AN: Different fonts denote different languages.
WARNING: THIS CHAPTER DEPICTS AN INSTANCE OF SUICIDE BAITING, AND PHYSICAL AND VERBAL ABUSE. IF THIS BOTHERS YOU, DO NOT READ.
Normal font is English, Italics is Halkeginia's language, and underline is Japanese.
Sluggish steps echoed in the hallway as the small pink haired mage left her last class for the day. Her classes had gone by in a blur, with another quiz and exam greeting her. The dull feeling of strenuous writing was the only souvenir she had kept from them.
She carried herself to her locker, opening it and depositing her books and supplies for the morning into them. Now was her free period, and she was planning to use it to silence the call of hunger from her stomach.
Numerous whispers caught her ear, with small herds of other students crowding around each other.
"Hey, you heard right?" the pink haired girl heard one say, "that commoner that Louise summoned is going to challenge Sìmon to a duel!"
Louise's eyes widened in shock.
"I heard that it was two of them. One of the old men said that they would destroy Sìmon alone, so they agreed to have Sìmon bring some friends to challenge the BOTH of them."
"That old bag of bones said that?! Who does he think he is? With age comes arrogance it seems. I can't wait for that buffoon to be put into his place."
"Yes, I agree. Finally time for the commoners to remember that they are only free from punishment because we ALLOW them to. A few cuts and bruises should remind them where they belong."
Both students nodded with a smirk on their face, much to the contradiction of Louise's grim facial expressions. Beads of cold sweat ran down her back. Thought of their broken and mangled bodies, ravaged by spells appeared in her mind.
"Hey did you hear about the slaughter that will occur later?" another student asked their friend.
"Of course! Are you going to watch?"
"I wouldn't miss a chance to see a good beating on some rats!" the student said with a guffaw.
"I hear it will take place in the courtyard at half one."
"Then let's go!"
They were not the only ones to leave. Louise quickly sped away from her locker, not even bothering to shut it as she bolted down the hallway.
'I have to find them,' she thought to herself. 'Dante said that his brother and his nephew left for town, so that means that he and Saito are the ones who are in danger. If it's in the courtyard, then I'll start my search there first.'
As she moved at a blinding pace, one question loomed in her head.
'Just what did they do to provoke a duel from one of the mages?'
-o0o-
"I said 'OPEN,' YOU SLU*!"
Those words were the very first thing that Dante heard as he walked into the kitchen. Both he and Saito had finished their beverages a short time late, and left to return them to the raven haired maid. Shock and anger filled him as he spotted the groaning, waylaid bodies of the kitchen staff, with Siesta forced on her knees before one of the first year mages. The exact same mage he remembered had thrown tea onto her face earlier.
He saw him kick her in the stomach, and vile spat from her mouth onto the floor. His two accomplices then pried her open mouth wide as the leader loomed over her with a steaming kettle.
"Rejoice. You commoners do not usually get a chance to drink tea, so I hope you relish this occasion."
As Siesta screamed, Dante felt his anger rise to a fever pitch. He tightened his fist into a ball, and took a large step forward to the bully.
A loud sickening crack echoed throughout the entire kitchen as the first year was blown back. The kettle flew into the air, spilling some of its transparent green content. As he saw the mage fly into the wall behind him, with the hot kettle spilling tea all over his clothes, Dante's eyes widened. It was not him who delivered the bone-breaking blow. It was Saito.
The young Japanese teen cradled his right hand, his fingers slightly mangled from colliding with the boy's face. Searing pain flowed through his arm, causing him to wince, but not once did Saito peel away his glare.
The other mages quickly let go of the maid and ran towards their leader. They attempted to both wipe off the boiling hot fluid and help him to his feet at the same time, resulting in a sloppy and unsuccessful attempt at either.
"Ah, you're…" The maid finally spoke.
Saito turned to look behind him, seeing her grey eyes meet his.
"Are you okay?" He quickly asked, not caring for the language barrier between them.
His meaning had seemed to have passed through to her, and she nodded in confirmation.
"Yes, thank you."
A thought sparked in her mind, and she turned her head to see the old hunter come towards her.
"Ah, you came here as well."
"We had to return the glasses," he said, raising the clear cup before him. "But I think my friend's may not be taken back."
He jerked a thumb behind him, and the young maid saw a pile of class shards near the back door. In the teen's haste, he had forgotten his glass and let it go, choosing to rush to her raid first and foremost.
"YOU!" the mage called out.
A large light green stain was clear on his white button up, bitterly contrasting against the red swelling that began to form on his cheek.
"You pieces of s***e! F****ng ****ol*! What do you think you are ****in* doing? You ruined my face!"
His composure was completely lost, and the swears continued to flow from his mouth towards the Japanese teen. To Saito, however, his words just went in one ear, and out the other.
