Mercedes Caulis – Ceremonial Hall:
Watching from the top of the stands, Finn smirked as Elfaria, Zeo, and Yuno sized each other up silently in the arena below. None made a move as the hall gradually quieted.
Then the dwarf slowly raised his hand and curled it into a fist.
This is a good learning opportunity. I shouldn't let the Sword miss any moment of it.
Fwap.
He brought his fist down hard into the stomach of the unconscious boy slumped beside him.
"Augh?!"
Will's eyes flew open beneath his glasses. He clutched his stomach and curled up in pain.
"W-what was that…"
Ceridwen sweatdropped from the other side of Finn.
Will groaned, spat out a mouthful of saliva, and blinked as tears pricked the corners of his eyes.
"Mister Finn… what're you doing here…? No, more than that… why would you even do that?"
Ceridwen chuckled wryly and spoke on Finn's behalf.
"I think he just doesn't want you to miss the show."
Will's brows furrowed as he slowly sat up.
"The show…? Headmistress, what're you talking about—omph!"
He clamped his hand over his mouth, glancing apologetically at the witch.
Ceridwen merely smiled. "It's alright, Will. He already knows who I am. He has for many years."
Will blinked. He turned to Finn, who nodded with a practiced smile and nudged him to look down.
Confused but cooperative, Will followed his gaze and took in the sight below.
One second passed.
He rubbed the sleep from his eyes.
Two seconds passed.
He realized he wasn't dreaming.
Three seconds passed.
"..." He looked at his two mentors, one might say, searching for answers.
Finn laughed and held out a hand as if in explanation.
"Well, long story short, it's a bit like this…"
One minute passed.
Will shot to his feet in alarm.
"WHAT?! Elfie's putting her title on the line for me?! I gotta stop her—oof!"
His cry was cut off as Finn grabbed the back of his robe and yanked him down, landing him butt-first on the bench.
The dwarven guide looked at him calmly. His smile didn't look like a smile at all. It didn't look like anything.
"Sword. You will remain seated."
Will was stunned—but this was only the beginning.
Fwoom.
Ceridwen waved her wand between her fingers. A black magic circle appeared beneath Will.
He froze.
Not voluntarily.
But because he couldn't move.
At all.
The best he could manage was to veer his eyes shakily toward the witch. He couldn't help but feel betrayed.
She gave a soft, apologetic sigh.
"Will. This is bigger than you. Yuno has exercised his right to challenge Zeo and Elfaria. One of the very few rules the Vander must obey. The moment he did so, your opinion became insignificant."
"Not that it would matter anyway." Finn laughed and patted the boy-turned-statue's shoulder. "Zeo won't let you go without a fight. This is happening, and there's nothing you can do to stop it."
Then he pointed toward the surrounding bleachers and platforms.
"But if you really want to try, I won't stop you. I'm curious to see how much you'd grow if you faced that."
Will stiffly followed Finn's finger. His pupils dilated.
All around the stadium, high mages from every faction were watching him.
His classmates looked worried. The rest wore expressions ranging from indifference to irritation.
Their gazes made it clear: if Will acted out of turn, they would respond—and ensure the Tower's rules were upheld.
Cariott's smile sent a chill crawling down his spine.
Will gulped, sweat trickling down his face as he looked down at the three would-be competitors.
Zeo met his gaze and licked his lips in anticipation.
Yuno looked unbothered—maybe bored, maybe both—and didn't even acknowledge him.
Elfaria gave him a sweet smile and a thumbs-up as she mouthed:
Don't worry, Will. I got this. You did your part. Now it's my turn.
Will's throat tightened.
Elfie…
He no longer tried to fight Ceridwen's restraint.
The witch sighed in relief and waved her wand.
The magic circle vanished.
But Will didn't move. He remained beside Finn, waiting anxiously for the match to begin.
Noticing this, Ceridwen tried to ease his nerves, clicking her tongue.
"Say, Finn? Who do you think will win?"
With Elfaria's genius, her determination, and how personal this was to her, Ceridwen thought the answer was obvious.
But her attempt backfired. Miserably.
Finn beamed.
"I don't know who'll win. But the Ice Maiden will definitely lose."
His voice was unrestrained.
Many in the crowd went silent.
Elfaria's eyes twitched.
Ceridwen stiffened.
She turned toward Finn.
"Elfaria is a genius, who invented twelve whole spells, you know."
Finn nodded, unfazed.
"Yeah, that's certainly impressive…"
"But?"
"But… she just doesn't have it."
"Have what?" Ceridwen raised a brow.
Finn narrowed his eyes.
"I don't know how to put it into words exactly. Aaron has it. So does Cariott. The rest of the Vander, save for her. Even our little Wind Chief here has it."
"Has what?" Ceridwen repeated.
"A certain air to them." Finn shrugged, then whispered. "I suppose… the undeniable impression and dignity of a ruler. Of the strongest."
Eavesdropping, Sarissa went as still as Ceridwen. She was beginning to understand the kind of nonsense her Vander had hinted at yesterday.
As for Will—he began to shake.
He stayed seated, but his unease grew sharper, deeper.
He didn't know why the unwavering faith he'd always had in his childhood friend suddenly felt... absent.
Maybe it was Finn's confidence.
Maybe it was how Zeo and Yuno both barely regarded her.
Seeming almost… dismissive.
Or maybe it was something else entirely.
The point was—he was very,very wound up.
And very worried.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
Elfaria's expression slowly darkened as she overheard hushed whispers and felt the judging stares of skepticism.
Her posture straightened. Her gaze focused.
