CHAPTER 102: CHAPTER 102 - EXTRA VS PROTAGONIST (1)

The clang of weapons, bursts of mana, and crackle of spells echoed through the practice ground as four duels took place simultaneously across the open arena. A dense, charged atmosphere hung in the air, a mixture of anticipation and adrenaline. Students filled the edges of the platform, some whispering predictions, others wide-eyed in awe.

Knight Instructor Halreth stood tall beside Seraphina near the observation deck, his arms folded over his chest while his eyes scanned the field like a hawk. A pen scratched steadily on the clipboard he held in one hand as he muttered, "Clean footwork... lack of guard transition... needs to anchor mana better..."

Seraphina, calm and elegant as always, stood beside him, arms behind her back. She watched the duels unfold with keen interest.

Not far off, Luca stood beside Eric, both observing the matches with sharp eyes. The slight breeze tousled their academy robes, heavy with mana-resistant linings.

Eric nudged Luca with his elbow. "So," he said, eyes flicking to a nearby platform, "how do you feel about fighting Aiden?"

Luca didn’t turn to look. He kept his gaze forward, arms crossed as he replied plainly, "Just like how you feel before a duel."

Yet beneath that simple answer, his mind swirled.

I’ve improved. No—I’ve grown. These past few days, my body, my core... everything has sharpened. I’ve entered the Meridian Saturation stage, just like Aiden. But he’s a monster in his own right.

Even so... I’ve fought through life and death more times than I can count. It’s time to see how far I’ve come. Let’s see how I compare to this world’s genius. I believe in my strength.

His thoughts were interrupted as a voice echoed across the ground:

"Lilliane Fairemoore, mage — versus Selena Weiss, mage!"

Gasps and murmurs spread quickly.

Even Luca’s eyes lit up with interest.

"Ohoh," Halreth chuckled beside Seraphina, raising an eyebrow. "You really put them together, huh?"

Seraphina smirked faintly. "You don’t even know the main event yet."

"Hah. You’re enjoying this far too much," Halreth muttered. "What stage are those girls at?"

"Last I checked," Seraphina said calmly, "Selena was at 5th Circle Intermediate. Lilliane was at 4th."

Halreth gave a nod, eyes narrowing as he scribbled again. "Then they’re easily the strongest mages among the first years."

The platform shimmered as both girls walked to the center — Lilliane on one side, a calm but determined expression on her face; Selena on the other, cool and composed, her eyes sharp like a winter storm.

"Begin!" the proctor called.

The duel exploded into motion.

Selena wasted no time. A wave of lightning surged from her palm, crackling with lethal precision. Lilliane raised her hand, summoning a thick wall of stone that burst from the ground and absorbed the blast.

But she didn’t stop there.

Fire spiraled around her fingertips and roared toward Selena, who leapt back, her feet skating over a rapidly forming trail of ice.

A whip of wind lashed forward from Lilliane, slicing through the arena, followed by a bolt of light weaving through it. The combination struck near Selena’s feet, but she pivoted, lightning coating her skin as she darted left, faster than most could follow.

She’s faster than before, Lilliane realized, barely dodging the counterstrike — a freezing lance of jagged ice.

The duel became a spectacle of speed and elements. The crowd was breathless as fire clashed with ice, lightning arced through the sky only to be grounded by metal shields, and water surged to extinguish flame.

"Student Lilliane is too strong for just the 4th circle " Halreth muttered in disbelief. "Fire, water, earth, wind... Has she reached the 5th circle already?"

Seraphina gave a satisfied nod. "She’s reached the 5th Circle."

Even Luca blinked, surprised. She advanced? When?

He glanced toward Lilliane, watching as her breathing grew heavier but her spells more refined.

She must’ve worked herself to the bone after learning Selena was already at the 5th Circle, he thought, his gaze softening briefly. That girl...

In the arena, Selena’s eyes narrowed. She raised both hands, the temperature suddenly dropping. Twin spears of ice hovered above her, humming with refined magical resonance.

With a flick of her fingers, they launched forward, spiraling.

Lilliane summoned a tornado to intercept—but lightning zipped in from the side, disrupting her control.

