Tepo's red scarf billowed strongly in the wind above his tight white fighting clothes, which were standard for all students.
Who knew whether it was intentional or not that a large amount of dust flew in his direction.
The young man didn't let Corian's move affect his emotions, but his eyes turned icy as he dodged to the side.
Atop his gorgeous beast Corian enjoyed the audience's attention before moving his eyes, looking down on Tepo:
"I didn't think you would actually dare to fight me! This might have been a mistake…"
Tepo was surprised as he felt the chill in his opponent's voice. It was as if Corian saw him as an archenemy, eager to fight to the death.
"You are late."
"Ha! So what?"
"Per official rules this is already my victory!"
"Hahaha!"
Corian let out a grating laugh, leaving the audience confused. Some students remembered the rules, realizing that Tepo was indeed correct.
But at this moment Elder Trang spoke up:
"Student. Don't try to confuse everyone! You were there when I registered the fight. I clearly chose customary rules!"
Tepo's thoughts churned, but he was sure that they went for official rules. The young man threw a glare at the elder.
Is no one here trustworthy?!
"Haha, you heard it! You won't get out of this fight."
With an arrogant expression on his handsome face Corian Gold jumped from his flying beast. A golden coat was draped over his shoulders, swaying with each movement.
A few girls in the audience couldn't help but admire the young man's entrance.
Corian landed on the ground with a straight back as his beast swung its gorgeous wings and returned to the skies.
"Combatants, are you ready?!"
Tepo stared at his shameless opponent as he nodded calmly.
"Let the fight… begiiin!"
Tension engulfed the arena. Tepo and Corian didn't move immediately, staring at each other, trying to gauge their opponent's weakness.
"Aren't you…"
Just as Corian spoke up to mock his opponent, Tepo moved instantly. [Chaotic Evasion] activated as the young man shot towards Corian, his knife prepared to stab the enemy's heart.
Corian let out a taunting smile. He waited.
Suddenly Tepo was before him. But Corian kept his hands behind his back, using [Flash] he suddenly appeared elsewhere.
In his mind he looked down on Tepo. A simple commoner. It only took a [Flash] spell to overcome him.
Corian showed his confidence. A golden light suddenly shined on the spot he just left. Searing rays of light shot in all directions before bending and aiming for Tepo.
The sudden movement startled the audience.
"Watch out!"
"Move away!"
"Hmm, this was over quickly."
"Yes. How could a commoner deal with the speed of [Flash]?"
But suddenly the rays of light froze in the air before changing direction. Many eyes followed it in confusion.
It took a moment for everyone to realize that Tepo had appeared behind Corian.
Tepo narrowed his eyes as he stared at the blond head before him. His knife slashed without mercy, aiming for the enemy's neck.
Corian was startled as he suddenly felt someone appearing close to him. Attacks approached him from two sides.
But he hastily reacted, cancelling his own spell and spinning around with an elegant rapier in his hand.
Weapons glinted under the sun as none of the combatants defended. A knife aimed for a neck while a rapier sought to stab a heart.
The audience held their breaths.
Suddenly Corian felt his weapon slowing down. As someone cultivated in a family of researchers and warriors, no ability would surprise him.
Many spells could achieve similar effects and he had seen quite a few of them.
Thus, the young master reacted calmly, letting go of his weapon and dodging below Tepo's attack.
All these changes happened within a few short seconds. The battle immediately became intense, the combatants ready to grasp every chance.
But the exchange was not over yet. Corian dodged below Tepo; his hand suddenly engulfed by a dark blue energy. He delivered a blow to his enemy's waist.
Tepo could only use his [Heated Defense] to try and block the attack.
Immediately a strange energy assaulted Tepo. It scattered in all directions, tearing at Tepo's body, seemingly eager to rip him apart.
The young man could feel that in the place where the palm hit, his defense was torn open and had difficulties closing again.
Letting out a low groan Tepo was brought away by his spell as a jet of flame tried to engulf Corian.
