The first clash rang through the underground arena like a bell made of steel and thunder.
Radiant Guillotine met Black Gale head-on, and the collision of the two legendary blades threw a burst of force across the broken floor.
Golden smoke exploded outward from Lancet's sword while silver-black mist unfurled from Renan's, the two colors twisting around each other in a violent storm that made the first-years in the stands scream louder than before.
Some of them were on their feet now, some shouting Renan's name, others Lancet's, and a few simply yelling because they could not believe they were watching the fight happen at all.
Kasto had already leaned forward on the broken ledge, elbows on his knees, eyes sharp as he desperately made sure he didn't miss a single thing. Theo, beside him, looked like he had personally decided Lancet's victory was now a matter of national importance.
"Come on!" Theo urged his supposed junior. "You can do it, Lancet!"
