T
he Arkanis Duel Arena glimmered under the magical illumination of the floating runes, each symbol etched into the floor like a heartbeat of the academy itself. Students filled the vast seats in perfect silence, their collective anticipation so thick it seemed to pulse through the air. Today was different—today, the academy witnessed the arrival of Sky, the enigmatic Italian caster, and the first confrontation with Koha, the academy’s prodigy.
Koha stood at the center, his calm posture radiating an aura that seemed to bend reality subtly. He held his hands lightly at his sides, eyes closed, meditating as if aware of the storm that approached. His book of elemental mastery hovered at his side, pages flicking with an invisible wind as if acknowledging the impending conflict.
Sky entered through the main gates, his boots striking the ground with a deliberate rhythm, each step echoing like a drumbeat across the arena. At 23, the Italian exuded both youth and the aura of someone who had survived countless battles. His eyes, sharp and unwavering, immediately locked onto Koha. The pupils dilated, a mixture of respect, curiosity, and challenge. Huo, standing behind Koha, noticed the intensity—the fierce gaze that seemed to weigh Koha like a living scale. Even Yin felt a ripple of tension, sensing the raw magical power emanating from Sky.
Professor Arkanis raised his hands, silencing the murmur of the students. “Today, we welcome Sky,” he announced, voice carrying across the arena, resonating with magical amplification. “A mage of unmatched skill and mastery, coming from Italy. His abilities are formidable—enough to rival the academy’s strongest. I present him to you all.”
Sky bowed slightly, his hand lightly resting on the hilt of a mystical bow slung across his back, a sleek arrow notched but glowing faintly. “Salve,” he said, his tone calm, yet every word held the subtle vibration of restrained power. “I hope this encounter will test both our limits.”
Koha opened one eye, just slightly, and a glimmer of his usual shyness flickered, but it vanished as he adjusted to the attention. He felt the hum of Sky’s aura, sharp, precise, and deadly.
Professor Arkanis continued, “And here are our top students: Koha, Rio, Yin, and Huo. You all know the strength these young mages hold. But today, we will witness Koha’s abilities firsthand in a controlled environment.”
Koha’s aura subtly shifted; he didn’t speak, didn’t react outwardly, but the floating runes around him flickered, faintly vibrating with his elemental energy. Sky, however, didn’t flinch, his eyes never leaving Koha. There was no fear, only the precise calculation of an opponent sizing up a target.
The professor’s hand motioned, “Begin.”
Without a moment’s hesitation, Sky moved. The air rippled as his forbidden power awakened: Lama dei Cinque Venti – Blade of Five Winds. Arrows formed in thin air around him, glowing with a cold, pale light as he notched them automatically, one by one. Freccia di Oblio – Arrow of Oblivion, he whispered under his breath in Italian, and the spell hummed with quiet menace.
Koha’s eyes snapped open fully. Kōri no Kabe – Wall of Ice erupted around him, sharp crystalline barriers forming in an instant. The first arrow from Sky struck the ice and shattered, the pieces spinning harmlessly into the air. Koha’s calm voice cut through the tension, chilling yet precise:38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKmiVWsdjD
火焔の矢 (Kaen no Ya) – Arrow of Flames38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElfFc25pag
A column of fire shot upward, twisting into a spiral, countering Sky’s wind-manipulated trajectory. Sky’s arrow deflected, colliding with the fire with a ringing crack, sparks flying across the arena.
The spectators gasped. Sparks, energy arcs, and elemental collisions filled the arena. The floating runes hummed louder as if responding to the massive influx of magical power. Students in the stands clutched each other, sensing the destructive potential of these two forces colliding.
Sky’s eyes narrowed. Lancia di Fulmine – Spear of Thunder. Lightning arced from the tips of his enchanted arrows, seeking gaps in Koha’s defense. But Koha was ready. He raised his hand:
旋風の壁 (Senpū no Kabe) – Whirlwind Barrier38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYPfd2DQZU
A cyclone of wind and energy erupted, deflecting the arrows midair. The collision created a shockwave that lifted Koha slightly off the ground, sending him spinning lightly, yet controlled. His breathing remained even, measured, belying the force he exerted.
