The Frugal Mage

Chapter 199 199: Unfair

If it wasn't for his transmigration, Rayven should've died with that caravan. No one was supposed to walk away. But because his soul got into his body, he became the sole survivor. To them, it looks like I cheated death… or worse, stole everything.

The young master slammed his fist against the gate. "Come out here, coward! Face me! My family deserves justice!"

Julia frowned, her voice tense. "Rayven… what will you do?"

Rayven wryly smiled.

He couldn't explain the truth, that he wasn't the same Rayven they thought had died. But he also couldn't ignore the accusation.

"I'll face him," Rayven said firmly. "If I don't, this will only grow worse."

He stepped toward the courtyard, his companions, Miki, Nara, and Thyruz, instinctively following.

The servants whispered nervously as the tension rose…

The young master's eyes locked onto Rayven the moment he appeared. His voice was immediately filled with fury. "You! You should have died with the others! Why are you the only one alive?!"

Rayven stood calmly as he looked at the hysterical young master.

"Because fate had other plans. But I didn't steal from your family. If you want answers, then speak clearly. What proof do you have?"

The young master trembled, torn between grief and rage. "Proof? The proof is that everyone else is dead! My father's goods, my family's wealth…all gone! And you stand here alive, pretending nothing happened!"

Rayven's eyes narrowed. This isn't just grief. Someone may have twisted the story, feeding him lies. Maybe someone was targeting them again…

'Is it the Veltham Family again?' Rayven mused…

This time, Julia stepped forward…

"Enough! This is Holt territory. If you want justice, you'll present evidence to the Merchant Guild, not shout accusations at our gates."

But the young master's glare never left Rayven.

"You accuse me of theft, Fabian…" Rayven said evenly. "But you forget that we also lost far more than coin. The Golden Coast Trading lost trusted escorts, retainers, and countless goods. Lives were taken, not just wealth. Do you think your family was the only one who suffered?"

Fabian's face twisted, but he refused to back down. "My family's savings were everything! We risked it all, and now we have nothing. You survived when no one else did. That alone is suspicious!"

Rayven's tone hardened. "We all took risks. That caravan was doomed, not because of me, but because of enemies far stronger than any of us. The Holt Family has already paid dearly. Business slowed, debts mounted… but we resolved it. I defeated the Veltham family in Hesa City… the ones who caused the collapse. Do you think I would waste time stealing scraps when I was fighting to restore everything?"

The guards murmured, some nodding at Rayven's words. But Fabian's anger burned hotter. He clenched his fists and shouted.

"Enough excuses! If you won't admit it, then prove it. Duel me!"

Gasps rippled through the courtyard. Julia's eyes widened, and even the guards stiffened. They didn't expect this to turn out like this… As a matter of fact, the Holy Family had already compensated Fabian's family a little. It wasn't a lot, but it was enough for them to survive again. However, it seemed that Fabian felt that it was too little and that they shouldn't be struggling to live like before.

"A duel?" Rayven repeated…

Fabian smirked after seeing Rayven's hesitation. He couldn't help but feel more confident.

"Yes. You think you're untouchable because you're a mage? I have been accepted as a disciple of Swordmaster Kael. Do you know what that means?"

Rayven's expression remained calm, though inwardly he frowned.

'Swordmaster Kael? Who is that?'

Whispers spread quickly among the servants and guards.

Swordmaster Kael was no ordinary instructor.

He was a wandering master of the blade, known across the continent for defeating warlords and mercenary captains in single combat.

His disciples were rare, chosen not only through wealth, background, or prior training, but their potential to become a swordmaster…

Kael's reputation was that of a man who could cut through steel with a single strike, and his graduate students were feared even by seasoned knights.

If Fabian was indeed accepted as a trainee or a disciple, as he claimed, then Fabian's potential might be that great. However, Fabian wasn't a swordsman to begin with. He had barely trained, so there was no way he'd be strong enough to face him.

In any case, Rayven had no clue about this background, but the crowd knew.

Still, Rayven straightened his cloak and met Fabian's glare. "I'm a mage. You're not going to win."

Fabian laughed bitterly. "A mage? You've only been studying for what, four, five months? Apprentice mages who train for years barely master four to seven spells. You expect me to believe you're strong enough to stand against me?"

Rayven shook his head as it seemed that he had to teach him a lesson.

'I guess this is unavoidable.'

The tension thickened as the courtyard fell silent, all eyes fixed on the two young men.

Fabian's challenge had turned into a spectacle…

The courtyard was soon filled with guards to ensure no one got injured.

Fabian drew his blade and raised it high… At the same time, his confidence surged as whispers of Swordmaster Kael's disciple rippled among the crowd.

Rayven, however, remained calm. As soon as the battle started, he cast his Spell.

"Gravity Bind."

A surge of mana rippled outward.

[ 2 Gold Coins deducted. ]

Fabian's body froze before he could even step… Immediately, his legs buckled as invisible weight pressed down upon him.

His sword arm trembled, unable to lift against the crushing force. The crowd gasped as the proud disciple was pinned in place…

"What?!" Fabian roared as his veins bulged while he tried to resist.

"Mana Pulse."

[ 1 Gold Coin deducted. ]

A shockwave of pure mana burst from Rayven's palm, striking Fabian squarely in the chest. Then, the sword slipped from his hand, clattering onto the stone floor.

Fabian's eyes widened in panic. "No!"

Rayven sighed and ended the match…

"Telekinesis."

[ 1 Gold Coin deducted. ]

A nearby stone lifted from the ground, hovering for a moment before streaking forward to strike Fabian's forehead and put him out…

However, before it could land, another figure appeared and caught the stone mid-air.

"Who dares bully my junior brother?"