"Die, you trash!" Jaxon Cross roared. The moment the referee’s hand dropped, Jaxon didn't waste a single second. He slammed his magic staff onto the arena's stone floor. A circular blood-red magic crest instantly expanded beneath his feet, radiating a massive wave of heat that severely warped the air across the entire colosseum. His pure gold-plated armor glowed brilliantly, channeling his entire reserve of solar element mana directly into the crystal tip of his staff. "That’s... Inferno Burst!" Ben exclaimed from the spectator stands, his eyes flashing with excitement. "Jaxon went straight for a high-tier destructive spell in the very first second! He’s truly showing no mercy!" "Austin is finished. Never mind his pillow, even his bones will be reduced to ash!" chimed in another student beside him, joining the brutal cheering. In the midst of the enveloping heat that scorched the arena grass pitch-black, Austin Carter merely blinked his drowsy eyes. Jaxon’s fiery, high-energy move

Austin’s footsteps echoed softly along the west wing corridor of the Administration Tower. This long hallway was lined with polished black marble that reflected the remaining rays of the setting sun from behind massive glass windows. Austin let out a long sigh, squeezing his blue-striped pillow with a sense of relief. The boring interrogation upstairs had completely drained his remaining energy, which had already been thin since morning. "Finally free," Austin muttered. "My comfy bed, wait for me." However, just as Austin walked a few meters closer to the intersection leading to the dormitory footbridge, a silver-white shadow flashed from behind a massive stone pillar. The movement was so swift it left a trail of cold wind that caused Austin's grey robe to flutter slightly. A girl in pristine white armor with long, neatly tied hair now stood tall in the middle of the corridor, completely blocking Austin's path. Her right hand rested on the hilt of a silver rapier hanging at her wai