*****
Whewsh—!
Step—!
A figure emerged from the swirling blue mist, stepping onto the battlefield with an aura of overwhelming presence.
The mana radiating from it was palpable, making the air feel heavy and charged.
It stood tall and imposing before Silas, its features slowly becoming clear through the dissipating fog.
Silas tightened his grip on his sword, his gaze locked onto the figure.
The battlefield now felt like the stage for something monumental, the tension gripping everyone watching.
Lyrium and Ren, seated in the audience, watched the scene unfold with wide eyes, unable to hide their expressions of awe.
"Now that was one hell of an entry,"
Lyrium muttered, leaning forward slightly as if to get a better look.
"You know, right,"
Ren replied, nodding in agreement, his tone equally impressed.
"It's like something straight out of a legend."
The two exchanged a glance, the excitement and tension of the moment clearly reflected in their faces as the figure on the battlefield stood motionless, exuding an intimidating aura.
'There it is... Ed Constatain, a walking legend,'
His figure was that of a middle-aged man with a powerful and imposing physique, the kind that spoke of years of relentless training and battle.
His long, flowing silver-white hair framed his sharp, chiseled face, giving him an almost regal yet intimidating appearance.
But what truly captured everyone's attention were his eyes—those haunting reverse eyes.
They looked like they belonged to a devil, with stark white pupils surrounded by pitch-black sclera.
It was a gaze that pierced through the soul, radiating authority and danger.
Dressed in a dark, tailored suit and black pants, his attire was both sophisticated and menacing, amplifying his already overwhelming presence.
He stood there, unarmed, with his hands casually by his sides, exuding a confidence that bordered on arrogance.
He didn't need a weapon.
He didn't think Silas—or any academy student, for that matter—was worth the trouble of bringing one.
To him, this wasn't a battle; it was merely a formality.
Lyrium thought, his eyes fixed on the battlefield.
'Past tense or not, his mastery over fire and water elements will be a perfect counter to Silas's techniques.'
He shifted slightly in his seat, his expression tightening as he continued his inner monologue.
'And if that wasn't enough, Ed's greatest advantage is the sheer experience he's accumulated from countless battles. Every step, every move—it's all calculated. But Silas...'
Lyrium's gaze lingered on the young swordsman or rather a sage standing across from Ed.
'Silas is still just a kid, relying on the system to get stronger. He's talented, no doubt, but this won't be easy. In the novel Eugene one shotted him easily. Let see what he do here.'
Then, Instructor Alicia's voice cut through the air, sharp and commanding, silencing the murmurs of the audience.
"Physical Assessment: Professor Ed Constatain of Deviants Academy versus Silas Kingslay, Student of Deviants Academy,"
She announced, her tone leaving no room for distraction.
She let the words hang in the air for a moment before continuing,
"Please be ready."
The tension on the field was palpable, the anticipation rippling through the group as all eyes turned to the two figures standing across from each other.
"Kid, I hope you give it your all in this battle,"
Professor Constatain said, his deep voice carrying a weight of authority that made the air feel heavier.
"Because without it, you won't even stand a chance of clearing it."
His words lingered in the tense atmosphere, reaching Silas's ears.
Silas nodded inwardly, acknowledging the challenge, and offered the professor a brief, faint smile.
But he didn't say a word in response.
Instead, he simply stared at him, his gaze steady and unyielding, as if conveying his resolve through silence alone.
Then,
Alicia raised her left hand, holding it upright, and made a gun gesture with her fingers, pointing it towards the sky.
A faint red glow began to form at the tip of her index finger, slowly growing as she carefully shaped it into a small, perfectly round sphere.
With a final flick of her wrist, she released it into the air, where it soared for a brief moment before—
Boom—!
The explosion rang out, a deafening crack splitting the tension in the air, signaling the start of the match.
The battlefield was alive with energy now, and the fight between Professor Ed Constatain and Silas Kingslay was finally underway.
.
.
Silas made the first move, dashing toward Ed with a burst of speed that left little time for hesitation.
He didn't rely on any skills or abilities—just his raw strength and determination driving him forward.
His long sword was held sideways in his hand, the blade gleaming in the light as if ready to strike at any given moment.
Every step was calculated, his muscles tense and poised for action.
His eyes locked on Ed, not a trace of fear in his gaze, only the resolve to push forward and face whatever the battle had in store.
The moment he closed the distance, it was clear—he was preparing for something big.
Shiish—!
