Kazehana Yuriko leaned forward with a playful grin, her gaze shifting towards Yamikage Shouhei. "I didn't think the match between the heirs of the strongest Duke Houses would end in a few minutes. Was Shin injured, perhaps?"
Yamikage Shouhei shot her a withering glare but chose not to reply, clearly uninterested in indulging her. Kazuma Hirosaki, deep in thought, finally commented, "He must have underestimated her. He likely didn't expect Aiko to push him to his limits right from the start."
Yamada Kiyoshi turned to Kagayaki Akiko and questioned. "What do you think, Lady Akiko?"
Akiko's eyes were still on Aiko. "This spar is designed to test fighting ability without heavy reliance on mana. Shin typically relies on mana, so it placed him at a disadvantage."
Hirosaki chuckled, earning another dark look from Shouhei. "Same could be said for Aiko, Akiko. There's no need to downplay her efforts—everyone knows she's the strongest of the younger generation," Mizuno Aoi interjected.
Akiko offered a small smile but held back. Hirosaki's eyes gleamed with excitement. "Looks like the next match is starting."
------------------
The host's voice echoed, "The second match is between Kazuma Takumi and Yamada Riku. Contenders, please come on stage!"
Takumi stepped onto the stage, fire mana swirling around him, the temperature rising noticeably. Riku arrived next, the ground subtly shifting beneath his feet, an indication of his connection to the earth.
The instructor placed mana crystals in front of them. They both channeled their mana before the instructor asked, "Will you be using any weapons or artifacts?"
"A longsword," Takumi responded.
"A staff," Riku answered.
"Take them out," she instructed, inspecting each before stepping back. "Three… two… one… Start!"
For a tense moment, the two merely observed each other. Finally, Takumi broke the silence. "Why don't we use spirits in this match?" he suggested with a smirk.
Riku hesitated. "Is that even allowed?"
Takumi shrugged. "This simulates a real battle. Do you think demons care about these restrictions?"
Riku glanced at the VIP section, receiving a nod of approval. "I accept."
"Lovely," Takumi chuckled. Both straightened up, beginning their chants.
"Oh Spirit of Fire, heed my call,
Before unexpected tragedy befalls,
Grant me strength from flames so bright,
Illuminate my path with divine light,
Incinerate the foes who block my way,
Show them the consequences of going astray."
"Oh Spirit of Earth, steadfast and strong,
Hear my invocation, the bearer of song,
Grant me stability, rooted deep,
As through life's trials, I traverse and leap,
Crush the barriers that obstruct my stride,
Teach them the lesson of being unallied."
Takumi's voice was firm and commanding as he called forth two Astrafylix Fire Spirits. Meanwhile, Riku completed his invocation, summoning a towering Astrafylix Earth Spirit, whose presence intensified the surrounding mana as both sides wrestled for control.
{AN: Astrafylix is used to refer to high level spirits, just below Spirit Rulers in hierarchy.}
Not wanting to give Takumi any chance to solidify his advantage, Riku quickly cast his spell,
[Terra Breaker]
(Terra Breaker is a formidable Earth Affinity spell that tears open a massive fissure in the ground, expanding toward enemies with devastating precision. As the fissure reaches its targets, it attempts to ensnare them within its depths; upon successful capture, the earth closes in, crushing anything caught within. If the spell fails to ensnare its targets, it summons additional earth to pursue and strike, ensuring relentless offense.)
{Terra Breaker is a high-level spell that consumes a large amount of mana and requires high level of control over natural/ambient earth mana.}
Takumi remained unfazed, casting two spells simultaneously with the support of his spirits,
[Ember Shield]
(Ember Shield is a Fire Affinity spell that gathers ambient fire mana, forming a barrier of embers around the caster to absorb and repel attacks with intense heat. It remains active as long as the caster has sufficient mana, with mana consumption scaling to attack strength. If the shield's threshold is breached, it collapses, granting the caster a brief escape window.)
[Blazing Maelstrom]
(Blazing Maelstrom is a Fire Affinity spell that conjures a fiery vortex, drawing in enemies and scorching all within its path. It raises the surrounding temperature, enhancing subsequent fire spells.)
{Blazing Maelstrom is a high-level spell demands significant mana and precise control to convert and manipulate ambient mana into fire.}
Flames wreathed his form, shielding him from the earth's reach and incinerating chunks of ground into molten lava. Takumi charged toward Riku, his longsword glowing with intense flames as he closed the distance.
Riku maintained his distance, earth rising to slow Takumi's advance, but the Ember Shield neutralized the ground beneath Takumi's feet, forming molten lava and wrestling control over the earth from Riku.
Riku lifted the earth and formed a solid layer over his staff as he prepared to defend against Takumi's attack.
*Clang!*
Their weapons clashed with a sharp clang, a surge of fire and earth energy erupting from the point of contact. Both contenders held their ground, neither willing to back down. Takumi leaned in with a grin. "You didn't think you'd blocked my attack this easily, did you?"
Riku blinked, confused, before realization dawned on him. He glanced back just in time to see the flame vortex rushing toward him. He had made another grave mistake by taking his eyes off Takumi. It was too late—a split-second lapse in judgment left him vulnerable as Takumi pushed him toward the fiery maelstrom.
*BOOOOOM!*
The stage erupted in flames, chunks of stage flying into the air before the instructors quickly intercepted it, shielding the audience. An eerie silence fell as everyone waited to see if Riku had survived the onslaught.