhile, Cedric narrowed his eyes, clearly irritated but also considering the option.
The atmosphere was thick with anticipation.
Would they accept the duel?
Cassian scoffed, crossing her arms.
"Fine. If that's what it takes to shut you up, I'll gladly accept."
Cedric smirked, running a hand through his neatly styled blue hair.
"Good. Then let's make it official. One week from now."
His confidence oozed with arrogance, as if he had already won the duel before it even began.
With a last glance at Cassian who looked more than ready to tear him apart he turned and strode toward the door while His Goon follow Behind Him.
"Prepare yourself, Raven. A commoner like you has no place challenging nobility."
With that, he walked out, his grin unwavering, as if he had already imagined himself standing over her in victory.
The classroom fell into murmurs, students whispering among themselves about the upcoming duel.
Some of the noble born students sneered at Cassian, while others seemed genuinely intrigued.
Victor simply leaned back in his chair, watching it all unfold with amusement.
"Well, that escalated quickly." He muttered to himself, a smirk playing on his lips.
----------------------
As Victor walked down the grand hallways of Lumina Academy of Hero Arts toward The Traning ground For The Next Class, he delved deep into his thoughts, his steps steady, his expression unreadable.
'Why did I intervene?'
It wasn't out of goodwill, He didn't care about Cassian's pride or Cedric's arrogance.
No, he did it because pure chaos on the first day would be a waste and a Very bad started.
If they had fought right there, Cedric would have been humiliated.
Victor had seen his status screen his stats were mediocre at best.
He was a noble by blood, not by ability.
Cassian would've crushed him in a matter of seconds, and that would have ended the struggle before Victor could exploit it.
But a duel…? A proper, organized duel in front of the entire class?
That was something Victor could use.
'If Cedric wins, I Would be gaining A puppet Class Leader.'
A cold, calculating smile tugged at the corner of his lips. He didn't need to be class leader to hold power.
No, it was better to pull the strings from the shadows, nudging things in his favor while letting others bear the responsibilities.
'Cedric is weak. That means he can be controlled.'
The moment he saw Cedric step up to challenge Cassian, the gears in his head started turning.
Class leaders in Lumina Academy of Hero Arts held real authority.
They managed the class, received academy funding, and most importantly gained extra credits during the Class War Exams.
'If I want to climb higher, I need Class D to rank high in the exams.'
If Class D performed well, it wouldn't just be Cedric benefiting it would be Me too.
More credits meant a faster path to advancement, and in this corrupt academy, power belonged to those who could prove their worth.
But for that to happen, Cedric needed to win the duel.
Cassian was strong, much stronger than Cedric. If left alone, she would crush him easily. But what if she wasn't at her full strength?
'I'll weaken Cassian before the duel. Not enough to cripple her, just enough to ensure Cedric's victory.'
If Cedric won, A noble, desperate to prove himself, That was a valuable pawn.
Victor's devilish grin widened.
'All I need to do is make sure everything falls into place.'
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