Name: Lan Arvok
Magic: Lightning — Circle 1 — 55%
Mana Capacity: 204
Unique Ability: ???????
Soul: 79
Enrico calmly examined Lan's stats. If he wanted to fast-forward this character's development, he couldn't give Lan a chance. In fact, even if Enrico humiliated him today, Lan wasn't the type to just let it go. He'd definitely target Enrico's friends later. So Enrico had to crush him—completely—until there was no chance of a counterattack. Only then could he slowly turn him into less of an idiot.
'Good thing I cleared that fake dungeon first. I didn't find Jago, but I defeated all the others—even Rirus, though only at Zara Level 2…'
A surge of electricity flashed as Lan swung his arm to the side, creating a pure lightning spear that crackled with dangerous intensity. He twirled it through the air and pointed it at Enrico, a superior smile stretched across his face—even with visible irritation.
"You're going to regret challenging me."
Enrico remained calm. The magic circle on his chest pulsed in deep red tones and began to spin. His gaze never wavered. Thanks to forming his first circle, everything about him had improved—especially his mana control.
'With this guy, I'll act like a true family rival.' Enrico allowed a smirk to rise on his face.
"The only thing I regret... is not doing this sooner."
Flames burst from beneath Enrico's feet as he shot forward like a blazing bullet across the ground. The initial clash was explosive. When the smoke cleared, Enrico had struck upward, fist meeting spear. Lan barely held his ground.
Then he vanished—only to reappear high above, descending in a spiraling arc of lightning that cracked like serpents across the sky.
Enrico raised his arm, reacting at the last second with a flame-coated fist. The impact shook the ground. The arena cracked beneath Enrico's feet.
Each of Lan's blows targeted vital points—everyone noticed it. But the instructors didn't interfere. They'd only step in when a student was at risk of dying. From afar, Serenya scowled.
"I really don't like him."
Kai stood beside her, watching the battle, sizing Lan up.
"Enrico might be holding back. If that's the strongest guy in Class A, maybe I should skip ahead too."
Valença and Serenya shared that thought. Lan was strong, sure—but not that strong.
'Why do I feel like they're misjudging me? …Actually, this works out.'
Enrico smirked, dodging another lightning attack. They were wrong—he was using everything he had.
Lan dashed sideways, leaving a trail of electricity. But Enrico was already there—flames igniting beneath his feet as he launched himself midair and collided with Lan head-on.
Both were sent flying to opposite ends of the arena. Dust and debris scattered.
High above, the teachers stood tensely.
"That boy... is he actually trying to seriously injure my student? I want him destroyed,"
Virelle narrowed her eyes, while the two teachers beside her stiffened. Of all the Class C students, Enrico was clearly the one she'd become most attached to—though she'd never admit it. And to think she once despised the weak...
Enrico landed a clean punch—no magic—and followed it with a fireball. Lan blocked using magic reinforcement on his body but was sent skidding backward.
Enrico rolled across the ground, muscles burning. His ring began to dim. Fortunately, now that he was at Circle 1, it lasted an extra minute. He glanced at his hand.
'Two minutes left.'
Lan stood, panting. His shirt was torn at the shoulder. Lightning sparked around him. He spat blood and glared with fury.
"Impressive... You've improved, Enrico. But I'm still at the top."
He raised his arms and Black clouds formed over the arena. Lightning descended like whips from the heavens, all targeting Enrico. The crowd of students recoiled from the force, but the teachers stayed calm.
Enrico clenched his fists and took a deep breath, closing his eyes for just one second. They opened—bright red.
'Crimson Eyes'
He'd finally named Tolen's technique in his honor.
'Fire Arrow.'
The circle on his chest spun. His vision widened. Time slowed.
A flaming bow formed in his hands. He pulled the string, heat rushing up his spine. Lan roared from above, lightning converging.
From the stands, Class C began cheering. Caelan, Elian, and Liam stood.
"FINISH HIM OFF, SUBORDINATE!"
Serenya yelled from the stands.
"Go! Wreck that weakling!"
Kai shouted, fist raised.
"Show your true strength already,"
Valença muttered, eyes locked on him.Sílvia, sitting near Class B, raised both fists in excitement.
Enrico fired the arrow and stomped the ground, igniting flames. A cloud of smoke erupted. The lightning came down hard. Lan narrowly dodged the arrow—though it tore a gash across his stomach and stunned him with its speed and force.
When the lightning hit, it struck a silhouette—split clean in half. Lan grinned, students gasped, and Serenya and Kai panicked. But the teachers weren't looking at the destruction—they were focused on something else.
"A new ability, Enrico?"
Virelle's eyes lit up. As the smoke cleared, it became clear: it was a fire clone—Enrico's unique ability had finally activated.
Lan blinked in confusion. Then Enrico appeared behind him, leaving a trail of fire in his wake. He tapped Lan on the shoulder.
A punch, charged with Enrico's full magical power, smashed into Lan's face—knocking out several teeth.
"You know, Lan... You have one weakness. Even if your resistance rises with each circle... your durability is still lower than others. All it takes is one hard hit."
Lan fell unconscious. Enrico took a deep breath—he had used up all of his mana.
"Incredible... Just a week ago, he was still Circle Zero."
Damian watched with interest. Hao remained silent.
Caelan, Elian, Liam, Serenya, and Kai all ran toward him, excited. Valença followed behind, calm.
"I knew it. You don't even look tired. He was weak, wasn't he?"
"Yeah."
Enrico said it casually—but he had no mana left. He'd decided to become the wall that others would have to overcome. He had to be stronger so they could grow stronger, too.
'I have to be that. I have to be stronger.'
He clenched his fist, already thinking about how to make sure Lan wouldn't cause as much trouble in this world as he had in the original story.
"Enrico is now a student of Class A. His new rank is 31. Congratulations, Enrico."
Professor Sairus nodded at him, noting the boy's effort, then turned to the rest of the students.
"Alright. Who's next?"
Before anyone else could respond, three people raised their hands at once, pointing to three Class A students.
"I want to fight him."
All three spoke in unison Serenya, Valença, and Kai.