Chapter 23: Combat Class [4]
The tension in the training hall reached its peak as Daniel called out the final match of the evaluations.
"Lucifer and Lyra. Step onto the stage."
The two students stood up, their expressions composed but filled with determination.
Lucifer was a tall, broad-shouldered young man with a powerful build.
His earth affinity made him a defensive fortress, and he had built a reputation for being nearly unshakable in combat.
Every battle he fought was a test of endurance, his opponents struggling to break through his rock-solid defenses.
Lyra, in contrast, was lean and agile, her athletic frame built for speed.
Her fire affinity was fierce and overwhelming, and her aggressive, high-speed combat style made her one of the more dangerous opponents in class.
As they took their positions on the stage, the tension in the air thickened.
Daniel raised his hand. "Begin."
The instant the match started, Lyra exploded forward, her hands igniting in bright orange flames.
A barrage of fireballs shot toward Lucifer, each one leaving a scorching trail in the air.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The blasts erupted across the stage, kicking up smoke and dust.
But as the flames cleared, Lucifer remained standing, completely unscathed.
His body was covered in a thick layer of earth armor, a second skin of hardened stone shielding him from the impact.
Lyra clicked her tongue and took a cautious step back. "Tch, you're a tough one."
Lucifer smirked. "What good is earth if it crumbles under pressure?"
Without hesitation, he slammed his foot into the ground.
The entire arena trembled as jagged stone pillars erupted around Lyra, aiming to trap her in place.
But Lyra was faster.
She leaped into the air, twisting her body mid-air to avoid the incoming spikes before launching a concentrated stream of fire down at Lucifer.
The intense flames melted through parts of his armor, forcing him to move.
Lucifer frowned. "Hah… so fire can burn through my defenses."
Lyra smirked. "Obviously."
Their clash continued—Lyra's relentless firepower pushing Lucifer on the defensive while he countered with towering walls and shifting terrain to restrict her movement.
Every time he raised a blockade, she burned through it.
Every time he tried to entrap her, she evaded with speed and precision.
But Lucifer was patient.
He wasn't just defending—he was waiting.
And then, the moment arrived.
Lyra took a deep breath, gathering all her remaining mana into one final attack.
A roaring inferno surged from her hands, engulfing the entire arena in a storm of fire.
Lucifer braced himself, gritting his teeth as the flames crashed into him.
His stone armor cracked, the searing heat scorching his skin beneath.
But then—
BAM!
With a thunderous slam, he pressed both palms against the ground.
The entire stage shook violently as the floor beneath Lyra collapsed.
Her eyes widened as she lost her footing, tumbling downward.
Lucifer clenched his fist.
From the broken earth, a massive stone pillar surged upward, striking Lyra square in the stomach and launching her backward.
She crashed onto the ground, coughing as she struggled to rise.
But before she could move, she felt something wrap around her legs.
Looking down, she saw earth shackles locking her in place.
Lyra let out a frustrated breath, her flames flickering weakly. "Tch… you bastard."
Lucifer wiped the sweat from his brow, breathing heavily. "Looks like I win."
Daniel nodded. "Lyra is unable to continue. Lucifer wins."
The shackles crumbled away, and Lucifer stepped forward, extending a hand.
Lyra hesitated for a moment before clicking her tongue and taking it, letting him pull her up.
"Hah… Guess I need to work on my close combat," she admitted.
Lucifer chuckled. "And I need to work on my fire resistance."
The match ended, and both returned to their seats.
Daniel clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention.
"With that, today's evaluations are over. You are all free to do as you please until the first day of next month. Rest, train, or prepare for the upcoming semester. That's all."
Some students sighed in relief, while others immediately began planning their training schedules.
But then—
"I would like to issue a ranking challenge."
The voice was calm but cut through the air like a blade.
The entire room froze.
All eyes turned toward the source—
Lucian.
Even Daniel looked momentarily stunned. "You… want to issue a ranking challenge?"
Lucian nodded. "Yes. Against Oliver."
The students erupted into murmurs.
"Did he just say Oliver?"
"Wait, isn't Oliver mid Adept? And Lucian is early Adept…"
"Is he serious?"
Even Daniel frowned. "Lucian, are you sure about this?"
Before Lucian could answer, Oliver stood up, his face dark with irritation.
The loss to Alex had already shattered his confidence, and now, Lucian—a lower ranker—was challenging him?
His fists clenched.
"Are you looking down on me?" Oliver demanded.
Lucian met his gaze with a calm expression. "Not at all. I just want your rank."
The words hit like a dagger.
Oliver felt the weight of dozens of eyes on him, watching, waiting for his reaction.
For a moment, his pride screamed at him to refuse.
But then, another thought crept in.
'This is my chance'.
'If I crush Lucian here, I can regain my dignity'.
A slow smirk spread across his face. "Fine. I accept."
Daniel nodded, though he still seemed surprised. "Very well. Since this is an official ranking challenge, weapons are allowed."
Lucian's friends stared at him like he had lost his mind.
Keal crossed his arms. "This guy… is insane."
Elena blinked. "Wait… is this what he meant at lunch?"
Zara, usually quiet, murmured, "He really planned this…"
They recalled their conversation from earlier—how Lucian had brushed off Keal's concerns about the virtual pod.
They hadn't thought much of it then.
But now…
Elena grinned. "I just hope he doesn't get flattened in ten seconds."
Keal scoffed. "He better have something up his sleeve."
Zara remained silent, her gaze fixed on Lucian.
Lucian and Oliver stepped onto the stage.
Daniel stood between them, looking at both fighters.
"I'll remind you—if the challenger wins, the opponent cannot challenge them again for a month."
Oliver scoffed. "That won't matter. This won't take long."
Lucian didn't respond. He simply adjusted his stance.
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Extra Chapter [2/2]
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