Seeing the foreigner not react, the mage angrily took off one of his gloves and threw it to the floor.
"Pick it up, you t***! I challenge you to a ****in* duel!"
The young boy eyed the black cloth, and stepped forward to pick it up. The mage widened his eyes in surprise that the foreigner had actually done as he commanded, and without fear.
"Put it back on," Saito replied as he threw the glove back, "Unless you don't mind seeing your own blood on your hands."
"You really accepted… Ha… Hahahaha! I've never met a commoner more stupid than you!" He boasted aloud. "Very well! Then let's have this slaughter begin then, shall we?" He said as he drew his wand.
"Whatever I do now is protected by the sanctity of the duel. I hope you had a good laugh, BECAUSE IT IS THE LAST ONE YOU WILL EVER HAVE!"
The young teen braced himself, his mind not noticing the danger he was in.
"Converge upon the, thine sprites of water. Lend your aid to strike my foes. Water Pillar!"
A powerful jet stream burst towards the young teen. His eyes widened at the speed and power behind the fluid, moving far too fast for the boy to react.
The stream of water burst to the sides as it slammed forward with a 'clang', the young first year smiling as the attack dissipated. However, the smirk disappeared when he saw Saito unharmed.
"D-dante-san!" Saito said as the grey haired hunter appeared before him.
"That's my name, don't wear it out."
He stood in a strange pose: his right arm bent at the elbow and wrist, appearing to mimic a staircase; his left bent around his abdomen, palm facing upwards underneath his right elbow.
"Why you t***. How dare you interfere?! Do you now know that this is a duel? Do you have no manners?"
Dante ignored his comment, instead shooting odd one of his own.
"Hey, you. . You know this fight is not fair, right?"
The young boy spat on the floor.
"Not fair? You dare accuse me of not being fair? It was his fault for accepting it. Now he faces the punishment. And so will you for violating the sacred rules of the duel."
Dante smirked.
"I did not mean it was unfair for my friend. I meant that it was unfair for you."
The mage narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean unfair for me?"
"Look at your face. He did that with a single punch. Have you ever seen a commoner do that?"
The two cohorts glanced at each other before staring at their leader. All three mentally agreed that the strength of that blow was abnormal. Their silence allowed Dante to gauge their thoughts, and he continued.
"My friend here can beat you easily by himself. It is not a fair fight if you were to duel him now."
The young mage narrowed his eyes.
"Then what do you suggest?"
Dante grinned once more.
"You fight us both. And you can bring as many people as you want to duel us."
The young mage let out a laugh.
"What a foolish suggestion! It would not even be a duel anymore then. And if your b*t** is so powerful, why not fight us all by himself? Surely if he is as grand as you claim to be, he can face us all."
"I see. You are afraid."
"Hah? Me? Afraid of some ***t stains like you?"
"Yes. If you were not afraid of the power me and my friend have together, then you would have said yes without thinking. You will have more numbers, yet you still hesitated to accept. You saw me stop your spell right now and are afraid, is that right?"
The noble grit his teeth. He stomped his foot in anger and replied.
"I am NOT afraid of t***s like you! Be you just two or a thousand, in front of a mage are all nothing more than insects beneath my boots. More so if they are greater in numbers."
"Then the end should be the same even though we have double numbers. You can bring as many friends you want to the fight. We do this in thirty minutes."
"Very well. Thirty minutes, in the courtyard. You best not flee, commoner. I will need to lay upon you your lesson in manners."
He stormed out, his two friends following him from behind.
Dante let out a sigh, and turned to the Japanese teen.
"Well that's that. Are you okay Saito?"
He nodded.
"Just fine Dante-san. His magic caught me off-guard… I never really thought it was real until now… and your spell was amazing too! You managed to block that attack without a scratch!" He said with a sparkle in his eyes.
"Thanks kid. Glad you enjoyed the show."
"What did you say to him to get him to leave so easily?" Saito asked.
"Well about that-"
"WHY?!" Siesta yelled.
They two turned to see the raven haired maid grab Saito's tracksuit by the collar. She pulled the teen to her face, eliciting a blush from the young man.
"DO YOU TWO DESIRE TO DIE?! WHY DID YOU DO SOMETHING SO STUPID?!"
"Eh? Ah… Ano… Dante-san is she angry at me?"
"Unfortunately… yes."
"EH?! How come?! I just tried to help!"
"You did more than just 'help,' kid. You accepted a duel."
"A duel?" The teen asked in confusion. "Like a mediaeval battle in an arena? When did I do that?"
"When you picked up his glove from off the ground."
"The glove? Didn't he take it off because he wanted to punch me back or something?"
Dante sighed.
