A few minutes later—
The arena of the academy was overflowing with students.
Everyone had gathered to witness the duel.
Two figures stood facing each other in silence.
On one side—
Ayal.
On the other—
Kazuki.
A heavy tension filled the air.
Then suddenly—
"Kazuki! You will win! Kazuki!"
Cheers erupted from the crowd.
Some students whispered among themselves—
"Who do you think will win?"
"Isn't Kazuki obviously stronger?"
Above the arena—
All the professors were watching.
Among them, the Sun God spoke calmly—
"Who do you think will win?"
The Water God smiled faintly—
"Kazuki… will win."
The Sun God narrowed his eyes.
"Are you joking? You already know the answer."
The Water God's smile deepened—
"Yes… I know."
"…but this is interesting."
His gaze slowly shifted toward Ayal.
"Something like this… has never happened before."
Ayal held a pure white sword.
Kazuki held a blade stained with the lives of countless monsters and demons.
Kazuki spoke first—
"You should go first."
Ayal shook his head.
"No… I'll go first."
Inside Ayal's mind—
Something felt wrong.
If I attack first… I might lose.
Then why…
Why does it feel so exciting?
A strange voice echoed within him—
"Do it…"
"Fight…"
"Destroy…"
Ayal's eyes trembled.
Suddenly—
"What are you thinking?"
Ayal snapped back.
Kazuki was already in front of him.
"Are you going to fight… or not?"
Ayal quickly replied—
"Of course… I will."
Without hesitation—
Ayal stepped forward.
Then he charged.
Kazuki smiled.
A moment later—
SLASH—!!
A blade pierced Ayal's stomach.
Time froze.
Blood spilled from his body.
Ayal collapsed to the ground.
Silence.
Then—
Laughter.
"Pathetic."
"This guy said he would become the Moon God?"
The students mocked him without mercy.
"Ayal!!"
Alya screamed.
She tried to run—
But suddenly—
Aira and Hinata blocked her path.
Their faces were filled with anger.
"Do you even understand what you've done?" Hinata said coldly.
"His body contains seven mana cores!"
"If people find out—this will become a disaster!"
Alya trembled.
"I know…"
"You knew?" Aira's voice hardened.
"Then why didn't you stop this?!"
"I tried… but…"
Her voice broke.
"…I couldn't."
She lowered her head.
On the battlefield—
Ayal lay motionless.
Blood slowly spread beneath him.
Kazuki stood over him.
"I thought you were strong."
"…but I was wrong."
"I heard you survived an S-rank battle…"
"…but it seems you're nothing."
Then—
He attacked.
Again.
And again.
And again.
Each strike tore into Ayal's body.
Blood splashed across the ground.
The crowd laughed louder.
"Where's your pride now?"
"Moon God? What a joke!"
Finally—
Kazuki stopped.
"You can't even become a proper god."
"…let alone the Moon God."
He turned away.
"This was a waste of time."
Step.
Step.
Step
Then—
Something moved.
Kazuki stopped.
A chill ran down his spine.
He slowly turned back.
And froze.
Ayal was standing.
His body was drenched in blood.
Yet—
He was smiling.
"You thought…"
"…it was over?"
In the next instant—
SWISH—!!
A flash of light cut through the air.
Kazuki's eyes widened.
He didn't even see it.
A sharp pain—
Blood.
A thin cut appeared on his face.
"What…?"
Before he could react—
Ayal was already in front of him.
His smile—
Twisted.
Terrifying.
BOOM—!!
A kick.
Kazuki was sent flying.
He crashed far across the arena.
Silence.
The entire stadium froze.
"How…?"
"That's impossible…"
"Was he hiding his power?!"
Alya, Aira, and Hinata stood frozen.
They couldn't believe what they were seeing.
Ayal…
Was smiling like a monster.
Kazuki slowly stood up.
His face darkened.
"So…"
"You finally decided to fight seriously?"
His eyes burned with rage.
"Good."
"Then I won't hold back either."
Suddenly—
A powerful aura erupted from his body.
The air trembled.
His sword began to change.
Dark energy wrapped around the blade.
Above—
Professor Li Wei stood up in shock.
His eyes widened—
"Impossible…"
"…this can't be happening."