"Watch out, everyone!" Emma stepped forward, her posture straight, her eyes burning with determination. Her fingers twitched as she summoned the power within her. With a sharp motion, she thrust her hands toward the advancing fragments of water spheres. The earth beneath her seemed to pulse in response. Small pebbles shot from the ground, crashing into the water with an explosion that sent droplets scattering in every direction.


    Emma’s breath quickened as she watched the result unfold. A grin tugged at the corners of her lips. "Yes!" she yelled, pumping her fist into the air, the adrenaline coursing through her like wildfire.


    "What?"


    "Impossible."


    "It can''t be..." Valek''s eyes widened, and his jaw nearly hit the ground. His once impenetrable fa?ade cracked, exposing the disbelief and panic beneath. The raw strength of the students defied everything he thought possible. A group of first-years had countered Zena''s spells with precision and force, leaving him reeling.


    His breath hitched as the air around him seemed heavier, charged with residual magic. The ground beneath his feet trembled slightly as if mocking his faltering composure. Valek clenched his fists, the cool sweat on his palms betraying his rising fear.


    "But..." He tried to speak, but the words clung to his throat, refusing to form. His mind raced, searching for an explanation, for control, but all he could do was stand there, frozen, as the impossible unfolded before his eyes.


    "Zena is a strong mage," Ava said, her voice steady, like a blade honed to perfection. She turned to Valek, her piercing gaze locking onto him, and for a moment, it felt as though she could see through him, past his bravado, and into the cracks forming beneath. The air between them was heavy with tension and the weight of unspoken truths.


    "But she underestimated my students'' abilities," Ava continued, her tone sharp enough to cut through the thick silence. "Simple." A faint, knowing smile curved her lips, one that spoke of both pride and certainty. She turned back toward the fight, her movements graceful yet deliberate, as if she were orchestrating the scene herself.


    Her confidence wasn’t loud or overbearing—it was rooted in a deep understanding of her students and their potential. She stood tall, unshaken, her presence commanding even as chaos unfolded around them. "You see, Valek," she added, almost as an afterthought, her eyes narrowing as she watched the battle, "strength isn’t just about power. It’s about knowing how to wield."


    With a deep sigh, Valek''s shoulders dropped, the sound heavy with resignation. "I guess you''re right, Ava."


    Zena’s eyes narrowed, and her hand gripped her wand. Her shoulders slumped, defeated. ''How could this happen? I thought they wouldn''t be able to stop all of them.'' She gritted her teeth, frustration building up with every passing second. She clenched her fists, almost breaking her wand.


    "This is the first time I''ve seen Zena caught off guard by an opponent''s strength," Kael murmured, his voice tinged with awe as he watched the students deflect Zena''s magic with unexpected finesse. His gaze lingered on the spell''s aftermath—the faint shimmer of residual energy dissipating into the air. "Or maybe she underestimated them," he mused, a hint of a smile on his lips.


    The air around him seemed lighter as he clenched his fists, determination sparking in his eyes. "Either way, I’ll make sure not to repeat her mistake."


    Leon and Vincent stood there, their eyes locked on the arena ahead, the tension between them palpable. The air seemed heavier, charged with anticipation as their gazes flickered toward the towering figure of Kael, the paladin. His radiant armor shimmered in the light, and his ever-present smile betrayed a confidence that sent a shiver down their spines.


    "Are you ready?" Vincent asked, his voice steady but edged with a hint of nervous energy.


    Leon nodded, clenching his fists, his jaw tightening. "Ready or not, we don''t have a choice... but I won''t lose to anyone."


    Kael had a smile on his face, his posture relaxed and unbothered.


    The air was tinged with a thick tension, so heavy it felt like it could suffocate everyone present. The training ground seemed to hold its breath, the faint hum of magic crackling in the atmosphere as the dust settled.


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    Zena stood firm amidst the chaos, her sharp eyes focused and unyielding. She began chanting in a low, resonant tone, each word dripping with power and intent. The crystal atop her ornate wand began to glow, a fiery red light that pulsed in rhythm with her incantation. Heat radiated from the gem, distorting the air around it as if a blaze was about to erupt from within.


    Her voice grew louder, commanding the energy to bend to her will. Sparks flickered and danced along the edges of her wand, illuminating her determined expression. Everyone around her could feel the impending eruption of power; their breath caught in anticipation of what would come next.


    "What the... is she using a spell like that?" Eryndor whispered, a panicked look on his face.


