Chapter 21: Battle

“There have been numerous rumors flying around the school that Azrael Celeste is a dual elementalist, possibly even one of the legendary tri-elementalists! The elements he is rumored to be affiliated with are fire, water, and darkness! If these rumors are true, and he is indeed a tri-elementalist, he would be the first born since the legendary mage and warrior roamed Xiosu over a thousand years ago! What do you think, Rialesta?”

“I find these rumors dubious at best, but if they are proven true, then we are witnessing history in the making. All the kingdoms and major guilds will certainly vie for his services. I wouldn’t be surprised if he is, Kevin. I’ve even heard that you asked the administration about the validity of these rumors?”

“Of course I did. However, the response was lackluster. They simply said that personal information about students is not disclosed. What a shame. In any case, perhaps his opponent will force him to reveal his abilities! Rialesta, could you please introduce his opponent?”

“Certainly. The next opponent is someone I know quite well: Silvia Minara, an intermediate light element user. Silvia was part of the representative team last year, albeit as a reserve. With three of the representatives joining the advanced elemental courses, she is a strong contender for the representative team this year. Honestly, this freshman has terrible luck facing such an opponent in his very first match.”

“What do you think are the chances of Azrael losing this match?”

“98 percent.”

As the commentators spoke, the contestants took their positions on the stage. When Azrael saw his opponent on the other side, he bowed respectfully to Silvia. She responded with a nod of acknowledgment.

Now on the stage, Azrael began to observe Silvia. She was a petite woman, standing at five foot four, wearing a red robe that accentuated her small figure. Her brown hair and hazel eyes stood out against the robe. The only visible weapon she carried was an oak staff that was at least a head taller than her. To Azrael, she appeared to be one of those typical mages who focused solely on magic, neglecting physical training.

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On the other hand, Silvia looked down on Azrael when she saw the spear he was holding. She thought that training with weapons was a waste of time that could be better spent improving one’s mana purity and magic spells. Like most mages, she believed it was foolish to train with weapons unless one had reached the Hero rank, as at that point, the only goal was to gain more monster souls and purify mana. Even then, she felt one shouldn’t focus too much on training.

Noticing the smirk on Silvia’s face, Azrael couldn’t help but sigh. It was clear she belonged to the camp that believed mages didn’t need to train with weapons; magic alone should suffice.

‘She is quite naïve to look down on weapons. Chunyong, I’ll be relying on you this time.’

‘Leave it to me, master! Hmph, how dare such an insignificant being look down on you! Let me show her the folly of her ways!’

Inside Azrael’s mind, Chunyong was fuming at the disrespect he perceived from Silvia. Though usually playful and carefree, Chunyong was fiercely protective of his master. Azrael chuckled slightly as he readied his stance.

As the mages finished their preparations and took their positions, a middle-aged man appeared in the center of the arena to explain the rules one last time.

“Alright, remember both of you! The fight will continue until one side faints, gives up, or if the board decides the match should end. If you strike a vital area, you will be immediately disqualified! Okay, Azrael, are you ready? Silvia, are you ready? Then… READY… START!”

At the signal, Azrael rushed forward. Silvia sneered, having anticipated this move.

’Hmph, all weapon users are the same. They just charge forward without any strategy and think mages will let them. Well then, boy! Let me show you how fearsome mages can be!’

As she saw him charge, Silvia was confident of her victory. Murmuring an incantation, she extended her right arm as Azrael closed in, less than ten yards away, and released a rope-shaped beam of light. Holy Binding, a Knight-ranked light spell, was designed to bind and immobilize the target.

However, as Silvia’s spell launched, Azrael smiled and executed an uppercut with his spear. From the blade’s wake, a dense wall of water formed, blocking the light rope. Tidal Wave, an Apprentice-ranked water defensive spell, consolidated the moisture in the air into a barrier.

Silvia was taken aback by the water wall. Though it was only an Apprentice-level spell, she was shocked by how quickly Azrael had cast it. Such rapid casting suggested he could perform voiceless incantations.

‘Damn, voiceless incantation?! How does someone so young have such mastery of an element to perform a voiceless incantation?!’

In her panic, a fireball appeared before Silvia, brightening the area significantly. Instinctively, she shut her eyes and turned her head, trying to shield her vision.

Silvia made a critical mistake: she turned away from her opponent. Azrael, seizing the opportunity, darted out from behind the water wall and charged at her. He made a parallel slash that narrowly missed her throat.

