Lucian blinked before rubbing the back of his head, suddenly sheepish. "Thanks. I wasn't expecting it to happen so fast."
"It just means it was meant to be," Yanika said warmly. Then she turned to Austin, her expression softening. "And you—"
Austin stiffened slightly.
"—must be feeling a little frustrated right now," she said gently.
He exhaled through his nose, his lips pressing into a thin line. "I wouldn't say frustrated."
Yanika raised an eyebrow. "Then what would you say?"
Austin didn't answer right away.
The truth was, he was frustrated. It wasn't even about what others thought—it was the fact that he could sense the presence of the staves, yet none had chosen him.
No matter how much he told himself it didn't matter, the nagging feeling of being left out remained.
Worse still, being mediocre drew just as much attention as excelling.
Yanika must have sensed it because she stepped closer and lowered her voice. "You know… it's actually not a bad thing."
Austin met her gaze, skeptical. "How is it not bad?"
She smiled. "It just means you have more time."
"More time?"
Yanika nodded. "You can come back. You can visit whenever you want and try again. Who knows? Maybe a stronger staff is just waiting for the right moment to resonate and bond with you."
Austin stared at her for a moment.
It was a hopeful thought. He hadn't considered that possibility.
Lucian, who had been quiet, suddenly spoke up. "She has a point, Austin. It's not like the staves are going anywhere."
Austin let out a small huff as he stared at Lucian for saying the right thing for the first time, glancing back at the vast arena.
The shadows of the towering stands stretched across the battlefield.
He wasn't convinced—not yet—but at least, for now, the thought didn't leave such a bitter taste. "Maybe," he muttered.
Yanika beamed. "That's the spirit!"
"I would like to request a duel."
Yanika sharply turn her head when she heard that someone else requested another duel
Along with her, all eyes turned to the source. A girl stood tall, her hands clenched into fists.
All the students exchanged glances.
One of the upperclassmen raised an eyebrow. "Is she serious?"
A freshman smirked. "Didn't she just throw up earlier? Guess she's got more guts than we thought."
Yanika, still surprised, studied the girl carefully. There was no trace of hesitation in her stance—only determination.
"She doesn't even have a family name…"
Whispers spread like wildfire.
A noble smirked. "A commoner challenging an Archon? This should be amusing."
The upperclassmen waited, intrigued by whom she would choose.
Then Ava lifted her chin defiantly and pointed toward the only female Archon.
The crowd stiffened.
It was Erynior's Archon. The blonde-haired noblewoman with piercing blue eyes who radiated an untouchable grace. Her elegant uniform was spotless, and her jewelry was delicate yet expensive.
The murmurs grew as everyone waited for a response from the Archon.
"She's Lady Evelyne Vortessa. A daughter of the Vortessa family, known for their unyielding mastery of earth magic and their long-standing disdain for commoners."
The moment Ava spoke her challenge, Evelyne tilted her head then she laughed.
A slow, mocking laugh that sent a chill through the watching students. "I must have misheard," Evelyne mused, placing a delicate hand over her chest. "Surely, a filthy little thing like you wouldn't dare challenge me."
Ava said nothing.
Evelyne sighed dramatically.
"..."
"Perhaps the Academy should do a better job at screening its applicants. To think they allow someone as… unpolished as you to stand before me. There's no need for me to introduce myself to a peasant like you." Her blue eyes flickered down Ava's arms then she smirked.
"..."
"Oh, but how bold of you." She gestured vaguely to Ava's skin, which was darker than most of the noble-born students. "To challenge me when you've already been cursed with such… unfortunate pigmentation."
A cruel snicker rippled through the noble students.
Ava's fingers twitched but she didn't let it get to her. "I'm not here for your opinion," Ava said simply. "Just your fight."
Evelyne raised a perfectly sculpted brow. "Very well," she sighed. "Let's get this over with."
Professor Fuchs raised his hand, his voice carrying over the murmuring crowd. "Since both duelists are ready, let the third battle begin!"
In an instant—
"She vanished?" A noble said, failing to follow Ava's movements.
The moment Evelyne realized, Ava was already behind her.
Evelyne's eyes widened.
Ava's speed was inhuman. "Venti exurens!"
A fierce gust of razor-sharp wind slashed toward Evelyne. The Archon barely had time to react.
"Terrae murus!" Evelyn chanted.
A stone barrier erupted from the ground, shielding her just in time.
But Ava was already gone.
Evelyne gritted her teeth. "Tch. Annoying pest." She stomped her heel. "Vincula telluris!"
The ground cracked beneath her command, thick stone vines shooting out to ensnare Ava.
Ava twisted mid-air, dodging nimbly. But the moment her foot touched the ground—
"Petra tempestas!" Evelyne yelled.
Shards of rock exploded in all directions.
Ava raised her arms, bracing against the impact.
Dust clouded the arena.
Evelyne scoffed. "It's over."
Silence, then—
Whoosh!
A faint breeze stirred the dust.
Evelyne froze as her instincts screamed but before she could react, Ava emerged from the cloud like a specter, her foot aimed straight at Evelyne's chest.
CRACK.
The impact sent Evelyne staggering back.
The crowd gasped.
"The Archon… stumbled?"
Evelyne's breath hitched. "You…!" She gathered mana for a final spell only for Ava to vanish again. Evelyne's eyes darted wildly. Where—?!
"Behind you!" Someone yelled from the audience.
A sudden gust of wind was the only warning Evelyne got before Ava reappeared.
Ava whispered a single phrase. "Ventus celeritas." Her palm struck Evelyne's stomach.
A burst of compressed air sent the noblewoman reeling.
Then there was silence.
As the dust settled, the arena revealed the two standing women.
Ava, panting heavily.
Evelyne, upright.
For a moment, it seemed the duel had reached a standstill, expecting that the panting Ava would lose.
But then, Evelyne's eyes rolled back. She collapsed face-first into the dirt.
The entire arena erupted into shock.
"…She won?"
"A commoner defeated an Archon?"
"But wait, she just bonded with her staff, right? What's with this monstrous adaption?"
The nobles were stunned. The common-born students were silent.
Then, as realization dawned, the freshmen roared in celebration.
Ava, still catching her breath, wiped the sweat from her brow.
She didn't need anyone to cheer for her.
The sight of Evelyne Vortessa unconscious at her feet was enough. Her clenched fists and trembling shoulders spoke of more than victory.
This was personal.
***
From one of the upper levels of the Arena, Professor Beaumont smiled knowingly as he watched Ava won.
What he foresaw when Aidan challenged Austin to a duel yesterday was slowly becoming a reality.
But then, his expression shifted to one of sadness.
It was human nature to look down on others—the reasons might change, but the behavior remained the same.