The dust from Kirito's Getsuzanko had barely settled, but Drevon was already pushing himself up, blood leaking from the corners of his mouth.
He wiped it away with the back of his hand, his expression darkening.
"You think... this is enough to bring me down?"
The air around Drevon shifted.
His muscles bulged slightly as a visible blue glow coated his skin.
Alex's eyes narrowed.
Mana enhancement.
Full body.
[System Notification: Warning! Enemy "Drevon" has entered Full Body Mana Enhancement (Adept Rank)!]
"He's buffing himself," Alex muttered.
Zane gritted his teeth. "Tch... that means our attacks won't even scratch him unless we—"
Before he could finish, Drevon moved.
BOOM!
A single stomp sent him rocketing toward Zane like a missile.
Alex moved instinctively, tackling Zane out of the way just in time, but Drevon's mana-infused fist tore through the space they had just occupied, creating a miniature crater in the ground.
Miranda threw ice spears in rapid succession, but they shattered harmlessly against Drevon's mana-shielded body.
It was hopeless for her and Zane — their attacks couldn't even break through his defenses.
Drevon laughed maniacally.
"Pathetic! Without proper mana techniques, you weaklings can't even make me bleed!"
He turned his fierce gaze toward Alex and Kirito.
"But you two... you're different. You can actually hurt me."
He cracked his knuckles, releasing another surge of pressure.
"You'll be the first ones I break."
Alex's heart pounded.
He couldn't afford to hold back anymore.
Kirito stepped forward, his golden aura flaring violently.
"You talk too much," Kirito said coldly, swinging his katana to the side.
"Let's see if your body can handle the weight of a real blade."
Drevon roared and charged.
This time, the ground itself cracked under his feet.
Kirito moved like lightning.
He parried Drevon's fist with the flat of his blade, his body glowing even brighter.
[System Notification: Intermediate Rank detected — Mana Sword Style active!]
Each clash between Kirito and Drevon sent out shockwaves, the earth quaking beneath them.
Alex didn't stay idle.
He dashed in from the side, aiming a devastating spinning kick at Drevon's ribs.
CRACK!
For the first time, Drevon grunted in pain — a small crack forming across the mana armor covering his body.
"Good," Alex thought. "Physical strength can still work. I just need to hit harder."
They began a deadly dance — Kirito and Alex attacking from different angles, using pure skill and speed to keep Drevon on the backfoot.
But Drevon was like a cornered beast.
He threw a wild punch, catching Alex in the gut.
BAM!
[HP -5]
[13/25 HP]
Alex coughed violently, tasting blood, but his regeneration kicked in almost instantly.
Still, the hit hurt.
Kirito retaliated, tightening his grip on his katana.
Golden mana surged violently across the blade as he slid into another stance.
Kirito exhaled slowly.
"Yamazaki Swordsmanship — First Form: Getsuzanko!"
The air itself seemed to bend.
A brilliant crescent slash exploded from his blade, tearing through the battlefield with terrifying speed.
Drevon tried to raise his arm to defend, but the mana-imbued crescent struck cleanly across his chest, leaving a deep, smoking gash across his torso armor.
The force threw Drevon backward, his body skidding along the ground.
But even then, Drevon didn't fall.
He was breathing heavily now, his body battered, but his grin remained feral.
"I'll kill you both!" he roared.
Suddenly—
A wave of killing intent blanketed the entire area.
Everyone froze — even Drevon.
A soft, chilling voice echoed through the clearing.
"Enough."
The mist parted, revealing a woman.
Long crimson hair flowing like silk.
Pale skin that shimmered under the moonlight.
Her red eyes glowed faintly — Veloria.
One of the Academy's instructors... and an ancient vampire.
She stood there, arms folded, an expression of mild irritation on her beautiful face.
Her gaze swept over the battlefield lazily... but when her eyes landed on Alex, they paused for a fraction longer.
A small, knowing smile touched her lips.
"...Interesting," she murmured, almost too softly for anyone to hear.
Drevon stiffened immediately, sweat forming on his brow.
"Instructor Veloria, I—I was just—"
"Silence," Veloria said sharply.
The pressure she released made even Drevon kneel unwillingly.
She turned her attention toward Alex again, those crimson eyes gleaming with amusement.
"You... you're quite an anomaly, aren't you?"
Alex's heart skipped a beat.
Did she... know?
Veloria smiled faintly, revealing just the slightest hint of sharp canines.
"But..." she continued, looking around, "...this isn't the place for a bloodbath."
She flicked her wrist casually.
Mana chains of blood-red energy appeared out of nowhere, binding Drevon like a captured beast.
He struggled, but the chains sapped his strength.
"This duel is over," Veloria announced coldly.
"All participants will report to the Disciplinary Hall for evaluation tomorrow."
She turned back to Alex one last time, eyes gleaming.
"And you... we'll speak later."
With that, Veloria turned and walked into the mist, dragging the bound Drevon behind her effortlessly.
The moment she disappeared, the suffocating pressure vanished.
The group slumped to the ground, exhausted but alive.
Kirito wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and sheathed his katana.
"Well," he said with a tired smirk, "that was fun."
Alex just laughed weakly.
Fun wasn't exactly the word he'd use.
But deep inside him, a chilling thought echoed.
Veloria knew something.