1367 Cope!

Varian's body shifted sightly, using most minimal of movements to dodge the fist that brushed past his cheek.

"You!" Chanlar's eyes widened at the excellent dodge.

Even if he awakened his natal treasure, Telor shouldn't be this strong, right?

'Oops!'

Varian also realized his gaffe and threw a punch.

With half-caution and half-suspicion, Chanlar returned the punch while throwing a kick at Varian's waist.

Varian's instincts kicked in and his waist began to move, about to dodge the kick.

'Don't! Stop it!'

Varian had to suppress his instincts to take the attack.

Boom! 

Their fists crashed against each other like asteroids. A silence ensued before a powerful shockwave exploded from the point of contact.

Blood spurted out of their fists. Then the sounds of bones cracking rang.

Finally, Varian's and Chanlar's forearms both began to crack and bleed as the powerful pulses of aura began to invade their bodies.

At the same time, Chanlar's kick reached Telor who 'desperately' tried to dodge but couldn't avoid it completely.

As a result, his foot struck Varian right in the abdomen.

Blood spilled from 'Telor's' lips and a depression was formed in his stomach in the shape of Chanlar's foot.

Without missing the opportunity, Chanlar punched down sharply. The fist connected with Varian's chest and caused him to cover.

Another kick arrived, hitting him in the calf. And Telor knelt on a knee, vomitting blood with a pale face.

The anger in Chanlar's eyes had subsided a little but it was far from being extinguished.

Turning to the woman, the muscular man laughed, even though his eyes were cold and furious. "You bitch! Your boyfriend can't even last three moves under me. Is this the 'handsome' man you were cheering for?"

Miss Calamity looked between 'Telor' and Chanlar, her thoughts racing.

'I thought you were brave for infiltrating the academy. No, you're an idiot! How can you be so weak? And why the hell did you try to fight this guy if you can't last a few moves?'

"Bitch, speak up! If you get on your knees and admit you're wrong, I won't beat him too much." Chanlar patted his fist against his palm and said with a wide grin.

'Fuck! I thought my detective vacation would be interesting. To think it's going to end so soon…'

Miss Calamity prepared to reveal her identity and take control of the imposter. She prepared to raise her aura but someone beat her to it.

"Do not insult her!" Varian spat out some blood and stood up with an angry face.

There's a glowing red sword in his hand. His blood flowed down the sword handle and washed the blade. His blood drops dripped down the tip of the blade but before they hit the ground, the aura of the blade flared and it enveloped everything around Varian in a red light.

The aura of 'Telor' which was just in the early stages of low rank 7 began to climb quickly.

Chanlar turned around and cracked his neck. "A natal treasure won't change your fate."

A translucent green-hued armor covered the man's body. His injuries began to heal at a much faster pace and his aura recovery was also boosted.

"This is my natal treasure. I've been familiar using it for centuries. You are disadvantaged without natal treasures. You are even more disadvantaged with natal treasures."

Varian didn't show any despair at those words. Instead, he raised his sword and charged forward, like a knight from the fairy tale marching towards the evil dragon.

Chanlar's body gave off a dazzling silver light and he kicked the ground. His body flashed forward and his fist moved at a speed far higher than earlier.

The gym members watching the fight could only see the colors of red and silver clash before a blinding light flashed, forcing them to cover their eyes.

When they could see again, Chanlar's fist was dripping with blood—the blood of Telor whose right arm got mangled and was hanging limp.

But Telor's sword was also dripping with blood. And there was a thin but very noticable sword mark right at the base of Chanlar's neck. A thin line formed before purple blood began to spill out.

Chanlar clutched his neck and backed off. But blood spilled out from the gap between his fingers.

Varian held the sword in his left hand and took a step forward.

Chanlar took a step back.

And Varian raised his sword. A red light began to shine on the surroundings once again.

"N-No!"

"No! Stop!"

"I admit defeat!" Chanlar fell on the floor and looked up at Varian with a terrified expression.

Varian slowly lowered his sword and nodded. Then, he turned around and limped towards his dorm.

Of course, the injuries were too light for him. But he had to put up an act.

As someone who fought peak rank 7s, a low rank 7, no matter how strong was a cakewalk. However, if he appeared too strong right off the bat, things might get complicated.

"Cough, cough!"

To add more credibility to his 'underdog achievements' resume, Varian even began to cough violently as he slowly walked away.

"Oh, Telor!"

A cry came from behind and the annoying woman hopped in front of him. She took out a healing potion out of nowhere and poured it onto his arm.

"I knew you would win!" She looked into his eyes with a brilliant smile.

Varian narrowed his eyes. Even if the woman didn't know he was an infiltrator, she must've found something was wrong with him. Or why would a peak rank 9 powerhouse come after him?

'W-Wait! I think I know why!' Varian froze on the spot and all color drained from his face.

[Haah?] The System let out a groan of surprise, its voice was sweet. [But how can you? No, in the first place, what's the reason?]

Varian lowered his head so the woman in front of him couldn't see his expression clearly.

'She's after my body! And my face! Didn't you hear her talk about how handsome I am? She's in love with me!'

[Heh, men~] The System snorted in a disgusted tone.

'My wives told me when I was starting out. That there are a bad women out there who will covet my body. I should protect myself!' Varian argued in a serious tone.

In his defense, his wives did say those words. And they said in a lot more harsh words.

'Those bitches will come after you! Kill them with a slap! No, don't touch them and sully your hands! Use a 10-feet, no, a 100-feet long spear to pierce them!'

That was Sia, who personally packed a dozen 100-feet spears into his storage treasures.

'Var, please stay away from women. You're an innocent boy who'll attract the attention of too many vixens. Those shameless women are the worst of the worst of the worst…'

It was from Sarah, who was worried sick after watching some crazy dramas. She packed his storage space with antidotes. Antidotes to what you ask? Of aphrodiasacs.

'If someone tries to touch you inappropriately, kill her. And if her family tries to support that stupidity, kill her whole family. If her city supports…'

And Enigma, who was surprisingly a lot more ruthless in her advice.

'…And so, from their words, I conclude that she has fallen for me.' Varian came out of his shower and changed into fresh clothes.

As he stepped into the living room, the woman was seated on a couch, as expected.

'You see, she's following me into my dorm! What does this say? Am I right or am I right?'

[Host, the System knows you're trying to cope with a peak rank 9 breathing down on your neck. But seriously, there are better ways to do it than delude yourself like this.]

'What do you know?' Varian screamed inwardly but waved in greeting and sat in front of the woman.

The woman began to ramble, praising his performance, cursing Chanlar for being so ugly. She then began to talk about the reaction in the academy at his victory.

Varian responded and engaged in the conversation, but only as minimally as possible without evoking any sense that he's bored.

'How can I remain calm when a peak rank 9 is stalking me all day?! I don't know, Logos! One second, just one second is enough. If she snapped, she'll kill me in a second and it's all over! It's fucking scary, okay? I have to cope somehow.' Varian explained his situation.

Logos fell silent at his brutally honest answer.

It's not like Varian was a social idiot. Despite his occassional burst of narcissism, he wouldn't be delusional to think a peak rank 9 would fall for him.

[The System was worried, Host. If you have noticed it, even though the woman is very enthusiastic, she didn't even touch you even with her fingertips. She also maintains an active distance. She has something on her mind.]

'Of course.' Varian pursed his lips.

'I noticed her aura was about to rise when she thought I lost the fight. So, as long as I keep winning, she won't intervene. Maybe she's curious on what I'm up to. So I'm safe until then.'