Strongest Warlock - Wizard World Irregular

Chapter 323: Cedric’s Challenge

"Ethan Gremory, I challenge you to a duel."

As soon as those words sounded, everyone who heard it looked at the handsome Second Year with blonde hair and blue eyes.

Ethan couldn't help but admire Cedric's tenacity to challenge him over and over again.

He first challenged him a day ago, but Ethan declined. This morning, he challenged him again, but Ethan once again declined.

Both challenges were requested in private when it was only the two of them, and Ethan rejected them both.

But, now, in front of everyone in the Grand Dining Hall of Brynhildr Academy, Cedric challenged Ethan a third time.

This time, he challenged him in front of many people, including the staff of the academy, with the intention of letting everyone know his intention of dueling him.

Cedric knew that Ethan might still reject his challenge, but if the latter were to do that, many would think that he wasn't upholding the honor of Brynhildr Academy.

There were unwritten rivalries between the different Magical Academies in the Shire Continent.

For them, challenging each other was the norm, and it was considered as a way to test which academy was better when it came to teaching their students.

The young man knew that rejecting Cedric in front of this many people would have consequences and, to be honest, the teenage boy's persistence annoyed him more than just a little bit.

A tense silence descended upon the Dining Hall, and after a while, Ethan finally nodded his head.

"Very well," Ethan replied. "Tomorrow afternoon at exactly two o'clock, I'll be waiting for you in the Arena."

Ethan's answer elicited the cheers of his fellow students and nods of approval from the staff.

For the Professors of the Academy, it didn't matter whether Ethan won or not. The only thing that mattered was that he accepted the challenge because Nightfall Academy was one of the academies that they treated as a rival.

Both academies had a very long history, and most students either had Nightfall Academy or Brynhildr Academy as their first choice.

Because of this, whenever the two met at special events or gatherings, a duel between the two was inevitable.

Cedric, who finally got what he wanted, thanked Ethan for accepting his challenge and returned to his seat at the table that was assigned for them.

Lilian, who was seated beside Ethan, simultaneously looked at her crush and her brother with a conflicted expression on her face.

Sensing her worries, the handsome young man smiled at her and shook his head.

"Don't worry. It's not a big deal," Ethan said.

"Just be careful, okay?" Lilian said in a volume that only Ethan could hear. "Brother has been training extremely hard since you left the academy."

Ethan nodded. "I'll keep that in mind."

After dinner, Ethan returned to Dud Manor and sat on top of his bed.

Before he accepted Cedric's challenge, Sebastian talked to him.

———————-

"Agree to his request," Sebastian stated. "But choose to duel him tomorrow at exactly two o'clock in the afternoon."

———————-

Now that he was alone in his room, the Guardian of the City of Zentris, talked to him in a calm manner.

"When you duel him tomorrow, don't use any magic," Sebastian replied. "It will be part of your training."

"Huh?" Ethan frowned. "If I don't fight him using magic, how will I win?"

"It seems that I didn't make myself clear enough," Sebastian stated. "You will not be allowed to use your Core Magic tomorrow. You are only allowed to rely on the power of your Tide Bringer Legacy. Aside from that, you're not allowed to use anything else."

"You mean, I will use your power tomorrow and create water using the gem on the Sea God's Trident?"

"Huh? Who told you that I would allow you to use my power tomorrow? You will just fight him using the Sea God's Trident and your Legacy powers without me."

Ethan scratched his head. "Aren't you part of my Legacy?"

"I am," Sebastian replied. "But, I will not help you tomorrow. You will understand when the time comes. I'll just say this. Tomorrow is a good opportunity for you to better understand what your Legacy can do if certain conditions are met."

Ethan no longer questioned Sebastian because he knew that no matter how much he asked him, they would just go in circles.

'I guess I'll just find out about it tomorrow,' Ethan thought.

He knew that Sebastian and his Other Half might put him in a disadvantageous spot in order to train him, but they would not ask him to do the impossible.

Since that was the case, he would just give it his best, like he always did.

——————————

"After Cedric's duel with Ethan, we will return to the academy the next day," Clara stated. "We have already accomplished what we came for. I've also used the special artifact that would allow me to detect the presence of the Ancient Wendigo in the academy, but my search didn't yield any results."

"Is that the reason why you've been touring the academy as of late, Lady Clara?" Cedric asked. "That's a brilliant plan."

"Not brilliant enough since I didn't find any clues during my strolls," Clara answered. "Lilian, we should have returned to the academy today.

"But since your brother asked me to stay for another day to challenge Ethan, I will also give you one more day to say your goodbyes to him. Make it count, and if possible, poach him from Brynhildr Academy. He will be a good addition to our roster."

Cedric frowned after hearing Clara's strategy. Although he didn't approve of his sister being with Ethan, if that would help break the handsome young man's relationship with Luna, then he would reluctantly support his sister.

Since the two of them were serious in their desire to make the two teenagers from Brynhildr Academy their lovers, Cedric was willing to join this plan.

What he didn't know was that his sister had already partially succeeded in having a relationship with Ethan.

Lilian's Legacy and his Legacy were a match made in Heaven. Not being together would just limit both of their potential and be a waste of their talents.

Also, even if she didn't know about it, she had already gotten the seal of approval from Sebastian and Ethan's Other Half.

The two were even serving as her wingmen, helping her in more ways than one.