*****
"Uhhhh"
Silas grunted, his breaths growing heavier with each passing moment.
Beads of sweat trickled down his forehead, and his movements were becoming noticeably sluggish.
He was barely holding his ground against Professor Ed, and the strain was starting to show.
Fatigue etched itself onto his face, his once-sharp strikes now dulled by the sheer exhaustion creeping into his limbs.
His grip on the hilt of his sword wavered slightly, but he refused to loosen it.
Despite the clear disadvantage, Silas's eyes burned with determination.
'I can't give up… not yet. I've come too far to lose here.'
But even as he thought this, his body betrayed him, his legs trembling under the weight of his own dwindling stamina.
Ed, on the other hand, remained composed, his movements precise and effortless, as though this was nothing more than a warm-up for him.
Lyrium and the group watched in tense silence, the grim reality of the situation sinking in.
It was painfully obvious to everyone—Silas included—that he stood no chance against Professor Ed.
Silas's attacks, though relentless and precise, were nothing more than fleeting attempts to survive.
His strikes barely fazed the seasoned mage, and with each passing second, the gap between their strength and experience became more apparent.
Ren leaned closer to Lyrium, his voice low.
"He's hanging by a thread, mate. This is impossible."
Lyrium, still watching intently, nodded slightly.
"Even Silas knows that. He's not stupid. But…"
He trailed off, narrowing his eyes at Silas's trembling form.
"It's not about winning for him right now. It's about proving to himself that he can stand."
On the field, Silas's breathing was labored, his arms trembling as he held onto his sword.
He clenched his jaw, forcing his body to keep moving despite the overwhelming odds.
He knew—he knew—this was a battle he couldn't win.
Yet, even so, he refused to back down.
Even his mana was completely depleted, leaving him vulnerable.
The once-brilliant arcs of his perfected lightning affinity had long since faded, their absence making the battlefield feel cold and empty.
Silas's body trembled, his breaths ragged, as the harsh reality set in—he had no more strength left to draw from.
Without mana, his greatest advantage was gone.
The sword in his hand felt heavier with every passing second, as if mocking his inability to keep up.
Silas's knees buckled slightly, but he forced himself to stay upright, his grip tightening on the hilt of his blade.
In the audience, Lyrium's gaze darkened as he muttered,
"His mana's spent."
'Even his perfected affinity can't save him now.'
Ren glanced at Lyrium, concern evident in his voice.
"Then why is he still standing? He's already done more than anyone expected. He should just fall back."
But Lyrium shook his head.
"It's not in his nature. Silas isn't the type to back down, even if he knows it's hopeless. It's a stupid kind of bravery… but it's what makes him who he is."
Hearing his words Ren raise his eyebrows.
"How do you know about him that much?"
"...."
"It just my hypothesis"
On the battlefield, Silas knew he had nothing left—no mana, no strength, no chance.
Yet, as he stared into the unwavering eyes of Ed, he refused to step away.
'Even if I lose here… I'll lose standing.'
"Student Silas, you really are a stubborn one,"
Professor Ed said, his voice calm yet carrying a hint of amusement.
His tone wasn't mocking, nor was it laced with condescension.
Instead, it was almost like he was observing an unusual phenomenon—one that intrigued him.
Ed's sharp eyes bore into Silas, who stood trembling yet unwavering, his sword still gripped tightly despite the exhaustion consuming him.
"You've already pushed yourself beyond your limits,"
Ed continued, his hands resting calmly at his sides.
"Your mana is gone, your body is failing, and yet here you are, refusing to fall. Admirable, but futile."
Silas panted heavily, his vision blurring at the edges.
Even with his body screaming for rest, he managed to smirk through his exhaustion.
"Stubborn, huh? I'll take that as a compliment, Professor."
Ed raised an eyebrow at the response, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
"A compliment it is, then. But stubbornness alone won't save you in battle, boy. Show me what else you have… if there's anything left."
Silas tightened his jaw, his trembling hands barely managing to hold the hilt of his sword.
His thoughts raced as he stared at Professo Ed, who remained composed and unshaken.
'If there was anything left, I'd show you. I'd fight till the end. But no… not anymore. There's nothing I can do now.'
He exhaled sharply, his chest heaving with effort as he tried to steady his failing body.
'My mana is completely drained. I burned through everything to keep that lightning affinity active. And now? Now even my other tricks are useless.'
The weight of helplessness pressed down on him like a boulder.
He knew his limits had been reached.
Every fiber of his being screamed for him to stop, to just fall and let it end, but his pride wouldn't allow it.
