Three Days Before the Long-Awaited Duel
Three days before the much-anticipated duel, Professor Takeda broke the silence that had enveloped the meditation hall. Everyone was deep in concentration, channeling their energies, when his firm yet warm voice cut through the stillness.
"I know I'm interrupting an important moment, but there's something I need to share with you," he announced. "As you know, in a few days, there will be a duel between two of your colleagues. I recommend that you all watch—it will be a valuable learning opportunity. Over the past few months, I've observed these two, and I can assure you that we are about to witness a memorable fight."
The professor paused, letting his words echo in our minds. He then walked over to his desk and produced a small, silver metal sphere with a red button in its center, holding it up so that everyone could see.
"Now, I didn't interrupt this session just to talk about the duel. Pay close attention, especially you two," he said, directing his gaze at Ryuji and Lee.
With a simple motion, he pressed the button while holding the object against his chest. In an instant, the small sphere expanded, transforming into a vest that enveloped his torso. It was a black vest with silver trim—seemingly simple, yet with a crucial purpose.
"This," he explained as he tapped the vest, "is literally a life vest. All duels will be conducted wearing these. They are designed to detect when an attack is truly severe—when it could cause serious injury. At that moment, the vest releases a large amount of pure mana and activates a powerful healing spell to restore any damage, even if it means regenerating lost limbs."
Rei, ever curious, raised her hand. The professor nodded, granting her permission to speak.
"Are these vests used in missions as well?" she asked, her tone filled with genuine interest.
A slight smile crossed the professor's face, appreciating the insight of her question. "No, Rei. These vests function only within the arena. However, their use in missions is something many of you hope for in the future—a very good observation."
Ryuji Takeshi's vision
Battle in the Arena
In the arena, I felt a surge of both nervousness and determination building inside me. The sound of my footsteps on the compacted earth, each imprint I left behind, bolstered my confidence. This was the moment I had trained for—the moment I would prove to myself and to everyone what I was capable of.
Looking around, I realized that I wasn't the only one eager for this fight. Students from other classes and years had gathered to watch, their eyes brimming with anticipation. I wasn't particularly interested in a flashy display; if possible, I wanted to end the duel as quickly as possible.
Moving away from the arena's towering walls toward the marked area on the ground, my opponent and I waited for the duel to begin. I estimated that Lee Min was about fifty meters away, meaning the arena must span roughly one hundred meters in diameter.
"Hey, Take!" I heard Lee's voice call out with a light shout. A confident smile spread across his face as he declared, "Have some fun!" The challenge in his words sent a thrill down my spine.
I couldn't help but smile in response. Finally, it was time.
Suddenly, Professor Tanaka appeared in the center of the arena—a sight I had come to expect by now. His eyes scanned the crowd before settling on us, the two competitors.
"Attention, everyone," his voice reverberated through the arena, echoing off every corner and commanding silence as if by magic. "For the seniors, I know you've missed a good duel. Today, our main attraction features two first-year group leaders: Lee Min-Jae and Ryuji Takeshi." He paused, allowing the applause to subside before continuing. "The rules are simple: whoever has the life vest activated, loses consciousness, or asks to forfeit will be declared the loser."
The murmurs of the spectators filled the air, creating an electric charge that prickled my skin. I found that I didn't hate the attention—in fact, it fueled me.
"May the strongest win," declared Tanaka before vanishing from sight as mysteriously as he had appeared, leaving the field open for the duel.
My mind sharpened like a blade. The moment to execute my plan had arrived. I walked calmly toward my opponent, adrenaline pulsing through my veins. My heart pounded fast but remained controlled.
Lee Min's confident demeanor mirrored my own as he too advanced. When we were only ten meters apart, I launched forward in a fierce burst, closing the gap. But he was not caught off guard; as if anticipating my move, he grounded himself for close combat.
Just as I expected, his eyes told me he was ready for anything I might try. We were about to fight on equal footing, and that realization made the prospect of victory all the sweeter.