“If this had been a real battle, you would have been decapitated just now.”

“!!”

Azrael then thrust his spear backward, hitting her in the back as he passed. The force of the attack sent Silvia tumbling forward, rolling multiple times before she finally managed to regain her footing. As she struggled to rise, she felt the cold steel of Azrael’s spear against her neck.

“I’m sure you’re not naive enough to think you still have a chance, are you?”

Hearing the calm, young voice behind her, Silvia shivered. Despite only using two magic spells and a few attacks, Azrael’s skill was apparent. He had held back, making sure his initial strike didn’t hit her vital areas to avoid disqualification.

Even though they were both King-ranked, Silvia knew she was no match for him. She lacked the depth of understanding of light magic that Azrael had with his elements. In the time it took her to cast one spell, he could have cast two or three.

“…I surrender…”

“Winner! Azrael Celeste!!”

The crowd was stunned. The match had lasted less than a minute, and Silvia had only been hit once, yet she conceded so quickly. Students in the stands buzzed with confusion.

“Hey, why did she give up so easily? Wasn’t she a favorite to become a representative?”

“Did she lose on purpose?”

“That kid must have paid her off… this match must have been rigged.”

Hearing the crowd’s remarks, Silvia wanted to scream.

‘Try fighting him yourself! You can’t tell from the stands how monstrous he is!’

At that moment, the commentators came to her aid.

“Well, that was a surprising end. Rialesta, why do you think Silvia gave up so quickly?”

“Though it might seem to viewers that Silvia gave up too easily, I believe she made the correct decision.”

“Huh? Why do you say that? Azrael only used two basic spells and hit her once. He was even lucky to miss his first strike, as a hit would have meant disqualification.”

“Do you really think he missed that first strike by accident?”

“Huh? What do you mean, Rialesta? Everyone saw the slash miss Silvia’s throat…”

Kevin’s face showed doubt. Rialesta had witnessed the same scene as everyone else, so why would she suggest the miss was deliberate? Seeing Kevin’s puzzled expression, Rialesta sighed before explaining.

“Azrael aimed precisely where he struck. He wasn’t aiming for a vital spot to avoid disqualification. He aimed to instill fear. Notice how none of his spells were meant to attack her directly but were used to set up his final strike. Despite his ability to hit her multiple times, he only aimed to show mercy.”

“...He did that on purpose? If what you’re saying is true, then that means…”

“Yes, his precision with that spear is remarkable. It’s more difficult to aim to miss than to hit accurately. Any slight miscalculation could result in a hit.

And his spell usage… He is undeniably very experienced in combat. I don’t know how a nine-year-old could be so skilled, but there’s no other explanation. Azrael’s prowess surpasses even the representatives from last year. With him, we might finally win the Rising Stars Tournament!”

The thought of Azrael representing Sinara Academy excited Rialesta. Despite being the top academy, they had been humiliated last year by Wezdon Magic Academy. Just one person had decimated the entire team.

‘This boy hasn’t even shown half his strength. If it’s him… he might even beat that bastard Jerle!’

The crowd’s mood shifted from scorn for Silvia to awe for Azrael. To excel in magic and weaponry was a rare feat that drew admiration. Amidst the cheers, Azrael bowed and headed back to the corridor. Winston and Zer were there to greet him.

“Yo Az, great job!”

“Haha, thanks, Winst! I expect a similar result in your first match, okay?”

“*groans* Come on, man. I’m not a monster like you and Zer. Give me a break!”

Azrael and Zer laughed as Winston groaned at Azrael’s words.

“Haha, anyway, I was

disappointed when I saw that a reserve from last year only amounted to that. If they’re only that strong, you and I should breeze through this tournament and make the representative team, Az. Even Winston might make the team.”

Azrael nodded at Zer’s words. He too had felt let down by Silvia’s performance. He had expected more from someone who had made the top ten in last year’s tournament.

“Yeah, I know what you mean, Zer. Well, it looks like we have some time before your match. Want to grab a bite?”

“Since you won the first match, you’re paying, right, Az?”

“.....Fine, I’ll pay.”

“Woo hoo! Let’s go eat steak then!”

At Winston’s suggestion, Azrael’s face paled. Seeing his expression, Zer and Winston burst into laughter. Putting their arms around his shoulders, they dragged the helpless Azrael out of the building for lunch.