The dueling arena was packed with students eager to witness the first true clash between high-ranking combatants of their year.
Leon Valerius stood at the center, his greatsword resting against his shoulder. Sparks of golden lightning crackled around him as he stretched his muscles. Across from him, Cedric Laurent, a third-year noble mage with a sharp gaze, stood calmly, his staff glowing with divine inscriptions.
It was common knowledge that the average student graduated from the Grand Arcanum Academy at D+ Rank, with the truly exceptional talents reaching C+ Rank before leaving. Third-year students typically hovered around D-Rank, and Cedric, a talented noble from a prestigious house, had managed to reach D Rank early.
Yet the first-years this year were unlike any before. This generation had shattered expectations, producing monsters like Leon Valerius, who had already broken through to D- Rank. His mere presence in the arena was proof that this year's batch of students was far stronger than usual.
Despite that, Cedric was no pushover. As a Holy Ice Mage, he was adept at both offensive and defensive spellcraft. His combination of holy and ice magic made him a nightmare to fight against—blessed barriers for defense, freezing attacks to immobilize, and piercing ice lances that could tear through unguarded flesh.
Leon rolled his shoulders and gave Cedric a smirk. "You sure you can handle this?"
Cedric's golden eyes narrowed. "You'll find out soon enough, Valerius."
The instructor overseeing the duel, a battle-hardened knight, stepped forward. "This is a ranked sparring match. No lethal strikes. The match ends when one of you surrenders or is incapacitated. Begin!"
The moment the word "Begin" left his mouth, the arena exploded into action.
*****
Leon vanished.
A streak of golden lightning shot forward as he activated Flash Step, closing the distance between them in an instant. His greatsword swung down like a thunderbolt, aiming to cleave Cedric in half.
"Glacial Bastion!"
A dome of ice erupted around Cedric just in time, Leon's blade slamming into it with explosive force. Cracks spread across the icy barrier, but it held—just barely.
Leon clicked his tongue and leaped back as Cedric retaliated.
"Holy Spear!"
A radiant lance of golden energy shot toward him at blinding speed. Leon twisted midair, avoiding it by a hair's breadth. The spear struck the ground, sending shockwaves through the arena.
"Ice Chains!"
From below, thick chains of frost erupted, lashing out toward Leon's legs. He barely had time to react.
"Flash step"
His body became a blur of crackling electricity, narrowly slipping through the frozen bindings before they could latch onto him. The ground where he had stood was instantly covered in a thick layer of ice, proof of how dangerous Cedric's spells were.
He's fast for a mage.
Leon had fought plenty of spellcasters before, but Cedric was different. His magic wasn't just raw power—it was controlled, precise, and relentless. He seamlessly transitioned between holy magic for offense and ice magic for battlefield control, limiting Leon's movements.
But Leon wasn't just any warrior.
"Thunderclap!"
With a stomp, golden lightning erupted from his feet, shattering the frozen terrain around him. Sparks danced across his greatsword as he channeled fire mana into its edge.
Cedric's eyes widened.
"Pyroclasm Ascendancy!"
Leon swung his blade, unleashing an arc of fire-infused lightning. The attack roared through the air, consuming everything in its path.
"Frozen Aegis!"
A massive ice shield materialized before Cedric, blocking the strike—but barely. The sheer force sent him skidding backward, his arms trembling from the impact.
Leon grinned. "That all you got?"
Cedric exhaled sharply, his breath visible in the suddenly chilled air. "Not even close."
He raised his staff, and the temperature plummeted. The air crackled with divine energy as a circle of glowing runes formed beneath him.
"Frost Domain: Sanctuary of the Frozen Saint!"
A dome of swirling holy-infused frost expanded outward, turning the arena into an icy battlefield. Everything within it was now Cedric's territory.
Leon frowned as the chill seeped into his bones. His movements felt just a fraction slower.
A battlefield spell? He's trying to trap me.
Cedric smirked. "Your lightning is strong, but it can't burn through sanctified frost. Let's see how well you fight in my domain, Valerius."
Leon exhaled, steam escaping his lips. The temperature was ridiculous—his joints were stiffening, and the longer he stayed in this domain, the harder it would be to move.
But Leon wasn't worried.
He placed one foot forward.
"Divine Blessing: Flame Infusion."
The moment he activated the ability, his body flared with golden fire, melting away the frost clinging to him.
Cedric's confident smirk faltered.
"Your problem," Leon said, golden flames swirling around his form, "is that you think battlefield control can stop me."
Cedric raised his staff again, preparing another spell—
But Leon was already in front of him.
"Flash Step!"
The world blurred as Leon vanished again, reappearing within striking range. Cedric barely managed to throw up another ice barrier.
Leon smirked. "Break."
"Judgment Arc"
His blade struck with the force of a lightning storm. The ice barrier shattered, and Cedric was blasted backward, tumbling across the frozen arena floor.
Before he could recover, Leon followed up with another strike, fire and lightning surging through his sword.
Cedric gritted his teeth. "Holy Ward!"
A golden barrier formed around him just in time to absorb Leon's attack. Sparks and flames clashed against divine protection, sending shockwaves through the arena.
Leon pushed harder, pressing his weight into his greatsword. Cedric's barrier cracked.
The noble mage grimaced. He's stronger than I expected…!
Leon grinned savagely, sensing victory.
"This is fun," he admitted. "But I'm ending it now."
He twisted his blade, pouring even more mana into it.
Cedric's eyes widened in panic as his barrier began to collapse.
"Titan's Cleave."
Lightning surged through Leon's entire body, gathering into a single devastating strike.
Cedric's instincts screamed at him to retreat.
Too late.
The moment of impact arrived.
To Be Continued…