"What's the signal to start?"
Yuno shrugged, indifferent.
"I could care less. Do whatever you want."
The man already looked tired and fed up. As if he were being forced to entertain two children.
Zeo grinned like a predator before a hunt.
"Don't need one. We've already begun!"
His confidence spoke for itself.
That's what they said, but neither moved. They just looked at her—offering her the honors.
Elfaria clenched her jaw. She felt pissed—and a bit… humiliated.
Are they underestimating me because of my age or something? Because I'm a girl?
So what if I'm the youngest? I'm the greatest prodigy in history.
And Zeo's one thing, but I'm a Vander, you know. So what's with that look, Yuno?
I should be giving you the first move as the challenger.
Tsk. She clicked her tongue.
Fine then. Let these undignified, delusional men keep up their gentlemanly facades. I won't be polite. I'll make them regret it.
Bwoom!
Magical energy shot off Elfaria in waves—like a homing beacon—leaving the entire 401st cohort in awe.
So this is a Vander, they thought collectively, and shivered.
It wasn't just the frosty light and aura that made them feel cold. It was something more.
Tick!
An icy-blue magic circle appeared at Elfaria's feet. From it, something slowly rose upward.
It was long, colored in golds, silvers, and whites. Two pointed ends. A small double diamond at the base. At the top—three icy shards, hanging at the top, right, and left.
This was the Ice Empress Staff—the prime artifact and treasure of the Ice Faction, passed down and wielded by every Albis Vina.
Brr!
Icy, snowy mist surrounded Elfaria as she held the staff horizontally behind her back. Her pale blue hair fluttered.
"El Glass Frosse — El Seven," she intoned calmly.
Bzzt.
Zeo's smile widened as lightning crackled around him.
"..." Yuno didn't move. He remained still and unbothered.
Elfaria's ire deepened. She waved her staff and cast her spell.
"Flurzel Caldinea!"
Fwoom!
The floor iced over. Jagged shards of ice sprouted at wild angles.
At the center, an enormous structure erupted—something between a castle and a cathedral, all sculpted from ice.
The temperature plummeted. Anyone within her range could sense it: certain death.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
Leopold scratched his scar thoughtfully from the Flame platform.
Hmm. That kind of reminds me of Lord Avalaché.
Meanwhile, Will blinked and leaned forward in his seat.
Wait… didn't I…?
"Yes, you used that same move during the Terminalia," Finn cut in, as if hearing his thoughts.
Will turned to him, surprised, while the dwarven guide smiled.
"If you haven't figured it out yet, your power is one that lets you produce magic and spells that those who empower you didn't even give you."
"All you have to do is not doubt your instincts, let your imagination flow, and use the fifth source to connect not just with their magical power, but with the very Wand who chooses you as their Sword. A power based on feelings and memories is inherently tied to relationships—and how much you understand them as people."
"So watch and observe. You already had a great relationship with Elfaria, but you don't know much of anything about Zeo or Yuno, so don't waste this opportunity to grasp the pinnacle of lightning and wind magic."
"In the future—even if it's not them, but that Owenzaus or Emma girl—even if their power is so much weaker than their superiors, you, who have seen the best of the best, can bring out the most in their magic."
"Also, those you treasure may give you more than those you despise. For example, a single wisp of fire from someone as weak as the Ulster boy may make you feel unstoppable, while a full charge from Incindia Barham would likely leave you very underwhelmed. Understand?"
Will stiffened.
Despise? How does he know that?
Still, he gulped and nodded.
"Yes, sir."
Finn's smile deepened.
"Good boy. Now keep watching. The fun has just begun."
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
Back in the arena, Elfaria's brows furrowed.
That was because this spell of hers was supposed to encase all who fell within its range in ice—skewering them or shattering them into frosty bits.
But Zeo? He wasn't anywhere in sight.
He'd disappeared.
As for Yuno… he just stood there.
Unbothered. Unaffected. Unharmed.
The ice didn't even touch him.
It went around him—as if it had deliberately avoided him.
"What?" Elfaria blinked.
Did I miscast?
Suddenly, Yuno raised his hand.
She stiffened, crouching into a guard position.
But all he did was point at her and whisper flatly,
"Behind you."
Elfaria's eyes widened.
Then paused.
A familiar snarl echoed behind her.
"Ya missed me."
Bztt.
Zeo zipped behind her, lightning crackling around his body. He angled low and hurled an open palm at her back.
Elfaria broke a sweat, twisting—But Zeo was that much faster.
Bam!
"Thunder Roar."
He blasted Elfaria with the same Zalgia Saga he used on Will—point-blank to her back.
A cannon of thunder engulfed her figure, scorched the ceiling, and shook it with force.
"GREAT MAGE ELFARIA!!!"
The new Ice Faction recruits cried out in shock and fear.
Will, on the other hand, was calm.
Well… maybe not quite unbothered, but he wasn't worried.
At least, not for the same reason they were.
Krkk.
And the reason became clear in an instant.
No fried corpse collapsed onto the ground.
Instead, just a few chunks of ice.
Zeo turned around with a smile.
Yuno looked up slightly—still having not moved a single inch.
Five identical Elfarias hovered above them, each pointing a wand down.
"Is that Ars Weiss?" Lunais Alhert blanked.
Jhorua Moraine was equally stunned. "B-but when did she—"
"She summoned them after blocking their view with the ice cathedral," Sarissa interrupted Julius' lackeys as she pushed up her square glasses over her nose.
