Selene turned slightly toward her, meeting Nyssa's curious gaze with a knowing smile. "Oh? So you're already worried about my students, huh?"

Nyssa laughed softly. "Worried? Maybe just eager. I want to see what Miyu can do. Her mana circuit is extraordinary—refined, stable, almost too perfect for her grade. I'm curious how she'll hold up when it's pushed to its limit."

"Well…" Selene exhaled, her voice lowering as her eyes drifted back toward the arena, "You'll see soon enough. Miyu's control isn't her only strength."

But deep down she was worried—about eran, if it comes to worst.

Nyssa arched a brow at her, a flicker of intrigue lighting her face.

Selene didn't elaborate. Instead, she sighed quietly, letting a smile tug at her lips as she refocused on her evaluation script.

The crowd's roars faded briefly beneath the rhythmic scratching of quills and the weight of what was still to come.

On the arena floor...

Edric brushed his hand across his chin, blood smeared faintly down his wrist. He spat to the side, his lips curling into a half-crazed grin.

"Well, not bad after all," he muttered, his tone sharp enough to bite.

"You caught me off guard... and that's your final score." His eyes gleamed with frostlight as he stepped forward. "I'll never let you get this close again."

He thrust his arms outward. The air around him turned bitter cold in an instant. Frost hissed from his palms like escaping steam as thin, jagged spikes of ice began forming—slow at first, then multiplying rapidly until both his hands shimmered like crystalline weapons. The frost spread to his forearms, hardening them into a translucent blue armor that crackled under the tension of his own mana.

Gasps rippled through the crowd. The noise that had filled the stands moments ago turned into tense murmurs.

"His ice—it's evolved!" someone whispered.

"Look at that, those spikes are twice the size of before!"

Above, in the noble booth reserved for the House of Korr, a few seated figures leaned forward, eyes narrowing in satisfaction.

"Perhaps little brother has finally gained control," one murmured. "He's proving his worth at last."

"I can't wait to see how far he climbs," another added, lips curling in quiet pride.

Back on the arena floor, Tess stood unflinching as the frost shimmered before her. Her eyes narrowed in focus. Her breath steadied.

"So my bad," she said lightly, rolling her shoulder back, "guess I pissed off a shitty little punk who doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut."

Edric's face twisted. "Shut up! shut up!!"

The spikes flared alive at his shout. Dozens of ice shards exploded forward like bullets, the pressure cutting through the air with a shrill hiss.

The crowd erupted—some cheering, some gasping, all leaning forward at once.

"Is she… is she going to block that!?" someone yelled.

"Tess—her mana's building...look!" another pointed, with a wide eyes.

Tess clenched her fists tighter, her knuckles glowing with light. Her mana pulsed brighter, veins of red flaring through her arms. The ground beneath her cracked slightly under the weight of the energy surging outward.

"She's not dodging it…" a noble whispered. "She's meeting it head-on!"

Suddenly, the volley of frost spikes collided where Tess had stood only a heartbeat before. The air cracked open in a thunderous shatter—a mist of frost and ice dust sweeping across the arena like a blizzard unleashed.

"W–what the hell... ?!" someone gasped.

"She didn't even dodge it!" another shouted. "Has she lost her mind!?"

The haze thickened, glittering silver beneath the mana lamps, swallowing Tess completely from sight. Beneath the archway, nobles craned their necks, murmuring in confusion, trying to glimpse what had become of her.

Eran remained still where he leaned, arms folded. His expression was unreadable, eyes steady, fixed on the swirling frost cloud. The sudden silence across the arena deepened, even the nobles' chatter fading to a frozen hush.

Edric exhaled sharply, lowering his ice-clad arms with a hiss.

"Hmph. Guess that's enough to shut your babbling mouth for good."

But the frost mist didn't fade completely, it glowed. A faint pulse of red shimmer began to bloom from within it, spreading in waves that cracked through the frost.

"What… what is that?" a voice trembled from the stands.

"No way…" another whispered.

From his seat at the judge's table, Professor Girzar tilted his head slightly.. his lips curling in the faintest nod of acknowledgment.

As the frost dust began to clear, a crimson radiance broke through like sunlight piercing fog. Tess stood—one knee bent, red mana flickering and swirling around her like a living flame. Her shield gleamed, fractured but unbroken, clinging to her like a protective cloak.

