Theo's POV
The combat arena felt smaller once I stepped inside it.
A translucent barrier rose around the circular field, glowing faintly as runes activated along the ground. The magic shield would stop attacks from spilling into the crowd.
Outside the barrier, dozens of students gathered to watch.
Some curious.
Most entertained.
Class A students stood confidently near the front.
Class C students whispered and laughed.
Class D stayed together near the back.
I could already hear the comments.
"Poor guy."
"Lucian's going to destroy him."
"Why even pair them?"
Across the arena stood Lucian Draeven.
Tall.
Calm.
Completely relaxed.
Lightning flickered faintly around his fingers like restless sparks.
He studied me for a moment.
"So you're Theo."
His voice wasn't mocking.
Just curious.
"The water mage everyone's talking about."
I nodded slightly.
"And you're the strongest student."
He shrugged.
"That's what they say."
The instructor stepped between us.
"This duel will end when one student is unable to continue or the instructor stops the match."
He looked between us.
"No killing blows."
A few students chuckled.
The instructor raised his hand.
"Begin."
Lucian moved first.
Lightning flashed across the arena.
He vanished.
My eyes widened.
Fast.
A crack of thunder exploded beside me.
I barely managed to react.
Water surged from my palm, forming a thin barrier just as Lucian's lightning-covered fist struck.
BOOM
The impact threw me back several meters.
My boots skidded across the stone floor before I stopped myself.
Outside the arena, murmurs spread through the crowd.
"He blocked it?"
Lucian looked mildly surprised.
"Not bad."
Lightning sparked around his hand again.
"But you're still too slow."
He disappeared again.
I reacted instinctively.
Water gathered around my arms and shot outward.
Lucian's second strike hit the spinning water.
Electric sparks burst across the surface as the pressure deflected his attack slightly.
Still—
The force slammed into my shoulder.
Pain shot through my arm as I staggered back.
Too fast.
If I tried to match his speed directly, I'd lose instantly.
So instead…
I changed strategy.
Water gathered around my hands again.
Not as a shield this time.
As pressure.
Lucian rushed forward again, lightning blazing.
I compressed the water tightly and fired.
A sharp stream shot toward him like a blade.
Lucian tilted his body mid-step.
The attack barely missed his side.
But it forced him to stop moving.
The arena went quiet.
Lucian glanced at the ground where the water had struck.
A shallow crack marked the stone.
He looked back at me.
"Interesting."
Lightning flared brighter around him now.
Outside the barrier, the students were whispering louder.
"He's actually fighting back."
"Lucian had to dodge."
Kairo's voice carried from somewhere in the crowd.
"LET'S GO THEO!"
Lucian rolled his shoulders.
"You're better than I expected."
He raised his hand.
Lightning gathered rapidly around his arm.
The air itself began to crackle.
"This might actually be fun."
I steadied my breathing.
Water slowly gathered around me again.
Spinning.
Flowing.
Waiting.
Lucian grinned.
Then lightning exploded across the arena as he charged again.
This time—
I didn't retreat.
Water surged forward as we both attacked at the same time.
Lightning and water collided in a violent burst of energy.
The arena shook.
And for the first time…
Lucian's smile faded slightly.
Because the fight wasn't ending as quickly as he expected.