Ruach's POV
I stood in the middle of the arena, facing the four students who had tried to bully me just moments ago. Around us, a crowd had already gathered—student mages and even a few weapon masters, all watching with interest.
Whispers spread through the audience.
"Isn't that the Ruach? Why is she fighting four mages? She'll definitely lose."
"Don't underestimate her. I heard she defeated someone from House Mecharin."
"Yeah, I saw her earlier—she blew all four of them away with a single Air Blast."
I ignored them. None of that mattered right now. All that mattered was the fight in front of me.
Outwardly, I stood firm—fierce, angry, ready.
…Inside was a completely different story.
FUCK. Why did I do that? My body still hasn't fully recovered from that weapon master, and now I'm fighting four mages? Sure, I blew them away earlier, but that was only because I caught them off guard—what was I thinking?!
I was practically screaming in my head, silently throwing a tantrum over my own stupidity.
Then the referee's whistle cut through the noise.
The match had begun.
With no way out, I steadied myself and made the first move.
"Air Blast!"
The spell surged forward—but all four of them reacted instantly, raising elemental shields tailored to their specialties as they spread out.
Then they counterattacked.
"Mana Drain."
"Earth Bullet."
"Fire Arrow."
"Water Bullet."
I immediately cast—
"Air Shield!"
Again.
"Air Shield!"
And again—
"Air Shield!"
The barrage came from all directions, forcing me on the defensive. Each element struck from a different angle, leaving me no opening to counter. Worse, the Mana Drain was slowly eating away at my reserves, and I had no way to recover what I was losing.
The whispers returned.
"There's no way she wins this—she's completely pinned."
"This is what arrogance gets you."
…Damn it.
They weren't wrong.
At this rate, I would lose.
But then—
Something clicked.
It was risky. Stupid, even.
…but it was the only chance I had.
I waited.
Another wave came.
The moment the first spell was released, I acted.
"Earth Bullet!"
"Air Blast!"
I barely dodged the incoming Earth Bullet, the attack grazing past me—but something changed. The follow-up didn't come immediately.
The fire mage had shifted—forced to protect their teammate.
The one casting Mana Drain.
The debuff mage couldn't defend herself while maintaining the spell.
That was the gap.
I didn't hesitate.
"Air Blast!"
I launched it straight at the water mage while sprinting forward, reinforcing myself with—
"Air Shield!"
My body screamed in protest, but I pushed through, closing the distance.
The fight with the Mecharin girl had taught me something important.
Casting time matters.
For an average student mage, gathering mana takes around twenty seconds, and casting takes five more. That delay creates openings.
And openings… must be exploited.
Because in the end—
Mages are weakest up close.
END OF CHAPTER