The Extra’s Academy Survival Guide - Chapter 217

“Why don’t you surrender?”

Daike Elpelan’s body could no longer move.

Seeing the boy with a buzz cut lying on the cold arena floor, Velos—the former student council president who had already graduated—lowered his sword.

It was a memory from when Daike was a second-year student, fighting in a duel against the famous third-year swordsman, Velos.

It was a time when he had finally become a second-year and was at last able to properly keep up with class after spending his entire first year in the dark.

If he had been just an ordinary student, it wouldn’t have been strange for him to pass out from his overwhelming injuries.

There was no way that a mere dud could defeat Student Council President Velos.

Even though he was well aware of that fact, Daike pushed against the floor with his fists, trying to stand despite being covered in blood and sweat.

He clenched his teeth, letting out a low grunt. Blood dripped from his forehead as Daike’s eyes continued to shine. His heavy breathing was closer to that of an animal than a human.

“Are you ashamed of defeat?”

When he lowered his sword, Velos could already tell. Daike couldn’t move anymore.

“There’s no need for you to feel ashamed. All of the students here watching know how brilliant your efforts were. No one will criticize you.”

“Velos, do you fight because you are afraid of being criticized?”

“What…?”

However, contrary to what Velos had expected, Daike somehow stood up again.

“If you settle for a lack of results… then you won’t be able to grow any further.”

At the time of that duel, Daike had a record of two wins and eighty-nine losses.

Despite being defeated over and over again, Daike Elpelan never took defeat for granted.

Even in situations where defeat was inevitable, he continued to push forward with all of his might.

“You asked me why I don’t surrender.”

In response to Daike’s words, Velos’ eyes widened in surprise… then he smirked.

Against that man, it was only polite to face him with all of his strength. Understanding that, Velos raised his sword once more.

It was only natural that Daike fainted after Velos’ next strike.

***

“That person is Young Master Ed…?!”

“Y-Yeah…”

Ed Rothstaylor, who had left the waiting room and was heading toward the center of the arena, gave off a very different impression from what the Palerovers had imagined.

A blond figure with his sleeves rolled up, his school coat removed. He looked far nimbler than they had expected.

Well-developed muscles from practical labor were visible on his forearms. Across his body were many recent injuries, some of which were wrapped in bandages.

Overall, he gave off the impression of a sharp yet active young man. However, he hardly seemed like a young master from an aristocratic family.

Unlike Daike, who entered the arena armed with nothing but knuckle dusters, Ed had prepared a wide variety of combat equipment. A wand was attached to his back, a bow was secured at his waist, a dagger was strapped to his thigh, and he had even brought magically engineered tools.

Duels at Silvenia Academy were designed to replicate real combat as closely as possible. Thus, the key to victory was utilizing every means and all magical knowledge available.

As long as an action wasn’t cowardly or inappropriate, the results of a duel had to be accepted. It was only natural for students to make use of everything they knew and possessed. This policy even allowed students from the Alchemy Department to use reagents and magically engineered items.

Ed Rothstaylor had taken that rule to its absolute limit.

He wasn’t the type to cling to pride, honor, or pretentious ideals. It was obvious he had no such tendencies.

The audience erupted into cheers. Even though the arena was enormous, it was packed to capacity. Some people were even forced to stand.

It was a major battle—one that outsiders would normally never have the chance to witness.

All of the top students at Silvenia were considered among the most talented in the empire, as well as the future pillars of the world. A duel between them served as proof of Silvenia Academy’s prestige.

Thus, those who held Silvenia in such high regard would never miss a match like this.

First-year top student, Wade Callamore.

Second-year top student, Lucy Mayreel.

Third-year top student, Ed Rothstaylor.

And the one who claimed the title of fourth-year top student, standing proudly alongside them—Daike Elpelan.

His appearance in the arena was the complete opposite of Ed Rothstaylor’s.

Where Ed gave off a sharp and refined impression, Daike looked more like a living weapon.

Ed Rothstaylor wasn’t particularly small, but Daike’s massive frame was on an entirely different level.

As the two faced each other from a distance, the audience’s cheers filled the sky.

It lasted for only a minute.

Creak.

The arena’s outer door opened as an elderly man entered, escorted by several attendants. Following behind him was a young girl with a sharp gaze.

With their dignified presence and luxurious attire, the two radiated an overwhelming aura that dominated the entire arena.

Emperor Kroel, who had brought a long era of peace and prosperity to the Kroel Empire. His mere entrance was enough to silence the crowd.

No one needed to be told to be quiet. The overwhelming pressure of his presence alone subdued them.

As Princess Selah followed behind him, everyone instinctively realized they had to remain silent.

The two individuals at the pinnacle of the empire had come to witness the duel.

The guards cleared a path through the audience as the pair took their seats at the prepared table. Princess Selah sat beside the emperor, the two exchanging a few quiet words.

No one dared to speak recklessly.

***

“Is there any beer?”

“You have to go back to work after the duel… This isn’t the time to drink…”

Assistant Professor Cleoh, who had previously threatened Professor Kaleid, let out a deep sigh.

