The training field shimmered under the noon sun — wide, polished marble tiles with faint mana circuits glowing beneath the surface. The faint hum of magical energy filled the air, resonating through every student watching from the stands.
Lilia raised her hand, her voice echoing across the field,
"Let the match begin!"
The moment her words dropped, Ragnar raised his right hand. His calm eyes glowed amber as a katana forged entirely of flames burst into existence.
FlameBlade(8th grade)
The heat rippled the air, cracks spreading beneath his feet as the sword's aura burned the ground.
Thane Frostfire smirked, resting his icy blue eyes on Ragnar.
"Well, well... the so-called prodigy of Class A. Let's see what the hype's about."
He clicked his tongue, fire bursting from beneath his boots as he shot forward like a comet.
InfernalDash(9th grade)
Ragnar brought his sword up just in time — steel and flame meeting boot and fire — sparks flaring across the field.
Thane flipped backward midair, forming two sigils beneath him.
"Try dodging this!"
He swung his hand down, and jagged shards of ice rained from above like a meteor shower.
GlacialBarrage(9th grade)
Each impact froze the ground in a burst of frost. The once-shining training field turned into a frozen wasteland. Ragnar leapt between falling chunks of ice, slicing through some, kicking off others — every move efficient, clean, but clearly defensive.
"Too slow!" Thane shouted, landing behind him and thrusting his palm forward.
CrimsonBurst(10th grade)
A wave of red fire spiraled out, exploding in a brilliant sphere. Ragnar crossed his sword before him, blocking most of the flames — his boots skidding across the cracked, icy floor.
The crowd erupted in cheers.
"Come on, Thane!"
"Show him who's the real top student!"
"Freeze him again!"
The only ones silent were The Five Saints, their eyes unreadable.
Ragnar swung his sword outward, dispersing lingering flames, his voice calm.
"Is that all?"
Thane grinned, the corner of his mouth twitching. "Not even close."
He slammed his palms together, mana spiraling from his body — half crimson, half blue.
The ice around Ragnar suddenly melted into boiling water that hissed violently.
ThermoShift(10th grade)
The sudden temperature spike made the ground steam, blurring Ragnar's vision for a second — enough time for Thane to appear behind him, his leg encased in frost and flame.
FrostFlareKick(9th grade)
The kick connected with Ragnar's guard, sending him sliding back several meters.
The marble under him cracked from the force.
Ragnar steadied his footing, breathing out a short sigh, still composed.
Thane scoffed. "Still holding back? That's insulting."
"Not really," Ragnar replied, his tone flat. "You're just not worth the effort yet."
Thane's grin dropped. "...What did you just say?"
He raised his arm, frost crawling along it. A circle formed in the air — deep blue, layered with ancient runes.
"Let's see you block this, you arrogant bastard."
CyroCataclysm(10th grade)
The circle exploded, unleashing a storm of bladed ice and flame-tipped shards spiraling like a tornado.
Ragnar dashed forward, cutting through debris and diving through gaps with superhuman precision. Each dodge was calculated — fluid — as if he'd read Thane's every move before it even happened.
The students watched in awe. Even while being pushed back, Ragnar's expression didn't waver.
He flipped through the air, landing hard on one knee — and at that instant, Thane's smirk widened.
He stomped his foot, activating another sigil beneath Ragnar.
BlazingRuin(9th grade)
The ground erupted with flames. Ragnar swung his sword downward, slicing open a glowing rift.
Portal(10th grade)
The explosion vanished — redirected through the portal — only to reappear behind Thane, scorching his back.
Thane stumbled, growling. "Tch— clever trick."
"First one," Ragnar muttered.
Ragnar raised his hand again, opening two more portals — one above, one below — his sword ignited brighter. He disappeared into one, reappearing from another to block Thane's next barrage of mixed fire-ice blasts.
Thane laughed maniacally, sweat dripping down his brow. "Now this is what I wanted! Fight me seriously, damn it!"
Ragnar's eyes narrowed slightly. "You really don't want that."
Thane snapped his fingers, summoning another circle around Ragnar.
BlizzardInferno(9th grade)
Flames and frost converged from all directions, forming a dome that sealed Ragnar inside — a hellish mix of burning and freezing energy colliding into pure destruction.
The explosion engulfed half the field. When the light faded, everyone gasped.
Ragnar stood in the center — steam rising from his shoulders, ice coating his left arm.
He had a small smile. "...You done?"
Thane stepped back, panting, his confidence cracking.
"No... not yet!"
He raised both hands, conjuring one final circle, larger than the rest — his mana raging uncontrollably.
EclipseNava(10th grade)
The entire arena trembled as a black-and-red orb formed above him, swirling violently. He hurled it toward Ragnar — the blast whistling as it tore the air apart.
Ragnar's patience finally snapped. His eyes turned crimson-gold for a second — the flame sword flared violently, and he slashed downward.
Portal(10th grade)
The attack vanished into a glowing rip — and a split second later, the same portal opened beside Thane.
Thane didn't even have time to react before the blade of Ragnar's flame sword pierced through his leg.
Blood splattered the frosted ground.
