"...Ah—"
A heavy silence hung over the hall as Castor’s body collapsed limply, his head rolling to a stop just a few feet away. Then, the screams began.
"KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!"
"C-Castor-sama's head!"
"His body... oh god, uwaaaaaah!!"
One student bolted for the exit, and as if a dam had burst, the rest followed, trampling over each other to escape. Some lost control of their bladders, others retched—it was a veritable scene from hell. I suppose even though they were told it was a duel to the death, they never actually believed I would go through with it.
"Duels have certainly become cheap these days," I remarked.
"While it is true that duels are reserved for nobles with much to lose, they are not the domain of students who have yet to inherit their titles," the Headmaster replied.
"Well, my inheritance is already a settled matter."
I’m the only one left alive, after all, so there isn’t much choice in the matter.
"Really, you are quite the handful..."
The Headmaster pressed his palm to his forehead. However, since it was the now-deceased Castor who had demanded the duel in the first place, he didn't seem inclined to lecture me.
"Well, I applied some hemostasis, so he might make it if you’re quick," I said.
"Hm? Truly, the blood isn't spraying."
Before I knew it, Edward had approached Castor’s body and was examining it with clinical interest.
"Using barriers to staunch the bleeding... and such a clean, sharp cut. There might actually be a chance to save him. Remarkable technique."
I had certainly taken his head. If left alone, Castor would surely die. However, I had left a marginal possibility of survival.
"I’ll leave the decision to let him live or die up to you, Headmaster."
I can understand being desperate enough to push through one's own selfishness, but honestly, it wasn’t even funny that he challenged me without the slightest calculation for victory. I had wondered if he was demon-possessed like Jelasis, but he wasn't; he was really just a fool. A complete idiot. He deserved to die, and even if he is saved, he’ll likely just find some other way to meet a pathetic end in the near future. A total small-fry.
"I’m going to release the barrier now. Three, two, one—"
"—Tch."
Before I could dispel the magic, a mass of viscous water manifested from Volsea’s hand, enveloping Castor’s head and body. The moment the barrier vanished, a torrent of blood began to flow from the severed neck, only to be drawn back into the wounds as if circulating naturally.
As I thought, the old man had a contingency in place.
"Headmaster, if you let him live and he ever directs his malice toward me again, make sure you take responsibility and kill him yourself next time."
The old man needs to take responsibility for students who don't know when to quit.
"Otherwise, if I’m challenged to a duel anywhere outside your presence, I won't hesitate to take their head—no matter who they are."
"...A duel is a duel," Volsea spoke, his face twisted in anguish. "Castor von Pentagram died in a duel. That fact will not change. I shall be the one to explain the situation to House Pentagram."
"Is that all right?"
"It is. Everything is my responsibility. You are the student; you are not at fault. I am the one who must bear the weight of this sin..."
Carrying Castor’s corpse suspended in the sphere of water, Volsea walked away. His retreating back exuded a profound sense of melancholy.
I was surprised; I didn't think he would just leave a "dead" student like that. I could sympathize with his inner conflict, but either way, the student who made the idiotic decision to duel and the teacher who couldn't stop it are the ones at fault. It was the same with the mess over Alicia’s duel.
Carry that weight, Headmaster.
While everyone watched Volsea leave with somber expressions, Edward muttered a single comment.
"Hmph. With this, perhaps the flighty first-year students will finally return to their senses."
Look who’s talking! You were the flightiest one of all during the first semester!
Everyone looked at Edward with exasperated eyes.
"Hey, hey... I knew you couldn't read the room, but man..." Even Clive could only sigh.
"As the Headmaster said, Laguna Ver Brave is not at fault," Edward continued. "Everyone here saw him warn Castor. If anyone still tries to pin a crime on him, I, who stood as witness, shall split the blame."
"Ha... I see... Thanks..."
He spoke with sparkling eyes, but I didn't really care about any "crime." More importantly, he was too close.
I felt no emotion regarding the fact that I had killed Castor. He was a foolish man, and that was that. But seriously, this guy was way too close. He was practically vibrating with excitement.
I spoke while taking refuge behind Alicia.
"Listen, it’s not like I’ve grown sentimental, but for this coming year, I’ll properly fulfill the Student Council position he wanted so badly he staked his life on it. That’s all."
I don't know if he really wanted it that much. He probably—no, certainly—had no intention of actually dying, but once the words are out, that’s the end of it. Consider this my final tribute; I’ll take the Student Council seriously, Castor.
"Oooooh! That is exactly what I expect from House Brave! Yes, quite!"
"Sigh... I feel like a fool for taking it so seriously..." Alicia said, ignoring the energized Edward. "For now, shall we clean up this mess?"
"True."
To think our first job as the Student Council would be cleaning up the "accidents" of the students who fled. I can already see the trouble ahead.
Maybe I put a bit too much bloodlust into the air? I thought the students were being a bit weak for falling into such a state of panic, but come to think of it, I had just learned Demon-style Magic after beating down that demon over the summer. That likely played a part. It affects the souls of those who disparage me directly, so it can't be helped.
"Cleaning? I shall do it!"
Just as I was about to ask where the supplies were, Edward raised his voice.
"As the one who presided over this glorious duel, leave the aftermath to me. I may not look it, but I am quite skilled at cleaning. I shall handle it. Clive, help me!"
"Ehh... I have to do it too...?"
"Of course. Laguna Ver Brave and Alicia should take the still-unconscious Lady Mariana to the infirmary. Myself, Clive, and Lady Treisa shall take charge here."
Treisa, Clive’s fiancée who had suddenly been brought into the conversation, simply nodded silently with a more composed expression than I expected. She has quite the grit; I suppose that’s to be expected of Clive’s fiancée. Well, I’ve never spoken to her, so I wouldn’t know.
"In... in that case, we’ll take you up on the offer... Let’s go, Alicia."
"Y-Yes..."
As if being pushed out, I carried the unconscious Mariana on my back and left the hall with Alicia.
On the way to the infirmary, Alicia murmured softly.
"You really... killed him, didn't you?"
"Yeah. I won't say I didn't intend to."
He staked his life. If I’m challenged to a duel under those terms, I have no choice but to accept.
"I’ll probably kill anyone else who challenges me to my face in the future, too."
Until now, I’ve left irritating opponents alone for the sake of Alicia’s position, but if I’m the target, I won’t show mercy. Even if someone dangles a collar in front of me, that is the one point I refuse to yield on.
"I see..."
"But it's not like I feel any pleasure in killing. If anything, I've just reached a point where I don't feel anything at all."
"I know." However, Alicia continued, "But... it might be a little painful for me to see you be feared."
"I'm fine with it. I'm used to being feared by adventurers, and I'll restrain myself so that it doesn't result in you being feared as well."
"...I see."