Even a battle-hardened veteran like Leon would not have anticipated Noah's daring tactic—using the recoil of her own spell to change her trajectory so unexpectedly.
Perhaps it was because no opponent he had faced before possessed the same unique blend of brilliance and boldness as his eldest daughter. Or perhaps he had become too engrossed in this "teaching match," leading to a rare, momentary lapse in his legendary focus.
Regardless, Noah's maneuver was undeniably effective. Had she been facing someone of her own level—or even slightly higher—they likely would have been unable to react in time.
"It worked..." Noah thought, her lightning-clad fist closing in on the black armor's undefended waist.
But just as a sliver of triumph flashed in her mind, a surge of brilliant blue lightning erupted from the armor itself. The energy crackled and shimmered across the metallic surface, forming a protective, conductive barrier that deflected her attack before it could make solid contact.
The powerful rebound sent Noah stumbling backward, her arms tingling from the impact. She struggled to steady her breathing, looking up to see the fading glow of the lightning shield on her father's armor.
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.
"Of course Dad had more tricks up his sleeve," Noah muttered to herself, pursing her lips in a mix of irritation and admiration. "Why did not he teach me this one?"
Her competitive spirit flared. You did not teach me this before, but once we are home, you will be begging me to learn it!
From the stands, Vice Principal Wilson adjusted his monocle, a hint of surprise flickering across his face. "9527 is using lightning magic?"
"It is not that surprising," Principal Olette replied calmly. "While rarer than fire magic, lightning magic is not entirely unheard of among our staff. Decades ago, we specifically recruited instructors with unique elemental affinities to better train specialized students like Noah."
Olette raised a thoughtful eyebrow as she continued to observe 9527. After a contemplative pause, she murmured, "Yes... what an interesting coincidence."
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Leon turned to face Noah fully, his practiced eye noting her labored breaths and the flickering, unstable light of her dwindling magical reserves.
She had come heart-stoppingly close to landing a decisive blow, but Leon could tell her mana was nearly depleted. The Thunder Wolf Breakthrough was an exceptionally demanding spell. Coupled with her creative but costly tactics, like using its recoil to reposition, she was now running on fumes.
"It is about time to wrap this up," Leon thought.
"Agreed," one scoring instructor added aloud. "Noah has already demonstrated exceptional skill in combat, tactics, and adaptability. Let us call it—"
"Wait," a voice interrupted.
It was Noah's homeroom teacher, Lydia. She raised her hand, signaling the others to hold off, her gaze fixed intently on Noah. "She does not want this to end yet."
"What do you mean?"
"It is obvious her strength and mana are almost gone. She has done enough."
"For most students, yes. But for Noah, this is only average," Lydia said, her tone firm. Memories of their two years together flashed through her mind as she watched Noah stubbornly prepare for another attempt. "This is a rare chance for her to give her absolute all in a safe environment. Let her try once more."
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The other scoring instructors exchanged glances before nodding in reluctant agreement. They, too, were curious about what Noah might pull off as a final, desperate gambit.
Leon, however, had different concerns. We cannot drag this out any longer. What if she overexerts herself?
But he also knew he could not end this hastily—not when it was clear from the fire in Noah's eyes that she was not done. She would have already dismissed her spell if she felt satisfied.
And so, Leon decided to give their battle the conclusion it deserved—a perfect, memorable finish.
Raising his left hand, he summoned crackling arcs of blue electricity to his palm. The explosive, distinctive sound of a Thousand Birds technique echoed through the training hall, filling the air with an electrifying hum.
"That... that technique..." one instructor stammered.
"Why does it feel so familiar?" another asked nervously.
"Big guy, were not we supposed to act like regular black-armored instructors? What are you doing?"
"Why do you think I took a job as an assistant teacher at this academy?"
"Why?"
"Because on the frontlines, I kept running into lightning magic users like this!"
The instructors could not help but recall less-than-pleasant memories of past battles, though they quickly dismissed the wild idea that this '9527' could be that infamous lightning-user.
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Noah, seeing her father suddenly summon such a serious technique, felt a brief flicker of surprise before steeling her resolve.
"Alright, Dad. Do not hold back too much this time," she whispered, channeling the very last dregs of her mana into her own Thunder Spear.
Just then, a familiar, ancient voice echoed in her mind
"Hey, kiddo. Need some help taking down your old man? I am happy to oblige."
Noah's eyes widened. "Ancestor? You are awake?!"
"I could not miss such a filial display, could I? Watching this is worth waking up for. I will go back to sleep afterward."
"You are as unreliable as ever."
"Say what you will. With my help, you will win this."
"Let us see then!"
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Back in the arena, Noah steadied herself, her mana flaring one last time as she prepared her final, all-or-nothing attack.
"This is it," she thought. "My last chance to see how far I can push myself against him."
Leon noticed the sudden, subtle shift in her aura and the renewed stability in her stance. He smiled beneath his helmet. Good. She is taking this seriously.
The entire room seemed to hold its breath as father and daughter locked eyes across the arena. Without a word, they both launched forward simultaneously, their lightning-clad forms becoming blurs before colliding in the very center with a tremendous crash.
The clash sent visible shockwaves rippling outward, scattering light debris and lighting up the hall with dazzling, intersecting arcs of blue and white electricity. The deafening crack of thunder that followed echoed like a primal roar.
In the stands, the instructors watched in stunned awe.
"Lydia, your student... she is extraordinary."
"When she advances to the Youth Dragon Division, I want her in my class," one instructor declared.
"Why should she go to you? Lydia, convince her to join my class instead."
"You? With your fire magic? You are not even compatible with her element!"
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Amid the chaos of light and sound, Noah and Leon were locked in a precarious stalemate. Her left hand clutched her right wrist, steadying the Thunder Spear as it pressed directly against her father's Chidori.
Through the violent clash of energies, Noah felt a subtle shift—her father was intentionally easing the immense strength behind his technique.
She realized the truth instantly: If this continues, Dad will be the first to yield. Even in a trial, he would never risk the backlash hurting her.
But Noah did not want him to lose like this. Despite her exhaustion, she respected his competitive spirit too much. She wanted to end the match on her own terms.
"Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible amidst the crackling storm.
Leon heard her clearly, a pang of confusion mixing with his overwhelming pride.
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Understanding it was time, Leon gradually lessened the power behind his Chidori before dismissing it entirely. He had planned to step back and avoid any residual strike from Noah's attack.
But to his surprise, as his technique faded, she withdrew her own Thunder Spear at the exact same moment, leaping back to create a respectful space between them.
"Mutual disengagement? Well, are not they perfectly in sync," one instructor remarked, impressed.
"Lydia, now can we call it?"
"Yes," Lydia agreed, a proud smile finally gracing her lips. "I think that is quite enough."
The lead instructor stood and announced in a clear, ringing voice that filled the hall:
"The final match of the Saint Heath Academy black-armored combat simulation, Noah Melkvey versus 9527, is now complete!"