The air was heavy. Both Alys and Camila had already been sent to the healers' ward, their battle still fresh in everyone's minds.
When Lilia Meldric stepped forward, clipboard in hand, her voice carried through the quiet arena.
"Next match Yuuki Sato vs Ralph Riverside."
Silence.
No one cheered this time. Not after what they'd seen. Their strongest student had fallen and not one Saint looked worried or worn out. It was starting to feel like no matter how hard they tried… they couldn't win.
Ralph clenched his fists, frustration flashing across his face. Then, suddenly, he shouted:
"Why are you all so damn scared?!"
Everyone turned toward him. His voice cracked through the still air, raw and desperate.
"The Saints aren't gods! They can lose! They will lose! So why are you all acting like it's over before it starts?!"
The crowd murmured, doubtful.
Ralph stomped forward, his tone fierce. "Camila gave the strongest Saint Alys Voldric a run for her money! She was winning at first! That means they're not invincible!"
The crowd started whispering.
"Yeah… she almost beat her."
"She's not that far behind them."
"Maybe he can actually win…"
Their eyes slowly shifted toward Yuuki the quiet kid from their class who rarely even spoke.
Ralph smirked. "Guess it's my turn to show them what we can really do."
Yuuki stood still, hands in his pockets, expression unreadable. The faint breeze made his silver-blue hair drift slightly.
"…Are you done?" he asked flatly.
Ralph gritted his teeth. "You better not underestimate me, Yuuki. I'm a 9th Grade Water Mage—:
"I know," Yuuki cut him off, not even looking up. "We attend the same class."
That cold, plain tone stung more than any insult.
Ralph's jaw tightened. "Then shut up and fight!"
Mana flared around him blue aura swirling violently as streams of water spun from his hands. He lunged forward, the ground splashing under his feet as water blades formed along his arms.
[Water Ball(10th grade)]
The orbs shot toward Yuuki, each one humming with compressed force. Ralph dashed in right behind them, ready to strike the moment Yuuki dodged—
Except Yuuki didn't move.
He just whispered, almost too quietly to hear, "You're wide open."
Ralph's eyes widened. The world tilted. A sharp pain shot through his skull like a spike being driven into it. His magic faltered the water orbs collapsed midair.
Then thud!
He hit the ground, face-first, blood trailing from his nose. His body twitched, then went limp.
[Psychic intrusion(9th grade)]
The entire training field went silent.
"What… what just happened?"
"He didn't even blink…"
"Did Yuuki do that with his mind?"
Yuuki walked slowly toward Ralph's fallen form, eyes glowing faintly violet.
"Here's a tip for the future," he said quietly, kneeling beside him. "When fighting me…"
He tapped Ralph's temple gently.
"…protect your mind above everything else."
Gasps rippled through the watching students. Some looked terrified, others awestruck.
Yuuki stood, brushing dust off his uniform. The faint glow in his eyes faded.
"Class dismissed," he murmured under his breath, turning away as Lilia's voice announced the result.
"Winner — Yuuki Sato!"
The crowd stayed quiet for a long while after because at this point who can defeat the Five Saints.
Magna and Light's duels ended in dominant wins. Both stood strong, barely scratched, while their opponents were left in the dust. Cheers filled the air the kind that usually pumped Ragnar up. But not today.
He sat a few meters away with Yuuki, silent, watching everything unfold with a blank stare.
'Magna… Light… Yuuki… Alys…'
The names ran through his mind like weights dragging him down.
'They're all moving forward. Getting stronger… while I'm just— stuck.'
He clenched his fists until his knuckles went pale.
'I haven't even advanced a single grade. Still 10th. Magna, Light, and Yuuki are almost at 8th… even the regulars are catching up.'
He let out a shaky breath, lowering his head.
'Let's be real… if I fought Camila, I don't even know if I'd win.'
The thought hit harder than he expected. He'd always been the one ahead the "Child of Mana," the one everyone believed would surpass even Alys someday. But now… his dream is crumbling away.
A girl came up to Lilia
"Miss can we stop today? We are all really tired."
Lilia's looked and the girls and saw that it's time to stop.
"That's enough for today. Everyone, we'll stop here."
No one argued. The class looked drained mentally more than physically. The mock duels had exposed more than skill gaps; they'd shown who was growing and who wasn't.
Later that day, the academy's higher-ups requested an official evaluation of the Five Saints' progress. The report would determine their current standing and by evening, the results were finalized and pinned up on the central notice board.
---
Official Saint Power Evaluation (Issued by Saint High Administration):
1. Alys Voldric – "The Snow Princess"
2. Magna Voldric – "The Flame Tyrant"
3. Light Excalibur – "The Storm Saint"
4. Yuuki Sato – "The Spiritist"
5. Ragnar Wryd – "The Child of Mana"
---
By morning, the ranking was the talk of the entire school.
Ragnar stood at the back of the gathered crowd, eyes fixed on the list.
"She's still number one, huh? No surprise there," someone said.
"Yeah, Alys is unstoppable."
"Magna's catching up fast though. Light too."
"What about Ragnar? He used to be right under Alys right?… now he's last."
"He once went toe to toe with the Five Crowns and held his own but now look."
Their words weren't cruel just honest. That somehow made it hurt more.
Ragnar looked down, his expression unreadable.
"…So that's how it is."
A thought came to Ragnar's mind
'Why are they talking like they can beat me?'
He turned and walked away, the noise of gossip fading behind him.
---
When the final bell rang, he caught up with Lilia near the staff hall.
"Lilia—"
She turned, expression cold but controlled. "It's Miss Meldric, Mr. Wryd."
He froze, forcing an awkward smile. "…Right. Sorry."
Her eyes lingered on him for a moment before she spoke again. "What is it?"
"Do we still have detention today?" His voice was calm, but his tone carried exhaustion not the usual playful Ragnar she was used to.
Lilia hesitated, then sighed softly. "No. Not today. Go home and rest."
He nodded. "Got it. Thanks."
As she turned to leave, Ragnar lowered his gaze. The distance between them felt heavier than ever.
'I guess she's still mad about my duel with Thane… huh?' he thought, watching her walk off.
He rubbed the back of his neck and muttered under his breath, "…Can't blame her even if it wasn't my fault"
---
The streets were quiet as Ragnar made his way home, the late sun stretching long shadows across the stone road. Every now and then, he caught bits of conversation from passing students more talk about the rankings, the Saints, and who was strongest.
Once, his name had meant something special in those talks now their just making fun of him
That thought came back into Ragnar's mind
'Why are they talking like they can beat me!?'
He stopped walking for a moment and looked up at the sky.
"…Fifth Saint, he whispered. "Guess that's what I am now... this is how I was a couple of months ago right?"
A faint wind blew through his reddish locks as he exhaled slowly, his expression unreadable.
For the first time in a long while, Ragnar Wryd the 'Child of Mana' felt powerless again.
As he walked in his house he went straight for his room.
"maybe I should just swallow my hate and try praying to a god for advancement."