Mio and Liora both stepped forward at the same time, completely ignoring Horobi as if he wasn't even there.
The tension between them was clear.
Without wasting a second, Mio raised her hand and released a sharp gust of wind toward Liora.
Liora didn't step back. Instead, she looked straight at Mio and said,
"So you've finally decided to stop holding back? Good… because I was getting tired of all the talking."
Flames burst from her hand and clashed directly with Mio's attack.
The impact shook the surroundings.
And just like that—
The fight began.
They continued attacking each other again and again.
"Enough! Stop this right now!"
Horobi shouted.
"Do you even realize what you're doing?
This isn't a normal spar anymore—you're actually trying to hurt each other!"
Mio replied coldly,
"I don't care anymore. I just want to end this… right now."
Liora added,
"Exactly. Let's finish this in one move instead of dragging it any longer."
Both of them started preparing their strongest spells.
Mio summoned her guardian,
"This ends here… I won't hold back."
Dark energy gathered in her hand,
"Dark Sphere…"
At the same time, Liora summoned her serpent,
"If you think I'll lose, then you're wrong. I'll end this before you even realize it."
Both attacks were released at the same time—
But instead of colliding…
They slipped past each other.
"What?!" Mio's eyes widened.
"No… this is bad!" Liora realized too late.
Mio's guardian blocked the poison attack—
But Liora's serpent failed to protect her.
The Dark Sphere rushed toward Liora.
She froze.
"I… I can't move…"
She crouched down in fear,
"Someone… please…"
Mio panicked,
"Liora! No, this isn't what I wanted!"
She created a defensive wall,
"Stop! Please stop!"
But the Dark Sphere shattered it instantly.
Then—
The atmosphere suddenly changed.
Horobi appeared in front of Liora and destroyed the Dark Sphere in a single move.
Silence.
Mio ran toward him,
"Horobi! Are you okay? Did it hit you anywhere? Say something!"
Horobi looked at both of them with cold eyes,
"Have you both completely lost your minds?"
Neither of them spoke.
"If I hadn't stepped in, one of you could've been seriously injured. Was that really worth it?"
Before anything else—
Raii arrived.
"What is happening here?"
Horobi replied calmly,
"Sir, everything is under control now."
Raii asked,
"Who is responsible?"
Students answered,
"Sir… those two were fighting…"
Raii turned toward them, but Horobi stepped forward,
"Sir, please forgive them this time. If something like this happens again, I'll take full responsibility."
Raii said,
"Fine… but remember, I don't let anyone go without punishment."
Horobi replied,
"Then I'll punish them myself."
Raii looked confused but left.
Horobi sighed,
"That was close…"
Then he looked at Mio and Liora,
"You two are in serious trouble."
"From now until tomorrow—no food."
"WHAT?!"
"And all housework will be done by you two."
Mio complained,
"Work is fine, but no food is too much!"
Horobi replied,
"That's your punishment."
At HomeHorobi asked,
"Is dinner ready?"
The butler replied,
"Yes, Master."
"Any work left?"
"I apologize, I forgot to send the laundry."
Horobi said,
"Good. Then they'll handle everything. And no food for them."
The butler nodded.
Mio and Liora quietly went to do the laundry.
They were hungry and tired.
While washing clothes, Liora remembered something.
She took out a biscuit packet.
She looked at Mio… then quietly extended it,
"Here… you must be hungry too. Take it."
Mio looked surprised,
"…Thanks."
After a moment, Mio said softly,
"I'm sorry… I used such a strong attack on you. I didn't mean for it to go that far."
Liora smiled slightly,
"It's fine… I also said things I shouldn't have."
They sat together and shared the biscuits.
Reconciliation Dinner
Horobi entered.
They quickly finished the biscuits.
"So… everything's fine now?" he asked.
They nodded.
"Good. Then let's go eat."
"But… punishment?" Mio asked.
Horobi smiled,
"That was only until you calmed down."
Night Scene
After dinner, all three went to their rooms.
Liora sat on her bed, thinking,
"Horobi and Mio… they're both really kind. I guess… that's why we both…"
Knock knock
"Who is it?" she asked.
"It's me," Mio replied.
Mio entered and said,
"I just came to say… I'm sorry for earlier. I really didn't mean any of that."
Liora smiled,
"That's already over. There's no point bringing it up again."
Then she added softly,
"Besides… one day, both of us want to be with Horobi, right? So instead of fighting… we should try to make sure he stays happy."
Mio nodded,
"Yeah… you're right. That's why I came. From now on, I won't fight with you over him."
Liora raised an eyebrow,
"Oh? Really?"
Mio smirked slightly,
"Well… not fight seriously. But I will still tease you."
"And I'm not going to give Horobi to you that easily."
Liora laughed,
"I wouldn't expect anything less from you."
"Same here… I'm not backing down either."
Both of them smiled.
That night, they slept in the same room.
Next Day – Final Exam Announcement
The next day, all students gathered in class, waiting for Raii.
Raii entered and said,
"As all of you know, this will be your final test of the year. After this, you will be promoted to the next class."
Students became serious.
Raii continued,
"I'll explain the exam format clearly, so listen carefully."
"First—Group Battle. Each class will be divided into groups. These groups will fight against each other, and in the end, the top groups will face off."
"Second—Class Battle. This will be similar to a battle royale."
"All classes—1-A, 1-B, 1-C and 1-D—will fight together."
"Your entire class will act as your team."
"The class with the most remaining students at the end… will be declared the winner."
He paused, then added,
"Also remember—external equipment is not allowed."
"And using outside potions or support items is strictly prohibited."
Then he looked at everyone,
"Understood?"
The class responded,
"Yes, sir!"
Raii nodded,
"Good. Now head to the arena."