"Thunder!" "The Beast!"
The crowd erupted as Thunder defeated Francis in the final match, securing his third straight victory—and the championship.
Their deafening cheers startled Kaili mid-battle. He glanced over just in time to see Francis go down.
*Damn it. The Fire Class is finished.*
If even Francis couldn't beat Thunder, and *he* couldn't beat Sisi…
The thought shattered his morale. A few well-placed lightning strikes later, Sisi clinched her first win in the finals.
With that, the solo tournament concluded:
- **Thunder**: 3 points, undisputed champion.
- **Francis**: 2 points, runner-up.
- **Sisi**: 1 point, third place.
- **Kaili**: 0 points, dead last.
Making the top four should've meant rewards—but three brutal losses left Kaili empty-handed.
"Hell yeah, spatial pouch!" Eric drooled, rushing to Thunder.
"Wait for the team matches to finish," Instructor Maria reminded, smiling. "Prizes will be awarded together. Congratulations, all of you."
"*Third place*," Sisi grumbled.
Francis felt robbed. No one had *ever* spammed scrolls like this in a match. *Fight me fair with magic control!* But rules were rules—no appeals.
"Instructor, about lunch today…" Eric's eyes gleamed.
"Already prepared. Come to my place for a feast!" Maria laughed.
"I thought only the champion got to eat?" Thunder teased. Sisi responded with a raised fist.
"We're coming too," Kaili and Francis chimed in.
"Like hell!" Sisi snapped. "This is a *Lightning Class* celebration. Fire Class losers, go bother *your* instructor."
"Our instructor's a dude who can't cook," Kaili grinned. "Dining with a beauty like you would lift our spirits. Come on, we got wrecked today—throw us a bone?"
"Fine." Sisi relented, soothed by Thunder avenging her loss to Francis.
With the solo tournament over and the remaining team matches (Water/Ice/Earth battling for the last slot) scheduled for later, the group had nothing but time.
Maria's cooking was divine. Thunder nearly swallowed his tongue, and the meal devolved into a food-grabbing free-for-all. Sisi, especially, abandoned all dignity, eating like a starved wolf.
As leftovers were cleared, Maria brought out a fruit platter.
Sisi sprawled in her chair, rubbing her stuffed belly. "So… you guys are graduating soon, right? Any plans?"
The cheerful mood froze.
She was right—Sisi, Francis, Eric, and Kaili were all nearing graduation. Once their combat ratings broke 200 and they mastered intermediate magic, they'd leave the academy. For some, it was mere months away.
"What about you?" Francis asked Sisi.
"No clue!" She sat up, then brightened. "Instructor, can we keep learning from you after graduation?"
"Of course." Maria chuckled. "After you two leave, Thunder will be my only student. Just bring proper gifts."
"You're the best!" Sisi seized Maria's hand, planting exaggerated kisses.
The guys shifted uncomfortably.
Thunder kicked Francis and Kaili under the table.
"Lucky you," Francis sighed. "Our instructor handles a dozen students—no time for extra training."
"And high-tier mages are all tied to nobles or guilds," Kaili added. "Signing up with them means selling out."
"You don't *want* noble backing?" Thunder asked.
"Who would?" Eric scoffed. "If magic weren't so damn expensive, no mage would bow to those pricks. We're too proud for chains."
Fair point.
"Should've picked Lightning Magic," Francis and Kaili muttered.
"Wait." Thunder blinked. "If they graduate… does that mean you'll have *no* students left, Instructor?"
"*You?*" Sisi smirked. "You'll die in those apprentice robes. Come back when you can cast *one* proper spell."
*Ugh.* Damn Magic Guild rules. No spellcasting = no promotion. He might be stuck as an apprentice *forever*.
Maria giggled. "Perfect, isn't it? I was worried about unemployment. With you around, I'll always have work."
Watching her smooth, jade-like arms, Thunder flushed for no reason.
**What awaits the group after graduation—and will Thunder ever escape his "eternal apprentice" fate?**