"In truth, all she needed was a split second. Lady Elfaria is the fastest caster in the tower… though she is not just known for her speed… but for her ruthlessness towards her enemies as well."
Magical circles materialized into existence, all around the Elfarias as they spoke in icy unison.
"Will is mine." It wasn't some declaration but rather as if she was quoting some rule or divine law that couldn't be challenged and would never be overturned.
Zeo's grin widened even further as he bent back to look skywards, whispering to himself.
"Found you…"
Will was one of the few who picked up his voice. Brows furrowed, he followed his gaze, narrowing his eyes—only to freeze.
How did he?!
There were three others that mirrored Will's movements.
Finn beside him.
Annalie Theralde.
And the hooded figure amongst the Dark Faction that had been vocal before.
Finn chuckled to himself. Ah, so that's how it is.
Anna whistled. She's in trouble~.
And the hooded figure turned his attention back to Yuno.
In the split second that all of that occurred, the Elfarias already casted their spells.
"Almenta Auliscas."
Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew!
Tens of hundreds of icy shards shot down from the arrays, raining down on the Thunder and Wind leaders like divine judgement.
The floor snowed over, becoming invisible as the barrage continued on, unceasing, and merciless.
Lihanna blanked.
Emma didn't look much better.
"Did our boss just die?"
Arvin's eyes twitched as he forced a smile. "You could do to have a bit more faith, Clever."
Sion, on the other hand, was beyond shocked. "An incantationless high-grade ice barrage?! That'd normally take an entire chant to cast!"
Will couldn't even begin to feel any pride or joy as his gaze remained glued to the top of the ceiling, looking at seemingly nothing.
The ill feeling in his stomach churned onward.
And nothing Elfaria was doing changed that.
"Riville Calantibium!"
Not her beams of ice joining in the barrage.
"Stellas Natea!"
Nor the tridents of frost.
As the endless waves after waves of assaults seemed to dwindle and slowly diminish, Will couldn't hold back anymore.
He opened his jaw wide, preparing to roar. "Elf—mmph!"
But he was cut short by a small but strong hand snapping it shut.
Finn looked at him with that same unamused smile. "I didn't think I had to explain this to you, Sword. But let me—any open favouritism or interference on your part as a prize in this competition won't be looked fondly on by the Tower."
Will's pupils dilated, while Cerdiwen raised a brow. What're they talking about… did something happen?
She didn't understand, but nodded alongside Finn. "He's right, Will. All you'll end up doing is automatically disqualify Elfaria. Have faith in her."
Will shook, roaring inwardly, as he felt the two life signatures down below not only not snuff out but instead seem to grow more powerful.
Even if she hates me for it, I would rather her be safe than deal with that—bzzt!
It was too late. From the icy smoke, a lightning bolt shot upwards.
It was Zeo Thorzeus Reinbolt—not only showing not the slightest bit of injury but laughing manically.
"My turn, Ice Witch!"
Shudder!
The Elfarias trembled collectively just a tad, having an ominous feeling, but pushed it aside as they pointed their wands at Zeo, preparing to intercept him. Alas…
Zip!
They blinked, stunned, as Zeo just shot past them, continuing onwards to the ceiling.
Fist covered in lightning, he threw a punch to the open air.
"Eat this, Sloth!"
The majority of the crowd looked at him strangely.
What is he doing? Did Great Mage Zeo hit his head or something—
"Augh?!"
A familiar feminine cry cut their thoughts short, and then they blinked.
Because suddenly—on the other end of Zeo's fist, blocking his assault with the pole of her staff and sweating slightly—was Elfaria Albis Serfort.
An evidently very confused Elfaria.
And it wasn't just her—much of the crowd mirrored her expression.
Cariott tilted his head from his throne. "I see, those Elfarias are just clones, and the real one stayed out of view using Hide up there, probably planning something. But…"
Ellenor, sitting on her throne, finished her colleague's voiced thoughts for him. "But what… and more than that… how did the barbarian manage to see through her Hide?!"
Penetrating Hide isn't some unbelievable feat. Many monsters are capable of it.
There are magic artifacts for that and similar purposes—to see through stealth spells and abilities.
More than that, any decent mage can see through an inferior'sHide.
Keyword: Inferior.
There were only a handful amongst the Tower who could sneak past Ellenor using Hide while casting magic as well—unless she was actively looking for them.
With a godsend redirection for attention like Ars Weiss, Elfaria was naturally among them.
So Ellenor didn't detect her. Evidently, her fellow Vander, Cariott, didn't either.
Yet Zeo did, and she wanted to know how.
The prideful elf refused to admit inferiority to the savage, instead believing he used some sort of trick or gimmick.
Elfaria did too, as Zeo's punch pushed her back through the air, his superior physical strength on display as her hands shook.
"Grr… how did you find me?!"
Zeo bared a fangy smile, as his lightning output increased. "INSTINCT!"
"Tch!" Elfaria clicked her tongue and gave a mental order to her clones.
Deciding that Yuno was done, they didn't wait for the smoke to clear and turned, pointing at Zeo from behind to back up their main body.
Will's stomach ache deepened, as he struggled to wrest himself free from Finn's hold.
You're wrong Elfie! High Mage Yuno is still—
"Whirling gale, form your jagged teeth."
Zeo, the real Elfaria, and her clones all looked back to the mist as a familiar emotionless voice echoed.
"Slice through flesh and steel alike: Ensis Grinberryall!"
Fwoos!
The mist immediately parted to reveal five green magical arrays printed on the marble floor, and from each of them shot up a towering tornado, shooting skyward.
