CHAPTER 144: ELYSIA VS JENNER!

"Bold words! Let me introduce myself properly. I am Martis, swordsman of the Crimson Blades Academy! I’ve fought in the Tournament, the Raxus Trials and many other trials of the tournament, and even the Iron Valley Duels. And still—no one has broken me. Not once."

"That is why, our family was the he appointed as the Council of Clan for many years"

The crowd roared louder at his declaration. The name of Crimson Blades Academy carried weight. Many in the audience murmured in awe.

Edwin, however, was unmoved. His eyes blazed with determination.

"Then I’ll be the first one to defeat you."

Martis swung again, and Edwin dodged, striking quickly at the exposed joint of Martis’s elbow.

The blade slipped in, leaving a shallow cut. Martis hissed, eyes narrowing.

"You little—!" He twisted, trying to smash Edwin with the pommel of his sword. Edwin spun back

just in time, the strike whistling past his face.

The two swordsmen circled each other, both breathing hard, sweat dripping down their brows.

Dust swirled around them in the arena, catching the sunlight like sparks of fire.

For a moment, neither attacked. Their eyes locked, both waiting for the other to make the first move.

Martis broke the silence. "You fight like someone who’s been trained under pressure. Tell me—what academy do you hail from? First academy?"

Edwin smirked. "That’s right. And I don’t care how many flashy tournaments you’ve been in. Right here, right now—you’ll fall to me."

Martis’s grin widened, teeth flashing. "We’ll see."

He lunged forward with frightening speed for someone his size, his blade coming in a vicious upward swing meant to cleave Edwin in two. Edwin sidestepped, his own sword darting toward Martis’s exposed side again.

But this time Martis anticipated it. He shifted his weight, blocking the thrust and pushing Edwin away with a violent shove.

The crowd gasped at the sheer force.

"Impressive," Edwin admitted, steadying himself. "You’re not just a wall. You’re a wall that strikes back."

"And you’re not just a mosquito," Martis countered. "You sting."

Their blades clashed again, the sound echoing like thunder. Sparks rained down, mixing with dust, until the arena looked like a battlefield lit by stars.

Both swordsmen were evenly matched—Martis’s raw strength against Edwin’s deadly speed.

Neither showed signs of backing down.

Elysia vs. Jenner.

The arena roared with anticipation as Elysia stepped forward, her sword gleaming beneath the sunlight. Across from her, Jenner stood calm, his staff resting lightly in his hand.

His robe fluttered slightly as mana surged around him like a storm waiting to break.

"Ready your blade, swordswoman," Jenner’s voice carried clear confidence, his eyes narrowing.

"You’ll find that a mage doesn’t need to let you get close."

Elysia tightened her grip on her sword. Her breathing steadied, her stance low and sharp. "We’ll see about that. Mages always think distance will save them—until my blade is already at their throat."

Jenner’s hand snapped forward, a glowing circle of symbols flaring into life. A jagged spear of ice shot straight at her.

Elysia lunged sideways, the spear grazing her shoulder with a chilling sting before shattering against the arena floor.

Another spell was already forming—Jenner’s casting speed was terrifying.

(He’s fast... too fast. I can’t let him control the tempo.)

She dashed forward, sword flashing in a swift arc. But before she could close the distance, Jenner raised his staff. A surge of wind blasted from his palm, a violent gale that lifted dust and knocked Elysia off balance.

"Stay down there, little swordsman," Jenner smirked. "Your speed means nothing against the elements."

Elysia slid across the stone floor, her boots digging in to halt the momentum. She pushed herself upright, teeth clenched.

"Is that what you think?" she retorted. She sprinted again, her blade humming with condensed mana.

Jenner’s staff glowed, sparks dancing at its tip. "Then try this!"

Bolts of lightning cascaded across the arena like falling stars. They struck the ground with explosive cracks, forcing Elysia into a frantic series of rolls and leaps.

One bolt clipped her arm, sending a jolt of pain through her body, but she kept moving.

She pressed forward despite the searing ache, slashing her sword in a wide arc. The mana blade carved through the air, colliding with the remnants of Jenner’s lightning and dispersing it.

"You won’t push me back that easily!" she shouted.

Jenner’s smirk faltered slightly. He slammed his staff into the ground, and fiery glyphs spiraled out from his feet. With a sharp incantation, a wall of flame erupted between them, searing hot and roaring high.

Elysia’s advance halted just before the blaze. Sweat beaded on her forehead from the heat.

"You’re strong," she admitted, her voice steady but low. "But magic like that burns mana quickly. Let’s see how long you can keep this up."

Jenner chuckled darkly. "You think my reserves are shallow? I was trained to outlast warriors like you. You’ll be panting long before I break a sweat."

He extended his hand, and the wall of fire bent, twisting into a whip that lashed out toward her.

Elysia’s eyes sharpened. With a precise swing, she cut through the fire whip, sparks scattering.

She dashed forward through the opening, ignoring the embers that singed her cloak.

Steel rang against mana as her sword clashed against a shimmering shield Jenner conjured just in time. The impact sent a shockwave outward, drawing gasps from the audience.

"Persistent!" Jenner hissed, straining as cracks spiderwebbed across his barrier. "But not enough!"

A pulse of raw force erupted from his shield, throwing Elysia back again. She twisted in midair, landing in a crouch, her sword digging into the ground to steady her.

Her lips curved into a grin despite the strain. "You’re quick to defend, mage. Afraid of what happens if I get through?"

Jenner’s eyes gleamed. "Not fear—strategy. Unlike you, I don’t rush blindly."

They circled each other, tension crackling like the storm Jenner had summoned earlier.

Elysia shifted her stance, sword angled behind her, waiting for the next attack. Jenner, raising his staff, began weaving another spell.

The ground beneath her feet trembled. She leapt aside just in time as jagged spikes of ice burst upward, sharp enough to pierce steel.

"Almost had you," Jenner muttered, lips curling.

"Almost isn’t enough!" Elysia shot back.

She darted along the edge of the ice field, boots tapping rapidly across stone. Her body blurred

as she pushed her speed to its limit, mana coursing through her limbs.

If I can’t overpower his magic head-on... I’ll just outpace it.

She weaved past another volley of fire orbs, her sword cutting down two mid-air before they could explode.

Closing in, she thrust her blade straight at Jenner’s chest.

His eyes widened, but his casting discipline held. At the last moment, a barrier of lightning shimmered into place, intercepting her strike.

Sparks exploded, forcing her back with a hiss.

"Not bad," Jenner admitted, his voice taut. "But you’ll need more than speed."