Because it was a highly anticipated duel between top students, they had come to watch. However, being forced to stand due to the lack of available seating was exhausting.

Her head assistant, Anise, had become a member of the student council, leaving Cleoh with even less freedom than usual. And yet, the old man who was supposed to be her advisor showed no intention of working at all.

Having to endure such hardships because of him, Cleoh had completely lost any sense of courtesy toward the man.

At the very least, Professor Glast took pride in being her supervisor. Unlike that old war hero leaning against the wall and blowing his nose, who deserved no respect whatsoever.

Lately, Cleoh found herself wishing he would at least trim his beard.

Professor Kaleid, staring ahead with tired eyes, suddenly smirked as he observed the flow of magic coursing through Ed’s body.

“I know I’m out of my mind, but that kid is fucking crazy too. Did he have Lucy Mayreel beat him up?”

“What? Are you talking about Ed?”

“The number of bandages on his body has increased significantly. The magic power flowing through him has grown stronger as well. That kind of growth shouldn’t be possible in such a short time.”

Kaleid tilted his head as he glanced toward the arena. Nearly every student at Silvenia harbored a powerful desire to improve themselves.

With visitors from across the empire and even the imperial family present, displaying one’s abilities here could dramatically raise a student’s reputation.

Yet Ed Rothstaylor didn’t seem interested in the spotlight at all.

It was as though his entire focus was fixed solely on the duel before him.

“By the way, how many students did you say can use advanced magic right now?”

“I’m not sure. From what I know, two—Trayciana Bloomriver and Lucy Mayreel.”

“Now there’ll be three.”

“What?”

***

“Begin the duel!”

The moment the signal rang out, a blinding light and a tremendous explosion engulfed the arena.

The audience screamed as the shockwave blasted toward them. Hair and clothing whipped violently as people shut their eyes and ducked down.

Boooooooooooooom!

Advanced Explosion Magic—Destruction.

Though it was cast in the form of the intermediate spell Point Explosion, with comparable speed, the outcome was entirely different.

Point Explosion, while fast, suffered from relatively weak firepower compared to other intermediate spells.

Destruction, however, could be considered the pinnacle of explosion magic, having overcome those shortcomings entirely.

A massive blast tore through the center of the arena, sending clouds of dust billowing outward.

As the dust settled, Ed could be seen with one hand raised and the other gripping his wrist. Across from him stood Daike.

The attack had come at an overwhelming speed. Even so, Daike Elpelan swiftly raised his guard to lessen the impact.

Despite that, his body was hurled into the arena’s outer wall.

He had guarded, but he hadn’t been able to fully block it. Burn wounds spread across his body, and part of the wall behind him had collapsed.

If he were an ordinary warrior, it wouldn’t have been strange for him to lose consciousness right there.

However, Daike stood back up without hesitation.

Brushing dust from his body, he returned to his stance, gripping his knuckle dusters once more.

The pain from his wounds must have been unbearable. Even so, Daike’s eyes burned with life.

***

Casting advanced magic right at the start of the duel.

The spectators could only stare in stunned silence.

They had expected a high-level battle, but no one imagined advanced magic would be unleashed immediately.

In a normal fight, a warrior struck directly by a magician’s advanced spell would have been defeated on the spot.

Yet Daike’s mental fortitude was unparalleled. He drew in a deep breath as he rose.

Raising his guard, he buried his face against his forearm.

Inhale…

Exhale…

When he lifted his head again, Daike Elpelan vanished.

The crowd gasped. A man of such size was moving so fast that tracking him with the naked eye was nearly impossible.

Daike reappeared behind Ed.

Despite his massive build, it was a mistake to assume he relied on a suppressive, weight-based fighting style.

Daike was the top student of the combat department.

The path he walked was paved with blood and sweat. He wasn’t someone who overwhelmed others with innate talent or monstrous power. He was someone who had won through sheer perseverance, enduring battles no matter how brutal they became.

In other words, Daike could do anything other combat students could.

Assuming he had only one fighting style was the quickest path to defeat.

Boom!

He slammed his foot into the ground, the impact alone making the arena tremble.

It was the prelude to a single punch—one born from every ounce of strength in his body, unleashed as he kicked off the ground and swung downward.

The reason Daike earned the title ‘King of Power’ was that very strike—one capable of leveling a building.

Boooooooooooom!

No magic. No enchanted equipment. No reagents.

Just a single punch fueled by raw strength, powerful enough to shake the air itself and send debris flying.

The force tore through the air like a cannon blast, aimed directly at the back of Ed Rothstaylor’s head—moving faster than magic itself.

A cannon fired from a fist.

No phrase described Daike’s punch more accurately.

Whooooooosh!

Yet Daike’s fist never reached its target.

At that instant, a violent gale wrapped around Ed, hurling Daike’s massive body away.

Whoooosh!

Only then did Ed Rothstaylor move.

It wasn’t that he couldn’t react—he had chosen not to.

All so he could aggressively invoke the spirit blessing, Storm’s Blessing.

“Keuk…!”

Daike, thrown aside by the wind without understanding what had happened, tumbled across the arena floor.

The force was impossible to resist.

The distance between him and the magician widened—meaning he would have to endure the next attack.

