CH-42 < Bet >

One week later, as they awaited their exam, the students of Class Two had gathered in the enchanted forest behind the academy. Eerie-looking trees grew as far as the eye could see, over the sides of valleys and mountains. The vast space was most suitable for holding practical magic lessons.

"Then the exam will commence with Team Sasha and Team Karna."

<Karna was allowed to form a team because of his immense power and family background. Those who opposed leader status are now in the hospital receiving treatment.>

"The results will affect your grades, so make sure you put in a proper effort." With that, Emilia left the forest with the remaining students.

"I hope you're ready," Sasha said confidently, her Magic Eyes ablaze.

I met her gaze. "Good luck, Sasha-chan." I smiled at her.

"I... I don't." Her mask was fading, and there was a blush on her cheek. "We are enemies, so take this seriously," she said.

"Of course," I replied.

Misha and Sasha cast Zect, and we began to prepare for our battle.

Sasha turned with a huff and headed towards the forest's east side, closely followed by her team.

"We should get going too," I told Misha.

"Yeah," she replied softly.

"What's the plan?" Misha asked quietly.

"There's only two of us. Not much planning we can do." Sasha's team had thirty people—roughly half the class. "The strategy is simple. I'll evade their territory and knock them out."

Misha hesitated. "Are you sure ?"

I nodded. "Absolutely. Trust me on this."

"Alright," she said with a worried tone.

I laughed. "Don't worry, I won't let you down.

Misha looked curious but didn't press further. "Okay..."

"But first, I need a little luck."

"What can I do". She asked with an innocent expression.

"A kiss is fine." I replied.

She blushed deeply but still compile and leaned in to kiss my cheek. I tilted my head, and we ended up pecking each other's lips. Her face turned a brighter shade of red.

"Okay. Construct a castle while I invade their territory," I said, teleporting away.

I transferred some of my magic to her. Because of my magic potency, she was able to conjure five castles, which even dumbfounded her.

"this is... . I didn't know I could do this," Misha said, her voice filled with awe.

"Believe in yourself more," I said, smiling. "You've got a lot of potential." I said through thought communication.

She nodded, though she still looked shy. "I'll... do my best."

"That's the spirit. Now, stay safe and keep them occupied. I'll handle the rest."

"Be careful ," she said softly, looking down.

"Always," I replied before disappearing into the shadows.

---

On the other side of the forest, Sasha's team was preparing their defenses. The atmosphere was tense, and the air crackled with anticipation.

"Sasha-sama!" a student called out urgently.

"The enemy just built five forts," Student 1 reported.

"So only one is real," Sasha deduced, narrowing her eyes.

"Misha can't build forts that many. So it must be illusion ," Sasha said, unaware that Karna was reading her mind from a distance.

"We'll attack first to gain an advantage," Sasha ordered.

"Defense team, enter the area—" Sasha was interrupted by another student.

"Sasha-sama!" Student 2 called out.

"The King... Karna Tempest is heading straight here," Student 2 reported.

"What? So suddenly? How?" Sasha spoke in a surprised tone.

"I don't know," Student 2 replied, looking confused.

"Did he teleport with [Gatom]?" Sasha wondered aloud, trying to piece together the situation.

"dare to come here alone... You'll fail sooner than expected with your lack of experience," Sasha said to everyone.

Oh really. Karna's voice echoed in their minds.

"No way," Student 2 exclaimed, eyes wide.

"How can he hear and speak?" Student 3 asked, bewildered and looking around.

"It's okay, a lot of barriers have been erected..." Sasha started to reassure them, but her voice trailed off as Karna's voice interrupted.

"The barrier is too weak. A simple anti-magic barrier is not enough," Karna transmitted the message to Sasha.

In response, I conjured a fighting aura on my finger. The barrier crumbled like glass breaking.

"He broke all the barriers?" Sasha said, while all others were speechless.

I then punched the wall, empowering my fist with haki. With a boom, the fortress was destroyed and they were blown a hundred meters away.

"Aaah!" All of them screamed as they got hurt when it landed.

The members of Sasha's team had fallen, groaning and struggling to get up.

"Get up, remember what we're here for," Sasha urged them. "We're Royal, we're here to win."

"But you all lost," I said, stepping forward with a smirk.

Sasha was taken aback by my physical strength, so she assumed I might be weaker in magical power since she had watched me practice magic regularly.

The battlefield was now littered with the remains of broken barriers and the echoes of Sasha's team struggling to regroup. Sasha, determined not to give up, quickly devised a new strategy.

"Team, form up! We need to buy time and find his weakness!" Sasha commanded, her voice firm despite the chaos.

Her team members, though battered, followed her lead. They began forming defensive positions, casting spells to fortify their area.

I watched them with a calm expression. "Impressive, Sasha-chan, but it's not enough."

With a flick of my wrist, I summoned a wave of energy that swept through their defenses, shattering their newly erected barriers. The force of the blast sent many of Sasha's teammates sprawling to the ground.

Sasha gritted her teeth, refusing to back down. She raised her staff and cast a powerful binding spell, aiming to immobilize me. The magical chains shot towards me, glowing with intense energy.

I didn't even flinch. With a simple gesture, I dissipated the chains into nothingness.

Sasha's eyes widened in disbelief. "How...?"

"Your magic is strong, but not strong enough," I said, stepping closer. "Now, it's my turn."

I raised my hand, and a sphere of dark energy formed above my palm. It pulsed with raw power, crackling with arcs of lightning.

Sasha's team stared in horror, knowing they stood no chance against such overwhelming force.

"Let's end this," I said calmly, releasing the sphere.

The dark energy shot forward, engulfing Sasha's team in a blinding explosion. The ground trembled, and the air was filled with the sounds of crumbling earth and pained cries.

When the dust finally settled, Sasha and her team lay defeated, unable to continue the fight.

I walked over to Sasha, who struggled to lift her head. "You fought well, Sasha-chan, but you still have much to learn."

She glared at me, determination flickering in her eyes despite her injuries. "This isn't the end, Karna.

Deciding to fight to the bitter end, Sasha, with her last bit of strength, stood up shakily and looked at Karna, who was now standing in front of her.

Activating her Mystic Eyes, she said, "Die."

"You shouldn't say something like that," Karna replied, activating his own purple eyes that repelled the effect of her gaze.

"Tsk, just kill me," she spat out.

"Why would I kill my cute Sasha?" Karna replied.

At his words, Sasha looked at him with a baffled expression. "Whose 'yours'? One day, I will kill you."

Karna just chuckled. Stretching out his hand to her, he said with a smile, " your sister is worried about you."

Misha, who had been silently observing from a distance, rushed forward her "Sasha are you alright!" Her voice filled with concern.

Sasha looked at her sister with a confused expression, her usual habit of keeping her distance faltering. "Misha...?"

Karna, watching the scene unfold, used the Ultimate Skill Shakti to heal everyone. As the healing magic enveloped Sasha and her team, he smiled gently. "See? There's no need for such hostility. Your sister truly cares about you."

Sasha's expression softened as she glanced at her sister and then at Karna, realizing the complexity of the emotions at play.

She then start her tsundere mod and denied Misha and mine concern.