~Seraphim Lancaster~
As the young man got into position I took note of everything I knew about him which wasn't much.
He came out of nowhere and paid for the entry for the test like it was nothing. He then slaughtered his way through the test until he reached the last 2000 participants where he seemed to take into account each student feigning difficulty before committing suicide by impaling himself on his opponent sword once he reached the top 25. Finally he scored average marks on his written test that just put him in the range of the lower positions. Something was wrong about him severely wrong like everything was a joke that only he knew about. Either he held boundless intelligence or he was so insane that it just worked out for him.
As he stood across from me with a cane in his hand he seemed almost Regal in a way. His aura seemed to pulsate as if he was made for the battlefield. Each step that he took before he reached his designated spot was precise with no wasted movement.
Signalling that he could begin I created the usual barrier that I had used for all students so far. It was a basic barrier that could be used by those at B rank and above. I could change the amount of mana inputted to change the rank of the barrier, This was useful to decrease the mana absorption and the students were of low rank so it wouldn't matter. Unfortunately it had the drawback of using a large amount of mana even when I do decrease the mana absorption. Luckily since I was S rank my mana regeneration rate was close to the mana absorption rate of the barrier when I decreased the strength so I could do it for each student without getting tired.
Nodding at the signal he made the first move by running at high speed before swinging his cane in a wide arch. It easily bounced off of the barrier and he seemed to take notice as he changed his style.
Using the tip of the cane he kept smashing into the barrier over and over again, Each hit was sloppy compared to his footwork and the only thing he did seemed useless. Maybe I had overestimated him.
Surprisingly he created multiple low tier magic circles of each element. Was he a Mage? then why was he using a cane? But to my surprise the barrage of spells and hits made the barrier crack. Each time he hit the barrier a new web of cracks entwined with the old ones as they continued to spread as he kept pelting the barrier with low level magic and a new vigour in his attacks.
Finally he pierced the barrier and I actually had to dodge the cane from hitting me. I was legitimately surprised, how did someone with such crude magic and martial arts break a barrier that the rank 1 of the class couldn't even shake? Then it finally hit me. The magic was a distraction that made me displace my mana equally while he used his cane to strike the same place over and over again. Each crude swing was actually precise and hit the same place.
Disabling the shattered barrier I pulled out my blade from my dimensional storage ring. I was mainly a magic user however I had mastered the use of claymores just in case I had to do close combat although it was nowhere near my proficient in magic it would be enough to defend against a fledgling student.
The sound of metal scraping against metal filled the room as we danced the dance of battle. Each time he clashed against me his form with his cane was slightly better although it was so miniscule that I doubt others would notice. Each hit conveyed his emotions, the insanity that was hidden behind his eyes the desperation for power and the deep sorrow he held within him.
He was a walking enigma and the alarm bells in my head told me to be cautious of him, although theoretically he could do nothing against me if this was a real battle. His form began to blur and distort as he moved, each swing of his weapon seemed to create ripples in the space around us. I couldn't feel much as my senses seemed to dull slightly.
Pushing aura through my body my mind stabilized allowing me to grab his cane with my hand. His control over mana was overwhelming to the point that he was able to control the ambient mana, that is why I was struggling even though I was a higher rank. I was limiting my rank but my body was still that of an S rank individual.
Deeming that I had seen a majority of his fighting prowess I decided to end the battle prematurely. Lowering my stance and clasping the claymore so that the flat side was facing him I swung at him with the plan to knock him out of the arena.
~Noir~
How long has it been since I felt the thrill of an actual battle! Months of taking on enemies that are weaker than me or at the same level caused great boredom. She may have been taking it easy and underestimating me but that made it all the more better. Her facial expressions as I broke her barrier were priceless. Each time I slashed at or thrusted towards the teacher I would be met with a swift counter that sent shivers up my spine.
The thrill of our battle made me want to go full out but I knew it would be a bad idea. Instead I decided to use the strength I had to perform at my best.
As she swung her claymore high I ducked low planting the cane into the ground creating a barrier that she would clash off. The scraping of the metal on metal told me of my success as I let my grip shift from the handle to the centre of the cane. Twisting it I managed to grip the claymore with the handle by lodging it between the hand guard and blade. Giving it a pull I managed to create some time for me to fire off a lesser water spell at my homeroom teacher before she could react.
Unfortunately I was against an S rank opponent and her reaction times were otherworldly allowing her time to deconstruct my spell and counter my swing while dislodging her weapon. Using a pirouette to feint an attack I leaped over her head before throwing my cane at her with the sharp tip aiming for her skull. Each second, each heartbeat that sent adrenaline through my body felt thrilling as I waited for the sound of torn flesh and tendons, however it never came. Instead I was met by a swift kick to the chest as I felt my ribs cave in and pierce my lungs. I couldn't breathe nor could I feel my arm but it wasn't enough to stop me.
Standing my vision was darkening, it wouldn't be long before I died once again and we would have to start another battle. I could see it, her silver hair as we battled the joy in my chest erupted as I wanted to show her my progress. I may as well since she can recreate my body.
Gathering a sickening amount of ambient mana along with the mana in my body I channeled it into all the elements I could before compressing it as much as my will allowed me to. The world protested to my will as it started devouring my body as the price of the use of my magic.
I needed more I wanted more!
Each element clashed as it began to meld to my mana signature before I unleashed the projectile at her and my body finally gave out.
~Seraphim Lancaster~
After blocking his final attack I had turned to the boy who had disappointed me. I thought he would have been better after he was able to break my barrier however he was sloppy and his spells were the same as those of a child's. Landing a swift roundhouse kick to his chest he was sent into the wall of the arena before he crumpled to the floor. Once I had come out of my shock I immediately panicked thinking that I had gone too far and used too much strength however to my surprise he stood back up again.
My hairs stood on end as my body shivered as he looked at me with this glassy lost look. His eyes glowed a menacing deep purple hue as he slowly stood up.
I nearly threw up at the sight of his mangled chest as blood leaked from his body. Bone fragments and organs broke free from their confines as if asking for release. He looked closer to the dead than the living at this point. What scared me the most were his ramblings, although incomprehensible they still elicited shivers from me and the rest of the class.
Mana started to surge around the boy with the broken body as he started murmuring louder, the mana began to gain elements as they coursed around his body. Every element except from the high and sub elements circled around his for before they all started to clash together fighting for dominance absorbing each other like a war was being fought. The power of the spell kept increasing as the mana shook before a crimson orb the size of a pebble was shot towards me at speeds inconceivable for a low tier spell. It was derivative magic? But how?
I instantly formed a barrier and fired my own spell to counteract the effects however to my surprise the mana seemed to be... devoured as if it didn't exist. Taking a defensive stance I prepared for the clash however it never came. The spell simply dissipated into the atmosphere as he fell to the ground.
Running towards him I checked his pulse to find it incredibly faint. He would die if I didn't get him medical attention soon. It was partly my fault for hitting him so hard. Walking out of the arena I called it a day for the students and ran for the infirmary before placing him on a stretcher. Immediately multiple nurses and doctors surrounded the boy and got to work as the head master entered the room. He gave me a look that told me I was screwed. I had almost killed a student in the academy grounds, I could only hope that my punishment would be lenient but it all depended on if the boy survived.
He definitely wasn't the best at magic or weapons but if he lived I would compensate him for the trouble that I have given him. It was the least I could do after reducing him to this.
Leaving the room I decided to go to my office to fill out the paperwork for the incident. It's lucky no student actually saw his condition or it could lead to trouble for both me and him. I could only bury myself in files until he woke up but who knew how long that would take.