"If it were back in our world, then yes. But remember where we are now. We're in a world that has magic and follows a lot of old traditions. You know that saying "to throw down the gauntlet"? It's an old English thing where a knight challenges someone else by throwing down their gauntlet. If the other guy picks it up, it means they accept the fight."
Saito's eyes widened.
"You mean that I accepted a duel just because I threw back his glove?"
Dante nodded.
"It's also why he attacked you with the spell."
"Eh?! Then why did he stop?"
"Because I told him that we'd fight him again in a half hour. Oh, and he can bring as many friends as he wants to the party."
"WHAT?! DANTE-SAN ARE YOU CRAZY?!"
"Easy there kid. I have my reasons."
At Saito's outburst, the young maid turned to look at the old hunter.
"I assume you told him what is happening?" She asked.
"Ah. Yes I-"
"THEN WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?!"
"Ahhh! Listen, the two of you can yell at me later! At the now, let us help your work friends!"
He then turned to Saito and repeated himself, before sprinting off to help the kitchen staff. Saito and Siesta both shared a look of annoyance before setting off to assist the fallen staff members as well.
-o0o-
A short while later the fallen servants were back on their feet, and an assortment of bandages were on all of them. Siesta had told them all what had transpired, and the head chef listened with a stern look. Despite not being very tall or wide, his heavy demeanour made him look like the biggest person in the room.
"I see…"
He placed a hand to his chin and turned his attention towards the young Japanese teen.
"While I thank you for helping out Siesta from that cruel child, accepting the duel was a foolish move to do."
Dante translated over to Saito, then leaned forward to answer for him.
"In his defence, he does not know that picking up a glove means a duel. He simply wanted to return the glove to the owner."
The head chef gave a large sigh.
"While that may be true, it has still landed him in trouble, nonetheless. However," he said as he glared at Dante, "Your actions were even more reckless! Why did you propose that the child return with a squadron of other mages? Do you know what a whole team of them can do to you?"
As Dante translated once more to Saito, the teen reiterated what the large imposing man had said. Dante answered Saito first, which surprised the teen. He quickly leaned in to ask a question, but Dante stopped him, gesturing to the head chef. He then leaned forward once more and addressed the head of the staff.
"I was more afraid of what would happen if I did not say anything. Unlike what he looks like, Saito is not much stronger than any of you. If the duel was finished he would be in the injury room right now."
"And you thought by goading the child into bringing MORE mages to the duel would increase your odds?"
"My friend asked the same thing. But do not forget I added myself into the fight as well."
"And your presence balances the equation, does it? The odds are even greater now, despite your addition."
"I did so for two reasons. The first was to guarantee he would accept my intervention in the fight. I needed to make him believe he still had the advantage so that I could join without problems."
The head chef crossed his arms.
"And the second?"
"The second will reveal itself in the duel."
The chef sighed.
"Then tell me, do you really think you can win just because you've decided to fight alongside the young boy?"
Dante smirked.
"As the matter of facts, yes. Yes I do."
The head chef shook his head.
"Overconfidence will be the end of you," he replied.
"But, Chef Blaise, he did stop that spell earlier," Siesta added.
"One spell from one dot mage is one thing, but he will now have several. I do not know how strong you are, but your brash and cockiness will not succeed in combat. It will only hasten your end."
Dante finished translating, and the teen was satisfied that the question he asked earlier was answered. However, he once more echoed the head chef's sentiments, and Dante turned to address the imposing man again.
"You say that with experience?"
"These eyes have seen such defeats, though I have not fought myself."
"Then what do you suggest we do?" Dante asked.
"Beg. Get down on your knees and degrade yourself. Do whatever you have to do, even if it means licking the boot heels of the child."
Dante widened his eyes in shock, and the head chef sighed as he continued.
"While I am more than grateful that you stood up for my staff and myself, I would hate to see you mangled into a pile of broken bones and blood for our troubles. Do what you must to survive, that is something we commoners of this land know well."
Dante nodded. He then opened his mouth to speak his reply.
"Nah."
"…Pardon?"
"Nah. Not my style. Besides, let's say it does work and he leaves us alone. Who will punish him for what he did to you?"
"We can deal with our own problems. They are not your concern. We will simply inform the headmaster about this issue."
"He said to Siesta that his dad pays a lot of money to the academy. He would not have done this attack if he were afraid of the headmaster. He may not stop there."
Dante then abruptly stood up.
"I do not know about you, but to me I see that this school has a big hate problem, and so far no one has done anything about it. Or if they did, it has not worked."
"And you wish to correct this? How? By sending yourself to an early grave?"
Dante smirked again.
"My grave is far from early. And I have my ways."
The head chef raised a brow. "Your ways?"
"Saito," Dante called out.
