The excitement from Aidan's duel hadn't even settled when Egbert confidently stepped forward pointing at one of the Archons.
"I challenge you!"
The crowd hushed, their gazes shifting toward one of the remaining Archons.
A tall, broad-shouldered young man stepped forward. His dark brown hair was slitted back into a clean style, and his bronze skin bore a faint scar by the chin. His amber eyes locked onto Egbert with amusement.
"That's..."
"I, Alaric Valehart, accept your challenge," the Archon declared confidently.
Murmurs spread among the students.
"The fourth-year's top earth elementalist."
"A student athlete too… his physical prowess is as terrifying as his Mystical Art."
"Tell me, what's your name, Freshman?" Alaric asked with a commanding voice.
Despite the intimidation, he stood his ground. "I am Egbert," he said firmly, tightening his grip on the staff. "And I'll rely solely on my swordsmanship—no Mystical Arts."
The upperclassmen stared.
"…Isn't this déjà vu?" one whispered.
The freshmen winced. Aidan had fought an air elemental master with fire. Egbert was choosing to fight an earth elemental master with just a sword?
But instead of laughing, Alaric smiled—genuine and passionate. "I respect your chivalry," he said, rolling his shoulders. "A Magian is weak against a skilled swordsman, so I'll give you a handicap. You see, the sword is my specialty as well."
Egbert nodded, gripping his staff firmly, holding it like a blade.
Alaric remained in place, his feet set in a ready stance.
Seeing the both of them are now ready, the Professor declared, "This duel will end when one participant is incapacitated or yields by dematerializing their staff. Let the Duel, begin!"
The moment the duel commenced, Egbert rushed in. His staff, a weapon meant for channeling the Mystical Arts, looked awkward in his hands as a sword.
It lacked the balance of a blade, and he had to adjust his swings mid-strike.
Alaric didn't move, he simply watched. Then...
BOOM!
He stomped the ground. A shockwave rippled outward, sending jagged stone pillars shooting up from the arena floor.
"Was that chantless?" Someone whispered.
"No," someone answered with a smirk, "it was kinesthetic encantation, a form of chanting derived from body language rather than vocal incantations. This method is mostly used by Martial Artists."
Egbert dodged left, barely avoiding a pillar that nearly skewered him.
Alaric smiled. "Let's see how long you last... Terra pulsus."
The ground beneath Egbert lurched. The floor cracked open, forcing Egbert to leap before the jagged rocks could trap his legs.
Mid-air, he twisted his body, gripping his staff tightly, and swung.
With sheer strength and precision, he slammed the staff against a protruding pillar, using the impact to propel himself forward at Alaric.
The Archon's eyes narrowed. "Petrae contorquens."
A boulder materialized beside Alaric, spinning rapidly before he punched it.
The massive stone projectile shot toward Egbert like a cannonball.
Egbert's instincts kicked in. He gritted his teeth and ducked mid-air.
The boulder missed his head by inches, shattering against the barrier behind him.
In the split second before he landed, Egbert saw an opening.
Alaric had stopped casting.
Egbert exhaled sharply. This was his chance. The moment his feet touched the ground, he launched forward.
His staff glowed faintly, not from mana, but from the sheer force behind his grip.
With one swift movement, he swung. A perfectly timed horizontal strike straight at Alaric's ribs.
The crowd gasped in unison.
Alaric's eyes widened, realizing he had underestimated Egbert's raw skill.
With a swift motion, Egbert swung his staff.
For a fleeting moment, it seemed like Egbert might actually win.
But to everyone's surprise, Alaric's staff shrank until it was small enough for Egbert to grip comfortably, and then a blade shot out from the end of its shaft.
The blade collided with Alaric's weapon with a sharp clang.
The crowd buzzed with confusion, eyes darting between Egbert and Alaric.
One person from the crowd leaned over to another and asked, "What just happened?"
"His staff became a sword?"
The second person, clearly recognizing the technique, gave a knowing nod. "That was adaptive weaponry. Alaric's staff isn't just any staff—it's one of the rare few capable of transforming into a blade when mana is channeled through it. These staffs are unique and don't just accept any master; they choose Magians with exceptional potential in both Mystical and Martial Arts. It's a technique designed to catch opponents off guard—and it looks like it worked."
Then, Alaric smirked. "Terra cohibita."
The ground beneath Egbert's feet collapsed. His footing vanished, swallowed by shifting sand. His strike lost momentum.
And in that instant, Alaric turned his body and slammed his fist into Egbert's stomach.
Thump!
Egbert's vision blurred.
Everything fell silent.
The next thing he knew, he was on the ground, staring up at the sky.
It was over. The duel had ended in an instant. Silence hung in the air before the crowd erupted into cheers and whispers.
"He almost won…"
"But Alaric ended it effortlessly."
Egbert groaned, pushing himself up. Pain throbbed through his body, but he refused to stay down.
Alaric extended a hand.
Egbert hesitated then grasped it.
The Archon pulled him up with ease.
"You're reckless," Alaric said, grinning. "But that took guts."
Egbert coughed. "Tch… I almost had you."
Alaric chuckled. "You really did." He patted Egbert's shoulder. "I like your chivalry. You fight with honor. Come train with the Valdoris Archeon in the Training Grounds tomorrow before the sun rises." His amber eyes glowed with excitement. "And next time, I won't let my guard down."
Egbert smirked. "You better not."
Professor Schafer stepped forward, his voice carrying across the arena. "The duel has concluded! The victor is Alaric!" He let the declaration settle
And with that, the second duel of the Academy's Welcoming Duels came to an en with the students overwhelming claps and whistles.
And as the crowd settled after the last fight, the air in the arena buzzed with excitement and whispered conversations.
Austin and Lucian lingered near the edge of the stone steps, away from the others.
Lucian was still inspecting his new staff, turning it over in his hands as if trying to grasp the weight of his achievement.
That was when Yanika appeared, making her way through the students with her usual stride.
Her auburn hair that was not braided shimmered under the daylight, her eyes lit up the moment she found the duo.
"There you are!" she called out, a bright smile on her face as she approached. "I've been looking for you two."
Lucian glanced up, startled, but quickly straightened. "Yanika?"
She stopped in front of them and clasped her hands together. "First of all—Lucian, congratulations! Your staff suits you well."