The first spear shattered her shield.

The second grazed her shoulder.

She fell to one knee, panting—but still raised her hand, mana swirling.

But Selena didn’t press the attack. She stood tall, calm, a faint shimmer of lightning dancing around her fingertips, waiting.

The proctor looked between them, then raised a hand. "Match over! Winner — Selena Weiss!"

Polite claps and hushed murmurs followed.

Seraphina nodded. "Selena held back the last blow. That girl is cold, but she’s fair."

Halreth grunted. "Lilliane’s control was surprisingly clean. I’ll give her that."

Luca, watching as Lilliane pushed herself to her feet, simply sighed. She’s not backing down, even in defeat.

He smiled faintly to himself. Sigh... stubborn as always.

Whispers buzzed through the air like ripples across still water.

"Did you see that?! How did Lilliane lose even after reaching the 5th circle?"

"That elemental barrage was insane!"

"Selena didn’t even flinch once. She’s like a machine."

"Even though both of them were in 5th circles , how did Lilliane lose?"

Amidst the chatter, Seraphina raised her hand to settle the noise, her voice clear and composed, "Student Lilliane has just reached the 5th circle. She needs time to stabilize her core and mana channels. If this duel had taken place even a week later, the results may have differed."

The murmurs softened, heads nodding in understanding as their gazes shifted.

Selena Weiss stood quietly, still on the stage, her arms folded across her chest. Her expression was unreadable—cold as ever, as if victory wasn’t worth reacting to. Only the faint hum of residual mana clinging to her like static suggested her effort.

On the sidelines, Lilliane sat on the bench, her breathing steady as Saintess Aria gently applied a glowing salve to the scratches across her arms. Lilliane’s eyes lowered, her brows slightly furrowed. Disappointed? Yes. But bitter? No. Her pride remained intact. Even from afar, it was clear—she had accepted the result, but she wouldn’t stay second for long.

Then—

"Next Duel!" Seraphina’s voice sliced through the silence. "Aiden Everhart, Warrior—versus Luca Valentine, Warrior."

The noise died instantly.

Every head turned to the center of the arena.

Instructor Halreth Looked at Seraphina as if saying You didn’t just do that.

Now they were the only ones remaining, it looked like every other duel was over just to watch this.

Crimson eyes met golden ones.

Luca stepped forward with Eric’s words still echoing in his mind: "How do you feel about fighting with Aiden?"

Aiden unsheathed his glowing blade with a smooth, practiced motion. The golden light pulsated softly, matching the confident rhythm of his steps.

Luca summoned his twin sabers—black and white—held in a reverse grip. The black saber radiated faint dark wisps, while the white shimmered faintly under the sun.

Both took their stances, breaths steady, muscles taut.

Seraphina raised her arm.

"START!"

They exploded into motion.

Aiden dashed forward, his golden blade arcing through the air with a searing cut aimed at Luca’s midsection.

Luca parried with his black saber, sparks flashing as the weapons clashed. His white blade snapped up, aiming for Aiden’s shoulder—but the Everhart heir twisted mid-step, narrowly evading with a burst of speed.

The clash continued—blades dancing, fists flying.

Luca ducked a wide slash, swept Aiden’s legs, and followed up with a low arc from both sabers. Aiden backflipped, his boot barely grazing the ground before springing off it with force, blade gleaming as he came down in a brutal overhead strike.

He’s fast, Luca thought, pushing back with crossed sabers. But he’s not invincible. I can read him.

Their footwork carved patterns into the sand—dashes, sidesteps, feints. Neither giving an inch.

Luca spun low, using his dual blades in rapid succession—strike, block, feint, stab. Aiden kept up with inhuman grace, the glowing sword a blur of golden arcs.

Then both leapt back at the same time—sweat clinging to their brows, breathing steady, eyes sharp.

For a moment, the world held its breath.

And someone from the crowd whispered—

"They haven’t even used their affinity elements yet..."

Luca exhaled, lowering his stance.

Aiden Everhart... this is going to be fun.

And then—they charged, mirrored smiles twisting across their faces, blades poised to clash again.