The practical combat training hall of the Ranoa University of Magic was located in the western area of the campus. It was a place where students practically exercised their magic against one another. Sometimes, it also served as a stage for students to settle their rankings and compare their actual combat prowess.
The reason the majority of matches were held here was due to its magic circle system.
In the center of each arena lay a massive magic circle designed to heal almost any injury instantaneously. Though in reality, of course, it was only Saint-tier healing magic, meaning it couldn't restore fatal wounds. For this very reason, the venue had a rather strict set of dueling rules: students could only use the arena if a member of the Student Council or a university instructor acted as a referee.
At first glance, it sounded like a place that would always be crowded with students. Younglings nowadays constantly brimming with excess energy and an unfading desire to prove themselves afterall. But reality was quite the opposite; unless there was a class, this place was usually deserted, if not entirely abandoned.
The reason? Because this was a magic university. And mages, for the most part, seemed to have "peace" written into their DNA. Instead of pointing wands and blasting fireballs at each other over conflicts, they preferred to sit down and talk, using logic and arguments to debate one another.
It truly was an ideal academic environment. The reason for this discipline and amiability was partly due to the presence of the Student Council.
The Student Council of the Ranoa University of Magic had a rather humble history, having only been established two years prior. However, since the history of a school organization didn't play a crucial role in the current situation, that tale could be saved for another time.
The point of interest today was that this training ground was oddly crowded.
That was the Student Council's doing. They had organized a minor event for the students who had returned to campus early, considering there was still a week left before the opening ceremony. The stated reason was to brush up on skills that might have dulled over the three-week winter break between semesters. Consequently, students came here every day to practice. Depending on the time of day, different grades would take their turns participating.
In reality, however, only the members of the Student Council knew the true motive.
"That guy arrived today, didn't he? I heard he's currently in the Principal's office. Oh, the Vice Principal is there too."
The one speaking was a lovely young woman around seventeen or eighteen years old. She wore the magic university's uniform neatly, the upper bodice hugging her frame closely, clearly emphasizing a very full and alluring bust. Her legs were long and slender, further accentuated by white pantyhose. Her calm, round face and brown eyes that always seemed to radiate a dazzling light could easily captivate anyone.
But her hair was what truly drew everyone's attention. It was a flawless dark brown, with a natural curl that was extremely eye-catching. Yet, it wasn't the typical bushy, frizzy mess. Though let down, it remained perfectly neat, tied together by a slightly oversized ribbon at shoulder length.
That girl was Veronica Whitebear, a member of the Student Council. Do not misunderstand her, though. While she might look like a standard young lady, Veronica's information-gathering abilities were on a terrifyingly high level. It seemed that for anyone the Student Council took an interest in, she could grasp their most recent whereabouts, provided the target was somewhere on the Central Continent.
That explained why she was so well-informed about the whereabouts of "that person."
"He arrived...?"
Standing beside her was a small-statured elven youth. He was dressed in the university's male uniform—a dress shirt, white trousers, and a deep green jacket. His short hair was a pure, captivating white that was beautiful enough to steal one's breath. Ah, at least it captivated Veronica for some personal reasons. But to say the least, the girl named Whitebear harbored absolutely no romantic feelings for this person.
This boy was known as Fitz—Silent Fitz—because he was always a youth of few words, giving off a cold demeanor.
However, one shouldn't let his appearance deceive them. Though small and slender, he was a remarkably powerful mage. Fitz could use voiceless incantations—a technique that rarely anyone in this world possessed, not even some of the greatest mages in history. Furthermore, he was a talented swordsman; Fitz's ability to fight seamlessly at both close and long range had made many opponents bitterly regret underestimating his small frame.
Notably, during his first year, he had single-handedly defeated over twenty delinquent students who used violence to rule the school. From then on, he was revered as the strongest student in this academy.
It was thanks to this that the Student Council's position became solid and prestigious enough to govern certain areas of the university, such as this practical magic combat hall.
