CHAPTER 39: THE FIRST DUEL
The teacher looked over the fifty selected students.
"Now that everyone has introduced themselves..."
He stepped aside.
"We begin your first assessment."
The students immediately became attentive.
The teacher continued.
"Take out your weapons."
A few students exchanged excited looks.
Vee sighed.
"Here we go again."
The teacher pointed toward the center of the training ground.
"You will duel one another."
"The purpose isn't simply to win."
"We will be observing your combat style, mana control, reaction speed, adaptability, and how you handle pressure."
Vee looked around.
"So basically..."
He whispered to Leon.
"They want to watch us beat each other up."
Leon nodded.
"Pretty much."
Vee sighed.
"At least they're honest."
The teacher picked up a list.
"Our first two participants..."
He looked down.
"Elena Frost."
A girl stepped forward.
She had long blue hair and calm blue eyes.
She carried a short silver sword at her waist.
"And..."
"Ryder Flameheart."
A boy stepped forward.
He had messy red hair and a confident smile.
A large sword rested on his shoulder.
Vee looked at the two.
"Water and fire."
"This should be interesting."
The teacher pointed toward the arena.
"Enter."
Both students stepped forward.
Elena drew her sword.
Water began gathering around her.
It wrapped around her blade like a flowing ribbon.
Ryder smiled.
Flames erupted around his sword.
The surrounding students became excited.
"Water versus fire!"
"Who do you think will win?"
Vee leaned toward Aurelia.
"Ten credits on the water user."
Aurelia looked at him.
"Why?"
"Because water beats fire."
Aurelia raised an eyebrow.
"That's not always true."
Vee thought about it.
"...Twenty credits on the fire user."
She laughed.
"You're terrible at betting."
"I prefer the term unpredictable."
The teacher raised his hand.
"Begin!"
Elena moved first.
She swung her sword.
A wave of water rushed toward Ryder.
Ryder jumped over it.
The water crashed against the ground.
He landed and immediately charged.
His sword became surrounded by flames.
CLANG!
Elena blocked.
Steam exploded between them.
The two fighters moved rapidly.
Water clashed against fire.
Every collision filled the arena with steam.
Elena attempted to bind Ryder's legs with water.
Ryder burned through it.
She attacked again.
He blocked.
She spun.
He ducked.
The fight continued for several minutes.
Vee watched carefully.
"Both of them are talented."
"But the fire user is slowly adapting."
Elena suddenly created a massive wave.
Ryder's eyes widened.
He planted his sword into the ground.
Flames erupted around him.
"Flame Burst!"
BOOM!
Fire collided with the wave.
Steam covered the entire arena.
The audience couldn't see anything.
Then...
A figure was thrown out of the steam.
THUD!
Elena landed on the ground.
Her sword flew from her hand.
Ryder emerged from the steam, breathing heavily.
The teacher raised his hand.
"Winner..."
"Ryder Flameheart."
The students applauded.
Ryder raised his fist.
Elena stood up and walked toward him.
"Good fight."
Ryder smiled.
"You too."
Vee nodded.
"Not bad."
Leon looked at him.
"You predicted the winner."
Vee smiled proudly.
"Obviously."
Aurelia looked at him.
"You said you were betting on Elena first."
Vee's smile disappeared.
"...You remembered that?"
"Yes."
"That's unfortunate."
Leon laughed.
The teacher looked back at the fifty students.
"Remember what you just witnessed."
"Raw power isn't everything."
"Ryder won because he adapted to Elena's fighting style."
He looked at the remaining students.
"Next duel."
Vee's expression changed.
He had a feeling...
His turn wouldn't be far away.