The headmaster looked surprised that she would even ask such a thing. “Certainly, but I doubt we’ll need it. Ald—Your professor has a habit of going overboard sometimes, but I don’t think he’d do anything that serious to Rainer.”

Lilianna looked at him in confusion. “What?”

“What?” he parroted.

“The duel will be to first blood,” Professor Glory was saying, capturing everyone’s attention. “We have forbidden nothing for this bout, but I stipulate that there will be nothing lethal. I will step in myself if I even suspect such a thing of happening.” The steel in her voice forced both men to nod in acknowledgment. “Before we begin, I must ask if either party wishes to end things here?”

A resounding silence was their only reply.

Still looking nervous but sighing in resignation, she simply said, “In the light of the day, before the gods and your ancestors, be honorable and brave. Begin!”

Rainer immediately began gathering his mana, forcing it to coalesce into a physical existence in the shape of a perfect circle, with not a single word of incantation spoken. The circle grew brighter and brighter, forcing most of the onlookers to shield their eyes.

“Nice, a summoner!” Professor Aldric exclaimed. He still hadn’t moved from his starting position, hands in his pockets. “I was wondering how we were going to touch on variants in class. Now’s as good a time as any, I suppose. Alright class, listen up! Summoners 101 is about to start!”

He bent down to the ground, seeming to look around in the dirt for something. “First rule; don’t let a summoner summon. I know that sounds kind of obvious, but it’s the easiest way to fight them. I mean, just look at him. A gigantic target, and he thinks I won’t do anything while he charges up just for honor’s sake.”

Seeming to find what he was looking for, he stood up and started fiddling with whatever he found. “For now, we’ll just let him be. Can’t end the lesson too early, right?”

Was he really trying to teach right now? A sorcerer was facing down an expert summoner in single combat, and yet the sorcerer was the calmest of everyone here? Before Nadrina could voice her frustration, the entire field lit up with a bright light.

When her vision finally cleared, she and the rest of the audience gasped. Flanking professor Rainer on either side were two beautiful women. Or at least, they resembled women. Porcelain skin, platinum hair, and otherworldly grace that could only be described as angelic. But their lack of facial features, golden swords, and aura of pure power made it obvious they were much more than mortal women.