Arc 1: Part 9

Friena rushed forward, which made him wonder if she had decided to abandon her training, but no, she suddenly swung her sword, and made another fire slash while approaching him.

{'So she wants to smack me.'} Kyle shuddered while avoiding the fire slash. He didn't want to block or slash it while Friena was coming closer.

She kicked the ground, a fire sprouted out from her foot, and boosted her speed. She literally momentarily floated off the ground while swinging her sword at him. Kyle ducked down and glanced at the passing fire slash. He then noticed she kicked in the air and turned her body around to swing her sword again.

After Kyle slashed away a fire slash coming at him, he widened his eyes. The fire slash was just a cover for the next attack. The fire was gathering at Friena's hand, and then she shot it at him. Kyle barely dodged away from it and looked at the firebolt, which had hit the ground, leaving a devastating effect.

{'Well, she polished it a little bit.'} Kyle jumped back, avoiding another attack from her.

"Is that all? I'm actually impressed," Kyle praised her, but Friena didn't look happy at all. "I can say it is a higher-tier trash attack."

More tick marks appeared on Friena, but she didn't suddenly go for an attack. Instead, she took a deep breath and slowly let it out. Her eyes closed, and she put her sword forward in guard.

Kyle's eyes widened a little when he saw mana begin to gather around her and then separate out. Her sword became more shrouded in flame while six fireballs appeared above her.

"Heh, this is what I can do for now," said Friena while opening her eyes. "They are not stable yet and wasteful, but I can do six at once," she told him regarding the fireballs.

"You know, there is a high chance that none of them will hit me, right?" Kyle taunted while also stating some facts.

"Who knows, you might turn into a crispy man later," Friena taunted back before swinging her sword vertically at him. Fire slash and fireballs, all of them were coming at him at once.

Kyle prepared himself, but he was unprepared for what came next. The fireballs did not streak towards him, but instead spread out away from him. It caused him confusion, which almost made him pay the cost of being hit by the fire slash. Then the fireballs suddenly moved again towards him, and it was then that he noticed strings attached to the fireballs.

{'Clever.'} Kyle smiled. He figured out why the fireballs had dispersed at first. It was not because Friena was skilled enough to move the fireballs in such a manner, but it was because she controlled them through strings. She was using his technique.

Fireballs were now coming at him. It was a good attempt to misdirect him and then have him face the fire slash. If he got hit by the fire slash, then her first plan would succeed. If she didn't get him, then the fire slash would act as another decoy, where the fireballs would converge at his location. It was a good attempt, truly, but it had flaws.

First of all, it wouldn't work on someone composed and experienced. Her trick was on an amateur level. Secondly, she wasn't skilled with mana strings, which caused her to lack control of the fireballs. It meant the fireballs had a slight deviation during their change of path toward the target. Thirdly, all the fireballs were coming towards him at once, which meant that if he found the right timing, he would be able to dodge them all without a scratch.

However, Friena was aware of this. She was an amateur, and knew Kyle would come out unscathed. So, she prepared for the last attack. Gathering all the fire around her at the tip of her sword. She pulled it and then made a thrust. A fire beam was shot toward Kyle the moment the fireballs were coming at him.

When Kyle was ready to dodge, he suddenly sensed something dangerous coming at him. He was just about to move forward to dodge the incoming fireballs, and yet his escape route was blocked by an incoming attack. It forced him to halt and quickly cast a barrier. At the same time, all of the attacks collided.

"Shit," Friena cursed as she wiped the sweat off her chin with a tired smile. "He did not get hurt," she added, while watching the smoke disperse in front of her. Once the smoke was gone, it revealed Kyle inside a cracked barrier.

Kyle released the barrier and stood up. He sighed in relief, and looked toward Friena. "If I wasn't careful, I would have gotten hurt."

"I hoped that would happen," Friena said wishfully while approaching him. "But you reacted fast. I was sure I would at least get your hair."

"You want me to go bald?" Kyle questioned her in mock anger.

"Hmm," Friena seemingly considered. "No, you will become uglier than you are right now."

That ticked Kyle off, but he held it back. "This girl, she has such an uncouth mouth."

"Anyway, why did you go all out? You can practice more if you use your mana sparingly," Kyle questioned.

"Hm? Just cause I want to hit your face," Friena said nonchalantly while they began to walk away from the arena.

"Right ... you will be a vengeful ghost-filled with grudge if you keep like this," Kyle muttered. "But seriously, your training has become naught."

"Not really." Friena smiled. "I already experienced the feeling; now I just need to return to the basics first."

"Is that so? Then I hope you are going to do well."

"Naturally, but what about you? We didn't train your strings."

"It is fine." Kyle waved his hand with a relaxed expression. "I already know what to do about my training, so don't worry."

"Really?" Friena sounded sceptical.

"Believe me, unlike you, I have already planned out what I need to improve myself." It was true. Kyle had already planned everything for his improvement. In fact, he actually didn't need them, as he was already far ahead of his actual plan. Unfortunately, nobody else knew about this.

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....

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At the Headmaster's Office.

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The Headmaster of Costina was sitting at his table while looking at the papers in his hand. The papers contained information about several students, and among the listed ones were Kyle, Friena, and many others.

"Truly, this year, there are many talented students," the Headmaster murmured.

"Not counting the Class Seven; we indeed have a lot of talented ones," replied a teacher who stood in front of the Headmaster.

"How are they?"

"They are good. Well, they were picked from those with the highest growth potential. While some of them are weak, they are improving fast," said the teacher. "Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if they are capable of defeating other classes despite their smaller numbers. But that will happen in the future and only if the other students don't train as well."

"Yes, currently, only three of them are worthy to stand among the strongest students in this year." The Headmaster nodded.

"But enough of them. Anything interesting with the other six classes?"

"Class One is calm. They are trying to get closer to each other by talking to each other. Class Two is split into two factions, and if this keeps going on, they will become the worst class. Class Three, interestingly, took their time to spar to get to know each other and improve themselves. I have to say they are the most sensible ones. Class Four also trained amongst themselves, but not as much as Class Three. Whereas Class Five instantly fell under one student's rule. Class Six, they already formed their internal organization despite not knowing each other," reported the man in front of the Headmaster. He handed the report to the Headmaster.

"Oh ... I see. Class One doesn't have much difference in potential and status, so they are rather comfortable talking to each other. Class Two unfortunately has two people with ambitions and status. Class Three, while there are those with higher status, they seem to be doing rather well," the Headmaster was looking through the report.

"Class Four is good as well. Class Five ... so she manages to get everyone under her. What did she do? Oh? Isn't she a little tyrant?" The Headmaster was amused. "She even went so far as to have everyone remain quiet about it."

"Class Six, while they don't know each other deeply, they went to form their organization, but they are probably doing it through trial and error."

The Headmaster put the report on the table and turned around to look at the window. "This year, we have many talented students .... While it is a joyous thing, I can't help but think of the trials that will certainly come in the future."

"Trials? Sir?"

"Yes, when many talented people appear, it means trouble is coming."

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Author: Aida Hanabi

Proofreader: Teppo

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