"H-hai!"
"We're heading out. Come on, we have a duel to prepare for."
"EH?! But, what about-"
"Come on kid, We don't have all day!" Dante said as he pushed open the wide doors to the cafeteria. Saito swiftly followed after him.
"Ah, wait just a moment! You two can't just go!" Siesta then fled, trailing behind them as she too left the kitchen.
"Siesta!" the other brown haired maid called out. She ran to catch the raven haired maid, but Blaise grasped her shoulder, stopping her.
"Head Chef?"
"Let her go."
"Eh? But why?"
"I'm not sure… but that man… I have a strange feeling about him. Something that makes me want to believe in the words he is saying."
"Eh? What does that mean?"
"I… am not sure. I think it's best we watch and see."
-o0o-
"Mister Dante, Saito," Siesta called out as she caught up to the two of them.
"Siesta, what are you doing?"
"Let me fight as well!"
"What?!" Dante exclaimed.
"I am aware it is a mad notion, but I do not want to see either of you injured in this battle. You two had fought for my co-workers and myself, I cannot just stand idly by as you throw yourselves into battle in our name."
"Siesta… What we did was our choice. Not to mention, can you fight?"
"I have never once engaged in combat, but my chances should be no different than yours."
"Siesta, I can't have you run into this if you haven't even fought once in your life. You'd just get hurt."
"No more so than either of you! If that is the case then why not flee from combat yourselves?"
"Saito is the person who accepted the challenge, he must participate. Myself, I know how to fight, so I will help him as much as I can. Regardless, someone has to start making a stand against jerks who can hurt whoever they want."
"Then at least allow me to treat his wounds," she pleaded. "He has a head injury, and his hand is damaged, he cannot fight like this."
Dante glanced over at his partner and nodded.
"You're right… but a wound like those is not easy to heal."
"But there must be something. I can search the servant's quarters for some ointments and-"
Dante cut her off with a wave of his hand.
"Ointments do not cure a deep head injury or broken bones. Both require time and special medicine."
"Then what do we do?" she asked.
He remained silent for a moment, placing a hand to his chin.
"I have an idea. Do you know a place where nobody will see us?"
Siesta thought about it for a second, but then quickly replied.
"There is a shed in the back of the academy. It houses gardening tools for the servants. There should be no one there at this hour."
"Perfect. That's where we'll go."
"Dante-San, are we going to the courtyard now?" Saito asked.
Dante shook his head.
"Not yet, kid. We gotta deal with your injuries first."
"Eh? Weren't we supposed to wait for Vergil-san to come back first? I thought we can't cure it without proper medicine?"
Siesta tapped the old hunter on the shoulder, and pointed left.
"No time now. I need you in fighting condition. I can't guarantee you won't get hit in this fight. That means I'll have to take a shortcut to your health."
"B-but isn't that dangerous?" The teen asked as they rounded another corner.
"Actually, no. But it is forbidden."
"EH?! That definitely makes it dangerous!"
"Trust me. You'll be fine. I just need you to swear to not tell anybody, alright?"
Dante then turned to Siesta.
"I need you to promise as well. What I am about to do, you must tell anyone."
Both teens shared a glance at each other before turning their attention back to the old hunter.
Dante took a few more steps toward, hiding within the shadow of the small shed. He faced the two who stared at him dumbstruck, and waved them over. They both followed his command.
"Your answer? And your answer?" He addressed Siesta and Saito respectively.
Both teens gulped and shared one more look before nodding in agreement.
"Alright… let's do this."
He reached behind him, and a small green glow radiated from his palm.
-o0o-
Louise hurriedly raced across the green grass fields outside of Tristain. Starting from the fields where outdoor studies are conducted, dubbed 'the courtyard', the pink haired girl had nearly completed a half circle around the entire campus. She paused for a moment and placed her hands on her knees, catching her breath and soothing her burning lungs. She looked around the area, spotting no one as the sweat dripped down her face.
She hoped to spot something, anything of the man who saved her life.
"Ahh!" A voice cried out. She turned to see a green light emanate from behind a storage shed. It faded to reveal three figures, two that she recognized immediately. She bolted for them, sprinting as fast as her small legs could carry her across the field.
"D-dante-san, what was that?" Saito asked his friend.
"Don't worry about it kid. Just know that you're gonna be alright now," he replied as he gathered Saito's bandages.
"B-but that… stone! I-it was just here and now-"
"Dante!" Louise called out.
The old hunter quickly glanced over the Japanese teen with a raised brow.
"Loui-"
"Surrender the duel!" she cried.
The old hunter blinked.
"What?"
The girl panted and doubled over as she halted her sprint.
"Sur… surrender the duel…"
"What?" The old hunter replied again.
"I said surrender the duel!"
