CHAPTER 88: CAN YOU PROVE YOUR IDENTITY?

This should be interesting.

Elric’s face turned serious.

"Do you have any proof that he’s cheating?" Elric asked.

Jaran nodded. "Yes. That’s not Ezekiel Zahara. He has paid someone else to take his place in this duel. I’m certain of my words because I have faced him and am well aware of his skills."

"You can ask anyone in Class Three and you’ll get the same response. I hope that as enforcers of the Disciplinary Committee, you will carefully look into this."

I was stunned.

I hadn’t expected that to be his reason for calling me a cheater.

Elric nodded.

He turned to me.

"I’ll ask you this question once, and I want you to answer truthfully. Failure to do so will be taken as an insult to the Disciplinary Committee, and you’ll be dealt with according," he warned.

"Are you Ezekiel Zahara?"

"I am," I nodded.

"Can you prove it?"

"I assure you that I’m Ezekiel Zahara. I don’t know how else to prove that I am; however, I’m willing to comply if you do," I responded.

Nothing I did could make them believe that I was truly Ezekiel Zahara because I always kept to myself.

They all had a very shallow view of me, except for the Zahara Clan’s Descendants and other members of the clan.

The fact that Jaran could distinguish the massive increase in my combat skills from those of my former self showed her how incredible the system is.

It meant that others had already noticed this as well.

The Worst One defeats the members of the Windcrest Clan in one swoop!

I pondered on what kind of quest I could trigger once the matter of today’s event spread across the academy.

I couldn’t let this opportunity slip by, so I quickly agreed to any acceptable means that Elric had to confirm my identity.

Elric furrowed his brows in thought. Realisation flickered across his face as he turned to search his storage bag.

He took out a small steel vial and held it before him, looking at me.

"This is an alchemical item known as Scattering Illusion Dust. Once sprinkled on any surface, it immediately dispels or disrupts illusions. If you’re not hiding behind one, nothing will happen. But if you’re wearing a mask, it will cling to your face, exposing it. If it’s your true face, the dust will simply disperse harmlessly."

"I hope you’ll admit the truth if you’re not Ezekiel Zahara. Doing so won’t lessen your punishment, but it will allow the Disciplinary Committee to protect your reputation by recognising that you turned yourself in. That’s the kind of conduct we wish to promote for every student of Grand Avalon Academy."

I nodded and stepped forward.

I halted before Elric.

Elric opened the cap on the vial and sprinkled it against my face.

My face felt a bit ticklish.

It sensation lasted for several seconds before it vanished.

"You’re really Ezekiel Zahara. I apologise for doubting your identity. You can return to your position," Elric said, his gaze wavered briefly.

Then, it vanished.

Neither did I know nor care what was going on through his mind.

I nodded.

I glanced at the stunned Jaran as I returned to my position.

Elric turned to Jaran with a solemn expression and said, "Since you don’t have any valid accusation against him, then the battl-" before he could complete his sentence, Jaran interjected.

"How can that be him? Are you certain that you hadn’t made a mistake? I’m certain that is not Ezekiel Zahara! Even if he hides his strength for a long time, how could there be such a big difference?!"

The crowds also began muttering among themselves.

"Although it’s disappointing to see Jaran in such a state, I have to agree with them. How could the Worst One rise from barely clinging to twentieth place in the Class Three Magical Swordsman Rankings, to suddenly defeating Jaran...

And then easily overwhelming the ninth seat of Class One and the eleventh of Class Three? Either he’s been hiding his true strength all along and we were blind to it, or that isn’t him at all! The latter is much more believable."

"I also believe Jaran’s claims aren’t without merit. I was stunned when I first heard the Worst One had defeated our class’s top ranker, Ivory. And now, after seeing this... I can’t help but question why he chose to hide such strength instead of revealing it earlier and enjoying all the benefits that would’ve come with it."

"Shhh! We shouldn’t be poking into people’s business. What do you think would happen if he suddenly challenges us to a duel?"