I lowered my guard and threw a series of light punches to test his defense. He blocked them easily with precise movements. But when I saw a small opening, I intensified my next blow. Swiftly, I delivered a powerful punch that he sidestepped, forcing me to pivot and follow up with a spinning kick aimed at his head.
At the last moment, he blocked with his arm—a flawless defense that sent him reeling several meters back, leaving a clear mark on the arena floor.
"Looks like you're good at using pure mana," Lee taunted, a challenging smile playing on his lips.
"You talk as if you haven't done the same," I retorted. My adrenaline surged, and an involuntary smile tugged at my lips. "Either way, I think the warm-up is over."
The first element was identified: Air.
Without delay, I dropped down and quickly conjured a small stone dagger—my work wasn't perfect, but it would suffice. Lee, however, wasted no time; he lunged forward with alarming speed.
His hands blurred as he attacked, and every move I blocked or dodged showcased his refined technique and raw power. It wasn't just brute force—it was control and precision. Every strike carried significant force, and for a moment, I felt the weight of each blow.
Yet I noticed something: like me, he hadn't yet mastered pure mana infusion in all his moves, a small vulnerability I could exploit.
The arena's earthen floor bore the scars of our battle—each move kicked up clouds of dust, and the sound of our impacts thundered through the enclosed space, making the spectators hold their breath. I barely had time to properly use my dagger; he was in constant motion, using the momentum of the air to enhance the speed of his attacks, launching a flurry of strikes that were nearly impossible to predict.
Aiko, unaccustomed to such rapid air manipulation, could only defend patiently.
As his movements became monotonous and predictable, I sensed his pressure on me waning. He was preparing something—and that was my cue. I reached out with my arm, aiming to pierce him with my stone dagger, but to my surprise, he vanished from my sight for a split second. My heart pounded—where did he go? A raw thought crossed my mind: he must have gone beneath me. Instinctively, I jerked my head back, trying to evade an attack I knew was coming.
Thankfully, I was right. The blow came from below, striking my extended arm and forcing it to the side. It wasn't a devastating hit, but it was enough to knock me off balance. For a critical second, I lost control, and in that moment, I saw Lee preparing a more devastating attack. A massive kick was coalescing—a visible vortex of wind gathered around his leg, signaling the impending force. I braced myself for impact.
The kick slammed into my stomach with overwhelming force. My body arched through the air, and in seconds, I felt as if I had lost all footing. The blue sky flashed past my eyes as I was hurled backward. When I finally hit the ground, I realized I had been thrown a significant distance. The pain was sharp but not crippling—some part of me had absorbed most of the shock.
I sprang to my feet, ignoring the lingering ache in my muscles, as the crowd roared with surprise and admiration. "How is he still standing after that?" and "Incredible!" were the shouts that filled the air. I felt something stir under my shirt and lifted it to find several stones falling out—a sign that, for a moment, my tactic had worked, though my protective barrier had been expended.
Lee remained in his stance, hands behind his back, as if waiting. His smile never wavered, and that infuriated and challenged me simultaneously.
"I suppose you lost your trick rather quickly, didn't you?" Lee mocked, his tone oozing confidence. One of his hands beckoned me.
"Using Darkness to strengthen stone must be difficult for you, right? Think you can do it again?" he goaded, somehow exposing my secret. I pushed that thought aside and refocused on the duel.
"Now it's time for the second round," I declared, striving to maintain my composure. Slowly, I allowed the stone to reform around my hand, molding perfectly to my fist. Then, with great effort, I let Darkness fill it—a challenging control that I managed to harness with difficulty. I silently thanked Lee for giving me the opportunity to execute such a complex move, knowing it was only the beginning.
Unfortunately, I couldn't manage to incorporate another element—though, given my control, it might be my primary or even sole asset for now. I couldn't risk too much; I needed to be sure.
With no clear advantage yet, I had to do something different.
I resumed my approach as before, measuring every step, my eyes fixed on Lee. But this time, he didn't advance to meet me. Something in his posture had changed, fueling my suspicion—he must have a trick up his sleeve.
