The field became a stage, and we were quickly surrounded by spectators.
Arthur, Kai, Luna, Derek, and several other cadets all had their eyes fixed on our fight.
"I don't care what this is… I'm not losing to someone like you!"
Seraphina shouted, reinforcing her stance with confidence.
What is she planning?
Suddenly, in the blink of an eye, she was right in front of me.
Instinctively, I jumped back to create distance.
"Let's see how far your skills can take you in this duel."
She was fast.
Not long ago I was on the offensive, but now I was using my shadows just to try to hold her back.
That was my limit.
Damn, what happened to her all of a sudden? A minute ago, she wasn't even counterattacking.
I didn't know what had caused this sudden change.
Then, Seraphina stepped away from me and focused on something.
Her sword began to glow with a red aura.
It was an aura blade.
I felt a cold sweat run down my back.
I didn't expect anything less from one of the main characters of my novel.
But she was taking this way too seriously for a simple duel.
I tried to keep my distance, but again, in the blink of an eye, Seraphina was on me. Holding her sword firmly, she launched several strikes in my direction.
Aren't they taking this too seriously?
Kai asked Arthur, who stood beside him.
I think we should stop them.
...
I, on the other hand, could barely block Seraphina's aura blade attacks.
I was trying to find an opening, even though I knew victory was a distant hope.
The energy from her aura blade sliced through the air with every strike.
The red light surrounding her blade wasn't just for show. It was a clear display of her determination and finely honed skill.
My shadows, while powerful, struggled to match the speed and precision of Seraphina's blows.
This was a wall that someone like me — a writer — couldn't just leap over.
I kept manipulating my shadows to solidify into tendrils, trying to intercept and redirect her attacks, but the aura surrounding her blade cut through them like mist.
"Don't you think you're overdoing it?"
Seraphina didn't respond right away, focused on her next move.
"Overdoing it? This is just the beginning. Don't expect me to go easy on you just because you're unarmed."
Is she insane?
A particularly fast strike almost caught me off guard while I was thinking, but I managed to dodge at the last second, feeling the heat of the aura pass dangerously close to my skin.
She's completely out of her mind.
My heart was pounding, adrenaline rushing through my veins as I desperately searched for a way to counterattack.
"You're really not holding back..."
I need to think of something.
While I scrambled for a plan, I kept manipulating my shadows, trying to create barriers and tendrils to block her attacks, while Seraphina kept advancing without hesitation.
"Come on, what happened to your confidence?"
Her gaze was fierce and determined.
I knew I had to respond with everything I had.
I focused my energy into the shadows around me, pulling them together to form a dense shield in front of me.
Seraphina's next thrust collided with it and, to both her surprise and mine, the impact was absorbed, giving me a brief moment to breathe.
"I can still go a little longer."
I launched a counterattack with the shadows, trying to wrap around her sword and disarm her.
She moved back quickly, the surprise in her eyes shifting to determination.
"Finally fighting for real."
She said with a faint smile.
For real? I'm already at my limit.
Our eyes met, and for a moment, the training field disappeared, leaving only the two of us and the sound of our hearts pounding.
My breathing was loud.
Not much time had passed since the fight began, but I was already at my limit.
But suddenly.
Without warning.
That's when the unexpected happened.
A subtle vibration, imperceptible to others, came just before a translucent window appeared in front of me, displaying a message from the system that only I could see.
[Mission completed: Duel with Seraphina. +100 points acquired.]
[Points: 155]
▷ Additional 10 points will be added for mastery gained in Shadow Manipulation
[Current Points: 165]
So I didn't even have to finish the duel?
An involuntary smile escaped me, not out of mockery, but relief for completing the mission.
Seraphina saw the smile on my face and muttered,
"Let's see how long you plan to keep that smile on your face."
It seemed she misunderstood why I was smiling.
While she was getting ready for a second round, I sighed and said,
"I give up."
I declared it, ending the match before Seraphina could even process the sudden change.
"What? What do you mean you give up?"
The confusion and irritation in her voice were obvious, but I had already gotten what I wanted.
She looked visibly furious, and her annoyance with my apparent arrogance was only growing.
Arthur came over to us to try to calm things down. That's just the kind of person he was.
"That was a good duel, guys, but I don't think you needed to go that far for a simple match..."
Arthur approached with words of praise for our skills, but Seraphina cut him off.
"Shut up, Arthur. I need to put this arrogant idiot in his place."
She seemed really mad at me.
I didn't waste time. I tried to get out of there as quickly as possible.
Seraphina looked like she was about to explode again at any second.
Her eyes were fixed on me, and it almost made me trip. She was seriously furious, and I could feel her frustration rising like a wave.
"That... that idiot just wanted to get under my skin? Does he have no respect? Who does he think he is?"
She was talking to no one in particular, but I could still hear her.
"Tsk. That bastard."
As I headed toward the men's locker room, I heard Seraphina huff and mutter through clenched teeth, trying to hold back her anger.
I needed a moment to reflect on what I had just done and give my body a break.
Even though it was a short duel, I felt like I had used up nearly all of my energy.
