I Reincarnated Into A Single-Celled Organism! - I Reincarnated into a Single-celled Organism! - Chapter 167

“By academy rules, a bet is a bet.” After a moment of silence, the bald instructor spoke with a solemn expression before waving his hands, causing the shield around them to fall.

By the time the crowds could see us again, the book had disappeared. I knew he had just stashed it in his robe, or perhaps I should have been a bit worried. It had a sentinel stuck in its pages though, so even if he tried to take it, I could find him, or more likely, I could destroy the book from the inside out. That was my newest update with the sentinels, self-destruction. The book would explode in flames as soon as I willed it.

It wasn’t like I didn’t already have the technique transcribed and translated in my mind. The immortal had not given me a book directly, so I had created that myself. Technique books were far easier to replicate than mythic plants. As long as I bought the ink and paper, I could replicate any technique I learned. The paper and ink I had for this book were borrowed from the library in the Capala household. I just wanted to see if I could do it. Up until that moment, I still wasn’t completely sure it was missing something, but if this instructor couldn’t see any flaws, then it was probably good.

This was also why I was still interested in the library. Had Fate not appeared and dragged me to the arena, I’d already be learning every technique I was allowed to learn. If I could then get access to the inks and paper, I could generate technique books of my own. Wasn’t that a means of making kilojoules quickly? I could pay off my debt and even help the Capala family if I was in the mood.

“I have verified the validity of the bet,” the instructor declared for the sake of those listening. “Spirit has submitted an A-rank technique.”

He stopped with that, but even that was enough for the crowds of spectators to break into excited chatter.

“How did he find an A-rank technique?”

“He’s willing to bet it? What a fool!”

“He was a commoner, maybe he doesn’t know the value of such techniques.”

As the crowds mumbled, Huntington and Stride had even stranger expressions on their faces. Even an A-rank technique appearing would be a big deal. The instructor deliberately left it vague, but if anyone learned the true nature of that book, it would shake the entire province. It appeared like an agreement flashed between their eyes. They would compete for the book, but they wouldn’t announce it to anyone.

“I agree to these terms,” Jordan Stride said, perhaps a bit too quickly.

“Same,” Huntington grunted.

The bell overhead chimed again, as the conditions of the match changed. This drew a lot of interest, and even more, students arrived to see what was happening. A three-way match between three of the top combatants of the martial tournament? The school might not have seen something so exciting in a long time. Soon, the stages were growing full. Fate had a scowl on her face, while Ronald still stared with wide eyes as if he couldn’t believe what he was witnessing.

“Since there are three of us, we’ll compete the same way as in the tournament. We’ll draw straws for the order, but we’ll fight each other once. In the event of a tie-” Jordan began to explain how he wanted to proceed, but I held up my hand, stopping him in mid-sentence.

“You misunderstand.” I grinned. “I’ll take you both on at once.”

“You?” Jordan blinked in shock.

Huntington sneered. “Is this some kind of trick?”

“I just want there to be no confusion.” I stepped back, speaking loud enough so the entire audience could hear. “I defeated you each once, but still you think I didn’t earn my spot at first, to the point you stated I didn’t count. I don’t want you both continuing on that you would have won if things were different. So, I’ll give you your best shot. Both of you against me, no poison. If I win, get both of your items. If you win, you can decide among yourself how you want to split things. Are you unwilling?”

My words caused an eruption of cries from the spectators. I had spun the story to make it seem like it was a matter of pride, but the truth was that I just wanted their rewards. I didn’t expect to gain much from the Capala family given how they didn’t even back me after the botany exam. It didn’t matter to me. The only time a family had my back was when they were stabbing me in it. I had always had to do everything on my own, sometimes putting my life on the line. This was no different.

I wanted that necklace so I could look and see if I could synthesize my own. Although they wouldn’t do much for me, they would help cover up my strength, and I would feel better if Mara had one as well. Although plants were difficult, they were complex living things. Since I could replicate the book, I might be able to replicate artifacts too. As for the pill, I naturally wanted it for Mara. The stronger she was, the easier it’d be for her to get her revenge, and I could finally fulfill my promise. Of course, everyone in the audience had something to say on the matter too.

“A two on one? How bold!” one young female student stated.

“He must be crazy. There is no way he would win against two of them. His victory in the tournament must have fried his brain.”

“He’s asking for defeat.”

“Does he have a chance?” Ronald asked no one in particular.

“That idiot.” That one came from Fate.

“Instructor Giles.” Jordan didn’t answer but turned to the instructor instead.

“If you all agree to the terms of the battle, it is within the boundaries of the academy’s laws. I will not interject,” Instructor Giles stated before glancing at me. “However, are you sure you want to do this? The academy arena battle stage is different from the tournament stage. You can forfeit by jumping off the stage there, but this stage will not allow you to escape, as a barrier is erected to protect the rest of the school while combat is going on. You can surrender, or be knocked unconscious, but there is still a significant risk of death if you are not prepared.”

I nodded, “I understand. I’m not so easy to take down.”

I saw a group of young female students whispering excitedly and I winked at them. They broke into giggles and started speaking more frantically. Of course, if I was defeated, that bravado that came off as charming would only serve to make me look increasingly foolish. Fate rolled her eyes when she saw this, while Ronald had a look of admiration.

“Alright, then it’s decided. When I ring the bell, Jordan, Huntington, you will be tasked with defeating Spirit. Spirit, you must render them both unconscious, or force them to surrender if you wish to win.”

Both sides nodded. At this point, the stage was full. Whispers of an A-rank technique and a battle of honor spread throughout the academy, and even older instructors were arriving. The only people who weren’t present were those who weren’t at the academy, as enough time had yet to pass for people from the city to hear about things, not that most would have had permission to enter even if they wanted to.

There were a few women in the audience that seemed to stand out. Where the stands were crowded mostly, there were areas where a woman sat and no one moved within an arm’s distance from her. There was another group where six pretty women surrounded a beauty in the middle. Could these be the ones that Ronald has spoken about earlier? I wasn’t in a position to find out. Instead, I pulled the blade, Eternal Harmony, and waited for the bell to ring.

Jordan’s eyes widened when he saw the blade, and he let out a gasp. “Is that… Eternal Harmony?”

As soon as he asked this, the muttering in the crowds grew.

“Did he say Eternal Harmony?”

“It is! I recognize that blade anywhere!”

“That blade… How does he have it?”

Huntington tilted his head. “That sword, it is an A-rank weapon. Even our elder has only made one of those in his life.”

“What’s so special about this blade?” Ronald whispered to Fate, who surprisingly answered this time.

“The Eternal Harmony was a blade gifted to the young prince Nikola by his father Lord Nikola. That is the prince’s royal blade!”

“How did you get that blade?” Huntington demanded.

“I heard a rumor.” The woman sitting by herself spoke up, and suddenly everyone in the crowds quieted down. “The rumor claims the young prince became smitten with a lady of the Green Palace, and in an attempt to win her love and attention, presented her the blade. Apparently, his father was quite furious, and he was heavily punished afterward, but to save face for the Nikola family, he allowed the Green Palace to keep it.”

“Oh!” I nodded, looking at the blade. “Lady Sci did say that this blade belonged to a former prince…”

My words caused many eyes to fall on me with heated gazes, especially Huntington and Jordan. “Lady Sci gave you this blade? Why?”

I chuckled. “I don’t know, my memory of that day is a little foggy. Perhaps… I just gave her something better!”