They don't want me to try anymore.

Kalanish frowned and said in a deep voice, "Mr. Richard, we have not put anyone on trial."

"But in reality, this is a trial."

Richard met their malicious gazes and sneered, "The trial began when I stood here and Linda stood opposite me, and it will not end even after today's hearing."

The teacher fell silent for a moment.

Linda turned her head away, smiled with narrowed eyes, and said, "Junior Richard, you've misunderstood me."

"Really? Maybe. After all, I come from Connaught, thousands of miles away. It's normal that I don't understand some things."

Richard, halfway through his joke, straightened his face and said seriously:

"But I hereby swear that I did not violate any school rules during my exploration of the fantasy world, and the recording scroll I obtained was obtained through the efforts of an honest and noble person, and is absolutely genuine!"

"Of course, as you all have said, I am a barbarian from Connaught, a country bumpkin from the South Sea, and my words may not be worthy of your trust... So please forgive me, I can only choose to obtain justice in a more uncivilized and barbaric way!"

"I demand a trial by combat!"

"Someone just said they'd challenge the person who accused her to a duel? Perfect timing..."

Linda Dulles, you lying bitch! I, Richard Targaryen, challenge you!

Chapter Thirty-One is also, in a sense, a form of gacha.

The entire venue fell silent instantly.

Many people started picking their ears, completely unable to believe what they had just heard.

How could someone from a remote country with only a Bronze rank challenge Linda, the daughter of Duke Dulles of the Fire Horse Empire and a Silver rank noblewoman?

He also...he swore?

Bold, rude, foolish, and overconfident!

Putting aside the issue of swearing, and disregarding the vast difference in strength between Silver and Bronze, which spans an entire rank, their family backgrounds and foundations alone place them on completely different levels.

What kind of legitimate royal family are the Targaryens of Connaught? On any slightly smaller world map, their name would only appear in the notes section!

And Dulles...didn't you hear the senior's touching speech?

Moreover, looking at Linda herself, she is an absolute standout among the Silver rank members. She has full credits, is the Queen of the Arena, and even earned two special medals from the Royal Knights before graduating.

He's talented, has resources, and works incredibly hard—it's no joke.

Is it insulting to challenge someone in this situation?

At that moment, most people present thought that Richard was a complete clown and was about to experience the biggest failure of his life.

Some people were full of mockery, while others went a step further and were furious that Linda had been provoked!

They felt that Richard was like a foreign toad trying to entangle themselves with their empire's noble swans through such absurd means.

If there hadn't been a teacher present, they would have wanted to come up and beat people up!

Even the few who vaguely suspected that things weren't so simple, or the female students who had once been captivated by Richard's charm, couldn't help but sigh with regret, feeling that he was too impulsive and acted without thinking.

As for Zoe, Tom, Alice, and other people who were truly concerned about the investigation... they were completely lost in the turbulent crowd and could not be seen at all.

"...Junior Richard, are you serious?"

On stage, Linda paused for a moment, then asked in return.

Richard nodded calmly and firmly.

For a moment, Linda's jaw clenched slightly, and surprise and anger flashed in her eyes, but she quickly suppressed these emotions and maintained her elegant smile.

It was as if she didn't take Richard seriously at all.

"I accept the challenge."

"So, the time is three days from now at noon, at the Grand Arena. If you lose, you will have to publicly apologize to me, and then... leave the school, return to Connaught, and spend the rest of your life in that place that's smaller than my little finger."

There was a burst of laughter from the audience.

Richard calmly asked, "What if I win?"

"Oh yes."

Linda blinked, a slight smile playing on her lips. "Theoretically, that's certainly possible... So, what do you want? Money?"

"unnecessary."

Richard said, "If I win, you must, in the name of the Dulles family, repent before the Goddess of Order for your mistakes and swear never to be my enemy again. At the same time... you must compensate all the students who entered the Red Prison Mine before!"

"can."

this moment.

The agreement has been made, the duel is set!

The teachers, who had been sidelined for so long, finally spoke up, restored discipline, and announced the end of the hearing.

Everyone dispersed.

Richard left the meeting hall amidst all sorts of stares, only to be caught red-handed by Zoe and her group at the corner.

“Richard, you’re taking too much of a risk! How could you…”

The little girl clung tightly to Richard's sleeve and, unsurprisingly, began to persuade him; Hepper and Tom were about to follow suit.

Richard quickly raised his hand to stop them: "You're all right, but the matter is settled. What I need to do now is to concentrate all my efforts and prepare for the battle three days from now."

"Yes, but..."

Zoe's eyes reddened, and she pouted, but she really didn't know what to say.

To be honest, in this moment, she looks a bit like a young mother.

Richard smiled helplessly and patted the little girl's head.

Then he looked at Alice to the side.

Princess Vanderbilt was much calmer.

In fact, if it were the original Alice, she would probably be just as anxious as Zoe.

But now, having gained the memories of those years in the simulation, she is somewhat more mature and composed, and also more aware of Richard's potential...

Well, how could someone who dared to sacrifice his life to assassinate the Emperor of Vanderbilt be afraid to challenge the Grand Duke's daughter?

Therefore, Alice simply smiled gently and asked:

"Junior, are you confident?"

"Yes, I can win."

Richard repeated to Zoe Tom and the others, "Trust me, I can win."

The looks in everyone's eyes showed that they simply couldn't believe it...

Richard shrugged and said to Alice, "Senior, there might be something I need your help with..."

"Just tell me, junior!"

Three hours later.

Night fell over the entire St. Goethe.

With the help of the bright moonlight, Richard followed the winding cobblestone path to the foot of the tower at the northernmost end of the school.

Teaching assistant Arno was already waiting there.

Upon seeing him, he immediately exclaimed, "Richard, what were you thinking? Challenging a Silver rank 1 with a Bronze rank, really..."

The familiar words left Richard speechless, both amused and exasperated.

But before he could explain, Arnold smiled instead:

"But it's too late to tell you all this now. You just need to give it your all... Speaking of which, a duel is really full of youthful energy! Haha, young people should dare to take on challenges!"

Richard felt a warmth in his heart, but also some confusion.

"Teacher, as a citizen of the Empire, aren't you angry about my behavior?"

"Why drag the banner of imperial honor into students' business? Besides..."

Arno curled his lip: "I come from a mountain village, isn't it normal for me to be a little rebellious!"

"Mountain dwellers?"

"You'll understand when you have the chance to visit the Abarania Mountains. For now... that's the end of our small talk."

Arno clapped his hands: "It's time to get down to business. I knew you'd come looking for me... After all, for a summoner, the best way to quickly increase their strength is to contract a powerful summon."

He opened the iron gate of the tower behind him and led Richard into a circular chamber covered with runes.

This is Saint Goethe's cross-dimensional summoning classroom.

Some of the runes on the wall are directly connected to the school's protective array, possessing immense power, enough to ensure that students can communicate with the dangerous demons in the abyss without being directly harmed.

In Saint Goethe's training program, each mage has one chance to come here to try to acquire otherworldly summoned creatures, while for the summoners of the Dawn Class, it is three chances.

Richard had only been here once before, and his haul consisted of those elemental creatures.

Now, to deal with Linda, he needs to get in touch with some more dangerous and intelligent guys.