The arena remained alive with the clashing of weapons, spells, and cheers as a series of minor matches unfolded. Students from various noble houses and outer settlements took to the arena, showcasing their skills in short, intense battles. Each match varied in style and technique, with some relying heavily on magic, while others focused on physical prowess.
For the spectators, these matches provided a brief respite from the high-stakes battles they had just witnessed. However, the tension in the air was still palpable—everyone knew that some of the academy's most promising students had yet to fight.
In the stands, students murmured among themselves, placing bets on who they thought would emerge victorious in the next major match. And all eyes would soon be on the upcoming battle—one that everyone had been eagerly anticipating.
...…..
As the minor matches concluded, Seraphina Lysandor stood at the edge of the arena, her cold eyes surveying the battlefield with detached precision. Despite her calm exterior, her mind raced with thoughts.
The expectations… Seraphina mused as she stepped forward, her every movement calculated. Father and mother load out everything for me… everything, down to the smallest detail. Her heart felt heavy, weighed down by the invisible pressure of her lineage. She wasn't just fighting for herself—she was fighting for her family's reputation, for the honor of the Lysandor name.
Most of the female students at the academy had tried to befriend her. They flocked to her, hoping to gain favor with the "heiress of ice," but Seraphina found little interest in their shallow pleasantries. Her distant demeanor had earned her the nickname Ice Queen, and she overheard whispers of her lack of personality wherever she went.
They're not wrong, Seraphina thought, brushing a strand of her vibrant blue hair behind her ear as she prepared to step into the arena. I'm not like them. I don't need to be.
Even the male students who gawked at her from a distance did little to phase her. Seraphina knew they admired her for her beauty, her high status, and her formidable power. But none of it mattered to her. Their opinions, their words, they were irrelevant. She had a goal, and she would accomplish it, no matter the cost.
As she stepped into the center of the arena, her opponent stood across from her. He was a skilled student, known for his mastery over elemental spells. Flames flickered in his hands as he conjured a fireball, preparing to demonstrate his magic prowess.
The countdown started, and Seraphina took a deep breath. As soon as the bell rang, her opponent wasted no time, launching the fireball toward her with precision. Seraphina deftly dodged to the side, her movements graceful and fluid, but she could feel the heat from the flames as they passed by her.
Her opponent didn't let up. He followed the fireball with a barrage of elemental attacks—lightning crackled through the air, water whips slashed toward her, and gusts of wind sought to unbalance her. The arena was filled with chaotic elemental forces, and for a moment, it seemed like Seraphina was on the back foot.
He's skilled, Seraphina thought as she avoided another lightning strike. Her red eyes narrowed in concentration. Despite her initial confidence, her opponent's relentless attacks forced her to constantly move and dodge. The crowd began to murmur, questioning whether the "Ice Queen" was as strong as they had believed.
For a fleeting moment, it appeared as though her opponent had the upper hand. His elemental attacks continued to rain down upon her, and Seraphina struggled to find an opening. She could hear the whispers of doubt from the audience, and for a brief second, doubt tried to worm its way into her mind.
But then, Seraphina's expression hardened, her resolve solidifying.
Enough of this.
In one swift motion, she raised her hand, her fingers crackling with pure, concentrated mana. With a flick of her wrist, the air around her shimmered as she began to construct her weapon of choice—a bow made entirely of mana.
The crowd gasped as the glowing, translucent bow materialized in her hand. The mana strands twisted and solidified into a weapon of elegant beauty, pulsating with power. Seraphina knocked an arrow of pure energy, her eyes cold and calculating as she aimed it directly at her opponent.
Her opponent sneered, preparing another elemental spell, but Seraphina moved faster. She released the arrow, and in a blur of light, it soared through the air, cutting through his fireball as if it were nothing. The arrow struck him squarely in the chest, knocking him back with the sheer force of the mana.
Her opponent staggered, clearly winded by the sudden turn of events. The crowd was silent, stunned by the display of power.
But Seraphina wasn't done. She fired again, this time at the ground near his feet, causing the arena floor to crack and splinter. Her opponent struggled to regain his footing, but Seraphina's assault was relentless. She infused her bow with mana augmentation, increasing the power of each shot. The arrows flew faster, stronger, each one aimed with deadly precision.
Her opponent's spells began to falter. His fireballs fizzled out, his lightning lost its spark, and soon, he was left with nothing but the crushing realization that he had underestimated her.
In the final moments of the fight, Seraphina drew back her bow once more, her gaze unyielding. She released the arrow, and it struck her opponent's weapon, shattering the elemental focus in his hands. The magic dissipated, and he fell to one knee, defeated.
The crowd erupted into cheers and applause, though some watched in awe, while others looked on with fear at the sheer power Seraphina had just demonstrated. She stood in the center of the arena, her expression as cold and indifferent as ever, her mana bow slowly dissipating into the air.
She had won without breaking a sweat.
...
Just as the match ended, Lucius strolled back into the stands, having just returned from his extended bathroom break. He blinked, confused, as he noticed the crowd cheering and Seraphina standing victoriously in the arena.
"Did I miss something?" Lucius muttered to himself, scratching his head. "I was only gone for a few minutes…"
He plopped down onto a seat, watching as Seraphina gracefully left the arena. He sighed, leaning back. Maybe I should've came out sooner… or maybe I should've stayed in the bathroom. He chuckled to himself, imagining how ridiculous it would be if someone asked where he had been.
Well , I missed it… guess ill act like I saw the whole thing.