Golden mana exploded around Cassian.
The pressure alone forced several nearby students to step back.
The arena floor cracked beneath his boots.
A confident smile returned to his face.
"I wanted to end this without embarrassing you."
He pointed his sword at Noah.
"But you brought this on yourself."
Noah rolled his shoulders.
"You nobles really like giving speeches."
A few students laughed.
Cassian’s face darkened.
Professor Elena remained silent.
She wanted to see what Noah would do.
The bell echoed.
The second round began.
Cassian vanished.
This time he was twice as fast.
His sword flashed like lightning.
CLANG!
Noah finally raised Shadowfang.
The dagger barely caught the practice sword.
The impact sent him sliding several meters.
"He’s stronger than before."
Cassian pressed forward relentlessly.
One slash.
Two.
Five.
Ten.
The spectators could barely follow the exchange.
Only the sounds of steel echoed through the arena.
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
Noah blocked one strike.
Dodged another.
Bent backward to avoid a horizontal slash.
Spun away from an overhead attack.
Every movement was economical.
No wasted energy.
No flashy techniques.
Just survival.
Professor Elena narrowed her eyes.
"Those movements..."
"That’s battlefield experience."
"Not academy training."
Cassian grew irritated.
"Stop running!"
"I’m standing right here."
"You know what I mean!"
Noah smirked.
"Then say what you mean."
Several students burst into laughter.
Cassian’s ears turned red.
"You bastard!"
Golden mana surged again.
He swung with everything he had.
Noah watched carefully.
"Too much power."
"Too much emotion."
At the last second—
He sidestepped.
Cassian’s sword slammed into the arena floor.
BOOM!
Stone exploded.
The noble had overcommitted.
Noah’s eyes sharpened.
"There’s the opening."
He stepped inside Cassian’s guard.
Shadowfang stopped just beneath Cassian’s chin.
Silence.
Complete silence.
One more inch...
And the duel would’ve been over.
The barrier recognized the killing position.
A shrill tone echoed.
Potential Lethal Strike Detected.
The match should have ended.
But Noah lowered the dagger himself.
He took two steps back.
"I think that’s enough."
Cassian stood frozen.
His face went pale.
He knew.
He had lost.
For a brief second...
An F-Rank had held his life in his hands.
The arena erupted into whispers.
"No way..."
"Did he..."
"He could’ve finished it..."
Even Eric stared with wide eyes.
"Since when is Noah this good?"
Professor Elena raised an eyebrow.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
Cassian clenched his fists.
"I wasn’t ready."
Noah sighed.
"I know."
"You got lucky!"
"No."
Noah met his eyes calmly.
"You got angry."
"And angry fighters make mistakes."
Cassian opened his mouth.
No words came out.
Professor Elena stepped onto the platform.
"Enough."
Her voice silenced everyone.
She looked at Cassian.
"What was your greatest mistake?"
Cassian looked down.
"...I underestimated him."
"Wrong."
The professor folded her arms.
"You underestimated yourself."
The class blinked.
"You abandoned your fundamentals the moment your pride was challenged."
She turned toward Noah.
"And you."
Noah straightened.
"You never once tried to overpower your opponent."
"No, Professor."
"Why?"
Noah answered without hesitation.
"Because stronger people always exist."
A brief image of Azrael flashed through his mind.
"If I rely on being stronger..."
"...the first monster stronger than me will kill me."
The arena became quiet.
Professor Elena smiled.
A genuine smile this time.
"Excellent answer."
She looked at the entire class.
"Listen carefully."
She pointed toward Noah.
"His mana talent is F."
She pointed toward Cassian.
"His mana talent is SS."
Then she made her point.
"And yet..."
"The F-Rank controlled the entire fight."
Every student fell silent.
Even the nobles couldn’t argue.
Professor Elena’s gaze swept across the room.
"Talent opens doors."
"Skill decides who walks through them."
She dismissed the class with a wave.
"Today’s lesson is over."
Students immediately broke into loud conversations.
Some looked at Noah with newfound respect.
Others with suspicion.
Cassian left without saying a word.
But as he walked away, he glanced back once.
There was no mockery left in his eyes.
Only determination.
Noah had just earned himself a rival.
And from the highest balcony overlooking the arena...
Headmaster Leonhardt watched silently.
Beside him stood another figure cloaked in white.
The stranger spoke softly.
"So..."
"Is he the one?"
The Headmaster’s gaze never left Noah.
"...Perhaps."
"But if he truly carries Ragnarok..."
His expression hardened.
"...then the academy is about to become the most dangerous place on the continent."