"I've extended my hand to you, do you want to work with me for this assignment, Ethan?" Seraphine's words danced through the air, a mysterious melody that left Ethan utterly bewildered by this intriguing exchange.
Within the academy's bustling corridors, Seraphine stood as a radiant star, drawing a throng of admirers from every corner—underclassmen and seniors, boys and girls alike—each yearning for a chance to be in her inner circle. What was the allure, you ask? It all traced back to her prestigious lineage, intricately woven into the kingdom's power structure. Picture this realm as a trio of social tiers. At the base were the common folk, those not blessed with noble birth—farmers, innkeepers, and laborers toiling tirelessly just to get by, a testament to the struggle of everyday life. Rising above them were the nobles, born into privilege and tasked with managing lands and treasures, their prominence well-earned and firmly established in society.
And then, like characters from a legend, emerged the rarefied group known as the high-lineage few, an exclusive club that left ordinary people spellbound. Among these exceptional beings, recognition wasn't merely based on earthly accomplishments, but rather on a lineage intertwined with magic itself. Here, the mark of distinction was tied to the renowned Magi—a lineage connected to elements beyond the ordinary. This was where Seraphine found herself, the blood of the current Magi flowing in her veins, a living link to the enigmatic current magi of water. To all who knew her, she embodied the title of the "Frost Sovereign" a name whispered in awe.
Seraphine was renowned for her icy demeanor, a cold soul seemingly impervious to the warmth of others. A lone wolf by nature, she walked a solitary path through the bustling corridors of the academy, her enigmatic aura a double-edged sword that attracted both intrigue and interest. A veil of mystery surrounded her, casting an allure that held an air of fascination.
With long tresses of silver cascading like a glacial waterfall, and skin as pale as the snow that kissed the land, Seraphine's appearance was nothing short of ethereal. Her eyes, twin sapphires of the purest blue, held a depth that seemed to draw others into their cerulean depths. A being of singular beauty.
"Seraphine, what are you thinking? Why would you consider joining forces with him, but not with me? We share the same ancestry, after all! As the future Frost Sovereign, it's only right for you to collaborate with me, the son of the 'Flame Sovereign'!" pleaded Leon, his voice tinged with a mix of disbelief and frustration.
Much like Seraphine, Leon hailed from the exclusive high lineage as the son of the 'Flame Sovereign'. Yet, his disposition couldn't have been more distinct. While Seraphine exuded an icy reserve, Leon was a charismatic whirlwind, the very antithesis of her cool demeanor. He possessed an innate charm that drew others like moths to a flame, a magnetic quality that bestowed upon him an air of leadership.
Always found amidst a throng of companions, Leon's social sphere seemed to expand perpetually, a testament to his captivating presence. His fiery red hair showed the fervor within him, and his appearance bore a fierceness akin to that of a lion, marking him as a figure of both strength and majesty.
"Leon, you and I have shared a history from our earliest days. You should understand the reason behind my decision to extend an invitation to him."
"I do know you well, Seraphine. But I'm struggling to make sense of this. Why align yourself with someone of lower birth?"
"..." Ethan remained rooted in place, his thoughts mirroring Leon's confusion. Choosing not to interrupt, he awaited Seraphine's response. In that very instant, he regretted not having a bag of popcorn to munch on while this intriguing drama played out.
"The very fact that he comes from humble origins adds to the intrigue for me. This man surpassed all of us in the recruitment trial, displaying a mastery of magic that defied his circumstances. This fact alone speaks volumes about his skill as a magician. You're aware that my life's ambition is to surpass my mother's. If there's even a chance to glean something from his abilities, then I'll gladly offer my hand in cooperation."
"What in the world are you even saying! I cannot accept such absurd concept! How could someone such as him possibly outshine us, the high lineage mages and the next in line for the role of Magi? My abilities far surpass his meager skills!"
"Hey, hey. No need to be so brutal with your words," Ethan thought to himself, silently observing their unfolding conversation.
"That's it, Leon! My mind is made up."
"I won't stand for this! You!"
"...this situation feels strangely familiar... man, please reconsider—"
"I challenge you to a duel!"
"Ha~, look, I have no interest in fighting you over such trivial matter. I'll simply turn down her proposal. Are we good with that?"
