The fight had now become really intense. Only five minutes were left on the clock.
Sweat dripped from Eamon's forehead. His grip tightened around the sword. His breathing was heavy but steady. Thandor stood just a few steps away. He wasn't breathing hard. His expression remained calm, but there was a flicker of excitement in his eyes now.
Thandor stepped forward. He suddenly charged at Eamon with a powerful sideways slash. The steel gleamed under the lights. Eamon raised his sword in time and blocked it with both hands. Sparks flew as the metal clashed. Their swords were locked now. Both pushed against each other, their arms shaking from the pressure.
"You've lasted longer than I expected," Thandor muttered.
Eamon didn't answer. He focused his strength, then suddenly let go of his sword grip. The sudden move threw Thandor off balance. His weight shifted forward, and before he could react, Eamon stepped in and kicked him hard in the stomach.
Thandor stumbled back, and his sword slipped from his hand, clattering to the floor with a sharp clang.
Eamon didn't waste a second. He rushed forward and swung his blade at Thandor's back.
But Thandor wasn't done.
Just before the sword could strike, Thandor ducked low. Eamon's blade swished through the air. The momentum carried him forward. Thandor took the chance and slammed his elbow into Eamon's arm.
Eamon's sword flew out of his grip.
He stumbled back, pain shooting up his arm.
His elbow throbbed. A bruise had already formed. He clutched it, then stood upright again.
Now both of them were unarmed.
They looked at each other silently for a second. Then they charged.
Fists flew.
Thandor moved with sharp precision. His punches were fast and heavy. Eamon blocked what he could, but his arms were already sore. A blow landed on his side. Another one hit his jaw.
He staggered.
Eamon threw a punch of his own and hit Thandor in the chest. The older man barely moved. He took another step and drove his knee into Eamon's stomach.
Eamon coughed and bent over in pain.
Thandor stepped back, then spun and kicked Eamon hard in the ribs.
Eamon was lifted off the ground and thrown several feet away.
He hit the chamber wall with a loud thud and collapsed to the floor.
Two minutes remained.
Thandor stood with his arms relaxed, looking at the boy lying motionless.
"Are you done, kid?" he asked calmly. "You showed a lot of promise. But sadly… you lost. Just two minutes away from the deadline."
He turned away.
Then he heard movement.
Eamon groaned.
His fingers twitched.
Thandor turned back and watched as Eamon slowly pushed himself up from the ground.
A thin trail of blood rolled down Eamon's cheek from a fresh cut on his forehead. His breathing was ragged, but his eyes were sharp. He wiped the blood away with his sleeve.
"I've been through a lot worse fights," Eamon said, his voice hoarse but steady. "This is nothing for me."
He took a step forward and raised his hand.
Thandor narrowed his eyes.
Eamon closed his fist, then opened it again. Magic swirled around his fingers.
He began to chant.
"Arcana Inferno Lance!"
A burning light formed in his hand. It grew rapidly, taking the shape of a massive, blazing spear.
The temperature in the chamber rose instantly. The air shimmered with heat.
With a loud cry, Eamon threw the flaming spear straight at Thandor.
The speed was incredible. The flames roared like a storm.
Thandor didn't flinch. He quickly raised his hand and muttered a chant under his breath.
A wall of water appeared in front of him, swirling and rising like a wave.
The spear struck it and exploded on contact. Steam hissed and rose into the air. The flames vanished, completely absorbed by the water barrier.
When the mist cleared, Thandor stood untouched. But his eyes were wide now.
He lowered his hand slowly.
"That was a tier two spell," he said. "And one of the strongest at that."
He smiled slightly.
"I underestimated you, kid. You're strong. Very strong. Let's see if you can defend this."
Thandor knew now that Eamon wasn't just a swordfighter. He had skill in magic too.
He raised both hands this time.
Water swirled around his feet. He began chanting again.
"Aquaform Leviathan Wake."
The water in the chamber surged upward and formed the shape of a massive sea beast. It looked like a serpent, but wider, with glowing blue eyes and a massive open mouth filled with liquid fangs.
The water beast roared as it charged toward Eamon.
The ground shook under its power. Waves crashed behind it as it moved.
Thandor had used another tier two spell. But he had poured in a lot more power than usual. He realized it now. The spell was almost too strong. More than necessary.
He earlier thought that Eamon might be able to block it. But now he wasn't sure.
The spell had already left his control. It was too late to cancel it.
Eamon saw the beast coming.
His legs froze for a second.
His mind screamed at him to run.
But he didn't move back.
Only one minute remained now.
This was his only chance to prove himself.
He lifted his hand again.
He didn't have time to think. Instinct took over.
His eyes narrowed. His voice shook, but he shouted the words clearly.
"Arcana Ashen Emperor's Roar!"
The flames around his hand turned dark red, almost black.
A new magic circle formed around him. It glowed brightly under his feet.
Then, a massive dragon made of fire emerged from behind him. Its wings stretched wide, flames spilling off like lava. Its eyes glowed with white heat.
The dragon let out a mighty roar and charged toward the water beast.
The chamber lit up in a burst of orange and blue.
The two elemental beings collided in the center of the room.
Fire and water met with a deafening explosion.
The chamber shook. Stones fell from the ceiling. Trees were uprooted. The pond dried instantly. A shockwave pushed both fighters backward.
Eamon was thrown off his feet. He hit the wall again, harder this time. He cried out as his shoulder slammed against the stone. The impact made him drop to the floor.
He stayed there, panting. His hand burned from the heat of the spell. His body ached all over.
The timer clicked.
Thirteen minutes had passed.
The test was over.
Eamon groaned and sat up slowly. His vision was blurred, but he could still see. His shoulder was bruised. His hand was red and blistered.
But he had done it.
This was the first time he had ever used a tier three spell. He didn't even know if it would work. But it did. And it worked better than he imagined.
He looked around. The chamber was ruined. The ceiling had several holes in it. Large cracks ran across the walls. Trees were broken in half. The pond had vanished completely.
Guards and healers rushed in from the main entrance, shouting and looking around in shock.
At the far end of the chamber stood Thandor. He was pushed back too, but he was standing straight. Dust covered his armor, and a deep line ran across the floor near his feet. He was smiling.
The manager rushed to him.
"Are you okay, sir?" he asked quickly.
Thandor nodded. "Yes. I'm fine."
The manager looked around at the destruction. "That was… intense. What happened?"
Thandor dusted off his clothes.
"I put a little too much power in that spell. I thought he'd block it with another tier two spell. But he used a stronger one instead. That boy summoned a flame dragon… and it crushed my attack. It came straight for me. I had to block it using one of my strongest defense skills."
The manager's eyes widened. "He made you do that?"
Thandor looked at the boy sitting at the far end, bruised but breathing.
"Yes. He made me use both hands. And he made me use almost one-third of my full power."
The manager blinked.
Then he saw something else. "You're smiling, sir. Why are you smiling?"
Thandor kept looking at Eamon.
"Because I'm excited to see what this boy will do in the future. Both he and Roneth are really strong individuals. They can become much more powerful. The world is changing and such strong prodigies will make this world more interesting."