Their winds were erratic, fast, and sharp—very sharp. Elfaria's clones didn't stand a chance.
Krrk!
Krrk!
Krrk!
Krrk!
Krrk!
They were each sliced to misty bits, as if put into a high-powered blender.
An upper-tier annihilation spell—the one that earned Yuno his ticket into the tower.
As for the creator himself, he stood in the same spot he had from the beginning of the fight.
Not a single strand of his hair was ruffled.
Not a single piece of snow or frost dotted or cut his skin nor clothes.
He was the picture of indifference and perfection.
His golden eyes slowly locked with Zeo and Elfaria—the former felt excitement, the latter grave bewilderment.
Yuno sighed.
"You can't be serious. Why would I challenge you if I'm so weak? To make a fool of myself? Sorry, I don't have that kind of fetish. To test myself? I'd do that in the dungeon."
He pointed his arm up at them, focusing on Zeo first.
"This is a three-way battle, and yet you left your back wide open for me despite knowing I was fine. Do that again and I'll no longer show any courtesy of ignoring such gifts."
He then looked at Elfaria and pinched his brows, already feeling tired.
"And you. If you're too lazy to clone your staff, don't insult our intelligence by being surprised if we can tell something is up… just how little do you think of us?"
Much of the crowd flushed red and dipped their heads. They hadn't even thought of that.
Perhaps a coincidence—or perhaps not—Yuno's words had already made them forget about the larger question that had pressed against their minds.
How had Zeo seen through Hide?!
No magic items besides wands were allowed during this battle.
And Elfaria's main body didn't leak any magical energy… so how?
The lingering question further escaped them as Yuno's visage grew solemn.
"Now, my turn."
Fwoosh, wind gathered above him, forming a construct.
"Cloud-strung bow, launch my arrows of storm. Guide each bolt through veils of wind: Saevus Grinberryall!"
Protruding from another magic circle was a large, medieval-like crossbow floating above Yuno. Between its barrel and stream were six identical, mighty swirling arrows of wind.
Colette leaned over the earth faction's railings in shock. "Magecraft with wind?!"
The rest of her faction looked just as much put off.
Guardians were one thing, because of their uniqueness, and fantasy magic didn't count. So Magecraft was almost an exclusive art of the ice (water) and earth elements.
It wasn't something you'd see in the element of freedom and simplicity like wind, nor the elements of wild destruction like lightning or fire.
Even if the construct wasn't overly detailed, it was still surprising.
Vroom.
The arrows began to be pulled back as the magic power in the bow quickly increased.
Elfaria's expression fell as she swung her staff.
Zip.
Zeo dodged it casually by shooting back a foot as a bolt of lightning.
She didn't care. She snorted at Yuno.
"Spare me the lecture, I'm not nearly as arrogant as you!"
Snap.
She clicked her fingers.
"Clone chain: Full Connect!"
Vroom!
From the floor under Yuno's feet, the ground lit up, revealing an intricate Norman-shield-shaped array beneath him.
"..." Yuno realized he couldn't move. You can't be serious.
Elfaria smiled down at him, sweetly but venomous.
"Maybe the one who should be using their head is you. Word of advice — never touch a girl's toys unless you want to be bit."
Yuno looked back at her and calmly nodded. "Well played."
"Grand Explosion Douzerie!"
BOOM!
A volcanic eruption of ice detonated under Yuno and shot upwards, tearing the ground apart and continuing as a series of avalanches into the stands.
The High Mages sweatdropped collectively.
"Deploy the barriers—huh?"
Clap!
They paused as a giant circular wall of earth rose from the railings of each bleacher and platform, blocking the assault.
And then it fell back down after the snow and ice receded into the arena, disappearing just as quickly as it came.
The mages were confused. "Who… did that?"
They all couldn't help but look to the Earth Faction, and Colette was already turned around, focusing on the three elders.
Rose's grandfather shook his head awkwardly. "Sorry… that wasn't us."
Colette blinked. "Huh?"
Rose stiffened. "Don't tell me that pervert is…"
Her head snapped to the hallway entrance of the Earth Faction.
And within the darkness, she could just about see a familiar round, large, and chubby silhouette.
She could swear invisible eyes turned to face her, and even though she couldn't see it, she could just about imagine the drool leaking from the mouth or blood from the nose.
She shivered and grabbed Colette's skirt, pulling it down. "Colette, maybe we should wear pants from now on."
"H-huh?!" Colette went beet red, subconsciously placing her hands on her thighs. "R-Rose, what're you doing?!" she squeaked.
"Protecting your chastity," her friend replied honestly.
Colette blinked, only now noticing some frowns among a few of the other onlookers — specifically the female cohort.
Creirwy Serah flew down and took a seat beside her master, covering her own thighs and visibly shivering in disgust.
Annalie Theralde face-palmed and let out a resigned sigh. "Agh… this creep again."
Sarissa applauded herself for sporting conservative wear all over again.
Filvis frowned at the fairy platform. "Eww, L-Lefiya… it's him. Can I go home now?"
"..." Lefiya said nothing but frowned just as much as her.
Ellenor's expression darkened as she folded her legs and snarled at the hallway.
"Certain people that shouldn't be here should get lost."
Like clockwork, everyone turned to face the Earth Faction hallway.
Some looked lost or confused.
A few started to adopt looks of understanding.
Understanding that turned into wry and sheepish expressions—or fed-up and disgusted ones.
Even Elfaria and Zeo stopped what they were doing, waiting, and then a second later it happened.
The former looked as disgusted as the rest, while the latter smiled.
A deep yet enthusiastic voice came from the hallway.
