CHAPTER 19: DUELS

The academy grounds were buzzing.

Students and spectators gathered in swarms across the floating platforms and marble steps that surrounded the Grand Combat Arena—a stadium carved into the very mountain, forged with ancient mana and the sweat of champions past. Magic screens hovered in the air, displaying rankings, footage from earlier trials, and, of course, my unbelievably attractive face from multiple flattering angles.

I adjusted my coat collar, walking slowly toward the center arena like I had all the time in the world.

"Pixia, is it just me or is that girl on the left trying to faint in slow motion?"

(She’s not the only one. I’ve counted at least twenty-six near-faints and eleven magical swoons. Honestly, Host, your narcissism has a gravitational pull.)

’It’s not narcissism if they’re right.’

(You are—gods help me—insufferable.)

A noble girl in the crowd squealed as I passed, clutching a handkerchief like she was witnessing the birth of a star.

’...Did she just throw a rose at me?’

(The thorns are enchanted with admiration. Careful. Might prick your ego.)

’I should write that on my next album.’

---

[Floating Screen — Team Rankings]

Top 5 Teams – Trial of Unity Results:

1. Team Ravin — Full Completion / Bonus Objectives Cleared / Crowd Favor Rating: 96%

2. Team Zayan

3. Team Freya

4. Team Reynald

5. Team Sariel

---

’Look at that. Top of the board.’

(I’m shocked. You only carried your team, killed a thunder chimera solo, and caught the attention of a literal goddess. Truly an underdog story.)

’I try to stay humble.’

(You once said the stars twinkle because they’re applauding your existence.)

’...If I believe it strong enough, it will come true.’

(You sure about that, Host? From what I can tell, what you’re being is delusional.)

That was when a sudden magical chime rang out through the arena, and the instructors began appearing on the raised dueling stages below, each shrouded in their own magical aura. Noble students, high-ranking mages, and academy staff watched from their exclusive balconies.

Above the arena, Queen Zephyra leaned back lazily with a goblet in hand while Synthia sat beside her, arms crossed, lips curled faintly.

"Let the final trial commence," boomed the head examiner’s voice. "All combat candidates will now face a ranked academy instructor in single combat. Strength, strategy, and skill will be judged!"

---

[Alicia’s POV]

I stepped onto the stage.

My crimson cloak fluttered behind me as my twin affinities—Fire and Blood—flared quietly around me. The instructor waiting for me was a tall man with a calm smile, his weapon a spear infused with calm thunder mana.

"Alicia. High Master Rank. A Star Mage. Dual Affinity: Fire and Blood."

"Instructor Helos. Sovereign. Thunder (it’s lightning+wind) and water Affinity."

His eyes were ancient—wise and kind, but deceptively sharp. Rumor had it he’d once quelled a rampaging Leviathan alone. The way he held his spear said that wasn’t a rumor.

He bowed slightly and I also bowed back indicating I’m ready.

Then I moved.

A torrent of scarlet flames erupted beneath me as I vanished, appearing right in front of him mid-dash. My blade, forged in bloodsteel, shimmered with heat.

He sidestepped with ease, spear flicking forward like a serpent.

I let it graze my shoulder. My blood was flowing from the wound but I took control of it.

It surged from my wound, forming barbed chains mid-air that coiled around him.

He narrowed his eyes. "Good control."

I didn’t respond. I twisted my blade and the air exploded into searing fire.

Whenever I attacked with fire or blood, he only responded. The arena was consumed in a swirling vortex of red and blue.

I did my absolute best—trading blows without caring about my injuries while constantly firing spells, looking for a weakness and when I finally found one I used my self-made spell {Crimson Pyre}.

Blood rapidly flowed out of my body and mixed with fire. It took the shape of a serpent which was 10 feet long.

"Wow! To use such a spell at this age. You are indeed brilliant. Now not using my other elements would be disrespectful towards you."

Saying so he said something but I couldn’t hear it. I was already feeling drained. The spell took everything I had and ultimately the last thing I saw was a huge cloud raining thunder all over my serpent.

(From the crowd:)

"She’s insane!"

"Did you see that? She weaponized her own blood!"

"How is this girl only a High Master?!"

[Back to the duel]

He smiled. "You nearly got me. I’m impressed."

The crowd erupted.

---

[Ravin’s POV]

"And the winner is... Instructor Helos. But what a great fight it was to start the day. Now without wasting time, let’s start the next duel."

The announcer’s voice roared through the arena, cheering up the crowd, but I didn’t care about it and rushed toward Alicia, who had lost consciousness for a short while.

"Did I do good? Are you proud of me, Ravin~?" She cooed sweetly as if she hadn’t just collapsed.

’Bonk’

I gently smacked her head and then lovingly patted her once she made a face as if she’d been wronged while pouting.

"You silly girl, why did you have to use that spell? You already passed the test before."

"I wanted to show you how strong I became. Now I can protect you from those bitches hehe."

