NOVEL NEXT Chapter 154: [Spin-off] Progress beyond all imagination
«The second phase of the semester exams officially begins!»
The announcer's voice echoes through the arena, sparking a roar of applause and cheers. The tension in the air is palpable, and the spectators are eager to witness the duels between students. All eyes are, of course, on Eiric Serenvalir — the prodigy who has drawn an unprecedented number of army officers and private observers, thanks to his extraordinary performance during the selections and his mastery of Manipulation Magic.
By regulation, challengers are chosen by random draw shortly before each match begins, a precaution that prevents participants from devising plans to sabotage their opponents in advance.
«The first duel will be between... Amelia Lunara and Darius Lharok!» the commentator announces, and the applause continues as the designated students prepare for battle.
Meanwhile, Cassian waits for his turn beside Lilvyra, seated in one of the corridors that lead to the arena. It's the perfect place to avoid distractions and prying eyes, yet close enough for him to hear his name announced. In his hands, he holds a notebook, reading and rereading it with intense focus. Those pages are filled with notes and formulas he wrote during the ten intense days he spent training with Lilvyra, preparing for this crucial phase of the exams.
In the past few days, Cassian and Lilvyra haven't shown up to a single class, and their mysterious absence has become the main topic of gossip among students and teachers alike. Rumors claim they've broken several rules, spending their nights together, doing what some have called unspeakable acts. However, despite frequent surprise inspections, nothing solid has ever been discovered. Lilvyra's magic has proven more than enough to conceal every trace of their forbidden activities.
«These first duels are upholding Sereltha Academy's esteemed reputation!» the commentator exclaims with enthusiasm. «And now, let's move on to the next match: Edward Rhaenor versus... Lyon Thalukvar!»
Cassian and Lilvyra exchange a quick, knowing glance. Without a word, they stand and walk together down the long corridor that leads to the arena.
«Cassian Thalukvar... what outrageous luck,» Edward Rhaenor remarks, staring at his opponent in the center of the arena.
Edward is a student whose talent stands well above average, having cleared the preliminary trials by earning the green mark on the selection wall — a result higher than Cassian's. Yet, despite his arrogance, a shadow of unease creeps over him. Something about Cassian has changed. His gaze is dark, unreadable, and the cold, wicked smile curling across his lips fills Edward with an inexplicable sense of dread.
This isn't the insecure, awkward Cassian Thalukvar everyone knew during the first four and a half years at Sereltha Academy. Edward feels as though he's facing someone entirely different, silently cursing the draw he'd once considered favorable.
«Outrageous luck, you say?» Cassian repeats in a calm, composed tone, but the smile accompanying his words is sharp and cold.
That simple reply freezes Edward's blood. A shiver runs down his spine, and the tremor running through his body forces him to mask it with anger.
«I've waited four long years to prove my worth!» he shouts, clenching his fists. «I'm a magical genius, yet no one has ever recognized me as such — all because of that damned Eiric Serenvalir! He's always overshadowed me, but now I finally have the chance to prove my superiority. I'll tear you apart, Cassian Thalukvar!»
The commentator signals the start of the duel, and Edward acts without hesitation.
«Elemental Invocation • Water/Wind: Piercing Frost!»
A gigantic cone of ice forms above their heads, its sharp tip aimed straight at Cassian, ready to crash down upon him. The enormous frozen mass plummets toward its target at incredible speed.
But Cassian doesn't even flinch.
«Elemental Invocation • Wind: Lightning Star!»
A surge of lightning bursts from his body, spreading outward in a dazzling explosion. The massive block of ice from Edward's Elemental Invocation is obliterated instantly, shattering into countless fragments under the force of the electrical blast. Edward is forced to leap backward, narrowly avoiding being caught in the explosion.
A stunned silence falls over the arena.
What Cassian just executed is an extremely powerful and complex spell—something no one would ever have expected from a student once deemed mediocre.
The clash between Cassian and Edward continues, locked in what seems to be a stalemate. Their opening exchanges of long-range attacks prove useless, each spell shattering or dispersing the same way, forcing Edward to change his strategy.
«Elemental Invocation • Water/Wind: Ice Lance!»
Determined to use his technical superiority, he conjures a sharp ice lance that solidifies in his grasp and charges at Cassian. Moving fluidly, he combines swift thrusts with close-range spells, trying to catch his opponent off guard. Every strike reflects years of training and discipline. His hands move with precision, firing bursts of ice to throw his opponent off balance, while his lance aims for the exposed points.
But he soon realizes that something's wrong—his attacks don't land, no matter what he tries.
Despite the strength of his spells, Cassian's defense proves unexpectedly solid. Bolts of lightning coil around him like serpents, anticipating every thrust of the lance and every shard of ice Edward launches.
«This is absurd...» Edward murmurs, his frustration mounting as his breathing grows heavier. «You... you shouldn't be this strong, you damn freak!»
Cassian, on the other hand, shows no emotion, only a faint, mocking smile.
«Elemental Invocation • Wind: Lightning Tangle!»
Countless tendrils of crackling electricity burst to life around Edward, coiling tightly around his body and trapping him in place.
In an instant, violent currents surge through his body with unbearable force. His anguished screams fill the arena as his body convulses violently. He collapses, unconscious, still trembling from the last traces of electricity.
Edward lies twitching on the ground while Cassian stands motionless at the center of the arena, the lightning around him slowly fading away.
The audience, shocked by the sheer brutality with which Cassian ended the duel, falls silent for a moment before hesitant applause slowly spreads through the arena.
As expected, Eiric Serenvalir, who fought in the very next match, also secures his victory effortlessly. The crowd greets him with thunderous applause as he obliterates his opponent in an instant.
His victory further fuels his already growing reputation. The spectators now see him as the undisputed favorite for the final title.
Once the preliminary eliminations come to an end, the duels are set to resume the next day, allowing the students a brief time to rest and reflect.