Gasps erupted.

"She blocked that?!"

"Her family… it's not just combat, they're known for both attack and defense magic!"

"What kind of shield holds up against frost like that!?"

The disbelief turned to wild cheers, especially from the girls who'd been shouting moments ago.

"Ho...holy shit, Tess!"

"I knew it! That's our girl!"

Tess grinned, brushing a lock of hair from her face. "You're done?" she called, voice smooth, and confident.

"I guess you have been."

Edric's eyes widened slightly. "Are you serious right now—?"

But before he could finish, Tess moved.. her body blurring in a flash of red mana.

Her knee slammed hard into his chin.

SMACK!

The sound echoed across the arena.

"Whoa...!"

"Hah! That's for the smug grin!"

"I'm not done," Tess whispered.

She spun with perfect grace—her fist cutting through the air, slamming squarely into his jaw.

WHAM!

The impact sent his second tooth flying.

The nobles around the arena rose half from their seats, eyes wide, mesmerized by the fluid precision of every motion, the strength beneath her elegance.

Before Edric's body could even fall, Tess dropped her palm to the floor, using it to pivot. Both her legs swept up—hooking clean around Edric's neck, flipping him over in one smooth, deadly arc.

WHACK!

His body crashed against the arena floor, bouncing twice as if in a slow-motion replay before lying still.

Dust and frost scattered at the impact's wake.

Tess rose above him, one knee bent, breath steady. She exhaled sharply, eyes blazing red as she looked towards him.

"Hmph. Weak mouths and weak backs," she muttered, looking down at Edric sprawled beneath her—white-eyed, jaw slack, knocked clean out.

She gave his cheek a sharp slap, a half-scolding , a half-triumphant gesture.

"Wake the hell up. You tore my sleeve and left a mark. Pay up, if you enjoy sleeping i can knock your ass off for the second time."

The arena cracked into laughter, jeers and whoops mixing with whistles. A girl in the stands hooted, "Go, Tess! Show him how a real house fights!" Another scoffed, "That boy won't even be able to boast at dinner." The mood swung from pity to savage glee in seconds.

Nyssa at the judges' table let out a quiet, appreciative laugh and leaned toward Selene. "Not bad," she said, with a soft voice. "You've got a school of monsters under you."

Selene's smile was thin and controlled.

"They fight for the chain," she answered. "That's what we train them for."

Down on the floor Tess hauled Edric upright by the collar, dragging him with a rough shove toward the archway. He coughed, spat out a cracked tooth that glinted in the light. Nobles at the rim traded smug looks—some worried about reputation, others already composing gossip to carry across the academy.

Tess reached the archway, grabbing her robe at the corner before stepping beneath it, dragging Edric alongside. The murmurs still rippled through the stands, a mix of awe, laughter, and quiet dread.

Some of the nobles leaned toward each other, whispering low:

"Did she just drag him like a sack?"

"She did… in front of everyone. Damn, that's humiliation on a silver plate."

A boy through the crowd whispered "It's the most beautiful show I've watched so far today… I like her already—ahh I can't wait," he breathed.

A girl beside him snorted, snapping her head. "Really? Your name didn't even cross the duel participants and you're already gushing? Pathetic—pervert." She jabbed him with a look. "Mind yourself. Last week it was Miyu, now it's Tess. Get a grip."

The boy went red, shoving a hand through his hair. "Huh... Miyu? No… no—please don't tell her," he stammered, panic rising like heat.

The girl rolled her eyes, disgusted. "Coward. What difference does it make picking the second top potential noble in class? Either way you'll get your butt kicked before you even open it, junk."

The Enforcer at the side tried to suppress a grin before clearing his throat.

"Winner — Tess Varyne!" His voice echoed, setting off another round of cheers.

From the judges' table, Nyssa tapped her quill gently, still smiling.

"That girl doesn't just fight, she performs," she said softly.

Selene leaned back, arms folded. "She's reckless," she murmured, "but the kind of reckless that makes people remember your name."

"You trained her well." Nyssa chuckled.

Selene arched a brow, a teasing glint in her eyes. "Oh, don't start flattering me already. I still have two others to watch — and I'm saving my judgment for the one who knows how to stay quiet before the storm."

Nyssa tilted her head slightly. "You mean Eran?"

A faint smile played on Selene's lips, her eyes narrowing. "Mm. Him."

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