Descendants of the Lost Heroes: Journey in Another World

"Dude, I'm telling you, there's nothing going on between us," Alex insists as they walk through the hallway.

"Yeah, right," Max scoffs. "You two were alone in the dojo for hours, and you come back all hot and sweaty, saying you need a shower and you're too tired to talk."

"Yeah, exactly. I was tired from working out," Alex explains, exasperation creeping into his voice. "We were just training in the dojo, nothing more."

"Just training," Randy echoes, making air quotes with his fingers.

Alex shakes his head in frustration. "You guys are ridiculous. You know nothing happened."

"Right, Randy?" Max elbows their friend, both wearing identical grins.

Seeing their antics, Alex walks ahead, leaving his teasing friends behind as they make their way to their next class.

Walking into the homeroom, Alex spots Stella in her usual seat. She looks up from her book, offering a gentle smile and a small wave.

Alex returns the gesture, warmth spreading across his features as he makes his way to his desk. Max and Randy flank him on either side, settling into their seats.

"Bro, she literally looked at you, smiled, and waved - and you smiled back!" Max whispers, his eyes gleaming like a goblin spotting treasure. "Come on, tell me what's going on!"

"Guys, can it," Alex hisses, his patience wearing thin. "There's nothing going on. Besides, today's important - it's our first time practicing combat magic. I need you to focus."

"Fine, but you'll tell us everything later tonight if it's the last thing I do," Max declares, jabbing a stern finger at Alex.

Before they can yap about anything else they spot Professor Bain entering the classroom, his presence alone commanding instant silence. Their playful banter dies in their throats as they straighten in their seats, attention snapping forward like trained soldiers.

"Good morning, class," Professor Bain announces, striding to the front with purposeful steps. "I'll spare you the pleasantries this morning, as I'm sure you're all keenly aware that today marks your first attempt at magical combat."

His expression grows serious as he continues, "We've covered the rules before, but let's review them one final time. They're straightforward - you're only permitted to use spells within your rank, which means F-tier spells exclusively. We want to evaluate combat skill, not inherited advantages. Therefore, I expect clean fights - no dirty tactics, no artifacts, no equipment."

His gaze sweeps across the room, each glance carrying the weight of authority. "The sparring will be overseen by myself and several other practitioners. Remember, this accounts for 5% of your grade, so I expect your full cooperation and best behavior. Any drop in performance will reflect directly on your standing. Is that understood?"

Professor Bain's eyes lock with each student in turn, commanding their attention until a unified chorus of "Yes, Professor" echoes through the classroom.

All the students then made way to the dojo, filing in to form a ring around its perimeter. The professor and practitioners took their positions at the center, commanding attention with their presence.

"Since this is our first time, we'll proceed one at a time," Professor Bain announced. "This way, we can learn from each other. And who better to demonstrate first than Emma and young Leon?"

At their names, the two stepped forward, walking to the center with measured strides.

"Here's how this will work," Professor Bain explained. "The first person to land three hits wins, or if they manage a potentially lethal strike. However, we will prevent any actual lethal hits - no head slicing, heart rupturing, or complete dismemberment of any kind. I want a clean fight. Remember, this is not a game."

Stepping back, the professor left the two facing each other. Emma and Leon locked eyes, tension crackling between them.

"Today's the day you lose, Princess," Leon teased, his voice carrying across the silence.

"I would keep that mouth closed if I were you lest you want everyone to hear you squirmed when you're failing on the ground." Emma sharpy says back.

As if taking her words to heart Leon closes his mouth and steels himself for the fight.

They assumed their positions, waiting for Professor Bain's signal. With his hand raised high like a racing flag, he paused for dramatic effect. Then his arm dropped sharply downward.

Leon sprang forward instantly, using only mana reinforcement to enhance his body, clearly testing Emma's defenses. She responded in kind, blocking each strike while dancing around like an ice skater, her movements fluid and precise.

Dancing around, the two exchanged moves with lethal grace, each searching for weaknesses in the other's stance. Leon pressed his advantage, advancing relentlessly in an attempt to force Emma into a critical error. Yet she remained elusive, her natural flexibility allowing her to weave through his attacks like water through stones.

Their deadly dance continued for over five minutes, neither gaining clear advantage as they cycled through kicks, punches, and grappling maneuvers. Finally, Emma landed a solid kick to Leon's chest, forcing him to skirt backward and creating space between them.

Leon's mouth curved into a dangerous smile, his fangs slowly extending past his lips - a reminder of his vampiric heritage. "It's about time we turn things up, don't you think?" He cocked his head to the side, his smile growing wider as he stretched his arms outward.

Strings of mana emerged from his fingertips, plunging into the ground like ethereal needles. With a dramatic sweep of his arms, he launched a wave of these magical threads forward, forming them into massive phantom claws that sliced through the air toward Emma.

The attack came with blistering speed, but Emma was ready. Rolling to the side, she pressed her palms against the ground, channeling her power. Purple light bloomed beneath her hands, spreading through the earth like ripples in a pond. In response to her magic, vines burst from the ground, weaving together into a dense barrier that caught Leon's claw strike, the two magical forces clashing in a spectacular display of power.

Seeing the flurry of attacks, the watching students erupt into a frenzy, roaring with excitement like spectators at a gladiator arena. Seeing such high-level skill Alex can't help but study it closely.

'That must be the Etherthred family bloodline,' Alex thinks as he watches Leon unleash his crimson threads against Emma. 'And those vines must be the Everbloom's nature bloodline in effect. They clearly have greater mastery already.' Alex clenches his fist, knowing he must step up his game to reach new heights.

Turning his attention back to the fight, Alex watches as Leon maintains his assault, leaping forward with his strings transformed into an arrow-like shape. With his hand straight, he thrusts forward like an arrow piercing armor, shooting through Emma's vine barrier and shattering it with a wave of mana. Emma dodges by using a piece of divine wall to pull herself aside, utilizing the centrifugal force to launch a mana-empowered punch. Her strike connects with Leon's shoulder, sending him tumbling away.

Leon plants his hands on the ground, transforming his arrow-like mana strings back into threads. He weaves them into a cocoon of assorted string needles. With a clap of his hands, they fly outward like thorns of a porcupine. Emma dodges the needles as they shoot past her, then dips low, running her hand over the ground like a surfer touching a wave. She raises her arm, swinging it outward with a vine following behind. Like a spike shooting from the ground, it rushes toward Leon, who barely dodges as it nicks his chin. Their eyes meet, both sporting matching smiles.

This magical display continues as they showcase their individual bloodlines - Emma's nature magic allowing her to control underground vines and their poisonous qualities, while Leon demonstrates his family's aristocratic string abilities. His unmatched string control allows him to transform his mana threads into needles, claws, arrows, and protective cocoons, weaving his creations at will. Meanwhile, Emma manipulates plant life and nature itself to fight alongside her.

They trade blow after blow, exhaustion clearly setting in their eyes. Leon's movements gradually slow as the poison from Emma's earlier nick takes effect. He grimaces, searching for one final push to end the fight. Taking his strings, he makes his last attempt, wrapping them around Emma's vines to create a cocoon and trap her. But Emma has different plans - unknown to Leon, she has been crafting a ritual beneath their feet this entire time.