[Elena's PoV]
The Eagle Clan and the Griffon Clan stood in front of the mining area entrance. They observed the tunnel opening, which wasn't very large.
It seemed clear that not everyone could enter the tunnel at once.
"By my estimation, only four people can effectively fight in the tunnel at the same time," Valeria said as she analyzed the width and height of the tunnel.
"My magic… won't be effective in such a confined space…" I explained to them.
I wouldn't be able to fully utilize my speed without enough room to maneuver.
"So, what's the plan?" Geralt asked, looking for a decision. "According to the scouts, there are only four entrances to the mine."
We began discussing the matter. In the previous battle, it was clear Raul had the advantage in close combat, even against two of the strongest Knights in our group.
"He only managed because I didn't use my ultimate technique!" Brian protested, still unwilling to accept that he had lost to Raul.
"It's pointless, Brian. Ariel is still Raul's hostage," Valeria said. "You won't be able to do anything until we rescue her."
That was true. Brian hadn't been able to finish Raul before because he used Ariel as a shield. At least, that's the story I heard from Valeria.
"Cowardly noble!" Brian muttered angrily.
The combined forces of the Eagle and Griffon Clans now numbered about 50 people, after losing 20 members to Raul's traps yesterday.
Given the situation, only 12-13 students would enter through each tunnel entrance.
"Do you think that man has set traps for us in there?" Geralt asked, causing the group to wear grim expressions.
Raul had already trapped us twice, resulting in the deaths of many clan members. This was his terrifying strength. He hadn't even fully revealed his Nature Mana abilities yet.
"How about my clan and I enter the tunnel first to check things out?" I offered.
Valeria nodded in agreement. She seemed to have been waiting for me to suggest this, given that over 70 members of the Griffon Clan had already perished in their confrontations with Raul.
"Alright then, it's decided. I'll take 10 of my people and enter the tunnel."
I, along with a few of my clan members, stood in front of the tunnel that led into the underground mine. The tunnel was only about 2.5 meters tall and 5 meters long. As we moved deeper, the light began to fade, making it harder to see.
I noticed some of the wooden beams supporting the tunnel were broken. What happened? Could it be because this place has been abandoned for so long?
I inspected it more closely to find out.
"Hey, Sarah, can you cast a light spell?" I asked.
"Of course, Chief," Sarah replied, raising her index finger. "Light Haze."
A soft light appeared from Sarah's finger, illuminating the entire tunnel.
But as soon as Sarah activated her spell, we became alert. At the edge of our vision, a man with black hair stood motionless. His expression was blank, and his cold gaze sent chills down my spine in this narrow space.
"You've got some nerve showing yourself in front of me, Raul," I said with a challenging smile. "Are you planning to trap us again like before? Are you so afraid to face me?"
Raul only responded with a confident smirk. "No, this time I'll stay and play with you, Pres."
His words made my heart race. Was he serious this time? I was about to find out.
"Blitzkrieg!" I dashed straight toward Raul, aiming a right punch.
Raul dodged by tilting his head. He threw a right jab toward my head, but I dodged by leaning to the right.
"Hammer Krik!" I launched an uppercut coated in lightning toward Raul's chin.
But as usual, he effortlessly read my moves. I braced myself—this was one of Master Raymond's original combo techniques. Only a few people had ever seen it, and it was perfect for a confined space like this.
Raul's eyes stayed on my feet; he seemed to anticipate the first move of the technique. But I doubted he could block all of it.
"Tiger Hunt!"
I lunged with a right hook, but Raul ducked and stepped back. My foot aimed for his head, but he blocked it with his arm, absorbing the impact.
This was my chance.
"Eagle Rising!"
I began my combo: straight punch, right elbow, lateral flash, uppercut, cross elbow, left hook, knee strike. Out of the seven attacks, not a single one hit Raul directly. He skillfully blocked or dodged each one.
I started to think Raul might possess a Codex that allowed him to see the future. How else could he predict and evade my entire combo?
I activated Temper and Blitz magic in both my hands and feet, then launched another attack at Raul. But he turned and ran.
"Don't run away from me, Raul!" I chased after him, throwing another right hook.
He turned back, dodging my punch, and my fist smashed into one of the wooden beams. He grabbed my arm and pinned me against the tunnel wall. Our faces were inches apart.
"You picked a good place to fight, Raul," I taunted. "I can't use my best magic to beat you up in here."
"Well… this was just a coincidence, Pres," Raul replied, raising his hand to punch me.
"Magic Arrow!"
Raul released me and jumped back just as a magical arrow shot past my face, nearly hitting him.
"We'll fight together, Leader," Sarah said as she prepared another spell.
"Got it. You guys, cover me and limit his movement!"
Sarah and the other four mages in the back of our formation began chanting spells. Blue magic arrows appeared in their hands.
I reactivated my magic, sending lightning through my hands and feet.
"Magic Arrow!"
The five magic arrows flew past me, heading straight for the black-haired man.
Raul's hands and feet glowed as he dual-cast Temper and Accel magic.
Since when could he do that?
I didn't care and charged toward him.
Raul dodged three arrows and blocked the remaining two. He then dashed toward me at high speed.
We faced each other head-on. Raul appeared to be preparing a right hook. I readied a left punch to counter, but suddenly, I felt something hit my head.
My body slammed against the tunnel wall.
Ugh…
Did he use a feint? Pretending to throw a hook but actually delivering a left kick to my head?
I fell to the ground, and Raul kicked my heel hard, sending me tumbling.
Crack!
I saw Raul destroy one of the wooden beams supporting the tunnel. Instantly, I felt the ground begin to shake.
Raul sprinted away as fast as he could.
"Leader! The tunnel is collapsing!" Sarah shouted, warning me.
I got up, holding my head. "Hurry, get out of here!"
How could the tunnel collapse with just a few beams destroyed?
I watched Raul running away and realized we had fallen into his trap again.
"Almario del Relampago…"
I used my signature spell and dashed forward, chasing after Raul.
"I won't let you escape, Raul!"
We exited the tunnel and entered the inner mining area.
But as I stood before him, Raul turned around. A rune glowed on his left hand, and he smiled victoriously.
What spell was he about to use?
It didn't matter. We would exchange blows, and only the strongest would survive!
"Dragon Fist!" My left fist was charged with yellow lightning, forming the shape of a dragon's head.
Raul raised his left hand toward me.
Bam!
My punch landed squarely on his left cheek.
"Reject Impact…"
As Raul uttered the spell, my body was thrown back with tremendous force. I saw Raul also get flung backward from my lightning punch.
Crack!
My body slammed into the dirt wall with a thud. Every bone in my body felt like it was shattering after Raul's attack.
My vision blurred. I tried to get up, but immediately collapsed.
My legs felt weak… I tried to activate my magic, but nothing happened.
Ugh… I'm losing consciousness…
I hope the others made it out of the tunnel…
---
[3rd Person PoV]
Outside the tunnel, the remaining members of the Eagle and Griffon Clans were waiting for news from Elena and the others. However, nearly half an hour had passed, and they still hadn't come out.
"What do you think is happening in there?" one of the Griffon Clan mages asked.
But just as he spoke, they heard a rumbling sound from inside the tunnel. Dirt began to pour out from the entrance, and the ground above started to collapse as if there was a landslide.
"What's going on!?" Geralt exclaimed in shock as the tunnel Elena and the others had entered began to collapse.
"No way… Elena and the others…" Valeria murmured in despair.
"Damn it… That cowardly noble must've pulled something again!" Brian cursed.
The faces of the Griffon Clan members grew grim, while the remaining Eagle Clan members looked worried about their comrades trapped inside.