A sudden chill went up my spine, and I just chuckled softly and stayed by her side until it was time for Eira’s duel.

---

[Eira’s POV]

"I want to kill that bitch. I will kill that bitch. I will definitely kill that bitch. How dare she hog Ravin to herself. How could she hug him. How? How? How? How?????"

I muttered to myself when I saw Alicia hugging and sitting on Ravin’s lap like she belonged there. That’s my place. He is my savior. My only light in this world. Nobody can touch him except me.

While I was thinking of murdering that bitch the announcer called my name. Oh I’m about to have fun. I needed someone to vent all my frustrations.

I grinned as I stepped into the arena.

No weapons. Just my fists.

"Eira Valtine. Expert rank. Null affinity."

"Instructor Varnia. Sovereign rank. Ice and Earth affinity."

Instructor Varnia was a tall woman clad in black armor, her eyes like twin sapphires and her arms crossed like she was already bored. There was a scar across her left cheek—rumors say she got it fighting a cursed beast during the fall of the northern front.

When she saw me without a weapon she blinked. Then laughed. "You’re going to try to beat me—barehanded?"

"Yup~"

The whistle blew.

She came at me like a storm.

I dodged. Slipped. Twisted. Caught her leg mid-air with both hands and smiled.

"Bang."

I launched her across the arena where she barely landed on her feet. A glint passed through her eyes as she made a serious expression.

Her blade glowed with mana and she charged.

I met her halfway.

My body moved faster than thought, every strike calculated, every parry reactive. My body was filled with wounds and blood was flowing freely but I didn’t care. In fact, I enjoyed the pain.

We continued to fight for 10 minutes and all of the time I had a smile on my face.

I didn’t win. But I made her bleed.

And in her final strike, she paused for just one breath before bringing me down.

"You’ll be terrifying one day," she said.

I grinned from the dirt. "I already am."

---

[Ravin’s POV]

While Alicia was sitting on my lap and affectionately hugging—attracting the attention of the crowd—suddenly, my hair stood up. I felt a chill up my spine.

"Woah, it’s tough being me huh. Everyone’s only thinking about me."

(Host, you might want to check this out before you start self-glazing.)

(Affection +5. Eira: 133/100. CP +25,000. She is thinking of murdering Alicia, who is sitting on your lap.)

’Damn, why do I only get crazy waifus? It’s my fault for being too good at everything.’

(Host, I seriously admire you. Like how can you actually be so self-absorbed that you missed the part where she will probably murder your waifu?)

’I will leave that problem for the future me. Now let me enjoy hugging Alicia. Go away now.’

---

[Leon’s POV]

After watching all of those fights and seeing how hard my competition is, I needed to go all out.

When the announcer called my name, I exhaled as I stepped onto the field.

My palms were trembling. Not from fear—but anticipation. After losing to Ravin so easily, I want to beat him. I want to be strong like him.

Vice-principal Gravis was waiting—a handsome man who looked like he was in his 30s. An Arcanist. He had the rare Void affinity along with Magma and Metal affinity. His expression was composed, but I could sense layers of experience behind his smile.

"Leon Evander," he said, reading the slate. "Star Mage path. Expert- rank."

I nodded. "Yes, sir."

"Affinity?"

"All of them."

He blinked.

Then chuckled. "Well. This will be fun."

The duel began.

I opened with a [Quadra-Circle Pulse]—Fire, Water, Earth, and Wind blasting outward in a spiraling ring.

He just raised his hands and blocked it with his mana.

I sent compressed lightning, then layered darkness on top to blind him.

He laughed as he fought me—smiling, shifting, challenging me but only using his mana.

I sent dozens of spells at him and kept attacking him with my sword. He used a blade made of pure mana to deflect mine. After 20 minutes of going back and forth—or well, just me attacking and him defending—I finally surrendered when I ran out of mana.

"Kid," he said finally, breathing hard. "You sure you’re not a Grandmaster in disguise?"

"Just... trying my best."

In the final moment, I collapsed.

Mana dry.

Breathing heavy.

He stood over me.

"It was a fun match. I would love to be your teacher."

Then he turned to the crowd and raised my hand.

"This boy will be one of the strongest Star Mages the academy has ever seen."

The cheers were deafening.

---

[Ravin’s POV — Backstage Watching]

’I swear, Pixia, they’re all trying to outshine me.’ I grumbled internally while I kept stroking Alicia’s head, who had fallen asleep on my lap hugging me.

And boy, I was feeling the stares of people on my back, including Synthia and Eira.

(Oh no, Host, how could they do that? They are just setting the stage for your great self.)

’Yes, you’re absolutely right. They had to set a bar for me to break, right?’

(But Host. You sure you’re not proud of them?)

’...Maybe a little.’

(You’re growing, Host. Like, emotionally.)

’Next is my fight.’

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{A/N: I fixed the power system of this novel. If you want to check it out you can read ch-3 again. And please tell meif their are any mistakes in the previous Chapters due to this, I will immediately fix them.}