Luc, a Powerful Opponent
Back in the podium, the competitors prepared for their turns in the arena. Atta stood apart, on a balcony, calmly stretching before his first match. His focus was sharp, but then soft footsteps approached. He glanced over his shoulder and saw Princess Isha.
She walked up beside him, her face clouded with worry.
"Atta… I didn't know your first match would be against someone from my kingdom," she said softly. "And not just anyone—Luc Diamante, the sixth son of House Diamante."
Atta stretched out his leg, unfazed. "Doesn't matter. All I have to do is win."
Isha's brows furrowed, her voice tight with annoyance. "You think it's that easy? You really don't understand. Luc is strong—very strong."
Atta switched to stretching his arm, his tone steady. "So he's that dangerous?"
She leaned against the railing, her gaze distant. "Of course he is. The Diamante family is one of the great pillars of the Elf Kingdom. His elder brother is a Guardian."
That made Atta pause. "A Guardian? Then… he works with Charlotte?"
Isha raised an eyebrow. "And who is Charlotte?"
Atta sighed. "An old friend."
Isha looked away, clearly unsettled. An old friend… I hope she remains just that, she thought. Aloud, she said, "Your match is starting. Go."
Atta exhaled and walked off, while Isha watched him leave, a strange unease tugging at her chest.
---
The arena roared with excitement as Luc Diamante entered from one side, his aura already commanding the crowd's favor. Cheers erupted, especially from the Elf students.
"Luc is so handsome," one girl whispered.
"Of course. And he's going to crush that human," her friend replied with a giggle.
From the opposite side, Atta walked in. His eyes locked on Luc—calm, cold, ready.
The speaker's voice boomed, echoing through the massive arena:
"First match—Atta, scholarship student of Saint Athepia, versus Luc Diamante of the Elf Noble House! On my mark… three, two, one—FIGHT!"
Atta's hand instinctively brushed the hilt of Derona, but he stopped.
No… not yet. I won't use Derona unless I have no choice.
Instead, he wrapped mana around his legs and launched himself forward like a blur, aiming a fierce kick at Luc's neck—his intent clear: end it quickly.
But Luc only smirked. With sharp reflexes, he sidestepped and countered, his fist glowing with earthen mana. He drove it hard into Atta's stomach.
"Unghh!" Atta slammed into the arena wall, coughing as pain lanced through him. He wiped his mouth, muttering under his breath, "He's strong…"
Luc smiled coldly. "Strong enough to break you."
He dropped one hand to the floor. Mana surged, and the arena stones began to rise, forming four towering knights of solid rock. Their eyes glowed faintly as they took shape, looming over Atta.
Luc spread his arms wide, his smirk deepening.
"Now," he said, voice filled with cruel amusement, "let the game begin."
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To Be Continued....