MTLNOVEL Chapter 60
On the eve of the duel, Irene was really upset with me.
“I brought what you requested… but, Violet, are you out of your mind?”
A neatly organized pile of documents dropped in front of me. They were materials I had urgently asked for.
“Thanks for helping out!”
At my natural response, Irene frowned, clearly frustrated.
“That’s not the point! Martina was already pretty famous for her dueling skills even before we enrolled. She’s an active B-rank hunter too. I don’t know what your level is, but this is insane! I’ll help you, so just go and cancel it now!”
“No way! You’re telling me to back out now? I can win!”
I wasn’t completely confident, but I had some faith in myself.
First, we had an advantage in the variety of weapons.
While going through the application process for the duel, I confirmed something. There was a mutual agreement on the weapons we could use, and her weapon was just a single sword—a rapier, at that.
“I’m right, as expected.”
Moreover, after rummaging through the various materials that Irene had hastily gathered, I found that the only magic she could use was simple control techniques like a magic bullet. Contrary to her appearance, she was a pure melee combat specialist.
In contrast, our weapons were diverse. A repeating crossbow, shields of various sizes, daggers, spears, axes, one-handed swords, and a mace. It’s a shame we can’t use explosives, but I didn’t have any to begin with.
Anyway, I believed that we could overcome her swordsmanship and experience with sheer numbers. Once the duel began, we could bombard her with pressure from long range to close combat.
“…You can use various weapons? You don’t look like you can handle all of them proficiently.”
“That’s true. But I have my methods.”
The advantages of the Violets did not end there. We had numerical superiority.
According to the status screen, my level after my last level-up was as follows.
<CHARACTER STAT>
Name: Violet Dunhind Rugilinn
Alias: Beginner Duelist
Status: First Year Student at Polaris Comprehensive Academy
Lv: 19
HP: 3500/3500
MP: 18000/18000
Unique Ability: <Collective Intelligence> Lv2
<Fluid-Consciousness/Self-Linked Clone Technique> Lv2
Resonance Trait:
* Backstab – Damage increases when attacking from behind.
* Weakness Extermination – Damage increases when attacking a target with low health.
…
The number of clones I could produce at once was 36. It was a shame I couldn’t bring all 100 I had created so far. But there was still a workaround for that.
Since others couldn’t see my MP, it was a clever trick I could use.
“Do we have the Magic Energy Supplements ready?”
“Absolutely!”
I had splurged and ordered a ton of expensive Magic Energy Supplements. Four boxes were delivered, each containing 25 colorful vials. Each drink could refill about 500 MP, so theoretically, I had about an extra 50,000 MP secured.
With this, I could produce 100 clones. I could definitely push forward with numerical superiority. I would set up a formation to pressure her.
And lastly, there was a unique feature of my special ability.
“…Your ability relies on clones! If the main body gets intercepted, numerical superiority becomes meaningless! Plus, an experienced hunter can easily leap over formations…”
As Irene pointed out, the world doesn’t truly know what my ability is. There are rare awakened ones like me who can create clones. However, their abilities involve controlling the clones in a puppet-like fashion. It’s only natural for those unaware to aim for the head; that would be a reasonable judgment.
I planned to use that common wisdom to my advantage and make myself the bait.
I won’t lose.
***
The next day at 2:40 PM, I finished washing up and checked my weapons and gear one last time before heading down to the first floor of the dormitory.
Daphne was still not awake. The doctor said she would wake up today or so.
“…Violet. I’ll ask you one more time, are you really okay? If you can’t cancel, then let’s postpone the duel instead. I can contact Helios to get you better equipment.”
As Irene waited at the entrance, asking worriedly several times, I waved my hand to dismiss her. I had no intention of relying on her help here.
Despite my gratitude, this was strictly my own affair. It was my revenge.
After a while of walking, I entered the duel arena and was surprised to see more people seated in the dueling area than I expected. Had some rumors spread? Perhaps the management board had called them on purpose. I could see some sitting with popcorn and cola.
“Violet… now that it’s come to this, hang in there.”
Irene escorted me with a worried expression as I stepped into the center of the duel arena. I could see her heading toward her seat.
Finally, the time came. I, Clone 3, tried to calm my pounding heart as I walked into the arena. I could see Martina walking toward me from the opposite side. That arrogant posture was still the same.
I would flatten that nose of hers.
“Now, before we start the duel, I will reconfirm the participants’ intentions. Violet Rugilinn, Martina Perian. Are you ready? Please signal if you’re prepared.”
As the announcement played over the speaker, I nodded. I could hear a voice from the other side saying, “Ready.”
“Then, we will prepare for the duel.”
