The entire arena held its breath as the match was about to unfold. Tension filled the air, yet excitement and anticipation captivated everyone. All eyes were fixed on the central stage. Today, a battle between two prodigies, each with the potential for an S-rank, was set to take place.

Eliza unsheathed her sword, and it changed color to a reddish hue, mirroring her eyes and mana. Her shoulder-length hair, tied into a ponytail, and the lionheart's badge proudly etched onto her uniform.

Blake rhythmically struck his spear on the ground, enveloped in a golden aura. His uniform bore his family's logo. This wasn't just a clash between two students; it was a showdown between heirs of two Duke families.

Whispers floated around, but few dared to predict the winner. No one wanted to become the target of either family.

Fiona scrutinized both of her students, checking their readiness. Her gaze lingered a bit longer on Eliza, accompanied by a slight frown.

'What is she thinking? The girl who always seeks my advice before any battle took such a big decision.'

Fiona had observed Eliza's impulsive behavior and inquired about it during their evening training sessions, but Eliza never provided a definitive answer.

"Are both of you ready?"

Fiona raised her hand to signal the duel. Both nodded in silence. Fiona lowered her hand and quickly exited the arena, leaving the sound of metal and mana clashing echoing throughout.

Eliza's sword and Blake's spear made contact, the sound of attack echoing through the whole stadium.

*Clank*

The mana behind each attack reverberated throughout the stadium, emphasizing that these two were truly the best among the best.

Blake propelled Eliza into the air. Twirling gracefully, Eliza landed on the ground, mesmerizing onlookers. Spear thrusts came her way, but she skillfully blocked them. As both exchanged blows, the battle reached a stalemate.

The mana surrounding Blake's spear started cracking, signaling a change in his mana output. A golden wave of attack, like a flash of lightning, shot towards Eliza, catching her off guard.

She raised her sword to block, but the mana behind the gold wave parried her sword, hitting her solar plexus.

"Ahh,"

Eliza's stomach crushed as she flew away. Before her graceful landing, Blake threw his spear at her head.

'Don't get ahead of yourself.'

A small ball of flames appeared above Eliza's head, expanding to engulf the incoming spear and stopping it in its tracks. Blake moved to grab the spear, but Eliza's power made it hotter than molten steel, burning Blake's hand.

The flames weaved towards Blake as he reinforced his body with mana to lessen the burning. Eliza successfully landed, and the flames vanished.

Some of Blake's clothes had burned, and some turned to ashes. Though he didn't suffer much damage except for the burning hand.

'I should have more patience.'

Blake examined his damaged hand and picked up the spear with the other one.

With just one magic spell from Eliza, the stadium's temperature rose. Except for a few individuals, some had to take off their jackets or unbutton their shirts.

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'The Lion's Flame.'

Duke Amon recalled the last time he saw those flames, and they weren't good memories.

'That bastard turned his daughter into a monster like he was… no, she had more potential than him.'

Said the guy who hadn't gone easy on his son's training, making him possibly the best talent around the world.

'Looks like she isn't still able to handle it well.'

Amon noticed Eliza's trembling fingers as her grip around the sword loosened. Blake's relentless attacks continued, and Eliza started parrying them. Eliza didn't get a chance to counterattack. Her flames were slowly reaching Blake, charring his skin, but his attacks were leaving deep cuts. If this continued, Eliza would lose, and she hated losing.

Out of frustration, she made a wrong move, swinging her sword and leaving gaps in her defense.

'Got you.'

*Ting*

Blake's spear made the sound of a large bell as his sword moved and wrist twirled to increase the strength behind his attack.

Eliza knew which attack was coming, but her body didn't move. The lion's flame had drained her body.

'Dragon Slaying Spear: Scale Shatter.'

The same attack Blake used against Levi during those practical courses made him realize this attack's full potential when the opponent couldn't dodge it. Eliza's attempts to reinforce her body with mana didn't matter as the spear pierced through her defense, striking her stomach.

"GUhh."

Blood poured out from her mouth, and before the spear could make a hole in her body, Fiona grabbed the spear, ending the fight.

Amon left the arena with a small grin, followed by Kuma, who was smiling brightly. The whole arena was shocked by the spectacle. The duel had lasted for thirty minutes, and it seemed like nobody in the stadium had blinked due to how entertaining it was.

"Winner...Blake Soron."

Cheering erupted around the arena as everyone stood up, clapping for Blake's victory, except for four students who clapped with a slight disappointment on their faces.

Eliza's pupils dilated as she looked at Fiona, who didn't even properly look at her. She had lost—not a dominating win, but still a loss. A crack formed in the lion's mane she wore on her ego. She knew exactly why she lost, but facing reality is harder, even after knowing the truth.

Blake didn't shake Eliza's hand as he was escorted by a healer. Soon, everyone left the arena, leaving Eliza, Fiona, and a nervous woman next to Eliza.

"Young lady, if you have any trouble moving, I can call for a stretcher."

"No need, just go." Eliza rudely shooed away the poor healer, who kept looking back to check if Eliza felt alright.

"Is that how you treat someone trying to help you?" Fiona said, but Eliza gave no response. She still sat on the floor, without any consciousness of what she had just said.

Fiona shook her head and took a long sigh. "Today's training is dismissed; I have some work to do."

She then left the arena, leaving Eliza all alone. She knew her teacher lied; no matter how busy she was, her strict training never stopped. The duel kept running through her mind like a film on a loop.

Everything she did screamed perfection, as did Blake. Both were perfect in their techniques, but in the end, Blake won. But why, Eliza thought. As she buried her head in her knees, footsteps reached her ears.

She looked up and scorned; her sad face changed to a disgusted one.

"Did you come here to laugh at me?"

Eliza asked Levi, who stood right in front of her, wearing a calm expression.

"I am not here to laugh, just to let you know you got what you deserved."

Levi's answer made her furious as a small ball of flame appeared in her hand.

"I lost; I will admit it, so get out before I burn you to ashes."

She wasn't lying; her ego had taken a beating, and her mind wasn't in the right state. Everything right now was a big mess. Shame took

over her mind, and anger took control of her body.

"Do it. You won't get out of this easily as well."

The flames in Eliza's hand died down as she turned around to walk away.

"Wait, I have something to say."

Levi tried to stop Eliza, who kept walking.

"I will leave the academy."

Eliza stopped in her tracks, turning around to confirm if Levi was telling the truth.

"If you beat me in a fight."

Levi added more, and Eliza let out a chuckle, a pity one.

"You want to fight me. Don't even think of winning; I can crush you to pieces even in this state."

"No, not now. When you are properly healed. If you win, I leave the academy, but if I win, you have to tell me why you hate me this much."

Levi still didn't know why Eliza hated him, so this opportunity could help him figure out why.

"I don't want an official duel. Any place will do, without any eyes to witness. And if you think I might cheat, bring someone trustworthy with you."

Levi didn't want a duel because he didn't want any unnecessary attention, and Eliza could create a fight using her noble status.

"Day after tomorrow, I will arrange the fight. Jack will send you the details."

Eliza walked away with a small grin. She now had a chance to get rid of her headache.

'You took the wrong fight, freak.'