    "Kael, put up a barrier to protect the students!" Valek ordered, his voice steady.


    Kael gently rested his giant sword on the floor, raising his hands in the air, his tone controlled. "Shield."


    As Kael’s hands lifted, a soft golden light began to radiate from his palms, expanding outward like ripples on a still pond. The glow coalesced into a shimmering barrier, translucent yet solid, humming with divine energy. Intricate patterns of runes and symbols danced across its surface, glowing faintly as if alive with purpose. The shield emitted a warm, calming aura, its edges gleaming with a sharp, ethereal brilliance, forming a protective dome around him. Each flicker of light seemed to resonate with Kael''s controlled breathing, a testament to his unwavering focus and mastery.


    A small flame sparked at the top of the crystal, growing brighter and hotter with every little magic Zena poured into her wand. The air around her seemed to burst with magical energy.


    "Let''s see if you can stop my fire spell," Zena said, her face edged with calmness.


    "Zena, wait..." The other female mage, who hadn''t revealed herself, hopelessly reached out her hand as if trying to stop Zena.


    ''Is she going to harm the students? She''s taking the duel seriously.'' Valek thought, his mind racing to figure out what could have happened to Zena.


    "Zena... what are you doing?" Valek muttered under his breath.


    The small gathering crowd around them was silent, watching the duel unfold. The Class 1-F students, once excited by the prospect of fighting S-rank Adventurers, now sat frozen in a mix of awe and fear. Zena’s aura was different today—intense and unrelenting.


    Valek’s memories of their countless adventures together surfaced, each one showcasing her unwavering kindness, her loyalty to the team, and her fiery yet controlled spirit. This wasn’t the Zena he knew. She had always been fierce in combat, but this was something else. It was like witnessing someone different speaking with the students.


    ''What''s happening to you, Zena?'' The other magician thought, stepping forward defensively to protect the students. ''It''s unlikely that you''d be so reckless, Zena.''


    The fireball hovered over her wand, the air around her practically radiating with magical energy. The flames expanded, growing larger into a huge fireball that seemed to engulf Zena in its intense flames.


    The other students stood behind Kael''s barrier, their faces painted with panic as Zena''s fire spell expanded slowly and steadily. The barrier kept most of the heat at bay as the flames intensified.


    Without any hesitation, Zena released the fire magic, her expression unreadable. The students froze up as the fire spell crept closer. Ava and the other Adventurers defensively stood before the students, their faces tinged with concern and fear.


    ''What is Zena doing?'' Valek thought, his sharp gaze darting between the students and the dangers of the fire spell released by Zena. ''Doesn''t she know how dangerous such a massive spell could be?''


    The fireball crashed into the barrier, sending spiderweb-like cracks racing across its surface, threatening to shatter it at any moment. The students exchanged uneasy glances, tension thick in the air. Some shifted uncomfortably, their hearts pounding like war drums, while others forced themselves to stand tall—yet fear flickered in their eyes, betraying their facade of bravery.


    With a crackling noise, the barrier shattered, sending fragments flying through the air. The students screamed and scrambled backward, shielding their faces as shimmering shards whizzed past them. Some fell to the ground in panic, while others stood frozen, their eyes wide with fear. In front of them, the adventurers braced themselves, gripping their weapons tightly, their expressions shifting from shock to steely determination as they prepared for whatever came next.


    Kael wiped a bead of sweat from his face, his breathing steady. ''Phew, done,'' he thought as he said his sword back into his sheathe. ''I did not expect stopping Zena would be on the agenda.''


    ''I did not sign up to die again,'' Leon thought, a sigh of relief escaped his mouth. ''I''m glad that it''s over.'' Leon glanced over at Vincent, who seems not to be frightened. He stood near Leon his posture relaxed and unmoved.


    Zena stood amidst the chaos, her figure slowly emerging as the dust settled. She gripped her wand tightly, her expression unreadable. Her cloak was wrinkled and scorched, the thick fabric bearing the marks of battle. Her breathing was heavy and fast, as if she had been pushed to the brink of exhaustion from using her magic.


    "What''s wrong with you, Zena?" Valek asked, his voice rising slightly. "Are you trying to kill us?" He added, gesturing to the students and Mrs. Ava.


    "You know you could have killed everyone here and cause significant damage to the academy?" Eryndor spoke up, his voice a stark contrast to Valek''s.


    Zena remained standing amidst the settling dust, her expression still unreadable. "I''m sorry... I''m really sorry," She said, her voice barely above a whisper, almost teary.