Chapter 136: Chapter No.136 True Protagonist Vs Protagonist (4/?)
I looked toward Raven who was giving Eveline a mocking sneer, her confidence radiating as she stepped into the training area. Eveline, on the other hand, was calm, her demeanor a stark contrast to Raven's spirited energy. I leaned against the mana barrier, watching as they both prepared for the match.
"Get ready to eat my dust, Clearwater!" Raven called out, her voice dripping with playful taunts. "I hope you've been practicing your dodging skills!"
Eveline merely shrugged, a small smile playing on her lips. "Just don't underestimate me, Raven. I've had some practice myself." There was a glint of determination in her eyes, and I could tell she wasn't just going to be a passive participant.
The professor raised his hand, signaling the start of the match. "Begin!"
Raven wasted no time, "Dark Magic: Coiling Shadows!" dark tendrils spiralled from her outstretched hands and snaked toward Eveline like predatory serpents. The atmosphere grew tense as the shadows twisted and writhed, aiming to ensnare her.
Eveline reacted with impressive speed. "Water Magic: Aqua Barrier!" she shouted, summoning a shimmering wall of water that enveloped her. The shadows collided with the barrier, splattering and dissipating in a cascade of droplets.
"Not bad," Raven admitted, a hint of surprise in her voice. But she quickly regrouped, channeling her mana. "Dark Magic: Shadow Surge!" With a swift motion, she unleashed a wave of dark energy that surged toward Eveline, intent on overwhelming her.
"Let's see how you handle this! Water Magic: Torrent!" Eveline responded, raising her hands high. A powerful torrent of water surged forward, crashing against Raven's dark energy and creating a dazzling display of steam and mist that filled the training area.
The crowd gasped, the spectacle of light and shadow intermingling creating a breathtaking view. As the steam enveloped the arena, both combatants moved through the obscured landscape, each searching for the slightest advantage.
Raven's laughter echoed through the mist. "You think you can hide from me? Shadows obey my command!" She extended her hands, drawing forth the dark tendrils again. They snaked through the mist like hungry vipers, trying to locate Eveline amidst the swirling vapors.
But Eveline was prepared. "Water Magic: Mist Veil!" she chanted, manipulating the water vapor into a thick mist that distorted visibility, making it difficult for Raven to track her movements.
I leaned forward, intrigued. Eveline was demonstrating remarkable control over her magic, turning the battlefield to her advantage. The thick mist created a labyrinth of water droplets that danced in the light, momentarily blinding the onlookers.
Suddenly, a flash of movement caught my eye. Eveline darted through the mist, her form almost ghost-like, and took advantage of the cover. "Water Magic: Hydro Lances!" she called out, forming sharp spears of water that surged forward, aimed at Raven.
Raven's instincts kicked in. "Dark Magic: Shadow Evasion!" She pivoted, shadowy energy enveloping her as she effortlessly dodged the incoming water lances. Her form flickered in and out of existence, a testament to her affinity with shadows.
"Too slow, Eveline!" Raven taunted, a confident grin on her face as she used the shadows to leap above the water spears, landing with an agile grace.
But Eveline wasn't deterred. "I won't give up that easily! Water Magic: Tsunami!" she declared, channeling her mana and raising her arms dramatically. The ground trembled as a massive wave of water surged forth, aimed directly at Raven.
Raven's eyes widened in surprise. "What the—!" She quickly summoned her shadows, attempting to block the onslaught, but the sheer force of the water crashed against her defenses, pushing her backward.
With a swift maneuver, Raven spun and extended her hand, summoning a barrier of dark energy to absorb the impact. The wave struck fiercely, but the force was immense, and she found herself sliding back across the ground.
As the water began to recede, I could see Raven panting, her confidence waning. Eveline stood tall, determination shining in her eyes. "You can't underestimate the power of water," she declared, taking a step forward, emboldened by her success.
Raven narrowed her eyes, pushing herself to regain her footing. "You think you've won? I'm just getting started!" With a flick of her wrist, she channeled her energy once more. "Dark Magic: Shadow Whip!" A long tendril of shadow erupted from her hand, lashing out toward Eveline.
Eveline reacted instantly, forming a defensive wall of water. "Water Magic: Aqua Shield!" she shouted, her barrier rising to meet Raven's shadow whip. The two spells collided, creating a blinding flash of light as the water shield absorbed the impact.
Eveline launched forward, her hands weaving intricate patterns in the air. "Water Magic: Healing Mist!" She conjured a gentle mist that swirled around her, replenishing her mana and revitalizing her strength.
"Clever move," Raven acknowledged, visibly impressed as she dodged another burst of water lances from Eveline. "But I've got a few tricks up my sleeve too!"
"Bring it on!" Eveline shouted, determination flooding her voice.
Raven stepped back, gathering her shadows once more, but now her eyes sparkled with something more than confidence. It was a challenge. "Dark Magic: Eclipsing Nightmare!" She unleashed a dark wave that spread through the arena, enveloping everything in darkness. The temperature dropped, and I felt a shiver run down my spine as the shadows took form, creating illusions of dread.
Eveline faltered momentarily, feeling the effects of Raven's spell. But she steadied herself, focusing her thoughts. "No matter how dark it gets, I won't give in!" she exclaimed, her voice resolute.