Dante frowned.
"No."
"Yes!"
"Why should I?"
"Because you can get hurt!"
Dante shook his head.
"It is a risk I take whenever I take a job. I cannot afford to be scared of danger."
Louise grit her teeth and grabbed the hem of his shirt.
"You have no idea what you're going up against. You did more than just accept a challenge, you insulted his pride. To mages in this land, their face is worth thousands of Écu. They take joy in watching those below them break."
She placed her forehead on his chest, obscuring her vision from the rest.
"And I don't want to see someone I respect be put down by those snobbish nobles. I already know what that is like, being the target of so much ridicule. What they will do to you and Saito will be much worse."
Dante placed his hands on her shoulders, and pushed her away.
"More reason to actually fight. To show them that they cannot keep being bad people."
"But it will not stop there! If you think the others will learn a lesson from this, you are wrong! They will only see you as a bigger problem to be dealt with by others!"
She stared up at him, tears dotting her eyes.
"And they will bring their families name down on you. Tell me, can you fight against that? The scorn and hatred of a thousand noble families? And what about your brother, and your nephew? They and Saito will never be safe from them, no matter where you all decide to go. As long as you stay in this country you will be persecuted."
She turned her head down once more, and a few tears fell to the grass below.
"So please… please surrender."
Dante said nothing. He could only watch in silence as the young mage cried tears for him.
"Dante. I agree with Louise," Siesta spoke up.
He turned to her, and she continued, "I know I said I want to help you, and I still wish to do so. However, please be aware that my first and most sincere wish is for you to surrender. Like my coworkers I do not wish to see you injured. I volunteered myself for battle because I could not bear to see Saito, or you, hurt for our sake. So if I could help, even if it is to act as your shield, I would do it."
"Siesta-"
"But if there is any way you can escape unharmed I urge you to do it! I urge you both! Please… do not harm yourselves for us I beg of you."
The old hunter let out a small breath through his nose. He placed a hand to his head, letting his fingers run through his hair.
"Dante-San… I don't know what they are saying but…" the Japanese teen said as he looked at both girls, "If they are this concerned about us… then maybe we should just surrender. Even if it means humiliating myself… I don't want to see them cry over us."
Dante stared at the Japanese teen, taking in his every word. He then closed his eyes, and inhaled a deep breath.
-o0o-
An ethereal blue cross appeared just outside the borders to Tristan Academy. Two figures emerged from the shimmering light, with one sheathing his long katana. The cross closed behind them, leaving little to no trace of its existence behind.
"Definitely a lot cheaper and more convenient than the jerk's bumpy wagon," Nero said as he sauntered towards the school.
"Anything would be. About what the young girl said about your offer, however."
"Yeah… in hindsight asking her to quit and join us when she was the one who gave us food was probably not a good idea. At least she gave us a chance to change her mind."
Vergil nodded.
"May I ask what are your plans to do so? You alluded to it before, but I still cannot grasp what you mean."
Nero just grinned.
"Trust me. It's better if Dante's around to hear it. But I can guarantee you'll like it."
Vergil shook his head, but a whimsical smile was on his lips.
"Very well then. Hmm?"
As both hunters approached the courtyard, a crowd had begun to form. Nearly three dozen large and composed of students, many hushed whispers passed along them.
"There a special class or something happening today?" Nero asked.
Vergil's eyes were drawn to a figure in a long robe. A small smirk crept on his lips.
"I suppose we can ask."
Following his father's lead, Nero was brought before the headmaster himself, with another bald mage beside him.
"Headmaster Osmond."
The bearded man turned in surprise.
"Sir Vergil! Quite the timing you and your son have."
"Is there a special lecture being held today?" asked the old hunter.
Osmond shook his head.
"Were I wish that was the case."
"It was my fault, headmaster. I should have been stricter in my punishments," said the bald man beside him.
"Any harsher and we would have his entire family line before us to contest with. You did all you could, Colbert."
The bald man let out a sigh.
"But it clearly wasn't enough."
"I apologise for interrupting, but may I ask what has happened?"
"Ah, where are my manners? Vergil, this is Colbert. One of our best professors."
"It is nice to meet you. If I remember what the headmaster has told me, you are Dante's brother and this is his nephew, yes?"
Vergil nodded.
"I take it you have met my brother?"
Colbert sighed.
"It is due to him that we are here at this moment."
Vergil raised a brow in response.
"What do you mean?"
"Your brother, and the other commoner Louise summoned, have been challenged to a duel by one of our students."
"A duel? Such things still exist in this land?"
"Yes, do they not have them in the country you are from?"
Vergil took a quick glance at Osmond, who shook his head when their gazes met.
"Where we live, there is no such rule. Tell me about this duel my younger brother has gotten himself into."
