Daily Rewards! Transmigrating into a novel as a side-character!

Elen's eyes widened as she looked between us. "Oh! That's... unexpected. I didn't know you two were acquainted."

Emmet didn't seem to entertain Elene's chat. "I will wait for you in the arena."

Without waiting for my response, Emmet simply turned around and left.

I store my study materials inside the storage ring before standing up.

"What was that about? Did I do anything to bother him?" Elen looked at me with a confused look.

With a smile on my face, I shook my head. "Don't take his actions too personally, I think he doesn't like to talk much."

Elen nodded, though she seemed somewhat sceptical. "Can I come too? I would like to watch your spar, maybe I can learn a thing or to from you."

"Of course, I can't stop you from watching can I?"

As we prepared to leave for the training grounds, I could see other students taking notice of our arrangement. Based on their previous actions, my classmates loved gossip, so they would most definitely come to watch.

Emmet had already left through the door, clearly eager to begin.

I arrived at the arena alongside Elen. We both spotted Emmet waiting with his arms crossed, his expression focused and ready.

The arena was located in Section D. It wasn't actually just one platform, the huge space contained several smaller training platforms that students could reserve for private sparring sessions.

Since our spar wasn't an official match, we didn't need to get an instructor or third-year student as a referee. Only they were qualified to oversee formal matches, and all official bouts were recorded through magical artefacts to ensure any cheating would be caught and punished. This system meant no student or instructor dared show bias when refereeing.

For top third-year students, refereeing was a profitable side activity. They earned points for their services, which further reduced the effectiveness of bribery attempts, though the system wasn't completely fool proof.

Emmet had clearly reserved one of the smaller platforms for our use. I excused myself from Elen's side as she offered her final words of caution.

"Be careful," she said seriously.

I looked at her curiously. "You think I'm going to get hurt?"

"Quite the opposite. Be careful not to hurt him too badly," she replied, shaking her head with concern.

Fortunately, Emmet was far enough away that he couldn't hear her comment. I had no idea how he would have reacted to that assessment of our relative capabilities, and I preferred to keep his competitive fire focused on the upcoming match rather than any perceived slights.

I made my way toward the reserved platform where Emmet waited. I felt no concern or worry about the upcoming spar.

Once I stepped onto the platform, I glanced around and noticed a decent-sized crowd of students gathering to watch our sparring match.

Emmet's voice cut through my awareness of the spectators. "Ignore them. They won't benefit you when the beasts attack us."

His practical mindset was exactly what I'd expected from him - always focused on real combat applications rather than showmanship or social dynamics.

"Alright, let's begin," I replied, drawing my sword and settling into a ready stance.

Emmet took his position across from me, his hands already beginning to generate heat as small flames danced between his fingers. His eyes locked onto mine with intense focus.

The platform we stood on was roughly twenty meters in diameter, enough space for meaningful combat without being so large that mobility became the primary factor. The magical barriers around the edges would contain our attacks and prevent injury to spectators.

"No holding back," Emmet stated firmly.

"Understood," I confirmed.

Despite my confirmation, I was certainly not going to use my more powerful traits, aspect or even echo. Otherwise, a genius that is worth nurturing will become nothing but a corpse ready for burial.

The fight began with Emmet dashing toward me at considerable speed. Compared to other students, he was moving like lightning, his Elite-rank capabilities were immediately apparent and exactly what I'd expected from someone of his calibre.

Emmet launched a punch toward me that I sidestepped smoothly before countering with my own strike aimed at his midsection.

Whoosh!

My attack connected and pushed him backward, though he managed to block with crossed arms. When my fist made contact, I heard his bones strain under the pressure, I could tell the impact had hurt him despite his defensive posture.

I wasn't particularly concerned about the minor injury. Students at his family's economic level could easily afford healing potions, and small injuries like this were routine in serious sparring matches.

Emmet grimaced but immediately pressed forward again, flames beginning to spiral around his arms as he prepared a more serious offensive. His competitive nature was clearly ignoring any discomfort from my counterattack.

"Better," he said through gritted teeth, his eyes burning with increased intensity. "But you'll need more than that to stop me."

"Wow. That was a powerful strike, I would seriously be injured if that strike had hit me. How is he still standing?" I heard one of the students murmur to one of his friends.

I gave a quick glance towards the crowd, more people were coming to watch. Whether it was second years, third years or even other students from the different classes in our year.

"Don't you dare ignore me!"

Emmet threw a powerful punch towards me with his hands engulfed in fire.

Immediately I crossed my arms to protect myself from the attack, it was a powerful strike and I needed to defend it.

Boom!

The attack was powerful, but it didn't do any real damage. But I had to give credit, where credit was due.

I was pushed back a step from protecting that punch. Sensing Emmet's intention of trying to continue the attack, I leapt back creating distance between the two of us.

Emmet wasn't fazed and followed me relentlessly trying to continue his attack.

As soon as my feet landed on the ground, I sprung back into action dashing towards Emmet that was doing the same.