As I walked away, I could still hear the confused murmurs of the crowd and Seraphina's frustrated grumbling.
====
▷ Grilled Chicken with Special Herbs – 80 Ƶ
▷ Fortifying Vegetable Soup – 70 Ƶ
▷ Steak with Wine Sauce and Sides – 100 Ƶ
▷ Energy Salad with Exotic Fruits – 90 Ƶ
Why am I not surprised?
Evan was taking a shower, letting the hot water relax his tense muscles and wash off the sweat.
"I really did that."
He muttered to himself, still processing what had just happened.
He had just finished a duel with Seraphina, one of the top first-year students at Spectra.
Her reputation wasn't just about her skills. Seraphina was from an old and respected aristocratic family with a long-standing legacy.
"What was that all about earlier?"
Evan asked himself, still trying to make sense of her reaction.
He expected her to be surprised by his skills, but her expression looked more like shock, like she had seen a ghost.
Drying off and finishing his shower, Evan got dressed in the uniform he had set aside earlier and headed straight to the cafeteria.
It was nearly lunchtime, and he needed a quick meal before going to his part-time job.
The clock showed 11:50.
Spectra's cafeteria was spacious and well-organized, though not as crowded as Evan expected.
Most students from wealthy families avoided the standard cafeteria, preferring private meals in prestige areas or even getting custom meals delivered. That kept the flow in the cafeteria relatively light.
As he approached the line, Evan looked over Spectra's meal system.
He noticed that the cafeteria offered two main options: the standard meals...
Basic meals were free for all students, while special ones had to be paid with the local currency, Zén (Ƶ).
Zén was the official currency of that world, and it had appreciated significantly, even more than the dollar, after the rise in influence of heroes. Its value was considerable within Spectra, especially for privileged students who used it for added comfort at the academy.
He looked at the digital panel above the buffet, and the prices of some fancy meals almost made him back away.
Those dishes were enriched with selected ingredients to improve recovery, stamina, and even focus, qualities essential for Spectra students undergoing intense training.
But with prices like that, Evan quickly realized he'd have to be careful with spending.
He would start receiving a monthly scholarship of Ƶ2,600, which would cover basic needs and a few extras, but left no room for luxuries.
Just one of those meals was enough to make him wonder if he'd be able to stay out of the red by the end of the month.
"These prices are absurd... Who in their right mind would pay this much?"
He looked to the side, already set on choosing a basic meal and saving every Zén, and saw... practically everyone around him eating expensive, gourmet-looking plates.
Students carried trays with dishes that seemed to shine brighter than the silverware.
Some proudly displayed juicy steaks and artfully decorated fish.
A group nearby was discussing whether the "Energy Salad with Exotic Fruits" really helped with energy recovery.
Another was analyzing the unique flavor of the "Grilled Chicken with Special Herbs."
"Am I really the only one here who thinks these prices are ridiculous?"
While thinking that, Evan remembered the call he had received from Spectra the night before.
They had informed him that the first installment of his scholarship was already available, a huge relief.
Until then, he hadn't found a single coin in Evan's room since arriving.
It seemed Spectra spared no effort in making sure their students were financially supported.
The early deposit likely existed so students could afford higher-quality meals and other necessities required for Spectra's demanding routine.
Evan let out a quiet sigh.
Knowing he had an emergency fund gave him peace of mind, but it didn't change the fact that his money had to be managed wisely.
At Spectra, aside from meals, spending options were limited to a few needs, and he knew that his scholarship had to cover more than just his own expenses. His siblings relied on him too.
For someone with responsibilities like Evan, it was clear how quickly that money could vanish.
Resolved, he chose the basic meal.
With his tray in hand, Evan headed for a quieter table, hoping for a moment of peace before dealing with a packed afternoon.
"I was expecting some average cafeteria food, but this... this is actually pretty good. Maybe too good."
He glanced at his simple plate, grilled chicken, fresh salad, and a bit of brown rice, and compared it to the extravagant meals on other trays around the cafeteria.
Those looked like they were made to impress, both in taste and in magical benefits.
Evan casually eyed the juicy cuts of meat on a few trays nearby. He knew many of them came from animals raised in areas rich in magical energy, enhancing not only the flavor but also physical recovery and mental performance.
They weren't exactly rare, but they clearly had Spectra's signature touch, making them worth the steep price.
He shrugged, content with his free meal.
...
He had barely started eating when he noticed a familiar figure approaching, moving with natural confidence and perfect posture.
The firm steps suggested someone with purpose, and there was something about her presence that made Evan look up.
She stopped in front of him and, without hesitation, pulled out a chair and sat down with ease.
Seraphina, uninvited, crossed her arms on the table and stared straight at him.
Evan's fork froze mid-air as her piercing gaze locked on his.
"I want to know about the powers you used against me."
Her voice was firm and direct, and the intensity of her tone cut through the usual cafeteria noise, locking Evan's full attention.
The shadow of their recent fight still lingered between them, and while her eyes held curiosity mixed with a trace of challenge, it was clear this wasn't going to be a friendly chat.