"Yeah, he's here," Veronica continued. "I heard he arrived in Sharia early this morning and headed straight to Ranoa."
"Mhm..."
Fitz didn't elaborate on Veronica's words. But the way he kept staring intently at the entrance spoke volumes about his current emotions.
Seeing this, the brown-haired girl tilted her head, playfully probing further.
"What's wrong? Are you so excited that you forgot your lines?"
"Please don't say things like that here, Veronica..."
Even though the boy wore dark sunglasses that covered nearly half his face, the curly-haired girl could easily guess that his eyes were currently trembling with utter fluster.
"Heh... Don't go blushing out here like that. Silent Fitz is supposed to be the cool and aloof one, remember?"
"..."
Fitz looked like he wanted to say something, but then turned his face away. He tried to refocus his attention on the training groups sparring in front of them. His duty for today, at least in theory, was to ensure a safe and smooth practice session, after all.
*Clack*
At that exact moment, the doors to the arena opened.
Stepping inside was Vice Principal Jinas, a tall, slender man with a kindly face. Accompanying him was a young man, around fifteen years of age, walking in with a staff in hand.
He didn't look overly tall, but for his current age, he was above average. Perhaps in just a few more years, once he had fully matured, he would possess the physique of a true lady-killer.
Was that him? He didn't look much like an ordinary mage.
Well, Veronica knew He isn't someone ordinary but as her brown eyes quickly scanned him, she immediately noticed the outlines of muscles beneath that shirt. While not overly massive, this level of firmness and solidity could easily put many knights she had met to shame.
And the two women accompanying him were...
"Instructor Gator! Could I borrow Fitz for a moment?" the Vice Principal's voice rang out.
Fitz immediately gave a slight flinch. Then, upon turning back around, the taciturn mage was met with a wink.
"Good luck out there."
"..."
The boy named Fitz didn't answer Veronica. He tightly gripped the wand in his hand, allowing himself to take a very deep breath without making too much noise.
Then, he stepped forward and looked up.
"Ah..."
For a brief moment, Fitz's cold mask looked as if it were about to shatter.
But suddenly...
"It's a pleasure to meet you, senpai! I am Rudeus Greyrat!" The boy named Rudeus instantly bowed at a perfect 90-degree angle, introducing himself with extreme enthusiasm. "If all goes well, I'll be a first-year student next semester! I look forward to your guidance, senpai!"
Fitz's initial look of shock instantly morphed into an expression of sheer bewilderment.
"What...?"
Thank goodness. Fitz almost did something incredibly foolish. Standing nearby, Veronica let out a quiet sigh of relief.
"Oh, right. And I am Fitz." Fitz calmly adjusted his sunglasses. "It's nice to meet you."
Once the two finished their introductions, Vice Principal Jinas slowly explained the purpose of bringing them together.
Basically, this was a practical skill assessment for Rudeus—a candidate nominated as a special student. And the new student's exam would be to face off against the strongest person in this academy.
There was no need to advertise; seemingly every student in the arena immediately gathered around to witness the match. Naturally, it was accompanied by a barrage of commentary.
"Hey, hey. Fighting against Silent Fitz? Does he even stand a chance?"
"But hold on, doesn't that Rudeus guy's staff look super high-end? What is that ore on his staff?"
"Oh shit! Isn't that a gem from a fricking dragon!? That thing is worth a fortune!"
"Yeah… and somehow his outfit looks like some… um… how to put it?"
"Maybe he's the son of some noble from distant land? Our school usually takes in royalty as special students, after all."
"Ah, yeah, true. Hehe. Let's see how badly Fitz beats the crap out of him."
Barely anyone was expecting an evenly-matched duel.
Let's see what that famous Rudeus guy could actually do.
Veronica felt the same. She had heard a few rumors regarding the boy named Rudeus Greyrat. And also, naturally, from Fitz's own accounts.
