As Jason announced the names, "Zara Caeser versus Alex Kubult! Get on stage!"
A murmur spread through the crowd.
Alex, basking in the admiration of several noble students nearby, smirked smugly. With exaggerated confidence, he turned to look at Zara.
Catching her gaze, he raised his hand dramatically and drew a thumb across his neck—a silent gesture of you're done for.
A few students laughed at the display, fueling his ego even further.
Zara, unfazed, simply raised an eyebrow and tilted her head, silently asking, Is that supposed to scare me?
Her calm reaction only made Alex scowl.
Zara and Alex stepped onto the stage, facing each other as the crowd stirred with excitement.
Behind them, Mia bounced in place, punching the air with exaggerated swings.
"Go Zara! Beat that bastard! Beat him so hard he won't even remember how to get up again!" she shouted, her voice echoing across the training hall.
Elira, standing beside her, chuckled and gave Mia a sideways glance. "What's your deal with Alex? Did he do something to you?"
Mia huffed, crossing her arms defiantly. "That bastard? He wishes he could do something to me. Hmph."
Elira raised an eyebrow, amused. "So... just general hatred, then?"
"Exactly!" Mia declared with conviction, turning her attention back to the stage like a coach preparing for battle.
Fluff quickly popped out of space, landing lightly on Zara's shoulder. Striking a thoughtful pose with one paw under his chin, he spoke in a serious tone:
[Host! I think you should equip the Swordsman class—it'll definitely help you in this fight.]
Zara blinked in confusion, whispering under her breath, "Equip? Wait… I thought I already got that reward. Don't I have it already?"
Trying to look extra intelligent, Fluff snapped his tiny fingers. A pair of comically small round glasses appeared on his face, and he adjusted them with a proud smirk.
[Getting a reward and activating it are two different things, host. Honestly, do you think just owning a sword turns someone into a swordsman?] He sniffed haughtily. [Tch. Amateur mistake.]
Zara stared at him with wide eyes. "...Are you seriously lecturing me in cosplay?"
Fluff ignored the jab, puffing up his chest like a professor preparing to deliver a life-altering lecture.
Zara glanced at Fluff and asked quickly, "Okay, fine—just tell me how I activate it."
[Host, you just need to say the word. I'll handle the rest.] Fluff said smugly.
"Alright then—do it."
Without another word, Fluff disappeared into thin air, slipping back into the system space. Inside, he slammed a glowing blue button labeled [Swordsman Class: Activate] with dramatic flair.
Outside, Zara felt a sudden shift—a subtle surge of strength flowing through her body. Her grip on her sword tightened as her stance instinctively adjusted. It wasn't overwhelming, but the difference was clear: Faster. Sharper. Stronger.
Jason's voice echoed across the training platform with crisp authority.
"Begin!"
Zara snapped into motion, immediately raising her blade. Across from her, Alex was already channeling a mid-tier flame spell, fire swirling in a tight spiral above his palm. His smirk returned, full of arrogant confidence.
As Alex hurled the flame toward Zara, she reacted almost instinctively. With a burst of speed, she darted to the side, her body moving fluidly as she prepared to counter with a slash.
But Alex was quicker than she anticipated.
He smirked, his gaze flicking downward. "Look."
Zara's eyes instinctively followed his gesture. In that split second, Alex raised his arm and fired another flame spell. The spell shot forward with such speed that by the time Zara attempted to raise her head, it was already upon her.
The searing burst hit her arm with a loud crack and an explosive hiss of heat.
"AGGH!" Zara cried out, stumbling back, clutching her burning arm as pain shot through her body.
Fluff materialized beside her, his expression turning serious for the first time.
[Host, even with the Swordsman class, you're still not able to channel Aura.] His voice was tinged with concern. [You need to learn how to use it to protect yourself.]
Zara clenched her teeth, her arm throbbing. She could feel the heat of the flames still biting into her skin. How could I have been so careless? she thought, panic creeping into her chest.
Fluff hovered anxiously at her side, his little paw tapping his chin.
[Host, I've got an idea. You could use the Flamethrower spell.]
Zara's face brightened at the mention of the spell. "Flamethrower... that could work. But..." She hesitated, her expression dimming. "I can only use it once. My mana core is still Mid-classed, and I've only formed one mana circle around it. I don't have enough resources for multiple uses."
Fluff's ears drooped, but his focus remained sharp. [Understood, but you can use it strategically. Get close and let him waste his mana. Then strike when he's weakest.]
Zara clenched her sword tightly. She could feel the pain in her arm as Alex quickly prepared another spell and shot it toward her. Outside the stage, Mia's face twisted with concern as she watched Zara.
Selena, though her expression remained calm, had her fists clenched tightly, the tension clear in her stance.