I decided to make a break for it, channeling pure mana into my legs. In a single powerful stride, I closed the gap between us. The world around me seemed to slow, as if time itself was about to freeze. I could see everything with startling clarity—even Lee's smirk widening, just a split second before impact.
I drew my right arm from my back and noticed something unusual: he was clutching a small, black blade, nearly imperceptible. A vortex of air began swirling around it, spinning rapidly as he positioned his arm threateningly. A shiver ran down my spine, and one thought dominated my mind: danger.
There was no time for hesitation. I quickly tilted my head to the side, and in that split second, the blade swept through the space where my head had been moments before. I felt a sharp cut along my cheek—if that blade had hit me squarely, everything would have been over. Not even pure mana could have stopped it.
I retreated quickly, trying to regain my focus. The warm rush of blood on my cheek reminded me that I was still alive and fighting. Lee returned to his combat stance, ready for the next move. The brief loss of my smile was replaced by a determined one.
"First element identified: Darkness," I noted internally. "He'll only get one more chance."
Lee didn't give me time to ponder. He mimicked my advance, his long black blade aimed straight at me. At the last moment, I managed to deflect it with the back of my hand. The blade and my gloves remained unharmed—an indication that his control over Darkness was on par with mine.
An intense exchange of blows ensued. Every move Lee made was calculated; he had ceased using wind for massive bursts, instead adding just a touch of extra speed to his strikes. I, too, had to be cautious—half of my mana was already gone.
Years of training with my grandfather came flooding back, enabling me to counter every attack with precision. The swordsmanship lessons he'd taught me—about remaining calm even under immense pressure—proved invaluable. I managed to keep pace with Lee, blocking and evading his strikes effectively, though I knew it couldn't last forever.
Time seemed to distort; seconds or minutes passed—I couldn't be sure. What mattered was that I had finally seen the key to victory: a tiny crack had formed in Lee's black blade. It was almost imperceptible, yet it was there. Each time I landed a hit, Lee used pure mana to defend himself, but his blade was beginning to weaken while my gloves remained intact. I was gaining the upper hand, and the path to victory was slowly unfolding.
Lee's attacks became predictable once more. He was repeating a pattern, and I knew I just had to wait for the perfect moment. My adrenaline surged, my focus sharpened—every thought was devoted to my next move.
First, a slicing blow from the side, followed by a swift kick, then another lateral strike… and finally, the lowered stance I'd been anticipating. The decisive move was coming, and I was ready.
I gathered pure mana in my arm and unleashed a powerful punch aimed at Lee's blade. The impact was like thunder, shattering his blade into fragments that flew in every direction. It was it—I had broken his weapon and was about to land a crushing blow to his body. For a moment, victory seemed certain.
But then something unexpected happened. As the blade shattered, a jet of water burst forth, striking my face and eyes. This water was no ordinary liquid—it was dense, almost alive. I lost sight of Lee as the water blinded me, plunging me into the same desperate situation as before.
I tried to leap backward, but the ground beneath me turned slick with water, treacherous and slippery. The liquid began to move, pulling me toward Lee, and before I could react, a heavy punch struck my chest.
The impact was brutal, hurling me away once again. This time, the pain was unbearable, radiating from my chest throughout my body, with each breath a struggle.
I couldn't afford to give up—not now. With every ounce of strength, I forced myself to stand, ignoring the tremors in my legs. Lee advanced, his face a mixture of determination and satisfaction that made my blood boil.
"Third element identified: Water," I noted internally. It was time to put my plan into action, starting with my arm.
Lee threw an initial punch that I managed to block, maintaining my footing. But soon, he unleashed an explosive blow. The pain in my chest made my movements sluggish, but I anticipated his attack in time to deflect it.
The impact reverberated through my body as my fist met his in a clash of forces. For a brief second, I felt a surge of triumph at having withstood the pain, but that quickly turned to concern when a jet of water burst from Lee's shoulder, striking my hand hard.
