Professor Adelain's playful gaze swept over the room. "The duel will be scheduled for one week from today," she announced. "Until then, I expect both of you to focus on your studies and refrain from any further confrontations."
With that, she turned and left the room, leaving a buzz of excitement and tension in her wake. The students began to disperse, whispering among themselves about the upcoming duel.
....
Raphael stood up with a loud yawn, stretching his limbs. He was not really tired, but this whole affair was a pain for his lazy self.
Freya stood up as if on cue, they made their way out of the theatre, leaving their perplexed fellow classmates whispering to themselves.
A serene expression graced Raph's features as he walked side by side with Freya through the hallways. "You seem rather calm. Well given your abilities I am not surprised at all. Rather, I feel bad for that fool."
"If anything, this is a pain. Why do so many students in this school have bloated egos? Its all over their faces."
"There are probably a lot of people who are not pleased with your little exploit. I think they decided to lay low for now and test the waters."
"That is understandable, well they are in for a surprise. Everyone here is so very weak. That extends to the professors. I can wipe the floor with everyone here" a playful smirk appears on his face
"Narcissistic much? And that includes me as well? I guess from your perspective we are all ants."
"Well of course my deary Freya is not a weakling, I noticed how your rank is on par with most of the third years, even though you are only a second year. I guess that is why you have some modicum of respect and authority in this academy."
"Hmmm ahh yes I recently reached the 7th stage of the Intermediate rank, considering most of my peers are only just stepping into the intermediate ranks, I am considered somewhat of a genious. The third years are usually the ones at or in a rank comparable to mine. Strenght has its own perks, especially in this academy."
"Considering the strongest student is just 2 sub ranks higher than you are, thats a given."
Raphael and Freya continued their walk through the grand hallways of the academy, their footsteps echoing softly against the marble floors. The chatter of students gradually faded as they approached the dormitory wing.
They made casual talk, mostly Freya giving Raph some additional information about the academy and the like.
"Well, this is where we part ways," Freya said, stopping at the intersection where the paths to the first-year and second-year dorms diverged. "Try not to get into too much trouble, Raphael."
Raphael chuckled, "No promises. See you tomorrow, Freya."
With a nod, Freya turned and headed towards the second-year dorms, her lithe figure soon disappearing around a corner. He could never get used to the sight of her steel blue hair swaying behind her sinful figure. Raphael withdrew his gaze and continued down the path to the first-year dorms, his mind wandering to the events of the day and thoughts of whats to come.
He finally reached his dormitory building and found his room number. Pulling out his student ID card, he swiped it against the reader. The door clicked open, and he stepped inside.
The room was cozy yet extravagant, a perfect blend of comfort and luxury. The interior was painted grey, the color was not too dull nor bright, rather it was calming on the mind. A single bed with plush bedding was tucked against one wall, and an ensuite bathroom was visible through a partially open door. A reading desk, complete with a lamp and a few neatly stacked books, sat by the window, offering a view of the academy's sprawling grounds.
Raphael dropped himself onto the bed and took a moment to appreciate his new living space. "Not bad," he muttered to himself, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. He walked over to the desk, running his fingers over the smooth surface before sitting down and opening one of the books. They were mostly books on the basics of casting, mana theory, cultivation and martial arts.
He took out a large book written 'The essence of mana theory' and began to read through it.
As he began to read, the events of the day slowly faded from his mind, replaced by the comforting silence of his new room. For now, at least, he could enjoy a moment of peace and self reflection.
"Well not really..."
The week that followed was a whirlwind of anticipation. Classes continued as usual, but the air was thick with excitement. Everywhere Raphael went, he could feel the eyes of his 'peers' on him, their whispers following him through the halls.
In Mana Theory, Professor Adelain continued her lectures, her eyes occasionally flicking towards Raphael and Darius. Though Raph was supposed to attend all of the classes as a first year, he usually only attended mana theory and combat training. Most of the his daytime was spent in the library.
Though he occasionally visited other lessons in order to get a read on the teaching methods employed in the academy. There was no penalty for skipping classes in Lycoris academy, a benefit of the autonomy they were granted by the administration.
What he needed the most right now was knowledge of the modern world to plan his next steps. As such he made the library his priority. The academy had mostly almost nothing to give him at this point. Their methods were wholly inferior to his own. The library was usually filled with students poring over spellbooks, hoping to glean some insight that might give them an edge in their own studies.
...
The students in the academy couldn't help but wonder.
Darius trained relentlessly, his determination evident in every spell he cast and every move he made. He was often seen practicing in the training grounds late into the night as he usually does, his fiery red hair a beacon in the dimly lit training grounds. He was always known to be a hardworking student. With a bit of an arrogant nature.
Raphael, on the other hand, remained remarkably calm. He attended his classes, completed his assignments, and even found time to chat with his classmates about their studies, well, mostly the girls. His demeanor was relaxed, almost indifferent to the upcoming duel. When asked about it, he would simply smile and shrug, as if the challenge was nothing more than a minor inconvenience. Most took it as a sign of having given up.