"Ethan, I get your perspective. Yet, are you absolutely sure about this choice? You're an outsider and an outcast, facing discrimination and animosity across the entire academy. Who'd be willing to stand on your side? Wouldn't it be a smoother road if you were to accept my offer?" retorted Seraphine .
"..."
Her words rang with undeniable truth. Aligning with her would indeed alleviate Ethan's path, yet, at the same time, accepting her proposition would irrevocably paint a target on his back, subjecting him to ceaseless assaults from Leon and his loyalists.
"Fine... I'll take up your offer."
"Fantastic!"
"I can't let this slide! Face me in a duel! If you emerge victorious, I'll drop this issue and never bring it up again. However, should you fall, you must turn down her proposal!"
"Leon, please cease your persistence and let this matter rest," Seraphine countered, her tone an attempt to defuse the escalating tension.
"It's fine, Seraphine. He seems like the persistent type. I'll entertain his request."
"Ethan!"
"Hmph, we've got a bit of time before our next class. Let's head to the arena right away."
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
"... Lead the way."
Word spread like wildfire through the school, igniting a buzz of whispers and excited glances among the students. Gossip traveled swift, each telling of the impending clash more thrilling than the last. The very idea of Leon, the outgoing heir of the "Flame Sovereign," squaring off against Ethan, the mysterious outsider, sparked a blaze of anticipation.
When Ethan and Leon arrived at the arena, the seats that were once empty now brimmed with eager faces, a sea of curious eyes focused on the central stage. The excitement in the air was like electricity, creating an almost tangible energy.
The arena, which had witnessed many a contest before, now stood as a hub of expectation, charged with an atmosphere that gave the audience shivers of excitement.
As Ethan and Leon took their places, every step they took seemed to echo in the hearts of the spectators. Their eyes met in a silent challenge, emotions churning beneath the surface. The crowd fell silent, the air thick with anticipation.
"You're gonna wish you never tried to embarrass me in front of Seraphine!"
"What? How did I embarras-"
Ethan's words were cut short as Leon abruptly initiated the duel.
"Fire Pulse!"
With a swift incantation, Leon unleashed a burst of fiery energy. The spell projected a wave of blazing force, surging forward in a straight line before vanishing or striking its intended mark. Its searing path could scorch adversaries in its wake, inflicting fire damage upon those it touched. The pulse burned brightest at its inception, its intensity dwindling as it journeyed onward.
Ethan skillfully evaded the unexpected projectile, a surge of irritation coursing through him.
"Alright... I'll play along!"
Without a moment's pause, Leon pressed forward with his assault.
"Scorching ground!"
Ethan caught a sudden glint of sparks at his feet, his instincts kicking in. He swiftly leaped off the spot he had occupied, just in the nick of time. As he moved away, scalding flames erupted from the ground he had been standing on, engulfing the area he had vacated. Had he hesitated, he would have found himself charred and blistered.
'This bastard! Is he aiming to cripple me?' Ethan's mind raced with thoughts as he evaded the searing onslaught.
'I can't stay on the defensive. It's time to take the offense. But I need to be strategic about this. He relies heavily on fire and earth elements, both of which are countered by water. Alright, let's cool things down a bit.'
Ethan focused his will on the power of the wind element. The air responded to his command, swirling around him in a graceful dance. With each twirl, it collected moisture from the surroundings, coalescing into a mist under his control.
"What are you thinking? Trying to fight fire with wind? You're only making my flames stronger, you fool!"
"Fire Pulse."
'This is the moment.'
Ethan shifted his attention to Leon's incoming fire attack. As the flames reached the edges of the swirling mist, a reaction occurred, melding the mist with the heat and energy of the flames.
"Ha-ha! Just as I said! You're caught in an empowered blaze because you thought wind could shield you from my flames!"
Behind the veils of fire, Ethan couldn't help but grin, his plan falling into place.
The final phase involved invoking the water element itself. His outstretched hand rippled through the mist, causing droplets to condense and merge.
As the mist thickened and the droplets combined, an astonishing sight materialized before the wide-eyed audience. A radiant cloud formed, suffused with a soft, otherworldly glow that seemed to resonate with both Ethan's and Leon's magic. With a sweeping gesture, he directed the cloud upwards, toward the arena's ceiling.
