The next morning, gentle sunlight bathed the magic training grounds of the Orwin Manor, which had now been transformed into a small arena. The people of the manor—servants, guards, and close relatives—gathered until the area was packed, all eager to witness this momentous event.
Roaring cheers erupted the instant Ethan stepped onto the field.
"Hey!!! Young Master Ethan, fight!" "Show them the power of the Son of Mana!"
Today, Ethan wore a training suit cut specifically for maximum mobility. The black leather shirt hugged his figure, complementing his pitch-black hair that had been styled perfectly. His crimson eyes shone with recklessness and the confidence of a warrior who had never known defeat. He raised his hand to wave in response to the cheers, a smirk of arrogance playing on his lips.
Listen to these voices... Everyone knows who the winner is, Ethan thought to himself, puffing out his chest to take in the breeze.
In stark contrast, Princess Alicia walked onto the field with a calm demeanor. She wore a simple white training outfit devoid of any luxurious ornaments. Her long, flowing silver hair was tied back loosely, yet that simplicity could not overshadow her regal aura and beauty. Even though the cheers in the stadium were almost entirely for Ethan, she appeared unwavering, as if those voices were merely a passing breeze.
In the center of the arena stood a middle-aged man with a scar across his face and a blind left eye. He was Roger, Duke Orwin's close confidant and right-hand man, assigned to be the judge today.
Roger raised his hand, and silence blanketed the arena.
"The duel between Young Master Ethan of House Orwin and Princess Alicia of the Kingdom of Veria will begin now!" Roger's voice was powerful and decisive.
"The rule is: alternate between offense and defense, three turns each."
Roger swept his single remaining eye over the young man and woman. "The goal is to test abilities, not to kill. High-destruction spells are prohibited, and aiming for vital points is strictly forbidden. If I deem any side to be in danger of critical injury, I will end the match immediately. Do you understand!"
"Understood," Ethan responded loud and clear.
"Understood," Alicia replied briefly.
Ethan turned to face Alicia. He shrugged slightly before speaking in a voice dripping with fake kindness.
"Princess, there is no need to worry. I will try to hold back as much as possible so I don't accidentally leave a scratch on that beautiful face... I wouldn't want to be accused of bullying a woman."
His words drew giggles from the servants who were his fans.
However, Alicia simply blinked, looking at him with empty eyes before replying in a tone so flat it was eerie.
"Please do."
No anger, no fear, and most importantly... absolutely no impression of his boasting whatsoever.
The answer made Ethan pause. The smile on his face twitched slightly, replaced by a surge of irritation.
What is with that attitude... Acting like I'm just some mediocre sparring partner.
Ethan gritted his teeth, his crimson eyes glowing with rage. "Fine... then I'll make you speechless, just watch!"
"Begin the duel!"
Following Roger's powerful announcement, the atmosphere in the arena instantly tensed. Yet, neither side moved first.
Alicia remained standing still, her hands hanging loosely by her sides in a relaxed manner. She gestured slightly towards Ethan before speaking in the same flat tone.
"Please, you start first."
It was not a challenge, but rather like permission granted by a superior.
Ethan's lip curled into a sneer. He felt insulted time and time again. "Heh... Thanks for the goodwill. Then I won't hold back!"
BOOM!
As soon as he finished speaking, a massive pressure of mana exploded from Ethan's body like a dam bursting. The air around him vibrated until heat waves radiated across the field. The spectators gasped in shock.
"W-What is that!?" "This level of power... a fifteen-year-old can do this much!?" "Truly the Son of Mana!"
The buzz of admiration only fueled Ethan's ego. He raised his right hand above his head. Orange-red flames swirled and coalesced into a massive sphere. Its heat caused the surrounding grass to wither and scorch.
"Crumble to ash! ...Inferno Frenzy!"
Ethan roared as he swung his hand down. A giant fireball, packed with destructive power, hurtled straight toward Alicia at high speed. Its size was massive enough to turn a small house into ash in the blink of an eye!
"That fool!"
On the VIP grandstand, Duke Orwin sprang to his feet in shock, his face pale. "Ethan! I said just a duel, are you trying to kill her!? Roger, stop it now!"
The Duke was about to leap into the field, but a hand gently touched his arm.
"Calm down, my friend," the King of Veria said in a calm voice, lifting his teacup for a sip without taking his eyes off the field. "My daughter isn't that weak."
In the arena, the deadly flame rushed toward Alicia at point-blank range. Its heat distorted the image before her.
But Alicia didn't move her feet a single step.
She raised her right hand slowly. Her slender fingers splayed out, and she flicked her wrist gently, as if shooing away a fly.
Whoosh!
Instantly, a violent gust of wind exploded from her palm. But it was no ordinary storm; it was a 'Wind Blade', sharp and ferocious.
ZOOOOOM!
The sight before every pair of eyes was breathtaking. Ethan's Inferno Frenzy was 'sliced' apart by the massive wind force, split in two like the parting of a sea.
The two halves of the flame rushed past Alicia's body to the left and right, crashing into the magic barrier behind her with a thunderous explosion. However... in the center where Alicia stood, it remained as silent as if it were another world.
Her silver hair merely fluttered slightly in the breeze. Her clothes bore not a single burn mark.
As the dust and smoke cleared, silence engulfed the entire stadium. No cheers, no boos—only the sound of people gasping in shock.
Ethan stood frozen stiff. His crimson eyes widened, staring at the scene before him in disbelief. The hand that had just released high-level magic trembled.
Impossible... The magic I am most proud of... was deflected this easily?