The sight of the resident girls swooning over him had become a common occurence in classes. As he walked through the corridors, whispers and giggles followed him, but he paid them little mind "Aren't you worried at all?" A brunette girl asked one afternoon as they walked to their Elemental Magic class.
Raphael chuckled. "Worried? About Darius? Not in the slightest."
Lia shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips. "You really are something else, Raphael. I love your confidence, not everyone has the courage to accept a challenge from darius. He is one of the strongest students in the academy after all."
'Come to think of it, apart from the artifact the old man gave me, I have been restraining my aura to almost nothing. I must look really weak right now.'
...
As the week drew to a close, the anticipation reached a fever pitch. The entire academy seemed to be holding its breath, waiting for the moment when Raphael and Darius would face off in the arena. Bets were placed, strategies were discussed, and the students speculated endlessly about the outcome.
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Finally, the day of the duel arrived. The arena was packed with students and faculty, all eager to witness the clash between the the newcomer and the fiery noble. Raphael stood at one end of the arena, his expression calm and composed, while Darius glared at him from the opposite side, his eyes burning with determination.
The stage was set, and the duel was about to begin. The air buzzed with excitement and tension. Students and a few faculty had gathered, filling the stands to witness the highly anticipated duel between Raphael, the academy's newcomer, and Darius, a noble known for his arrogance and fiery temper as well as his prodigious talent for combat.
Raphael stood at one end of the arena, his posture relaxed and his expression almost bored. His golden eyes, sharp and calculating, watched Darius with a hint of amusement. Darius, on the other hand, was already sweating, his face flushed with a mix of anger and anxiety. He had boasted about this duel for weeks, but now, standing before Raphael, his confidence wavered.
Professor Adelain appeared, floating above the arena, to oversee the duel and ensure they did not go overboard.
"This will be a standard mana duel, the winner will be decided when either one of you is unable to continue. Strictly no killing will be allowed. Though I will interfere if it comes to that. limbs can be regrown but remember. we can't revive the dead. Now, begin!"
The signal to begin was given, and Darius wasted no time. He began casting his spell, mana coalescing to form a spell, and flames began to gather around his palm. As an intermediate, that was the best he could do.
Casting spells from distance was incredibly difficult. It he could only cast it just above his palms. The fireball spell was complete in few seconds, half a dozen fireballs rotating around his hands. He launched them towards Raphael, a satisfied expression on his face.
The crowd gasped at the display of power. They were already prepared for the worst to happen, they all waited with bated breath, expecting Raph's charred mass to appear at the other end. The ladies cried out in distress, Turning their faces away. They could not bear to see such a face disfigured. but Raphael merely sidestepped each attack with effortless grace, his movements fluid, agile and precise.
The chatter died down as the arena grew eerily quiet. "Is he a body cultivator" One person whispered
"That would explain why he is not giving off any sign of mana from his body"
"Is that all you've got, Darius?" Raphael's voice rang out, clear and mocking. He hadn't even made an attempt to use any spells or counter. Using only his agility to dodge.
Suddenly, Raph vanished from his position and appeared right above a bewildered Darius "Huh". Darius' breath got caught in his throat. He had no time to process what had just happened before he briefly looked up and saw the sole of a foot mere inches from his face.
In an instant, a 'crack' clearly resounded in the arena, which had turned deathly quietly as Darius' face caved in. He crashed face first into the floor. The impact was catastrophic. The earth cracked in a radius across the arena with Darius in the centre 'Hissss' .
The crowd drew in a cold breath in unison. They all had one thought in their minds 'I could not see him move.' Professor Adelain overseeing the duel was no exception.
A few seconds went by. Noone spoke, noone moved. They just looked on, bewildered, as if trying to burn the sight into their minds. All they had seen was Raphael dodging the fireballs. Then he disappeared, only to reappear above his opponent.
A haggard darius slowly tried to get up to no avail. He tumbled down on his ass. He weakly looked up, his face a mangled mess. His vision blurred and spun as he tried to look at his opponent. He could not comprehend how he could get beaten, so easily at that. He was screaming inwardly, ' How could the gap be so large'. He could not see him move at all. Thoughts of foul play came across his mind.
A multitude of emotions swirled in his mind, anger, hate, humiliation, but mostly fear. Raphael was slowly making his way towards him again.
Darius's face turned a deeper shade of red as he struggled to get up. He could not falter here. He was hailed as a genious for as long as he could remember.If he let this nobody defeat him here, that would be the end for him.
He summoned a massive fireball, pouring all his energy into it, and hurled it towards Raphael with a roar.
Raphael sighed, raising a single hand. The fireball dispersed. The ground beneath Darius trembled, and with a swift motion, Raphael cast his spell.
The earth responded to his command, rising and twisting around Darius in a magnificent display of power. The ground erupted, forming a towering, volcano-shaped structure that encased Darius in a prison of solid rock. The crowd gasped in awe as the earth molded itself with precision, leaving Darius immobilized, his spells fizzling out against the unyielding stone.
