Sword Training Field (Afternoon.)
Ethan was standing looking at the Heroes doing practice matches.
The training field was crowded today. They are going to practice match battles.
Students gathered in a circle around the stage where students were going to fight. The stage was surrounded by defensive magic because the battle was going between two monsters in the next match.
Whispers spread quickly among the students.
"Ray vs James…"
"This is going to be a crazy battle…"
"Ray has Rank skill."
"James has Rank skill."
Jessica was sitting under a tree looking at the stage. She was here to heal students who got injured in practice battle matches.
She smiles and says,
"This will be interesting because both of them have different perspectives and personalities but the goal is the same, that is victory."
In the center—
Ray stood straight, his face was calm and he held the sword tight.
His eyes focused in front of his opponent but inside his heart he knew that James always fought with brutal strength.
Opposite him—
James was standing carefree and full of openings to attack him. He cracked his neck.
A confident smile on his face like he already win this battle.
"Don't hold back," James said.
"I want a real fight."
Ray replied him very calmly,
"I don't plan to lose either."
Instructor Borin stood at the side.
"Start!"
CLANG!
Their swords met in the very first second.
The impact echoed loudly enough to make entire stage begin to rumble.
James attacked first.
Fast.
Aggressive.
He swung his sword down with power.
Ray blocked.
Step back.
James didn't stop his sword.
Slash.
Slash.
Slash.
His each strike was heavy and wild.
"Come on!" James shouted.
"Keep up!"
Ray moved smoothly and blocked all his attacks.
Block.
Deflect.
Step.
His step like he can read James' sword direction.
His movements were clean and controlled.
He's strong, but too reckless. Ray thought.
But a little far from the crowd—
Ethan Walker stood quietly.
His hands behind his back.
His calm blue eyes were fixed on Ray and James.
He wasn't impressed.
He was analyzing.
James has high stamina, a strong body and every strike contains power to overwhelm his opponent.
But… too reckless.
Ethan's eyes narrowed slightly.
James jumped forward—
BOOM!
A burst of fire mana exploded around his sword.
"Fire Slash!"
He swung with burning force.
Ray's eyes sharpened.
He stepped aside—
The ground behind him cracked from the impact of the sword swinging.
Heat spread in the air.
Students gasped.
"That's insane…"
"That's an attack coming towards us."
"Don't worry about their magic barrier, no one will get injured."
"I forgot about that, haaa"
Due to the magic barrier, Slash clashes against the barrier.
Ray raised his sword.
Lightning began to gather around it.
Crackling sounds filled the air.
"Thunder Strike."
James also again read for fire Slash.
They move dashed forward each other—
Fast.
Very fast.
CLASH!
Their swords met again.
Electric sparks and fire heat spread the stage.
James grinned, his eyes full of excitement.
"Now this is fun!"
He put more force on strike.
Fire and lightning collided with each other, energy and shockwaves spread across the field.
Both of them push back.
They start fighting, their swords met every second.
This time their swords met.
Suddenly —
James stepped in close and tried to punch him.
Punch—
Ray blocked his punch.
Then James he kick him—
Ray moved back.
James laughed.
"You're good!... But in school you're nothing more than a bookworm."
Ethan was taught. Nice trick to make an enemy angry or emotionally unstable then easily they make mistakes. I think this 'James' got some brain in fighting.
Ray's eyes stayed calm.
"You talk too much."
His eyes shifted to Ray.
Ray… Thunder mage and holy magic (SS) both skills, impressed he saw through his plan.
He stayed calm, didn't go emotionally and observed the situation before attacking.
Ethan nodded slightly in his mind.
Better combat sense than James.
But…
He paused.
Let's meet at night. Then find out why it's you.
A smile appears on his lips.
Ray suddenly changed pace.
Faster.
Sharper.
He struck three times in a row—
James barely blocked the last hit.
"—Tch!"
Ray's sword touched his shoulder lightly.
If it was real sword—
That would be a serious injury.
The crowd went silent.
James stepped back a little.
His smile disappeared from his face.
"Alright… let's get serious."
Fire mana gathered around him again.
This time fire mana was stronger than last time.
The air became hot around him.
James turned back and looked at Ray, his eyes very serious.
Ray lifted his sword and pointed towards James.
Lightning grew brighter around him, he gathered all energy in a sword.
The ground under his feet cracked slightly.
Both stared at each other silently.
Then— suddenly
They moved at the same time to attack each other.
BOOM!
Fire and lightning collided in a powerful clash.
A shockwave spread outward from the barrier.
Dust covered the field.
Students stepped back.
When the dust cleared—
Both were standing, breathing heavily and swords still in their hands.
Instructor Borin raised his hand.
"Enough!" If I let this match continue then it could turn into a life-death battle.
Silence fell.
Both fighters lowered their swords slowly.
James smirked again.
"Heh… not bad. I admit you got some guts"
Ray replied calmly,
"You're strong too."
He turned and walked out of stage.
The crowd finally reacted.
"That was insane!"
"Both are monsters…"
From a distance—
Tom watched silently.
Ethan also observed.
Both thinking something different.