Chapter 37: The Pride on the Line.

Chapter 37: The Pride on the Line.The First-Year Students Arrive —Edwin Leonhart, Elysia, Jin Halden, Ronan, Lucy, and Evander—as they stepped onto the Ground One. As the first year entered, students began to murmur. "That’s them..." "I heard Jin picked a fight with Darius..." "They’re brave, I’ll give them that (thumbs up) " Jin stretched his arms enjoying the attention. Elysia, however, didn’t share the sentiment. "Tsk..." Elysia, "Jin, you said this was just a non-official spar. Why are there so many people here?" Jin raised his head, a teasing smile on his face. "Well. Guess the whole academy wanted to see who gets their pride today." Elysia sighed and turned away. "Ridiculous..." The Second-Year Students Enter silence fell over the arena as the second-years arrived. Kayle Virehart, the Rank 1 second-year swordsman. Behind him came Kaigaku (Rank 2), with a greatsword on his back. Darius walked with an arrogant look. Kaito, Sayo, and Renjo followed Their presence pulled murmurs from the crowd. "There’s Kayle..." "They even brought Kaigaku... are they trying to crush the first-years completely?" "This just got serious..." Kayle’s eyes scanned the first-years with open disdain until they stopped on Elysia. He walked a little closer, placing a hand onis sword. "Hey, girl." His voice rang out clearly. "You sure you want to get involved in this? What if you get beat to a pulp and mess up that pretty face?" He laughed mockingly. The second-years behind him laughed as well. "Won’t be good for your reputation if the so-called ’genius of the first years’ goes home in bandages," he added, tilting his head. Elysia didn’t talk back. "I’d be more worried about yourself," she replied calmly, stepping forward. "Because once I’m done, even your sword will be ashamed to be near you." Kael and cecelia at the arena. (This match, I know first year wins.), kael. The battle had begun. Kael moved first, stepping lightly on the floor. His shoes barely made a sound. His sword was drawn, but he didn’t rush in recklessly. Instead, he circled, watching stance, searching for any weakness. Lucy’s hands glowed faintly with mana. Her magic was her strength, but she was not a weakling with a wand — she could fight close combat too. Her eyes locked on the opponent , and with a sudden burst, she sent a blast of blue mana toward him. Jin cracked his knuckles, "Remember, this is non-official, but that doesn’t mean we don’t give it our all." Elysia looks determined. "Let’s show them what we are made of." Without hesitation, Kayle rush forward, eyes locked on Edwin, the strongest. Around them, the other combatants prepared for their battles: Jin Halden against Darius, Elysia facing Kaigaku, Ronan against Kaito, Lucy versus Sayo, and Evander challenging Renjo. Kayle’s eyes narrowed, and with a swing, he charged Edwin. The clash of steel rang through the arena as Edwin fought with the sword where steel meets steel. Kayle’s strikes were powerful and aggressive, relying on brute force and speed, but Edwin’s defense was flawless—his swordwork smooth, precise, and strategic. He deflected each blow, waiting for the perfect moment. Nearby, Jin lunged at Darius with fiery aggression, his twin swords flashing in a whirlwind of rapid strikes. Darius was strong and experienced, but Jin’s unpredictable style kept him off balance. With a sharp move, Jin took by clash and took Darius swords and forced him back, the crowd erupting at the first-year’s boldness. Elysia’s blade flared as she swung powerful blasts at Kaigaku. Their was unusual—swordsman and mage clashing in, but Elysia’s adaptability gave her the edge. She struck with another swing that shattered Kaigaku’s defenses. Ronan released the strongest defense on Kaito, and released air punches constantly who tried to close the distance. Ronan moved quickly and carefully, making sure to stay just out of reach. He kept hitting Kaito with fast attacks until Kaito started to lose balance and finally stepped back. Lucy’s fists glowed with magical energy as she moved smoothly against Sayo. Sayo’s magic was strong, but Lucy was faster and used magic to make her punches even stronger. Though Lucy was healer, she is a strong fighter too, thanks for that brutal training Professor Slyvia gave. With a last powerful kick, Lucy knocked Sayo down and won. Evander stood calmly while facing Renjo’s heavy hammer attacks. He blocked and returned attacks carefully and quickly. When Renjo tried a strong blow, Evander dodged and quickly cut him, ending the fight. In the center of the arena, Kayle attacked hard, swinging his sword in wide swings. Edwin blocked and fought back, pushing Kayle backward step by step. "Not bad for a first-year," Kayle said, wiping blood from his lip. "But you’re still not as good as me." Edwin’s eyes shine with anger. "You’re wrong." Edwin tricked Kayle with a quick move and cut his side. Kayle got hurt but didn’t want to give up. They kept fighting quickly, steel hitting steel and sparks flying. Finally, Edwin saw a chance. With a strong strike, he knocked Kayle’s sword out of his hand. Edwin, with his sword pointed at the chest of Kayle. "Do you still wish to fight with your hand and with my sword?" Kayle raised his hands to show he gave up. The crowd cheered loudly as Edwin put down his sword, winning the fight. One by one, the first-year students won. The second-years stepped back, shocked by their surprise loss. Jin: " So is this called luck ?" They stood in silence. Up in the stands, the third-year students murmured among themselves—some amazed, others clearly jealous. "Did they really win?" "No way... first-years?" Kael glanced to the side and froze for a moment. Professor Yulia stood quietly near the edge of the arena, arms crossed, her sharp eyes watching everything. (That’s strange...) Kael thought. (In the novel... he wasn’t there.) His heart skipped slightly. But he let it slide.