"Humph! I’m not afri--"

Elric narrowed his eyes at Jaran.

"Are you trying to say that I’ve collided with Ezekiel Zahara to deceive you, and everyone present, and failed to do my work as a Disciplinary Committee enforcer?" He asked.

His voice resonated across the training platform.

Suddenly, the crowd, which had been gossiping among themselves, closed their mouths.

"I... I..." Jaran stammered, his expression twisted into fear.

Elric narrowed his eyes and said coldly, "The Disciplinary Committee does not take accusations lightly, because such claims can tarnish their reputation among students. If you still believe I’m lying, then this duel will end here."

"Both of you will follow me to the disciplinary station, where you may present your claims. I assure you, they will be taken seriously, and depending on whether you are proven right or wrong, either rewards or punishment will be given accordingly."

Now, the entire crowd was silent.

None dared to utter a word.

The authority of the Desclipnary Committee was undeniable, and no one was foolish enough to challenge them unless they had evidence to support their claims.

Since Elric has already proven my identity, this matter was already a forgone conclusion.

Jaran gritted his teeth.

’Is he afraid?’ I couldn’t help but think, seeing as his body trembled for a brief second, before he recovered his composure.

However, he still didn’t utter a word as though lost in his own thought.

"Do you want to forfeit the match, Jaran?" Elric asked.

Jaran shook his head vigorously, responding, "No. I’ll fight."

"Let the duel commence," Elric nodded.

Jaran turned to me and drew his sword.

It was the Dove Sealing Sword!

Instantly, he unleashed his aura.

A wave of crimson hue enveloped his entire form, coating his sword as well.

An azure hue covered his blade, causing it to become blurry.

Instantly, the blade was coated with a vibrant silver hue.

I realised what he wanted to do and swiftly unleashed my own aura.

My aura poured out with greater momentum than his.

Gasps erupted from the crowd surrounding me all at once..

Jaran slashed forward.

A silvery, phantom bird shape, like a dove, radiating an oppressive might, surged from the blade toward me.

I moved to another position.

However, it changed its direction towards me.

I clicked my tongue in annoyance.

This was one of the abilities of the Dove Sealing Sword. The phantom dove is a mysterious seal that, upon contact, randomly seals a portion of the opponent’s skills or spells for ten seconds.

It was unavoidable.

That was why I ended our last battle quickly in my previous duel.

However, at the moment, I was left with no other choice but to confront it head-on.

I held Spiral Fang before me.

WWHHIRRR!! WHHIIIRR!!!

The drill rotated fiercely.

I phantom dove hit me, then it vanished.

I didn’t sense anything strange within me.

Hmm! I checked Spiral Fang.

I noticed that its Spiral Surge ability was sealed.

Thankfully, none of my spells or my sacred art were sealed.

I didn’t know what other trump cards Jaran had and didn’t want to find out. At the same time, I didn’t want to resort to using Overclock mode, considering its troublesome consequences.

Jaran lunged at me, choosing not to waste a moment of the ten seconds.

I lunged at him, rushing to meet him.

Clang!

Our swords collided.

CLANNGG!! CLANNGG!!

Although the Spiral Fang is one rank lower than the Dove Sealing Sword, its unique characteristics ensured that it was equally durable.

However, I was still more wary about the Dove Sealing Sword’s first ability as I could sense a minuscule amount of stamina being consumed as the sword chipped against the aura covering it.

I sensed a strange force freezing me each time he launched an attacked.

However, I managed to break free every single time.

But this managed to cause a mental lapse in my attack.

But with each strike, I managed to force him to lose control of his sword as the spinning drill continually attempted to wrest the sword from his grasp.

Since this was the first time I had exchanged strikes with someone using Spiral Fang, I felt a strange discomfort, but as the seconds passed, I realised that it had vanished.

Living Sync Core! I was glad that the ability could also be used in a moment like this.