Ba-dump! Ba-dump!

Each step up the stairs felt like a battle against time itself. My heartbeat echoed in my chest, syncing with the rhythm of my climb. Every contraction and relaxation of my muscles seemed to stretch out the seconds, making the ascent feel endless.

The ground beneath my feet was a steady reminder of reality, a firm anchor amid the swirling chaos of the arena. The deafening cheers of the crowd faded into the background, as though I had wrapped a thick, insulating cloak around my head.

Right.

Winning is all that matters now.

As I reached the stage, I felt a faint glow from Luna's sigil on my skin. I barely registered it, my focus locked on the figure standing opposite me.

Lucifer Windward.

The prince of the North, son of Arden Windward—the greatest genius the world has ever seen. He was heralded as the hero destined to lead us to unparalleled greatness. His reputation was monumental, his every move scrutinized and celebrated.

But here's the truth.

Lucifer Windward, as extraordinary as he is, is not the ultimate answer to the threats that loom over Earth.

And so, it falls to me, the so-called 'extra,' to play my part.

Extras in a story aren't mere background. We challenge the protagonist, highlight their flaws, and force them to confront their limitations. We drive them to rise above their current selves.

Today, I will be that catalyst.

I will defeat Lucifer Windward, not just for victory, but to push him to his limits, to reveal the gaps he must overcome.

I summoned my sword with a burst of mana, the artifact materializing effortlessly in my grasp. Its Elite-grade craftsmanship felt solid and perfectly balanced as I gripped the hilt. The blade was light yet formidable, a testament to its quality.

Across from me, Lucifer mirrored my seriousness, his own sword ready in his hand. We had only exchanged a brief clash during the battle royale, a moment of mutual curiosity that had revealed the gap in our strength.

Now, that curiosity was about to be tested again.

"Time to give up the throne, Lucifer," I declared, my sword's tip aimed directly at him. His expression hardened as he drew his own blade back, preparing for what was to come.

His stance shifted smoothly—his right leg drawing back as he braced himself. I felt a familiar thrill of anticipation as I activated a partial Lucent Harmony, focusing on enhancing my vision. The effect was far from the divine precision of God's Eyes, but it allowed me to scrutinize his movements with sharper clarity.

I could see the mana around him subtly shifting, the lightning elemental particles converging to envelop him in a crackling aura. The air around him vibrated with the intensity of the storm he summoned.

In an instant, Lucifer's feet and sword were cloaked in a blazing lightning aura. He launched from the ground, a streak of lightning shooting toward me with incredible speed.

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Reading Lucifer's movements with precision, I quickly wrapped my own sword and feet in a water aura, allowing me to glide smoothly across the stage. As he closed in, his sword sliced through the air with a horizontal strike, executed with deadly efficiency.

Lucifer's attack was a masterclass in swordsmanship—minimal telegraphing, maximum force. Every muscle in his body was perfectly coordinated with his mana flow, driving his blade forward with a speed and power that would overwhelm most opponents, even within Class 1-A if they weren't careful. Though he didn't channel the full power of an art or use the active ability of his Gift, the sheer skill behind his strike was undeniable.

I didn't meet his power head-on. Instead, I raised my blade with a fluid, whip-like motion, catching his sword at an angle that turned his strength against him. The water magic infused in my aura enhanced my movements, allowing his blade to slide smoothly across mine rather than clash with it.

I was more than just competent in basic swordsmanship—I excelled at it, far surpassing him.

Seizing the moment, I lashed out with my left leg, aiming for the knee he instinctively raised to block. But this was more than just a physical strike.

[4-circle spell: Piston Stamp]

The spell momentarily created a vacuum around his form, pulling him in before explosively reversing, catapulting Lucifer backwards. This four-circle spell, engineered purely to manipulate space and create distance, set the stage for my next move.

I wasn't just relying on my swordsmanship. My true advantage lay in spellcasting.

Exhaling deeply, I gathered mana into the palm of my hand, held just below my chin.

[5-circle spell: Infernal Breath]

A roaring torrent of flames surged forward, engulfing the stage as they barreled towards Lucifer. It was a formidable five-circle spell, not easily countered. The rapid casting was made possible through the precision of the Laplace method, streamlining the complex incantations into a seamless flow of destructive power.

As the fiery surge of my spell met the frost-laden swipe from Lucifer's blade, a tumultuous clash of steam and sizzle filled the air, the elemental forces consuming each other in a spectacular display of raw power.

Lucifer, ever the formidable opponent, didn't falter. He steadied himself, his breathing deep and controlled, muscles taut with anticipation. A flicker of excitement coursed through me—this was the thrill of a true challenge.

With the precision of a seasoned warrior, Lucifer unleashed his renowned Grade 6 art—Myth of the Northern Peak. The air crystallized around him, shimmering with a cold, lethal intensity. Ice magic flowed freely from him, the temperature dropping with each passing second as he prepared to strike with devastating force.

I couldn't help but grin, adrenaline surging through my veins. We had been through this dance before, and I was more than ready to meet his power with my own.

Gripping my sword with both hands, I channeled my mana into the blade, igniting it with an intense, radiant glow. This was the culmination of my training—God Flash, the pinnacle of my abilities.

I could feel the shift in the mana surrounding us, the freezing tendrils of ice magic swirling through the air. Lucifer was preparing for the second movement of his Grade 6 art—Cocytus's Descent. The air around him grew even colder, a brutal, unyielding frost spreading in all directions.

I clicked my tongue in anticipation, my body moving in a blur. I sliced through the waves of ice magic, cutting through his oppressive aura with ease. My sword met his just in time, the clash of our powers resonating through the arena.

Lucifer barely managed to raise his blade, narrowly avoiding a lethal blow.

"Naive," I muttered, a surge of lightning crackling along my sword. With a single thrust, God Flash ripped through his Cocytus's Descent, the sheer force of my strike sending him staggering backward.

What determines the outcome when two martial art movements clash?

Three major factors: synergy, level of mastery, and mana capacity.

For Lucifer and me, the latter two were equal.

So how did my God Flash cut through his Cocytus's Descent so effortlessly?

The answer was simple—synergy.

Cocytus's Descent is an area-of-effect (AOE) movement, designed to dominate the entire battlefield by dispersing its energy across a wide area. In contrast, God Flash condenses all of its power into a singular, focused strike.

In a direct clash between those two styles, it was clear which one would prevail.

That's why I called Lucifer naive. He underestimated the fundamental difference in our techniques.

Had he opted for the third movement of his art, something more focused and direct, he might have had a chance at stopping my God Flash. But he didn't.

And now, he was paying for that mistake.