«Where did all your bravado go now, huh?» Viktoria shouts.
Using her massive tail, she lashes out with a series of violent strikes. At first, Rebecca manages to dodge them without too much trouble. But it doesn't take long before her movements grow sluggish.
The poison Viktoria injected with her dagger has already spread through her bloodstream, leaving a vivid purple web across her pale skin.
As paralysis creeps deeper into her muscles, Rebecca soon finds herself powerless against the heavy and relentless blows of Viktoria's tail. Unable to dodge any longer, she takes a brutal hit to the chest. The impact sends her flying several meters before she crashes to the ground.
More and more students start leaving their seats in the stands.
«This fight has nothing left to offer… Viktoria is just too strong.»
«I'm going back to study—it's definitely a better use of time.»
Such comments ripple through the crowd. To everyone watching, Viktoria's victory is already a formality. Who could blame them? Her advantage is overwhelming, and Rebecca looks as if she has already given up.
«Look at her… she's a wreck, and she doesn't even have her Phoenix Shroud anymore. Professor Selunara, at this point you might as well stop the match,» I suggest confidently.
I was certain Viktoria would defeat Rebecca Asheart—I never doubted it, but I just didn't expect it to be this easy. Where are the improvements Lyra told me about? Sure, she managed to keep her Crystal Release active a few minutes longer, but is that really all?
But Professor Selunara ignores my request to end the fight. She keeps watching intently, an inexplicable smile playing on her lips.
She's definitely hiding something from me. Otherwise, how could she be so calm? Yet what could that girl possibly do in this state?
Rebecca's muscles are paralyzed, and even her magical energy seems almost completely drained. Without relying on physical attacks or spells, how could she still hope to win?
«And now, the finishing blow!» Viktoria declares.
Her face twists into a sadistic grin. She coils Rebecca's body in a crushing grip, not content with simply winning. She wants to make her suffer as much as possible. The hold tightens more and more until blood spills from Rebecca's mouth. Her chilling screams echo across the arena, mixed with the sound of bones creaking under the merciless pressure.
Viktoria pulls her closer, face to face, dagger pressed against her throat.
«I hope you finally understand the gulf between us,» she hisses.
«Y-Yes, you're really… really strong, Viktoria… but you dropped your guard! Elemental Invocation • Fire: Overheat!»
Rebecca's body bursts into a blinding blue glow. An instant later, a violent explosion of flames erupts. The shockwave slams Viktoria against the barrier's far edge, and she crashes face-first into the ground.
«No, Viktoria!» I cry in disbelief. «N-No way… it doesn't make sense… the poison should have stopped her from using magic… unless…»
«As I already told you, Rebecca has improved far more than you think,» Lyra remarks. «Her growth isn't only about strength, endurance, or magic power. She's also gained tactical intelligence.»
Of course… she didn't have enough energy left for a long-range spell. And with Viktoria's tail and the poison weakening her muscles, she couldn't get close on her own. So her only chance was to make Viktoria close the distance herself. Having seen her fight countless times, Rebecca knew that chokehold was the move Viktoria always relied on to finish her battles. She pretended to be completely helpless from the poison and let herself be caught on purpose, maneuvering the fight into that exact situation. Unbelievable…
But now Rebecca truly looks finished. Every muscle in her body is poisoned, and many of her bones are broken from that crushing hold. Viktoria, however, isn't in much better shape: her Crystal Release has faded, and her body lies scorched with countless burns.
«H-How… how could this happen?!» Viktoria sobs, trembling. «I, Viktoria Nightshade, humiliated like this… by a child…»
Yet her frustration and rage pale in comparison to the despair I now see in her eyes. With extreme effort, under the stunned gaze of the few remaining spectators, Rebecca slowly rises to her feet.
«How the hell is she still able to walk?!» I shout, springing to my feet.
Dragging the leg pierced by the dagger, Rebecca limps toward Viktoria. A trail of blood stains the dirt of the arena with every step.
Viktoria is sprawled on the ground, motionless. She tries to get up too, but her limbs refuse to obey.
«No… no… no…»
The terror on her face grows with every step her rival takes. Thin streams of tears run down her dirt-streaked cheeks, dripping from her tear-filled eyes.
Finally, Rebecca reaches her. A faint, satisfied smile appears on her lips, and then…
«The winner is Viktoria Nightshade!» Professor Selunara declares.
Rebecca collapses, unconscious, while Viktoria stares at her in shock, unable to believe what just happened.
In five years no one had ever pushed her to that state—reduced to a worm, drenched in blood, dirt, and tears, crawling on the ground in search of something, anything, to help her stand.
But the wounds carved into her body are nothing compared to those inflicted on her pride. Seeing her reduced like this pierces my heart, and a tear slides down my cheek. I'd give anything to rush to her, hold her tight, whisper that it's over, that she fought magnificently. But that damned barrier keeps me away.
Lyra Selunara, perhaps moved by that brief moment of compassion, pulls me into a motherly embrace.
«Do you realize that if the poison had taken effect even five seconds later, Rebecca would have won?» she whispers in my ear in a calm, serious tone.
But I pay no attention to her words—my focus is locked only on Viktoria. Our eyes meet. Our bodies tremble, shaken by the thought of how much Rebecca has grown since last semester's tournament final.
Not only us—now all of Astralea has seen the incredible strength of that girl.
«In my opinion, in a month she'll even surpass Jade Kyndrake.»
«By the fifth year, she'll be the strongest fighter in the entire kingdom, I'm sure of it!»
These whispers spread through the stands, spoken softly, as if trying to keep them from reaching my ears—but I hear them anyway.
«Viktoria also fought a great battle,» Lyra points out. «Her strength is undeniable. I don't want to go too far, but in my view, your team is clearly the favorite for the Inter-academy Team Exam.»
Yes, the Inter-academy Team Exam. The event that will finally crown me. I've waited more than four years for this moment, and at last it's only a month away.
The fifth-year students from every magic academy in the kingdom form groups of five and face the same practical trial. Their performance is judged by the time needed to complete it, an objective and impartial standard—but no one really cares about the grade. What matters is ranking at the top, making your name known throughout the kingdom. And with allies like Viktoria, Arielle, Jasmine, and Selene, victory is within reach.
«That much is obvious,» I say with confidence. «Not only will we get the best time, we'll crush all the other teams.»
«I hope so,» Lyra replies. «That said, it looks like someone down there needs my assistance. It's been a pleasure talking with you, just like old times.»
«The pleasure was mine, Professor.»