Gunmage-Chapter 199: The challenge

"Hello, I’m Lugh Von Heim,"

He said, speaking with an awkward confidence, arms outstretched for a handshake.

Aveline stifled a laugh.

The person he reached out to glanced at him warily.

"Yeah, we know who you are."

Then he turned to leave, leaving Lugh’s hand hanging like a forgotten flag.

Lugh sighed. With an activation of Force Control, he wrung the guy’s clothes.

"What the—?"

Before the boy could even react, his upright body was dragged across the marble floor, brought face to face with Lugh—whose hands had remained in the exact same position.

Lugh spoke.

"I might not be well-versed in etiquette, but I’m pretty sure when someone introduces themselves, you’re supposed to do the same."

"Y-you don’t know who I am?"

"Why? Are you important enough for me to know?"

He glared at Lugh.

"Smile."

Lugh followed the voices in his head and let out a slow smile. From experience, a smile was supposed to be both a mask and a shield—the ultimate tool for social interactions.

But when Lugh did it, it came off as haunting and eerie.

His cousin flinched.

"Arghh. Fuck. Fine. How embarrassing. My name is Kenneth."

"Kenneth who?"

"Kenneth Von Heim! Isn’t that obvious?!"

Lugh moved his eyes toward the hair color. Short-cropped. Black. Noted.

Then he forcefully seized Kenneth’s hand in a handshake before letting go, walking past him as if nothing had happened.

The tried and tested method: Introductions!

This was key to socializing.

As for what he would say after the introductions?

Lugh hadn’t thought that far ahead yet.

He moved on to the next person.

"Hello, I’m Lugh Von Heim."

Unwilling to make the same mistake as Kenneth and get humiliated, he responded quickly.

"And I’m Benjamin. But you can just call me Jamin."

Lugh paused.

"Not Ben?"

"Too generic."

"...I see."

Lugh shook his hand and moved onto the next person under the bewildered gaze of everyone present.

"What the hell is he doing?"

Jahira, who had been watching from afar, muttered.

Selaphiel resisted the urge to facepalm.

Lugh reached the third person.

"Hello, I’m Lugh Von Heim."

She was exquisitely beautiful, with fair white skin, luscious dark hair, and full red lips.

Seeming to be between Mirelle and her elder sister Sela’s age, she glanced him over and replied coldly, without a change in expression.

"Rochelle."

Her voice was deep and husky. She didn’t shake his hand.

What now? Everyone thought.

He couldn’t just forcefully drag her hand for a shake. That wouldn’t make for a good image.

While they were waiting to see what he’d do, Lugh tilted his palm, making it face skyward.

Magic brimmed at his fingertips, and a thin layer of icy mist and frost materialized above his hand. From it, a shape slowly began to form.

The final product: an intricately detailed rose made of pure ice.

"For you."

He offered, and she took it—hesitantly.

"What the—?"

Was he that kind of person?!

The difference in treatment was too damn great!

Kenneth was practically fuming at the nostrils. Like a boiling kettle.

Lugh spoke, addressing her—but loud enough for everyone to hear.

"This rose is my first impression of you. Can you guess what it symbolizes?"

A thought simultaneously formed in everyone’s mind.

Cold beauty.

What a smooth player!

So magic can be used like that? Marcus and some of the other boys took mental notes.

Never one to mince words or underestimate herself—she was gorgeous and she knew it—Rochelle spoke with absolute confidence, no trace of embarrassment in her tone.

"A cool beauty?"

Lugh took on a contemplative expression.

"Well, you’re right about the beauty part. But like ice, it’s one that won’t last long."

Everyone froze.

"Excuse me?"

Rochelle asked.

Lugh spoke.

"I’m sorry if my words weren’t clear enough. What I mean is that you’re a human. No matter how pretty you are, you’ll grow old and your beauty will wrinkle and wither, until ...there’s nothing left."

As soon as the last words left his lips, the rose of ice dissolved into a puddle of water, dripping onto the marble floor.

"So yeah. Stay humble."

Lugh left the last words floating in the air like a virus he walked past. Everyone was stunned speechless.

They had thought he was trying to be friendly but—no! This man came here with a clear mission!

Rochelle trembled in barely suppressed rage.

Lugh walked to the next girl. She almost flinched back, but held her ground, fully prepared.

Come on! Do your worst. I’m ready for you!

She psyched herself up mentally as she prepared her words.

Lugh stopped in front of her, silent as a statue.

She stared at him in confusion.

But then, without saying anything, he walked past her and settled on a nearby chair.

She blinked. Everyone did.

They all turned to glance at him.

"What?"

Lugh asked.

Enji spoke.

"Aren’t you going to continue with the introductions?"

Lugh put on a pondering expression.

"Well, I was... but then I got tired."

"Tired?"

Everyone echoed in disbelief.

"Yeah,"

He responded.

"Don’t worry. It’s okay."

Then he paused before adding:

"It’s not like any of you are particularly relevant."

His words stung like a hive of bees.

Seeing his chance to be a hero, Marcus stepped forward.

"So this is the famed Priest of Blood. You’re not very well-mannered, are you?"

Lugh raised his head.

"I’m sorry, what did you just call me?"

"Priest of Blood,"

Marcus repeated. Then paused.

"Or wait—do you prefer Officer of Death?"

What the hell is this fool rambling about?

Lugh thought to himself.

Seeing Lugh’s confused expression, Marcus clarified.

"Priest of Blood? Officer of Death? Doesn’t ring a bell?"

Lugh shook his head.

The atmosphere suddenly turned stale and awkward.

Marcus powered through the awkwardness.

"A-anyway. Remember this, Lugh. My name is Marcus and I’m—"

"—a loudmouth."

Lugh completed the statement for him, drawing more than a few stifled laughs and giggles from the crowd.

Marcus swiveled his head in embarrassment.

"What the—why are you guys laughing?!"

"Oh nothing, it’s just... hehe..."

Kenneth broke into a barely restrained chuckle. It wasn’t really funny. But he wasn’t the only one getting embarrassed today!

Their sudden betrayal got Marcus pissed.

Oh no. Not in front of the girls.

He glanced at Lugh’s unbothered face in indignation.

"You... you. I challenge you to a duel!"

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