"Aww, but a battle like this doesn't happen every day. Can't I watch? I promise I'll behave—"
"Hagen Steinfels!"
Surprisingly, it was Kreutz Harlon who spoke up, collecting himself somewhat as he sneered at the entrance.
"Need I remind you that you are supposed to be in solitary confinement until the end of this month?! Do you wish for that term to be extended… again?!"
A moment later, a whimper came from the corridor.
"...Nooooo…."
"THEN RETURN TO YOUR ROOM AT ONCE, YOU ABERRANT!" Kreutz barked.
"Aww…" Thump. Thump. Thump. The sound of the 'big guy' leaving was unmistakable.
Colette blinked and turned to the Earth Faction elders.
"Who was that?"
The trio exchanged troubled stares, then abruptly averted their gazes, whistling and pretending not to have heard anything.
"..." Colette twitched, unamused, before turning to Rose.
She forced a smile and dipped her head as she whispered, "Our… Chief…"
Colette blanked. "I thought your grandfather was the Chief."
Rose's smile grew more strained as she nodded. "He is… officially, anyways. But… Hagen is the real one in charge. Takes on all the responsibilities, it's just that…"
"Just what?" Colette was one stop short of glaring.
Rose flashed her an ugly and apologetic smile. "It's just that… certain habits of his make it unbecoming for him to officially take the mantle. If word got out of the Tower of what he's really like… then this dying faction wouldn't even have a chance at recovery."
Colette blinked, then turned from her friend back to the stadium.
"I see." Was all she could say.
After all, what could she say to the realization that her friend had led her into the den of a probable pervert?
Colette Loire would likely have trust issues from now on.
Issues she thought she had gotten rid of six years ago.
The 401st cohort exchanged looks of confusion.
But like Colette and their superiors, they turned back to the arena.
There was a battle going on, after all.
As their gazes lowered to the floor, they all froze.
The ground was torn up—cracked and shredded—several portions iced over.
As for Yuno… he was gone.
Not a trace of him in sight, save for his shredded fur coat lying on the floor.
Emma blanked again. "Now is he dead?"
Monica Orphan shook her head. "Unlikely."
(I sure hope so!)
Elfaria and Zeo squinted, scanning the area.
Zeo looked up instinctively.
Elfaria followed his gaze—Nothing.
Then the air cracked. It bent.
A stealth spell came undone.
Vroom.
Yuno appeared at the top of the chamber, standing upside down on the ceiling.
His bow of wind hovered quietly at his side.
His shirt and pants were partially shredded.
His hair was tousled.
But there wasn't a single scratch on him.
Yuno said nothing.
His golden eyes stared down with flat indifference as he snapped his fingers.
Twing.
Six massive wind arrows released from the bowstring.
They split into two groups of three—one trio locked on Elfaria, the other on Zeo.
"Ha ha ha!" Zeo laughed, clenching his fist.
He punched the air above him.
Bzzt!
Lightning coiled around his hand and shot upward in a crackling arc.
Elfaria's response was faster—and cleaner.
She pointed her staff skyward, and from the top shard, an elegant lance of ice fired forth.
Boom!
Both beams met the incoming arrows.
But then—something unexpected.
The center arrow of each trio accelerated.
Spinning and screeching, they pierced into the beams instead of exploding.
They drilled through—slowing, but still pushing downward.
Meanwhile, the remaining four arrows changed course midair.
They curved around the edges of the beams, shooting down at the exposed flanks of Zeo and Elfaria.
They were pinned.
Neither could shift focus without lowering their defenses.
Elfaria reacted first.
She freed one hand and conjured a pair of clones.
Each one intercepted a sidelong arrow.
Zeo didn't move. He just grinned.
The sparks around him surged.
Twack!
Lightning exploded off his body in a sphere—like a living radar.
The field caught the arrows and hurled them off-course. They crashed towards the ground harmlessly.
Elfaria's clones froze the two wind bolts midair.
Then shattered them into fine mist.
Her clones burst apart, their mana returning to her.
She refocused immediately, pouring everything into her beam.
Zeo did the same.
Now that both were free to concentrate fully—
Vroom!
The drilling arrows stood no chance.
They were vaporized.
The twin beams surged onward toward Yuno, howling with force.
Just like before, the attacks of lightning and ice intertwined midair.
But this time, they amplified—fusing into a catastrophic ray that tore through the sky toward Yuno.
Unlike earlier, it wasn't some casual finger-gun stunt.
This was faster. Heavier. Deadlier.
Yuno narrowed his eyes.
Then spread both arms downward.
He parted his lips.
"Mana Zone."
Elfaria and Zeo blinked. "Mana what—?"
They froze.
The magic pouring from Yuno exploded—amplifying many times over.
But more than that… something invisible spread from him.
A domain.
A field that seized control of every wisp of magic in its radius.
Including theirs.
The beam of lightning and ice halted inches from his face—suspended midair.
Elfaria and Zeo's eyes widened.
They pushed. Hard.
No luck.
Yuno's arms trembled as he countered the blast.
It didn't vanish. It didn't recoil.
But it stalled.
Held in a delicate, dangerous stalemate.
Wresting partial control from both of them at once was all Yuno could manage—at least with his own strength.
He could tip the balance, if he risked everything.
But the fight had just begun.
Right now, they were still feeling each other out.
Probing weaknesses.
No need to get reckless.
Not yet.
From the Fairy Faction stands, Wignall's eyes went wide.
"W-wait, isn't that—?!"
How does he know it? Did Sylor-senpai teach him?!
