Extra Of The Magus Academy

'I knew it! I knew you wouldn't let me down!'

Ash was practically jumping with joy as he watched the fight conclude with Seth's victory.

Per basic rules of a duel, the first to fall to the ground or leave a designated area, or surrender, would be considered the loser. Since there were no specific rules to the contrary, it was clear to everyone who had won the fight.

'It started out pretty rough, but I should have trusted you, Seth.' Ash walked forward. 'You really proved to everyone why you're the protagonist.'

Once he reached the area of the fight—a place now partially destroyed mostly due to Kellion's reckless bursts of energy—he stood a step behind Seth and hid his proud smile.

"Seth wins according to Basic Duel Rules."

He declared, looking at the disoriented Kellion who was now rising to his feet.

Just from looking at the Asura boy's expression, he could not believe—or even accept—his defeat. He appeared shaken by the fact that he lost, and once he stood completely upright, he sent a glare towards Seth.

"Do you disagree with your defeat?" Seth asked, his eyes narrowing. "Are you going to argue?"

Tense silence filled the area for a moment.

Kellion took a few steps forward until he was only a few inches away from Seth.

"No…"

With a small whisper, he replied. "No, you won… fair and square."

Seth smiled as soon as he heard this, and his impression of Kellion was bumped up to a considerable degree. Most people would try to wiggle their way out of a blatant defeat, especially when rules of defeat weren't clearly stated earlier, at the start of the Duel.

However, despite how hot-blooded he was, it seemed he was willing to let go and accept his loss.

"So… based on the pre-established rules of this Duel, since you already lost… it's time to pay the price." Ash stepped in, reminding everyone of what was truly important. "Bring out the 5 Spirit Stones."

Kellion sighed, a guilty expression forming on his face at that moment.

The second Ash noticed this, he could already feel the bad news coming and he braced himself for the disappointment that he would feel.

"I… don't have them on me." Kellion began with his excuses. "It's not like I thought I'd be needing Spirit Stones when I left our dorms."

'Damnit! This useless idiot! Why did I waste my time here if he was just going to do this?' Ash could feel his blood boiling.

He already knew that Kellion's line of reasoning was valid, and he also knew that he was being genuine in his words. However, Ash couldn't help but feel upset at the boy… and at himself.

'I should have asked to see the Stones first, but that could have disrupted the flow I was trying to establish back then, so I decided against it.' Ash sighed. 'It's the same reason I didn't recommend that they fight in the Training Hall as well.'

The longer he had dragged that conversation, the more opportunities he would have given his prey to see his true intentions and figure out a better way to get what they wanted.

He had to nab them quickly, and he did.

'But… here comes the next challenge.' Ash felt his frown deepen as he looked at Kellion.

"I promise I'll get it for you. In fact, I could even pay you double, no… triple… if you agree to a rematch and I lose." Kellion said with a broad smile. "Of course, I'll admit it if I lose, but if I win, you will have to forfeit your 5 Spirit Stones."

'Haa… if it only it was as simple as that.'

Ash had also considered that, but the reason he was so pessimistic about Kellion returning with the Spirit Stones wasn't because he doubted Kellion's ability to stick to his word, but because he feared the interference of his seniors and peers.

'Impulsively giving out 5 Spirit Stones is one thing when they're with you, but returning with them, or even triple after losing a fight isn't something I can put too much confidence in.'

Ash sighed, unable to help his pessimism, though there seemed to be a silver lining in this dark cloud.

'Kellion is still desperate for another fight.' He reasoned. 'That means he will still be willing to deliver the Spirit Stones for another match… though the problem is how he'll get that many Spirit Stones away from the joint room.'
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Unlike in other dormitories, students of the Asura Spirit Academy shared a single room.

This was designed according to their specifications, and even in their Academy, this was how the students lived. It was meant to boster a spirit of camaraderie and filial connection, but most importantly… competition.

Those who were the strongest could control all the other students in the room, giving them the intoxicating taste of political power after achieving the physical one.

'He'll be staying with his seniors too, which will make it harder for him to sneak stuff out.'

This was Ash's worry.

Unfortunately, there was another thing to be concerned about.

"Sorry, but I'm not interested." Seth said, turning away from Kellion as he walked in the direction of his room.

After fighting Kellion, Seth had gotten a good grasp of the boy's power.

He already knew he was stronger.

There was no longer any sense of intrigue or mystery left for him to explore, so he simply wasn't interested in a rematch. If Kellion had won, he would have also probably felt the same way and walked off.

"W-wait! I'm really serious! 20 Spirit Stones for you if you win!"

"Not interested."

"Come on!"

"Nope."

Ash watched as Kellion begged desperately, but Seth didn't even bother turning back to see him.

'I know why Kellion wants Seth to have a rematch with him so badly.' His thoughts trailed. 'But, he won't be able to get our dear protagonist's attention that way.'

In the original storyline, Kellion and Seth fought the next day, a fight which Seth absolutely destroyed Kellion in. It humbled the boy and helped him find enlightenment, forcing him to grow beyond his stagnating level of strength.

And so, when they fought again in the Apprentice Round of the Academy Exchange, Kellion had grown considerably stronger and gave Seth quite the challenge before the latter inevitably won.

'Unlike that moment, this fight wasn't nearly as intense.' Ash reasoned. 'Plus, Seth didn't demolish Kellion as he did in the novel, which means he didn't get the enlightenment he is currently craving.'

Kellion probably came close to it, which was why he was itching so much for a rematch.

'But Seth doesn't have an interest in the fight any longer, and unless I see Spirit Stones, I don't have the motivation to convince him otherwise.'

In essence, Kellion was on his own.

Unless—

"HEY… DON'T IGNORE ME!"

BWUUUUSH!

In a fiery fit of rage, Kellion caused a bright burst of energy to envelop him, once again creating a small crater around him as he glared at Seth.

Like a wild animal, he growled with untamed desire.

"FIGHT ME!"

Ash watched in silence as the savage was ready to pounce on his twin brother.

However, he knew it wouldn't happen.

After all…

'They're here.'