Chapter 203: Elysia’s Defeat
It feels so comfortable...
Elysia thought as the sensation of overflowing energy surged through her body, filling every corner of her being. The exhaustion she had felt moments ago was gone as if it had never existed.
Her stamina and mana were now brimming to their peak as if an invisible force had replenished her from within. The Moon Blessing was finally showing its true colors.
She closed her eyes briefly, focusing on the moon mana flowing through her veins. But something felt different now. There was a strange energy mixed with the familiar silver essence, blending so perfectly that it felt as if her blessing had finally awakened to its complete form.
Her lips curved into a faint smile as she tightened her grip on her blade and shifted into her attacking stance once again.
I think... I think I just awakened a part of my true power...
Although this awakening had come earlier than what Ash had told her to expect, she did not dwell on it. Her mind was now singularly focused on understanding her ability and putting it to use.
This power... Soul attack ability?... Wait, a soul attack?
Her expression grew conflicted. On one side, she was exhilarated to possess such a devastating ability. But on the other, she hesitated. This was a duel, not a battle to the death. What if she harmed Ray’s soul beyond repair? The thought sent a ripple of unease through her.
Biting her lip slightly, she hesitated for a moment, her thoughts swirling.
Should I really use this... No, I have to. If I do not push myself now, if I cannot fight with all I have, then what is the point of standing here? I will only aim to land one or two hits, just enough to create openings for my attacks. Yes... that should be fine.
Her inner conflict ended there. A surge of determination lit her eyes as she whispered under her breath, "Let’s do it..."
With that thought, she lunged forward, the silver moon mana around her blade flaring brightly, its glow carrying a sharp, almost predatory edge. There was no discomfort or hesitation in her movements; using this power felt natural to her, as effortless as breathing itself.
Ray’s calm expression finally wavered. His eyes narrowed as he sensed the danger ahead.
{Boy, listen carefully. That is not just mana. It’s a soul attack.}
Hearing Aetheris’ voice echo inside his mind, Ray’s steps faltered for a heartbeat, his gaze tightening with seriousness.
A soul attack...? So that is what this sharp, suffocating feeling is.
After warning him, Aetheris fell silent, deciding not to interfere further. He wanted Ray to learn through the pain of experience. Still, it had at least hinted at what kind of attack was coming.
Elysia’s blade, gleaming with moonlight, collided with Ray’s weapon. The clash should have been nothing extraordinary, but the instant their weapons touched, a sharp cry escaped Ray’s lips. His body recoiled, his face twisting in pain as though something invisible had stabbed through his very soul. He staggered back, clutching his sword tighter.
A wave of gasps rippled through the arena stands, and the silence that followed was heavy enough to feel like the air itself had thickened.
"What the hell was that?" a boy muttered, his voice breaking the stillness, his tone trembling with disbelief.
"Elysia was able to make Ray feel pain, this is big news....." another said, eyes wide and unblinking, as though struggling to process the sight before them.
"I think she awakened some sort of new power....." someone else added, their voice hushed yet filled with awe.
"Of course she did, that whole 5 minutes Ray did not attack her, it was to give her time, that’s what is called chivalrous..." a girl said, her tone laced with both admiration and skepticism.
"Are you sure he was not just mad in love...?" another girl quipped, raising her brows with a smirk, drawing a mix of laughter and nervous glances from those nearby.
Elysia, however, did not relent. This time, she swung again without using the soul attack, her movements fluid and sharp, each strike flowing into the next as if she were dancing with the blade.
Ray, who just a moment ago had been confidently deflecting her strikes, now flinched away. He refused to let their weapons clash again, stepping back hurriedly.
"You... What is this power?" Ray growled under his breath, his grip tightening around his blade.
Elysia’s voice was low, but every word carried weight. "I will not lose to you... not when you insulted Ash." Her blood-red eyes felt like they glowed, "If I cannot stand for him now, then what right do I have to say I care for him?"
Ray’s expression darkened. "You’re fighting for him? To protect him?"
"I don’t need to prove myself to you," Elysia replied, her tone calm yet cutting. "But I will show you that looking down on him is your greatest mistake."
Ray gritted his teeth. Ash again... Always Ash. Even now, I am not the one she sees.
Meanwhile, in the stands, Ash’s lips curled into the faintest smile. That’s right, Elysia... just like that, hit him one more time.
There was a strange satisfaction in watching this unfold, a fleeting sense of refreshment. But that emotion soon vanished, replaced by his usual calm.
But still... this is not enough to defeat him...
Ash’s thoughts remained calm and clear as he observed the scene unfolding below. He already knew the difference between their strength, and as if to confirm his thoughts, the very next exchange proved him right.
Before Elysia could gather herself for another strike, Ray’s figure blurred and vanished from sight. The sound of a single step echoed faintly, and in the blink of an eye, he appeared behind her, his presence pressing down like a shadow.