"GAAH!" Thane screamed, dropping to one knee.
Ragnar's voice was calm but heavy. "You talk too much."
Desperate, Thane roared and detonated a fiery shockwave from his body.
CombustionSurge(9th grade)
Ragnar flew back, using his own flames to stabilize midair — but Thane wasn't done.
From within the explosion, countless flaming arms reached toward him.
Inferno'sGrasp(9th grade)
One of them smacked Ragnar across the chest, knocking him off balance. The crowd went wild.
"Hah! He got him!"
"Thane's unstoppable!"
"Drag that smug look off his face!"
Only Light stood up, glaring. "Shut up, idiots. Ragnar already won."
The field fell silent — everyone turning to look back at the fight.
The flame hands froze in place midair.
Then — five portals blinked into existence around Thane.
Each one erupted with a blazing katana, stabbing into him from every direction.
FlameBlade(10th grade)
Thane coughed blood, eyes wide with disbelief. "W–What… how…?"
Ragnar, floating above him, simply said, "I told you."
The flaming blades faded, and Thane collapsed.
Ragnar stopped using his fire to hover, allowing himself to fall — faster and faster, his sword still ignited.
"Ragnar!" Lilia screamed, realizing his intent.
The crowd gasped — panic spreading. Ragnar was aiming to crash straight into Thane's body.
Lilia's eyes flashed blue; a gust of wind burst formed as she dashed in, grabbing Thane at the last second — pulling him clear just as Ragnar hit the ground.
BOOM.
Flames erupted, cracking the entire stage. The shockwave sent debris flying.
When the smoke cleared, Ragnar was standing in the crater — eyes dark, aura unstable, flame sword fading away.
He didn't look at anyone. He just turned his back and started walking toward the exit.
No one spoke. Not even Lilia.
Everyone had the same thought —
He wasn't fighting to win.
He was fighting to kill.
And while the rest of the class trembled, The Five Saints didn't move.
They watched silently — as if they had expected this all along.
The field was silent. Smoke drifted slowly from the crater where Ragnar stood, his hair half-shadowed by the fading embers around him.
Every student — even the loudest ones — stood frozen. Some in awe. Most in fear.
Lilia stepped forward, her boots echoing against the cracked marble. Her usual calm expression was gone. Fury — and disappointment — burned in her eyes.
Ragnar looked up at her, breathing steady but low. "…I knew you would've saved him."
Lilia stopped. The words hit like sparks on dry grass.
Then...
SLAP!
The sound echoed through the entire field. Ragnar didn't move. His head tilted slightly from the impact, his cheek stung red, but he didn't flinch. He didn't even look angry. Just… quiet.
"Do you think that makes it better, Ragnar?" Lilia's voice trembled with anger. "You think calculating that I'd step in excuses trying to kill a classmate in front of everyone?"
Ragnar opened his mouth slightly, then closed it again.
"You could've ended that fight a dozen times without going that far," she continued, stepping closer. "But you didn't. You let your anger make the call."
Ragnar finally looked her in the eyes, his voice soft. "…I wasn't angry. I just wanted him to understand what happens when people push too far."
"That's not your job," she snapped. "You're not a judge. You're not an executioner. You're a student — and you're supposed to be a Saint, Ragnar. People look up to you."
He bowed his head, his tone barely audible. "…You're right. I'm sorry."
The crowd murmured, tension heavy in the air. Light and Magna took a step forward, both visibly irritated at how harsh Lilia's tone had become.
"Lilia, that's enough," Light said sharply. "He didn't mean—"
"No." Magna's voice followed, calm but firm. "It's our fault too. We've been walking around like we're untouchable. Maybe he just—"
Lilia's aura flared.
The air instantly grew heavy — a crushing wave of mana pressure washed over the field. Cracks spread where she stood.
Both Light and Magna froze mid-sentence. Even Yuuki tensed beside them, his throat tightening from the invisible weight pressing down on him.
"Don't." Lilia's eyes narrowed, her tone cold and absolute. "Don't you ever defend this kind of behavior. Not from him. Not from any of us."
Her pressure slowly faded, but her voice didn't soften. "We're supposed to lead by example, not fear. If one of you loses control, it doesn't matter how strong you are — you're still in the wrong."
Silence. The Saints all lowered their heads.
Ragnar took a slow breath. "Understood… it won't happen again."
Lilia turned away, exhaling deeply, her anger dimming but her expression still tight.
"Good. Because if it does, I'll be the one standing against you next time."
She started walking off the field, motioning for everyone to clear out. The crowd obeyed immediately, too scared to even whisper.
The other Saints followed behind Ragnar, glancing at him quietly. None of them dared to speak.
Lilia stopped at the edge of the field, glancing back once.
Ragnar stood in the middle of the crater, his head lowered, his flame blade long gone — the smoke rising around him like a shadow.
For a moment, her glare faltered. Her chest tightened.
Because she'd seen those eyes before.
Eyes that didn't fight to win.
Eyes that fought to kill.
She clenched her fists.
"Ragnar… please don't become that."
But she didn't say it out loud.
She just walked away — the wind carrying the faint crackle of embers behind her.