"I heard you were the heirs of prestigious noble houses, but you're remarkably ill-mannered. Proposing a duel while you hold a three-on-one advantage... I can only describe such people as cowards."
"We have simply judged that you are not worthy of courtesy, Ryuga Renjou. We feel that way especially toward an enigmatic man like you."
"…Is that so?"
A palpable fighting spirit began to radiate from Ryuga as he shifted his weight.
He had not yet reached for his katana, but his companions held their breath, sensing an atmosphere so tense he might draw his blade at any moment. Meanwhile, the heirs, utterly underestimating him, continued to hurl mockery.
"We have heard all about you and your sister. You are exchange students who exceeded the academy's capacity—an occurrence that should be impossible. People talk of you being a skilled swordsman, but is that enough to grant a special exception? Your father was an obscure guard who served at some minor castle and is already dead, and your mother is bedridden with illness. Your family is impoverished and likely lacks any significant connections to high-ranking officials. How exactly did someone like you become an exchange student?"
"Hmm…? Isn't it just because he’s that strong?"
"Be quiet, Katsuyori. When someone like you, whose only redeeming quality is his physical strength, opens his mouth, the conversation grinds to a halt."
Enji, who was deeply suspicious of the fact that Ryuga had been sent to Luminous Academy as an exchange student at all, directed a piercing glare toward him.
While Enji wore an expression of growing irritation at Ryuga’s complete lack of reaction to that gaze, Raiha finally spoke up.
"It is exactly as Katsuyori-san said. Ryuga-san possesses strength worthy of being recognized as a special case. He did not obtain that position through some sort of foul play."
"Lady Raiha!? Why are you shielding that man!? I have no intention of doubting your word, but that man is a wretched fellow from a family of no standing! By all rights, he is a low-born who shouldn't even be allowed to look upon someone like you!"
"…High rank does not automatically make a person noble. At the very least, in my eyes, Ryuga-san—who tried to protect his friend—is a far more righteous human being than you, who judges people solely by their status."
"Wh-at…!?"
Masanaga, having been so bluntly rejected by Raiha, stood with his eyes wide in shock.
He seemed utterly traumatized that she had sided with Ryuga over him. Masanaga turned a trembling, growling gaze toward Ryuga, who maintained a cool, detached expression.
"You scoundrel, what did you do to Lady Raiha? She was always a modest Yamato Nadeshiko who stayed three steps behind and deferred to men; there is no way she would say such things. What kind of trickery did you use to deceive her!?"
"…Don't ask me questions."
"You…! Don't you dare get cocky with me!!"
Ryuga and Masanaga remained locked in a heated standoff, sparks practically flying between them.
Observing the confrontation and Raiha's defiant attitude, Enji groaned under his breath before muttering quietly to himself.
"…It seems they have been exposed to a rather negative influence here. In that case—"
Most likely, the belief that men held a natural superiority over women had been deeply ingrained in these three.
Perhaps it was a result of their upbringings, but Enji in particular held a worldview that looked down on women. He scanned the girls present, his eyes roaming over their beautiful features. He eventually fixed his gaze on Elena and called out to her.
"Hey there! I heard you only just arrived at this academy today? We're in the same boat, then."
"Oh! That's right! We're the same!"
Subjected to a gaze dripping with hidden desire, Elena remained blissfully unaware of Enji's true motives as she replied innocently.
She took his extended hand as if for a handshake and gave it a vigorous shake, but she was suddenly and forcefully pulled away.
"Whoa!?"
"…Since you only arrived today, it means you haven't been corrupted by these guys yet. Your looks and your figure both earn a passing grade. Well now, I suppose I’ve found a woman just right to keep as a concubine."
Enji smirked, staring at Elena's face while she struggled to process what he was even saying.
Just as he was about to pull her into his arms, Marcos—who had been the one to yank her away—stepped between them to reclaim her.
"Huh? What's wrong, Marcos? Your face is scary…?"
"…Earlier, I told you to stay away from me… but I take it back. Don't leave my side, Elena."
"Wh-what!?"
Elena’s face flushed crimson at the words of Marcos, who continued to glare at Enji with a grim expression.
Enji let out a small, mocking laugh at her reaction and spoke to Marcos.
"What's this? Was she yours? I suppose you hurriedly snatched her back because you were afraid I’d steal her away?"
"That isn't it. I simply thought it would be a poor influence to let her come into contact with a man like you, who lays hands on women indiscriminately."
"I agree," Setsuna added. "I believe your story was that you came to challenge Yugo to a duel to take me away… but perhaps you came to this academy to look for girls to your liking by mistake?"
"Heh heh heh…! Don't they say a hero has a fondness for the fair sex? Besides, a man of high rank must consider his succession and keep concubines… Though, of course, I shall have you welcomed as my legal wife, Setsuna."
"Unfortunately, I know a hero who is far more upright than you, yet has no interest in such romance. Even before that, the words of a man who cannot cherish even a single woman are nothing but nonsense, no matter how you try to dress them up."
"Hoh…! You certainly talk big for a mere provincial noble…!!"
In this corner of the room, too, the sparks of a fierce conflict had been ignited.
As everyone stared down their respective opponents, Ryuga and Marcos spoke to Yugo almost simultaneously.
"…Yugo, I'm sorry, but please let me join the duel they challenged you to."
"Me too. With the three of us, it will be a perfect three-on-three match, won't it?"
When Yugo looked at the strange guests from Yamato, they showed reactions that suggested this was exactly what they wanted.
'It seems the matter is settled,' Yugo judged. He cracked his knuckles with a sharp pop and then spoke.
"Alright! In that case, let's settle this with a three-on-three team match!!"