The tension hanging over the training ground was suffocating.
A large number of students had gathered around, forming a wide circle as they waited in anticipation. Conversations were low, uncertain, filled with curiosity and excitement. Everyone could feel it—something big was about to happen.
At the center of the field stood Professor Sophia, her posture straight and composed, her sharp gaze sweeping across the students.
"This will be your sparring match," she announced clearly, her voice carrying across the entire ground. "You are allowed to fight using your full power. Do not hold back."
Her words instantly caused a ripple among the crowd.
"Full power…?""Is she serious?""This might get dangerous…"
The whispers grew louder, but before they could turn into chaos, a new presence stepped forward.
The moment she appeared, the entire atmosphere shifted.
It was Principal Valeria.
With a calm expression and a slight wave of her hand, she greeted the students, yet the authority in her presence was undeniable. The noise died down almost instantly.
"This will not be an ordinary match," she said. "It will be a team battle."
A pause.
"Each team will consist of five members. The winning team will receive a Silver Badge—one for each member."
This time, the reaction was immediate.
"A Silver Badge?!""That's huge…""They're actually giving that away?"
Excitement surged through the crowd.
Valeria raised her hand slightly, silencing everyone once again.
"I will now decide the teams."
All eyes were on her.
"First team—Leo Black, Ray Moir, Felix Ward, Nico Vance, and Alina Moonveil."
Murmurs broke out instantly.
"That lineup is strong…""Leo and Ray in the same team? That's unfair…"
Valeria didn't pause.
"Second team—Kio Mortis, Noah Winter, Alex Ravenor, Nyra Velmira, and Freya Collins."
The moment Kio's name was spoken, the reaction changed.
The whispers turned into silence.
"…Kio Mortis?""Isn't he the one everyone talks about…?""This is going to be bad…"
Even those who had been excited moments ago now looked uneasy.
"The teams are now decided," Valeria continued. "Each member may choose their opponent. A team will be eliminated once all its members are defeated."
She stepped back slightly, giving space to the battlefield.
"And now… the first match."
Her eyes scanned the field before stopping.
"Ray Moir vs Noah Winter."
A wave of excitement rushed through the students.
"This is going to be good…""Noah's ice against Ray… I've been waiting for this!"
Ray stepped forward calmly, his expression relaxed but focused.
As he walked, his gaze briefly shifted toward the students.
Among the many faces, one figure caught his attention.
Kyron.
Standing quietly, watching.
And beside him—
Someone else.
Ray narrowed his eyes slightly.
The person's face wasn't clear.
Who is that…?
Before he could think further—
"Begin."
Noah stepped forward with a confident smirk.
"Ray… I'll give you one last chance," he said, his voice calm but arrogant. "Step back."
Ray let out a small sigh.
"You talk too much."
A few students in the audience chuckled.
The next moment—
A surge of cold energy exploded from Noah's body.
The temperature dropped instantly.
"Woah… that aura…""He's not holding back at all…"
Dozens of sharp ice shards formed in the air behind him and shot forward at high speed.
Ray moved.
Effortlessly.
His body flowed between the attacks as if he had already predicted them—dodging, stepping, sliding with perfect precision.
"Too fast…""He's reading every move…"
Noah's eyes narrowed.
The shards increased in speed.
Sharper.
More aggressive.
Ray ducked under one—
And the moment he looked up—
Noah was already in front of him.
Smiling.
His arm, completely encased in ice, came crashing down in a powerful punch.
BOOM!
Ray blocked the attack, but the force pushed him back, his feet sliding across the ground.
A layer of frost immediately began forming over his arm.
"That hit was heavy…""Ray might be in trouble…"
Without wasting a second, Ray released a burst of fire, melting the ice instantly.
Ray's eyes sharpened.
I can't let him touch me again…
A faint aura began to rise around him, flames flickering more intensely.
He stepped forward—
Then dashed.
His fist, engulfed in fire, aimed straight at Noah.
But just before it could connect—
An ice wall rose instantly.
Ray's attack slammed into it—
And at the same time—
Noah leaped into the air, forming an ice sword mid-air before bringing it down with force.
Ray blocked again—
But this time—
A cut opened, and blood dripped down his arm.
"…He's bleeding!""Noah's gaining the upper hand!"
Ray smiled.
Grabbing Noah's arm—
He pulled him closer—
And delivered a powerful punch straight to his face.
Noah was sent flying, crashing hard onto the ground.
"WHAT A COUNTER!""That was insane!"
Noah slowly stood up, wiping the blood from his mouth.
His expression had changed completely.
"You're forcing me… to use my power."
Ray tilted his head slightly.
"What nonsense are you saying?"
That was it.
Noah's aura exploded violently.
The entire battlefield began to freeze.
The ground.
The air.
Everything.
"This… this is his full power…""The whole field is freezing…"
Ray smiled faintly.
"Thanks."
Noah frowned, confused.
Before he could react—
Flames erupted once again from Ray's body, burning intensely as the frozen battlefield began to melt at a rapid pace.
Water spread across the ground, covering the entire area.
Noah let out a short laugh.
"You really think this is enough?"
Ray slowly raised his hand, calm and composed.
"Maybe you don't know…"
The flames disappeared.
And in their place—
Lightning crackled violently in his palm.
A wave of shock ran through the audience.
"Lightning…?""No way… two elements?!""That's insane…"
"I can use two elements."
Noah's eyes widened.
Too late.
Ray slammed his hand onto the ground.
Lightning spread instantly across the water-covered field, the current growing stronger as it traveled.
"He used the water to amplify it…""That's genius…"
The electricity struck Noah.
His body froze—
Then shook violently as the shock coursed through him.
A scream escaped—
And then—
He collapsed.
Silence.
For a few seconds, no one moved.
No one spoke.
Then suddenly—
The entire crowd erupted.
"RAY WON!""That was insane!
Principal Valeria stood.
"Ray Moir… is the winner of this match."