For a few tense moments, the arena seemed suspended in time. Dust hung thick in the air, swirling around broken stones and scorched marks from earlier clashes. The crowd’s shouts were deafening, yet every eye was locked on the battlefield. Lucas leaned forward slightly, his arms resting on the railing, while Gerald and Elara followed the match intently. Rodrick Hale’s flowing Wind Flow technique had completely changed the dynamics of the fight, and for the first time since the selection began, Kael Draco had been genuinely pressured.Students whispered in disbelief."He's actually pushing Kael back.""Rodrick might really win this."Even some of the quieter students, who normally held back their reactions, murmured in awe. The flow of Rodrick’s wind blades was elegant, brutal, and precise. Each movement transitioned perfectly into the next. Kael’s sword, sharp and unyielding, was being forced to parry attacks faster than most could comprehend.Roderick moved fluidly, feeling the wind

The arena slowly settled after the thunderous conclusion of the previous fight.Dust still drifted across the cracked battlefield where Kael Draco and Rodrick Vale had clashed moments earlier. Fragments of broken stone were scattered across the arena floor, and deep gouges carved into the ground remained as silent evidence of the destructive power that had just been unleashed.Yet the energy of the crowd had not faded.If anything, it had grown stronger.Students leaned forward in the massive arena stands, their voices buzzing with anticipation."The final match.""Lucas versus Lily.""I’ve been waiting for this."Even students from other years had gathered along the upper balconies after hearing about the previous fight. Word had spread quickly across the academy.First Kael.Then Rodrick.Now the final fight.Everyone wanted to see how it would end.The arena gradually quieted as two figures stepped forward.Lucas Hale.And Lily.Lucas stood calmly on one side of the battlefield.Hi

Crack.The lightning exploded outward from Lily’s body.For a brief moment the entire arena was flooded with blinding blue light, electricity spiraling violently around her arm as the energy compressed tighter and tighter.Then she vanished.Lucas’s eyes widened.He had been watching her movements carefully throughout the fight, reading the shifts in her stance, the tension in her shoulders, the direction of the lightning beneath her feet.But this time.He saw nothing.Clang.The sound of impact rang out across the arena as Lucas barely lifted his sword in time.The force slammed into him from the side.A shockwave of electricity exploded across his blade as his boots scraped violently across the stone floor.Gasps erupted across the stands."What was that?""Did she teleport?""I didn’t even see her move."Lucas slid several meters before stabilizing himself.Lightning flickered again.Crack.Clang.Another strike came instantly.This time from behind.Lucas barely twisted his body

The roar of the arena did not fade quickly.Even after the officials began directing students out of the stands, the noise carried across the academy grounds. Groups gathered in every corridor and courtyard, arguing about what they had just witnessed.Some swore Lily had still been faster.Others insisted Lucas had seen through everything from the beginning.A few simply repeated the same sentence over and over."He used an aura sword."On the arena floor, Lucas finally lowered his blade.The tension that had kept his body upright throughout the match loosened all at once. His arms felt heavier than iron. The faint silver glow around his sword disappeared completely.Across from him Lily watched with a calm expression.Then she turned and walked toward the exit tunnel without another word.The officials stepped in to check the battlefield.Instructor Draven spoke briefly with several instructors before leaving the arena as well.Only after the staff began clearing the area did Lucas f

"Exactly."Lucas stared at Kael.The training field was silent except for the faint rustling of morning wind across the grass.Students nearby slowed their movements, curiosity spreading quickly as word traveled. Lucas drawing his aura sword again was not something people wanted to miss.Rodrick stepped back.Gerald crossed his arms, already grinning.Elara stood quietly to the side.Lucas exhaled slowly.His hand moved toward the hilt of his blade.Then.Kael raised a hand."Stop."Lucas blinked."What?""You hesitated.""I didn't even start.""Exactly."Lucas frowned.Kael tilted his head slightly, studying him."You think the sword appears when you decide to draw it?"Lucas didn't answer.Kael stepped closer."It appears before that."Rodrick muttered quietly to Gerald."Here we go."Kael continued."If you need to think about it, you're already too slow."Lucas sighed."This is going to be one of those lessons, isn't it?"Kael didn't respond.He simply stepped back."Draw."Lucas