I stepped back and glanced at the impact site—there, a crack was forming. Another problematic strike.
"Your defeat is near," he said, his tone dripping with confidence. He advanced with astonishing speed, launching another punch. The persistent pain in my chest hampered my movements, and he exploited this, repeating his attack twice more until, on the third, the glove on my right hand shattered. As it did, I saw my other glove beginning to come apart on its own. My struggle with the Darkness element had finally reared its head.
"Now we're even," Lee remarked with a victorious smile.
But I wouldn't let him finish this fight on his terms. I advanced, dodging a massive kick he delivered. Just as I was about to strike, a thin barrier of water materialized between us. Although I managed to break through it, the power of my attack was significantly diminished. I quickly retreated to regroup.
I re-coated my arms with stone magic, feeling the solid weight of earth strengthening me. The exchange of blows resumed. Lee delivered a straight punch followed by a quick hook; I evaded with precision, anticipating his moves. Seizing an opening, I spun and delivered a kick. As expected, a wall of water rose to block it, but this time, my strike was reinforced with pure mana, and the barrier exploded in a shower of sparkling droplets.
Lee raised his arm to defend himself, but that only made me smile. With every last bit of strength, I interrupted his kick mid-motion, stamping firmly on the ground as one of my arms reached out to grab his. For the first time in the duel, Lee appeared surprised. Taking advantage of his hesitation, I concentrated my energy and formed a stake of light, driving it cleanly through his arm.
Then, an explosion of water erupted around us. When the mist cleared, I noticed that the light stake embedded in his arm didn't seem to bother him at all. His eyes, burning with unwavering determination, locked onto mine.
"I win," his gaze said it all—something significant was imminent. My only option was to wager every last reserve of mana, though I was nearly spent.
My entire body trembled, and suddenly I was paralyzed, standing still as I tried to comprehend what had just hit me. When the surrounding smoke finally cleared, I realized that electricity was emanating from his hand, enveloping me in complete paralysis.
My muscles were locked, unresponsive. I wasn't sure how I was still standing, but the pain was excruciating, radiating through every fiber of my being.
"It's a pity you didn't use fire; maybe the fight would have been different," Lee said as he crouched, preparing for the final strike. He channeled wind into his feet and electricity into his hands. I knew I had to move—or it would be the end. My eyes scanned the arena, catching familiar, worried faces.
"Out of respect for you, I'll use everything I have." For the first time, his voice carried a serious tone, devoid of its usual arrogance.
I hoped I had bet on the right outcome, but before I could think, I murmured, "Ah… I lost…" closing my eyes as I braced for the impact.
There were no more thoughts—only the sensation of being suspended in mid-air before being violently hurled against the arena wall. The pain in my legs was so intense I nearly vomited.
When I opened my eyes, I noticed that I could still move my hands—exactly what I needed.
Gripping his arm with my left, I raised my right hand toward him. "This is all I have…" I whispered, almost powerless.
"How are you still conscious?" Lee shouted, losing his composure. He tried to pull his arm back, but I had stored pure mana in that limb. A red glow began to emanate from my hand. This strike was the culmination of all my grueling training—the peak of my determination. Two faces came to mind: Hana and my grandfather. The promise I made to both fueled me to this moment.
Desperate, Lee glowed with pure mana as he tugged at his arm, fear evident in his eyes. For the first time, I saw him vulnerable; even his usually flawless control had faltered.
"It looks like I bet correctly…" I murmured, a tired smile forming on my lips. "I win."
A tremendous explosion burst from the palm of my hand, draining the rest of the mana from my body. It was probably my body's instinctive defense mechanism. Looking ahead, I saw my adversary being thrown against the far wall of the arena. That blow was even more powerful than I had imagined.
"The winner is Ryu Takeshi!" announced the referee, and then the crowd erupted in cheers and applause. That was the last thing I heard before I blacked out, collapsing in the arena with a satisfied smile.