"I see… allow me to begin with the definition of a duel then. In this kingdom, and by that definition this school, there is a rule where nobles may challenge any person they desire to a ceremonial duel. A glove or gauntlet is thrown onto the floor, and should the other party pick it up, they accept the duel. The rules state that both parties are bound by honour to fight until one surrenders or concedes the match. The time and place is decided by an agreement by both parties. Your brother arranged for a fight between a first year student and his friends and himself and Saito."
Colbert then crossed his arms and grit his teeth.
"If the rumours are to be believed, then the cause seemed to be that one of the two had assaulted the student on his way from my punishment, and they had joined hands with the kitchen staff to attempt to humiliate him. The student, 'thinking quick on his feet,'" Colbert said with disbelief, "challenged them to a duel to showcase who are the true dunces and to put them in their place."
Vergil translated the conversation to Nero, and both frowned at the news.
"And you believe these rumours?"
Both Colbert and Osmond shook their heads.
"Much tends to get distorted between the ears and mouths of the students," Osmond said, "so I asked the staff themselves. They told a far different story."
"They said that the student barged in to attack them," Colbert continued, "he was furious to have been caught by me using magic on the commoners within the school grounds, as per school rules dictating against such misconduct. Dante and Saito came to their aid, and the student challenged them to humiliate them."
Vergil and Nero both nodded.
"That sounds like my brother. And they agreed to fight at this moment?"
"No. The mage wanted to attack Saito then and there, for assaulting him to rescue one of the staff members. It was the intervention of your brother who provoked the young student to include him in his duel. According to our head chef, he did so for two reasons: the first was to ensure he would be able to participate in the duel."
Vergil nodded.
"And the second?"
"The chef said your brother replied, and I quote "will reveal itself in the duel"."
Vergil let out a small huff.
"Yes, that would be his reply."
The old hunter then leaned over to translate for the younger. Nero listened and nodded to his father's words. He then asked his father to ask a question on his behalf.
"My nephew brought up an interesting thought, what is the point of a duel? Is it not just a fight?"
Colbert nodded.
"A very fair question. I will try to keep it brief. Duels are fought to one's "satisfaction", or in commoner's terms, to restore one's honour. In this case, our student was slighted by Saito and challenged him to restore his dignity."
Vergil translated this to Nero, who nodded.
"Of course an audience is usually present to confirm the results, though many these days prefer haste once a match is accepted."
Vergil told the last bit to his son who nodded and whispered something to his father.
"My son gives his thanks. And I as well, for the explanation."
Colbert nodded.
"No thanks is required. It is refreshing to be asked such a question. Not many students linger after classes these days."
"Speaking of students, would that be them?" Vergil asked as he eyed a particular group of people who approached the field.
Both older mages turned to look at them, and Colbert let out a sigh.
"Yes… it appears that they are," the bald mage replied.
"Excuse me for a moment. I shall go and see if they are willing to reconsider the duel. For your brother and your friend's sake."
The balding mage then left, leaving the other three to stare at his shrike attempt to calm the students down.
"You chose to withhold that we are from another world entirely?" Vergil asked as he took a step towards Osmond.
"My staff have a right a little about our guests, but your stories are yours to be told. I prefer not to reveal information about others without their permission."
Vergil nodded.
"Very kind and wise of you. I appreciate it."
"Do not thank me. It is a common courtesy that many should abide by."
Hushed murmurs echoed throughout the courtyard. Turning their gazes forward, they spotted Dante walking alongside Saito and Louise. Siesta followed not a short distance behind them.
"Alas… the time has come," Osmond spoke.
Vergil nodded. Nero gave a pensive stare.
"Siesta? What is she doing there?"
The trio turned to see a large and imposing man, dressed in kitchen attire and an apron. Around him were other maids and kitchen staff.
"Head Chef Blaise."
At the mention of his name, the man turned to the headmaster. He quickly bowed, and so did his staff.
"Headmaster Osmond."
"So… you came too."
"Yes… I wanted to see the outcome of this duel myself," he said as he rose.
Osmond nodded.
"This Vergil and Nero. Sir Dante's brother and nephew," Osmond said as he gestured to the two.
"Nice to meet you both. I apologise to you and your nephew. Your brother and friend fight in our defence."
Vergil waved him off.
"He has always been like that. There is no need to apologise."
At that moment, they were greeted by the sight of a despondent Colbert.
"He will not yield. I am sorry."
All of them then turned their attention back to the two groups in the centre of the clearing.
On one side stood a group of seven mages, smirks and devious grins on their faces.
"I recall saying there would only be two of you, not three," the leader said.
He then eyed the pink haired mage.
"And you brought the Zero with you. Fitting as how you are all born from the same dung heap."
