After waking up at [5:30 AM] this morning, I ate breakfast, then I immediately took a bath.
And after that, I went to the Lunar Library with the intention to study.
I had planned a light study session, but I ended up focusing harder than I thought. The books I found were insightful, and I got carried away reading them. The atmosphere was peaceful, and time flew by quickly without me noticing.
And contrary to my plan of short study session, I actually stayed there until [11:45 AM].
I left to eat lunch and didn’t come back to the library after that.
Instead, I went back to my dorm.
Then I rested and meditated there until [1:50 PM].
Meditation helped me clear my thoughts. It sharpened my focus, stabilized my mana, and reduced the tension I didn’t even realize I was carrying in my shoulders.
My body and mind relaxed a lot.
So now... With all of that done—
I’m now currently heading to the private dueling arena that Raven reserved!
That’s right... Today, Raven and I are going to have a training spar.
How did it end up , you ask?
Raven just randomly asked me for a spar yesterday. I was confused at first, to be honest, as it was unexpected.
But a one-on-one match against him...
"I can’t just decline it for some reason."
I’m curious how strong Raven really is. I want to experience it firsthand— his strength that made many people admire him. His presence alone carries weight. There’s something about the way he moves, like he knows something the rest of us don’t.
"And if he’s strong enough, then I will do my best to persuade him to join me in my goal to defeat the demon lord..."
I thought with great determination.
Based on the knowledge I acquired along with my past life memories, the demon lord is a being that’s powerful enough to dominate every demon.
Be it in terms of physical prowess, magical power, intelligence, or any other aspects.
And the demon who helplessly killed me in my past life wasn’t even working directly under the demon lord!
"And compared to my past self..."
So if the demons started their invasion now, I would utterly be helpless again.
And my family and the precious people around me would be in danger.
"I don’t want that to happen, so I need to be stronger as fast as I can..."
"And find more people who can help me in my goal."
I declared again, full of resolve.
I know that I can’t possibly take down all the demons all by myself, so I need to gather comrades.
People I can trust. People who won’t hesitate in the face of despair. People who won’t run when things get ugly. Raven could be one of them— if I can prove myself worthy to stand beside him.
Anyway, looking around me...
I noticed something weird.
"I haven’t seen many people after lunch."
I only saw a few staff members and students on my way here, and they were all just looking at me weirdly.
Like I was walking into something I didn’t know about.
Also, I haven’t seen or heard anything from Blake, Adelle, Eve, Aoi, Curtis, or Raven ever since this morning.
And after thinking for a bit...
"Today is a weekend, so maybe they’re making full use of it and having fun somewhere."
Or maybe they’re just being weird and secretive. That wouldn’t be a first either.
Anyway, after that, I fastened my pace as I didn’t want to make Raven wait.
I’m a bit excited to start our fight as well, honestly.
After a few minutes of walking, Alec reached the place where he and Raven would have a sparring match.
It’s a stadium that’s at least four times bigger than his room, with an egg-like rooftop design.
The structure was made for private duels, so it was designed in a way that one wouldn’t be able to see what’s happening inside.
By the way, Alec still didn’t see many people on his way here.
But he decided not to pay attention to it as it’s not an important topic.
Alec entered the arena.
The path he needed to take was not that long, so he got to the waiting area quickly.
But he’s not there to rest, so Alec immediately left and walked toward the path that’s connected to the main field where the fights are held.
But as soon as he reached the main field—
Alec suddenly felt a lot of gazes on him!
He heard someone yell, and Alec couldn’t recognize whose voice it was!
"IT’S FINALLY GOING TO START!!!"
"MY GIRLFRIEND AND I WERE SUPPOSED TO BE OUT ON A DATE TODAY, BUT WE CANCELLED IT JUST TO WATCH THIS FIGHT!!!"
"SHUT UP, I HOPE YOU GUYS BROKE UP!"
And many other yellings from different people followed after that!
Alec looked around, and he saw that the spectator area of the arena was full of people!
There were students, staff, and even some professors!
And soon, Alec’s gaze landed at the middle of the main field. At the arena.
There was an individual standing there, looking at him while frowning.
And right after their eyes met each other, Raven hurriedly walked toward Alec!
"You idiot, I told you not to tell anyone!"
Raven exclaimed when he reached Alec.
"Well, I just thought that it would be a great help if there’s an onlooker of our sparring, so they can tell us what we should improve on after watching us..."
"...So I told Curtis."
Alec meekly replied as he felt guilty.
Raven then pointed at Curtis, who was with the others at the corner of the main field.
And Curtis was looking at them too with a smirk.
"That bitch told everyone in the academy!"
Raven said with an annoyed tone.
"I’m sorry, I didn’t know he would do that."
’Stupid, it’s Curtis, of course he’ll do that.’
Raven thought inwardly.
Fortunately, he was able to calm down— it was his trait acting up.
"Let’s just get started and ignore them."
Alec asked with wide eyes.
"We can just change the ti—"
Alec was about to suggest that they could reschedule the sparring match, but Raven cut him off midway.
"Fights can happen anywhere and anytime, you can’t just reschedule them."
Then he casually stated that.
"And I can also use the attention I’m getting for my trait..."
Raven added in a barely audible voice.
"I asked if you still remember what we agreed on about the spar."
Then he lied through his teeth.
"Ah, yeah... Of course I remember."
Not that Alec noticed it.
"No weapons, no magics, no artifacts, just body, mana, and skills."
Alec listed the rules of their fight.
And at his words, Raven nodded in satisfaction.
They decided to fight using only their body, mana, skills, and abilities!
"Come on, let’s get ready."
After that, Raven and Alec walked away from each other.
They put about 50 meters distance between themselves...
Then both of them took a proper fighting stance.
Alec and Raven looked serious as hell! Their eyes locked to one another.
"Huh, they’re not going to use any weapons?"
Then the spectators started whispering to each other when they noticed what the two were planning.
Curtis then said with a frown. He was with the others.
"But it’s more exciting this way!"
Then Adelle exclaimed that.
"Who do you guys think is gonna win?"
Blake followed a question.
But no one gave an answer.
Though, they all knew that Alec was probably stronger and had a higher chance of winning. Especially in a fight with no weapon.
They just couldn’t voice it out for some reason after seeing Raven’s serious expression on his face...
"Let’s just wait and see."
Eve then suddenly said, looking at Raven.
Aoi just chose to remain silent.
Curtis asked Raven and Alec. Him and the others are just at the far side of the arena.
Anyway, at his question— the whole arena became dead silent.
Alec and Raven just nodded their heads as a response to him.
And with that, no further ado—
Curtis exclaimed that!
And right after doing so, both Raven and Alec disappeared from everyone’s sight!
And they both reappeared in the middle of the arena!
Alec was holding Raven’s right fist that was near hitting his face with his right hand!
While Raven was holding Alec’s left fist that was near hitting his stomach with his left hand!
And seeing that sight, everyone felt goosebumps all over their bodies!