"Is the Light Prodigy any good at martial arts?"

"I don't think so, after all, magic is her main focus."

"Then why'd she become a magic knight?"

Ignoring the speculation from her peers, Amber Shine stepped into the mat and waited for Marie with a blank expression on her face.

When she entered the mat, Marie sighed and her demeanor changed slightly.

"Begin!"

Instead of moving right away, both combatants simply stared at each other cautiously, waiting for their opponent to make the first move.

'What're they waiting for?'

{They're probably both non-aggressive fighters.}

After several moments of unproductive anticipation, Amber took the initiative.

She moved with heightened awareness, advancing towards the princess. Initiating the first offensive maneuver of the match, she executed a rapid and forceful palm strike using her left hand, directing it swiftly toward Marie's sternum.

Marie, positioned defensively, did not merely remain passive in the face of the assault.

With a measured response, she engaged her rear arm, deflecting the oncoming strike with remarkable ease. Her actions demonstrated a composed and practiced defense, effectively thwarting Amber's initial attack.

Having successfully nullified Amber's offensive maneuver, Marie seized the opening.

Ensuring her vulnerability was minimized, she closed the distance between them with calculated agility. In a seamless motion, she thrust her knee toward Amber's midsection, aiming to exploit her adversary's exposed flank.

'Pretty bold.' Amber acknowledged nonchalantly.

With composed poise, Amber responded to the changing dynamics of the encounter.

Swiftly adapting, she elegantly executed a graceful 360° twist of her body, seamlessly shuffling closer to her opponent until they stood shoulder to shoulder.

Capitalizing on this advantageous positioning, Amber smoothly transitioned into a crouched stance, her movements fluid and deliberate.

From her lowered stance, Amber's right leg executed a sweeping motion aimed at Marie's ankle.

Sensing the impending threat, Marie's attention immediately fixed upon her crouched adversary, assessing the unfolding situation.

In a nimble maneuver, she swiftly leapt into the air, witnessing Amber's slender bronze leg sweep underneath her, narrowly missing its mark.

Maintaining the intensity of the duel's momentum, Marie capitalized on her evasive action.

With calculated momentum, she directed her left leg in a sweeping arc, the intention clear: she aimed to strike the side of the Light Prodigy's head with the intent of propelling her through the air.

This exchange showcased the strategic prowess of both combatants, each responding with precision to their opponent's moves in this intricate dance of martial skill and strategy.

"For quote non-aggressive fighters, they're pretty scary." Adonis sighed.

"I know right, they're amazing... Nobles are something else." Adonis' opponent observed excitedly.

Harnessing her extraordinary instincts, Amber reacted swiftly upon recognizing the imminent danger posed by Marie's advancing leg.

Reacting instinctively, she propelled herself backward using her own leg, effectively evading the trajectory of the oncoming strike aimed at her head.

With calculated precision, Amber distanced herself from the immediate threat, exhaling sharply as the tension of the moment subsided, her readiness apparent as she prepared to counter Marie's next move.

Marie exhibited a decisiveness that mirrored her previous actions. Seizing the initiative, she surged forward with determined intent, wasting no time in launching her next offensive.

Her right hand arced through the air in a claw-like configuration, her target set on Amber's face.

"For a pacifist, she's quite the feisty one. "

{Not everyone's a bitch like you, Oizys.}

'Do you have to insult me at every opportunity you get?'

{Kukuku, it's the only thing that fulfills me.}

'Don't you think that's a bit sad?'

{What's sad is the fact that yo-}

To avoid the blow, Amber gracefully swayed her head backward and gazed at her opponent's nails graze across her long eyelashes.

'Close...'

Recognizing the opening that Marie's outstretched arm had inadvertently created, Amber swiftly assessed the situation and made a calculated decision.

With a rapid and focused movement, she capitalized on her realization, utilizing it as a strategic advantage.

In a bold maneuver, Amber propelled her leg upwards in a vertical trajectory, directing it forcefully toward Marie's exposed chin.

Stolen novel; please report.

Despite the awkward positioning, she harnessed all her strength to deliver the strike with maximum impact.

"I don't think that'll end well..." The black-haired boy beside Adonis commented.

Amber's swift counterattack, while strategically calculated, was hindered by her compromised position and reduced strength.

The strike, although slower than her typical assaults, still posed a potential threat.

However, Marie's quick judgment allowed her to narrowly evade by stepping back, avoiding the incoming blow. With Amber's leg still ascending, she found herself momentarily exposed and defenseless.

Marie seized upon this golden opportunity to seize control of the match.

With a determination to conclude the bout, she swiftly grasped Amber's vulnerable leg, preparing for an unorthodox body throw maneuver.

Yet, Amber's resilience was unwavering. Instead of succumbing to the impending throw, she demonstrated her tenacity by executing a swift and unexpected maneuver of her own.

Employing her untaken leg, Amber deftly positioned her foot on Marie's thigh. With a surge of force, she exerted her body weight and pushed off with all her strength.

Amber's landing was controlled, her hands absorbing the impact before she swiftly regained her footing.

With her focus unwavering, she fixated her gaze on Marie, awaiting the next move.

Marie, though nursing an aching leg from the previous exchange, remained resolute. Bracing herself, she prepared to launch her offensive once more.

In a swift motion, Marie lunged at her opponent, executing another claw-like attack. This time, her target was slightly lower, directed towards Amber's throat.

'That could kill her.'