Filvis nodded grimly. "Indeed. The ability to harness external magical energy… that's Natural Confluence. An elven technique, but—"
"But Natural Confluence isn't supposed to wrest control of another's spell," Lefiya cut in, brows furrowing.
"It only manipulates ambient, ownerless mana in the atmosphere."
Wignall froze.
What is this… Mana Zone?
Ellenor Ljos Alf narrowed her eyes.
She tilted her head slightly toward Selia.
The half-elf wore the same "appropriate" look of surprise.
"…"
Expression unreadable, Ellenor turned back to the arena—careful not to draw attention.
"Grr!"
"Tch!"
"Hah!"
Yuno's eyes glowed faintly green.
Behind them the two wind arrows Zeo had knocked aside earlier froze mid-fall.
Then—whoosh!
They spun 180 degrees and launched upward.
One drilled toward Zeo's back.
The other—Elfaria's.
Both turned in shock.
But the real surprise was only beginning.
The surrounding mana—ambient, ownerless—was drawing into the arrows.
Feeding them.
They swelled in size.
Sharpened.
Sped up.
They'd be on target in a split second.
Zeo didn't hesitate.
Zip!
Just before the arrow struck his back, he vanished—lightning zapping him away.
The wind bolt crashed harmlessly into his beam instead.
As for Elfaria… she wasn't so lucky.
She was the fastest caster in the tower—as far as she knew.
But not the fastest mage.
Ice magic wasn't known for speed.
Even she couldn't react in time.
She had to choose.
Be skewered from behind.
Or blasted from the front.
She picked the latter.
Spinning sharply, she met the arrow head-on—staff tip to arrow tip.
"Grr!"
Her arms shook from the impact.
And then—Flash!
Her vision went white as Yuno, now freed, redirected the frozen beam of ice and lightning—Straight back at her.
BOOM!
The entire hall trembled.
The ceiling lit with violent blue and white, crackling as the explosion echoed through the chamber.
This time, the High Mages did react fast enough.
The barriers went up in time.
But it did little to still the storm in their hearts.
The crowd stared—stunned.
Sarissa screamed in horror.
"LADY ELFARIA!"
As for Will—he couldn't move.
Once again, Ceridwen had frozen him in place.
And for good measure, Finn pinned him down with a firm grip.
They sat at his sides, preventing anything reckless.
No interference. No heroics.
Charles swallowed hard.
"A-are we actually going to see a Vander lose their seat…?"
Kreutz clenched his fist.
He wasn't sure what to feel.
Relief—at the thought of finally being rid of a girl he loathed?
Or dread—at the idea of this newcomer he just made an enemy of becoming his next headache?
He didn't have an answer.
Sure, this challenge happened every year.
At the start of each new term.
But it almost never mattered.
Vander-level mages didn't exactly grow on trees.
And while this Tower had more Ascendants than ever before, the ones capable—and willing—to challenge a Vander?
Rare.
Very rare.
Most Vanders lost their seats through death by age, an accident, or some incident in the dungeon.
Some stepped down peacefully, training successors.
But those who lost their titles through this challenge?
In over five centuries, you could count them on one hand.
And no one wanted to be part of that legacy.
Fwoosh.
The smoke began to thin.
From within the fading cloud, something—and someone—fell.
First came the Ice Empress Staff.
It hit the ground with a sharp twack.
Then came its master.
Elfaria Albis Serfort.
Her clothes were shredded.
Much of her body was scorched.
Her once-beautiful hair was singed and brittle.
Blood—half-dried—trickled from her nose and lips.
Her eyes were shut.
But her hands still clutched a familiar object.
The goggles. Their goggles.
The ones she and Will had promised on.
She crashed to the ground, back-first—
Bam!
She slumped to the side.
A small stream of blood dripped from her temple as she lay motionless.
Unconscious.
Sion's jaw went slack.
"I-is it actually over already...? D-did Albis Vina just lose?!"
Ellenor grimaced.
Dammit, get up, Sloth!
She cursed inwardly, scowling.
Even if it was just a contest of ice magic—she had lost to Elfaria barely a month ago.
If this was how Elfaria lost…
It would reflect terribly on her.
Will's eyes welled up.
But he was powerless.
He could only stare—helpless—as the friend he loved lay broken in the arena below.
Yuno slowly floated down, sighing.
"That was a bit disappointing—"
"Gahh!"
He froze.
So did everyone else.
Elfaria moved.
Shaking, blood in her mouth, she pushed herself up to her knees.
"Agh…"
Her legs trembled.
Her knees cracked as she forced them straight.
She lifted a shaking arm—summoned her staff with levitation magic—And used it as a crutch to stagger upright.
Then she raised her head.
Her eyes found Yuno.
And the look she gave him…
Dark.
Refusing to yield.
"I'm still in this!"
Twing!
Her staff pointed straight at him—a beam of ice shot instantly.
Yuno dodged—by a hair.
He raised a brow.
At the Ice Faction platform, Sarissa's eyes filled with tears.
"Elfaria-sama…"
Zeo, hands in his pockets and standing atop the Thunder Faction railings, threw his head back and howled with laughter.
"The Ice Witch lives! And she's feistier than ever! Gotta say, I've never seen you so riled up!"
His voice echoed off the marble, wild and triumphant, as if he'd already forgotten the heat of the battle.
Or maybe he just didn't care.
All heads turned toward the Wand of Thunder as his voice continued to carry, unfiltered and unrestrained.
"What's motivated this stunning transformation of yours? Tell me—I have to know!"