The mechanical voice echoed as the ground trembled. Even though I had been here several times before, the scene of the barrier deploying and isolating us from the outside was still hard to get used to.
“Now, the duel will begin in one minute. Participants are to remain on standby until the start signal is given. 59, 58, 57…”
The translucent barrier began to rise. At the same time, my vision flickered before settling, distorting and then returning to normal.
In the process, the duel area, which was once the size of a small basketball court, had expanded to rival a soccer field. This virtual environment was difficult to acclimate to as it was even larger inside than outside. Did it really need to be this big?
The countdown had ticked down to the thirties. Was it the second duel that made my body tremble a bit? From the opposite seat, I saw Martina casually stretching while her gaze shifted toward me, laughing at my appearance.
“Hey! First Year! Just surrender already!”
I could hear taunts as well—were they her friends, the blonde with the ponytail? I tried to ignore them.
Countdown to ten seconds, nine seconds, eight seconds, the time of fate drew closer.
“Everyone, get ready!”
I felt Violet’s tremors intensely all over, as if an earthquake had struck. Was it fear? No, it wasn’t. It was rage, excitement, and that indescribable thrill before a battle. All of it surged through my heart and spread throughout my body.
“The duel begins.”
A short explosive sound like a starting gun echoed from the speaker inside the barrier. My senses snapped to attention.
“Combat deployment! Prepare to charge!”
I felt my magical energy violently escaping my body. Thirty Violets spread out into the arena. Armed with crossbows and shields, the Violets positioned themselves in two lines, aiming their weapons at the enemy.
Simultaneously, Violets from the central area began to guzzle down Magic Energy Supplements.
First objective, deploy over 50 clones inside the arena.
Martina had just drawn her sword from its sheath. The rapier radiated a striking red light. Wait, that’s what it was…!
“Everyone, take aim! Let’s finish this in one shot!”
We pulled the levers of the crossbows in unison, loading the bolts. Magic flowed over the bolts as we targeted her upper body with the red dot of the sight. It took just about a second. Again, like gears in a clock, we pulled the triggers continuously.
Martina began to charge forward.
– Peep-peep!
Red bolts infused with magical power sliced through the air. As the bolts flew near their target, flashes of light erupted in succession. A hit?
“Deflected!”
“Everyone, free fire!”
Remarkably, Martina swung her rapier, deflecting the bolts that had flown right in front of her! We continued to rain bolts on her, but she charged through the hail of bolts, taking them head-on.
“She’s coming! Raise your shields!”
I could feel Clone 5 trembling. In just a few seconds, Martina had crossed half the arena toward us. Watching her intensity, I was reminded of when I saw Irene duel. Speed-wise, she might be about 0.7 of Irene?
I locked eyes with the fearsome green-eyed girl charging at us as the Violets readied their shields and thrust their spears. The spear points carrying the red magical energy aimed straight at her…
And then, I felt nothing. The target vanished right before my eyes.
“Where did she go? She vanished!”
“No! Above!”
She jumped over us! Truly an awakened one’s power.
Martina leaped right over our line. Her target was Clone 5, who was standing at the rear.
“Ahhh! She’s coming!! She’s here!”
“You know your role well, right? Don’t run away!”
Caught!
Clone 5 flailed her sword in defense, but the rapier charged with white magical energy pierced her forehead rapidly.
“Ughh!”
Clone 5 crumpled to the ground. Martina turned around with a triumphant expression, confident in her victory.
“Hahaha! Is that all? You put on airs with me…?”
Martina’s voice trailed off as she looked perplexed at the fallen Clone 5 and then us. The face intoxicated by victory clouded with uncertainty as she realized.
Yes, she must have expected to take down the main body in one blow and watch the clones vanish. But what now?
“What? That was definitely… my main body?”
“That’s my clone!”
“Does that make sense? Clearly…!”
Utilizing the restored magic, clones began to form once more. Total of 50. The assault team with shields dashed toward her. Having fallen into our bait, she was cornered at the rear of our line—effectively encircled. Clones 18, 19, and 21 charged in with their suppression shields raised. They intended to crush her with their weight and stab her with their swords.
We would overwhelm her…!
It had to end this way.
– Bam!
An unimaginable explosion rang out.
Clone 18 crumpled to the ground with her shield.
“Kyahh!”
With one kick from Martina, the suppression shield crumpled.
As Clone 18 fell, Clone 19 thrust her spear with all her might. The straight-flying spear was deftly entwined by the rapier, finding its way in. Clone 19’s neck was pierced.
“Ahhh!”
Three white cutting strikes landed on the trembling Clone 21’s suppression shield. The shield shattered. Clone 21 staggered back in shock as her head split in two.
“Surround her! Surround her!”
I knew awakened ones were strong, but was she this strong?
No, we had numbers!