Sky responded instantly, hopping backward onto a floating rune, arrows forming in a circular formation around him. Freccia della Morte – Arrow of Death, he whispered. The energy around the arrow twisted reality slightly, seeking to bypass Koha’s barriers. Koha tilted his head slightly, eyes narrowing, feeling the magical distortion.
流水の刃 (Ryūsui no Yaiba) – Blade of Flowing Water38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJft8rmBhi5
A torrent of liquid magic shot from Koha’s hands, slicing through the energy field of Sky’s arrow. The arrow disintegrated midair with a sharp, echoing crack. Sky’s jaw tensed. He smirked faintly; this was more challenging than he anticipated.
The arena itself seemed to react, the floating stones quivering under the clash. A faint ripple spread across the air, making the students’ hair rise with static. Rio leaned forward in his seat, whispering under his breath, “Koha… he’s not using even half of his strength yet.”
Huo’s hands clenched into fists. “I can feel it… the raw power, even from here. If he opens his full power, no one could survive.”
Sky drew a deep breath, eyes glinting. He raised his bow fully. Fiamma del Caos – Flame of Chaos, he muttered in a low growl, the bowstring vibrating under elemental resonance. The air became hotter, a faint sulfuric smell filling the arena as his forbidden power flared slightly.
Koha’s eyes glowed faintly. His voice, cold and calm, echoed clearly:
大地の拳 (Daichi no Ken) – Fist of the Earth38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufuqX2oe90
The ground beneath him erupted, massive stone columns launching upward and spinning into defensive positions. 氷結の壁 (Hyōketsu no Kabe) – Wall of Ice sprouted from each column’s tip, creating a lattice of interlocking barriers. Sky’s flaming-shadow arrows struck, exploding against the combination of stone and ice with thunderous impacts.
The arena shook with every elemental clash. Students in the stands were pressed against their seats by the shockwaves of magic and energy, unable to look away from the spectacle. Even the professors leaned forward, murmuring amongst themselves, noting the precision and speed of Koha’s reactions.
Sky’s lips curved into a thin smile. He was enjoying the challenge. With a swift motion, he spun and leaped into the air, leaving a trail of elemental arrows glowing as he did so.
Lama dei Cinque Venti – Blade of Five Winds38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnupyFgec3
This time, the spell wasn’t a single arrow—it was a sweeping attack, each arc infused with fire, lightning, shadow, wind, and water. Koha sensed the incoming onslaught, the air around him bending slightly as he countered with:
紅蓮の嵐 (Guren no Arashi) – Crimson Inferno Storm38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mUFjaoxRK
Fiery pillars erupted around him, the heat twisting the air, meeting Sky’s elemental wind and lightning. Sparks and arcane energy tore across the arena in brilliant flashes, illuminating the floating runes and the faces of the watching students.
The collision sent a small shockwave, spinning Koha slightly but not knocking him off balance. He exhaled slowly, his aura pulsing gently but steadily, controlling the elements like a symphony of destruction restrained by masterful precision.
Sky landed deftly on a rune near the arena’s edge. Freccia di Oblio – Arrow of Oblivion again, aimed directly at the gap Koha’s lattice left. Koha’s voice was soft, almost shy, but chilling in its precision:
氷の鎧 (Kōri no Yoroi) – Armor of Ice38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsYG1t2AxI
A crystalline armor enveloped him, absorbing the destructive force. The arrow exploded against the armor, shattering some ice but leaving Koha unscathed. He blinked once, almost imperceptibly, eyes returning to their normal calm shade.
Sky’s eyes narrowed further. “Interesting… he’s fast, precise… he’s… restrained.” His hand adjusted his bow, an arrow materializing instantly: Lama di Tenebra – Blade of Darkness, the forbidden edge whispering with malevolence.
Koha tilted his head slightly. The corners of his mouth twitched faintly, a hint of his characteristic shyness.
[To Be Continued in Part 2…]
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