Chapter 34
The entire Wizard Knight Academy was in an uproar.
News of Blaze humiliating the Blue Department elite spread like wildfire. A Black Department student—the weakest, the most ridiculed—had stood against the stronger departments and won. By morning, whispers had turned into shouts, and with those shouts came challenges.
"They're calling you the Hero of the Black Department," Kaito snickered, lounging on Blaze's bed.
Blaze sighed. "That's stupid."
Lucas smirked. "Not really. You just punched their superiority complex in the face."
Before Kaito could make another sarcastic remark, a loud knock echoed through the room.
Lucas raised an eyebrow. "Let me guess… another challenger?"
Blaze opened the door. A Blue Department student smirked. "You. Outside. Now."
---
The training grounds were packed as Blaze faced his challengers one by one.
Ren of the Blue Department fell first, his mastery of water magic proving useless against Blaze's overwhelming lightning.
Garrik of the Red Department came next, his spear and flames unable to land a single decisive blow before he was sent flying out of the ring.
Seren of the Purple Department relied on wind magic, but Blaze countered every attack before delivering a final crushing blow.
One by one, students from every department—Green, Red, Purple, Blue, and even White—challenged Blaze. And one by one, they all lost.
By the end of the day, the Black Department had gone from being ridiculed to standing at the top.
But just as the cheers reached their peak, a voice cut through the crowd.
"Not bad."
Blaze turned.
Lucas stepped forward.
Whispers filled the air. "Wait, isn't that—?"
"Lucas! The Wild Beast of the Black Department!"
Not only Blaze was challenged by the other departments student but his friends were as well. It was rumored that most of those who challenge Lucas will end up losing their limbs before knowing it.
Lucas smirked. "You've come a long way since I knocked you out cold."
Blaze rolled his shoulders. "I remember."
Lucas's expression hardened. "Then you remember what I told you."
Blaze clenched his fists. "Yeah."
Lucas cracked his knuckles. "Then prove that you have gotten stronger."
The crowd exploded with excitement.
The battlefield was set. The tension was suffocating. Every student in the Wizard Knight Academy gathered, whispering in anticipation.
The first time they fought, Blaze had been nothing more than a rookie. Lucas had wiped the floor with him.
But now?
Things were different.
Lucas cracked his knuckles. "You should know, Blaze… I'm not the same as before."
Blaze smirked. "Good. Because neither am I."
Lucas's muscles tensed. Then—
A pulse of energy surged through him. His arms bulged, his nails sharpened into claws, and his presence grew heavier. The crowd gasped.
"He's using his Beast Essence!"
"That's Iron Beast Tantara! His defense is insane!"
Lucas flexed his fingers. "This time, I'm going all out."
Blaze grinned. "Then don't hold back."
---
The battle erupted.
Lucas moved first, vanishing from sight.
Blaze barely reacted in time as a clawed hand nearly took his head off. He dodged, countering with an Astral Strike, but Lucas blocked it with his tough arms, grinning through the impact.
Lucas attacked relentlessly. Every strike carried overwhelming force. Blaze dodged, countered, and endured, but Lucas's speed and strength were pushing him back.
A sudden uppercut sent Blaze skidding across the ground.
Lucas smirked. "You slowing down?"
Blaze wiped his mouth and stood. His body crackled with electricity.
"Lightning Armor."
The entire arena lit up as his body became coated in raw energy.
Lucas narrowed his eyes. "Tch. Annoying."
Blaze vanished.
Lucas's pupils shrunk. "What—?!"
Before he could react, Blaze reappeared above him.
"Astro Punch!"
Lucas barely blocked in time, but the force sent him sliding back.
Blaze clenched his fists. His magic surged.
"This is it. One last hit."
Lucas roared and charged.
Blaze blurred forward.
Their fists met mid-air.
BOOOOOOM!
The ground trembled.
Lucas stood frozen. Blaze's fist pressed against his stomach.
Then—
Lucas collapsed.
Silence.
Then—
The Black Department erupted in cheers.
---
Lucas groaned, rubbing his face as Blaze held out a hand.
Lucas stared at it for a moment—then took it.
"Damn. You've really grown."
Blaze smirked. "Told you."
Lucas dusted himself off. "Alright, I have one question."
Blaze raised an eyebrow. "Yeah?"
Lucas crossed his arms. "How the hell did you get this strong?"
Blaze froze.
Kaito leaned forward, munching on his snacks. "Oooooh, now this is the real fight."
Blaze felt both Lucas and Kaito staring at him, waiting.
His heart pounded.
How much was he willing to reveal?