Hovering above, the cloud emitted a low rumble. Soon, raindrops, large and shimmering, began to descend in a rapid cascade, dousing the scorched ground left in the wake of Leon's flames. The arena transformed as the rainfall sizzled upon contact, dispelling the fiery remnants and shrouding the battleground in a cooling puddle of water.
"Hey, what's going on? A cloud? How did this happen!"
"Even if I told you, you wouldn't understand." Ethan replied calmly to the confused Leon.
'Imagine the flames like a gentle sun, softly touching the wisps of mist made by the wind. This mix wakes up tiny water droplets, making them rise like playful gusts.
As these droplets go up, the Wind, a graceful guide, lifts them high into the sky. Up there, the Air, a cool and clever artist, shapes the droplets into a soft cloud.
Soon, the cloud gets heavy with its watery art. The Wind and flames help again, assisting the cloud in letting go. And there you have it! Raindrops fall down, giving life to the pool below.'
"I've never seen spells like this before! But do you really believe that can stop me? Fire Pulse!"
As Leon summoned his spell, it became clear that Ethan's conjured rain cloud put him at a significant disadvantage. The heavy rain caused by the cloud swiftly extinguished Leon's flames, leaving him astonished at the rapid turn of events.
"Yes, I believe it can."
"Fire isn't the only element I can control."
"Wall Charge!"
Leon conjured an earthen wall from the ground beneath him, sending it hurtling towards Ethan like a charging bull homing in on a red cape.
With astonishing mastery, Ethan sidestepped the oncoming assault. In a breathtaking display, he began harnessing the large pool of water gathered by the cloud above. Forming a curtain-like veil, he deftly lowered the water's temperature, allowing droplets to pass through. Yet, as they descended, they transformed from water droplets into a cascade of icy crystals from the cold temperature of the veil.
A relentless barrage of icy shards rained down upon Leon, bombarding him in an unrelenting assault. He moved swiftly to shield himself.
"Flame Armor!"
A shield of protective flames materialized around Leon, instantly melting the icy projectiles upon contact. This left a larger pool of water bellow Leon.
"You think I created those icy shards for no reason?"
"Huh?"
'Oh, dear Leon. If only you could grasp the captivating realm of weather.'
Imagine a grand castle in the sky, where various elements gather to stage an electrifying performance.
Inside these clouds, there's a bustling of tiny particles, akin to a lively market. Water droplets and ice crystals dance around, occasionally bumping into one another. Now, these particles carry electric charges – some positive, some negative.
As the cloud evolves, the positive and negative charges begin to separate. The positive ones assemble at the cloud's summit, forming a royal court, while the negative charges congregate at the base, establishing an enchanting equilibrium.
Yet the tale doesn't conclude there! Down below, the ground becomes intrigued by the activities in the cloud castle. It extends its own "feelers," so to speak, toward the cloud, akin to explorers attempting to establish a connection with the cloud's charges.
When a feeler and a charge from the cloud meet halfway, a wondrous transformation unfolds – it's like a magical handshake! A surge of mighty electricity courses through this link, igniting a dazzling flash of light – and we dub this...'
"Lightning Strike!"
As Ethan's triumphant declaration echoed through the arena, a mesmerizing spectacle unfolded. A blinding bolt of lightning streaked from the heavens, a brilliant arc of energy connecting the heavens and the earth. The audience watched in awe as the bolt found its target, the pool of water beneath Leon's feet.
A thunderous roar reverberated through the arena, drowning out all other sound. The lightning struck with a fury, its electric tendrils engulfing the water below. In an instant, the charged currents coursed through Leon's body, his form convulsing as the electrical energy surged through him.
The air seemed to crackle with the sheer intensity of the lightning, and a collective gasp swept through the spectators as they beheld the astonishing display. Leon's body trembled as the electricity surged through his limbs, his eyes wide with shock.
Then, just as swiftly as it had struck, the lightning receded, leaving behind an eerie silence. The arena was shrouded in a hushed tension as the spectators held their breath, their eyes fixed on the scene before them.
Leon stood frozen for a moment, his body still twitching from the aftereffects of the electric shock. And then, with a slow and unsteady motion, he collapsed to the ground, his consciousness slipping away.
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Seraphine https://i.imgur.com/ja4Peze.png [https://i.imgur.com/ja4Peze.png]
Leon https://i.imgur.com/wAQpK9L.png [https://i.imgur.com/wAQpK9L.png]