Everyone moved from the classroom to the vast training hall, its walls covered in protective spells and its translucent ceiling reflecting the bright sunlight. The students lined up in the arena's tiered seating, and shouts of "Crush that wretch!" rose.
"Show him the consequences of mocking the Ice Family!"
Meanwhile, the Ice Heir, Lucien, stood arrogantly, surrounded by a chilling aura that froze the ground beneath his feet. He raised his hand in salute to the crowd, like a victorious hero before the battle had even begun.
Saruto, on the other hand, stood silently, his violet eyes fixed on his opponent. He knew that any misstep in using the Dark Power would reveal his identity... so he chose to start by dodging.
At a signal from his master, Lucien charged first. Ice fragments shot from his hand toward Saruto, exploding on the ground and gradually freezing the arena.
The crowd roared Lucien's name, and every move he made only fueled his ego. Saroto dodged the attacks with agility, moving with calculated steps, mocking his opponent.
"How long are you going to keep dodging, you coward?!" Lucien roared angrily.
He raised his hand, and with an icy roar, a spear of pure ice formed, its brilliance reflecting off the battlefield. It shot toward Saroto, unleashing a barrage of attacks, each blow shaking the ground and leaving icy cracks in the arena. In a sudden movement, Lucien appeared behind Saroto. He delivered a sideways blow that sent him sprawling. "This year is finished!" the students roared.
"An ordinary person like him doesn't stand a chance against the Ice Heir!"
Lucien stood over him, raising his icy spear, smiling proudly as he turned to face the crowd. "See?" he declared. "This is the end for anyone who dares to insult or challenge my family!"
But before the victorious professor could declare victory, a dark wave of murderous intent swept across the arena, causing most of the students to collapse to their knees under the immense pressure. Everyone fell to the ground, unable to breathe—except for the eight families' heirs, the teachers.
Everyone turned in terror toward the source of the pressure. There, amidst the rising dust, Saruto slowly rose. His eyes glowed a violet hue, and his voice came out chillingly cold: "We haven't even begun yet..."
He calmly extended his hand toward his opponent. Recalling every movement, he said, "Thank you, Lucien... Thanks to you, I learned which weapon suits me."
He closed his eyes and plunged into the depths of the dark energy within him. A heavy silence fell, then a tremendous burst of energy erupted from Saruto's hands. Suddenly, two swords, each connected by a glowing black chain, sprouted from his grasp and swung violently around him.
The entire hall trembled with the sheer force of the swords. A cold smile appeared on Sarotto's face as he raised his head towards Lucien and said to him, "Shall we continue what we started, Heir of the Ice?"