"Love!" Elfaria shot back without hesitation.
The word cut through the air like a blade.
Will froze.
His breath hitched as if something inside him had cracked open.
Colette clenched her jaw, her hands curling into fists at her sides.
The crowd fell dead silent. Even the wind seemed to stop moving.
Yuno blinked, stunned. His brow furrowed in visible confusion. He was certain he had misheard.
Zeo wasn't much better. "What?"
Squeeze.
Elfaria's fingers clenched tighter around the goggles she held to her chest. Her frame trembled, but she stood tall—spine straightening as if supported by an invisible pillar of conviction.
"Will risked his life to protect me," she said, voice low but rising with every syllable. "He fought his way into the Tower—through everything—just to be by my side. He kept his promise."
Her voice shook, but only slightly.
"And now… it's my turn."
Will's vision blurred. He wasn't even sure if he was breathing anymore.
Elfie…
Elfaria raised her staff.
"My love will see me victorious over anyone who stands in my way!"
There was no hesitation, no shame—only fire. Cold and bright, like ice refracting moonlight.
Zeo's expression split into a wide, animalistic grin. His aura practically sparked with delight.
"Hah! So that's it, huh? You desire him!"
He sounded like a man who had just discovered the best twist in his favorite drama.
Meanwhile, Yuno stared at the two of them like someone being talked over at his own birthday party.
His eyelid twitched.
He didn't like being part of such conversations, but being outright ignored? Again?
It grated more than he expected.
It was quite rude.
Vroom.
He sighed through his nose and lifted an open palm toward Elfaria. A spiral of wind gathered in it—tight, dense, and humming with intent.
"How shallow…" he muttered, barely audible. "Now I'm positive I really don't like you."
Elfaria tilted her head, not lowering her weapon.
Yuno didn't wait for permission to continue.
"Maybe it's not my place to judge," he said. "I don't have any noble cause. No legacy to protect. No burning desire to wear the Vander's mantle."
His voice carried a rare note of bitterness.
"I just made a promise."
On the Wind platform, Arvin Olus clenched his fist.
Yuno's eyes sharpened.
"But even so... your position means something. To a lot of people."
He swept his arm toward the crowd, the wind curling with the gesture.
"There are people here who've sacrificed everything just to stand on the same floor as you. They'd kill to be in your shoes. Or even to carry your bags. And here you are—screaming about love like this is some fairy tale duel."
The High Mages watching from their platforms lowered their gazes, each one remembering what it took to reach their current heights.
They felt a bit of resonation in Yuno's words.
"And precisely because of that…" Yuno's tone darkened. "I can't let someone like you taint that seat any longer."
Will's gaze locked onto Yuno's face, pleading.
Please… don't.
He wanted to scream, to beg him to stop.
He would have thrown himself off the platform if he thought it would change anything.
Saying he'd go with him.
But he couldn't move.
He couldn't speak.
And somewhere deep inside… he already knew.
It wouldn't matter.
Because to Yuno, this fight wasn't about him.
Not anymore. Not any longer.
Elfaria's arms trembled. She tried to channel more power, to summon another spell—but she wasn't ready.
Her body was still reeling from the last hit.
She needed a few more seconds. Any sooner and she risked tearing herself apart.
Yuno wasn't about to give her that time.
The cyclone in his hand spiraled tighter, its hum rising in pitch.
Elfaria let out a breath. Her fingers curled around her staff with renewed purpose.
Then, slowly, her eyes lifted.
They met Yuno's.
There was no fear in them.
Only quiet defiance.
For Will... it's worth it.
She was just about to force out more magical power, eyes narrowing in concentration—
Zip!
Yuno's eyes widened slightly.
Behind him, Zeo launched a fist cloaked in crackling lightning straight at his back.
Thorzeus Fudge cackled from the Thunder platform.
"Wasn't it you who said something about not letting your guard down, Prettyboy?!"
"Zalgia Saga!"
Boom!
A thunder cannon detonated at point-blank range, the lightning erupting inches from Yuno's skin.
Fwip!
The Wind Mage vanished just in time, his form dispersing into a cluster of air and pressure.
"Ssh…" Yuno hissed faintly as he reappeared dozens of meters above the battlefield. Smoke trailed from his back, the fabric of his shirt singed, skin beneath slightly charred.
He glanced down at Zeo, bewildered.
"I was just about to eliminate a competitor. Don't tell me... you're actually planning to team up on me?"
He sounded less angry and more confused—like he couldn't decide whether to feel insulted or flattered.
Elfaria and the audience looked at Zeo in shared surprise.
But Zeo just laughed louder, brighter, his grin stretching wider.
"Team up?! Hah! If I needed to pull a stunt like that just to take you on, I might as well give you my seat and go home!"
Yuno raised a brow, expression unreadable.
"Then… what are you doing?"
Zeo's grin turned toothy. He cocked his head at Elfaria and licked his fang.
"I just wanna see what this Sloth can accomplish when she's actually trying. I want to see what this love can do."
He leaned back slightly, like he was enjoying the tension.
"Give the girl a few seconds to breathe. Wouldn't want to miss out on the climax, don't you think?"
Yuno was unimpressed.
"This is a battle. I don't care about your curiosity. You really expect me to throw away a guaranteed victory just to humor you?"
"Of course not!" Zeo threw his arms out, laughing harder now. There was a hint of mania in his voice—something unhinged and alive.
"If you can get past me and finish her, then by all means—I've got nothing to say!"
Yuno gave him a long look.
Like he was trying to determine whether Zeo was joking… or just terminally stupid.
