As soon as Cassian picked up the cloak, a short teacher with red hair ran onto the field.
"I think we can settle these things peacefully, you are all classmates of the same school. Just return the equipment to him."
Cassian ignored him and instead stared at Mr. Crumb.
"Didn't you hear me, kid? Return the cloak!"
Cassian and Mr. Crumb locked eyes, and neither gave in to each other's pressure.
"Return it or else." The teacher threatened, and a ball of blue fire appeared above his hand.
"I won this fair and square."
'Bastard, of course you wouldn't honor the bet.'
"That doesn't matter; that equipment is useless in the hands of an F-rank."
"Hand it over or else!"
The teacher began to exert pressure on him; it felt like the gravity had increased around him. It became harder to move, and even standing required a great amount of effort.
"Stop!" Mr. Crumb's booming voice roared through the arena. The pressure disappeared, and his breathing became easier.
"When I began to officiate this duel, I said everything must follow the regulations strictly. That includes the wager."
The red-headed teacher sneered after hearing the booming voice.
"But this boy wagered his life against an uncommon weapon that is in no way equal."
"You can try to demean a human life all you want, but both participants agreed to the duel, including its stakes."
Kurt's teacher fell silent, and his ugly scowl was not hidden.
"Now, Cassian, meet me at the weapons hall for your reward."
Mr. Crumb walked away, turning his back on the arena.
"A skill stone for an F-rank!" Kurt's teacher was outraged. However, the second Mr. Crumb turned back and eyed him, and he flinched and silenced himself.
Cassian walked away from the arena into a private room, which was supposed to be for before the match, but it worked just as well after.
Alizée walked into the room by herself. She desperately searched the room until her eyes found him.
"Are you okay? You got stabbed like a hundred times, and set on fire." She ran up to him.
"I am fine."
Alizée didn't seem to believe him, so she got closer. However, she didn't find a single wound or even a scar.
"How?"
Her eyes were wide with curiosity.
"My father left a random skill scroll. Once I used it, I got a regenerative skill."
The lie came out too naturally, enough that it unsettled him. He never really made a plan to cover up the demons; he didn't have anybody to talk to after all.
"Random skill scrolls are dangerous!" She yelled out.
"I'm fine, and more importantly, I need your help."
He quickly changed the subject.
She looked up in surprise; the words meant a lot to her.
"I will help you."
The way she said it was too comforting. She didn't even question what it was, but immediately agreed to help.
A faint smile crossed his lips before it disappeared.
"I would like to sell this equipment to you." He handed over the robe confidently.
"Sell?" She frowned.
"More accurately, can you help me exchange it for a good sword?"
"Can't you do that yourself?"
"If I tried, I would be targeted."
"Okay, I will help and get you the best sword possible." She squeezed her fist in determination.
"Thank you."
He left before she could ask any more questions.
He went straight to collect his other award, a skill crystal.
He would only get awarded the lowest level, which would allow a skill to level up from one to two. However, that was still a major bonus and would be very helpful in the dungeon.
His swordsmanship skill was the only one at level one, and walking around with something that valuable on him was not a good idea. He planned to use it immediately; otherwise, it could get stolen.
Cassian arrived at the weapons class field around the same time as everybody else. They were also returning to class from watching the duel.
However, now they were all watching him, eyes filled with greed. He held no doubt that if given the opportunity, they would try to steal from him.
After getting to the field, Cassian walked to the office door and welcomed himself inside. Waiting there for him was Mr. Crumb, who was sitting with his arms crossed.
"Here is your reward."
He spoke coldly as he tossed a simple wooden box at him. Cassian immediately opened it up to inspect the glowing white crystal.
[Skill Stone - Level 1 - Can level up a level 1 skill to level 2]
"You can use it over there."
He nonchalantly pointed to the corner of the room.
"Yes, Sir."
He sat in the corner of the room and faced the wall. Holding the crystal made his hands slightly warm.
Once he thought about using the stone, a blue window showed up.
[Use Level 1 Skill Stone?]
[Yes] [No]
He clicked on Yes, and a + sign appeared next to swordsmanship. After pressing on that sign, the skill leveled up.
[Swordsmanship - Level 2
Passive Skill
Restrictions: Sword
Effect: Increases sword power by 10%, sword speed by 10%, and sword penetration by 10%.]
The increase in power was as much as sword slash at level 1, and the skill had other effects. The only thing useless about it was penetration.
While not that important at lower levels, that was only in comparison to other stats. Every monster has a defense of at least 1, which means increasing your penetration to 1 is useful.
The swordsmanship skill increases sword penetration by 10%. Which means his penetration stat is increased by 10% while using a sword. The problem is that he currently has no penetration.
To gain penetration, he could either try to obtain the sword thrust skill or get equipment with the stat.