The training grounds rose like a Colosseum carved into the academy itself.
At the center stretched a wide combat floor of packed stone, large enough for dozens of duels at once.
Surrounding it on all sides were circular tiers of spectator seats that climbed higher and higher, forming a ring of stone where students could watch every clash below.
This was where students proved they deserved to call themselves sorcerers.
The class had already gathered along the edge of the arena floor.
Raven stood among them, hands in his pockets.
His eyes quietly scanned the massive space as students poured in from the surrounding entrances.
Lukas walked to the center of the arena.
His sharp gaze swept across the students one by one, counting.
A second passed.
Then he nodded.
Clap!
The single sound echoed sharply across the arena walls.
"Good," Lukas said, satisfied.
"We're all here."
Excited chatter burst out immediately.
"I can't believe we're finally going to fight!"
"I know, right? All we've been doing are those boring theory lectures."
"Just wait. I'm going to crush someone today."
A red-haired boy puffed out his chest confidently
"Who knows? Maybe my skills will impress the young lady."
A student with a scar that stretched from his brow across his eyes raised his brows
"Lady Allie?"
The boy grinned shamelessly.
"Who else would I want to impress?"
Almost instantly, several heads turned
Eyes drifted toward the young noble standing a short distance away.
Lady Allie stood calmly near the edge of the arena.
Her long green hair, tied neatly into a high ponytail, swayed slightly in the breeze that rolled through the stadium.
Her posture was straight, composed, the quiet confidence of someone who had grown up knowing people were always watching.
And judging by the number of glances she was receiving…
They still were
At the center of the training grounds, Lukas stepped forward.
Without a word, he crouched and pressed his right palm against the stone floor.
For a heartbeat
Nothing happened.
Then the ground pulsed.
A soft blue glow spread from beneath his hand, thin lines of light racing across the arena floor like veins suddenly filling with life.
The energy surged outward.
It climbed the edges of the stadium walls and curved upward into the air.
Within seconds, a massive translucent dome formed above the arena, sealing the entire training ground beneath a shimmering barrier.
"Whoa!"
"Did you see that?!"
"For real?!"
A wave of amazed gasps rippled through the students.
Some stepped closer.
Others tilted their heads up, staring at the glowing shell of magic that now covered the stadium like a second sky.
Even the wind seemed to quiet inside the barrier.
Raven stood among them, his gaze lifting slowly toward the glowing dome.
The reflection of blue light danced quietly across his eyes.
If he didn't know better…
He might have called it magnificent.
A faint smile tugged at his lips.
But it wasn't admiration.
It was bitter.
For a brief moment, the calm mask he wore every day slipped.
His eyes shimmered.
Moisture gathered at the corners, threatening to spill over.
"It doesn't even come close…" he murmured softly.
His fingers rose quickly, rubbing at his eyes before anyone could notice.
His expression returned just as fast as it had vanished.
"…to hers."
Lukas straightened slowly at the center of the arena. The blue barrier above hummed faintly, its light washing over the stone floor
He dusted his palm against his coat.
"Let's begin."
His voice carried across the entire training ground without him needing to raise it.
Students instinctively fell quiet.
Lukas began walking along the center of the arena, his boots echoing against the scarred stone.
"You will not be fighting one at a time."
A few confused murmurs rippled through the crowd.
Lukas stopped and turned toward them.
"You will all fight."
Now the murmurs grew louder.
At the edge of the arena, several students exchanged excited looks.
Some cracked their knuckles.
Others rolled their shoulders.
Lukas raised a hand and pointed across the vast arena floor.
"Look around."
Dozens of students glanced at the massive space stretching out before them.
"There is more than enough room."
His gaze swept across the class.
"So we will use it."
He paused.
Then delivered the rule plainly.
"Fifty matches."
".....simultaneously."
The arena erupted.
"What?!"
"Fifty at the same time?!"
"Are you serious?!"
Excitement and panic collided instantly.
Some students grinned like wolves finally let off their chains.
Others suddenly looked much less confident.
A tall boy whispered to scar brows, "There's no way I'm getting matched with someone crazy."
His friend snorted.
"Too late for that."
Lukas ignored the noise.
"Each of you will be assigned an opponent. Also, have no fear as with my speed, I can monitor everyone here"
He gestured toward the barrier above.
"The barrier will prevent fatal damage"
A few students visibly relaxed.
Lukas' next sentence erased that comfort.
"But pain…"
His eyes hardened slightly.
"…is not restricted."
The smiles disappeared from several faces.
One boy muttered under his breath, "Great."
The corner of Lukas' mouth lifted.
Then his gaze slid toward Raven at the center of the arena.
The grin widened, sharp and eager.
Alright…
His fingers tapped lightly against his knee.
Let's see what you're really hiding.