Students sat in a circle around the arena where the duel would take place.
Lucas sat behind, he could view the entire arena from there. From what he remembered, the first duel would be between Arthur and Lia.
From this duel, they would start to know each other start as friends, navigate through the world and its challenges. Lia would become Arthur's emotional support, and she would become his lover.
From what Lucas remembered, by the last arc of the novel, Lia would die at the hands of a demon, which broke Arthur to the limit. One of Lucas's goals was to save Lia not only because she was Arthur's future lover or emotional support, but she was also one of the very few people who would go beyond Apex rank and become one of the strongest Etherweaver.
*****
In one corner of the arena, Arthur stood wearing his combat gear and on the other side Lia stood there. Seeing Arthur, Lia's lips moved upwards.
She smiled,
"How have you been, Arthur? It's been quite some time since we last met."
Hearing Lia's flirty question, Arthur didn't put any mind to it. Instead, he said,
"I have been well, Lia. What do you mean it's been quite some time since we last met?"
"We met each other yesterday. Though, I hope you won't disappoint me."
Hearing Arthur's cold remark, Lia just nodded her head.
"Men are seriously dumb sometimes."
Sigh!
"I hope you won't go easy on me because I am a woman, Arthur."
"Of course not." Arthur raised his sword.
"Begin"
Both Lia and Arthur heard Professor Aria's voice. They started the duel.
.
.
Lia wasted no time. She thrust her palm forward.
"Inferno Surge!"
FWOOSH!
A pillar of flames erupted from Lia's fingertips, surging toward Arthur in a blinding wave.
But,
Arthur was already moving. He rolled to the side, feeling the searing heat graze past his shoulder. The arena beneath him blackened, smoke rising where the fire touched. He didn't slow down. He knew,
A straight charge was suicide.
Lia smirked, raising both her hands.
"Scorching Embers."
Fireballs crackled into existence, spiraling in the air. With a flick of her wrist, they shot forward one, two, three in quick succession.
Slash!!
The first was sliced clean in half, flames scattering in harmless embers.
Boom!
The second exploded against Arthur's raised sword, the heat biting through steel.
The third was too close. Before he could react..
Boom!
The explosion knocked him off balance. Arthur skidded across the arena, rolling to his feet just in time to see Lia raising her arms again.
"Blazing Vortex!"
This time, a swirling vortex of fire erupted around Lia, the area beneath her feet glowing molten red.
"You can't dodge forever," Lia taunted Arthur.
"Burn, Arthur."
"Fire Lance!"
Flaming lances rained from above.
Arthur ran forward.
Boom!
The first lance struck the area behind him, exploding on impact.
Whoosh!!
The second lance grazed his side, searing through his combat gear. Pain flared, but he didn't slow down.
Lia smirked. She raised her hand, preparing for a final attack.
A massive inferno came to life.
The sheer heat warped the air around her.
As long as Arthur could close the distance with Lia, the duel would be over in a single strike.
.
.
"Too late, Lia."
Before Lia could react, Arthur reached her.
His blade slashed through the fire.
Lia's eyes widened. She tried to step back, but there was no time.
Slash!!
A clean strike.
Blood misted in the air. Lia gasped as pain bloomed across her chest. Her spell flickered, the fire in her hands dying out. She staggered and fell backward, pressing a trembling hand onto her wound.
Arthur stood over her, sword leveled at her throat, breathing hard.
The students fell into stunned silence. They couldn't believe what they saw. These two people were the same age as them, yet their power surpassed them.
"The duel is over."
"Arthur is the victor," Professor Aria announced.
.
.
.
"Here, take my hand."
Arthur offered his hand to Lia.
"Aren't you such a gentleman now?" Lia took Arthur's hand as she got up. She smiled at Arthur.
"It was a nice duel, Arthur. I hope to have more duels with you."
"Sure. Why not?" Arthur said with a smile.
"Stop flirting with each other and get down. There are more duels left."
Arthur and Lia heard Professor Aria's annoyed voice.
"Let's talk later," Arthur said to Lia as both of them exited the arena and joined the rest of the students.
.
.
.
Lucas witnessed the entire fight between Arthur and Lia. It was mind blowing from Lia's firepower to Arthur's quick thinking, everything was sharp.
Lucas knew from today, their journeys started, as well as his.
"Lia, wait for the Sanctorum to arrive."
"Next group, go up to the arena."
Lucas heard Professor Aria's voice.
At the same time, a notification came to his watch.
[Ding!]
.
.
[You are up for the next duel…]
.
.
[Your opponent: Sasha Rose]
.
.
"Shit!!"
Lucas cursed his bad luck. His duel was now with none other than Sasha Rose.
Lucas looked around and found Sasha. She was probably reading the same message as him. As he was looking at her, Sasha slowly raised her head and directly met his gaze.
He could feel her eyes on him those cold gray eyes that wanted to kill him.
Up until now, Lucas had a feeling he had heard the last name Rose outside of the main cast before, but he just couldn't put his finger on it.
But,
Now, he remembered.
The name Rose.
Before Noah transmigrated into Lucas less than a week ago, his mind had been filled with different topics from his transmigration to his survival to the ending of the story. He had completely forgotten about the crime the original Lucas had committed.
The maid that Lucas assaulted and the same maid who took her own life due to the incident.
She was Sasha Rose's older sister.
Emily Rose.
He had completely forgotten the main person who was after Lucas during his short time at the academy.
She was Sasha Rose.
Lucas gulped. He took a deep breath to calm his nerves.