In the special room for competitors, Enrico had rested quite well compared to the previous two days, having slept six hours — something that hadn't happened in a long time.
[You finally got some rest from your training, though I still think you should've slept eight hours.]
'Impossible. To break my power limit again, I have to keep training — especially after spending time with the girls those days.'
He didn't regret going out with them, as he got to see many amusingly embarrassed faces during those days. Still, even with that fun, he needed to train even more.
'I'm only resting now because I have to be prepared for these matches.'
Since the competitors' fights were once a day, it was possible to recover and be healed for the next match without any injuries — and with full mana. The same went for their opponents.
[The good thing is that even if you're not ranked among the top fifteen, you can still enter.]
Being ranked among the top fifteen didn't guarantee safety, since members from the same academy could challenge and steal that spot if they won.
'But that's not what I want. If I'm supposed to be seen as a prodigy, I must surpass every expectation and go beyond.'
[There you go again with that.]
'Sorry for being like this, but I can't stop. The world depends on it, and I need to survive.'
Getting up from the bed, Enrico put on Astrong Academy's elimination battle outfit — a white top with long black pants. Even though it was battle attire, it looked like something a noble would wear to fight every day.
[I like that outfit. Can I steal one for myself?]
'Not a chance.'
Leaving the room, he met Victoria walking down the corridor. Accompanying her, Enrico tried to greet her but was ignored.
[What an annoying girl. Enrico, you have to humiliate her when you fight.]
'I'll make sure to do that if my level's much higher.'
'I don't get why they're so interested in him.'
Just like the two had their own thoughts, Victoria also had hers about him. To her, Enrico didn't seem like much, even if he'd shown something interesting back at the training field.
'I don't know what he was doing, but it doesn't matter — no one can beat me.'
They entered a tunnel leading beneath the dome, escorted by a guard who was weaker compared to the others. When they exited, they saw several combat arenas spread throughout the area.
"You're scheduled for the morning, so you'll be the first participants."
"Got it."
The battles took place at different times — morning, afternoon, and night — with thirty students competing in each session. Directed toward his arena, Enrico received a paper listing his opponents for today and the following days.
"Looks like the first one won't be too hard, but I won't let my guard down."
First opponent: Franchesco Giovanni
Second opponent: Nicholas
Third opponent: Liang Xuanwu
Fourth opponent: Lira Xuefeng
Fifth opponent: Sakura Himari
Sixth opponent: ?????
The sixth round would be different, as it would depend on the results of the previous matches. It was meant to pair up those with similar scores for potential rematches.
"I hope we have a good fight."
"Hello, I hope the same."
Shaking hands with Franchesco, who had just arrived, they climbed onto the arena, each standing at one end. Since both already knew the rules, there was no need to repeat them.
"Are you ready?"
"Yes."
"Anytime."
"Begin."
Immediately, Enrico used his charged burst to appear behind Franchesco. Unable to keep up with that speed, Franchesco took a fiery kick to the ribs. Before he could be launched away, Enrico spun right with another charged burst and kicked the other side of his opponent.
"Gahh!"
"Zero Impact."
Landing five quick punches in succession, he saw Franchesco dragged backward, heavily damaged. As Enrico prepared to move and attack again, he saw a flash of light appear on Franchesco's finger, pointing at him.
'I don't know what that is, but I won't—'
Before Enrico could react, his vision went dark — everything turned pitch black. Realizing it was a spell to blind him, Enrico jumped back twice, guided by the sound of a fist cutting through the air — he would've been hit if he hadn't moved.
'I need to remember the arena's width and length.'
Now more confident, Franchesco charged his hands with light magic. Once ready, he launched two spells from different angles while attacking from the front.
Trying to recall the arena's shape, Enrico decided to minimize his movement. Hearing three attacks approaching, he chose to take only one — the one on the right. Moving sideways, Enrico dodged Franchesco's punch, who, stepping into Enrico's previous spot, got hit by his own left-side attack. Meanwhile, Enrico took the right-side hit on his back, taking some damage.
"Fire Arrow!"
Shooting at Franchesco's location, Enrico felt him being blown back but heard his footsteps quickly returning for another attack. Realizing his opponent's level was above his own, Franchesco tried to think of a plan.
'I'll use the arena… I'll make him step off the edge.'
The arena had a small staircase, about one meter high. If Enrico stepped off, he'd stumble backward, giving Franchesco the split-second needed to land his strongest spell.
'He might get up, but I can deal serious damage.'
Focusing his mana on his hand, Franchesco bent his knees, preparing to run. With his other hand, he guided Enrico toward the back edge.
"Light Magic: Focused Beam."
Moving closer to Enrico, he stomped hard on the ground to draw attention. Since Enrico was relying on sound to evade, he'd use that against him.
'Got you.'
Seeing Enrico step back and about to fall off the arena, Franchesco leaped forward, palm aimed at his face. A burst of mana exploded from his hand, striking directly.
"You're pretty clever."
To Franchesco's shock, even midair, Enrico twisted down, planting his foot back on the arena. Grabbing Franchesco by the shirt, Enrico surged his mana violently through his body, using brute force to slam him into the ground outside the arena — leaving a two-and-a-half-meter crater.
"Multiple Arrows."
Pointing at Franchesco, Enrico fired a relentless barrage of flame arrows until he saw his opponent start to lose consciousness.
"How?"
"I just remembered that the arena was ten meters wide and eight long. Once I knew that, I used your good plan against you and set a trap spell to get out of that mess."
Noticing a faint, almost invisible line of fire tied around Enrico's foot, Franchesco realized he had fallen into a trap — Enrico must have remembered the arena's layout earlier. Before passing out, Franchesco tried to comfort himself.
"At least I lost to someone smart…"
"Winner: Enrico Solcren Ferreira."