{Oh grow up!}

In a swift display of reflexes, Amber reacted to the impending claw attack by sharply tilting her neck backward, effectively allowing the dangerous strike to pass harmlessly above her head.

However, her apparent safety was short-lived, as Marie swiftly capitalized on the opening. Before Amber could fully evade, a sharp elbow aimed at her face was already in motion.

Responding with quick thinking and deft precision, Amber intercepted the incoming elbow strike with her hand, strategically nudging it off course to divert the threat away from her face.

Marie's determination remained unwavering.

As her initial attack was thwarted, she wasted no time transitioning into her next move.

Launching her hand towards Amber's lower head, she aimed to maintain her offensive pressure.

However, Amber was quick to seize the opportunity that Marie's attack presented.

Recognizing a tactical advantage, Amber swiftly rolled away from the impending strike, evading the danger.

In a fluid motion, she turned her back to her opponent, capitalizing on the momentum of her evasion.

She deftly seized Marie's outstretched arm, leveraging her hip to execute a throw, using the force of Marie's attack against her.

This intricate series of maneuvers demonstrated the intricate interplay of skill and strategy between the two combatants, each responding to the other's actions with rapid adjustments and calculated moves in this dynamic and intense confrontation.

BAM

"Huh?!" The boy next to Adonis gasped dramatically as he saw the Caelum Empire's princess lay flat on the mat with a pained expression on her face.

{Why's he so surprised? The result was obvious.}

'Obvious? It seemed Marie held the advantage throughout the whole match.'

{Of course, you'd think that you're a fucking idiot!}

'Instead of insulting me, could you please explain?' Adonis sighed, no longer feeling offended by the Deity's rudeness.

{How'd I get so unfortunate!} Eos exclaimed.

{Well, when two non-aggressive fighters like those two fight; one of them is forced to become the aggressor. In this case, it was the annoying princess, it was clear that she has never been the one to take initiative; so in the end she was completely dominated due to her poor decision-making, hyper aggression as well as lack of malice.}

'Lack of malice? Those claw strikes seemed pretty bloodthirsty?'

{Of course, you'd think that dumbass, you're just like her. It's similar to the scene that happened in the courtyard when you pretended to want to hurt her.}

"..."

After Marie stood back up, the two girls walked towards each other and shook hands respectfully before they left the mat.

"The winner of the match between, Amber Shine PTC and Marie Jupiter is... Amber Shine PTC by knockdown."

"The next bout shall be between, Jerald Cecil and Wendy Carter." Professor Avitus said before two teenagers walked into the mat.

Jerald Cecil, ranked fifth in the Rising Star rankings, was a remarkable noble known for his exceptional flame magic prowess. With a height of 5'9, he possessed a pale ivory complexion and distinctive long, tousled brown hair that obscured his eyes, adding an air of mystery to his presence.

In contrast, Wendy Carter, holding the tenth position in the Rising Star rankings, was the next participant to step onto the mat.

Standing at 5'10, she exuded an aura of elegance, her rose beige skin complementing her appearance. Her short strawberry blonde hair was neatly tied into a ponytail, embodying a sense of practicality and readiness. Wendy's magical expertise lay in the Tertiary Affinity of Nature magic, a parallel to John van Ani's own specialization.

"Begin."

Diverging from the more reserved approach of the previous contestants, Wendy exuded an assertive presence as she stepped onto the mat.

With no hesitation, she surged forward, her defensive stance firmly in place. Launching into action, she closed the distance swiftly, her intentions crystal clear.

In a display of sheer aggression, Wendy initiated her attack with a powerful left hook.

The force behind the blow was formidable, a testament to her determination and immediate engagement. This assertive maneuver showcased Wendy's proactive approach, as she wasted no time in testing her opponent's defenses and asserting her presence on the mat.

{Kukuku...Someone who's able to have fun!}

Jerald's mouth curved downwards as he lifted his arm to block her attack without much effort.

"Huh?" Wendy gasped in disbelief.

With a determined expression marred by a persistent frown, Jerald responded swiftly to Wendy's aggressive advance.

Employing his left leg with remarkable speed, he executed a perfectly executed roundhouse kick aimed directly at Wendy's head, the formidable velocity of his strike intended to catch her off guard.

Undeterred by the initial exchange, Wendy regained her composure, swiftly adapting her stance to lower her body and evade Jerald's rapid kick. Her responsiveness highlighted her agility and awareness, showcasing her ability to manoeuvre out of immediate danger.

Seizing the opportunity presented by her crouched position, Wendy promptly launched a counterattack. She extended her lead leg in a sweeping motion, aiming for Jerald's supporting leg. However, her strike encountered unexpected resistance. Despite her efforts, Jerald's leg remained

"Wha-"

Wendy's exclamation was immediately interrupted when she saw Jerald's other leg above her, descending like a terrifying asteroid.

BAM

As Jerald's heel connected with Wendy's head, a jarring sound resonated, cutting through the air and catching the attention of onlookers.

The impact was forceful and devastating, evident in the audible crack that echoed through the arena.

The outcome was grim. Wendy's body succumbed to the blow's intensity, her mouth quickly filling with blood. In a tragic conclusion, her consciousness waned, and her limp form descended onto the mat with a hushed thud, a stark contrast to the intense energy that had filled the arena moments before.

Extra information:

Legatus Legion Cornelius Minerva the third, Vice Commander Scipio Mars, and Amber Shine are the only PTCs in the Caelum Empire. (Oizys Hermes isn't included as he is dead.)