Faelar thrust forward. The wind spear howled, tearing the air apart as it flew.
At the same instant, Alaric lunged, his body blurring with Burst Step.
The Flame Lance screamed in his hands, its tip blazing white-hot.
The moment stretched.
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
Professor Alrdic's brows furrowed, his hand twitching at his side, ready to intervene if either student went too far.
Then—
BOOOOM!
Both of them collided at the center of the arena.
Wind shrieked.
Fire roared.
The explosion of pressure and heat blasted outward, rattling the hall.
Students threw up their arms against the shockwave. Sparks and fragments of swirling air filled the training ground, swallowing both duelists from view.
The dust settled slowly.
Smoke drifted through the training hall like morning mist. Students leaned forward on the benches, straining to see through the haze.
In the center of the arena, one figure stood.
Silver hair swaying, chest rising and falling with ragged breaths.
