“I need to polish my strength before classes start! Can’t you just lend me some materials!? Be a little flexible!”
“The rules of the Luminous Academy dictate that when you make a request to the technical department, you provide the necessary materials and a reward. If we make an exception for you, we’ll have to do the same with the others. Of course we can’t do that.”
“That’s all very nice, but you really just want to up the reward, don’t you!? It’s weird that I even need so many materials just to make one magic item, isn’t it!?”
“What did you…!? That’s a lot of nonsense coming from someone who never actually made anything!”
“…I-it’s getting really heated. I can only see this turning ugly…”
Neither student was budging, and their argument just got more heated.
Eventually, Hercus reached his limit, grabbed the hatchet hanging from his waist, and raised it to threaten the other student.
“I’m outta patience! Accept my job right now! You don’t want to see what happens if you don’t!”
“You wanna go!? I’ve got something in mind too!!”
“Wah, hold on! Don’t lose your heads over this. Let’s calm down!”
Yuugo felt the threatening aura in the air, and stepped in to stop Hercus.
Hercus responded by turning and glaring, as Yuugo spoke softly to soothe him.
“I don’t really know the details, but rules are rules, right? Then you just gotta follow them. If you start getting violent, you’re not just going to get nothing, you’re going to get banned too. So calm down.”
“How can I calm down!? I gave them enough materials! If they still won’t take the job, they’re scammers!”
“…He says, but what happened?”
“If we tell him they’re not enough, they’re not enough. We’re the ones making these items. He’s just an idiot that won’t understand it no matter how many times we explain.”
“Damn you…!!”
“Wah wah wah! Calm down! Calm down!! Don’t say things that are just going to instigate him either!”
Even with Yuugo stepping in, the argument showed no signs of cooling off.
Whether they were both stubborn or had personalities that did not know how to back down, it was clear that at that rate, a brawl would break out. And as Yuugo nervously tried to mediate, Angel offered a proposal.
“All right, then let’s do this. Hercus, you duel Yuugo. If you win, I’ll take your request. If you lose, you back down. How about that?”
“Ah…? You’ll make my magic item?”
“Hey now, are you underestimating me because I’m a girl? I’ve been working in this studio for over five years, and I’m more than capable of making what you want.”
“…I don’t care either way. But is he okay with that?”
Nothing would get solved if that argument continued.
Hercus seemed willing to accept the proposal made by Angel, who acted as a representative, but he was more concerned about his opponent, Yuugo.
Yuugo would gain nothing from this duel, win or lose. He would lose nothing from losing the duel, but the same would happen if he won.
It was nothing more than a bet that would end up a waste of energy, meaning getting roped into it could only be a net loss for him. But he seemed to not mind, and responded, seeming quite indifferent.
“It’s fine. If I fight, you won’t get violent here, right? Then there’s meaning to it. Let’s do it. I’ll take your annoyance and irritation.”
“…You’re a weird guy. You weren’t the kind of guy to fight for that reason.”
“A lot happened and I’m different now. So, where are we fighting?”
“So it’s decided… There is a space in the back of the studio to test magic items, so do it over there. It should be big and sturdy enough, so have at it.”
Angel said after seeing both accepted her proposal, while pointing to the back of the studio.
And as Yuugo followed Hercus there, he spoke with Phi and Melt.
“I-I feel like this has gotten weird… Big brother, you get involved with trouble everywhere you go, don’t you?”
“Don’t say that. This is the destiny of a hero. If I can help people, that alone is good enough.”
“You’re so simple, or I guess optimistic… I know that’s one of your qualities, but still…”
He went there to discuss improving Blaster, was verbally abused by the students of the technical department, and was now about to duel a student that had nothing to do with any of this.
It did seem like there was no meaning to it, and like he was simply being used.
But still, Yuugo saw it as a situation where he could help people by fighting. And as Melt and Phi felt uneasy about that optimism, Angel, who proposed this duel, spoke.
“Sorry Yuugo. But this duel is a good opportunity to see your power and how Blaster performs. It will help to improve your magic item, so do your best out there.”
“Got it. It’s been a while since I had a one-on-one battle!”
He warmed up, and stepped into the duel… Rather, the magic item testing area.
Yuugo composed his breathing, as he watched Hercus, who was a step ahead and held his hatchets, and said the word that was so familiar to him as he activated blaster.
“Hen… Shin!!”
With a scarlet shine, Yuugo put on the black armor.
Angel saw both were ready to duel, and signaled for them to start from outside that space with a yell.
“Well then… Start the duel!!”
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Huh…guess I was wrong about Hercus, if he was an reincarnator, would he care about Yuugo’s situation? if he was, it would be killing 2 bird with 1 stone, getting his magic item and try to win melt, and Yuugo…we call that meddling not helping, there is a difference…
I’m guessing this guy gonna be part of Yuugo’s crew too