The training grounds had never been this crowded.
✔ Students gathered, eager to witness the duel between two of the academy's strongest.
✔ Instructors stood at the edges, their sharp eyes assessing every movement.
✔ Even Principal Kang had arrived, seated among the faculty, silently observing.
The match had yet to begin, but already, the air was tense with anticipation.
Joshua Lim vs. Feng Yuxia.
A battle that would decide more than just who was stronger.
It was a clash of ideals, pride, and ambition.
1. The Instructors' Discussion – Zhao's Perspective
Away from the crowd, the academy's instructors stood together, whispering among themselves.
Instructor Zhao, a five-star aura user, had his arms crossed, watching Joshua from a distance.
Another instructor turned to him.
"You fought Joshua before, didn't you? What do you think?"
Zhao's expression remained firm.
"He's the most dangerous student I've ever faced."
Several instructors exchanged glances.
"More dangerous than Feng Yuxia?"
Zhao let out a small breath before responding.
"She's an exceptional warrior, but Joshua… is different. When I fought him, it felt like he already knew everything I was going to do. Like he had fought me before. And his adaptability—"
He shook his head.
"It's unnatural."
Principal Kang, who had been silent until now, finally spoke.
"He's still holding back, isn't he?"
Zhao nodded.
"Without a doubt."
One of the mage instructors, an expert in elemental combat, furrowed his brow.
"Then why use a practice sword instead of his real one?"
Zhao let out a chuckle.
"That's what I'm waiting to find out."
2. Joshua Arrives – A Suffocating Aura
Joshua stepped onto the training grounds, his presence commanding attention without effort.
✔ His uniform was crisp, his steps unhurried.
✔ He carried no visible weapons.
✔ Yet, his very presence alone was enough to unsettle those watching.
Feng Yuxia was already waiting.
✔ Her silver hair shimmered under the sunlight, golden eyes filled with excitement.
✔ Her rapier hung at her side, imbued with elemental magic.
✔ She stood with the confidence of a warrior who had never known defeat.
She smirked as Joshua approached.
"You're late."
Joshua met her gaze, expression unreadable.
"You're impatient."
Yuxia chuckled, rolling her shoulders.
"Wouldn't you be? This fight has been a long time coming."
Joshua said nothing. Instead, he reached for a metal practice sword from the weapons rack.
✔ Dull, unenchanted, and ordinary.
✔ Compared to Yuxia's custom-crafted rapier, it looked almost laughable.
✔ Yet, when Joshua held it, it felt as if the weapon became something more.
Yuxia raised an eyebrow.
"You're seriously going to fight me with that?"
Joshua lifted the sword slightly, testing its weight.
"It's enough."
"We'll see about that."
The referee stepped forward, raising his hand.
"This is an official duel. The match will end when one side is unable to continue or surrenders. Any lethal attacks are prohibited. Understood?"
Both fighters nodded.
The referee's hand dropped.
"Begin!"
3. The Unleashing of Power – Joshua's Aura Dominates
Joshua took a single step forward.
And then—the world changed.
A crushing wave of aura erupted from him, pressing down on everything like an unseen force.
✔ The students watching gasped, feeling their knees tremble under the weight.
✔ The instructors tensed, their trained instincts recognizing the sheer force being displayed.
✔ Even Principal Kang's eyes sharpened.
It was the same suffocating aura Joshua had unleashed during the finals.
A pressure so heavy, so absolute—it felt like standing before a natural disaster.
Yuxia's smirk widened.
"Now that's more like it."
She dashed forward, her rapier gleaming with elemental energy.
Her movements were fast—almost too fast.
✔ She struck with a flurry of precise, lightning-fast thrusts.
✔ Each attack carried the force of wind magic, enhancing its speed.
✔ She was a storm, a relentless force pressing in on Joshua from all sides.
But Joshua didn't move.
Not at first.
Then—in a single, fluid motion—he parried her attack effortlessly.
A single clash.
Yet, the force of it sent a shockwave rippling through the air.
Students watching gasped.
"He blocked it?! Just like that?"
Yuxia's golden eyes flickered with excitement.
"Good."
She twisted her wrist, sending a new barrage of rapid strikes.
But Joshua was already moving.
✔ He dodged with perfect timing, his footwork impossibly refined.
✔ He countered only when necessary—never wasting energy, never showing any hesitation.
✔ Each time their weapons clashed, it was a test of skill and precision.
The duel had barely begun—yet it already felt like a legendary battle.
4. The Breaking Point – Summoning the Equinox Blade
For minutes, the fight continued at blinding speed.
✔ Yuxia pushed forward with a relentless assault.
✔ Joshua countered, adapting to her style with ease.
✔ The crowd remained completely silent, unable to look away.
Then—it happened.
Yuxia, sensing an opening, poured everything into a final, decisive strike.
✔ She gathered a massive burst of wind magic, accelerating her blade at incredible speed.
✔ Her rapier, charged with energy, became a silver blur as it cut through the air.
✔ She aimed straight for Joshua's side—forcing him to react.
Joshua moved to block—
CRACK!
The metal practice sword shattered.
Gasps erupted across the training grounds.
But Joshua remained calm.
And then—something changed.
A flicker of energy surrounded him.
✔ A pulse of power, unlike anything the students had seen before.
✔ A sensation so sharp, so unnatural—it was as if the air itself had split open.
✔ And in his hand—something new appeared.
A blade, forged in shadow and light.
The Equinox Sword.
It materialized out of nothingness, summoned by his will alone.
The crowd froze.
Even Yuxia hesitated for the first time.
"What… was that?"
Joshua twirled the sword once, testing its weight.
"A real weapon."
Yuxia exhaled sharply. Then—she grinned.
"Finally."
She lunged forward again.
And now—the real fight began.