The aristocrat smiled triumphantly. He used [Flash], appearing a short distance away, with only a few flames burning on his arm.
But his golden coat was completely unharmed.
Within the audience a few aristocrats sighed.
"Isn't Corian ashamed of wearing a second rank artifact armor?"
"Yes. This fight is pointless. The commoner won't be able to break this defense."
"Isn't this a good thing? At least we are getting rid of him this way."
Tepo looked at Corian's golden coat with cold eyes, also realizing what the aristocrat had done.
"What? Envious? This is the power of status. I can just stand here and let you attack until you are exhausted! Hahaha!"
Corian's mocking laughter entered the students' ears like poison. Many were indignant but knew that this was exactly the reason why the aristocrats won most tournaments.
They were always able to get their hands on rare artifacts.
Poorer students might be able to reach out to artificers for normal weapons. But intricate equipment could only be made by the rare blacksmiths, their services worth a fortune.
However, Tepo wasn't too clear about those ins and outs. He had another thought in his mind.
Indeed, three-runed spells are too weak at higher ranks. They can only serve as support. I still need a strong attack spell, so I don't have to show my trump cards in every fight.
Still, Tepo didn't let this matter discourage him as he dashed at Corian again. His knife slashed out engulfed in white energy.
But Corian was determined to stay true to his words this time.
The arrogant young master stood in place with taunting eyes. Every attack of Tepo was blocked by a golden energy emerging from his coat.
"Do you see? Just give up! You are not worthy of facing me!"
Tepo didn't answer, continuing to attack. He didn't spend much effort as he only probed, searching for weaknesses in the defense.
But graudually it seemed Corian had had enough. Rays of golden light shot from his body in all directions, forcing Tepo back.
"Do you see the difference now? Daring to challenge me? What a joke!"
"Just shut up and fight!"
"Fight? Are you worthy?! You b*stard! Do you think I would lower myself to your level?!"
"Hmm? So you came for fun?"
"I came to show the whole world that NO ONE TAKES MY THINGS!!!"
Suddenly Corian screamed, his voice filled with anger and face contorted. Everyone looked at him in confusion.
Only Elder Redswan seemed to think of something, staring at the arena in disbelief.
"You worm! I will crush you! Humiliate you! No one will DARE to oppose me ever again!"
Even Tepo was surprised by the outburst, not sure what Corian was hinting at.
"Don't look at me like that! The Raunarum was prepared for me! You b*stard took away my forbidden spell!"
Suddenly shock hit everyone in the arena. Tepo gritted his teeth, cursing Corian for exposing him. Who knew what greedy eyes he might attract now?
But the crowd focused on another issue.
"What did he mean by prepared?"
"Right, spells belong to those who make contributions. How could a spell be prepared for someone?"
Murmurs ran through the audience. As the students discussed, they remembered a certain elder present.
Elder Trang's mood plummeted as he perceived the questioning looks directed at him.
Meanwhile, Elder Redswan stared at Corian with rage-filled eyes. It was one thing to control certain procedures in the forum, but they hadn't reached the influence yet where they could just declare their deeds to the public.
Right now, the vice-commander's eyes already stared at the elder. Redswan could swear that Tapharn was ready to report to the headmaster.
Compared to Vice-Headmaster Porter, Tapharn was more vehemently opposing the aristocrats.
However, those politics didn't matter to Tepo right now. The young man for the first time felt like killing Corian for all the trouble he might have brought.
Although stealing spells usually wasn't worth the effort, Tepo knew that people would covet his forbidden spell. In the eyes of others, he was a weak warrior without significant background.
He was just the perfect target.
Ironically, he didn't even have the forbidden spell Corian was talking about…
Thinking about all the future trouble, Tepo's eyes grew cold as he gritted his teeth.
Suddenly he dashed towards Corian again.
The aristocrat still looked arrogant despite the anger on his face. He wanted to further humiliate his opponent, but suddenly Tepo opened his mouth wide, letting out a deep roar.
Corian felt confusion and dizziness, his head spinning, his soul trembling.