The air crackled with raw energy. The ground beneath Ethan's feet trembled as Lucian Aldric unleashed his aura, a suffocating wave of mana surging through the courtyard. The students watching from the sidelines instinctively backed away, their faces pale from the sheer pressure.
Ethan, however, didn't flinch.
He had fought monsters. He had endured hellish training. And now, he was about to break yet another arrogant noble who thought power equaled superiority.
Lucian smirked, golden eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Still standing? I expected you to at least stagger under my mana."
Ethan rolled his shoulders. "You expected wrong."
Lucian's expression darkened. "Cocky bastard."
Then he moved.
A burst of golden light erupted from his feet as he closed the distance in an instant, his fist crashing down toward Ethan's face.
Ethan raised his arm, blocking the strike. The impact sent a shockwave through the courtyard, dust and debris flying outward.
Lucian's strength was monstrous. But Ethan had already fought against stronger opponents.
He countered.
His fist shot forward, aiming straight for Lucian's ribs. But the noble twisted his body at the last moment, his foot swinging up in a vicious roundhouse kick.
Ethan ducked, feeling the wind from the strike graze his hair.
He's fast.
But Ethan was faster.
He grabbed Lucian's leg mid-swing, using the momentum to spin and slam him into the ground. The impact cracked the stone floor beneath them.
The watching students gasped.
Lucian, however, didn't stay down. He gritted his teeth, his body glowing with golden energy as he propelled himself up, flipping backward onto his feet.
Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
For the first time, there was no arrogance in his eyes. Only pure, focused rage.
"You…" he exhaled, wiping the blood away. "I'll kill you."
Ethan grinned. "You can try."
Lucian roared, his aura surging again.
The Battle Escalates
Lucian's next attack was relentless.
He weaved his hands together, golden runes appearing around him. "Celestial Judgement!"
A massive spear of light formed in the air, crackling with divine energy. The watching students held their breath—this was a technique only nobles of the Aldric bloodline could use.
Lucian thrust his hands forward, sending the spear hurtling toward Ethan at blinding speed.
Most people would dodge.
Ethan didn't.
He clenched his fist, stepping forward.
Then he punched.
His knuckles met the spear mid-air, and the impact shattered the weapon like glass.
Silence.
Lucian's eyes widened in disbelief. "Impossible—"
Ethan was already moving. He closed the gap between them, his knee slamming into Lucian's stomach. The noble coughed violently, spit and blood flying from his mouth.
But Ethan wasn't done. He grabbed Lucian's collar, lifting him off the ground.
"You're not bad," Ethan admitted. "But you're still weaker than me."
Then he hurled Lucian like a ragdoll.
The noble crashed through a marble pillar, debris collapsing around him.
For a moment, the courtyard was silent.
Then—
Lucian pushed himself out of the rubble, blood dripping down his forehead. His eyes burned with fury.
He wasn't done yet.
Eline and Sylvia Join the Fight
Before Lucian could make his next move, two figures appeared beside Ethan.
Eline, her daggers glowing with a faint, deadly light, smirked. "Looks like you're having fun."
Sylvia, her sword drawn, frowned. "I thought we were trying to keep a low profile."
Ethan scratched the back of his head. "Oops."
Lucian scowled at the two women. "Stay out of this."
Eline twirled her dagger. "Nah, I think I'll stick around."
Sylvia sighed. "He's too stubborn to back down. We should end this quickly."
Lucian's hands trembled with fury. "You think you can take me lightly?"
He slammed his palms together, a surge of golden energy erupting around him. The ground cracked, and the very air distorted.
The students watching gasped.
"He's going all out!"
"This is crazy! Someone stop this before the professors arrive!"
Ethan grinned. "Finally, you're serious."
Lucian roared, launching forward with newfound speed.
Ethan met him head-on.
Their fists clashed.
Shockwaves exploded outward, sending students flying back. The academy walls trembled from the sheer force of their battle.
Eline and Sylvia exchanged glances before jumping in.
Eline dashed behind Lucian, her daggers flashing. "Hey, noble boy, don't forget about me."
Lucian twisted at the last second, raising a golden barrier just in time to block her strike.
Sylvia, seizing the opportunity, swung her sword. A streak of silver light slashed toward Lucian's side.
But Lucian wasn't just some arrogant noble. He was trained for battle.
He ducked, avoiding the strike, before countering with a wave of energy that sent both women skidding back.
Ethan took advantage of the distraction.
He slammed his fist into Lucian's exposed ribs.
A sickening crunch echoed through the courtyard.
Lucian let out a strangled gasp, his body folding over from the impact.
Then Ethan delivered the final blow.
A devastating uppercut.
Lucian's body was lifted off the ground, his form flying several feet before crashing onto the hard stone floor.
Silence.
Lucian didn't move.
The students watching held their breath.
"…Is it over?" someone whispered.
Ethan cracked his knuckles. "If he stays down, yeah."
Eline smirked. "You didn't kill him. I'm almost impressed."
Sylvia sheathed her sword. "This isn't the end. The Aldric family won't take this lightly."
Ethan stretched. "Let them come."
As the dust settled, Ethan turned to the crowd of students still watching.
"You all saw that, right?" he called out. "If anyone else wants to test me—step up."
Silence. No one dared.
Ethan smirked. "Thought so."
With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Lucian unconscious on the ground.
The storm wasn't over.
But Ethan was ready for whatever came next.
To be continued…