Dante and Saito gave each other a shared look of confirmation. They both then got down on their knees and placed their heads to the ground.
"Hmm?/What the-?" came the shocked response of their foreign companions.
Many began to whisper among themselves at the sight.
"What are you doing?" the leader asked, "Are you giving your prayers to the Earth that spawned you?"
Louise stepped forward.
"No. They're surrendering the duel."
This shocked the ears of many, including the headmaster and Colbert.
"But not unexpected," the head chef said, "I suppose they did decide to take my advice after all."
Yet, something was unsettled within the man. It was as though a small flame had been unrighteously put out. He quickly shook this feeling off.
"It is better this way for them. At least they can leave uninjured."
The other staff members nodded, while Nero and Vergil stared at them in shock.
Osmond, with his keen eyes turned to answer their unasked question.
"Attacking and offending a noble are not easy things for commoners. The children especially. Their parents' influence is quite strong, even here in Tristain."
"Ahh, and here I assumed there would be some fireworks," a voice said from the left.
"How boring. But I suppose there are no flames of passion to be found among such peasants."
The group turned to spot Kirche and Tabitha, the latter had her nose in a book. However, Vergil could tell her focus was on the people before her.
Kirche then caught their stares and smirked. She sauntered over, prompting Tabitha to look at them as well. The bespectacled girl narrowed her eyes at the sight of the foreigners, but joined her friend nonetheless.
"Well if it isn't their brother and nephew. Have you come to help lick their wounds after the fight?" she said with a chuckle.
Tabitha merely glanced up at them, then returned her gaze to her book.
Vergil stayed quiet, and the redhead took the silence as an answer to her question.
"Don't feel too bad. It's only their dignity that they are wounding. A shame though that I couldn't see a hot and heated battle take place before me…"
Vergil grit his teeth and turned his attention back to the small group ahead of them.
"Please," Louise continued to speak on their behalf, "have mercy on them. They are new here, and they have come to agreement with me to apologise for their actions. Please find it within yourself to allow them to leave peacefully."
"Tch," the young mage spoke. He crossed his arms in frustration, but quickly sported a small grin.
"Certainly. But they must satisfy a few conditions of mine first."
Louise gulped, but she nodded.
The noble stepped forward, stopping in front of Saito, who still had his head on the ground.
He raised his foot and pushed the teen's head further into it. He continued to do so for several more stomps.
"You stupid f****ng pig! You dared to f****ng hit me and now you surrender like a b****! Where did all that bravado go? Hmm?! You finally realise just how f****d you were when you saw us?! At least you finally developed some common sense, you b****!"
He then took his foot off the teen's head, his hair now dishevelled. The entire time Saito did not utter a word, much of the noble's ire. He spat on the teen to compensate.
"Stay in the mud where you belong, pig. Know that from now and forever you will forever be nothing more than livestock beneath my bootheel."
His comrades cheered him on from the rear, further boosting his ego. The kitchen staff, including Siesta, had to watch with a closed eye, as one of their heroes was degraded before them. He then walked over to Dante.
"As for you old man."
He stopped in front of him, with Dante giving no response, choosing silence much like Saito.
"You dared to disrespect me. You called me weak. You disgrace my honour and you wasted our time bringing us here for what? A pitiful surrender? I do not even get to reclaim my honour rightfully because of you. But since the Zero said you are willing to do anything to obtain my favour, I'll make great use of this."
He then stomped and dug his left foot into the field, coating it with grass and dirt. He then stuck it out in front of Dante.
"Lick it clean, commoner."
The crowd was stunned. Many, such as Kirche, applauded the noble for his actions, taking glee in the humiliation of the old man. Others hushed whispers if the old man would really do it. Osmond, Colbert, and Blaise all took a breath, and some of the kitchen staff shut their eyes completely to avoid seeing what came next.
Seeing no movement, the noble kicked Dante's head.
"I said 'lick it'!"
From the sidelines, Vergil and Nero grew furious. Their hands flew to grab their pistols, however before they could draw them, two other figures had flown into action.
Wide eyes stared as both Louise and Siesta had gotten down on their knees.
Louise held shut her eyes as she took her saviour's place. As much as she knew Dante would have to lower himself to obtain the younger mage's favour, the pink haired girl could not stomach the thought of him being degraded so much.
Siesta thought similarly, though her vein of thinking had differed slightly. Her mind could not accept the fact that the two heroes who had stood up for her were now brought down in such a way by her command, and she and the other staff would only watch instead. If they were going so far for her words, then it only seemed fair to her that she share in the burden.
"My…" the teen began, "I did not know that I would get my boots shined by my senior and a maid today."
His eyes drifted to the pinkette, who continued her actions with shut eyes.