Ed Rothstaylor launched his assault. Daike raised his guard, his eyes locked onto the blond nobleman.

As Ed lifted his arms, flames erupted throughout the arena.

[Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaah!]

A terrifying cry echoed as a massive bat—nearly the size of a human—wrapped itself around Ed’s body.

As the burning bat spread its wings, fierce winds once again swept through the arena.

Flame Pillars surged forward, rushing straight toward Daike.

Magic had to be countered with magic.

Daike possessed no talent for it. However, through relentless training, he had at least reached the point where he could resist enemy spells.

His magic resonance and efficiency were inferior even to someone who had just learned beginner magic. Even so, Daike forcibly drew out every scrap of magic within his body, channeled it to his feet, and stomped down.

Boom!

Step of Magic Resistance.

A spell that shattered an opponent’s magic with one’s own. Its efficiency was abysmal, and given Daike’s lack of aptitude, its practicality was minimal.

Still, it was the only method available to him.

Cold sweat poured from his body as he barely managed to dispel Mugg’s Flame Pillars.

But he knew he couldn’t repeat it.

If Ed launched another spell, defeat would be inevitable.

So he had to move—now.

Daike Elpelan raised his guard once more and took a deep breath.

Inhale…

Exhale…

Steadying himself, he kicked off the ground and charged straight at Ed Rothstaylor.

If a beast the size of an elephant possessed the agility of a wildcat, it might resemble this.

Even fellow combat students could only stare in disbelief. As a warrior, it was nearly impossible to defend against such an assault.

Fast. Powerful. One clean hit meant death.

Daike closed the distance in an instant. There was no time to do anything else.

This was the result of a lifetime of relentless training—combat knowledge forged through experience rather than talent.

What the King of Duds had gained was a ‘body sense’ honed through endless repetition.

It was that same instinct that allowed him to deflect the mid-ranking water spirit Lacia—who had suddenly emerged beneath his feet—with a single kick.

Thud!

His body reacted before his mind could.

[Kyaaaaaah!]

Lacia the lioness vanished as her manifestation dispersed. Only then did Daike realize what had happened.

Ed Rothstaylor had set a trap using Manifestation of a Water Source.

Yet Daike had dealt with it purely through reflex.

Still, the disruption broke his stance.

Ed seized the opening, spinning around with a dagger clenched in his left hand.

Clang!

Daike blocked the blade with his knuckles—but another spell activated from the dagger itself.

Spiritual Skill—Explosion.

An explosion erupted from the engraved weapon.

Daike couldn’t guard in time. Ed was caught in the blast as well, but thanks to his Blessing of Fire Fortune, he emerged unharmed.

“Well… would you look at that…”

Boooom!!!

Daike’s rough laughter echoed as the explosion detonated.

He had already endured advanced explosive magic earlier. An attack of this scale wouldn’t be enough to knock him out.

Still, being caught off guard without a proper guard was far from ideal.

Even if Ed couldn’t finish him there, widening the distance again should have been enough.

Yet, contrary to Ed Rothstaylor’s expectations, Daike was still standing before him in the smoke.

A low, guttural sound escaped him—like a massive brown bear looming in front of its prey.

Had he neutralized the magic at the last second? No.

Had he trained himself to resist explosions like Ed? No.

Had the spell’s power been reduced by some external factor? No.

Daike Elpelan had simply endured it.

Through sheer spirit and willpower, he had taken it head-on.

“You’re insane…”

“That’s what I should be saying, Ed Rothstaylor.”

With what little strength he had left, Daike shoved the dagger away with his knuckles.

There was no amplification, no technique—just a simple push.

Yet Ed Rothstaylor’s body was sent flying.

Crash!!

Ed gritted his teeth as he rolled across the floor several times. When he rose, he immediately returned to his stance.

Just as Daike’s follow-up attack was about to reach him, Mugg’s fire magic once again engulfed the arena.

Daike Elpelan had little means to deal with magic. Most of the time, he could only grit his teeth and endure, or rely on inefficient resistance spells.

He knew none of this was ideal.

Even so, Daike continued charging forward.

Leaping into the air, he grabbed hold of the fire bat Mugg mid-flight.

[Kyaaak! Kaaak!]

Though called a bat, it was larger than a human torso.

Even so, Daike seized it, smashed it into the ground, and stomped down on it.

Ignoring the blood pouring from his own wounds, he completely subdued Mugg.

Ed canceled the manifestation, the spirit dissolving into magic power. Mugg had been rendered entirely incapacitated.

Ed Rothstaylor frowned as he readied himself once more.

Daike Elpelan raised his guard as well.

He took another deep breath.

Inhale…

Exhale…

He had been blasted by explosions, hurled across the arena, and was bleeding from his scalp—yet he continued his steady breathing, undisturbed.

Fighting him felt like striking a stone wall with bare fists. Through that oppressive presence and overwhelming strength, he crushed his opponents.

As Daike prepared to leap forward again—

Ed withdrew the ‘thousand-year-old wooden wand struck by lightning.’

Daike was not an opponent he could afford to hold back against.

In truth… Ed had known that from the very beginning.