I'd take my fish out for a walk

'I am sane.'

'I am a sane person.'

'How often does such a thought, pop into one's head?'

'The likelihood of the thought being formed would be due to the circumstances.'

'A scenario where a person calls you out for the decision that you've just made.

"What the hell were you thinking? Are you insane?", or when you've done something you believe is 'insane' by itself, yet you believe that the rationality of it, is wise.'

'But, what if you're in some religious fanatic cult? Would those words come across your mind?

Does the thought, 'I am sane' frequently occur in your mind whether you are in a cult or not?'

'Most likely, the answer would be negative.'

'Even when you've killed someone.'

'You question your sanity but, the act of justifying whether it was a right choice doesn't matter, as long as you're sane, you'll somewhat get over it.'

'Heck, you might think you're sane because of the murder itself, and as a result, you'll turn into a serial killer.'

'Such are the circumstances.'

'So who the hell is this girl? Is she insane?

I've never seen her in my entire life.

Why is she picking a fight with me?'

"Are you deaf? I said I challenge you to a duel!"

"Calm down-"

"Don't tell me to calm down. I said I challenge you-"

"And I heard you the first time. Why me?"

"Ha? Isn't it obvious? It's because you're weak. I can barely sense that your mana is yet to be of yellow stage.

Once you lose, you will forfeit the academy.

This school is no place for the weak and losers, such as you."

'Whaaaat the fuck. What are the chances of meeting two snobbish pricks in a day?'

'Is this a curse? For not taking that ring in the old man's store? I went back to the store a few times but never have I touched it again.

Am I cursed for doing so?

If I had the ring on right now, would this girl have reacted differently?'

"So, what are you betting for the sake of me forfeiting school?"

"Haaaa?! You think the likes of you, can beat me?"

"Well, there's no point in accepting a duel when I've got nothing to gain, is there?"

"Hmpf. If you win, you get to serve me."

"'The fuck does that mean? Are you after my body or something?"

"Watch your tongue! Vulgar little vermin.

You should be delighted to serve me, Iri-"

"Not interested. Is there anything else? If not, then you'd better bet on forfeiting school, yourself."

"Such insolence! You dare-"

"Yeah. I dared. Give me a better offer or you'll forfeit, same as your offer."

As the argument continued, most of the students who were practicing their magic spells at the training facility had stopped on their daily regime and, had decided to gather around the uproar.

After a few counter offers from the girl who appeared to be as short as 140 centimetres, she had black pigtails, emerald green eyes and, wore a yellow half-cut robe which signifies the emblem of a white star, the negotiation was settled.

All of her hard-bargaining tactics were for naught. The results were drastic, for 20 platinum coins and a bar of mithril, it seems as though she had plenty to lose. Yet, she wouldn't believe that for a fact, since her opponent's mana purity is subpar to her own.

The currency in the Gordon Kingdom are as follows, 100 for 1 of each ascending material.

In respective order, copper, silver, gold and platinum.

Which means, 1 platinum is 1,000,000 copper.

A loaf of bread costs about 3-7 copper, depending on the city and its' stock. Mithril ores are a rarity of a mineral. They're highly conductive to mana and can be sold for about 10-25 platinum for a bar's worth.

'In other words, she's getting scammed.'

However, in hindsight, Avel wasn't looking forward to school since he'd been reincarnated, but he wasn't going to lose on purpose.

'As if I'd lose. I'm gonna be filthy rich.'

'She assumed I was weak due to my upgraded orange-coloured skin train.'

"Let's swear this bet on our mana."

"What?!", gasps and murmurs were heard from the crowd. The act of betting on one's mana is as if they would put their own neck for it, since mana is the root and life for every mage. They could not believe the boy who had been challenged would provoke such a vow.

Due to the ruckus that had been made, some professors were even involved and one of them had decided to be the judge of the match. She looked to be in her mid thirties and shockingly, she had dark indigo mana purity.

The lady who plays the role as a referee casted a spell that had imbued the guarantee of a mana contract.

"I, Avel, solemnly swear upon my Mana that if I lose, I will forfeit the Mage Academy."

"I, Irina Mars, solemnly swear upon my Mana that if I lose, I will reward 20 platinum coins and a bar of mithril from my family's treasury to the winner."

[As soon as I heard that the girl had finished her sentence, I felt as if the mana within my body was affected by the contract. It didn't harm me or restrict me in anyway but I felt the changes in them that acted as if something would bind my mana circuits by a chain.]

[It was like putting on cuffs but, they'd only be proper cuffs once the contract is broken, otherwise it's just something you're unfamiliar with.]

'So this is what it feels like to be bonded by an oath of mana.'

The instructor refereeing the match glanced upon the surroundings to ensure that no students would intervene during the battle. She then casted a barrier wall that contains both the contestants and herself.

"Very well, then. Let the battle commence!"

'Mana Affinities.'

'If anything, using Ice magic without incantation would be similar to running out naked and saying, "I'm an exhibitionist".'

'Not only is it a rare affinity but, most of the users who are affiliated with the ice element are from the descendants of the hero, Winter.'

'Haah. Using fire magic without incantation would be worse when they figure out that I'm from the Winters' family.'

'Wind magic, it is.'

[Channeling mana onto my feet, I dashed away from my opponent, closer to the edges of the barrier and leaving a trail of smoke behind.]