"You seriously think you can stop me?"
He wasn't even trying to taunt him. Just genuinely skeptical.
He's trying to protect her and fight me at the same time... how arrogant is this guy?
Zeo licked his lips in anticipation.
"I don't know."
His smile stretched wider.
"But I do know it sounds fun."
Crack!
Lightning snapped across his skin. It danced around his frame, twitching through his hair and flaring behind his eyes like live wires.
Fwip.
He kicked an ice trident up with his boot—one of the ones Elfaria had fired earlier. He caught it mid-air, spinning it smoothly in his arms like a javelin.
"So why don't you play with me a little bit?"
Because Zeo Thorzeus Reinbolt didn't just want to win.
He wanted everything.
He wanted Will.
He wanted Yuno's attention—his full, undivided focus.
And he wanted to see what Elfaria Albis Serfort was truly capable of.
Yuno exhaled.
"You can't be serious… you're absolutely insane."
Zeo turned toward him, laughing under his breath. He looked over his shoulder at Elfaria with a sharp grin.
"Oi, Sloth—don't disappoint me."
His eyes flared.
"If you take too long or come back as pathetic as before, I'll finish you off in Prettyboy's place."
Elfaria's expression darkened.
"I don't need your help," she snapped.
But that was all she said.
She straightened slowly, biting back pain, and pressed a chilled hand to her stomach.
Frost seeped into her skin, numbing the ache, dulling the trauma.
She closed her eyes and breathed deeply—drawing on her mana to force a swift and brutal recovery.
She didn't have the luxury of rest.
Not here.
Not now.
Zeo was ecstatic.
He blasted upward like a bolt of pure lightning, streaking toward Yuno with crackling speed.
Yuno remained still.
Expression unreadable, he raised a single palm toward the oncoming attack.
"Mana Zone: Ensis Grinberryall."
No chant. No buildup.
Just instant, overwhelming power.
Vroom!
A tornado exploded downward, spinning with savage force.
The air screamed as it twisted in layers—howling, biting, sharp enough to strip flesh.
And empowered by Mana Zone, it only grew larger.
Stronger.
Wilder.
A living storm, bearing down on Zeo like the sky itself was collapsing.
But Zeo just grinned.
He gripped Elfaria's fallen trident in both hands and charged lightning into it.
The ice crackled violently, reacting to his energy.
With slow, deliberate movements, he began to carve upward through the sky—each slash glowing brighter than the last.
He was enjoying himself.
Yuno watched from above, unmoved.
Victory already felt like a formality.
On the Thunder Faction platform, Komari leaned against the railing and sighed.
"Hah… he really shouldn't do that."
Lihanna blinked. "Who shouldn't do what?"
Guildford Zurgas chuckled, arms crossed.
"Underestimate Great Mage Zeo."
For once, Komari didn't argue.
"Yeah… Zeo-Bro's a Taker."
Lihanna tilted her head. "A Taker…? What's that supposed to mean?"
Komari rested her chin on the railing.
"Exactly what it sounds like."
A glorified thief—someone who learns from others in the middle of battle.
And makes their strengths his own.
Just like Asta... she thought.
And Zeo-Bro?
He was the only other one she'd ever met with that kind of talent.
Bzzt!
Will's eyes widened.
He felt it—something off.
Zeo's ki wasn't just rising.
It was exploding.
His energy was doubling—tripling—growing at a speed that shouldn't be possible.
This is different... this is—
This was far beyond that strange technique he once discovered to accelerate his growth and amplify his output.
This was something else.
Something monstrous.
Yuno's eyes snapped wider.
He felt it too.
The magic swelling inside the trident—
Power he couldn't seize.
Power he couldn't stop.
Isn't that...
Bzzt!
Zeo's voice cut through the sky like a roar of thunder.
"Trident Style... Zalgia Saga!"
With a vicious, sweeping motion, he slashed upward.
A vertical arc of lightning—dense, golden, and blinding—tore from the trident.
It screamed through the sky like a blade forged from a thunder god's wrath.
The moment it met Yuno's tornado—there was no contest.
Like a hot knife through butter, it carved the vortex clean in half.
No resistance.
No struggle.
Just obliteration.
Yuno's vision was swallowed by searing yellow.
It poured over him like a tidal wave of light.
And in that instant, he whispered to himself.
"Zetten…"
BOOM!
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
Author's Notes:
[1] I hate downtown Pittsburg. I got sick too. Now I'm miserable. I was originally planning to write this fight all in one chapter, but it's just too long. So, it's going to be several parts—at most three.
[2] I'm sure you've already figured out the pervert's identity, so I won't hide it. 大岡大左衛門 Ōoka Daizaemon roughly means Great or Grand Guardian of the Gate or Hill. Hagen Steinfels roughly means Protector of the Stone Cliff.
[3] In Wistoria Wand & Sword, the formula for casting a spell goes like this:
[Incantation—gets longer as spell tier increases, unless the mage's level rises proportionately]: [A single Latin word describing the trait of the spell or creator] + [First or last name of the creator].
This is how I transformed the Black Clover characters' spells to fit the Wistoria Power System using this unofficial rule.
Note that there are exceptions, like Elfaria's El Glasse Frosse series, supreme tier spells, non-elemental, etc.
[4] Here is the list of Yuno's transformed spells:
Ensis Grinberryall = mix of Towering Tornado & Tornado Fang
Saevus Grinberryall = Gale White Bow
[5] If you want to chat, discuss the story, or hang out, feel free to join the Discord: https://discord.gg/s3MME8X8ar