She froze for the briefest moment when she felt the blunt edge of his academy sword resting at her neck.
"Just give up...." Ray said, his tone calm but carrying the weight of finality.
Elysia’s grip tightened on her blade, her breath coming out uneven. Her mind screamed at her to stop, but her heart burned with defiance.
I can’t give up... not yet.
Before his words could even finish, she twisted her body sharply, ignoring the blunt weapon on her neck. Her blade gleamed as it swung toward him with desperate force, but Ray’s figure shifted again.
In the blink of an eye, he was behind her once more, faster than her eyes could follow. This time, his voice was colder, though still controlled.
"Why are you pushing yourself this far? Do you want to end up hurt?"
"Shut up... I am not done yet!" she shouted through ragged breaths, her voice trembling but filled with determination.
Ray’s brows furrowed slightly as he sighed. "So stubborn...."
Before she could swing again, his hand moved with blinding speed, landing a sharp strike at the back of her neck. It was precise and controlled, intended to end the duel without causing injury, but strong enough to force her consciousness to fade.
Her blade slipped from her fingers as her vision blurred.
No... I cannot... lose like this...
Ray exhaled softly, a sigh that carried no triumph, only quiet resignation. He stepped forward, reaching out to catch her falling body, but then... his entire body stiffened.
Because before he could even reach her, someone else was already there.
Just a few steps away, standing tall and calm, holding Elysia’s unconscious form in his arms as if it were the most natural thing in the world... Ash was standing there, his gaze fixed firmly on Ray.
Ray’s eyes narrowed.
When did he...?
"Wait, who is that handsome?" a girl in the stands blurted out, leaning forward with wide eyes.
"Senior maybe..?" another guessed, though their uncertain tone betrayed their doubt.
"That’s Ash Burn, you idiots...."
"WHAT?? Are you saying he is Ash... that Ash...?"
"Of course, dumbo..." came the exasperated reply.
"Wait, then how did he appear there so suddenly...? And how is he looking like that?"
"How would I know, genius? Probably some artifact or skill, maybe..."
"But still..."
The crowd buzzed with disbelief. The big screen above the arena replayed the scene of someone appearing out of nowhere to catch Elysia mid-fall, and the stands erupted into murmurs and whispers. The once silent arena now sounded like a hive of startled bees.
And then, cutting through all that noise, Ash’s voice echoed around the arena. It carried through the mic sewn into the duel uniforms that Ray and Elysia were wearing, a feature designed for both commentary and safety measures.
Of course, nothing could have predicted or blocked a soul attack like Elysia’s earlier; that was something even the academy’s systems hadn’t accounted for.
"I heard you wanted to duel me?"
The moment his words resounded across the arena, silence fell once again. It was heavy, almost suffocating, as if no one dared breathe.
Only the instructors murmured among themselves, their voices low, while Leonard stood off to the side, grinning like a man who had just been promised a spectacle.
Yes, fight... show me a good fight. I have high expectations from both of you now...
The way Ash carried himself, Leonard could feel it deep in his bones—Ash was Strong. So much stronger than before. He couldn’t even begin to estimate the extent of Ash’s growth, but it made his blood stir in anticipation.
Whatever fortunate encounters you have had, I don’t know, but show me something worth the wait... after all this time, I want to see a blood boiling fight...
"Yeah, I wanted to," Ray replied, his tone cold and cutting.
"I see. Fine... let’s duel then," Ash said, his voice calm yet firm. He tilted his head slightly, as if sizing Ray up, and then silently stepped away with Elysia still in his arms, carrying her with effortless grace in a princess carry.
Unnoticed by anyone, a faint glow of life mana shimmered around his hand as he infused energy into her neck, easing the shock from Ray’s earlier strike.
He quickly entrusted her to the academy infirmary’s doctor, confirming she had only fainted, and then turned back to the arena.
In just a few minutes, Ash was standing there again, facing Ray with quiet determination. Ray, on the other hand, was finishing a potion, his expression unreadable.
Soul-healing potion...? Ash wondered but dismissed the thought. It wasn’t strange. After all, his system has all kinds of items that could mend even the deepest wounds.
Instructor Leonard stepped into the arena with a smile that looked far too pleased for the tense moment at hand. "Are you sure you both want to fight?"
"Yes," the two of them replied at the same time, their voices overlapping but equally firm.
"Fine. I’ll step out and watch from outside the barrier since this fight might get out of hand," Leonard said, his tone betraying a flicker of excitement. "Do you need any weapon, Ash?"
"I am a mage, Instructor," Ash replied softly.
"Oh, right. I almost forgot—you’re a mage. Hahaha... Alright, alright."
Leonard’s grin widened. "Then let’s start."
***
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