Raphael walked towards his trapped opponent, a smirk playing on his lips. "Your display was utterly pathetic,I guess I was expecting too much ," he said softly, his voice carrying a dangerous undertone. "This is a rather disappointing development. Your spell was underwhelming. And is that the only spell you know?"
Darius struggled against his restraints, but it was futile. The stone prison tightened, ensuring he couldn't move an inch. Sweat poured down his face as he realized the extent of Raphael's power. The crowd watched in stunned silence, the only sound the crackling of residual magic in the air.
Raphael turned to the audience, he spotted Freya sitting in the west side, and his expression softened, he waved his hand. She was probably the only person who was not surprised at his display. The arena erupted in cheers, but Raphael's eyes remained cold and calculating.
Though surprised, the crowd wasted no time exploding in excitement. They had witnessed an amazing display of skill and control. Something they had never witnessed from a sixteen year old. Raphael had proven his dominance, not just over Darius, but over anyone who dared to challenge him.
This was a statement. The hierarchy in the academy was about to change. and a first year was about to topple the rankings. Noone would dare underestimate Darius, Even their president could not make such quick work of him, and he was so easily beaten by a new student.
"....., "The professor stood quietly for a while, surprised. She forgot to call the end of the match.
"That should do it right? Professor?... Hello?"
"Ahhhh!! right the winner is Raphael the first year?," Even she could not believe her own words and eyes.
Raphael began to walk away. Without even adressing their unspoken questions. The training grounds erupted in an uproar. as the students began rushing out of the arena. They had to share this new with those who were absent.
The professor gave a final look down the tunnel Raphael had disappeared. "I have to report this..."
As the crowd began to disperse, whispers of Raphael's unmatched prowess spread through the academy. Students spoke in hushed tones about the duel, recounting every detail of Raphael's effortless victory. Darius, once a figure of arrogance, was now a symbol of folly, a cautionary tale for those who underestimated Raphael. Many began to wonder what he would be ranked in the future, taking into account the prowess he had shown, surely he could take the crown.
The fights they had watched even amongst the seniors were never so one sided. And Darius was one of the strongest senior students in the school. Raphael, unaware of the reactions he had drawn in the academy was making his way to his room.
'I've been thinking of disappearing for while hehe, they'll just assume I am in my room. This academy is quite a downer. Surely there are more interesting things to partake in this world. The good thing is they don't actively monitor us. Not that its a cause for concern even if they did, It would just be a little more trouble than its worth. '
Raphael walked away from the arena, his mind already on his next steps. He knew that this victory would only bring more hands scheming behind the scenes into the light, this would probably force their hand.
They would most probably assume somewone sent him to cause waves in academy. Others would definitely send more nobles eager to test their strength against him. But he welcomed it. Each duel was an opportunity to scale the extent of their patience, to push the boundaries of their depths.
....
In the shadows of the academy, a figure watched Raphael's departure with keen interest. The duel had been a spectacle, but it was Raphael's potential that intrigued them. The academy's students was destined for greatness as they should be, and they intended to ensure that this path was as challenging as it was glorious. However, this new variable was a wrench in their plans.
"Though he did not shown much, the ease with which he handled a top student is unsettling, investigate his origins, whatever you can find, down to the last detail." He spoke, seemingly to empty air but...
"Understood" His shadow stirred then stabilised a second later.
....
As the shadow melted away to carry out its master's bidding, the figure turned their attention back to the bustling academy grounds. Students milled about, unaware of the calculating gaze that followed their movements. A smirk played across the figure's lips, hidden beneath the hood of a nondescript cloak.
Meanwhile, Raphael made his way through the winding corridors of the academy, his mind wandering . The weight of curious stares from passing students didn't escape his notice, but he maintained his composure, offering only polite nods in response.
'News travels fast' He thought.
As he rounded a corner, a familiar voice called out, "Raphael! Wait up!" It was Elara, a student from his mana theory class. She jogged to catch up, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "That was incredible! I've never seen anyone best Darius like that before. Where did you learn to fight like that?"
Raphael hesitated, carefully considering his response. "I've had... various teachers over the years," he said, his tone measured. "It's not something I like to dwell on." A rare contemplative glimmer in his eyes.
Elara's enthusiasm dimmed slightly at his evasive answer, but her curiosity remained unabated. "Well, whatever your background, you've certainly made an impression. Come on, let me show you to the dining hall. After a duel like that, you must be famished."
As they walked, Raphael couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. He glanced over his shoulder, spreading his perception around the academy, then gave a light smile. 'I like people who act quickly.'
In a darkened room elsewhere in the centeal continent, a group of figures huddled around a shimmering orb. Within its swirling depths, images of Raphael and Darius flickered. One of the figures spoke, their voice a harsh whisper, "The pieces are moving. Alert our agents in the outer provinces. If things go as I suspect, events may unfold faster than we expected."
The atmosphere in the academy grew thick with unspoken tensions and hidden agendas. As night fell, the stars twinkled innocently above, oblivious to the machinations unfolding beneath them. The stage was set for a collision of fates.