According to what she had gathered, Rudeus was a mage capable of using voiceless incantations just like Fitz. Perhaps even on a whole different level. Aside from that, he was extremely famous within the adventurer community under his alias, "Quagmire."
People claimed he could single-handedly defeat a fully grown Red Dragon. This was probably the perfect time to verify those rumors. If he truly was that powerful, she would have to find a way to rope him into the Princess's faction.
"Ready. Begin!"
The moment Jinas gave the signal, both sprang into action instantly. Fitz, as usual, raised his wand, and a speck of wind immediately materialized. It was his typical preemptive strike used for school duels—a basic-tier Wind Squall executed with blistering speed.
But strangely enough, the moment the wind gathered at the tip of the wand, it immediately dissipated into nothingness.
"Huh? What? Why!?" Fitz stared intently at his wand, utterly bewildered as to why his magic had suddenly vanished.
"Good question. I wonder why?"
Meanwhile, on the opposite side, Rudeus thrust his left hand out. Almost instantly, a stone bullet was fired at terrifying speed.
The projectile grazed right past Fitz's cheek, slamming into the magic-resistant stone wall and causing a small explosion that sent debris flying everywhere.
The battle had already ended before anyone could comprehend what just happened.
"!!!"
Veronica couldn't believe her eyes. Fitz had just been defeated, with only a single strike.
What on earth is this power? Is he for real?
Her brown eyes widened to their absolute limits. Perhaps the Whitebear girl was the only one sporting a wildly amused smile, while the entire student body and Vice Principal Jinas were left with their jaws dropping to the floor.
Rudeus then proceeded to help Fitz up. They spoke to each other about something. Probably about magic, though Veronica didn't really care. She was already calculating what to say to the Princess regarding this guy. And even what she could offer to get his service.
And then, when Rudeus stepped out of the arena, he broke into a bright smile as he approached one of the two girls who had accompanied him, the woman with short blond hair and a bow on her back.
"I passed!" He pulled the girl into a tight hug, acting extremely affectionate. "Where is my reward?"
"Goodness, I already knew there was no way you'd fail. Now what do you want?"
"Hehe. You know what I want. Ouch ouch!!!"
"I already told you to not act like that when people are around!"
Oh… So the rumors are true huh.
Veronica snapped back to her mind. And then she immediately shuddered. The Whitebear shifted her gaze toward Fitz, who was standing not too far away.
Even though the expression on the mage who "used to be" the strongest in the school hadn't changed much, she could clearly see that something inside him - or rather, in fact 'her' was shattering.
…
So… I just deleted like 14 chapters of volume 6 because I don't like how Turning Point 2 plays out.
Yeah you heard that right, Turning Point 2 will happen in Volume 6 and we all know what that event is about, crazy right? But since it's a very important event for Atur (maybe the most important one up to this point) so it took me a while to calculate what will happen and bla bla bla.
In the end, I didn't like what I wrote, so I deleted it. What I'm aiming for is the best quality and bring out the best feeling of the story as possible.
Which, I think I've failed.
But I won't give up. I decided to write it again and this time it will be far better than before. So stay tuned and wait for it.
In the meantime, I will write an extra story about Rudeus and Fitz (Sylphy cough…) when just a little thing changed in canon (as you can see).
What will happen? Ha ha! Let's find out!
Also, I'm writing another fic which is an Arifureta fic… Why tho you ask? Because I'm bored, that's why.
I want to change the pace a little bit after throwing out a month worth of writing out of the window.
And don't be disappointed so soon, if you like my Mushoku Tensei fic, then you definitely like this one. Trust me.
The fic name's is Arifureta: The Dissatisfied Reader which is about an anti fan of the story who hates the story so much that he died (kind of). Now he got a chance to gain a wish if he can survive in that story without letting it process like in canon and still have to win the final boss. Can a reader who hates the story pass the test and find a way to gain his chance to know how to be compassionate and enjoy his life again?
Let's find out!