Drawing upon her affinity, Eveline raised her hands. "Water Magic: Luminescent Cascade!" Brilliant streams of water shot upward, shimmering with light that pushed back against the encroaching darkness. The illumination cut through Raven's shadows, revealing her form amidst the chaos.
The two forces collided once more, light and dark intertwining in a spectacular display. Gasps filled the air as the room erupted into cheers, students leaning forward to witness the climax of this fierce duel.
I saw fatigue catching up to both of them, due to launching spell after spell like dominoes, yet neither seemed willing to back down. Both Raven and Eveline were showing remarkable determination, their eyes locked on each other, each refusing to yield even an inch.
"Impressive, Eveline," Raven said, her voice laced with both respect and a hint of challenge. "But I'm not finished just yet!"
Eveline took a deep breath, her expression calm but resolute. "Neither am I, Raven. Let's end this properly!"
They stood facing each other, mana swirling around them, I already passed through the barrier walking in with my hands in my pockets.
"My darlings~ That would be enough," I walked up to the center of the arena, my voice calm yet commanding. The tension in the air seemed to dissipate slightly as both Raven and Eveline looked at me, their expressions a mix of frustration and relief.
"There's no need to go any further," I continued, glancing between them with a soft smile. "You both have demonstrated your strengths and skills admirably. Let's not forget, this was a sparring match, not a battle to the end."
Raven seemed to take a breath, her shoulders relaxing, though the spark of competitive fire still flickered in her eyes. "Tch, I was just getting warmed up," she muttered, though there was a hint of a playful smile tugging at her lips.
Eveline gave a nod, her face still flushed from the exertion but her eyes shining with determination. "You were really strong, Raven," she said, extending a hand toward her. "I learned a lot from this match."
Raven blinked in surprise, then smirked and took Eveline's hand in a firm shake. "Yeah, you're not half bad yourself, Clearwater. Maybe next time, I'll show you what I'm really capable of."
But before they could even take one step, their eyes rolled back and body started felling due to them losing consciousness.
I quickly moved forward, catching both Raven and Eveline before they hit the ground. Their mana reserves must have been completely drained from the intense sparring match. It was admirable how far they pushed themselves, but even I knew when enough was enough.
"You two really went all out," I muttered, half-amused as I carefully picked them up and walked towards the dorms.
"After your matches come to my room," I said to Liliana, Lily and Sionna. "And no pushing things like these to idiots, Do I make myself clear?" I finished with a stern glance at each of them. I didn't want them exhausting themselves to this point or encouraging others to do so just to prove their strength.
Liliana gave me a sheepish smile, her eyes glinting with a hint of mischief. "Got it, Darling~"
Liliana's playful response brought a slight smile to my lips, though I remained firm. I didn't want anyone pushing themselves to the brink for the sake of pride or competition. Sionna, on the other hand, simply nodded, her eyes scanning Raven and Eveline, likely assessing their condition.
Lily, standing slightly behind the others, gave me a soft smile, understanding the protective intent behind my words.
As I carried Raven and Eveline towards the dorms, I couldn't help but think about how much potential both of them had shown. The duel was intense, far more so than I expected, but it highlighted just how powerful each of them could become in the future.
Once we reached the dormitory, I carefully placed both Raven and Eveline in their respective beds. The recovery ward for the academy's elite students was well-equipped to handle mana exhaustion like this. A gentle hum filled the room as healing magic activated, flowing over their bodies like a soft breeze, helping them recover faster.
"Rest well," I murmured before stepping out of the room. As I left, I glanced over my shoulder at the two unconscious girls, a small smile tugging at the corner of my lips. They would be back on their feet soon enough.
I headed back toward my room, where I knew Liliana, Lily, and Sionna would be waiting. They had their own matches, but they wouldn't be reckless after my warning. Liliana, especially, had a tendency to stir things up, but she knew her limits—or at least I hoped she did.
When I entered my room, I found the three of them sitting around, each in various states of relaxation. Liliana was lounging on the sofa, twirling a lock of her hair around her finger. Sionna was calmly flipping through a book, her focus sharp as always, while Lily seemed lost in thought, her gaze distant as she stared out the window.
"So, how did your matches go?" I asked, leaning against the doorway, arms crossed casually.
Liliana was the first to respond, her eyes lighting up with excitement. "Oh, you know, nothing too serious. I just took care of things swiftly~" She winked at me, her tone playful. "My opponent didn't stand a chance."
I raised an eyebrow at that. "I hope you didn't go overboard, Liliana."
She waved a hand dismissively. "Of course not, Darling~ You know I wouldn't overdo it. I just wanted to have a little fun."
Sionna looked up from her book, her tone as calm as ever. "I made sure not to push myself too hard. My match was more of a practice session. My opponent needed some guidance more than a challenge."
I smiled at her answer. Sionna always approached things with a steady hand and a thoughtful mind. "Good. And what about you, Lily?"
Lily blinked, her eyes focusing on me. She gave a small smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "It was fine. I didn't really want to fight today, but I went through the motions."
"So, I wanted to talk about..."
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[To Be Continued]
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Stone Me!, I can take it.
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