The moment my sword **collided** with her rapier, the entire arena **shook.**


    The clash of **fire and ice** sent a shockwave that blasted away the surrounding students.


    The ice beneath Elaine **shattered.**


    She staggered back.


    Her breath was heavy. She was getting tired.


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    A thin trickle of **blood** ran down her lip.


    I knew it, this was going to be last strike for us both.


    Here it goes...


    The entire academy went **silent.**


    Then—


    **THUD.**


    Elaine’s rapier fell to the ground.


    She **exhaled**, then smiled.


    **"I surrender."**


    The instructor raised his hand.


    **"Winner – Lucian von Kaiser!"**


    The crowd **exploded.**


    **"He won?!"**


    **"Lucian actually beat Elaine?!"**


    **"This guy… he’s a monster!"**


    Elaine wiped the blood from her lip and chuckled.


    **"That was fun."**


    Then, to everyone’s shock—


    She extended her **hand** toward me.


    **"Let’s fight again sometime, Lucian."**


    I blinked.


    Then, grinning, I shook her hand.


    **"Yeah. Let’s."**


    I had just **defeated another one of the strongest Prodigies.**


    And now?


    I had her **attention.**


    ---