Kazehana Yuriko leaned forward in her seat, resting her chin against her palm as her emerald eyes sparkled with amusement. Her lips curved into a playful grin as she glanced sideways toward the man seated beside her.
"I didn't expect the match between the heirs of the strongest Duke Houses to end in mere minutes," she said lightly. "Was Shin injured, perhaps?"
Yamikage Shouhei's response was immediate.
A suffocating pressure leaked from his body, sharp and cold. He shot Yuriko a glare so dark it could have frozen blood, yet he remained silent, clearly uninterested in indulging her taunts.
Kazuma Hirosaki, seated nearby, folded his arms and exhaled slowly. His fiery eyes remained fixed on the now-quiet battlefield.
"He underestimated her," he said at last. "And worse—he let her dictate the tempo from the very beginning. Against Kagayaki Aiko, that mistake is fatal."
Yamada Kiyoshi nodded thoughtfully. "She didn't give him space to breathe. A clean, decisive victory."
His gaze shifted toward Kagayaki Akiko. "What is your opinion, Lady Akiko?"
Akiko did not answer immediately. Her golden eyes were still following Aiko's retreating figure, a hint of pride flickering beneath her calm expression.
"This spar is structured to limit excessive reliance on mana," she finally said. "Shin's combat style depends heavily on raw mana output. That placed him at a disadvantage."
Kazuma Hirosaki chuckled softly.
"By that logic," he replied, "Aiko should have been equally constrained. Yet she dominated him regardless."
Mizuno Aoi turned her gaze toward Akiko, her voice serene but firm. "There's no need to downplay your daughter's strength. Everyone here knows she stands at the pinnacle of the younger generation."
Akiko allowed herself a small smile but said nothing further.
Kazuma's lips curved upward. "Looks like the next match is starting."
------------------
The host's voice rang out across the arena.
"The second match will be between Kazuma Takumi and Yamada Riku!"
"Contenders, please step onto the stage!"
Two figures appeared.
Takumi strode forward confidently, fire mana already coiling around his body. The temperature around him rose subtly, the air shimmering as heat accumulated with each step.
Riku followed moments later.
The earth beneath his feet shifted almost imperceptibly, responding to his presence. The ground seemed denser where he stood, as though bracing itself.
The instructor approached, placing mana crystals before them. Both contestants drained their mana without hesitation, their expressions focused.
"Will you be using weapons or artifacts?" she asked.
"A longsword," Takumi replied.
"A staff," Riku answered.
"Take them out."
She inspected both weapons carefully before stepping away.
"Three…"
"Two…"
"One…"
"Start!"
For a brief moment, neither moved.
Their eyes locked, each waiting for the other to act first.
Then Takumi broke the silence with a casual grin.
"Why don't we use spirits?"
Riku blinked. "Is that even permitted?"
Takumi shrugged. "This exam simulates real combat. Do you think demons will politely respect restrictions?"
Riku hesitated and glanced toward the VIP section.
After a pause, he received a nod.
"…Very well," Riku said. "I accept."
Takumi's grin widened. "Excellent."
Both straightened, mana stirring as they began their invocations.
"Oh Spirit of Fire, heed my call,
Before unexpected tragedy befalls,
Grant me strength from flames so bright,
Illuminate my path with divine light,
Incinerate the foes who block my way,
Show them the cost of going astray."
"Oh Spirit of Earth, steadfast and strong,
Hear my invocation, bearer of song,
Grant me stability, rooted deep,
As through life's trials I stride and leap,
Crush the barriers that bar my tide,
Teach them the weight of being defied."
The air trembled.
Two blazing figures emerged behind Takumi—Astrafylix Fire Spirits, their forms wreathed in intense heat, flames coiling around them like living crowns.
At the same time, the ground behind Riku surged upward.
A towering Astrafylix Earth Spirit manifested, its massive form radiating ancient pressure. The mana density spiked as the spirits wrestled for dominance over the environment.
{AN: Astrafylix are high-level spirits, ranking just below the Spirit Rulers in hierarchy. Their presence alone can distort ambient mana.}
Riku wasted no time.
[Terra Breaker]
A high-level Earth Affinity spell that rips open a massive fissure in the ground, surging toward enemies with crushing force. If it fails to ensnare its targets, it summons additional earth to pursue and strike relentlessly.
The ground split apart violently, a roaring chasm racing toward Takumi.
Takumi remained calm.
With the support of his spirits, he cast two spells simultaneously.
[Ember Shield]
A Fire Affinity spell that forms a defensive barrier of condensed embers, absorbing and repelling attacks with intense heat. Mana consumption scales with incoming force.
[Blazing Maelstrom]
A high-level Fire Affinity spell that summons a raging vortex of flames, drawing enemies inward while drastically increasing ambient temperature.
Flames erupted around Takumi, the fissure melting into molten lava before it could reach him. The maelstrom roared to life behind Riku, warping the air itself.
Takumi charged forward, longsword blazing.
Riku reacted swiftly, earth rising to block Takumi's path, but the fire spirits wrestled control away, turning stone into magma beneath Takumi's feet.
Riku reinforced his staff with hardened earth just in time.
CLANG!
Fire and earth collided violently.
Takumi leaned in, smirking. "You didn't think that was all, did you?"
Riku's eyes widened.
He turned—too late.
The blazing vortex surged behind him, heat crashing down like a living inferno.
Takumi shoved forward with all his strength.
BOOOOOOM!
The stage erupted in flames.
Stone shattered. Lava sprayed skyward.
The instructors moved instantly, erecting layered barriers to protect the audience as shockwaves rippled outward.
When the flames finally settled, silence fell.
All eyes searched the scorched battlefield.
Was the match already over?
Or had Riku endured?