"Haha! What did I say back then?" Alex sneered, his voice full of mockery. "You're beneath me—even if you're Sir Leo Caesar's daughter."
A cocky grin spread across his face as he launched another flame spell. The fire sputtered slightly, lacking its usual intensity—his mana reserves clearly draining fast.
The flame hurtled toward Zara.
But just before it could strike, Zara activated her flight magic, launching herself into the air. The flames passed harmlessly beneath her as she deactivated the spell and landed in a crouch, skidding slightly on the arena floor.
Ugh... I need to end this quickly, she thought, breathing hard. If this drags on, my mana will run out.
Without wasting another second, she sprinted toward Alex, gripping her sword tightly.
Seeing her sudden charge, Alex instinctively began retreating, panic flashing in his eyes.
I need to save mana or I'm finished! Damn it—why didn't I learn swordsmanship?! If I had, I could end this easily...
Zara closed the distance fast, reading his desperation.
Now! she thought.
Gathering every ounce of her remaining mana, she poured it into her strongest spell—Flamethrower.
A searing blast erupted from her palm, the roaring jet of fire surging toward Alex's side.
On the platform, Natalia narrowed her eyes, her fingers stroking her chin in silent analysis.
"A high-class spell... from a mid-class magician with just one circle," she murmured. "She's betting it all on this. Pure gamble… but a bold one."
The flames surged forward, crackling with power.
Just as the flames were about to engulf Alex, a figure appeared between them.
With a calm wave of his hand, Jason dispersed the raging fire as if swatting away dust. The blazing spell vanished in an instant.
"Zara Caesor wins," he announced, his voice firm and unquestionable.
From outside the ring, Mia let out a cheer, clapping with joy, while Selena, who had been holding her breath, finally exhaled in relief.
Alex's eyes widened in disbelief. He clenched his fists, his face twisted in a deep frown as he glared at Jason. "Why?! I could still beat her!"
Jason turned his smiling gaze toward Alex. and suddenly His eyes sharpened, and in the next second, a powerful, oppressive aura burst out from his body. The air itself seemed to tremble under the weight of it.
Alex froze. His anger turned to fear in an instant. Without saying another word, he lowered his head and quickly left the arena, his back stiff with tension.
As Zara stepped down from the stage, a healer rushed to her side and immediately began casting recovery spells. Her breathing was unsteady, but her eyes held a quiet determination.
Mia rushed toward Zara the moment the match ended, with Selena and Elira following close behind.
Without hesitation, Mia grabbed Zara's arm and spun her around, inspecting it with worry etched all over her face.
"Ehhh?!"
She looked up, her eyes wide. "Does it still hurt?"
Zara smiled gently, her voice calm. "Don't worry. The healer already took care of it."
Mia pouted, still unconvinced, but nodded reluctantly.
Selena stepped beside them, her tone cool and composed. "I told you… never underestimate an opponent. Even someone with a lower rank can surprise you."
Zara gave a small nod, taking the warning to heart.
Outside the Training Hall — Deep in the Gorvanna Forest, Gorvanna Continent
Where students usually ventured for exams and survival tests, two figures stood alone in the twilight shadows of the trees.
One had stark white hair and blood-red eyes—his aura cold, almost suffocating. The other kept his face hidden beneath a dark robe. His voice, when he spoke, was deep and devoid of emotion.
"Drakan, what are you doing here? Why haven't you killed the Saint candidate yet?"His tone was urgent, sharp."If we delay any longer, Krazun will find us."
Drakan turned his eyes slowly toward the speaker—Zakar. His gaze was like frost, and his voice even colder.
"Are you trying to teach me what to do, Zakar?"
Zakar flinched slightly under the weight of that glare but quickly composed himself.
"No. I'm saying this for your sake. You need Saint blood, Drakan. If you don't consume it soon, you'll die. And worse—your true potential will remain sealed forever."
Drakan looked away, his expression unreadable."I know. Don't worry about it."
But as he closed his eyes, a face appeared in his mind—Selena.
His calm shattered in an instant. With a roar, he slammed his fist into a tree beside him. The thick trunk exploded into splinters under his strength.
His thoughts twisted in fury."Why do I keep seeing her face? Why… can't I hurt her? What's happening to me?!"
He clenched his fists tighter, so hard his nails dug into his palms, drawing blood.
Zakar watched him quietly. He took a cautious step forward, then stopped himself, hesitating. In a gentler tone, he spoke again.
"Drakan… We half-blood demons were cursed with emotions—and the need for human blood. You're no different. But your potential is far beyond mine or anyone else's. You need the blood of the strongest Saint candidate."
He paused, eyes narrowing beneath his hood.
"That girl—Selena… She's the one, isn't she?"
Drakan's head snapped toward him. His red eyes glowed even colder than before, a deadly storm brewing in their depths.