Chapter 100: Lance Meets Warriors Who Refuse to See Reason

Above the dim wooden cabin, a faint light flickered intermittently. It resembled the unblinking gaze of a cyclops, whose shifting eye heralded an imminent clash.

One warrior declared, "No matter how many times you issue notices, the outcome remains the same. We will not bow to power or schemes. If you want to tear this place down, try using force."

Zirvini, the leader of the group, said nothing. Her eyes turned cold and flat as she clenched her fists, radiating an uncompromising air that flatly rejected any negotiation.

"Fellow Students, while we certainly enjoy our campus life, we must also consider the safety of the capital's residents." Lance gave a soft, friendly cough.

"According to the Hutton Kingdom Fire Safety and Management Regulations, anyone who isn't the property owner, yet stubbornly obstructs a state-planned demolition project, could face detention of fifteen days or more and a fine exceeding one hundred pounds. We merely wish to consult with you amicably. We certainly don't want to bring in the enforcement squad from the Fire Department..."

As Lance spoke calmly and reasonably, the atmosphere in the room grew increasingly tense and volatile. The group of warriors remained completely unmoved. Even if it meant detention, they were not about to be scared off by Lance today. In short, they were prepared to go down fighting rather than yield.

Lance stopped talking. He realized that all students from the Knights' College possessed the potential to be lawless renegades. The kind of logic and reasoning that worked for the Sages' College simply didn't apply here.

The situation in the dilapidated building reached a critical tipping point. The next declaration from either side would determine the course of events for the day.

However, Frey nodded at Lance, signaling that he would handle it. The two exchanged a quick glance, as if they had come to a mutual understanding. Frey removed his sunglasses and hung them from his collar.

With a composed air, he pointed at Zirvini and said, "Since you believe we are using our authority to oppress you, what if I were to defeat you through sheer skill alone, without resorting to any tricks, and make you genuinely acknowledge your loss? Would you still make excuses to linger here, desecrating the spirit of combat and shamelessly obstructing the student council's work?"

The people in the room became visibly incensed after Frey’s speech. Veins bulged on their foreheads. "What did you say...?!"

Even Zirvini, the woman with long crimson hair and their leader, clenched her fists so tightly they cracked audibly. She let out a cold, mocking laugh. Her gaze was as sharp as a blade as her eyes burned with fury.

"Heh heh heh... Do you intend to defeat us in a duel?"

The Knights' College did indeed have a method for resolving disputes: a fair duel. If both parties agreed to a battle where the "spirit of combat" was on the line, they were bound to honor the outcome and accept the consequences, regardless of the terms that had been set.

"Naturally, we'll settle this the warrior way."

Upon hearing this, Frey's mouth finally curved upward into a smile of absolute confidence. "It might be a bit of a blow to your ego, but there's no denying it: none of you can defeat me."

His arrogant words echoed through the dim hall. His eyes were fixed squarely on the strongest woman among them. Clearly, he was fully prepared for whatever battle might ensue.

Frey's voice was drowned out by a thunderous crash. Zirvini stomped heavily onto the floorboards, shaking the entire wooden structure and sending dust billowing into the air. The oppressive aura radiating from her was as terrifying as that of a massive beast's.

"So, you're Frey... the top freshman in the Knights' College this year. I've heard of you, a genius who has Rank 4 strength upon enrollment. But you're a fool. You fail to grasp the absolute gap in power between yourself and a powerhouse like me."

Zirvini was thoroughly ticked off now. "Take back that arrogant nonsense and kneel before me to admit your mistake. If you do, I might just let you off the hook."

Frey wore a look of puzzlement. He cast a gaze filled with pity upon the upperclassman and let out a soft sigh.

"Are you hesitating because you're afraid to challenge me?" His tone was tinged with resignation, as if he had already pierced through to the true essence of martial arts and understood the level at which he stood compared to her. To his eyes, Zirvini appeared to be merely struggling in vain. Her rage and hostility were utterly insignificant.

"...Me? Challenge you?"

Zirvini laughed out of sheer disbelief, then brushed back the deep crimson locks from her forehead. A menacing grin played at the corners of her mouth.

"Oh, really? Well, this gives us a chance to have some fun. We'll each put forward one representative. If you win, I'll hand over this place to you on a silver platter, but if you lose, you'll never bother us again, and you'll have to deal with the school and the Fire Department yourselves!"

Upon hearing Zirvini's unreasonable demands, Hyperion instinctively tugged at the hem of Lance's coat. Her eyes clearly signaled that she wanted him to stop Frey.

If they lost, the responsibility and the consequences were far too great for the three new student council members to decide on or shoulder! Yet, Lance simply gave Hyperion a slight nod. His expression was calm, as if everything remained well within his control.

Frey didn’t hesitate. "Fine, I'm game."

Zirvini turned to look at Lance and Hyperion, who were standing beside Frey. “Do the two of you agree as well?”

She wanted to avoid any situation where they might try to renege on the deal later due to a lack of consensus among the members.

"I shall bear witness to this friendly sparring match," Lance replied with his signature elegant composure and refined courtesy.

His voice carried an air of authority that transcended the student council. It was reminiscent of a headmaster coming across a mild disagreement and spontaneously stepping in to ensure fairness for the students.

Hyperion cast one last glance at Lance, then gritted her teeth. "I... agree as well."

Hearing their unanimous agreement, Zirvini burst into laughter, acting as though victory was already within her grasp. "Hahahaha! You three fools have no idea what you're up against!"

"Leave this to me." Frey flashed a smile at his companions. He appeared calm and resolute, like a battle-hardened veteran, and his expression was marked by a distinctive tenacity and a quiet confidence.

"No problem. I'm counting on you." Lance wasn't particularly adept at this sort of one-on-one arena combat. He usually relied on the support of teammates. As for Hyperion, although she was a Rank 4 Assassin, going up against a high rank Brawler wasn't exactly her forte either.

She wasn't familiar with Frey's combat style, but she had noticed a brief moment of deliberate eye contact between him and Lance earlier. The two of them had clearly come to a mutual understanding and had begun playing off each other perfectly.

What was this strange sense of rapport? Was there a private team chat she hadn't been invited to?!