Iria finally challenged Amelia to a duel, just as she had promised after crushing everyone who had spread rumors about her.

News of Iria’s rampage among the third-year students had spread far and wide, and now there wasn’t a person who didn’t know about it.

The stands around the arena were packed, even more so than during Iria’s previous duel with Sera.

“Who do you think will win?”

Two people stood face-to-face in the center of the arena. Both were powerful, far beyond the level of ordinary students.

In truth, it wouldn’t be strange for either of them to win. Even though Iria was a first-year, she had shown formidable strength up to now.

“Still, don’t you think Iria will win? She’s never lost a duel before.”

“No, not this time. Today’s her fortieth duel. How could she beat the top third-year in that state?”

“She doesn’t look all that tired, though.”

“It’s not about stamina; it’s a difference in mana.”

More people seemed to be betting on Amelia to win.

They had seen Iria fight. Facing Amelia after taking on all those third-year students seemed nearly impossible.

Then again, one person had managed to accomplish that in the past.

What Iria was doing now reminded them of Ariel's actions back then.

Just like Ariel had done in his first year, defeating every Academy student who challenged him, Iria was doing the same.

Since it had been done before, it wasn’t impossible.

Did that mean Iria was as strong as Ariel?

The result of this duel would determine that.

However, it was unlikely to go her way. Ariel had been unique, after all.

“This is a fight Iria can’t win. Sure, Amelia lost to Sera, but mages have elemental advantages and disadvantages.”

“Iria’s going to be in trouble. Amelia’s infamous for her ruthlessness. She won’t go easy on underclassmen. I heard she almost killed someone last time.”

“Then it’s over. The rising star of the first-years will be crushed by the top third-year. With Amelia as her opponent… I wouldn’t be surprised if she leaves Iria too hurt to ever return.”

The students watched the duel eagerly.

All eyes were on Iria.

Would she defeat Amelia and become the next Ariel, or would she be utterly defeated and crushed?

One of those outcomes was certain.

On the stage, the two stared each other down. Amelia wore a smug smile, while Iria’s face was expressionless.

Iria didn’t look too good. Even though it had been a one-sided beatdown, the evidence of thirty-nine previous duels showed on her body.

Her uniform was torn, her silver hair was slightly singed, and her mana was nearly depleted.

This wasn’t the relaxed Iria they were used to seeing.

In reality, she was fine, but her appearance suggested otherwise.

Though she still exuded a calm demeanor, her disheveled state detracted from her usual poise.

To Amelia, even the slight hints of confidence seemed like a bluff.

“I’m surprised, Iria. I didn’t think that’s what you meant by your earlier words.”

“…”

“You actually went after everyone who spread those rumors? That’s something you’d expect from a delusional outcast, not someone who would actually do it.”

With a relaxed smile, Amelia took a step toward Iria, continuing to speak.

“I didn’t think you’d go this far, to be honest. I’m genuinely impressed. You should be proud. For a first-year, you have my acknowledgment as the top of the third-years…”

“…”

“Hey! Are you even listening to me?!”

“Oh.”

Caught off guard while daydreaming, Iria scratched her cheek. She didn’t look tense at all.

After looking away, she turned back to Amelia and gave a short reply.

“You talk too much.”

“Huh…”

Amelia was taken aback, momentarily speechless. For a second, she almost lost her cool.

“Haha. Really? You’re taunting me? Fine. Is that how you want to play it?”

Suppressing her anger, Amelia laughed, incredulous.

In fact, the duel had already begun. She had just been waiting since Amelia seemed to have a lot to say.

Amelia released her mana in a rapid burst.

A violet aura surged around her, intensely charging the air.

The turbulent mana around her flared up, but the mana encircling her body was calm, like a gentle ripple.

Separating unstable mana from stable mana was one of Amelia’s specialties.

She was the only one at the Academy who could do it—a skill that belonged to a third-year’s top student.

“Lightning Flame.”

The violet mana passed through her spell and manifested as electric flames.

With a crackling sound, the lightning spread through the arena, filling the air with its presence.

Even from a distance, the force was enough to make their insides tremble.

“Maybe you think you’re something special because you beat Sera. But you can’t beat me, even if you were at full strength. Do you know why?”

Amelia shaped the lightning flames with both hands, molding it into the form of a sword.

“You’re at a terrible disadvantage against me.”

Electric magic couldn’t be dissipated with wind. Unlike other elements, lightning was too fast to be deflected.

A strike without mana would be ineffective. The electric barrier around Amelia would protect her.

Any attempt at a physical attack would be thwarted by the lightning shield erupting in all directions.

Iria relied on wind magic and her physical prowess in combat.

She couldn’t wield mana-infused techniques or draw on other elemental magics.

Her swordsmanship, while decent, wasn’t extraordinary; she simply had more raw power than others.

At this point, Iria had no way of attacking Amelia.

With the arena cloaked in violet lightning, Amelia smirked.

“I’m a sword mage, too. It’s a bit different, but I’m your superior in every way.”

Amelia was more skilled in swordsmanship, had a higher mana capacity, and was also a more advanced mage.

If that wasn’t superiority, then what was?

The duel’s outcome had been predetermined.

The arena was engulfed in lightning.

Amelia believed Sera lost to Iria only because she had underestimated her as a first-year.

At least, that’s what Amelia thought. Sera’s overpowering attacks worked well on all-out assaults.

But she had recklessly engaged in close combat, Iria’s specialty, which led to her defeat.

Amelia was different.

She was focused solely on victory. That’s why she was the top student. She’d use any tactic to win, no matter how ruthless.

That was reality. That was how you survived in the Academy’s competitive world.

She would defeat Iria, finally proving herself to the entire Academy.

That was her plan from the beginning.

At least, she thought so.

“Tch!”

Once the duel truly began, Amelia clicked her tongue and stepped back.

She was launching powerful lightning from a distance, yet none of it hit Iria.

With rapid movements, Iria dodged every attack.

Lightning was the fastest of all elemental magic. Dodging it would be impossible without superhuman reflexes.

‘There’s no way she’s dodging by sight alone. Does she have heightened mana perception?’

If she could sense the general direction of the lightning, it wasn’t impossible to dodge.

It was likely she was reading the flow of mana and predicting the lightning’s path.

As expected of Iria, she was talented enough to gain attention at the Academy.

Amelia never expected an easy win.

If she could dodge by reading mana…

“You think I haven’t dealt with people like you? Let’s see you dodge this!”

Amelia twisted the mana flow with delicate manipulation, creating a false trajectory.

As a result, the actual direction of the lightning and its mana trail became misaligned.

The five streaks of lightning that shot from her left hand bent just before they reached Iria, curving in all directions.

Standing still would avoid them, but dodging would lead her right into their path.

The mana trail still aimed straight ahead, so reading it as before would lead Iria into a trap.

Amelia was confident the lightning would strike.

Bzzzzt, crackle!

The five streaks of lightning crackled and surged.

But Iria stood her ground, unmoving.

The lightning, speeding through the air, missed her entirely as it veered off course.

Amelia’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“What…?”

“…”

Iria tilted her head in confusion.

Contrary to Amelia’s assumption, Iria had no ability to read mana.

‘What is she aiming at?’

Iria concluded Amelia had terrible aim.