After the latest match, the Aetherbound students felt agitated. Even though the school tried to maintain equality in most aspects, the Aetherbound knew they were different from normal humans. They possessed powers that ordinary people did not, which was why they were trained for combat while non-Aetherbound students focused mainly on academic studies.
Deep down, many Aetherbound wanted to prove their superiority on the battlefield.
Some of them had dark expressions on their faces, and the teacher noticed it immediately. In fact, this was exactly the reaction he had been waiting for. Pressure and frustration were necessary if he wanted to shape them into future warriors. At the same time, among the non-Aetherbound, he could identify talented individuals and train them as well, making the best use of the academy's resources.
After a one-hour break, the Aetherbound students approached the teacher and requested a friendly duel against the non-Aetherbound students.
The teacher already knew this moment would come.
He pretended to think for a while and, after ten minutes, finally announced,
"Two students from each group will step forward for a friendly duel."
As expected, many Aetherbound students confidently raised their hands. On the other side, the non-Aetherbound students remained silent. They had no experience in combat and almost no knowledge about the core elements.
And in this world, knowledge itself was power.
After ten long minutes, two hands finally rose from the crowd.
One belonged to a tall boy, around 5'10, named Marcus.
The other belonged to a much shorter boy with a fit build, barely 5'2.
It was Harry.
Harry wanted to try his best in a real duel. He had watched countless fighting shows and always imagined what it would feel like to stand in a battlefield himself. Now he wanted to experience that thrill for real.
The teacher walked up to them.
"Are you both sure about this?" he asked.
"Yes," they answered together.
First Friendly Duel
The first duel was between Marcus (non-Aetherbound) and Lydia (Aetherbound).
To give the non-Aetherbound a slight advantage, the teacher allowed them to choose their weapons after their opponent had selected theirs.
Lydia chose a staff.
It was obvious she was a mage. With the help of the staff, she could channel her fire element and cast fireballs with greater precision.
Marcus thought carefully before choosing his weapons. In the end, he picked a shield and spear.
It was a heavy setup, but Marcus was strong enough to handle it.
The duel began.
Both fighters stood still.
Marcus wanted Lydia to make the first move so he could counter it. Lydia seemed to have the same idea.
For five long minutes, neither of them moved.
Finally, Lydia began chanting.
A small flame formed at the tip of her staff. Instead of launching it immediately, she continued to charge the spell.
It was a clever move. The longer she charged it, the stronger the fireball would become—strong enough to break through Marcus's defense.
Marcus realized the danger.
Suddenly, he began dashing around the arena, trying to bait her into releasing the spell early.
But Lydia didn't fall for it.
Second by second, the fireball grew larger.
Marcus knew he was running out of time.
So he made a risky decision.
He rushed straight toward Lydia and leapt forward, raising his shield to absorb the impact.
But at such a close distance, Lydia herself was also in danger.
Realizing this, Lydia reacted instantly. She gathered all her strength and released the fireball.
Marcus positioned his shield to block the attack head-on.
But in his haste, he made a small mistake.
There was a gap near his feet.
Lydia noticed it.
In a split second, she redirected the fireball downward.
Boom!
The explosion shook the entire arena.
Dust and smoke filled the battlefield. Students around the ring stepped back in fear.
Harry, watching from the crowd, felt his heart race when he saw the destructive power of the attack.
After a few moments, the smoke finally cleared.
Marcus lay unconscious inside the arena.
Lydia had been thrown outside the ring by the blast and was unconscious as well.
The teacher looked at both fighters and announced calmly,
"Draw."