Then, at a swift movement, Silas wing his sword on his left trying to slash Ed through his belly.
Slash—!
Clank—!
Silas's blade struck with full force, but to his shock, Professor Ed deflected it effortlessly.
The edge of the sword met the professor's raised index finger, a faint ripple of mana shimmering at the point of contact.
Silas's eyes widened.
'He stopped my strike... with just one finger?'
Ed remained calm, his expression unreadable, as if this level of attack wasn't even worth his attention.
The slight smirk tugging at the corner of his lips only added to the growing frustration in Silas's mind.
Step—!
But Silas wasn't one to back down.
Without missing a beat, he dashed toward Ed once more, his determination unwavering.
This time, he unleashed a relentless barrage of sword swings, each strike slicing through the air with deadly precision.
The sheer speed of his movements was astounding, his blade moving so quickly it almost seemed to blur.
These weren't the wild, desperate swings of an amateur—they were refined, deliberate, and practiced, as though forged from years of rigorous training.
Each strike was calculated, aimed at vulnerable points with the intent to overwhelm Ed's defenses.
Silas's expression was fierce, his focus absolute, pouring everything into his assault as he closed the gap between them again and again.
Swish—!
Swish—!
Slash—!
Clank—!
Every time Silas swung his sword, aiming for Ed's vital points in an effort to shatter his defenses, he was met with the same result.
Ed's index finger, glowing faintly with mana, intercepted each attack with precise timing, effortlessly deflecting the blade as though it were nothing more than a practice strike.
Silas's strikes were relentless, his movements fluid and focused, yet it felt as if he were hitting an impenetrable wall.
Each clash sent a sharp metallic ring echoing across the field, the sound of steel meeting something far stronger.
His frustration grew with every failed attempt.
'How is he doing this so effortlessly?'
Silas thought, his grip tightening on the hilt of his sword.
But despite the mounting pressure, he didn't falter—he refused to back down.
Krieak—!
'Chnge of plans damn it'
Silas gritted his teeth, realizing that without using everything at his disposal, he wouldn't even come close to breaking through Ed's impenetrable defense.
Without hesitation, he channeled his lightning affinity mana into his blade, the air around it crackling as streaks of blue energy danced along its surface.
The sword seemed to hum with newfound power, the refined energy amplifying not just its strength but also its speed.
With a surge of determination, Silas swung the sword once more, this time at an even faster rate, each strike charged with the ferocity of lightning itself.
The battlefield lit up with flashes of blue as the enhanced blade sliced through the air toward Ed, the sheer intensity making it clear Silas was no longer holding back.
This was his all—or nothing.
*****
'He is still holding back. Like this he will likely killed himself'
Lyrium sat in the audience seats, his arms crossed tightly over his chest, while Ren lounged beside him, watching the match unfold.
His eyes were fixed on the battlefield, where one of the academy's strongest sages, Professor Ed Constatain, faced off against Silas.
The tension in the air was palpable, and it was painfully clear that Silas was at a severe disadvantage.
Despite his relentless strikes and lightning-infused swordplay, Ed deflected each attack with an almost dismissive ease.
Lyrium's gaze sharpened as he observed every movement, his expression unreadable.
'One of the strongest sages' versus the story's protagonist... and yet, he's barely holding his ground.'
Ren leaned over slightly, breaking Lyrium's train of thought.
"So, what do you think? Does he have a chance?"
Lyrium didn't respond immediately, his focus still locked on Silas.
"That depends,"
He muttered, his tone low.
"How far he's willing to push himself."
Lyrium leaned back slightly, his gaze never leaving the intense battle unfolding before him.
Ren, sensing his friend's deep focus, asked,
"What's on your mind, mate? Think Silas can pull through?"
Lyrium remained silent for a moment, watching as Silas's lightning-infused strikes were parried effortlessly by Ed.
Then, without turning to Ren, he spoke, his tone calm yet thoughtful.
"Desperation can drive a man to fight harder than ever before, but it's discipline and resolve that decide whether he breaks or survives. Let's see which one Silas clings to."
Ren raised an eyebrow at the comment but said nothing, his attention shifting back to the battle.
Lyrium, on the other hand, kept his arms crossed, his mind analyzing every move Silas made, waiting to see if the so-called protagonist could prove his words true.
*****
Thanks for reading—!
And I don't know if the action and fight scenes have good writing quality since I already told you guys I am still improving writing this scenes...comment your opinion please..—!