'But even if there's nothing left to show, I can't just give up. I won't give him the satisfaction of seeing me quit.'
His grip on the sword tightened as he steadied his stance, forcing his legs not to buckle.
Even though his body was nearly broken, his resolve burned faintly, like a flickering candle in the wind.
*****
Professor Ed watched Silas closely, his sharp gaze analyzing the boy's every labored movement.
It had been 45 minutes since the match began a grueling battle that showcased Silas's impressive abilities, feats that far exceeded what was expected of a student, let alone someone still finding his footing in the world of sages.
Yes, Ed was impressed.
Silas had pushed himself to the brink, displaying skills and endurance that no ordinary sage could hope to achieve.
But his stubbornness... that was starting to grate on him.
"Haaa..."
Ed sighed inwardly, adjusting his posture as he stepped forward.
'You've done well, kid, but this is getting ridiculous.'
He thought to himself, watching Silas's trembling figure, his sword barely held aloft, his body swaying from exhaustion.
"Silas,"
Ed finally spoke, his voice steady but firm.
"You've proven your determination, and I acknowledge your strength. But you need to know when to stop."
The boy didn't reply, his resolve unshaken, his tired eyes meeting Ed's with defiance.
"Fine,"
Ed muttered, his tone tinged with irritation.
"If you won't end this, I will."
Step—!
Whesh—!
With a single, fluid motion, Ed closed the distance between them.
His movements were precise, almost effortless, as he prepared to deliver a calculated strike.
He aimed directly at the base of Silas's neck, where the spinal cord would ensure unconsciousness with minimal risk of lasting harm.
Silas's eyes widened as he saw the attack coming, his body too drained to even attempt to dodge.
"It's over, kid,"
Ed thought, as his fist moved with the kind of speed and power only a seasoned sage could wield.
Plap—!
The sharp sound of Ed's precise strike echoed through the field.
Then,
Thud—!
Silas's body collapsed to the ground with a heavy impact, his sword slipping from his grasp and clattering beside him.
His pupils rolled back, leaving only the white sclera visible, as he lay motionless, unconscious, like a lifeless doll.
The silence in the arena was deafening.
The audience sat frozen, the tension in the air still lingering even though the battle had ended.
Ed straightened himself, adjusting his gloves as he cast a glance down at Silas's prone figure.
"Stubborn to the very end,"
He muttered, his tone carrying a mix of respect and exasperation.
Instructor Alicia stepped forward, her face neutral but her eyes filled with concern.
"Professor Ed, was that really necessary?"
She asked as she knelt beside Silas, checking his pulse.
"He's fine,"
Ed replied curtly, crossing his arms.
"The boy needs to understand the limits of his strength. And to be honest, I've had enough of his reckless persistence for one day."
*****
Ren, sitting in the audience, leaned toward Lyrium and whispered,
Well… that was brutal."
Lyrium nodded, his gaze fixed on Silas.
"Yeah, but knowing him, this isn't the end. He's probably already dreaming about a rematch."
"Well, guess who's next?"
Ren said, as he leaned slightly toward Lyrium.
"There'll be a new professor for each of us, right? I mean… I don't know,"
He added, scratching the back of his head, his uncertainty evident in his tone.
"Sigh"
Lyrium sighed, his gaze still locked on the battlefield where Silas had just been carried off.
"That's the plan,"
He replied, crossing his arms.
"But with how unpredictable this academy is, who knows?"
Ren frowned.
"You're not helping, mate."
"Wasn't trying to,"
Lyrium shot back, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
"Just brace yourself. If it's you next, well… good luck."
"Heh,"
Ren chuckled, leaning back in his seat with a teasing grin.
"Says the guy who's about to get wrecked in a few minutes by the strongest sage of humanity. Honestly, Lyrium, you've got to be the unluckiest guy in this entire academy."
Lyrium shot him a side glance, his expression unamused.
"Thanks for the motivational speech, Ren. Really helps my confidence right now."
Ren shrugged, his grin widening.
"Just calling it how I see it, mate. I mean, it's not every day you get to be a punching bag for someone that legendary. Think of it as a learning experience!"
"Yeah, learning how to survive humiliation,"
Lyrium muttered under his breath, rolling his eyes.
"Haa..."
'I really hope I don't get wreck easily'
*****
Still improving...!!
Btw I check my novel, i 've reread all the current chaps and I found out that my writing is becoming more and more complex. Its a good improvement.
Then, bye for this chaps and,
Thanks for reading—!