The Adventurer's Guild arena hummed with restless energy, the stands packed with adventurers whose cheers and murmurs echoed through the scorched battlefield. The air was thick with the scent of magic and steel, the ground scarred from Selena's recent duel. In the stands, Renjiro scratched his head, his voice laced with amusement as he addressed the group's shock. "Yeah, Selena's got a boyfriend," he said, a grin spreading across his face.
Takeshi's jaw dropped, his voice cracking with disbelief. "A boyfriend? But I've never seen her with a boy!"
Renjiro laughed, leaning back. "Of course not. They're in a secret relationship."
Selena, climbing the steps to the stands, froze as Renjiro's words reached her. Her face flushed with anger, her silver eyes blazing. "How dare you!" she shouted, storming toward him. Before Renjiro could react, she grabbed his collar and delivered a swift, furious punch, knocking him out cold. "Die here!" she snapped, her voice trembling with rage.
Yuki stepped forward, her tone gentle but probing. "Selena, why hide your relationship?"
Selena's anger faded, replaced by a sheepish expression as she noticed the tension in Yuki, Himari, and Takeshi's faces. "It's not that I didn't want to tell you," she said, her voice softening. "It's just… better not to talk about it right now."
Himari's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "At least tell us who this lucky boy is who made you fall in love."
Selena's cheeks turned crimson, her gaze dropping. "I'll introduce him at the New Year celebration," she mumbled, her blush deepening.
Haruto laughed, his earlier sadness about Reina forgotten for a moment. "Even Selena blushes!" he teased, pulling out his phone. "I'm taking a photo."
Selena lunged to stop him, but Haruto snapped the picture, grinning. "This'll be useful one day."
Before the teasing could continue, Malric's voice boomed from the battlefield. "Next candidate: Takeshi!"
Takeshi stood, his nerves evident but his grin bold. "Time for me to fight."
Haruto clapped him on the shoulder. "All the best, Takeshi."
Takeshi strode onto the battlefield, his broad frame tense with nervous energy. The arena's display flickered, revealing his attributes: Arcanist core, four elements—Fire, Water, Earth, Wind—divine energy level 11000, age 13. Lilith, standing at the arena's edge, smiled. "Very interesting, Takeshi. An Arcanist core and four elements, following Ashford's performance."
Takeshi flashed a confident smile. "Can we start? I'm eager to fight."
Lilith's expression turned apologetic. "I'd love to duel you myself, but your opponent is Malric." She stepped aside, taking a seat to rest.
Haruto's eyes widened, his voice low with concern. "A high-level swordsman against a low-level mage? That's a total disadvantage for Takeshi."
Takeshi's grin didn't falter. "Fine by me."
Malric, a towering figure with a weathered face and a gleaming longsword, stepped forward. "Your name's Takeshi, right?"
Takeshi's tone was cold, his eyes flickering to the display. "Can't you read?"
Malric's expression darkened, his gaze settling on the sword strapped to Takeshi's back. "You're a mage, but you carry a sword. Why?"
"You'll find out when the match starts," Takeshi replied, his voice steady.
The referee raised his hand, and the match began with a sharp whistle.
Malric exploded into motion, his speed a blur as he dashed toward Takeshi, his sword gleaming with intent. Takeshi's hands moved swiftly, his voice ringing out. "Earth Form Spikes!" The ground shuddered, massive stone spikes erupting in a jagged line toward Malric, their tips glinting like spears ready to pierce flesh.
Malric leaped back, his eyes scanning the spikes' formation. Noticing gaps between them, he swung his sword in a wide arc, unleashing a crescent of raw energy. "Iron Crescent Slash!" The slash tore through the spikes, shattering them into rubble with a deafening crack. The energy wave hurtled toward Takeshi, its edge sharp enough to cleave stone.
Takeshi's heart raced, but he reacted instinctively. He unsheathed his sword, its blade igniting with crimson flames as he channeled his fire element. "Blazing Slash!" He swung, releasing a fiery crescent that collided with Malric's attack. The impact was cataclysmic, a roaring explosion of fire and force that sent shockwaves rippling through the arena. Dust and embers swirled, the crowd gasping as the blast's heat washed over the stands.
Takeshi thought he'd bought time to chant his next spell, but Malric emerged from the smoke, his speed unrelenting. His sword flashed, aimed at Takeshi's chest. Takeshi's eyes widened, shock slowing his reaction, but he ducked just in time, Malric's blade whistling past his head as the swordsman crossed the distance.
"Nice reaction," Malric said, his voice calm but edged with menace. Lightning crackled along his sword as he infused it with his element. "Thunderstrike Blade!" He swung again, the electrified blade slicing through the air with a high-pitched hum.
Takeshi couldn't dodge this time. The attack struck his shoulder, sending him skidding meters across the arena. Blood trickled from his arm, his breath ragged as he struggled to stand. Pain seared through him, but his resolve held firm.
Malric smiled, walking slowly toward him. "Is that all you've got?"
Takeshi's grin was defiant, his hand pointing to the ground. "Maybe you underestimated me." His voice dropped, his incantation swift. "Mega Flare Storm!" A vortex of fire and wind roared to life around Malric, its flames spiraling with gale-force intensity. The spell detonated in a massive explosion, a blinding pillar of fire that cracked the arena's stone and sent debris flying toward the stands. The crowd ducked, some muttering, "That attack's insane!"
As the smoke cleared, Malric stood, his shirt charred and his arms bloodied, but his stance unshaken. Takeshi knelt, gasping, his divine energy drained from the spell's cost. Before Malric could advance, Takeshi chanted again, his voice strained. "Mire Bind!" He combined water and earth elements, flooding the arena with a muddy quagmire that slowed movement, the wet sand clinging to Malric's boots.
Haruto leaped to his feet, cheering wildly. "Go, Takeshi!"
Himari frowned, her voice sharp. "Why are you shouting like a madman?"
Haruto grinned, explaining, "Wet sand makes it hard for a swordsman to move fast. It's a brilliant move against someone like Malric."
Selena nodded, her voice calm. "It's wise. Takeshi's thinking strategically against a high-level swordsman."
Renjiro stirred, regaining consciousness with a groan, rubbing his head. "What's going on?"
Yuki glanced at him. "Takeshi's fighting Malric."
Renjiro's eyes widened as he studied the battlefield. "Is Takeshi using water and earth elements together?"
"Yes," Yuki confirmed.
"What's Malric's element?" Renjiro asked, curiosity in his voice.
"Lightning," Yuki replied.
Renjiro's face paled, his voice urgent as he shouted, "Takeshi, attack Malric now, or you'll lose!"
Selena, Himari, Reina, Yuki, and Haruto turned to him, shocked. "Why's he at a disadvantage?" Haruto asked.
Before Renjiro could explain, Malric moved. Lightning crackled around his legs, his element amplifying his speed despite the muddy terrain. He closed the gap in a heartbeat, his sword slamming into Takeshi's chest with a thunderous crack. Takeshi flew backward, crashing into the arena's wall, blood spilling from his mouth as he slumped to the ground.
Malric approached, his sword raised, but his expression softened. "Your attacks were impressive, and your quick thinking was excellent," he said, lowering his blade. "I'm giving you a C+ rank." He extended a hand to help Takeshi up.
Takeshi stood shakily, gripping Malric's hand with a weary smile. "It was a good battle. I've got a lot to learn."
Malric's smile was warm. "Let's get you to the medical room for treatment." They walked off the battlefield together."