The moment Raii called both teams into the arena, the atmosphere shifted.
A quiet tension spread across the battlefield as all eyes focused on them. This was no longer just another match—it was the decisive clash.
Raii stood at the center,
his sharp gaze scanning both teams.
His class had always been at the top, and he himself was known as the strongest instructor. It wasn't just his power, but his strict nature that forced only the most capable students to survive under him.
That was why he had personally arranged every matchup. He wanted to prove it—to show the other teachers that no class could rival his.
His eyes briefly stopped on Horobi.
"I'll be waiting for you in the final," Raii said.
Horobi simply smiled. "I'll be there."
Without wasting another moment, Raii raised his hand.
"Begin."
For a second, no one moved.
Then—
Tua stepped forward, his eyes filled with burning intent. "This time… you're the one who's losing."
Horobi looked at him without any change in expression. "You said the same thing last time."
That was enough.
Tua rushed forward, unable to hold himself back any longer. Behind him, Linksan sighed in frustration and quickly followed.
"Calm down," Linksan said.
"He's trying to provoke you. Stick to the plan."
"Tch… fine," Tua replied, though his actions clearly said otherwise.
On the other side, Danzo glanced at Horobi. "This is why we had you save your mana. Leave them to us—we won't let anyone interfere."
Horobi gave a slight nod and stepped ahead.
Tua's blade came swinging straight toward his head.
Horobi moved to the side effortlessly, avoiding it by a narrow margin.
"You've gotten slower," Horobi said calmly.
"Shut up!" Tua snapped, immediately changing direction and attacking again.
This time, Horobi ducked and countered with a punch that landed cleanly on Tua's body. The impact was solid—but Tua didn't back off. Instead, he smirked.
A freezing aura formed in his hand.
In the next moment, an ice sphere shot toward Horobi.
He jumped back and destroyed it mid-air with a burst of fire.
"Your ice magic won't be enough," Horobi said.
But before Tua could respond, his expression changed.
His legs—frozen.
"W-What…?" he muttered in shock.
Horobi appeared in front of him and delivered a direct punch to his face, followed by several more without pause.
From a distance, Linksan clicked his tongue. "Idiot… he's going to ruin everything."
Without wasting time, he stepped in.
Meanwhile, the rest of the battlefield had already turned chaotic. Jimmi's summon clashed with opponents while Danzo engaged Linksan directly.
"You're just one rank above me," Danzo said, blocking an attack. "That doesn't mean you'll win."
Linksan didn't reply. Instead, his speed suddenly increased.
In an instant, he appeared behind Danzo and struck him with a light-infused blade. Danzo fell to one knee but still tried to counterattack.
Before his strike could land, another student intervened, taking the hit instead.
Both collapsed.
The numbers quickly dropped.
One by one, members from both sides were eliminated until only a few remained.
Loki and Erish tried to hold their ground, but Linksan overwhelmed them with precise attacks.
Soon—
Only Horobi was left.
Across from him stood Tua and Linksan.
From the sidelines, whispers spread across the arena.
"This is bad… he's alone."
Mio clenched her fist. "No… he's still going to win."
At that moment, Linksan raised his hand.
"Healing Magic – Light Heal."
A soft glow covered Tua's body. His injuries began to recover.
Horobi's eyes narrowed slightly. "Healing magic too… interesting."
The crowd erupted in surprise.
Now, the real battle began.
Tua rushed forward again, but this time, Linksan followed closely.
Their movements were coordinated—far sharper than before.
Horobi dodged one attack—
but the second hit him from behind.
He staggered.
"So this is your plan…" Horobi thought.
Blow after blow followed. Even he couldn't avoid everything now.
"Where's your speed now?" Tua mocked, landing another hit.
Horobi remained silent.
Then—
He smiled.
A strange pressure filled the air.
"What… is this?" Linksan muttered, his instincts warning him.
In the next instant, Horobi vanished.
Before they could react, he appeared behind them.
Two strikes—
Both lost balance.
And then—
His arm… regenerated.
Complete.
The entire arena fell silent.
"Regeneration…?" someone whispered.
Mio smiled faintly. "Of course."
Horobi looked at them both.
"Looks like your luck ran out."
His aura intensified.
"Let's end this."
What followed was one-sided.
Tua and Linksan tried to resist, but their mana was already draining.
Every strike from Horobi pushed them further back.
Still—
Tua stood up again.
"I'm not done… not until I defeat you!"
With everything he had left, he launched one final attack.
Horobi blocked it.
Easily.
The blade shattered.
"…It's over."
A dark flame ignited in Horobi's hand.
"Hell Flame."
The attack landed.
Tua was thrown back—right beside Linksan.
Both collapsed.
Silence.
Raii raised his hand.
"The winner… is Team 1."
The match was over.
After a short break, Raii returned.
"Final round," he announced. "Team 1 vs Team 2."
Mio and Liora stepped into the arena, their eyes fixed on Horobi.
There was no hostility in their gaze—
only determination.
Horobi smiled slightly.
"Show me how far you've come."
This wasn't just a match anymore.
It was something else entirely.
The clash between lovers… had begins.