In the large empty hall, Viltz and Yennefer looked at each other, when Tissaia raised her hand to start the fight, the two opponents moved immediately.
Yennefer conjured a blue lightning bolt and focused it on Viltz, who chanted an incantation that wrapped his legs in gusts of wind that increased his speed.
Yennefer continued to hurl lightning at Viltz as he moved and dodged as if dancing through the endless barrage of lightning.
The more attacks Yennefer launched, the closer Viltz got to her.
With only 5 meters left between the two, Viltz suddenly accelerated and was in front of Yennefer in an instant. Grinning, he tried to grab her neck with his hand, but even though the situation seemed precarious, Yennefer didn't flinch.
"Gotcha." Letting out a chuckle, she raised her hand and a glass bottle that was embedded in the ground just below Viltz exploded, releasing a bolt of lightning twice as powerful as the previous ones.
The huge bolt of lightning covered Viltz and sent him flying a few feet into the sky.
"No way, he's going to lose too?"
Slumping back in his chair, Sorel could only sigh.
The older wizards sharpened their eyes and noticed something odd about the situation.
Smiling proudly,Yennefer was about to move to leave the arena when a hand rested on her shoulder.
Turning her head in surprise, she found Viltz standing behind her, smiling at her.
Stunned, she turned once more to see the Viltz she sent flying only to find him dissipating as if he were a residual image.
"An illusion!" Yennefer exclaimed.
The spectators in the stands applauded in amazement at Viltz's tactic.
Understanding the situation, Yennefer wanted to move but Viltz did not give her that opportunity.
Waving his hand, a shining silver sword with a pommel in the shape of two coiled vipers appeared in his hand.
Placing the sword on his opponent's neck, Viltz smiled and said to Yennefer.
"Looks like i win today."
Yennefer looked at him furiously for a moment before sighing and deciding to surrender.
As reluctant as she felt, in this situation she had lost, she fell for her opponent's trick and let her guard down, giving her opponent an opportunity that Viltz took without hesitation.
"Fine, you win. But next time i won't lose."
Yennefer let out a snort and stomped her foot before turning and walking off to where her teammates were.
Viltz was a bit disappointed as he felt that the battle was too easy but after some reflection he understood.
For starters he was trained not only in magic but also in melee combat and battle strategy in addition to the experience gained from countless simulated battles he had with his combat master.
Compared to him, Yennefer studied magic in general and didn't seem to have fought before, so it was easy for him to take her with her guard down.
"Sigh, i guess great talent isn't everything, if one doesn't have enough experience then one won't be able to use their power efficiently."
After Viltz and Yennefer's bout a few more bouts followed.
This time there were no prizes as these duels were more a means of entertainment than anything else.
When all the fights were over, both the senior wizards and the apprentices went to a large dining hall where a luxurious banquet awaited them.
The various senior wizards separated into different groups and began to chat idly among themselves.
Viltz walked over to a table and grabbed a glass of wine, letting the servant next to him refill it.
As he smelled the wine, a person approached him.
Turning to his side, Viltz greeted the beautiful young woman who looked at him in a shy manner.
The girl gathered all the courage she had and returned his greeting.
"H-hello, i'm Margarita."
Viltz smiled and introduced himself as well.
"Nice to meet you Margarita, i'm Vilgefortz."
Just as Margarita was about to speak, someone behind her pushed her and she almost fell on Viltz, causing the wine glass to spill on her clothes, fortunately Viltz managed to react in time, moving the hand with which she held the glass to the side while gently grabbing Margarita with the other hand.
Viltz's lips twisted at the sight of the fat guy who started putting food on his plate as if nothing had happened.
As he piled the food on his plate, Artaud winked at Viltz and walked away.
Viltz could only shake his head as he released Margarita from his embrace.
"Are you okay?"
The girl blushed and replied in a gnat's voice as she remembered the sensation of touching Viltz's well-toned chest, "I'm fine."
Viltz was already 16 years old and his body was already developed, adding her hellish training that pushed her body to the limit, her natural beauty and her noble and peaceful aura, her charm could be considered top notch and it was normal that he attracted some of the sorceresses present.
It only took Viltz a glance to notice the furtive glances sent to him by some of the sorceresses, he even noticed how some of the older sorcerers in the circle were looking at him in a lustful way, making his hair stand on end.
Deciding to ignore those people, Viltz focused on the beautiful young woman beside him and began chatting with her for a while before breaking away.
"It's been nice talking to you, if you want we can meet up sometime somewhere else if you want. Take this, it's my communication crystal, if you want to talk to someone or are just bored remember to call me, i'll always be available for a beautiful lady like you."
Viltz handed a small square crystal to the still dazed Margarita before walking away.
Although he would have loved to talk to her further, this day was very important to him as all the members of the wizarding circle were present today and if he wanted to proceed with his future plans he needed to establish friendships with some of them.
Viltz first approached an old man who was chatting happily with Vice Rector Mardin.
"Vice Chancellor, Mr. Zavist." Viltz greeted the two men with a small bow.
"Oh, look who's here, i see you've grown up quite a bit boy. What's your secret? Did you alter your body with magic to build muscle?"
Zavist chuckled as he pinched Viltz's abs and arms.
Viltz laughed a little uncomfortably and replied, "haha, well, i train quite a bit so it's normal for me to develop some muscle."
"Stop picking on the kid, can't you see you're making him uncomfortable by touching him like that with your withered fingers?" grumbled the mardin vice chancellor aside.
"What do you know you old thing, it's a rare thing to find a wizard with a body this strong, but let me give you some advice kid, you should stop wasting your time on these things and focus on your magical research.
Tell me, have you already decided what to do after graduation? Remember you only have less than 3 years left until graduation."
"I've already decided, at the moment i'm not interested in politics and i think i still have a lot to learn so i plan to go study in Oxenfurt for a few more years before offering my services to some kingdom or duchy."
"Eh? You still want to continue studying? Don't you already have enough to study in Ban Ard?"
"What do you know, that's why i call you old man, let young Vilgefortz go on his quest for knowledge."
The vice chancellor laughed and chided his friend.
"Sigh, i'm not young anymore and my thirst for knowledge is long gone, keep it up boy and don't let that spark die like it did to this old man."
Zavist sighed and lamented.
Viltz continued chatting with the two for a while before heading off to talk to the other members of the brotherhood.
It was a couple of hours before the event was over and everyone returned to their respective homes.
Viltz took a shower and collapsed on the bed, falling asleep immediately.