I Was Summoned as the Academy’s Janitor… But I Accidentally Became the Most Overpowered Harem Protagonist?!
‎Chapter 37: The Mop Tournament – Round Two

Location: Grand Arena – Training Grounds

‎‎The arena hummed with energy as students gathered in the stands, cheering excitedly for the ongoing Mop Tournament. The air was thick with anticipation, and even the magical wards hovering around the arena seemed to pulse with electricity. Today, the stakes were higher. This wasn’t just any mop duel—it was the clash of the century.

‎‎At the center of the arena stood Zephyr Arclight, broom in hand, his usual calm demeanor settling over him like a cloak. His opponent? None other than Drakynia Flameheart, the half-dragon heiress, glaring down at her own mop with fiery determination.

‎‎"Remember," Zephyr said, voice steady and unbothered as he looked at Drakynia. "It's not about force. It’s about precision and timing."

‎‎Drakynia scoffed, her dragon-blooded pride burning brightly in her amber eyes. "I’m not here to ‘time’ anything, Zephyr. I’m here to win."

‎‎A nearby voice broke their concentration.

‎‎"ARE YOU TWO READY?" The announcer’s booming voice echoed across the arena, making the crowd roar in excitement.

‎‎Zephyr’s hand tightened around his mop’s handle. Beside him, he could feel the flicker of magic charging in Drakynia’s every movement—each strand of hair seemingly crackling with a fiery energy. She was determined. More so than usual.

‎‎The announcer, a floating orb of energy, continued. "The rules are simple! Use your mop to outmaneuver your opponent and clear the battlefield of magical obstacles. First to land a ‘clean’ strike on the opponent’s mop or floor wins!"

‎‎Drakynia’s grip tightened, her stance shifting into a more aggressive posture. "Ready to lose, janitor?"

‎‎Zephyr didn’t respond, his expression unreadable. The floor beneath them gleamed, a perfect canvas for their showdown. The crowd fell silent, eagerly watching the spectacle unfold.

‎‎The bell rang.

‎‎Instantly, Drakynia launched forward, her mop moving with explosive force. She swung it downward like a warhammer, sending a shockwave of air toward Zephyr.

‎‎Zephyr stepped aside.

‎‎With a flick of his wrist, his mop darted out, countering her swing with fluid grace. He didn’t exert effort—just a controlled, simple movement that knocked Drakynia off-balance. A soft clink resonated through the air as their mops collided.

‎‎"Not bad," Zephyr said, a small smirk tugging at his lips. "But you’re still not getting the rhythm."

‎‎Drakynia growled, her eyes narrowing. The fire in her heart burned brighter. With a roar, she summoned the full force of her magical strength, sending a ring of flame around her mop. It blazed with intensity, causing the air to sizzle.

‎‎"You talk too much!" Drakynia charged, the fire around her mop crackling like a dragon’s roar.

‎‎Zephyr didn’t flinch. He simply twirled his mop, his movements slow, controlled, and deliberate. His mop met the fiery weapon head-on. The flames evaporated into nothingness as his mop absorbed the excess energy, creating a ripple of clean magic.

‎‎The crowd gasped.

‎‎Drakynia’s fiery attack had been completely neutralized. She stopped, stunned by the sheer ease with which Zephyr handled it.

‎‎"You—!" she began, but before she could finish, Zephyr was already moving again, his mop striking the ground with the precision of a well-aimed strike. The floor beneath Drakynia’s feet began to shift, creating small obstacles that forced her to adjust her footing.

‎‎"Let’s see if you can keep up," Zephyr said with a teasing grin.

‎‎As Drakynia struggled to maintain balance on the newly formed terrain, Zephyr took advantage of her distraction. With a series of graceful spins, he swept the floor around her, leaving no space untouched.

‎‎BAM!

‎‎Drakynia’s mop collided with Zephyr’s once more. But this time, the force sent her back a few steps, and before she could regain her stance, Zephyr’s mop struck her square in the chest. The force wasn’t enough to hurt her, but it was enough to send her sprawling to the floor.

‎‎The arena went silent.

‎‎Zephyr stood over her, mop in hand. The crowd waited for the announcement.

‎‎"And the winner of Round Two is Zephyr Arclight!"

‎‎A cheer erupted from the stands, though the crowd was split. Some students cheered for the fearless half-dragon, while others celebrated Zephyr’s seemingly effortless victory.

‎‎Drakynia slowly pushed herself up, brushing dust from her armor. Her fiery expression softened, replaced by a begrudging respect.

‎"You’re good," she admitted, offering him a hand. "But next time, I’ll win."

‎‎Zephyr smirked and shook her hand. "We’ll see about that."

‎‎Before Drakynia could respond, Selena Frostveil appeared in the stands, her sharp eyes scanning the field. She took note of the match and the movements of her classmates, a calculating look in her eyes. She couldn’t help but admire Zephyr’s ability to handle himself in the most unusual of circumstances.

‎‎As the announcer declared a short break, students began to filter out of the arena, chatting excitedly about the match. But for Zephyr, the day wasn’t over yet. He was about to face someone far more unpredictable than Drakynia: Rosalia de Glorieux, the holy knight-in-training.

‎"Ready for your next round?" Zephyr called out to Rosalia, who had been standing silently near the edge of the arena.

‎She smiled brightly, her eyes sparkling. "I’ll give you a run for your money, Zephyr!"

‎He chuckled, adjusting his grip on his mop. "I’ll be waiting, Rosalia."

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‎End of Chapter 37