"While you are nothing more than a Zero, senior, you are still a Vallière. To think that an heir from such a high and prestigious family would be on her knees before me. Quite a sight."
He then addressed Siesta, who glared at him with her grey eyes.
"And this b**** who dared to humiliate me first on the other side. At least you remember where you belong, s***. I bet you laid with many men to get where you are, didn't you? It would explain how your filthy mouth is so experienced at this, or perhaps this is just your true talent?"
Many others laughed at his quips, and jeered at the women at his feet.
"Ah, this would be bliss… if it weren't for the fact that I did not ask either of you to lick my boot."
At those words he retracted his foot, and slammed a harsh kick into Siesta's stomach. The maid was sent flying a short distance back. Louise looked on with wide eyes, before turning to see another being delivered to her. She too was sent flying, landing near the raven haired girl.
"I asked for this old PLEBIAN to clean them! I wanted his TONGUE to be humiliated by me! What good is it if you two take the punishment for him, hmm?! Both of you already know your places, but HE hasn't!"
The young mage then pointed a finger at Siesta.
"You are already a w*o** **h pig, squealing and oinking away in the kitchens. There is little to no point in seeing you degrade yourself further, for there is not much lower a s*** like you can go!"
He then pointed at Louise.
"And you… You are not even worth my time, but to see a noble, even one such as yourself, sacrifice her dignity for a commoner is disgusting. You were already a Zero, but now you wish to be a pig as well?"
"He's right! Do you really like commoners so much you want to be one?"
"Should we call her Louise the Pig, then?"
"Hah! Yeah, that fits, she's already the right colour!"
"Oink, Oink! Squeal you pig of a mage! Hahaha!"
Several other ridicules and jeers echoed among the crowd, all of this serving as fuel for Nero and Vergil. Feeling their intent, Osmond quickly put a hand on their shoulders.
"It's almost over. I can sympathise with your anger, but bear with them for a little longer. Please, don't let their efforts be in vain."
The two hunters shared a look, but their faces showed no agreement.
"Things will only get worse if you interfere. Until they disperse this is still considered a duel. Interrupting them now will do nothing except aggravate them more."
The two grit their teeth, and balled their fists, but Osmond's stern gaze gave them pause. They turned their attention back to the people within the clearing.
"Such a disappointment. I suppose the fall isn't much of a difference from what you currently are though, but I'm certain your father and mother would be completely aghast at what kind of mage you have become."
At those words, Louise twitched, a cold chill ran down her spine as she imagined the faces of disgust from her parents.
"And your sisters… well at least they have talent unlike you. You're better off dead than alive at this point. At least the crows may have mercy on your stinking carcass."
Others began laughing and agreeing with the boy, and the pink haired girl shut her eyes tight. Tears had begun to form in her eyes once more.
"Oh, are you… crying? My word, a crybaby as well as a pig, just how low can the Vallière family go?" he said as the girl began to choke. Siesta stared at her fallen companion, noticing the wet stains that had begun to form on the edge of her eyes.
"Such humiliation!" He said as he rode the train of euphoria that the jeering had brought him. "There is no coming back from this Louise. You should hurry up and just die so the family can be rid of your stain on their legacy. In fact, why not go and jump from the roof right now? At least then you'll be a spectacle worth watching! Who knows, perhaps fate will grant you your deepest wish to become a mage and allow you to fly!" He said with his arms spread out wide. He then pasted on a cocky grin as he continued, "And if not, know that we will cheer in celebration when we watch you hit the ground! Ahahaha!"
Colbert could feel himself tightening his grip around his staff. He scolded himself for being too lenient on the child before, other nobles be cursed. He turned to look as Osmond, still suppressing the two hunters. The old mage shook his head at Colbert, and begrudgingly he obliged the headmaster's wishes.
"Now as for you," he said as he turned his attention back to Dante, "Anything to say forself? Go on, I'll allow a brief moment to speak before I decide on your punishment."
A moment of silence passed before them, with Dante not saying anything. However, a small murmur was heard a moment later. The young noble mockingly placed a hand on his ear and leaned down.
"I'm sorry, you'll have to speak up. The dung beetles may have heard your voice, but we haven't."
Another moment of silence passed, before Dante spoke again.
"I'm sorry. I am so very, very sorry. Please, accept my apology, I beg of you."
At that, the young noble grinned.
"Well, well, well. It seems you finally learned your lesson in manners."
-End of Chapter 11-
AN: Hello hello! Sorry for the super late update! I took a short break to decide where I want this fic to go, and finally settled on an idea on where to go. The next chapter will conclude this small arc, and tease the next one with a big twist in the story(it's not going to be what you think!). It will take me a little while to write it though, so I hope you all enjoy this one. Until next time! Max out that SSS-Rating! Peace.
