The arena rose before Arthur with a different atmosphere than usual.
A magical field rippled around it — barely noticeable, but the pressure could be felt against the skin.
— {They placed a barrier around the arena… But why?} — Arthur thought.
As he approached, he saw Mia waiting for him. She smiled gently.
— Good luck, Arthur — said Mia.
— Thanks. Do you know why they placed this barrier? — he asked.
— I'm not sure… maybe Sensei will explain before the fight begins.
Moriyama approached, watching them closely.
— Arthur, are you ready? Kidero entered early and he's waiting for you — she said.
— More than ready — Arthur replied firmly.
— One last warning: this barrier amplifies your physical and magical abilities. Be prepared for a battle much more intense than before.
Arthur stepped into the arena. The environment seemed to vibrate with something invisible, but powerful.
He took a deep breath. A chill ran through his belly.
It wasn't fear. It was the weight of everything at stake.
— {Today isn't just a battle — it's my way of proving what I am and what I can become} — Arthur thought.
Kidero watched in silence, like a beast analyzing its prey. His eyes burned with superiority.
The swords were different.
The coordinators had reinforced the weapons after the damage in previous fights.
The new ones were ten times stronger — Arthur and Kidero would be the first to test them.
— EVERYONE TO YOUR POSITIONS! LET THE BATTLE BEGIN!
— {My victory is certain. I don't even need to worry} — Kidero thought confidently.
Arthur advanced in a leap. In a second, he was already above Kidero.
— {What?!} — Kidero thought, barely having time to block.
"Infernal Sword" — Kidero condensed his flames into his blade to repel the attack. Even so, he was pushed back by the force of the kick.
"Fireballs" — ten flaming spheres appeared and launched toward Arthur.
Arthur defended with his sword, dodging the explosions as they approached and continued advancing without hesitation.
"Fire Beam" — Kidero released a beam of flame from his right hand.
Arthur dodged with precision, feeling the heat graze his skin.
The clash intensified. Swords collided with strength. Arthur's blows were heavier, but Kidero used magic to boost each strike. Every impact scattered flames into the air.
After several minutes of fighting, Arthur made a mistake.
"Fire Beam" — the attack hit him directly, hurling him violently.
— Haha! I got him! — shouted Kidero, triumphant.
But Arthur rose quickly, less wounded than expected. He ran directly at his opponent and struck with his sword using tremendous force.
Kidero spun in the air and landed, reinforcing his blade again.
— {I got distracted for a second, and that worm took advantage} — Kidero thought.
"Flaming Slashes" — multiple flaming cuts were unleashed.
Arthur blocked most, but one hit his thigh, leaving a burn mark that quickly faded.
— What?! The flames were supposed to last a full minute! — exclaimed Kidero, surprised.
— Enough. Take my strongest attack! — he declared.
His sword grew larger, charged with fire magic.
"Firebird" — a fiery bird emerged, its wingspan larger than Kidero's.
Arthur tried to run, but realized he was being chased.
He gave up fleeing and struck with full force. The impact caused a colossal explosion, covering the arena in dust.
— {He's not getting up from that} — Kidero thought.
But as the smoke dissipated, there was Arthur — standing, sword raised.
— You really don't know when to quit, do you? — said Kidero, irritated.
— We're just getting started — replied Arthur.
Kidero's face stiffened for the first time in battle.
Arthur charged at full speed, noticing Kidero's mana was depleting.
But Kidero smiled.
He placed his hand on the ground and activated:
"Fire Tornado" — a whirlwind of flames surged from the ground, swallowing Arthur.
— {This spell uses a lot of mana, but the barrier allowed me to cast it. Without it, I'd already be out} — Kidero thought.
The students and Moriyama stood frozen — only Arthur's silhouette could be seen inside the tornado.
— AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH! — screamed Arthur.
The flames devoured everything. Arthur felt his muscles being pushed to the limit.
— {If the fire comes from the ground… the only way out is to destroy the ground!} — Arthur thought.
He punched the ground with extreme strength.
The impact caused an explosion. The arena trembled and the tornado dispersed, smoke billowing everywhere.
Kidero couldn't see — just shadows…
And then, a direct punch to the chest that launched him against the barrier.
The magical shield surrounding him shattered.
He took the blow head-on.
— {Damn… I can't lose to this idiot!} — Kidero thought.
But before reacting… Arthur took an unexpected stance.
Right foot forward, knee bent, sword raised — a nostalgic feeling overtook him.
— {Where… have I seen this move before?} — Arthur thought.
Kidero charged with everything he had.
"Infernal Impulse" — his final technique, using all his fire and remaining mana.
Arthur began to whisper.
"Dimensio—"
The barrier cracked. Space around him seemed to bend. Arthur's presence subtly changed the magical field.
— {What is he doing?} — Kidero thought.
The closer he got, the more he felt…
...fear. For the first time, a feeling surfaced that he had never felt before — hesitation.
But Arthur interrupted his chant.
— {If I finish this move… he'll die} — Arthur thought.
His sword shattered instantly, before completing the technique, and part of the power spread before vanishing.
And then, Kidero's flames extinguished like a candle.
Even so, propelled by his speed, Kidero struck Arthur in the stomach with his powerless sword.
Arthur was thrown violently.
— THE BATTLE IS OVER! KIDERO WINS! — declared Moriyama.