The arena fell into a hushed silence as the two combatants squared off. The air was thick with the scent of ozone and dry earth, the weight of the school's gaze pressing down on the young boy.
Glean Carter wasted no time. With a sudden stomp, jagged spikes of rock erupted from the ground where Leon stood. Leon lunged to the side, dodging the spear-like stones by mere seconds. Before he could recover, Carter stretched his hands forward, and the entire arena began to tremble with a low, guttural roar.
Leon struggled to find his footing. He had to be careful—his "Theft" skill dictated that he could only reflect the powers used against him. He couldn't counter with water or air if Carter hadn't manifested them first. For now, his only weapon was the earth. Pressing his palms to the dust, Leon commanded a massive, wall-like structure to spring forth and hurl itself toward the instructor. Carter didn't flinch; he simply exhaled, releasing a concentrated fireball that vaporized the stone into dust.
Seizing the opening, Leon mirrored the attack, launching two identical fireballs at Carter. But the A-Rank was gone. Using a burst of air to propel himself at a terrifying pace, Carter closed the gap instantly, appearing in front of Leon with a flame already burning in his palm.
Leon's heart hammered against his ribs. There was no time for a complex spell. Thinking quickly, he erected a thick earthen wall between them at point-blank range. Carter's fireball collided with the stone, and the resulting explosion sent both of them flying backward. Carter landed with the grace of a bird, cushioning his fall with air control; Leon, however, crashed hard against the arena floor, the gap in their experience and control painfully obvious to everyone in the stands.
Realizing Leon was a resilient target, Carter decided to end the display. He stretched both hands outward, and the arena became a chaotic symphony of the elements.Rock spikes launched from every direction,Jagged shards formed in the mid-air and hissed toward Leon, A barrage of fireballs rained down like meteors,Bolts lanced down from the sky, striking the sands with deafening cracks.
It was a simultaneous assault meant to overwhelm. Leon, pushed to the edge, gathered his mana and launched a gigantic, singular fireball. The blast was so intense it obliterated the incoming projectiles, carving a path through the chaos and crashing directly into Carter.
When the smoke cleared, Carter was still standing, unfazed. He had summoned a colossal rock shield at the last microsecond, absorbing the brunt of the heat.
Leon realized he needed a different approach. He slammed his hand onto the ground, and a wave of absolute frost swept across the arena. The entire surface froze into solid ice, catching Carter's legs and pinning him in place.
Target locked. Leon stretched his hand forward, his mana swirling for a final, decisive strike. But before he could release it, a massive bolt of lightning descended from the sky and struck Leon from behind.
Leon collapsed, his body wracked with pain and electric shock. Carter calmly used the flames from his own feet to melt the ice around his legs and began to walk toward the fallen boy. Before he could reach him, one of the judges signaled the referee.
A sharp whistle cut through the air, signaling the end of the match.
The stadium remained quiet as the medics—a team of three high-level healers—rushed onto the sands to tend to Leon. Within minutes, the warm glow of healing magic had closed his wounds and eased the lightning's bite.
The judges huddled together, their eyes moving between the cratered arena and the young student. To them, the conclusion was clear: Leon possessed the raw power of an A-Rank, but he lacked the seasoned knowledge and tactical experience of a true master. They had seen enough.
Leon stood up, his legs still a bit shaky, as the lead judge stepped forward to give the final verdict.
The tension in the arena finally broke as Bruce Brasin stepped down from the judges' stand. The crowd leaned in, hanging on every word of the committee's final assessment.
"Young Master Leon," Bruce began, his voice echoing across the sands. "You have done well today. It is clear you gave this battle everything you had. While you possess immense raw power, it is also evident that you lack the experience to compete at the highest levels. On this note, however, the committee is in agreement: you did indeed slay the Green Dragon."
He paused, letting the weight of the confirmation settle. "As a reward for your bravery, you are hereby awarded the Silver Medal of Valor. Furthermore, you are promoted to B-Rank. Because you still require the foundational experience of a seasoned mage, you will remain in your current class to continue your development."
Leon bowed his head in a show of humble appreciation, but internally, a wave of relief washed over him. It worked, he thought. I successfully satisfied their curiosity without revealing the truth of my soul.
From the stands, Claire's voice rose above the rest, cheering wildly for her brother's achievement. Most of the students joined in, caught up in the excitement of a new B-Rank prodigy. However, in the corner of the stadium, Prince Lloyd stood in a dark, suffocating silence. His envy had finally boiled over into a cold, uncontrollable rage. He slammed his fist into the stone wall of the arena, leaving a crack in the masonry, and stormed away before the ceremony could even conclude.
Ron watched the Prince depart, catching a glimpse of the predatory look in his eyes. A chill ran down her spine. She knew that look—it wasn't just anger; it was a promise of violence. She knew she had to warn Leon before the sun went down.
The rest of the day was a blur of celebration. Leon was presented with his Silver Medal, and his name was officially etched into the Academy's history books. Claire stayed by his side, beaming with pride, as he became the sole topic of conversation throughout the halls.
As the school day ended and Leon began the walk back to his hostel, Ron caught up with him. Her face was pale, her breath coming in short bursts. She told him everything—the look on Lloyd's face, the punch to the wall, and the danger she sensed brewing.
"You have to be vigilant, Leon," she urged, her eyes wide with concern. "He's planning something. I know it."
Leon offered her a reassuring smile, trying to downplay her fears. "Don't worry so much, Ron. He's a Prince; he wouldn't go that far over a promotion. I'll be fine, I promise."
They parted ways, and Leon continued his walk alone. But as he reached the gate of his hostel, the atmosphere shifted. The air felt heavy, and a strange, oppressive silence fell over the gardens. He glanced around, seeing nothing, but as he reached for the gate, his blood ran cold. Under his hand, the metal of the doorknob began to age rapidly, turning from polished brass to rusted, crumbling iron in a matter of seconds.
"Hey, Leon. I heard you were promoted to B-Rank... congratulations."
Leon spun around. Standing just a few feet away was Prince Lloyd. He was smiling, his eyes closed in a mock gesture of friendliness, waving a hand dismissively. Despite the smile, the aura radiating from him was terrifying.
"Yeah," Leon replied cautiously, his heart beginning to drum against his ribs. "It's not a big deal, really. I don't feel any different."
"Don't lie to me," Lloyd snapped, his eyes flying open, burning with fury. "Tell me, Leon... what do your stats show? What is the number?"
Sensing the conversation had turned into a confrontation, Leon's posture shifted. "I won't tell you. My stats are my own, and I don't owe you an explanation. If you have a problem with my rank, take it to the school board."
Leon turned to walk away, but Lloyd's next words stopped him dead.
"If you think you're worthy of that B-Rank title, I'd like to see it for myself. After all, I know I am more powerful than you." Lloyd's voice dropped, becoming flat and devoid of any emotion. "Show me how powerful you are, Leon. If you refuse... I'll kill you."
In that moment, Leon realized Ron had been right. The Prince wasn't playing a game. He was standing face-to-face with a boy who had mastered Time, and his life was officially on the line.